Even if animation doesn’t appeal to everyone, there are some animated movies which everyone should watch at least once. Many of thebest animated movies everhave helped shape the history of cinema, so they deserve to be appreciated by anyone, even those with only a passing interest in the medium.
If someone wants to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of animation, there are certain movies which they must watch. Seminal classics likeToy StoryandSpirited Awayhave helped push the medium forward, and they deserve to be listed among the verybest movies ever.
Pixar’s first feature-length movie changed the landscape of animation for good.Within a decade of its release, all the major Western studios had shifted toward 3-D computer-generated animation, which is still the prevailing style. Aside from its importance,Toy Storystill deserves to be appreciated for its quality. There’s a reason that the story of Buzz and Woody spun into a huge franchise, withToy Story 5on the way.Toy Storydemonstrates Pixar’s ability to connect with young audiences, using both crowdpleasing humor and a fantastic concept that understands childhood imagination.
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It’s a contender for the best animated movie ever made.
Spirited Awayis not just one of thebest Studio Ghibli movies; it’s also a contender for the best animated movie ever made. Hayao Miyazaki’s creations are known for their rich worldbuilding and endless creativity, andSpirited Awayperfectly demonstrates these elements. While the story and the characters are all fascinating,there are just as many intriguing details competing for attention in the background. Some of the strangest elements ofSpirited Awaygo unexplained, leaving audiences with a distinct impression of a fantastical world that they have barely stepped foot in.
Disney’s live-action remakeshave been fairly controversial, and there’s no stronger argument against them than the original version ofThe Lion King.Disney’s ’90s classic comes close to perfection, with great songs, plenty of fun characters and an emotional story that reinterpretsHamletfor a younger audience. Replacing such expressive characters and breathtaking landscapes with more realistic depictions robsThe Lion Kingof its personality. Thankfully, the original is still just as enjoyable.It may represent the peak of the ’90s Disney’s renaissancewhich revitalized animation.
Every now and then, a movie comes along which breaks the mold and breathes new life into the animation industry.Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verseis one such movie, forging its own identity amid a landscape of homogenized 3-D animated movies.Into the Spider-Verseis a multiverse story with a creative patchwork of different art styles. It also takes inspiration from old comic books and Saturday morning cartoons to honor its superhero heritage.Across the Spider-Versedeveloped these aesthetic ideas, and hopes are already high forSpider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.
Before becoming one of Pixar’s go-to directors with hits likeThe IncrediblesandRatatouille,Brad Bird showed that he could also master 2-D animation withThe Iron Giant.When it was released back in 1999,The Iron Giantwent down as a commercial failure, but it soon gained a reputation as a beloved cult classic.The Iron Giantis still underrated, but at least it now has an audience who can truly appreciate its heartwarming story and quirky art style. The Cold War setting makes it even more rewarding for older audiences too, as the historical context ties into the central metaphor.
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Japan was miles ahead of most animation being produced in the west during the 1980s, andAkirais the perfect example of this. Decades later,there are still very few movies which capture such kinetic action. It’s easily one of thebest animated action moviesever made, proving that animation can still be thrilling and deeply affecting.Akirais also admirable for its intelligent worldbuilding. There are elements ofBlade Runnerto the wayAkiraestablishes a fascinating, bustling city without dwelling too long on any of the details. A live-action remake has been stuck in development hell for years, but it’s unlikely to ever surpass the original.
Laika has been developing a reputation for its mastery of stop-motion animation, starting with child-friendly horror hits likeCoralineandParaNorman. Kubo and the Two Stringsrepresented a huge leap in Laika’s ambitions, but a lot of these horror notes remain in the historical fantasy.Kubo and the Two Stringstakes place in feudal Japan, andthe animation style is influenced by origami and traditional ink-wash paintings.This sets the scene perfectly for a beguiling fantasy populated with plenty of unique and captivating characters.
For anyone who thinks animation is solely for children,Grave of the Firefliesacts as the perfect rebuttal. Studio Ghibli’s harrowing story of survival in World War II-era Japan is powerful enough to connect with audiences of all ages. The fact that the story is based on real life only makes it more emotional.Grave of the Firefliesuses the boundless potential of animation to add some heartbreaking creative flourishes to its story, although there are also moments which are shockingly real. In these instances, the colorful art style juxtaposes with the upsetting content.It isn’t always easy to watch, butGrave of the Firefliesis an intelligent, important film.
Fantastic Mr. Foxhas a similar quirky visual aesthetic to other Wes Anderson’s movies, but the director’s first animated feature gives him the creative control he desires over every inch of his compositions. Anderson is able to comb every fur of his woodland critters to his liking, and it makes for one of his most visually stunning movies. The story is based on Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s book, butAnderson extrapolates on this paper-thin plot with a crime caper of his own creation. This makesFantastic Mr. Foxa strange amalgam of children’s entertainment and more mature subject matter.
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Most people only ever watch animated movies from the big studios like Disney and DreamWorks, but there are countless hidden gems for fans to discover.
Paprikademonstrates how animation gets the best out of sci-fi, and vice versa. Satoshi Kon’s kaleidoscopic masterpiece follows its characters into the world of dreams. This sets up several mind-boggling sequences, since anything and everything is possible. While other movies could spin off into weightless abstraction,Paprikahas a story compelling enough to ensure that the visual gymnastics are all in service of something bigger.Paprikashows that there are no limits to animation, as long as a movie is intelligent enough to provide adequate context for its creative departures.
