
(Photo by FUNimation, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Warner Bros., DreamWorks, Focus Features, Fox Searchlight/courtesy Everett Collection)
The 50 Best Animated Movies of the 2010s
Looking back on the decade, it’s clear we’ve lived through a new Disney renaissance, as the studio hit its groove with Frozen, Moana, and Zootopia. Meanwhile, Disney-owned studio Pixar inspired a young generation with Inside Out, while high-risk sequels Toy Story 3 and 4 not only didn’t tarnish the brand, but took it to infinity, beyond, and back again.
Dreamworks became a true Pixar rival with the rousing yet deeply emotional adventures that made up the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy. And anime continued to break through the zeitgeist: Movies like Your Name and Mirai getting enough critical reviews and appraisal to hit Certified Fresh (let alone connecting with audiences all over) was nearly unheard of even just a decade ago. Meanwhile, Studio Ghibli put out some of their most affecting work, with the one-two punch of The Wind Rises and The Tale of Princess Kaguya. All types of animation were able to flourish in the 2010s, from stop-motion (Kubo and the Two Strings, Isle of Dogs, Shaun the Sheep Movie) and oil canvas (Loving Vincent), to rotoscoped (Tower) and even traditional (Winnie the Pooh).
Whatever the style, or budget, we took every animated movie from the decade and then ranked them by Tomatometer, with each movie requiring a minimum of 80 reviews to be considered. And now, it’s time to see some of the wildest visions come to life with the 50 Best Animated Movies of the 2010s! —Alex Vo
The 50 Best Comedies of the 2010s | The 50 Best Horror Movies of the 2010s
The 50 Best Sci-Fi Movies of the 2010s | The 50 Best Superhero Movies of the 2010s
100%
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 to prove their love by... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, Darren Criss
Directed By: Isao Takahata
99%
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 dragon.
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill
Directed By: Christopher Sanders, Dean DeBlois
99%
Critics Consensus: Warm, funny, and brilliantly animated, Shaun the Sheep is yet another stop-motion jewel in Aardman's family-friendly crown.
Synopsis: All is well at Mossy Bottom Farm, except for the fact that the animals will do anything to get out of work. So, Shaun the... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Justin Fletcher, John Sparkes, Omid Djalili, Richard Webber
Directed By: Mark Burton, Richard Starzak
99%
Critics Consensus: Tower probes into a painful chapter of American history with sensitivity and grace -- and revisits its events from a valuable new perspective.
Synopsis: On Aug. 1, 1966, a sniper rode the elevator to the top floor of the University of Texas Tower and opened fire, holding the campus... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Violett Beane, Blair Jackson, Josephine McAdam, Reece Everett Ryan
Directed By: Keith Maitland
99%
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 discovers that his mute sister is a selkie who must find her voice and free supernatural creatures from the spell of a... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, David Rawle, Pat Shortt
Directed By: Tomm Moore
98%
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 move to San Francisco. Riley's... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Richard Kind, Bill Hader
Directed By: Pete Docter
98%
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 the rest of the toys... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Ned Beatty
Directed By: Lee Unkrich
98%
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 and thrive. When Judy Hopps... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Shakira, Idris Elba
Directed By: Byron Howard, Rich Moore
98%
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 swap bodies.
Starring: Michael Sinterniklaas, Stephanie Sheh, Laura Post, Glynis Ellis
Directed By: Makoto Shinkai
96%
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 named Forky. The adventurous journey... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale
Directed By: Josh Cooley
97%
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 la Cruz. Desperate to prove... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach
Directed By: Lee Unkrich
97%
Critics Consensus: Kubo and the Two Strings matches its incredible animation with an absorbing -- and bravely melancholy -- story that has something to offer audiences of all ages.
Synopsis: Young Kubo's peaceful existence comes crashing down when he accidentally summons a vengeful spirit from the past. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Charlize Theron, Art Parkinson, Ralph Fiennes, George Takei
Directed By: Travis Knight
96%
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: An ordinary LEGO figurine Emmet who always follows the rules, is mistakenly identified as an extraordinary being and the key to saving the world. He... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Morgan Freeman, Elizabeth Banks
Directed By: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
95%
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 demigod Maui, who guides her... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House, Temuera Morrison
Directed By: John Musker, Ron Clements
95%
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 father, Parvana cuts off her... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Saara Chaudry, Soma Chhaya, Ali Badshah, Laara Sadiq
Directed By: Nora Twomey
95%
Critics Consensus: Wolf Children is a singularly lyrical anime that blends naturalistic details and nostalgic sentiment to craft a beautifully complex exploration of the joys and trials of parenthood.
Synopsis: College student Hana falls in love with a "wolf man" and together they have two half-human, half-wolf children, Ame and Yuki. The young family's happy... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Kumiko Asô, Megumi Hayashibara, Aoi Miyazaki, Tadashi Nakamura
Directed By: Mamoru Hosoda
94%
Critics Consensus: Funny, poignant, and thought-provoking, Finding Dory delivers a beautifully animated adventure that adds another entertaining chapter to its predecessor's classic story.
Synopsis: Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) is a wide-eyed, blue tang fish who suffers from memory loss every 10 seconds or so. The one thing she can remember... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O'Neill, Kaitlin Olson
Directed By: Andrew Stanton
92%
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 charting the island's unmapped territories.... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson
Directed By: Dean DeBlois, Tom Owens
93%
Critics Consensus: Aardman Animations broadens their humor a bit for Arthur Christmas, a clever and earnest holiday film with surprising emotional strength.
Synopsis: Everyone knows that, each Christmas, Santa Claus delivers presents to every last child on Earth. What everyone doesn't know is that Santa accomplishes the feat... View Full Synopsis
Starring: James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent
Directed By: Sarah Smith
93%
Critics Consensus: The Red Turtle adds to Studio Ghibli's estimable legacy with a beautifully animated effort whose deceptively simple story boasts narrative layers as richly absorbing as its lovely visuals.
Synopsis: Recounting the milestones in the life of a human being through the story of a man shipwrecked on a tropical island inhabited by turtles, crabs... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Barbara Beretta, Tom Hudson G, Emmanuel Garijo, Maud Brethenoux
Directed By: Michael Dudok de Wit
92%
Critics Consensus: When Marnie Was There is still blessed with enough visual and narrative beauty to recommend, even if it isn't quite as magical as Studio Ghibli's greatest works.
Synopsis: A tomboy (Hailee Steinfeld) explores a long-abandoned villa and meets a mysterious blonde girl only she can see.
Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Kathy Bates, Mila Brener, Ellen Burstyn
Directed By: Hiromasa Yonebayashi
92%
Critics Consensus: Anomalisa marks another brilliant and utterly distinctive highlight in Charlie Kaufman's filmography, and a thought-provoking treat for fans of introspective cinema.
Synopsis: An inspirational speaker (David Thewlis) becomes reinvigorated after meeting a lively woman (Jennifer Jason Leigh) who shakes up his mundane existence.
Starring: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tom Noonan, David Thewlis
Directed By: Charlie Kaufman, Duke Johnson
91%
Critics Consensus: The simplicity and colorful warmth of Mirai's animation is underscored by a story with surprising - and deeply affecting - depth and emotional resonance.
Synopsis: A young boy named Kun feels forgotten by his family when his little sister Mirai arrives. Running away from home, Kun stumbles upon a magical... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Haru Kuroki, Moka Kamishiraishi, Gen Hoshino, Kôji Yakusho
Directed By: Mamoru Hosoda
90%
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, 12-year-old Atari sets off alone... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray
Directed By: Wes Anderson
90%
Critics Consensus: The rare trilogy capper that really works, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World brings its saga to a visually dazzling and emotionally affecting conclusion.
Synopsis: When the sudden appearance of a female Light Fury coincides with the darkest threat their village has ever faced, Hiccup and Toothless must journey to... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, F. Murray Abraham, Cate Blanchett
Directed By: Dean DeBlois
89%
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 his reindeer sidekick to find... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad
Directed By: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
90%
Critics Consensus: An engrossing love letter to fans of adult animation, The Illusionist offers a fine antidote to garish mainstream fare.
Synopsis: Magic tricks can't compete with rock 'n' roll in the 1950s, so a French illusionist (Jean-Claude Donda) finds himself touring Scotland's shabby pubs and run-down... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Jean-Claude Donda, Eilidh Rankin
Directed By: Sylvain Chomet
90%
Critics Consensus: Short, nostalgic, and gently whimsical, Winnie the Pooh offers young audiences -- and their parents -- a sweetly traditional family treat.
Synopsis: Three stories inspired by A.A. Milne add up to a very busy day for Winnie-the-Pooh and friends. Upon learning that Eeyore has lost his tail,... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Jim Cummings, Bud Luckey, Craig Ferguson, Jack Boulter
Directed By: Stephen J. Anderson, Don Hall
90%
Critics Consensus: Beautifully drawn and refreshingly calm, The Secret of Kells hearkens back to animation's golden age with an enchanting tale inspired by Irish mythology.
Synopsis: In the remote Irish woods, Cellach (Brendan Gleeson) prepares a fortress for an impending attack by a Viking war party. Unbeknown to Cellach, his young... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Brendan Gleeson, Evan McGuire, Christen Mooney, Liam Hourican
Directed By: Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey
89%
Critics Consensus: While far from Disney's greatest film, Tangled is a visually stunning, thoroughly entertaining addition to the studio's classic animated canon.
Synopsis: When the kingdom's most-wanted bandit, Flynn Rider (Zachary Levi), hides in a convenient tower, he immediately becomes a captive of Rapunzel (Mandy Moore), the spire's... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy, Ron Perlman
Directed By: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard
89%
Critics Consensus: Beautifully animated and solidly scripted, ParaNorman will entertain (and frighten) older children while providing surprisingly thoughtful fare for their parents.
Synopsis: Young Norman Babcock (Kodi Smit-McPhee) has the ability to speak with the dead -- and he often prefers their company to that of the living.... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Tucker Albrizzi, Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck
Directed By: Chris Butler, Sam Fell
89%
Critics Consensus: Mary and the Witch's Flower honors its creator's Studio Ghibli roots with a gentle, beautifully animated story whose simplicity is rounded out by its entrancing visuals.
Synopsis: Young Mary follows a mysterious cat into the nearby forest and discovers an old broomstick and the strange Fly-by-Night flower, a rare plant that blossoms... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Ruby Barnhill, Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Kate Winslet, Jim Broadbent
Directed By: Hiromasa Yonebayashi
88%
Critics Consensus: Ralph Breaks the Internet levels up on its predecessor with a funny, heartwarming sequel that expands its colorful universe while focusing on core characters and relationships.
Synopsis: Video game bad guy Ralph and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz must risk it all by traveling to the World Wide Web in search of... View Full Synopsis
Starring: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Gal Gadot, Taraji P. Henson
Directed By: Phil Johnston, Rich Moore
88%
Critics Consensus: Rango is a smart, giddily creative burst of beautifully animated entertainment, and Johnny Depp gives a colorful vocal performance as a household pet in an unfamiliar world.
Synopsis: A chameleon who has lived as a sheltered family pet finds himself in the grip of an identity crisis. Rango wonders how to stand out... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Ned Beatty
Directed By: Gore Verbinski
87%
Critics Consensus: Frankenweenie is an energetic stop-motion horror movie spoof with lovingly crafted visuals and a heartfelt, oddball story.
Synopsis: Young Victor Frankenstein (Charlie Tahan) is a science nerd and outsider at school, but he does have one good friend: his dog, Sparky. But then,... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan
Directed By: Tim Burton
88%
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 World War II fighter plane. View Full Synopsis
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Martin Short
Directed By: Hayao Miyazaki, Gary Rydstrom
88%
Critics Consensus: Another beautifully animated triumph for Laika, Missing Link is a visual treat with lots of humor, plenty of heart, and even a little food for thought.
Synopsis: Tired of living a solitary life in the Pacific Northwest, Mr. Link -- 8 feet tall and covered in fur -- recruits fearless explorer Sir... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Zach Galifianakis, Zoe Saldaña, David Walliams
Directed By: Chris Butler
87%
Critics Consensus: Gentle and nostalgic, From Up on Poppy Hill is one of Studio Ghibli's sweeter efforts -- and if it doesn't push the boundaries of the genre, it remains as engagingly lovely as Ghibli fans have come to expect.
Synopsis: Yokohama teens try to save their school's clubhouse from being demolished.
Starring: Masami Nagasawa, Jun'ichi Okada, Keiko Takeshita, Yuriko Ishida
Directed By: Goro Miyazaki
87%
Critics Consensus: The Peanuts Movie offers a colorful gateway into the world of its classic characters and a sweetly nostalgic -- if relatively unambitious -- treat for the adults who grew up with them.
Synopsis: Life always seems complicated for good ol' Charlie Brown (Noah Schnapp), the boy who always tries his best against seemingly impossible odds. When the Little... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Noah Schnapp, Hadley Belle Miller, Mariel Sheets, Alex Garfin
Directed By: Steve Martino
87%
Critics Consensus: Equally entertaining for both kids and parents old enough to catch the references, Wreck-It Ralph is a clever, colorful adventure built on familiar themes and joyful nostalgia.
Synopsis: Arcade-game character Wreck-It Ralph is tired of always being the bad guy and losing to his good guy opponent, Fix-It Felix. Finally, after decades of... View Full Synopsis
Starring: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch
Directed By: Rich Moore
87%
Critics Consensus: Kung Fu Panda 3 boasts the requisite visual splendor, but like its rotund protagonist, this sequel's narrative is also surprisingly nimble, adding up to animated fun for the whole family.
Synopsis: Living large and loving life, Po realizes that he has a lot to learn if he's going to fulfill the next challenge from his beloved... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Jack Black, Bryan Cranston, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie
Directed By: Jennifer Yuh Nelson, Alessandro Carloni
85%
Critics Consensus: It isn't deep or groundbreaking, but what it lacks in profundity, Puss in Boots more than makes up for with an abundance of wit, visual sparkle, and effervescent charm.
Synopsis: Long before meeting Shrek, Puss in Boots, just named a hero for saving a woman from a charging bull, is run out of town on... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton
Directed By: Chris Miller
86%
Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.
Synopsis: Raoul and Emile accidentally release a monster from an eccentric scientist's greenhouse and vow to track it down. They soon realize the beast may not... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Adam Goldberg, Catherine O'Hara, Danny Huston, Bob Balaban
Directed By: Bibo Bergeron
84%
Critics Consensus: Loving Vincent's dazzling visual achievements make this Van Gogh biopic well worth seeking out -- even if its narrative is far less effectively composed.
Synopsis: Mystery surrounds the death of famed painter Vincent van Gogh in 1890 France.
Starring: Douglas Booth, Robert Gulaczyk, Eleanor Tomlinson, Jerome Flynn
Directed By: DK Welchman, Hugh Welchman
84%
Critics Consensus: While it isn't quite as much fun as its predecessor, The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part fits neatly into an animated all-ages franchise with heart and humor to spare.
Synopsis: The citizens of Bricksburg face a dangerous new threat when LEGO DUPLO invaders from outer space start to wreck everything in their path. The battle... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Tiffany Haddish
Directed By: Mike Mitchell
82%
Critics Consensus: The Book of Life's gorgeous animation is a treat, but it's a pity that its story lacks the same level of craft and detail that its thrilling visuals provide.
Synopsis: In the Mexican town of San Angel, Manolo (Diego Luna), Maria (Zoë Saldana) and Joaquin (Channing Tatum) have been friends ever since childhood. Although their... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Diego Luna, Zoe Saldaña, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube
Directed By: Jorge R. Gutierrez
83%
Critics Consensus: A Cat in Paris depicts a stylish, imaginative world with a wonderful soundtrack and Hitchcockian overtones.
Synopsis: A girl, struck mute by the trauma of her father's death, follows her pet cat across the Parisian rooftops and discovers that the animal has... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Marcia Gay Harden, Anjelica Huston, Matthew Modine, JB Blanc
Directed By: Jean-Loup Felicioli, Alain Gagnol
82%
Critics Consensus: Sausage Party is definitely offensive, but backs up its enthusiastic profanity with an impressively high laugh-to-gag ratio -- and a surprisingly thought-provoking storyline.
Synopsis: Life is good for all the food items that occupy the shelves at the local supermarket. Frank (Seth Rogen) the sausage, Brenda (Kristen Wiig) the... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig, Jonah Hill, Bill Hader
Directed By: Conrad Vernon, Greg Tiernan
83%
Critics Consensus: Working with admittedly familiar ingredients, Abominable offers audiences a beautifully animated and overall engaging adventure that the whole family can enjoy.
Synopsis: After discovering a Yeti on the roof of her apartment building, teenage Yi and her two friends embark on an epic quest to reunite the... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Chloe Bennet, Albert Tsai, Tenzing Norgay Trainor, Joseph Izzo
Directed By: Jill Culton
82%
Critics Consensus: The storyline arc may seem a tad familiar to fans of the original, but Kung Fu Panda 2 offers enough action, comedy, and visual sparkle to compensate.
Synopsis: Now known as the Dragon Warrior, Po protects the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, the Furious Five. However, a... View Full Synopsis
Starring: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman
Directed By: Jennifer Yuh Nelson
