Animated movies are only for children, but in today’s time, almost 30% of American adults watch anime. Around 33% of the Japanese said they often watch anime or read. 36% (or 2.88 billion) of viewers worldwide enjoyed watching anime in 2021.
These entertaining animation classics are the best of an experience, evolving modern art form. Animation has continued to grow narratively, technologically, and technically over the years, and it will be viral in the future, even among adults. All ranks are based on IMDB ratings. So here are the top 10 animated movies of all time.
10. It’s Such a Beautiful Day (2012)
with an IMDB rating of 8.2
“It’s Such a Beautiful Day” is a 2012 animated film directed by Don Hertzfeldt. The film tells the story of Bill, a man with a mental illness, and his struggles with daily life. The film uses a combination of hand-drawn animation, computer animation, and live-action footage to tell a poignant and surreal story about the fragility of the human mind and the struggle for self-acceptance.
The film received critical praise for its exceptional visual style, emotional depth, and insightful portrayal of mental illness. It has been praised for its ability to evoke emotions, from humor to heartbreak, and to explore complex themes visually, inventively, and emotionally resonantly.
The film is divided into three segments that chronicle different phases in Bill’s life. In the first segment, we see Bill as a child, navigating a difficult family life and beginning to experience symptoms of his illness. In the second segment, we see Bill as a young adult struggling with social isolation and detachment from reality.
In the final segment, Bill reaches old age and begins reflecting on his life, his relationships, and the nature of existence. The film’s plot is surreal and existential, exploring universal themes of mortality, human connection, and the look for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.
9. Toy Story 3 (2010)
with an IMDB rating of 8.3
Toy Story was the first computer-animated feature and the first Pixar film. It was so popular that it received universal praise. It was also the first animated movie nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. The original film received several sequels and eventually became one of the most popular animated movies ever. Pixar, a subsidiary of Disney, made the sequels.
The 3rd installment of the popular toy story series is a heartbreaker. Set 15 years after the first movie, and it deals with Andy’s decision to leave the toys for college. Andy’s decision may seem unfair to viewers, who may feel he would have been better off keeping Buzz and Woody in his home.
This installment was an exciting departure for the Toy Story franchise. Disney executives tried to make Woody more cynical and modern. Still, ultimately, the result was a movie that deviated from Disney’s regular animated fare. The film also stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen.
The best thing about this movie is the writing and creativity. The characters are well-developed, and the CG is spectacular. Despite the shortcomings, this is still a top-ten animation movie. It has a great story and a great cast of voice actors. But, some aspects of the film stand out more than others.
8. Princess Mononoke (1997)
with an IMDB rating of 8.3
The 1997 animated film Princess Mononoke is an epic tale of adventure and heart—the plot centres on a young Ashitaka who seeks a cure from a deer-like god, Shishigami. The boy is devastated by the destruction humans have wrought on the earth. He witnesses the wolf god, Moro, beheaded by humans. He later seeks the help of the princess to broker peace between the humans.
This movie is one of the best-animated films ever made and is an enchanting journey into a fantasy world. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the film is a masterpiece that is equally impressive visually and audibly. Its characters are rich and layered, and the animation is stunning. There is never a dull moment in this film.
The movie was released on July 12, 1997. It marked a departure for Hayao Miyazaki, who had previously built his Namename with his family-friendly films like Kiki’s Delivery Service and My Neighbour Totoro. The latter film also became a huge commercial success, selling over 25 million copies.
Princess Mononoke is a classic among animations and one of Miyazaki’s best. It displays Japanese features and feelings and creates a unique atmosphere. It also adds humor and a great story.
7. Wall-E (2008)
with an IMDB rating of 8.4
WALL-E” is a film that straddles the line between social commentary and animation. This film looks at the world through the eyes of a machine that cares more about the Earth than it does about humans. Though it could have been cheap, tasteless, or offensive, it is executed flawlessly.
Movie was released on June 27, 2008, and has become one of the most successful films ever. It earned over $23.2 million on its opening day and $63.1 million over its opening weekend in 3,992 theatres, making it the highest-grossing animated film ever released in the United States. It was also the fifth highest-grossing opening weekend for a Pixar film.
WALL-E is an American computer-animated science-fiction film directed by Andrew Stanton. It follows the adventures of a trash-compacting robot named WALL-E. It is a romantic comedy-drama and the ninth film from the Pixar company.
Ben Burtt voices WALL-E and is the only sentient robot of his kind still functioning on Earth. WALL-E resembles a mobile compactor box with binocular eyes, all-terrain treads, and three-fingered shovel hands. It also carries spare parts and can repair or replace broken parts.
WALL-E and EVE return to Earth to help restore the planet. After their rescue, the two robots work together to repopulate the earth. As a result, humans have produced a more balanced work ethic and healthy body image.
6. Coco (2017)
with an IMDB rating of 8.4
Coco is a computer-animated fantasy film from Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios. The movie is based on the story of a young boy who dreams of being a musician but finds himself talking to talking skeletons in the Land of the Dead. The film combines Mexican folklore and traditional designs and features a catchy soundtrack and intricate plot. It also contains a touch of domestic comedy and media satire.
Coco uses Spanish to tell the story of a family with a deep cultural history. It is the first Pixar movie to feature music, and Michael Giacchino’s score is incredible. The film also includes a Spanish-language dub, which is excellent. Some viewers even prefer this version to the English-language original.
The movie is highly rated and has received rave reviews from critics. It has been praised for its animation, voice acting, and music. It also has a strong family theme and is a must-see for any Pixar fan.
The visual effects in Coco are stunning. The characters are vibrant and endearing, and the songs are memorable. Although Coco is a dark film, it still maintains the Pixar standard and is a must-see for young and old alike.
Also, read >> Top 10 Shocking Movies Based on Real Crimes
5. Your Name (2016)
with an IMDB rating of 8.4
Your Name is a beautiful animated movie. Its style is distinctive and similar to the work of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli while retaining a unique aesthetic. The music by RADWIMPS is another highlight and adds a rich dimension to the story.
It’s a love story, but not the usual one. The story is about longing for something more. The story is presented in a way that makes the movie’s end seem manageable. However, the ending will make you feel like you are missing something. While many films focus on the emotions that manifest themselves, Your Name centres on the feelings that aren’t.
This anime movie is one of the best films of the 2010s. It was released worldwide and was a hit in over 100 countries. It introduced many new audiences to anime. The animation was also highly praised by existing fans. It won the Los Angeles Film Critics Association’s Best Animation Award.
The film has been compared to movies like Freaky Friday, Ranma 1/2, and The Lake House, but the similarities quickly fade. Your Namename is beautiful to watch. The backgrounds look like they’re from nature, making it feel authentic.
4. Spiderman Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
with an IMDB rating of 8.4
Spider-man Into the Spider-Verse is a Sony Pictures Animation production directed by Bob Persichetti. Starring Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman, it is a spin-off of the classic Marvel superhero movie. It is a fun, fast-paced, and surprisingly emotional film.
While Spider-man Into the Spider-Verse is an excellent movie, it could be better. There are some flaws, but the film is a hit with audiences. The film has a famous cast that includes recognizable actors and actresses. There is no weak link in the model. The main character, Miles Morales, is voiced by Shameik Moore.
The film’s comic relief comes from the inclusion of “Spider-Ham.” Initially, a scene with all three live-action Spider-Man movies was planned but was scrapped due to confusion concerns. The scene would have involved Peter dissolving in a collider. Another dummy character, Ganke Lee, is used to add humor.
Spider-man Into the Spider-Verse is a fun, family-friendly film with many laughs and teachable moments. It’s also packed with old-school comic book touches and impressive animation. And, despite the raunchy nature of the story, the movie is aimed at audiences of all ages.
Spider-man in the Spider-Verse has a lot of heart. Its script and characters are great, and the animation is game-changing. Despite its flaws, it is a beautiful film that will captivate fans.
3. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
with an IMDB rating of 8.5
Grave of the Fireflies movie about a young girl named Seita (Tsutomu Tatsumi). The story follows her more youthful sister Setsuko (Ayano Shiraishi), who has been separated by American firebombing during World War II. The two must rely on one another to survive.
The story of Grave of the Fireflies is based on the semi-autobiographical short story, who lost his two sisters in the Kobe firebombing in 1945. He wrote the story as a personal apology to his sister, Keiko. He developed characters to represent him and his sister.
While it is an animated film, Grave of the Fireflies also has a mature tone. Its protagonist, Seita, is strong and resilient. She tries to protect her sister, Setsuko, from harm and makes sacrifices to ensure her survival.
The movie has a beautiful storyline, which has made it a cult favorite among children. The film has a substantial emotional impact but is not graphic enough to be frightening. For this reason, “Grave of the Fireflies” is one of the best-animated films ever.
This Japanese anime film is one of history’s most poignant anti-war films. The film is set in World War II in Kobe, Japan. It is about two siblings who are trying to survive during the war.
2. The Lion King (1994)
with an IMDB rating of 8.5
Disney’s 1994 animated film The Lion King is a classic. The new version is live-action, but the creative team talks about the original reverently. But they also need to understand the film. Producer Jon Favreau likens the latest movie to restoring an architectural marvel.
The Lion King becomes the first Disney movie to feature all-animal characters. Hundreds of artists worked on the film. Over one million drawings were created. It also features 1,197 hand-painted backgrounds and 119,058 individually colored frames. The CG department took three years to animate the wildebeest stampede. The CG team had to create a new computer program to achieve this effect.
The film’s characters include Simba, a young lion set to succeed his father, Mufasa. But Uncle Scar is jealous of Mufasa and arranges his death. Ultimately, Simba runs away from Uncle Scar and finds friendship with Pumbaa, the warthog, and Timon, the meerkat.
Walt Disney Feature Animation produced the movie. It was inspired by William Shakespeare’s Hamlet and the biblical stories of Joseph and Moses. Jonathan Roberts and Irene Mecchi wrote the screenplay, and the cast features a vast ensemble of voices. The Lion King is the 32nd Walt Disney animated feature film.
1. Spirited Away (2016)
with an IMDB rating of 8.6
Spirited Away is the newest addition to Disney’s animated features and is already a fan favorite. The film follows a young boy who falls in love with a magical fish. Their love story takes an unexpected turn when they encounter the king of cats, who orders their wedding to him.
Initially released in Japan in 2001, Spirited Away received widespread critical acclaim. It became the highest-grossing film in Japan for 19 years, winning several awards, including Best Animated Film at the 2003 Academy Awards. It was also a co-winner of the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, honoring exceptional animation achievements. It inspired a new generation of filmmakers and broke down many cultural barriers.
Aside from Spirited Away, other notable anime movies include Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade and The Wind Waker. While these two movies have varying degrees of quality, both have a unique blend of animation styles. For instance, Spirited Away uses a Japanese animation studio called Studio Ghibli to bring the world its most beloved characters.
Hope you enjoyed reading this article, and you must have come to know which are the Top 10 animated movies of all time. Which is your favorite animated movie? Comment down below.
Note: The above list is subject to change in the future. We will update it accordingly.
