Animation has long been an underdog when it comes to critically-acclaimed films. Still, this filmmaking style often has a unique ability to explore deep emotion and adult themes while keeping the surface material digestible for children. As the capabilities of animation have improved over the years, audiences are increasingly realizing the value of animation as a medium. Today, fans from a wide variety of ages celebrate animated movies.
Because the medium has exploded, especially during the last decade, narrowing down the list of the most quality animated films is difficult. Storytelling, quality of animation, and voice performances all play a critical role in the success of an animated movie. When each aspect comes together, the results aren’t just the best animated films but some of the best films, period.
Updated on April 7th, 2024 by Chelsea Steele: For years, animation has been a wildly under-appreciated medium, often getting overlooked by moviegoers in favor of live action. But while animated films don't always get the love they deserve, it's hard to deny that some of the best movies of all time come from this imaginative medium. We've updated this list to meet CBR's current publication standard, offering more info on some of the greatest animated hits to ever grace the big screen.
20 The Lion King Is One Of Disney's Most Iconic Classics
The Lion King Rating Scores
IMDb |
8.5/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
92% |
There can’t be a conversation about the greatest animated movies of all time without including Disney’s The Lion King. This film – a hallmark entry from Disney’s ’90s renaissance period – is the story of a young lion named Simba, who must overcome his father’s death and find his place in the circle of life.
The Lion King intertwines adult themes of loss, destiny, inner strength, and redemption with lighthearted humor, stunning visuals, and some terrific original songs to prove that animation can soar to as great of heights as live-action films. This movie was successful enough to produce two sequels and a live-action remake. Unsurprisingly, audiences and critics agree the original is by far the best in storytelling and overall quality.
The Lion King
Lion prince Simba and his father are targeted by his bitter uncle, who wants to ascend the throne himself.
- Director
- Roger Allers , Rob Minkoff
- Release Date
- June 15, 1994
- Studio
- Disney
- Cast
- Matthew Broderick , Jeremy Irons , James Earl Jones
- Writers
- Irene Mecchi , Jonathan Roberts , Linda Woolverton
- Runtime
- 88 minutes
- Main Genre
- Animation
19 Spirited Away Tells A Whimsical Coming-Of-Age Story
Spirited Away Rating Scores
IMDb |
8.6/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
96% |
One Spirited Away Fan Theory Claims the Film Isn't the Innocent Children's Story We Thought It Was
Spirited Away may seem like an innocent film. But one fan theory turns the film on its head.Legendary director and creator of Studio Ghibli, Hayao Miyazaki, has directed several of the most critically-acclaimed anime movies ever. Many critics and fans agree that Spirited Away is one of his best works in a filmography chock-full of all-time greats. Of all of Miyazaki’s films, which can be as heart-wrenching as they are whimsical, Spirited Away was perhaps the most widely received. The movie opened the gateway for Ghibli films to reach more mainstream audiences.
Spirited Away, which follows a young girl who works in a supernatural resort for spirits to buy her way back into the real world, was the first anime feature to win the Best Animated Picture award in 2001. Critics praised the film for its hidden messages that revealed themselves to older viewers. Indeed, children can relate to young Chihiro’s loneliness and desire to acclimate to a new town, while older audiences can find a layered critique of consumerism and pollution. With nuanced storytelling and breathtaking hand-drawn animation, Spirited Away is a timeless tale.
Spirited Away (2001)
During her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, a world where humans are changed into beasts.
- Director
- Hayao Miyazaki
- Release Date
- July 20, 2001
- Studio
- Studio Ghibli
- Cast
- Rumi Hîragi , Miyu Irino , Mari Natsuki , Takashi Naitô , Yasuko Sawaguchi
- Runtime
- 125 minutes
- Main Genre
- Anime
18 How to Train Your Dragon Features The Heartwarming Bond Between A Boy & A Dragon
How To Train Your Dragon Rating Scores
IMDb |
8.1/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
99% |
How to Train Your Dragon was a surprise hit from DreamWorks studio and spawned a massive franchise. The first entry in the series is a story about two outcasts who find friendship in each other and bring out an inner strength neither of them previously thought they possessed. Young Viking Hiccup lives in a world where the human’s sole purpose is to slay dragons. Unfortunately for Hiccup, his reluctance to hurt these creatures leaves him isolated in a violent world. The story kicks off when Hiccup shoots down a young dragon with a homemade weapon.
This dragon, which Hiccup dubs Toothless, soon endears himself to Hiccup, who subsequently decides to save his life and rehabilitate him too. Throughout How to Train Your Dragon, Toothless and Hiccup grow to rely on each other, forming an unbreakable bond. Eventually, this bond is a shining example that helps bring peace to their warring species. It’s more lighthearted than some top-rated animated movies, but its encouragement to stand up for what’s right in the face of adversity is a valuable message for all audiences.
How to Train Your Dragon
The How to Train Your Dragon franchise follows the adventures of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, an awkward teenage Viking, and Toothless, his domesticated dragon.
- Created by
- Cressida Cowell
- First Film
- How to Train Your Dragon
- Latest Film
- How to Train Your Dragon 3
- Cast
- Jay Baruchel , America Ferrera , Gerard Butler
17 The Toy Story Series Put Pixar On The Map With Its Incredible Story & Worldbuilding
Toy Story Rating Scores
IMDb |
8.3/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
100% |
Toy Story 5 Release Date Announced by Disney/Pixar
Disney announces when the highly-anticipated Pixar sequel, Toy Story 5, will open in theaters.Because every Toy Story movie has garnered massive critical praise, it’s only fair to recommend them collectively. Since its first entry, Toy Story has upheld the highest standard of animated storytelling. The series follows best friends – and toys – Woody and Buzz as they try to support their owner Andy while constantly being thrown into the world outside Andy’s room.
From the original Toy Story in 1995 to the most recent 2019 sequel, Toy Story 4, this collection is one of the few in animated feature history, with a record of sustained success over 20 years. The nostalgia factor alone makes these films enticing to rewatch. But at Toy Story’s heart is complex worldbuilding and stylized animation that holds the test of time and makes this series a truly rare gem.
Toy Story
Woody, the brave pull-string cowboy, Buzz Lightyear, the space ranger with a delusional ego, and the rest of Andy's toy box aren't just inanimate figures. They're a vibrant community, facing their own anxieties, dreams, and hilarious hijinks when the coast is clear. Witness their rivalries and alliances, their existential crises and epic adventures, all from the perspective of a child's imagination.
- Created by
- John Lasseter , Pete Docter , Andrew Stanton , Joe Ranft
- First Film
- Toy Story
- Latest Film
- Toy Story 4
- Cast
- Tom Hanks , Tim Allen , Don Rickles , John Ratzenberger , Wallace Shawn , Jodi Benson , Joan Cusack
- TV Show(s)
- Toy Story Toons
16 Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse Changed The Animation Game With Its Innovative Visuals
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse Rating Scores
IMDb |
8.4/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
97% |
One of the most recent additions to the animation greats is Sony’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. After several poorly-received animated films, fans were apprehensive about the major studio’s first attempt at an animated Spider-Man feature. But immediately upon its release, audiences praised the finished product, with some calling it the best Spider-Man film ever made, live-action versions included.
Into the Spider-Verse used an animating style on the big screen that fans hadn’t seen before, combining digital animation with hand-drawn accents on top. This art style gave the movie a comic-book-accurate appearance that popped off the screen. Ultimately, each second of the film took over a week to finalize. On top of Into the Spider-Verse's innovative visuals, the fresh spin on Spider-Man’s origins – using the character of Miles Morales – struck a chord with audiences. Plus, with one well-received sequel and another on the way, it’s safe to say Sony hit the nail on the head with this iteration of a beloved character.
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
Teen Miles Morales becomes the Spider-Man of his universe and must join with five spider-powered individuals from other dimensions to stop a threat for all realities.
- Director
- Bob Persichetti , Peter Ramsey , Rodney Rothman
- Release Date
- December 14, 2018
- Studio
- Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), Columbia Pictures, Marvel Entertainment
- Runtime
- 117 minutes
- Main Genre
- Animation
15 Inside Out Is A Creative & Thoughtful Look At Human Emotions
Inside Out Rating Scores
IMDb |
8.1/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
98% |
Anytime Pixar releases a movie, it’s a good bet to end up on the year-end best lists of many top critics. Inside Out was no different and was a commercial and critical success that reminded audiences of Pixar’s best qualities. The movie frames the emotions of a pre-teen girl as individual characters living inside her.
This framing device is a clever storytelling tactic that also allows Inside Out to explain to children the complexities of their emotions in terms they can understand. Like other Pixar films, Inside Out establishes a blend of humor and heart, using lovable caricatures of emotions to discuss potentially tricky subjects like mental health, the importance of familial relationships, and the fears associated with growing up.
Inside Out
After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.
- Director
- Pete Docter , Ronnie del Carmen
- Release Date
- June 19, 2015
- Studio
- Pixar
- Cast
- Amy Poehler , Bill Hader , Lewis Black , Richard Kind
- Writers
- Pete Docter , Ronnie del Carmen , Meg LeFauve , Josh Cooley
- Runtime
- 95 minutes
- Main Genre
- Animation
14 Finding Nemo Follows A Loving Father On An Emotional Journey
Finding Nemo Rating Scores
IMDb |
8.2/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
99% |
Finding Nemo swam into theaters during the gold age of Pixar in 2003 and set a new standard for animated movies going forward. Aside from its compelling story, the visual style of Finding Nemo is gorgeous, with noticeable attention to detail and convincing water mechanics that continue to hold up today.
Finding Nemo depicts the harrowing journey of Marlin, a single, overprotective father trying to rescue his son after scuba divers kidnap him. The movie explores the loving but dysfunctional relationship between father and son, stressing the importance of trust and letting go of past trauma. Boasting hard-hitting emotional beats, a handful of comedic side characters, and an impressive voice cast, it’s no wonder Finding Nemo has continued to linger in the hearts of audiences twenty years after its release.
Finding Nemo
After his son is captured in the Great Barrier Reef and taken to Sydney, a timid clownfish sets out on a journey to bring him home.
- Director
- Andrew Stanton , Lee Unkrich
- Release Date
- May 30, 2003
- Studio
- Pixar
- Cast
- Albert Brooks , Ellen DeGeneres , Willem Dafoe , Alexander Gould
- Runtime
- 1 hour 40 minutes
- Main Genre
- Animation
13 Fantastic Mr. Fox Stands Out With Its Gorgeous Stop-Motion Animation
Fantastic Mr. Fox Rating Scores
IMDb |
7.9/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
93% |
Many fans may know Wes Anderson for his heavily stylized, absurdly comedic live-action movies. Still, Anderson has proven adept at making quality animated films like Fantastic Mr. Fox. Utilizing stop-motion animation and an all-star voice cast, Fantastic Mr. Fox has all the whimsy and humor of a Wes Anderson film, that's surprisingly emotional too.
Fantastic Mr. Fox explores the complexity of family dynamics and the danger of falling prey to greed, all with the visual panache Anderson fans have come to expect from his movies. Like other top animated films, the movie finds the perfect balance between being family-friendly and emotionally resonating for older audience members.
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
An urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers' retaliation.
- Director
- Wes Anderson
- Release Date
- November 13, 2009
- Cast
- George Clooney , Meryl Streep , Jason Schwartzman , Bill Murray , Willem Dafoe , Owen Wilson
- Writers
- Wes Anderson , Noah Baumbach
- Runtime
- 87 minutes
- Main Genre
- Comedy
- Characters By
- Roald Dahl
- Cinematographer
- Tristan Oliver
- Producer
- Allison Abbate, Scott Rudin, Wes Anderson, Jeremy Dawson
- Production Company
- 20th Century Fox Animation, Indian Paintbrush, Regency Enterprises, American Empirical Pictures
12 Up Is A Beautiful & Compelling Story Of Life, Love, & Overcoming Grief
Up Rating Scores
IMDb |
8.3/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
98% |
There are many reasons Pixar is known as one of the best and biggest producers of animated content, and Up is a prime example of its stellar work. Up’s first few minutes are a masterclass in storytelling, as a wordless montage of Carl and Ellie Fredricksen’s relationship takes you through the main character’s entire life and establishes their current emotional state. The rest of the movie fleshes out the characters and gives purpose to their partnership while being a fun, lighthearted adventure.
In Up, Carl and Boy Scout-turned-stowaway Russel embark on a journey to float Carl and Ellie’s house – via balloons – to Paradise Falls. Enjoyable hijinks ensue along the way, but most of the movie’s emotion comes from Carl’s palpable love for Ellie and his grief over her passing. Any film that can broach these topics naturally while remaining humorous and enjoyable is truly a remarkable accomplishment.
Up
- Director
- Pete Docter , Bob Peterson
- Release Date
- May 29, 2009
- Studio
- Pixar
- Cast
- Edward Asner , Christopher Plummer , Jordan Nagai , Bob Peterson
- Writers
- Pete Docter , Bob Peterson , Tom McCarthy
- Runtime
- 96 minutes
- Main Genre
- Animation
11 WALL-E Tells A Cautionary Tale In One Of The Most Unique & Charming Ways
WALL-E Rating Scores
IMDb |
8.4/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
95% |
What Happened to Earth in Pixar's WALL-E?
For all its heartwarming qualities, WALL-E is still a story about the end of the world, and it found a particularly novel and unsettling way to do it.Another standout from Pixar is WALL-E. This film is an extraordinary anomaly in the genre, holding children's attention while utilizing almost no dialogue. Because the titular protagonist is primarily silent, the movie expresses much emotion through the physical environment and WALL-E’s expressions.
WALL-E takes viewers on an adventure with the lovable garbage-processing robot abandoned on Earth to live a solemn, lonely existence. When he meets the enchanting EVE, WALL-E quickly falls in love with the more advanced robot and follows her across the cosmos. In addition to this charming love story, WALL-E is a cautionary tale about the dangers of climate change and excessive consumerism and consumption. It’s a film as relevant and entertaining today as it was upon its release.
WALL-E
In the distant future, a small waste-collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.
- Director
- Andrew Stanton
- Release Date
- June 27, 2008
- Studio
- Disney
- Cast
- Ben Burtt , Elissa Knight
- Writers
- Andrew Stanton , Jim Reardon
- Runtime
- 1 Hour 38 Minutes
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Production Company
- FortyFour Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures
10 The Iron Giant Is The Touching Story Of An Unlikely Friendship
The Iron Giant Rating Scores
IMDb |
8.1/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
96% |
Before he helmed some of Pixar's biggest hits, director Brad Bird made his feature film debut with The Iron Giant. Using beautifully hand-drawn animation, The Iron Giant depicts the arrival of a massive alien robot in 1957 Maine. As nine-year-old Hogarth Hughes befriends the giant, he must also protect him from government officials bent on destroying the kind and heroic giant.
The Iron Giant is a gorgeous and emotionally affecting movie. Despite being a non-humanoid alien, the eponymous giant builds a deep bond with Hogarth that is as meaningful a relationship between two characters as any other in an animated film. Plus, the movie's explicit anti-gun message is even more fitting today than it was over 20 years ago.
The Iron Giant
A young boy befriends a giant robot from outer space that a paranoid government agent wants to destroy.
- Director
- Brad Bird
- Release Date
- August 6, 1999
- Studio
- Warner Bros.
- Cast
- Eli Marienthal , Harry Connick Jr. , Jennifer Aniston , Vin Diesel
- Writers
- Tim McCanlies , Brad Bird , Ted Hughes
- Runtime
- 1 Hour 26 Minutes
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Production Company
- Warner Bros., Warner Bros. Animation
9 The Nightmare Before Christmas Remains An Icon Of Animation Even Decades Later
The Nightmare Before Christmas Rating Scores
IMDb |
7.9/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
95% |
Although Tim Burton’s name is on the poster, and many fans associate the movie with him, The Nightmare Before Christmas is primarily the work of animation guru Henry Selick. Utilizing Selick’s trademark stop-motion animation style, Nightmare Before Christmas is an enchanting musical that oozes a unique visual panache from every frame, despite being over 30 years old.
The Nightmare Before Christmas follows Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown. Jack, who has grown weary and bored with Halloween, accidentally stumbles upon Christmastown. Inspired by this new holiday, Jack subsequently attempts to bring back Christmas to Halloweentown to predictably chaotic results. With fantastic animation and an excellent Danny Elfman-led soundtrack, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a totem of the medium.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his home causes confusion.
- Release Date
- October 13, 1993
- Cast
- Danny Elfman , Chris Sarandon , Paul Reubens , Catherine O'Hara , William Hickey , Ken Page
- Writers
- Tim Burton
- Runtime
- 76 minutes
- Producer
- Tim Burton
- Production Company
- Touchstone Pictures
8 My Neighbor Totoro Is A Simple Yet Heartwarming Story
My Neighbor Totoro Rating Scores
IMDb |
8.1/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
93% |
Both critics and fans widely consider My Neighbor Totoro – along with Spirited Away – as one of anime auteur Hayao Miyazaki's best works. Like Miyazaki's other films, Totoro is a whimsical adventure with outstanding animation that also packs a significant emotional punch.
My Neighbor Totoro portrays the lives of the Kusakabe family as they move to rural Japan to be closer to their infirmed mother. Despite their new home being older and slightly dilapidated, the Kusakabe sisters – Satsuki and Mei – soon discover the charm and excitement living closer to nature can bring. This connection to nature, as represented by the friendly forest troll, Totoro, helps the girls through their transition to their new home a living without their mother.
My Neighbor Totoro
When two girls move to the country to be near their ailing mother, they have adventures with the wondrous forest spirits who live nearby.
- Director
- Hayao Miyazaki
- Release Date
- April 16, 1988
- Studio
- Studio Ghibli
- Cast
- Hitoshi Takagi , Noriko Hidaka , Chika Sakamoto , Shigesato Itoi , Sumi Shimamoto , Tanie Kitabayashi
- Writers
- Hayao Miyazaki
- Runtime
- 86 Minutes
- Main Genre
- Anime
7 Shrek's Groundbreaking First Film Shaped DreamWorks Into What It Is Today
Shrek Rating Scores
IMDb |
7.9/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
88% |
Shrek isn't just a worthwhile animated film; it's responsible for helping solidify a major movie studio. When entertainment giants Steven Spielberg, Jeffery Katzenberg, and David Geffen founded DreamWorks Studios, they wanted to compete with other industry giants. After winning three consecutive Best Picture Oscars for their live-action films, they launched into animated works to try and compete with Disney and Pixar. While Shrek wasn't the studio's first animated feature, it was by far their most successful.
Shrek tracks the adventures of its titular ogre and his companion, Donkey, as they seek to rescue a trapped princess and deliver her to the king. The movie became an instant classic thanks to its high-quality animation, voice performances, and soundtrack. Moreover, the film's sense of humor – which had jokes for children and adults – made it a standout in the medium. Shrek was so successful that it spawned a massive franchise with three sequels and two spinoffs.
Shrek
A mean lord exiles fairytale creatures to the swamp of a grumpy ogre, who must go on a quest and rescue a princess for the lord in order to get his land back.
- Created by
- William Steig
- First Film
- Shrek
- Latest Film
- shrek 5
- Cast
- Mike Myers , Eddie Murphy , Cameron Diaz , Antonio Banderas
- Spin-offs
- The Adventures of Puss in Boots
- Spin-offs (Movies)
- Puss in Boots , Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
6 Pinocchio Is Still One Of Disney's Darkest Films
Pinocchio Rating Scores
IMDb |
7.5/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
100% |
As only the second animated feature film from Disney, Pinocchio was as groundbreaking as it is engaging. Although Pinocchio is beautifully animated and centers on a doll’s quest to become a real boy, much of it is rather grim. The film isn’t only one of Disney’s gloomiest, but Pinnochio is definitely one of the darkest animated movies ever made.
Throughout Pinocchio, the eponymous doll must undergo a series of physical and mental trials representing the worldly temptations he'll face as an actual human. During the movie, Pinocchio lies, drinks, and is even sold into slave labor. Despite the severity of these adventures, Pinocchio is ultimately a heartwarming tale of a new family coming together when they need each other the most.
Pinocchio
A living puppet, with the help of a cricket as his conscience, must prove himself worthy to become a real boy.
- Director
- Norman Ferguson , T. Hee , Wilfred Jackson
- Release Date
- February 23, 1940
- Writers
- Ted Sears , Otto Englander
- Runtime
- 1 Hour 28 Minutes
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Production Company
- Walt Disney Animation Studios
5 Rango Is A Quirky Western-Inspired Adventure
Rango Rating Scores
IMDb |
7.3/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
88% |
Rango is one of the more unique entries in the annals of the best-animated films. Directed by Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean), the movie features outstanding animation, top-notch set pieces, and crackling voice performances that are the result of the cast actually acting together on a set rather than in a recording booth as is typical for most animated films.
Rango tracks the adventures of the titular chameleon who accidentally lands in the Wild West town of Dirt. Upon his arrival, Rango learns that Dirt desperately needs water and a new sheriff. After becoming sheriff, Rango takes up the case of the missing water. What follows is a silly, rip-roaring adventure that stacks up favorably to any Western movie, let alone any animated one.
Rango
Rango is an ordinary chameleon who accidentally winds up in the town of Dirt, a lawless outpost in the Wild West in desperate need of a new sheriff.
- Director
- Gore Verbinski
- Release Date
- March 24, 2011
- Studio
- Paramount Pictures
- Cast
- Johnny Depp , Isla Fisher , Timothy Olyphant
- Writers
- John Logan , Gore Verbinski , James Ward Byrkit
- Runtime
- 1 Hour 47 Minutes
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Producer
- Gore Verbinski, Graham King, John B. Carls
- Production Company
- Nickelodeon Movies, Blind Wink Productions, GK Films
4 Wallace & Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit Is One Of The Best Films In The Franchise
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit Rating Scores
IMDb |
7.5/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
95% |
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is one of the greatest stop-motion animated films ever. From groundbreaking directors Steve Box and Nick Park, this movie is as eccentric and silly as any of the couple’s other, but with a comforting saccharine heart that brings some emotional heft to this zany stop-motion escapade.
The Curse of the Were-Rabbit follows the eponymous duo as they attempt to halt the reign of the were-rabbit who rampages through the town’s prized vegetable gardens every night. While Wallace and Gromit work to humanely capture the monster rabbit, they must do so quickly before their rival, Victor Quartermaine, has his way and kills the mysterious animal.
Wallace & Gromit
The Wallace & Gromit franchise follows the stop-motion adventures of Wallace, Gromit and Shaun the sheep through various films, television shows, video games and more.
- Created by
- Nick Park
- First Film
- A Grand Day Out with Wallace and Gromit
- Latest Film
- Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death
- Upcoming Films
- Wallace & Gromit (2024)
- First TV Show
- Wallace & Gromit
- Latest TV Show
- Wallace & Gromit's World of Invention
- First Episode Air Date
- November 4, 1989
- Spin-offs
- Shaun the Sheep , Timmy Time , Shaun the Sheep 3D , Shaun the Sheep Championsheeps
- Spin-offs (Movies)
- Shaun the Sheep , A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon
- Video Game(s)
- Wallace & Gromit - The Curse of the Were Rabbit , Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures , Wallace & Gromit: The Grand Getaway
3 Mulan Broke New Ground With Its Strong & Capable Female Lead
Mulan Rating Scores
IMDb |
7.7/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
93% |
In many ways, Mulan is like other Disney animation films. The movie features a stellar voice cast (highlighted by Eddie Murphy as the diminutive dragon Mushu), catchy songs, and an earnest and resonant story. Still, Mulan is unique in many other ways, especially compared to other Disney princess movies.
Unlike the Disney princesses before her, Mulan doesn’t need a prince to help her escape a castle, coma, or evil step-family. Likewise, Mulan is more than capable of handling her own business in every aspect of life, including on the battlefield, where she’s a hero several times. Additionally, while Mulan eventually finds love during her escapades, that’s not the primary point of her journey and is merely a by-product of her protecting her father and country. Despite now being nearly 30 years old, Mulan remains an empowering movie watch for viewers of any age.
Mulan
To save her father from death in the army, a young maiden secretly goes in his place and becomes one of China's greatest heroines in the process.
- Director
- Tony Bancroft , Barry Cook
- Release Date
- June 19, 1998
- Studio
- Disney
- Cast
- Ming-Na Wen , Lea Salonga , Eddie Murphy , BD Wong , Donny Osmond
- Runtime
- 1 hour 27 minutes
2 Akira Helped Anime Become More Prominent In The US
Akira Rating Scores
IMDb |
8.0/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
91% |
10 Best Anime That Are Way Bigger in America Than Japan
Although they were made in Japan, some anime find more success, love, and lasting relevance in other countries—especially in America.Although Akira is one of the earliest anime films to break into the American mainstream, it remains one of the best of the genre. The movie, from legendary manga artist turned director Katsuhiro Ôtomo, is renowned for its visceral violence and kinetic, heart-pounding action sequences. These attributes and Akira’s overall high-quality animation have kept the movie a standard-bearer for modern anime.
Akira takes place in Neo-Tokyo, built on the ashes of the old city, where warring motorbike gangs rule the land. Shotaro Kaneda, the leader of one of these gangs, works to stop his old friend Tetsuo, whom the government imbued with telekinetic powers while saving his life. Kaneda makes it his mission to stop Tetsuo, now on a bloody trail of destruction, and prevent another World War.
Akira
A secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psychic psychopath who can only be stopped by a teenager, his gang of biker friends and a group of psychics.
- Director
- Katsuhiro Otomo
- Release Date
- July 16, 1988
- Cast
- Mitsuo Iwata , Nozomu Sasaki , Mami Koyama , Tesshô Genda
- Writers
- Katsuhiro Otomo , Izô Hashimoto
- Runtime
- 124 minutes
- Main Genre
- Anime
- Production Company
- Akira Committee Company Ltd., Akira Studio, TMS Entertainment
1 The Incredibles Stars A Powerful Family Of Superheroes
The Incredibles Rating Scores
IMDb |
8.0/10 |
Rotten Tomatoes |
97% |
The Incredibles is one of Pixar's best movies in a portfolio that matches or exceeds almost any other movie studio, let alone animation-only studios. After the creative success but box office failure of The Iron Giant, director Brad Bird moved from Warner Brothers to Pixar. His first movie with this new studio was The Incredibles.
The Incredibles details the suburban lives of a family of superheroes, the retired father and mother, and their three children, who are just beginning to learn the extent of their powers. When a mysterious client lures the patriarch, Mr. Incredible, back into his supersuit, the rest of the family must soon help him escape the clutches of a new supervillain. The Incredibles is everything a fan of animation could want from a movie; it's action-packed, hilarious, and has meaningful things to say about middle age, suburban malaise, and raising a family.
The Incredibles
The Parrs are a superpowered family with three children who have a double life as superheroes on a time where the Supers are mostly gone.
- Created by
- Brad Bird
- First Film
- The Incredibles
- Latest Film
- The Incredibles 2
- Cast
- Sarah Vowell , Holly Hunter , Craig T. Nelson , Samuel L. Jackson , Spencer Fox , Brad Bird