Some call it “Animation Domination”.
The growth of mainstream animated movies Hollywood releases have changed the landscape of entertainment.
With new technology, animation studios can produce more and more high-quality digital options.
From children’s animated movies like ‘Frozen’ to more adult films, like ‘Avatar’, animation provides something for everyone – as will our list of 100 animation favorites! [Infographic]
What are the Best Animated Movies of All Time?
To determine the best animated movies, let’s use the metric of highest-rated. In that case, the best animated movie ever is Toy Story 2. It beats out classics like Snow White, with a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 100%.
Which is the Best Cartoon Movie in the World?
When determining the best cartoon movies of all time, it will eventually come down to personal preference. Personally, ‘Inside Out’ is hands down my favorite. (No surprise that Pixar has somewhat of a monopoly when it comes to popular animated movies.) It portrays a little girl’s emotions. Through the personification of these various emotions, Pixar has created an effective and intuitive way of communicating concepts that we experience every day.
Also, see our rankings of the best anime movies ever.
Our ranking criteria to select the best animated movies of all time are:
- Rotten Tomatoes Rankings
- IMDB Ranking
- Gross Revenue
If you ever had any interest in becoming an animator yourself, check out our lists of best animation schools, top animation studios, and the top free and paid 2D animation software to get you started.
Enjoy!
The Top 100 Animated Movies
Toy Story 4
IMDB: 7.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Release Date: 6/20/2019
Movie Studio: Pixar Animation Studios
Domestic Gross Revenue: $434,038,008
Plot: Widely considered one of the best new animated movies to come out in recent years, Toy Story 4 tells the story of how Woody and his toy friends welcomed “Forky” into their gang. Together, they set on a road trip full of adventure, mischief, and fun! (Watch Trailer)
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
IMDB: 8.4
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Release Date: 12/12/2018
Movie Studio: Sony Pictures Animation, Avi Arad, Pascal Pictures, Lord Miller
Domestic Gross Revenue: $190,241,310
Plot: After witnessing Spiderman die, teenager Miles Morales becomes a reluctant hero to save New York City. He’s joined by other ‘spider’ heroes from other dimensions and they work together to defeat their nemesis, Kingpin, and to regain the balance in the parallel universes. This was a massive box-office success and it’s widely present on multiple lists of best animation movies of all time – even though Spider-Verse is a fairly new animated movie. (Watch Trailer)
Inside Out
IMDB: 8.1
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
Release Date: 6/19/2015
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $356,921,711
Plot: Transferred to San Francisco from her Midwest life, young Riley has to face her new environment guided by her emotions – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness. Inside Out is always topping Pixar’s list of best animated movies lists and for good reason! (Watch Trailer)
Coco
IMDB: 8.4
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Release Date: 11/22/2017
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $210,460,015
Plot: A 12-year-old aspiring musician named Miguel went to the Land of the Dead to seek for his great-great-grandfather, a popular musician. (Watch Trailer)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
IMDB: 7.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
Release Date: 12/21/1937
Movie Studio: Disney
Domestic Gross Revenue: $184,925,486
Plot: With the evil Queen in pursuit, Snow White hides with The 7 Dwarfs. She’s then poisoned, but a prince comes to her rescue with a kiss. Snow White is universally praised as a bestie when it comes to old animated movies. (Watch Trailer)
Paddington 2
IMDB: 7.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Release Date: 01/12/2018
Movie Studio: Warner Bros.
Domestic Gross Revenue: $40,891,591
Plot: Paddington Bear, now happily living with the Brown Family and has become a popular member in their local community for giving people support in different ways, gets various odd jobs to purchase a unique book from an antique shop as a birthday present for his Aunt Lucy but when he was close to saving up the right amount of money, the book got stolen from the shop. (Watch Trailer)
The Incredibles 2
IMDB: 7.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Release Date: 06/15/2018
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $608,581,744
Plot: The hero family Incredibles takes a new mission to save the world. Mr. Incredible (Bob Parr) must manage the house whilst Elen (Elastigirl) needs to go out and save the planet. The Incredibles 2 is a successful sequel and is considered one of the best new animated movies to come out in recent years. (Watch Trailer)
Zootopia
IMDB: 8.0
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
Release Date: 03/04/2016
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $341,268,248
Plot: It tells the story of the very first rabbit police officer teaming up with a red fox con artist to solve a mystery case about the disappearance of the predator inhabitants in their city. Zootopia is a highly creative new addition to the 3D animated movies list – don’t miss this one! (Watch Trailer)
Up
IMDB: 8.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
Release Date: 05/29/2009
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $293,004,164
Plot: Join 78-year old Carl Fredricksen as he fulfills his dream of traveling to Paradise Falls in his house tied with a thousand balloons. Joining his adventure is Russel, the Wilderness Explorer who stowed away with him. (Watch Trailer)
Toy Story 2
IMDB: 7.9
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Release Date: 11/19/1999
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $245,852,179
Plot: Always topping the list of cartoon movies to watch. Toy story 2 tells the story of how Woody gets kidnapped by a toy collector and it’s up to Buzz Lightyear and friends to save the day. (Watch Trailer)
Toy Story 3
IMDB: 8.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
Release Date: 6/18/2010
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $415,004,880
Plot: As Andy gets ready to leave for college, his loyal toys are mistakenly sent to the daycare center. (Watch Trailer)
Pinocchio
IMDB: 7.4
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Release Date: 02/09/1940
Movie Studio: Disney
Domestic Gross Revenue: $84,254,167
Plot: Another juggernaut when it comes to old animated movies, Pinocchio tells the story of a puppet, that always wanted to be a real boy, he must prove himself worthy by being brave, honest, and generous. (Watch Trailer)
Finding Dory
IMDB: 7.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
Release Date: 06/17/2016
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $486,295,561
Plot: The Amnesiac fish Dory remembered that she has a family and thought that they might be looking for her. In this adventure, Dory was caught and placed in a public aquarium and it’s up to Marlin and Nemo to save her. (Watch Trailer)
Finding Nemo
IMDB: 8.1
Rotten Tomatoes: 99%
Release Date: 05/30/2003
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $380,843,261
Plot: One of the best cartoon movies to come out of Pixar’s golden era. Finding Nemo follows the adventure of a father clownfish as he searches for his son, Nemo who was taken from the Great Barrier Reef into a fish tank in a dentist’s office. (Watch Trailer)
The LEGO Movie
IMDB: 7.7
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Release Date: 02/07/2014
Movie Studio: Warner Bros.
Domestic Gross Revenue: $257,760,692
Plot: The LEGO Movie is one of many new animated movies to develop a cult following in recent years. It tells the story of Emmet, an ordinary Lego construction worker was thought to be the “Special” one who will save the Lego world from an evil tyrant. (Watch Trailer)
Moana
IMDB: 7.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Release Date: 11/23/2016
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $248,757,044
Plot: Moana, daughter of a chief is chosen by the ocean to rejoin a relic to a goddess. She sets sail to find the legendary demigod of the wind and sea named Maui in the hope of saving her people from a blight. (Watch Trailer)
Toy Story
IMDB: 8.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Release Date: 11/22/1995
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $223,225,679
Plot: Considered one of the best Pixar movies of all time, if not one of the best cartoon movies period, Toy Story tells the story of how toys come alive. Woody, a pull-string talking cowboy competes with Buzz Lightyear, the newest toy collection of Andy. (Watch Trailer)
Isle of Dogs
IMDB: 7.9
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Release Date: 03/23/2018
Movie Studio: Fox Searchlight
Domestic Gross Revenue: $32,015,231
Plot: Acclaimed director Wes Anderson create what is considered one of the best new animated movies when it comes to stop motion animation. Isle of Dogs follows a boy’s epic journey in search of his lost dog. The movie is set in Japan. (Watch Trailer)
Kubo and the Two Strings
IMDB: 7.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Release Date: 08/19/2016
Movie Studio: Focus Features
Domestic Gross Revenue: $48,023,088
Plot: One of the best animated movies to come out of the stop motion school, it follow a one-eyed young boy named Kubo who joins forces with Monkey and Beetle. They went on a journey to save Kubo’s family and solve the mystery of the greatest samurai warrior, his father. (Watch Trailer)
How To Train Your Dragon
IMDB: 8.1
Rotten Tomatoes: 99%
Release Date: 03/26/2010
Movie Studio: Paramount (DreamWorks)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $217,581,231
Plot: This movie is a complete package. Not only is it one of the best action animation movies of all time, but it’s also a comedy, drama, and romance! It follows the young Hiccup and his mission to prove his worth to the tribe by hunting dragons. But he ends up developing a new friendship with these creatures. (Watch Trailer)
Shaun the Sheep Movie
IMDB: 7.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 99%
Release Date: 08/05/2015
Movie Studio: Lionsgate
Domestic Gross Revenue: $19,375,982
Plot: Shaun the sheep is one of the best animation films of all time when it comes to stop motion. Shaun the sheep planned to get a day off by making the farmer fall asleep in his caravan. Unfortunately, the caravan where the farmer is sleeping rolled away to the big city. The farmer got amnesia after getting a blow to his head. Now it is Shaun and his flock’s job to get the farmer back. (Watch Trailer)
WALL-E
IMDB: 8.4
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Release Date: 6/27/2008
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $223,808,164
Plot: Widely considered one of the best animation films of all time WALL-E is set in the near future where a waste-collecting robot finds a new meaning in life when he met EVE, a sleek search robot who realized that he may have the key to save planet Earth. (Watch Trailer)
Dumbo
IMDB: 7.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
Release Date: 10/23/1941
Movie Studio: RKO
Domestic Gross Revenue: N/A
Plot: Another member of the old cartoon movies club, Dumbo tells a story of a young circus elephant who is born with huge ears. Dumbo amazes everyone when he discovers that he can fly with the use of his enormous ears. (Watch Trailer)
Ratatouille
IMDB: 8.0
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Release Date: 6/29/2007
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $206,445,654
Plot: Ratatouille is widely recognized as one of the best animation films of all time about cooking. The movie follows Remy, the rat partners with Linguini, a garbage boy and chase his dream of becoming a great chef. (Watch Trailer)
My Life as a Zucchini
IMDB: 7.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 99%
Release Date: 02/24/2017
Movie Studio: GKIDS
Domestic Gross Revenue: $309,766
Plot: After his mom died, Zucchini was brought to an orphanage with children his age. With the help of his new friends and police officer Raymond who brought him, he learned how to trust & love others eventually, as he seeks a new family. (Watch Trailer)
The Incredibles
IMDB: 8.0
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Release Date: 11/05/2004
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $261,441,092
Plot: An ever-present name when it comes to children’s animated movies, The Incredibles tells the story of Mr. Incredible and his wife Elastigirl are now retired from superhero-missions and trying to live normal lives with their three kids until a top-secret assignment given to Mr. Incredible forced the whole family into action. (Watch Trailer)
Only Yesterday
IMDB: 7.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Release Date: 01/01/2016 (USA)
Movie Studio: GKIDS
Domestic Gross Revenue: $453,243
Plot: One of the best animated movies to come out of Japan in recent years, Only Yesterday follows A 27-year-old woman, Taeko, decided to travel to the countryside. While traveling she reminisced about her past events in Tokyo. (Watch Trailer)
The Lego Batman Movie
IMDB: 7.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Release Date: 02/10/2017
Movie Studio: Warner Bros.
Domestic Gross Revenue: $175,750,384
Plot: In the Lego Universe, Bruce Wayne continues fighting the usual bad guys in Gotham City, while doing so he decided to make his adopted son into his crime-fighting partner. Alongside The LEGO Movie, LEGO Batman is one of the most popular animated movies in recent years and a must watch for those looking for a light-hearted comedy (Watch Trailer)
101 Dalmatians
IMDB: 7.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
Release Date: 01/25/1961
Movie Studio: Disney
Domestic Gross Revenue: $144,880,014
Plot: Another member of the old cartoon movies club. This one follows the story of Dalmatian pets Pongo and Perdita as they searched for their missing pups stolen by the minions of Cruella De Vil. (Watch Trailer)
Beauty and the Beast
IMDB: 8.0
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
Release Date: 11/15/1991
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $218,967,620
Plot: The film focuses on Belle, whose father was imprisoned by a Beast, a prince who is transformed into his present form due to arrogance. To be a prince again, he must fall in love with Belle and in return win her love. Not only is Beauty and Beast one of the best Disney movies, but one of the best animated movies of all time. (Watch Trailer)
Chicken Run
IMDB: 7.0
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Release Date: 06/23/2000
Movie Studio: DreamWorks
Domestic Gross Revenue: $106,834,564
Plot: Chicken Run is one of the most popular cult classic cartoon movies from the 00s. Set in the Chicken Farm in England in the 1950s, Chicken Run follows the plan of the escape of Rocky the Rooster and Ginger the chicken together with their fellow chickens from their evil owners. (Watch Trailer)
The Nightmare Before Christmas
IMDB: 8.0
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Release Date: 10/15/1993
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $77,368,668
Plot: Not only one of the best animated movies of all time, but also one of the best Christmas movies of all time. Bored of his job and find life lacks meaning in Halloweenland, Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King discovers Christmas Town and decides to celebrate the yuletide season there with some funny consequences. (Watch Trailer)
Monsters, Inc.
IMDB: 8.1
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Release Date: 11/02/2001
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $290,642,256
Plot: One of the best cartoon movies to come out of the geniuses at Pixar. Monsters, Inc. follows a world behind the closet door. The screams of human children are the source of power in the world of Sullivan and Wazowski, two monsters working at Monster, Inc., a scream processing company. Their view of human children as toxic changed when they met a little human girl named Boo who followed them back into the monster world. (Watch Trailer)
Fantasia
IMDB: 7.7
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Release Date: 01/29/1941
Movie Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Domestic Gross Revenue: $76,408,097
Plot: Created during Disney’s golden era, Fantasia is one of the top animated movies – a landmark in animation. It uses a set of animated interpretations of popular classical music to create one of the most memorable audio-visual experience of all time. Truly, one of the best old animated movies you will ever come across.
Grave of the Fireflies
IMDB: 8.5
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
Release Date: 8/12/2018 (Domestic)
Movie Studio: Fathom Events
Domestic Gross Revenue: $516,962
Plot: Grave of the Fireflies is one of the less popular animated movies from Studio Ghibli, and unjustly so. This short story film is set in the City of Kobe, Japan during World War 2. Seita, a young teenage boy and his little sister, Setsuko find themselves struggling to survive in the final days of the war. (Watch Trailer)
Your Name
IMDB: 8.4
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
Release Date: 04/07/2017
Movie Studio: FUNimation Films
Domestic Gross Revenue: $5,017,246
Plot: If you’re looking for animated romance movies, then look no further. Your Name follows two high school students, a boy, and a girl can switch bodies with each other. When they both realized that they can switch bodies they started communicating by leaving notes and soon decided to start their quest in meeting each other in person. (Watch Trailer)
The Iron Giant
IMDB: 8.0
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Release Date: 08/03/1999
Movie Studio: Warner Bros.
Domestic Gross Revenue: $23,159,305
Plot: A film about the friendship between a boy named Hogarth and an alien giant robot who is wanted by a government agent. (Watch Trailer)
Spirited Away
IMDB: 8.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Release Date: 09/20/2002
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $13,750,644
Plot: Not only is Spirited Away one of the best animated movies to come out of Japan, but is one of the best animated movies of all time. The movie follows Chihiro’s family outing became an adventure to the world of supernaturals. Possibly Studio Ghibli’s most famous entry, (in America at least), Spirited Away is an unforgettable romp through a fantastical story. The main character needs to navigate herself through the spirit world, meeting unforgettable characters like No-Face, Haku, and Chihiro will ignite the imagination in anyone. (Watch Trailer)
Tower
IMDB: 8.0
Rotten Tomatoes: 99%
Release Date: 09/28/2016
Movie Studio: Kino Lorber
Domestic Gross Revenue: $101,987
Plot: A campus held hostage by a sniper for 1 and a half hours (Documentary). (Watch Trailer)
Song of the Sea
IMDB: 8.1
Rotten Tomatoes: 99%
Release Date: 12/19/2014
Movie Studio: GKIDS
Domestic Gross Revenue: $857,522
Plot: Follow the adventure of Ben and Saoirse, who can turn into a seal, as they save the spirit world. (Watch Trailer)
The Lion King
IMDB: 8.5
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Release Date: 06/15/1994
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $422,783,777
Plot: The Lion King is widely regarded as animation royalty. Considered a landmark in animated movies, it stands tall as one of the best animated movies of all time for many different reasons. Simba is to succeed his father Mufasa as King when he grows up but was tricked by his uncle Scar and leads him into thinking that he is responsible for his father’s death. (Watch Trailer)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
IMDB: 7.7
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Release Date: 06/24/1988
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $156,452,370
Plot: This movie stands out from the contemporary by blending live action with traditional 2D animation, making a unique movie and a must when it comes to cartoon movies to watch. Roger Rabbit’s only chance to be cleared from an accusation of murder is through Eddie Valiant, a toon-hating private detective. (Watch Trailer)
Waltz with Bashir
IMDB: 8.0
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Release Date: 12/25/2008
Movie Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Domestic Gross Revenue: $2,283,849
Plot: This Israeli film is an animated documentary of the 1982 Lebanon war where Folman, the main character is a veteran and is in search of his lost memories of his experiences of that conflict. (Watch Trailer)
Anomalisa
IMDB: 7.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
Release Date: 12/30/2015
Movie Studio: Paramount
Domestic Gross Revenue: $3,759,286
Plot: From visionary writer/director Charlie Kaufman, Anomalisa cannot be considered part of the children animated movies genre. The Movie follows Michael Stone, a Customer Service Professional. Michael has a business trip where he is expected to speak. There he met Lisa, a sales representative, who might be the love of his life that’ll help him change and escape his repetitive life, wherein he is unable to interact with other people deeply. (Watch Trailer)
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
IMDB: 7.5
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Release Date: 1/3/2019
Movie Studio: Universal Pictures
Domestic Gross Revenue: $160,799,505
Plot: A follow up to one of the most popular animated movies in recent years. Hiccup seeks ‘The Hidden World’ of dragons before Grimmel, a vicious dragon hunter finds it before him. Hiccup is also dealing with Toothless’ blossoming bond with a female Night Fury. (Watch Trailer)
Persepolis
IMDB: 8.0
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Release Date: 12/25/2007
Movie Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Domestic Gross Revenue: $4,445,756
Plot: Based on Marjane Satrapi’s novel, it follows a young girl’s coming of age during the Iranian Revolution. (Watch Trailer)
Yellow Submarine
IMDB: 7.4
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Release Date: 11/13/1968
Movie Studio: Apple Films, King Features Production
TVC London
Domestic Gross Revenue: $992,305
Plot: Yellow Submarine might not be present in most “best animated movies” lists, but it caused a big cultural impact during the 60s when it was released. The movie follows Captain Fred as he is accompanied by The Beatles in his yellow submarine on their mission to free Pepperland from the blue meanies. (Watch Trailer)
Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
IMDB: 7.4
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Release Date: 10/05/2005
Movie Studio: DreamWorks
Domestic Gross Revenue: $56,110,897
Plot: When you think of top animated movies made in stop motion animation, Wallace and Gromit will surely be in the discussion as one of the best. The film is about inventor Wallace and his mute and intelligent dog, Gromit, as they come to save villagers from a mutant rabbit that threatens their yearly giant vegetable growing contest. (Watch Trailer)
Fantastic Mr. Fox
IMDB: 7.9
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Release Date: 11/13/2009
Movie Studio: Fox
Domestic Gross Revenue: $21,002,919
Plot: This movie quickly earned itself a spot in the classic cartoon movies club, even though it was released at the end of the 00s. The comedy film is about Mr. Fox who steals food from three farmers that endangers his family and the animal community. The urbane fox must help in fighting against the farmers’ retaliation. (Watch Trailer)
Kiki’s Delivery Service
IMDB: 7.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
Release Date: 07/29/1989
Movie Studio: Studio Ghibli
Domestic Gross Revenue: $1,004,057
Plot: Highly known as one of Studio Ghibli’s most popular animated movies. It tells a story of a witch named Kiki and how she must live on her own for a year. The mixture of the more melancholy coming-of-age themes with beautiful animation will have this story and characters fresh in your mind. (Watch Trailer)
Ernest and Celestine
IMDB: 7.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
Release Date: 12/12/2012
Movie Studio: GKIDS
Domestic Gross Revenue: $262,075
Plot: Based on the classic Belgian book series by Gabrielle Vincent, Ernest and Celestine is a story of an unlikely bond of friendship between a bear and a mouse. (Watch Trailer)
Aladdin
IMDB: 8.0
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
Release Date: 11/13/1992
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $217,350,219
Plot: A member of Disney’s classic cartoon movies from the 90’s. It follows Aladdin’s adventure to marry Princess Jasmine, and how he uses the magic lamp to become a sultan and defeat his rival, Jafar. (Watch Trailer)
The Secret World of Arrietty
IMDB: 7.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Release Date: 02/17/2012
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $19,587,032
Plot: The Secret World of Arrietty tells a story of a 14-year-old tiny girl Arrietty and her secret friendship with a human boy on which if discovered might drive Arrietty and her family away from home. (Watch Trailer)
Ralph Breaks the Internet
IMDB: 7.1
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
Release Date: 11/21/2018
Movie Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Domestic Gross Revenue: $201,091,711
Plot: A highly successful entry on Disney’s new animated movies catalogue. Ralph Breaks the Internet tells the story of what happens when Ralph and Vanellope discover the existence of the internet. Adventures, a ton of fun with a healthy dose of mischiefs follow these two wherever they go. But will this new discovery strengthen their friendship or will it become a test of their bond? (Watch Trailer)
Frozen
IMDB: 7.4
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Release Date: 11/22/2013
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $400,953,009
Plot: A pop culture juggernaut during 2013/2014, Frozen proved itself to be one of the most popular animated movies in recent memory. It is a story of Anna who teams up with a mountain man, his reindeer, and a snowman to find her sister Elsa and put an end to her icy spell. (Watch Trailer)
The Red Turtle
IMDB: 7.5
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Release Date: 01/20/2017
Movie Studio: Sony Classics
Domestic Gross Revenue: $921,974
Plot: Because of a storm an unnamed man got stranded on a deserted island where he meets a female red turtle that changed his whole life. (Watch Trailer)
Long Way North
IMDB: 7.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
Release Date: 09/30/2016
Movie Studio: Shout! Factory
Domestic Gross Revenue: N/A
Plot: A Russian aristocrat takes a great expedition to know what happened to her grandfather and to save the reputation of her family. (Watch Trailer)
Coraline
IMDB: 7.7
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Release Date: 02/06/2009
Movie Studio: Focus Features
Domestic Gross Revenue: $75,286,229
Plot: A member of the cult classic cartoon movies club, Coraline Jones discovers an alternate version of her life when she uncovers a secret door of their new home. Follow her adventures as she enters into the world that has its sinister secrets. (Watch Trailer)
I Lost My Body
IMDB: 7.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Release Date: 11/21/2018
Movie Studio: Rezo Films
Domestic Gross Revenue: –
Plot: A severed hand in a dissection lab in Paris sets out to get reconnected with its body. Meanwhile, a young man named Naoufel is in love with Gabrielle. What happens next is one of the strangest stories, but definitely the most original, ever told in the history of animation film. (Watch Trailer)
The Breadwinner
IMDB: 7.7
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Release Date: 11/17/2017
Movie Studio: GKIDS
Domestic Gross Revenue: $313,215
Plot: Parvana, a girl in Afghanistan, needs to disguise herself as a boy to be able to work and support her family due to her father being imprisoned. (Watch Trailer)
Ghost in the Shell
IMDB: 8.0
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Release Date: 02/02/1996
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $515,905
Plot: One of Japan’s best animated movies ever made, it tells a story of a woman police officer that has a cybernetic body. Her partner hunts down a mysterious hacker named Puppet Master. (Watch Trailer)
The Little Mermaid
IMDB: 7.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Release Date: 11/17/1989
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $111,543,479
Plot: Another member of Disney’s stellar catalogue of old animated movies, it follows Ariel, the youngest daughter of the King of the Sea who longs to be with humans on the surface. She falls in love with a handsome human and enters an agreement with the evil sea witch to be with him. (Watch Trailer)
How to Train Your Dragon 2
IMDB: 7.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
Release Date: 6/13/2014
Movie Studio: Fox
Domestic Gross Revenue: $177,002,924
Plot: How to Train Your Dragon 2 is a great example of how new animated movies can still hold up to other classics. Hiccup and his faithful dragon Toothless must protect the peace from Drago and save the future of men and dragons in this second chapter of How to Train Your Dragon. One of their adventures leads to the discovery of a secret ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider. (Watch Trailer)
Lady and the Tramp
IMDB: 7.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Release Date: 06/22/1955
Movie Studio: Disney
Domestic Gross Revenue: $93,602,326
Plot: One of the most famous old cartoon movies, Lady and the Tramp is a classic romantic story of two individuals with many differences. A romance begins to blossom between a sheltered cocker spaniel dog and a stray mutt tramp. (Watch Trailer)
The Triplets of Belleville
IMDB: 7.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
Release Date: 11/26/2003
Movie Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Domestic Gross Revenue: $7,007,149
Plot: Madame Souza raised his grandson, Champion, and trained him in cycling. She encourages him to reach his dream of winning the Tour de France. During a race, the Champion goes missing. Madame Suzanne and her companion pooch Bruno team up with the Belleville Sisters to rescue her grandson. (Watch Trailer)
Big Hero 6
IMDB: 7.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Release Date: 11/07/2014
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $222,527,828
Plot: Another member of the “new animated movies club”. The cartoon tells the story of Hiro Hamada, a young robotics prodigy who develops a special bond with Baymax, a plus-sized inflatable robot, and forms a superhero team to fight a masked villain. (Watch Trailer)
Bambi
IMDB: 7.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Release Date: 08/21/1942
Movie Studio: RKO
Domestic Gross Revenue: $102,247,150
Plot: A chart topper in the classic cartoon movies section, Bambi follows the story of a male deer as he faces the challenges of living in the forest after his mother is shot by hunters. His courtship of lovely Faline the doe ensues, and he saves his friends during a forest fire. (Watch Trailer)
Princess Mononoke
IMDB: 8.4
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Release Date: 10/29/1999
Movie Studio: Miramax
Domestic Gross Revenue: $4,845,631
Plot: Ashitaka is on a journey to find a cure for a Tatarigami’s curse and finds himself in the middle of a battle between Princess Mononoke and a mining village.
Standing tall as one of the best animated movies of all time, this is a darker entry into the Studio Ghibli collection. With more thematically violent themes, this picture is for an older audience, but is still beautiful, thought-provoking and provides a stunning metaphor of industry vs. nature.
The characters are fantastic, and the plot will deeply resonate with anyone who views it. (Watch Trailer)
My Neighbor Totoro
IMDB: 8.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
Release Date: 05/07/1993
Movie Studio: 50th Street Films
Domestic Gross Revenue: $2,250,213
Plot: One of Studio Ghibli’s most popular animated movies, My Neighbor Totoro tells a story of two girls, Satsuki and Mei, and their magical adventures with the friendly wood spirits. (Watch Trailer)
Arthur Christmas
IMDB: 7.1
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
Release Date: 11/23/2011
Movie Studio: Sony / Columbia
Domestic Gross Revenue: $46,462,469
Plot: Santa Claus’ clumsy son, Arthur discovers that their high-tech ship has failed to deliver one present for a young girl. He goes on a mission to deliver the misplaced present before Christmas morning dawns. (Watch Trailer)
Antz
IMDB: 6.5
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
Release Date: 10/02/1998
Movie Studio: DreamWorks
Domestic Gross Revenue: $90,757,863
Plot: One of the first 3D animated movies released, Antz tells the story of Z, who longs for some individuality and tries to break from his totalitarian society. The success of a revolution he led finally gets the interest of Bala, the colony’s Queen daughter, of which he is in love. (Watch Trailer)
The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part
IMDB: 6.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
Release Date: 2/6/2019
Movie Studio: Rezo Films
Domestic Gross Revenue: $105,806,508
Plot: As a follow-up to one of the most popular animated movies from the 10s, The LEGO Movie 2 successfuly picks up from where its successor left off. This time around, everything is NOT awesome in the Lego universe as Duplo aliens threaten to destroy Emmet’s home. The Master Builders must step up their game to rebuild and protect their world from destruction. (Watch Trailer)
A Bug’s Life
IMDB: 7.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
Release Date: 11/20/1998
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $162,798,565
Plot: One of Pixar’s oldest animated movies, A Bug’s Life follows Flik, a misfit ant, who is looking for a group of bugs that are tough to save his colony from greedy grasshoppers. However, the bugs he recruited turned out to be an inept circus troupe. (Watch Trailer)
Mary and Max
IMDB: 8.1
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Release Date: 01/15/2009
Movie Studio: IFC Films
Domestic Gross Revenue: N/A
Plot: The film follows the story of 2 pen pals, Mary, a lonely, eight-year-old girl living in Melbourne, and Max, a forty-four-year-old, a severely obese man living in New York, and a bond that forms between the two beyond their distance. Will they ever meet face to face? (Watch Trailer)
Ponyo
IMDB: 7.7
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
Release Date: 8/14/2009
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $15,743,471
Plot: The animated film centers on Ponyo, a goldfish princess who longs to be human, and her friendship with a five-year-old boy.
Ponyo is Miyazaki’s take on The Little Mermaid. That being said, where Mononoke was more mature, Ponyo is geared towards younger audiences. It’s lighthearted and a perfect movie to put on to relax, feel happy, and play for the kids while still enjoying it yourself. (Watch Trailer)
Klaus
IMDB: 8.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
Release Date: 11/15/2019
Movie Studio: Netflix
Domestic Gross Revenue: N/A
Plot: Klaus is one of the best animated movies about the Christmas spirit you will ever find. Jesper arrived in the distant town of Smeerenburg, he only had one mission: to post 6,000 letters in a year. When he met Klaus, a passionate and brilliant toymaker, his life and those around him changed forever. (Watch Trailer)
Teen Titans Go! To the Movies
IMDB: 6.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
Release Date: 7/27/2018
Movie Studio: Warner Bros.
Domestic Gross Revenue: $29,790,236
Plot: It seems that the major superheroes are starring in their own movies. Robin wants to become a star, not just a sidekick. The Teen Titans head to Hollywood to fulfill their dreams. When a supervillain plans to take over the world, the fate of the young heroes is on the line. Based on the previous popularity of the TV show, Teen Titans GO made a successful transition to the big screen and managed to create one of the most popular animated movies of 2018. (Watch Trailer)
Bolt
IMDB: 6.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Release Date: 11/21/2008
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $114,053,579
Plot: Even though this movie might not be part of the top ten greatest animated movies of all time, it can still provide a great time for the whole family. Bolt (John Travolta) is a star of a fictional show and he believes that his powers are real. When he is accidentally shipped out to the mean streets, his adventure to find his owner Penny (Miley Cyrus) starts. (Watch Trailer)
Missing Link
IMDB: 6.7
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Release Date: 4/4/2019
Movie Studio: United Artists Releasing
Domestic Gross Revenue: $16,649,539
Plot: Mr. Link sets out to look for his relatives in the faraway valley of Shangri-La. He recruited the help of the famous English Explorer Sir Lionel Frost to guide him in this life-changing journey. Adventurer Adelina Fortnight joined the quest and together they embarked on an adventure beset with a fair share of danger and fun. (Watch Trailer)
Tangled
IMDB: 7.7
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Release Date: 11/24/2010
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $200,821,936
Plot: One of the most popular animated movies to come up in recent years, Tangled tells the story of Rapunzel, a prisoner who has 70 feet of magical, golden hair that has been locked in a tower for years. An opportunity to discover the world for the first time and her real identity unfolds when she hostage the bandit Flynn Rider. (Watch Trailer)
Shrek 2
IMDB: 7.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Release Date: 05/19/2004
Movie Studio: DreamWorks
Domestic Gross Revenue: $441,226,247
Plot: The second entry for the popular animated movies series sees Shrek and Fiona receive an invitation from the princess’ parents to celebrate their union during their honeymoon. However, Shrek and Fiona’s father find it hard to get along, and tension is starting to be felt by the newlyweds. (Watch Trailer)
ParaNorman
IMDB: 7.0
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Release Date: 08/17/2012
Movie Studio: Focus Features
Domestic Gross Revenue: $56,003,051
Plot: Another member to the cult classic cartoon movies club – ParaNorman follows a young misunderstood Norman who fights ghosts, zombies, and grown-ups to save his town. (Watch Trailer)
Frankenweenie
IMDB: 6.9
Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
Release Date: 10/05/2012
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $35,291,068
Plot: Victor loses his dog Sparky and uses the power of electricity to bring his best friend back to life but with monstrous consequences. (Watch Trailer)
James and the Giant Peach
IMDB: 6.7
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
Release Date: 04/12/1996
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $28,946,127
Plot: Journey with James as his discovery of a giant peach leads him to meet creatures that become his new friends and his travel companions to New York City. (Watch Trailer)
Shrek
IMDB: 7.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
Release Date: 05/16/2001
Movie Studio: DreamWorks
Domestic Gross Revenue: $267,665,011
Plot: One of the most popular animated movies from the 00s, Shrek tells the tale of an ogre trying to get his land back. Shrek agreed to save a princess for a villainous lord who wants to marry her. (Watch Trailer)
Rango
IMDB: 7.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
Release Date: 03/04/2011
Movie Studio: Paramount
Domestic Gross Revenue: $123,477,607
Plot: Rango, a sheltered chameleon is forced to play his new role as the new sheriff when he accidentally winds up in the town of Dirt. When it comes to 3D animated movies from the 10s, Rango is one of the most underrated examples we could think of, definitely worth a watch. (Watch Trailer)
The Wind Rises
IMDB: 7.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
Release Date: 2/21/2014
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $5,209,580
Plot: The Wind Rises chronicles the life of Jiro Horikoshi, the designer of fighter aircraft used by the Empire of Japan during World War II. When it comes to new animated movies from Studio Ghibli, The Wind Rises is one of the most overlooked of the bunch, definitely give this one a shot. (Watch Trailer)
Winnie the Pooh
IMDB: 7.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
Release Date: 07/15/2011
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $26,692,846
Plot: It’s no secret that Pooh holds a seat on the classic cartoon movies club and this latest entry surely does the series justice. In this movie, Pooh and friends embark on a journey to search for Christopher Robin and save him from an imaginary culprit. (Watch Trailer)
The Simpsons Movie
IMDB: 7.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
Release Date: 07/27/2007
Movie Studio: Fox
Domestic Gross Revenue: $183,135,014
Plot: The Simpsons succeeded in transitioning from one of the most popular series in TV to create one of the most popular animated movies from the 00s. Homer irresponsibly pollutes the town’s water supply and is now declared a fugitive of EPA. He must make a move to save the world from the disaster he created. (Watch Trailer)
Boy and the World
IMDB: 7.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Release Date: 12/11/2015
Movie Studio: GKIDS
Domestic Gross Revenue: $129,480
Plot: he Boy and the World proved itself to be one of the best animated movies when it comes to indie productions. It tells a story of a boy named Cuca who lives a happy and peaceful life in a small village went on a quest to find his father to reunite his family back. (Watch Trailer)
The Peanuts Movie
IMDB: 7.1
Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
Release Date: 11/06/2015
Movie Studio: Fox
Domestic Gross Revenue: $130,178,411
Plot: This is certainly one of the best animated movies to feature Snoopy and his gang. Charlie Brown hears that someone is moving to their neighborhood, a cute red-haired girl which he then tries not to make any failures starting from that moment and be a winner to impress her. (Watch Trailer)
When Marnie Was There
IMDB: 7.7
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
Release Date: 5/22/2015
Movie Studio: GKIDS
Domestic Gross Revenue: $561,085
Plot: One of the best animated movies to come out of Studio Ghibli in the past few years. When the friendship of two young girls Anna and Marnie blooms, Anna discovers the possibility of a closer tie with her newfound friend. (Watch Trailer)
Millennium Actress
IMDB: 7.9
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Release Date: 09/12/2003
Movie Studio: DW / Go Fish
Domestic Gross Revenue: $262,891
Plot: Based on the life of Setsuko Hara and Hideko Takamine, it tells the story of Genya Tachibana who is a documentary filmmaker interviewing Chiyoko Fujiwara, an elderly actress in which reality and cinema become blurred. (Watch Trailer)
Kung Fu Panda
IMDB: 7.5
Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
Release Date: 06/06/2008
Movie Studio: Paramount (DreamWorks)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $215,434,591
Plot: An obese panda and a novice in martial arts are unexpectedly chosen to be the Dragon Warrior in the valley of peace. Will he fulfill his destiny as a hero? Widely regarded as one of the best cartoon movies, Jack Black as Po the Panda will both make you laugh and cry. (Watch Trailer)
Sleeping Beauty
IMDB: 7.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Release Date: 1/29/1959
Movie Studio: Disney
Domestic Gross Revenue: $51,600,000
Plot: A malevolent fairy casts a curse on a princess. She falls into a deep sleep and can be only ended with a kiss from the prince, with the help of the fairies. (Watch Trailer)
Wreck-It Ralph
IMDB: 7.7
Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
Release Date: 11/2/2012
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $189,422,889
Plot: Wreck-It Ralph is considered to be the best cartoon movies based on video game culture to come out of Hollywood. Ralph is tired of playing the role of a video game villain sets to prove that he’s got what it takes to be the hero. (Watch Trailer)
Kung Fu Panda 3
IMDB: 7.1
Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
Release Date: 01/29/2016
Movie Studio: Fox
Domestic Gross Revenue: $143,528,619
Plot: The Kung Fu Panda franchise is likely on your list of cartoon movies to watch, and the third entry to the series is no different. Po has a new enemy named Kai, to defeat Kai he must become the Master of Qi. With the help of his father and his Panda tribe Po learns how to be a true panda and learns who he truly is. (Watch Trailer)
The Illusionist
IMDB: 7.5
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Release Date: 12/25/2010
Movie Studio: Sony Classics
Domestic Gross Revenue: $2,231,474
Plot: A heartwarming film about a French Illusionist and a young woman and their ensuing adventures together that are life-changing. (Watch Trailer)
Tarzan
IMDB: 7.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Release Date: 06/16/1999
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $171,091,819
Plot: Tarzan is a great option if you’re looking for adventurous cartoon movies to watch. Tarzan, who was raised in the jungle by gorillas after his parents were killed by a rogue leopardess. However, he must decide where he really belongs when he discovers he is a human. (Watch Trailer)
Howl’s Moving Castle
IMDB: 8.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
Release Date: 06/10/2005
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $5,576,743
Plot: Sophie is cursed by the Witch of the Waste after discovering a budding friendship between her and a strange but flamboyant wizard named Howl. Can Howl help Sophie reverse the witch’s spell? (Watch Trailer)
It has more fairy tale elements, with a European vibe. It feels very reminiscent of an old fairy tale while simultaneously being groundbreaking and modern. Loveable characters and a beautiful world will make you never want to leave. This movie is widely considered to be one of Studio Ghibli’s best animated movies.
Honorable Mentions
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie
IMDB: 6.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 87%
Release Date: 06/02/2017
Movie Studio: Fox
Domestic Gross Revenue: $73,921,000
Plot: One of the most underrated new animated movies to be released in the late 10s. The plot follows two friends that are well-known pranksters at their school hypnotized their meanie principal into thinking he’s a stupid superhero called Captain Underpants. (Watch Trailer)
The Secret of Kells
IMDB: 7.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Release Date: 03/05/2010
Movie Studio: GKIDS
Domestic Gross Revenue: $676,775
Plot: Young Brendan living in a remote medieval outpost has the adventure of his life when he met a celebrated master illuminator who has an ancient but unfinished book, full of secret wisdom and powers. (Watch Trailer)
Mary and The Witch’s Flower
IMDB: 6.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Release Date: 1/18/2018
Movie Studio: GKIDS
Domestic Gross Revenue: $2,418,404
Plot: Based on The Little Broomstick by Mary Stewart. Mary discovers an old broomstick and a rare plant in a nearby forest. The rare flower grants mary magical powers. (Watch Trailer)
The Boy and the Beast
IMDB: 7.7
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
Release Date: 03/04/2016
Movie Studio: FUNimation Films
Domestic Gross Revenue: $490,643
Plot: The Boy and the Beast is one of Japan’s best animation movies to come out in 2016. Kyuta, an orphan kid living in the streets came across a beast named Kumatetsu. Kyuta followed Kumatetsu to his world, the world of beasts. Kyuta became Kumatetsu’s apprentice and they trained hard together. Darkness puts the human and beast worlds in mayhem and it is up to them to work together to stop this. (Watch Trailer)
Sausage Party
IMDB: 6.1
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
Release Date: 8/12/2016
Movie Studio: Sony
Domestic Gross Revenue: $97,685,686
Plot: Not in the top considerations as one of the greatest animated movies of all time, but Sausage Party blends 3D animation and edgy humor to create a truly unique experience. The plot follows Frank, and life is good for Frank (The sausage) and all the other food items. Soon, they’ll realize the truth that they’ll become a meal. They devise a plan to escape from human enemies. (Watch Trailer)
Akira
IMDB: 8.0
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Release Date: 12/25/1989
Movie Studio: Streamline
Domestic Gross Revenue: $553,171
Plot: Akira is widely considered the greatest animated movies of all time within the anime genre. The story follows a a bike gang leader who’s trying to save his friend from a secret military project. His friend (Tetsuo) discovers his supernatural powers and a final clash is fought in Tokyo. (Watch Trailer)
Tokyo Godfathers
IMDB: 7.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Release Date: 01/16/2004
Movie Studio: IDP
Domestic Gross Revenue: $367,131
Plot: Another deep-cut recommendation if you’re looking for highly underrated Japanese cartoon movies to watch. In Tokyo Godfathers, our main character’s bond of friendship is tested when homeless Gin, Hana, and Miyuki discover a newborn baby among the trash. (Watch Trailer)
The Pirates! Band of Misfits
IMDB: 6.7
Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
Release Date: 04/27/2012
Movie Studio: Sony / Columbia
Domestic Gross Revenue: $31,051,126
Plot: Pirate Captain has one dream – to beat his rivals Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz for the Pirate of the Year Award. (Watch Trailer)
My Dog Tulip
IMDB: 6.9
Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
Release Date: 09/01/2010
Movie Studio: New Yorker
Domestic Gross Revenue: $246,574
Plot: A film about a growing friendship between a man and the German shepherd he rescues. (Watch Trailer)
The Princess and the Frog
IMDB: 7.1
Rotten Tomatoes: 85%
Release Date: 11/25/2009
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $104,400,899
Plot: Follow the hilarious adventure of Tiana who is desperate to follow her dreams of becoming a restaurant owner and the frog prince who desperately wants to be human again. (Watch Trailer)
In This Corner of the World
IMDB: 7.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
Release Date: 08/11/2017
Movie Studio: FUNimation Films
Domestic Gross Revenue: $172,147
Plot: Set in Japan during WWII, Suzu an innocent 18-year-old girl married a young man and now she has to try her best to provide food for her family despite the living conditions in their area. (Watch Trailer)
April and the Extraordinary World
IMDB: 7.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 96%
Release Date: 03/25/2016
Movie Studio: GKIDS
Domestic Gross Revenue: $295,488
Plot: A family of scientists is making an invulnerability serum. This serum already produced a talking cat named Darwin. While doing their work a mysterious force that looks like a black cloud appeared where April’s parents got killed, leaving April and Darwin behind. (Watch Trailer)
The Little Prince
IMDB: 7.7
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Release Date: 08/05/2016
Movie Studio: Entertainment One
Domestic Gross Revenue: $1,339,152
Plot: A little Girl being prepared by a loving mother for the big grown-up world they are in. The little girl meets their neighbor an Aviator who told her a story about the Little Prince. The Aviator finally introduces the magnificent world of the Little Prince to his friend and the girl sets off on a journey in hoping to put things right when the Aviator got hospitalized. (Watch Trailer)
Miss Hokusai
IMDB: 6.7
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
Release Date: 10/14/2016
Movie Studio: GKIDS
Domestic Gross Revenue: $222,670
Plot: The cartoon is a story of a ukiyo-e painter, Katsushika Hokusai, and his daughter O-Ei who tries to understand how an artist sees the world.
It explores the coming of age of a young woman and her journey to stepping out of the shadow of her famous father. (Watch Trailer)
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
IMDB: 6.9
Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
Release Date: 09/18/2009
Movie Studio: Sony / Columbia
Domestic Gross Revenue: $124,870,275
Plot: Based on the children’s book of the same name, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs follows the inventor Flint Lockwood and his latest invention which enables food to fall from the sky like rain. (Watch Trailer)
Mulan
IMDB: 7.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
Release Date: 06/19/1998
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $120,620,254
Plot: For her old father to be saved from death in the war against the Huns, Mulan disguises herself as a man and joins the Chinese army. (Watch Trailer)
Lilo and Stitch
IMDB: 7.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 86%
Release Date: 06/21/2002
Movie Studio: Buena Vista (Disney)
Domestic Gross Revenue: $145,794,338
Plot: A notorious extra-terrestrial fugitive from the law becomes an unusual pet of a Hawaiian Girl. (Watch Trailer)
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride
IMDB: 7.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
Release Date: 09/16/2005
Movie Studio: Warner Bros.
Domestic Gross Revenue: $53,359,111
Plot: Victor is about to get married to his fiancee Victoria when he mistakenly put the wedding band while practicing his wedding vows on the skeletal finger of the enchanted Corpse Bride who is assuming he has married her. (Watch Trailer)
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
IMDB: 7.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Release Date (Streaming): 12/09/2022
Movie Studio: Netflix Animation
Domestic Gross Revenue: $71,614
Plot: Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is a modern take on the classic story of a marionette who desperately wishes to become human. The film follows Gepetto, the old wood craftsman who lovingly carves and brings his creation, Pinocchio, to life. As they embark on a mission to make Pinocchio’s dream come true, they must face all manner of challenges—from lack of money to malicious forces trying to lead him astray. Along their journey, they get help from Jiminy Cricket and other magical creatures, learning lessons about hardship and redemption that will shape their paths for years to come. Through it all, their courage and loyalty will be tested as they confront danger with love—and attempt to outwit evil so that dreams can be realized! (Watch Trailer)
Encanto
IMDB: 7.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
Release Date: 11/24/2021
Movie Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Domestic Gross Revenue: $256,800,000
Plot: Encanto is the heartwarming story of a magical family living in Colombia. Along the way, she discovers powerful magic within herself and true potential for greatness. Ultimately, this delightful animated musical comedy celebrates the power of overcoming fear, embracing change together, and the value of family. (Watch Trailer)
The Mitchells vs. The Machines
IMDB: 7.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
Release Date (Streaming): 04/30/2021
Movie Studio: Sony Pictures Animation
Domestic Gross Revenue: –
Plot: The Mitchells vs The Machines chronicles the adventures of Katie, who is off to college, and her family as they battle a tech uprising led by a rogue AI. When their old-school vacation plans are cut short by a tech apocalypse, they’re forced to work together with their creations to save the world. With nice animation and plenty of laughs, this movie follows the Mitchells on an action-packed journey that ultimately teaches them what really matters in life. (Watch Trailer)
My Father’s Dragon
IMDB: 6.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
Release Date (Streaming): 11/11/2022
Movie Studio: Netflix Animation
Domestic Gross Revenue: –
Plot: My Father’s Dragon is a beloved children’s classic written by Ruth Stiles Gannett. The screenplay for the animated movie was written by Meg LeFauve. It’s a story of a young boy called Elmer Elevator who decides to embark on an adventure. He has heard of a dragon languishing on Wild Island and is determined to rescue him. With little more than his wits and a good pair of running shoes, Elmer sets out in search of the dragon, navigating the wild and untamed terrain of Wild Island to reach it. (Watch Trailer)
Turning Red
IMDB: 7
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
Release Date: 03/01/2022
Movie Studio: Pixar Animation Studios
Domestic Gross Revenue: $20,100,000
Plot: Turning Red follows the story of young high school student Meilin Lee, who is struggling to find her place in the world. Stacy’s world suddenly turns upside down when she finds out that she has a superpower that allows her to transform into a giant red panda whenever she gets angry. Along the way, Meilin is forced to face difficult decisions and confront people in her journey of self-acceptance. (Watch Trailer)
Wendell & Wild
IMDB: 6.4
Rotten Tomatoes: 81%
Release Date (Streaming): 10/28/2022
Movie Studio: Monkeypaw Productions | Gothan Group
Domestic Gross Revenue: –
Plot: Wendell & Wild is a stop-motion comedy about two demon brothers, Wendell and Wild, who are tasked with enticing humans’ souls to the afterlife. When the King of Demons orders them to work together on a mission, they must overcome their rivalry to outsmart their adversaries and save the world — all while delivering an uproarious, irreverent magical adventure full of laughs. (Watch Trailer)
The Sea Beast
IMDB: 7.1
Rotten Tomatoes: 94%
Release Date (Streaming): 07/08/2022
Movie Studio: Netflix Animation
Domestic Gross Revenue: –
Plot: The Sea Beast follows the adventure of a young girl named Maisie who snuck aboard a sea monster hunter’s ship in order to join the voyage. She quickly turns his life upside down, as her insight and bravery rival his own. With each twist of adventure that they venture on together, they discover new creatures, new treacherous rifts, and most importantly newfound courage from within themselves. (Watch Trailer)
Sing 2
IMDB: 7.4
Rotten Tomatoes: 71%
Release Date: 12/22/2021
Movie Studio: Illumination Entertainment
Domestic Gross Revenue: $162,790,990
Plot: After tasting success with his local theater troupe, Buster Moon is convinced he can make it to the big leagues. When a talent scout dismisses his work, however, he is determined to prove her wrong and sets out to create the greatest show ever made. With the help of Johnny, Rosita, and Ash, as well as other talented singers they encounter along their journey, Buster launches an ambitious production that rapidly grows into an extraordinary event no one could have anticipated. As new obstacles arise at every twist and turn, Buster takes inspiration from his friends’ unwavering commitment to see it through – all in hopes of realizing his lifelong dream of leading an impressive musical spectacular. (Watch Trailer)
The Bad Guys
IMDB: 6.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
Release Date: 04/22/2022
Movie Studio: Dreamworks Animation Studios
Domestic Gross Revenue: $97,233,630
Plot: The Bad Guys follows a notorious gang of animal criminals who are looking for a way to avoid prison. In a clever ploy, the leader Mr. Wolf suggests pretending to be rehabilitated instead; all for them to unexpectedly find that the journey to rehabilitation reaps its own rewards. (Watch Trailer)
Wolfwalkers
IMDB: 8
Rotten Tomatoes: 99%
Release Date (Streaming): 12/11/2020
Movie Studio: Cartoon Saloon | Melusine Productions
Domestic Gross Revenue: $1,266,570
Plot: An adventurous young hunter and her father are charged with wiping out the last wolf pack in Ireland. They encounter a girl who changes their journey from hunting to an odyssey of self-discovery. The young hunter realizes that reconciling both worlds may indeed be possible in this heartwarming coming-of-age story about friendship and loyalty. (Watch Trailer)
Written by Dustin Tyler [Updated March 8, 2023]
Initially focused on web dev, Dustin was introduced to game design by a friend after college and was immediately attracted to the combination of technical skill and creativity required to make an awesome game.
While not a professional game developer himself, he’s utilized his web dev skills and desire to help others by creating a resource where expert game designers can share what they’ve learned with the next generation of aspiring game makers.
suggestions:
Barefoot Gen
When the Wind Blows
The Man Who Planted Trees
Heavy Metal -?-
One more:
Ethel & Ernest (2016)