20 Best Animated Movies Of All Time

Animation has always been an attraction to a vast audience of all ages since its inception and has established its esteemed position in the film industry and the hearts of countless as well. At the time of its commencement, Walt Disney was the undisputed king of animated films. The passage of time has expanded the animation industry and apparently – with the arrival of DreamWorks Animation and Warner Brothers Studios– so has the competition. Here are the 20 best-animated movies of all time that will always be cherished by audiences worldwide:

 

20. Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010)

Partially based upon the controversial Batman comic book A Death in the Family, this animated movie proved to be the most unconventional and mature Bat flick. The Joker emotionally cripples the Dark Knight after killing his adopted son and partner Jason Todd (the second Robin) in a warehouse filled with explosives.

Determined for revenge, the Caped Crusader’s plans settle for a delay when a masked vigilante known as the Red Hood plots to control crime in Gotham City. Things take an unexpected turn when the Red Hood reveals his identity; turning out to be none other than a close companion from Batman’s past.

 

19. Madagascar (2005)

Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it. Marty, a zebra from Central Park Zoo questions his life when he wishes for a journey to the wild on his birthday. Out of curiosity, Marty eventually reaches the island of Madagascar.

With friends Alex the Lion, Melvin the Giraffe, and Gloria the Hippopotamus, things get complicated when the carnivore of the bunch sees his friends as an option for meat that he has been craving.

 

18. Mulan (1998)

Anxious about her weak father engaging in a battle against the Huns, Mulan gathers the strength to do what none of the girls of her country ever did, take her father’s place in the war.

Under the disguise of a man, Mulan begins to train as part of the Chinese army and ultimately with the aid of her guardian dragon Mushu and lucky cricket Crickey, becomes the hero of her country.

 

17. Ice Age (2002)

Put a wooly mammoth, a sloth, and a smilodon in one room, and you, against all odds, get the most functional herd of the ice age if not of all time. When the unlikely trio finds a human baby, they go on a quest to return it to its family while Diego the Smilodon has betrayal in mind.

Working together and saving each other’s lives during the journey develops a soft corner for Sid the sloth and Manny the mammoth and eventually, forms a bond of trust and mutual respect among the three.

 

16. The Jungle Book (1967)

Based upon Rudyard Kipling’s collection of stories under the same title, The Jungle Book is one of the most loved and well-appreciated animated movies of all time. When panther Bagheera finds an orphan infant in a basket, he takes him to a pack of wolves who nurture him as their cub and name him Mowgli.

All grown up, the jungle animals feel worried about their human friend once they find out that the tiger Sher Khan has returned with the intention of hunting and eating Mowgli.

 

15. Up (2009)

Pixar Animation Studios has released several comedy films over the years but Up had a different direction; it has every element that a film needs to be a massive hit. The film follows the high-flying adventures of Carl and Muntz; an unlikely duo with a taste for adventure.

Proving to be emotional as well as insanely comical, the film amazingly received five Academy Award nominations; winning two including one for Best Animated Feature. The short love story of young Carl and young Ellie depicted at the start of the film has often been hailed as the most touchy animated love story to date and has often been called better than most of the teen love stories released these days (especially Twilight film series).

 

14. Finding Nemo (2003)

There are 7.5 billion fish in the ocean and Marlin the clownfish is looking for one: his son, Nemo. After his wife and eggs are consumed by a barracuda, luck strikes Marlin as he discovers one of his eggs barely survived.

When a scuba diver snatches his son, Marlin vows to find him no matter the cost. The wild journey turns out to be quite entertaining when Dory, a Pacific regal blue tang with short-term memory loss joins to help him on his quest.

 

13. 101 Dalmatians (1961)

One of the best and most original animated movies that Walt Disney ever produced is One Hundred and One Dalmatians. The film quickly got a cult following, an animated series, a live-action film, and a sequel.

Based on The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith, the film itself is an excellent example of animated art at its best and has been regarded as one of the most entertaining animated films ever.

 

12. Shrek (2001)

In the best fairy tale ever told; when the grouchy ogre Shrek and the wise-cracking friend Donkey are sent by Lord Farquaad to rescue Princess Fiona from being locked in a castle guarded by a fire-breathing dragon, things get more complicated than usual.

With several characters from various fairy tales, Shrek proves to be one big hilarious, and entertaining fairy tale mash-up too good to be left out of anyone’s pleasurable circle.

 

11. Akira (1988)

Taking advantage of all the possible high-tech machinery capable of impressing the human mind and creating them in an animated form, TMS Entertainment produced a cyberpunk action animated film titled Akira.

Claimed to be a cult film and a landmark in Japanese animation since its inception, Akira follows the adventures of a happy-go-lucky teenager Shotaro Kaneda, and his misadventures while leading a gang against the government.

 

10. Bambi (1942)

Much appreciated for showcasing the beauty of nature in animated form and proving that the big screen is a stage welcomed to even anthropomorphic animals, Disney’s Bambi quickly started an abundant fan following due to its awe-inspiring creatures from the animal kingdom.

Based on the 1923 Australian novel Bambi, a Life in the Woods by Felix Salten, the animated film is regarded as an unbelievable animation accomplishment during its time.

 

9. Beauty and the Beast (1991)

One of the finest and most well-loved animated films that Disney has ever produced is undoubtedly the enchanted tale of the beautiful Belle and her altercation with an ugly freak of nature. Cursed for his boldness and arrogance, the Beast had the idea of his transformation back into his human form as being impossible before Belle came into his life to change his hateful nature to patience and generosity.

Beauty and the Beast was a trendsetter as it was the first animated film ever to have been nominated for ‘Best Picture’ in the Academy Awards. It successfully secured two of its six Oscar Award nominations.

 

8. Grave of the FireFlies (1988)

The Japanese animated feature Grave of the FireFlies takes an unlikely direction: it chronicles the repulsions of war and enmity. Despite the country’s animation industry still being raw at the time of its release, the film became a critical success.

Produced by Studio Ghibli and highlighting various depressing and captivating scenes through flashbacks, the film instantly became a renowned work of art in the animation industry. 

 

7. Aladdin (1992)

Based on the Arab folktale Aladdin and the Magic Lamp from One Thousand and One Nights, the Walt Disney Company achieved new heights in animation with Aladdin, which proved to be a massive success.

The story follows a thief of the same name who finds a magic lamp in the Cave of Wonders. Once he discovers that the lamp is the home of a mystical genie, the boy sets his goals high realizing that his wildest dreams can come true in a blink of an eye.

 

6. WALL-E (2008)

Ranked as the greatest animated movie ever by Entertainment Weekly, WALL-E tells an amazing story of a robot trying to make the world a better place again. Set in a distant future, the planet Earth has become a giant junkyard due to human negligence.

Destined to change the world, WALL-E the emotional robot is accompanied by an optimistic female robot named EVE, who shares a romantic feeling as the film progresses. WALL-E became a cult classic and received six Academy Awards nominations; winning one for Best Animated Feature.

 

5. Spirited Away (2001)

After entering an alternate reality of monsters and evil spirits, the wicked witch Yubaba transforms the parents of ten-year-old Chihiro into pigs; forcing her to work in her bathhouse while finding a way to return to the human world.

Aiding her in the quest is a spirit named No-Face who becomes emotionally attached to the strong-hearted girl for her affection. Despite being bizarre in its own right, Spirited Away is regarded as one of the greatest animated movies of all time and set a rare example of a Japanese film winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. It is also financially the most successful Japanese film in the world. The director of this animated film, Hayao Miyazaki is highly regarded in Japanese film industry and is often considered the best animation director in Japan. 

 

4. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Loved and remembered by countless generations over the years, Disney’s striking tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs happens to be one of the few that just won’t seem to go away.

Known for many eye-catching, sensitive, gloomy, and terrifying moments as well, the animated film is undoubtedly the best possible adaption of the German fairy tale of the same name by the Brothers Grimm.

 

3. Toy Story (1995)

With the creation of perhaps the most unique story ever told, Pixar Animation Studios catapulted itself to recognition and magnitude when Toy Story hit the big screen.

Known as the first-ever fully animated feature film, the film holds a reputation as one of the highest-grossing, extremely decorated, and well-produced animated films in Hollywood.

 

2. Pinocchio (1940)

Regarded as one of the most inspirational fairy tales of all time, when the overwhelming tale of a life-granted puppet was adapted into a feature-length animated movie, Walt Disney Productions achieved a milestone in the art of animation.

Despite initially failing at the box office due to World War II, Pinocchio, and its characters found a special place for themselves in the hearts of millions of age-ranging audiences and ultimately, many generations to come.

 

1. The Lion King (1994)

When Scar kills his brother Mufasa to take control of his kingdom and wreak havoc, the latter’s son realizes his goal to restore the balance even if it means engaging in a battle to the death against his uncle.

Based upon William Shakespeare’s plays Hamlet and Macbeth and heavily influenced by Biblical legends of Moses and Joseph, without a shadow of a doubt, The Lion King is the best cartoon film of all time. It is also financially the most successful hand-drawn film in cinema history.

 

Honorable Mentions

This list would be biased without honoring these titles:

• Despicable Me (2010)
• Ratatouille (2007)
• Monsters Inc. (2001)
• The Iron Giant (1999)

If you were to suggest some animated films, what would your best animated movies of all time be? Let us know in the comments section below!