140 Essential Animated Movies

#70

Isle of Dogs (2018)
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#70
Critics Consensus: The beautifully stop-motion animated Isle of Dogs finds Wes Anderson at his detail-oriented best while telling one of the director's most winsomely charming stories.
Synopsis: When, by executive decree, all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to a vast garbage-dump called Trash Island, [More]
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray
Directed By: Wes Anderson

#69

Kirikou and the Sorceress (1998)
Tomatometer icon 96%

#69
Critics Consensus: Kirikou and the Sorceress is a beautifully uplifting throwback to a simpler animated era, with refreshingly unique art and a timeless soundtrack.
Synopsis: The tiny Kirikou is born into an African village upon which a sorceress called Karaba has cast a terrible spell: [More]
Starring: Antoinette Kellermann, Fezele Mpeka, Kombisile Sangweni, Theo Sebeko
Directed By: Michel Ocelot

#68

April and the Extraordinary World (2015)
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#68
Critics Consensus: Bursting with a colorful imagination befitting its promise-packed title, April and the Extraordinary World offers spectacular delights for animation fans willing to venture off the beaten path.
Synopsis: Accompanied by her talking cat (Tony Hale), a teen (Angela Galuppo) embarks on a quest to find her missing parents [More]
Starring: Angela Galuppo, Tony Hale, Tod Fennell, Tony Robinow
Directed By: Christian Desmares, Franck Ekinci

#67

The Secret of NIMH (1982)
Tomatometer icon 93%

#67
Critics Consensus: The Secret of NIMH seeks to resurrect the classical style of American animation and succeeds, telling a mature story with rapturous presentation.
Synopsis: Mrs. Brisby (Elizabeth Hartman), a widowed mouse, must move her children out of their home in a field before the [More]
Starring: Elizabeth Hartman, Derek Jacobi, Dom DeLuise, Shannen Doherty
Directed By: Don Bluth

#66

The Triplets of Belleville (2003)
Tomatometer icon 94%

#66
Critics Consensus: Richly detailed and loaded with surreal touches, The Triplets of Belleville is an odd, delightful charmer.
Synopsis: This animated film follows elderly Frenchwoman Madame Souza as she becomes involved in international intrigue when her grandson, Champion, a [More]
Starring: Jean-Claude Donda, Michel Robin, Monica Viegas, Michèle Caucheteux
Directed By: Sylvain Chomet

#65

Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Tomatometer icon 91%

#65
Critics Consensus: A nostalgic charmer, Lady and the Tramp's token sweetness is mighty but the songs and richly colored animation are technically superb and make for a memorable experience.
Synopsis: This Disney animated classic follows a pampered cocker spaniel named Lady (Barbara Luddy) whose comfortable life slips away once her [More]
Starring: Peggy Lee, Barbara Luddy, Larry Roberts, Bill Thompson
Directed By: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske

#64

Coraline (2009)
Tomatometer icon 91%

#64
Critics Consensus: With its vivid stop-motion animation combined with Neil Gaiman's imaginative story, Coraline is a film that's both visually stunning and wondrously entertaining.
Synopsis: While exploring her new home, a girl named Coraline (Dakota Fanning) discovers a secret door, behind which lies an alternate [More]
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French
Directed By: Henry Selick

#63

The Breadwinner (2017)
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#63
Critics Consensus: The Breadwinner's stunning visuals are matched by a story that dares to confront sobering real-life issues with uncommon -- and richly rewarding -- honesty.
Synopsis: Parvana is an 11-year-old girl who lives under Taliban rule in Afghanistan in 2001. After the wrongful arrest of her [More]
Starring: Saara Chaudry, Soma Chhaya, Ali Badshah, Laara Sadiq
Directed By: Nora Twomey

#62

The Emperor's New Groove (2000)
Tomatometer icon 86%

#62
Critics Consensus: The Emperor's New Groove isn't the most ambitious animated film, but its brisk pace, fresh characters, and big laughs make for a great time for the whole family.
Synopsis: Arrogant young Emperor Kuzco is transformed into a llama by his power-hungry advisor -- the devious diva Yzma. Stranded in [More]
Starring: David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt, Patrick Warburton
Directed By: Mark Dindal

#61

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)
Tomatometer icon 92%

#61
Critics Consensus: Exciting, emotionally resonant, and beautifully animated, How to Train Your Dragon 2 builds on its predecessor's successes just the way a sequel should.
Synopsis: Five years have passed since Hiccup and Toothless united the dragons and Vikings of Berk. Now, they spend their time [More]
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson
Directed By: Dean DeBlois, Tom Owens

#60

Frozen (2013)
Tomatometer icon 89%

#60
Critics Consensus: Beautifully animated, smartly written, and stocked with singalong songs, Frozen adds another worthy entry to the Disney canon.
Synopsis: When their kingdom becomes trapped in perpetual winter, fearless Anna (Kristen Bell) joins forces with mountaineer Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) and [More]
Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad
Directed By: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee

#59

The Wind Rises (2013)
Tomatometer icon 88%

#59
Critics Consensus: The Wind Rises is a fittingly bittersweet swan song for director Hayao Miyazaki.
Synopsis: A lifelong love of flight inspires Japanese aviation engineer Jiro Horikoshi, whose storied career includes the creation of the A-6M [More]
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Martin Short
Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki, Gary Rydstrom

#58

Waltz With Bashir (2008)
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#58
Critics Consensus: A wholly innovative, original, and vital history lesson, with pioneering animation, Waltz With Bashir delivers its message about the Middle East in a mesmerizing fashion.
Synopsis: Israeli filmmaker Ari Folman wrote, directed and stars in this autobiographical animated film. As a 19-year-old infantry soldier in the [More]
Starring: Ron Ben-Yishai, Ronny Dayag, Ari Folman, Dror Harazi
Directed By: Ari Folman

#57

The End of Evangelion (1997)
Tomatometer icon 92%

#57
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: This final movie version was created as an alternative ending to the NEON GENESIS EVANGELION TV series, remaking the final [More]
Starring: Megumi Ogata, Megumi Hayashibara, Yuko Miyamura, Kotono Mitsuishi
Directed By: Hideaki Anno, Kazuya Tsurumaki

#56

Cinderella (1950)
Tomatometer icon 95%

#56
Critics Consensus: The rich colors, sweet songs, adorable mice and endearing (if suffering) heroine make Cinderella a nostalgically lovely charmer.
Synopsis: With a wicked stepmother (Eleanor Audley) and two jealous stepsisters (Rhoda Williams, Lucille Bliss) who keep her enslaved and in [More]
Starring: Ilene Woods, Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton, Claire Du Brey
Directed By: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske

#55

Fantasia (1940)
Tomatometer icon 95%

#55
Critics Consensus: A landmark in animation (and a huge influence on the medium of music video), Disney's Fantasia is a relentlessly inventive blend of the classics with phantasmagorical images.
Synopsis: Released in 1940, represented Disney's boldest experiment to date. Bringing to life his vision of blending animated imagery with classical [More]
Starring: Deems Taylor, Leopold Stokowski, Walt Disney, Julietta Novis
Directed By: James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, Ford Beebe, Norman Ferguson

#54

101 Dalmatians (1961)
Tomatometer icon 98%

#54
Critics Consensus: With plenty of pooches and a memorable villain (Cruella De Vil), this is one of Disney's most enduring, entertaining animated films.
Synopsis: In a Disney animation classic, Dalmatian Pongo is tired of his bachelor-dog life. He spies lovely Perdita and maneuvers his [More]
Starring: Rod Taylor, Betty Lou Gerson, Cate Bauer, Lisa Daniels
Directed By: Wolfgang Reitherman, Hamilton Luske, Clyde Geronimi

#53

Yellow Submarine (1968)
Tomatometer icon 96%

#53
Critics Consensus: A joyful, phantasmagoric blend of colorful animation and the music of the Beatles, Yellow Submarine is delightful (and occasionally melancholy) family fare.
Synopsis: The music-loving inhabitants of Pepperland are under siege by the Blue Meanies, a nasty group of music-hating creatures. The Lord [More]
Starring: Paul Angelis, Peter Batten, John Clive, Dick Emery
Directed By: George Dunning

#52

Only Yesterday (1991)
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#52
Critics Consensus: Only Yesterday's long-delayed U.S. debut fills a frustrating gap for American Ghibli fans while offering further proof of the studio's incredibly consistent commitment to quality.
Synopsis: A put-upon 27-year-old Japanese office worker travels to the countryside and reminisces about her childhood in Tokyo and what life [More]
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Dev Patel, Ashley Eckstein, Alison Fernandez
Directed By: Isao Takahata

#51

Toy Story 4 (2019)
Tomatometer icon 96%

#51
Critics Consensus: Heartwarming, funny, and beautifully animated, Toy Story 4 manages the unlikely feat of extending -- and perhaps concluding -- a practically perfect animated saga.
Synopsis: Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the gang embark on a road trip with Bonnie and a new toy [More]
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale
Directed By: Josh Cooley

#50

The LEGO Movie (2014)
Tomatometer icon 96%

#50
Critics Consensus: Boasting beautiful animation, a charming voice cast, laugh-a-minute gags, and a surprisingly thoughtful story, The Lego Movie is colorful fun for all ages.
Synopsis: Emmet (Chris Pratt), an ordinary LEGO figurine who always follows the rules, is mistakenly identified as the Special -- an [More]
Starring: Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Morgan Freeman, Elizabeth Banks
Directed By: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller

#49

Porco Rosso (1992)
Tomatometer icon 96%

#49
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: In this entrancing tale by renowned Japanese animator Hiyao Miyazaki, World War I flying ace Marco Pagott mysteriously turns from [More]
Starring: Michael Keaton, Susan Egan, David Ogden Stiers, Cary Elwes
Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki

#48

Dumbo (1941)
Tomatometer icon 95%

#48
Critics Consensus: Dumbo packs plenty of story into its brief runtime, along with all the warm animation and wonderful music you'd expect from a Disney classic.
Synopsis: A young circus elephant is born with comically large ears and given the cruel nickname Dumbo. One day at a [More]
Starring: Herman Bing, Billy Bletcher, Edward Brophy, Jim Carmichael
Directed By: Ben Sharpsteen

#47

Shrek (2001)
Tomatometer icon 88%

#47
Critics Consensus: While simultaneously embracing and subverting fairy tales, the irreverent Shrek also manages to tweak Disney's nose, provide a moral message to children, and offer viewers a funny, fast-paced ride.
Synopsis: Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek whose precious solitude is suddenly [More]
Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow
Directed By: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson

#46

Sleeping Beauty (1959)
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#46
Critics Consensus: This Disney dreamscape contains moments of grandeur, with its lush colors, magical air, one of the most menacing villains in the Disney canon.
Synopsis: Filled with jealousy, the evil witch Maleficent (Eleanor Audley) curses Princess Aurora (Mary Costa) to die on her 16th birthday. [More]
Starring: Mary Costa, Bill Shirley, Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton
Directed By: Clyde Geronimi

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#44

Moana (2016)
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#44
Critics Consensus: With a title character as three-dimensional as its lush animation and a story that adds fresh depth to Disney's time-tested formula, Moana is truly a family-friendly adventure for the ages.
Synopsis: An adventurous teenager sails out on a daring mission to save her people. During her journey, Moana meets the once-mighty [More]
Starring: Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison
Directed By: John Musker, Ron Clements

#43

Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Tomatometer icon 87%

#43
Critics Consensus: Kung Fu Panda has a familiar message, but the pleasing mix of humor, swift martial arts action, and colorful animation makes for winning Summer entertainment.
Synopsis: Po the panda (Jack Black) works in his family's noodle shop and dreams of becoming a kung-fu master. His dream [More]
Starring: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, David Cross
Directed By: John Stevenson, Mark Osborne

#42

Toy Story 2 (1999)
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#42
Critics Consensus: The rare sequel that arguably improves on its predecessor, Toy Story 2 uses inventive storytelling, gorgeous animation, and a talented cast to deliver another rich moviegoing experience for all ages.
Synopsis: Woody (Tom Hanks) is stolen from his home by toy dealer Al McWhiggin (Wayne Knight), leaving Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) [More]
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer
Directed By: Ash Brannon, John Lasseter, Lee Unkrich

#41

Zootopia (2016)
Tomatometer icon 98%

#41
Critics Consensus: The brilliantly well-rounded Zootopia offers a thoughtful, inclusive message that's as rich and timely as its sumptuously state-of-the-art animation -- all while remaining fast and funny enough to keep younger viewers entertained.
Synopsis: From the largest elephant to the smallest shrew, the city of Zootopia is a mammal metropolis where various animals live [More]
Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Shakira, Idris Elba
Directed By: Byron Howard, Rich Moore

#40

Kiki's Delivery Service (1989)
Tomatometer icon 98%

#40
Critics Consensus: Kiki's Delivery Service is a heartwarming, gorgeously-rendered tale of a young witch discovering her place in the world.
Synopsis: In this anime feature, 13-year-old Kiki moves to a seaside town with her talking cat, Jiji, to spend a year [More]
Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman, Debbie Reynolds, Janeane Garofalo
Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki

#39

Ninja Scroll (1993)
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#39
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: In this anime film, Jubei, a highly skilled ninja, is coerced into slaying his own clan of warriors. After begrudgingly [More]
Starring: Koichi Yamadera, Emi Shinohara, Takeshi Aono, Daisuke Gôri
Directed By: Yoshiaki Kawajiri

#38

Bambi (1942)
Tomatometer icon 91%

#38
Critics Consensus: Elegantly animated and deeply touching, Bambi is an enduring, endearing, and moving Disney classic.
Synopsis: In a classic Disney animation, a fawn named Bambi joins his new friends, a young rabbit named Thumper and a [More]
Starring: Hardie Albright, Stan Alexander, Peter Behn, Tim Davis
Directed By: David Hand

#37

Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Tomatometer icon 96%

#37
Critics Consensus: Clever, funny, and delightful to look at, Monsters, Inc. delivers another resounding example of how Pixar elevated the bar for modern all-ages animation.
Synopsis: Monsters Incorporated is the largest scare factory in the monster world, and James P. Sullivan (John Goodman) is one of [More]
Starring: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Mary Gibbs, Steve Buscemi
Directed By: Pete Docter

#36

Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
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#36
Critics Consensus: The Nightmare Before Christmas is a stunningly original and visually delightful work of stop-motion animation.
Synopsis: The film follows the misadventures of Jack Skellington, Halloweentown's beloved pumpkin king, who has become bored with the same annual [More]
Starring: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey
Directed By: Henry Selick

#35

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
Tomatometer icon 83%

#35
Critics Consensus: Stylish and admirably respectful of the source material, Batman: Mask of the Phantasm succeeds where many of the live-action Batman adaptations have failed.
Synopsis: In this animated feature set in the 1940s, the troubled yet heroic Batman (Kevin Conroy) is pitted against a mysterious [More]
Starring: Kevin Conroy, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Bob Hastings, Mark Hamill
Directed By: Eric Radomski, Bruce Timm

#34

Persepolis (2007)
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#34
Critics Consensus: Persepolis is an emotionally powerful, dramatically enthralling autobiographical gem, and the film's simple black-and-white images are effective and bold.
Synopsis: Based on Satrapi's graphic novel about her life in pre and post-revolutionary Iran and then in Europe. The film traces [More]
Starring: Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve, Danielle Darrieux, Simon Abkarian
Directed By: Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Paronnaud

#33

Song of the Sea (2014)
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#33
Critics Consensus: Song of the Sea boasts narrative depth commensurate with its visual beauty, adding up to an animated saga overflowing with family-friendly riches.
Synopsis: An Irish youth (David Rawle) discovers that his mute sister is a selkie who must find her voice and free [More]
Starring: Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, David Rawle, Pat Shortt
Directed By: Tomm Moore

#32

Mary and Max (2009)
Tomatometer icon 96%

#32
Critics Consensus: Mary and Max is a lovingly crafted, startlingly inventive piece of animation whose technical craft is equaled by its emotional resonance.
Synopsis: A lonely Australian girl (Toni Collette) and an elderly Jewish man (Philip Seymour Hoffman) in New York develop an unlikely [More]
Starring: Toni Collette, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Eric Bana, Barry Humphries
Directed By: Adam Elliot

#31

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya (2013)
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#31
Critics Consensus: Boasting narrative depth, frank honesty, and exquisite visual beauty, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is a modern animated treasure with timeless appeal.
Synopsis: A tiny nymph found inside a bamboo stalk grows into a beautiful and desirable young woman, who orders her suitors [More]
Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, Darren Criss
Directed By: Isao Takahata

#30

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Tomatometer icon 93%

#30
Critics Consensus: Fantastic Mr. Fox is a delightfully funny feast for the eyes with multi-generational appeal -- and it shows Wes Anderson has a knack for animation.
Synopsis: After 12 years of bucolic bliss, Mr. Fox (George Clooney) breaks a promise to his wife (Meryl Streep) and raids [More]
Starring: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray
Directed By: Wes Anderson

#29

Castle in the Sky (1986)
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#29
Critics Consensus: With a storytelling palette as rich and brilliant as its animation, Castle in the Sky thrillingly encapsulates Studio Ghibli's unique strengths.
Synopsis: Young orphan Sheeta and her kidnapper, Col. Muska, are flying to a military prison when their plane is attacked by [More]
Starring: Anna Paquin, James Van Der Beek, Cloris Leachman, Mark Hamill
Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki

#28

Finding Nemo (2003)
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#28
Critics Consensus: Breathtakingly lovely and grounded by the stellar efforts of a well-chosen cast, Finding Nemo adds another beautifully crafted gem to Pixar's crown.
Synopsis: Marlin (Albert Brooks), a clown fish, is overly cautious with his son, Nemo (Alexander Gould), who has a foreshortened fin. [More]
Starring: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe
Directed By: Andrew Stanton

#27

Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
Tomatometer icon 91%

#27
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: Far in the future, after an apocalyptic conflict has devastated much of the world's ecosystem, the few surviving humans live [More]
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Alison Lohman, Patrick Stewart, Uma Thurman
Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki

#26

Toy Story 3 (2010)
Tomatometer icon 98%

#26
Critics Consensus: Deftly blending comedy, adventure, and honest emotion, Toy Story 3 is a rare second sequel that really works.
Synopsis: With their beloved Andy preparing to leave for college, Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack), and [More]
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty
Directed By: Lee Unkrich

#25

Ratatouille (2007)
Tomatometer icon 96%

#25
Critics Consensus: Fast-paced and stunningly animated, Ratatouille adds another delightfully entertaining entry -- and a rather unlikely hero -- to the Pixar canon.
Synopsis: Remy (Patton Oswalt), a resident of Paris, appreciates good food and has quite a sophisticated palate. He would love to [More]
Starring: Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Lou Romano, Brian Dennehy
Directed By: Brad Bird

#24

Your Name (2016)
Tomatometer icon 98%

#24
Critics Consensus: As beautifully animated as it is emotionally satisfying, Your Name adds another outstanding chapter to writer-director Makoto Shinkai's filmography.
Synopsis: A teenage boy and girl embark on a quest to meet each other for the first time after they magically [More]
Starring: Michael Sinterniklaas, Stephanie Sheh, Laura Post, Glynis Ellis
Directed By: Makoto Shinkai

#23

Aladdin (1992)
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#23
Critics Consensus: A highly entertaining entry in Disney's renaissance era," Aladdin is beautifully drawn, with near-classic songs and a cast of scene-stealing characters.
Synopsis: When street rat Aladdin frees a genie from a lamp, he finds his wishes granted. However, he soon finds that [More]
Starring: Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin, Jonathan Freeman
Directed By: Ron Clements, John Musker

#22

The Little Mermaid (1989)
Tomatometer icon 92%

#22
Critics Consensus: The Little Mermaid ushered in a new golden era for Disney animation with warm and charming hand-drawn characters and catchy musical sequences.
Synopsis: In Disney's beguiling animated romp, rebellious 16-year-old mermaid Ariel (Jodi Benson) is fascinated with life on land. On one of [More]
Starring: Jodi Benson, Pat Carroll, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Rene Auberjonois
Directed By: Ron Clements, John Musker

#21

The Incredibles (2004)
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#21
Critics Consensus: Bringing loads of wit and tons of fun to the animated superhero genre, The Incredibles easily lives up to its name.
Synopsis: In this lauded Pixar animated film, married superheroes Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) and Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) are forced to [More]
Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee
Directed By: Brad Bird

#20

Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
Tomatometer icon 88%

#20
Critics Consensus: Exquisitely illustrated by master animator Miyazaki, Howl's Moving Castle will delight children with its fantastical story and touch the hearts and minds of older viewers as well.
Synopsis: Sophie (Emily Mortimer) has an uneventful life at her late father's hat shop, but all that changes when she befriends [More]
Starring: Jean Simmons, Christian Bale, Lauren Bacall, Blythe Danner
Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki

#19

Inside Out (2015)
Tomatometer icon 98%

#19
Critics Consensus: Inventive, gorgeously animated, and powerfully moving, Inside Out is another outstanding addition to the Pixar library of modern animated classics.
Synopsis: Riley (Kaitlyn Dias) is a happy, hockey-loving 11-year-old Midwestern girl, but her world turns upside-down when she and her parents [More]
Starring: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader
Directed By: Pete Docter

#18

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
Tomatometer icon 99%

#18
Critics Consensus: Boasting dazzling animation, a script with surprising dramatic depth, and thrilling 3-D sequences, How to Train Your Dragon soars.
Synopsis: A misfit Viking teenager sees a chance to change the course of his clan's future when he befriends an injured [More]
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill
Directed By: Christopher Sanders, Dean DeBlois

#17

Coco (2017)
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#17
Critics Consensus: Coco's rich visual pleasures are matched by a thoughtful narrative that takes a family-friendly -- and deeply affecting -- approach to questions of culture, family, life, and death.
Synopsis: Despite his family's generations-old ban on music, young Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol Ernesto de [More]
Starring: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach
Directed By: Lee Unkrich

#16

Chicken Run (2000)
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#16
Critics Consensus: Chicken Run has all the charm of Nick Park's Wallace & Gromit, and something for everybody. The voice acting is fabulous, the slapstick is brilliant, and the action sequences are spectacular.
Synopsis: This engaging stop-motion, claymation adventure tells the story of an American rooster who falls in love with a gorgeous hen [More]
Starring: Mel Gibson, Julia Sawalha, Miranda Richardson, Jane Horrocks
Directed By: Peter Lord, Nick Park

#15

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Tomatometer icon 97%

#15
Critics Consensus: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse matches bold storytelling with striking animation for a purely enjoyable adventure with heart, humor, and plenty of superhero action.
Synopsis: Bitten by a radioactive spider in the subway, Brooklyn teenager Miles Morales suddenly develops mysterious powers that transform him into [More]
Starring: Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali
Directed By: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman

#14

Ghost in the Shell (1995)
Tomatometer icon 95%

#14
Critics Consensus: A stunning feat of modern animation, Ghost in the Shell offers a thoughtful, complex treat for anime fans, as well as a perfect introduction for viewers new to the medium.
Synopsis: In this Japanese animation, cyborg federal agent Maj. Motoko Kusanagi (Mimi Woods) trails "The Puppet Master" (Abe Lasser), who illegally [More]
Starring: Richard Epcar, Mimi Woods, William Frederick Knight, Tom Wyner
Directed By: Mamoru Oshii

#13

Up (2009)
Tomatometer icon 98%

#13
Critics Consensus: An exciting, funny, and poignant adventure, Up offers an impeccably crafted story told with wit and arranged with depth, as well as yet another visual Pixar treat.
Synopsis: Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner), a 78-year-old balloon salesman, is about to fulfill a lifelong dream. Tying thousands of balloons to [More]
Starring: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson
Directed By: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson

#12

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Tomatometer icon 94%

#12
Critics Consensus: My Neighbor Totoro is a heartwarming, sentimental masterpiece that captures the simple grace of childhood.
Synopsis: This acclaimed animated tale by director Hayao Miyazaki follows schoolgirl Satsuke and her younger sister, Mei, as they settle into [More]
Starring: Elle Fanning, Dakota Fanning, Tim Daly, Lea Salonga
Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki

#11

Beauty and the Beast (1991)
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#11
Critics Consensus: Enchanting, sweepingly romantic, and featuring plenty of wonderful musical numbers, Beauty and the Beast is one of Disney's most elegant animated offerings.
Synopsis: An arrogant young prince and his castle's servants fall under the spell of a wicked enchantress, who turns him into [More]
Starring: Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White, Jerry Orbach
Directed By: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise

#10

The Iron Giant (1999)
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#10
Critics Consensus: The endearing Iron Giant tackles ambitious topics and complex human relationships with a steady hand and beautifully animated direction from Brad Bird.
Synopsis: In this animated adaptation of Ted Hughes' Cold War fable, a giant alien robot (Vin Diesel) crash-lands near the small [More]
Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Eli Marienthal, Harry Connick Jr., Vin Diesel
Directed By: Brad Bird

#9

WALL-E (2008)
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#9
Critics Consensus: Wall-E's stellar visuals testify once again to Pixar's ingenuity, while its charming star will captivate younger viewers -- and its timely story offers thought-provoking subtext.
Synopsis: WALL-E, short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-class, is the last robot left on Earth. He spends his days tidying [More]
Starring: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard
Directed By: Andrew Stanton

#8

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
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#8
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: A teenager (J. Robert Spencer) is charged with the care of his younger sister (Rhoda Chrosite) after an Allied firebombing [More]
Starring: J. Robert Spencer, Rhoda Chrosite, Amy Jones, Kathleen McInerney
Directed By: Isao Takahata

#7

Pinocchio (1940)
Tomatometer icon 100%

#7
Critics Consensus: Ambitious, adventurous, and sometimes frightening, Pinocchio arguably represents the pinnacle of Disney's collected works -- it's beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant.
Synopsis: When the woodworker Geppetto (Christian Rub) sees a falling star, he wishes that the puppet he just finished, Pinocchio (Dickie [More]
Starring: Don Brodie, Walter Catlett, Frankie Darro, Cliff Edwards
Directed By: Ben Sharpsteen, Hamilton Luske

#6

Princess Mononoke (1997)
Tomatometer icon 93%

#6
Critics Consensus: With its epic story and breathtaking visuals, Princess Mononoke is a landmark in the world of animation.
Synopsis: A prince becomes involved in the struggle between a forest princess and the encroachment of mechanization. [More]
Starring: Claire Danes, Billy Bob Thornton, Gillian Anderson, Billy Crudup
Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki

#5

Akira (1988)
Tomatometer icon 91%

#5
Critics Consensus: Akira is strikingly bloody and violent, but its phenomenal animation and sheer kinetic energy helped set the standard for modern anime.
Synopsis: In 1988 the Japanese government drops an atomic bomb on Tokyo after ESP experiments on children go awry. In 2019, [More]
Starring: Mitsuo Iwata, Nozomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama, Tessho Genda
Directed By: Katsuhiro Ohtomo

#4

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Tomatometer icon 97%

#4
Critics Consensus: With its involving story and characters, vibrant art, and memorable songs, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs set the animation standard for decades to come.
Synopsis: The Grimm fairy tale gets a Technicolor treatment in Disney's first animated feature. Jealous of Snow White's beauty, the wicked [More]
Starring: Adriana Caselotti, Harry Stockwell, Lucille La Verne, Moroni Olsen
Directed By: David Hand

#3

Toy Story (1995)
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#3
Critics Consensus: Entertaining as it is innovative, Toy Story reinvigorated animation while heralding the arrival of Pixar as a family-friendly force to be reckoned with.
Synopsis: Woody (Tom Hanks), a good-hearted cowboy doll who belongs to a young boy named Andy (John Morris), sees his position [More]
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney
Directed By: John Lasseter

#2

The Lion King (1994)
Tomatometer icon 93%

#2
Critics Consensus: Emotionally stirring, richly drawn, and beautifully animated, The Lion King is a pride within Disney's pantheon of classic family films.
Synopsis: This Disney animated feature follows the adventures of the young lion Simba (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), the heir of his father, [More]
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones, Madge Sinclair
Directed By: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff

#1

Spirited Away (2001)
Tomatometer icon 96%

#1
Critics Consensus: Spirited Away is a dazzling, enchanting, and gorgeously drawn fairy tale that will leave viewers a little more curious and fascinated by the world around them.
Synopsis: 10-year-old Chihiro (Daveigh Chase) moves with her parents to a new home in the Japanese countryside. After taking a wrong [More]
Starring: Daveigh Chase, Suzanne Pleshette, Jason Marsden, Susan Egan
Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki

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