Animated movies may appeal to viewers on both an emotional and intellectual level. They are usually humorous but contain a hidden, more profound significance. Most of today’s successful animated films are intended for a wide audience, not just youngsters. It can’t be denied that they never fail to provide a good time. Below are some of the best animated movies available today, perfect for a lazy weekend at home with the family.
Big Hero 6
IMDb rating: 7.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 90%
To revenge his brother’s murder, robotics genius Hiro recruits his best friend and constant companion, Baymax. They get together to become a group of technological heroes. Like Toy Story, the film stresses the value of friendship and the strength of teamwork in forging enduring ties between individuals. There’s never a boring moment, so this film is still a classic and must watch movie.
Kung Fu Panda
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 87%
Everyone fell in love with pandas because of Kung Fu Panda. Somehow, Po, the Kung Fu-obsessed panda, is destined to defeat evil in the Valley of Peace. The film follows a panda who is overweight and fascinated with kung fu and dumplings but ignorant of the social stigma he faces because of his weight. This is a beneficial reminder for anybody who has ever struggled with self-doubt.
Despicable Me
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 81%
Despicable Me is a computer-animated comic adventure about a group of little yellow creatures known as Minions. The protagonist is Gru, a former supervillain turned family man, secret agent, and father of Yellow Minions. This movie truly deserves to be on the must watch movie list.
Up
IMDb rating: 8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 98%
The animation in Up is still on the must watch movie list. The film is about a 70-year-old man named Carl Fredricksen who decides to go on an adventure to find Paradise Falls after his late wife’s death. On his way, he meets a young boy who forces him to leave his comfort zone and opens the way to new experiences and, ultimately, new dreams.
The Lion King
IMDb rating: 8.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 93%
When it comes to animated films, The Lion King is for sure one of the best animated movies of all time. Everything about The Lion King is perfect, from the plot to the characters to the soundtrack. That’s how magnificent the film was. Undoubtedly a masterpiece that will stand the test of time. However, it is impossible to view this timeless film and not experience a pang of nostalgia.
The Jungle Book
IMDb rating: 7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 94%
Mowgli, who wolves have raised since infancy, is forced to flee his home when the ferocious tiger Shere Khan makes his terrifying roaring return. A no-nonsense panther and a free-spirited bear lead the small kid into the forest, where he encounters various creatures, from a slithering python to a smooth-talking ape. Mowgli’s fun and exciting quest for self-discovery teaches him essential lessons.
Tarzan
IMDb rating: 7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 89%
Tarzan is a good choice if you want to see some exciting animated films. A renegade leopardess slew Tarzan’s parents. He was then reared by gorillas in the wild. When he finds out he is human, he must determine where he belongs.
Encanto
IMDb rating: 7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 75%
Typically, the protagonist of a Disney film is either a princess or a hero on an outlandish adventure. Encanto is a must watch movie that flips these expectations on their heads by having the protagonist, Mirabel, an ordinary, non-gifted teen living in the center of the action rather than in some remote location. Nonetheless, she becomes entangled in surprising ways in a mystery’s resolution and her family’s secrets.
Frozen
IMDb rating: 7.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 90%
One of the first movies in recent memory to feature independent female protagonists who ultimately save themselves without the help of a prince or hero. Snow forts, enchantment, tunes, Idina Menzel, Kristen Bell, and Olaf the Snowman are all included.
Coco
IMDb rating: 8.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 97%
Coco is a must watch movie about a little boy called Miguel who defies his family’s rule that he must never play music in front of them. The Mexican festival known as the Day of the Dead inspires the plot. Instead, he discovers his great-great-grandfather—who is not who he thinks to be—in the Land of the Dead after getting himself mistakenly transferred, thereby interfering with the curses of his ancestors.
Ice Age
IMDb rating: 7.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 77%
In this hilarious adventure, Manny, the mammoth; Sid, the talkative sloth; and Diego, the saber-toothed tiger, try to return a human infant to his clan. This film reminds us that transitions are never simple but always necessary. It emphasizes the value of friendship and the value of working together to overcome adversity. It encourages us to trust our friends and colleagues and stop underestimating them.
Brave
IMDb rating: 7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 78%
Merida, the unconventional, self-reliant, and self-sufficient archer, became a role model for young women everywhere following the release of Brave. Merida is alone against her father and makes difficult decisions in her quest to find and protect her mother when she changes into a bear. One interpretation is that it’s a metaphor for hunting and animal cruelty.
The Incredibles
IMDb rating: 8.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 97%
The story is about a former superhero who has been forced to lead a mundane civilian life while pining for his former greatness. When viewing life’s ups and downs, The Incredibles is one of the best animated movies that everyone could identify with. But what makes it unique is the comedy of mistakes intrinsic to the characters’ development. The Incredibles is still a popular animated film today.
Toy Story
IMDb rating: 8.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 99%
Toy Story explores the concept of maturation and how one’s priorities shift as one does so. No relationship is flawless, but as Woody and Buzz showed us, friends should always have each other’s backs. It was groundbreaking because it established a standard for a classic friendship. It’s still spoken about as one of the best animated movies ever.
Tangled
IMDb rating: 7.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 89%
The classic fairy tale with a modern punch: Rapunzel rescues herself and the boy (instead of the other way around) and then returns home to her real family. A charming retelling of the narrative starring Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi, this Disney film excelled in terms of its setting, its actors, its score, and its comedic timing.
Hotel Transylvania
IMDb rating: 7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 45%
With Adam Sandler and Selena Gomez lending their voices as Dracula and his daughter Mavis, respectively, you can expect a humorous take on the story of Drac’s desire to keep Mavis isolated from humanity. Genndy Tartakovsky, an animation legend, provides some fantastic ideas that bring a castle full of monsters (and one human invader) to life.
Minions
IMDb rating: 6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 70%
While Gru is fantastic, the film’s actual stars were the Minions, and Illumination deserves credit for recognizing this. Here we see the ridiculous consequences of leaving three Minions to their own devices with a flashlight. It is a highly recommended must watch movie for kids.
Hercules
IMDb rating: 6.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 58%
Hercules is the son of Zeus and a human woman, and despite his widespread fame, he cannot escape the shadow of his sad background. He’s become a mercenary, fighting for money while surrounded by faithful followers like Amphiaru and Autolycus. Hercules has to rediscover his inner hero when the kind king of Thrace and his daughter ask for his aid in defeating a brutal warlord.
Aladdin
IMDb rating: 8.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 57%
Lovely Princess Jasmine, the daughter of the sultan of Agrabah, meets the adorable street urchin Aladdin. Aladdin discovers a magic oil lamp while exploring her exotic home, and it summons a mighty, witty, larger-than-life genie. Soon after becoming friends, Aladdin and the genie must embark on a perilous journey to prevent the wicked sorcerer Jafar from toppling young Jasmine’s kingdom.
WALL-E
IMDb rating: 8.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 95%
The computer-animated film WALL-E is among the best animated movies. Nothing spectacular or prominent happened. The film was quietly humorous and touching without resorting to dialogue. Undoubtedly, this was the first time the world fell in love with a lively, aged robot with a personality. Not only did it have a charming robot, but the film also received praise for its realistic depiction of the effects of global warming, overcrowding, and environmental degradation.
Shrek
IMDb rating: 7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 88%
The movie Shrek altered the general public’s views on animated films and fairy tale happy endings. The story of an ogre who embarks on a journey to rescue a princess who is not what she looks like on the surface captivated us. This was the first film to celebrate individuality and promote genuine beauty regardless of cultural norms.
Madagascar Movies
IMDb rating: 6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 55%
At the start of the story, we meet Marty, a downtrodden zebra who longs to escape the confines of the zoo and live a more normal urban life. His zoo pals, a lion named Alex, a giraffe named Melman, and a hippo named Gloria, set out to track him down when he mysteriously disappeared from the Central Park Zoo. However, they are apprehended by the town guard and exiled to Madagascar. Marty thinks he’s found the independence he’s always sought, but the band soon realizes they’ll need more than that to survive out there.
How to Train Your Dragon
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 99%
How to Train Your Dragon is a must watch movie as it taught us that dragons have never looked sweeter, in addition to the fact that size and strength are not necessarily inversely proportional to one another and vice versa. Toothless, the Dragon became an international sensation after appearing in the film, which led to two sequels.
Zootopia
IMDb rating: 8.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 98%
This film emphasizes the value of having a strong network of friends and family by depicting a mammal metropolis where animals of all kinds coexist together. This is one of the very few animated films that include a decent mystery plot, with an adorable little rabbit trying to put on the uniform of a serious police officer. It’s endearing, thoughtful, and fascinating in equal measure.
Moana
IMDb rating: 7.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 95%
Lately, it seems like animated films provide us with heroines that are powerful and heroes in their own right. One of such best animated movies is Moana. The movie encourages viewers to face their concerns head-on and accept change as inevitable—outstanding photography and acting. Moana’s music and plot made it one of the most successful animated films ever.
Monsters, Inc.
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 96%
Sulley and Mike are known as the top scarers and best friends in the energy firm where they both work. The value of working together is emphasized in this film. There is more to life than meets the eye, or the mind is shown. Everyone deserves to be loved. Therefore, even if you don’t like someone, you should give them a chance.
Angry Birds
IMDb rating: 6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 43%
Is your youngster a massive fan of the Angry Birds video game? If yes, this is one of the best animated movies for youngsters. The reason the birds are usually so sore is revealed in this hilarious 3D animated film. The whole family will appreciate this weekend’s viewing of this entertaining and humorous film.
Space Jam: A New Legacy
IMDb rating: 4.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 25%
To rescue his son Dom from a rogue artificial intelligence that has trapped him and his family in a virtual world, LeBron James must lead the notoriously undisciplined Looney Tunes to a basketball victory over the A.I.’s digitized champions, a supercharged roster of professional basketball stars. LeBron and his kid will redefine their relationship as they face the highest-stakes test of their lives, pitting Tunes against Goons and highlighting the importance of authenticity in the process.
Ninja Turtles
IMDb rating: 5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 21%
Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael are four adolescent terrapins born in New York City sewers as the result of a botched science experiment. Splinter warns the pizza-loving, justice-seeking siblings not to emerge from their sewer lair, but the brothers can’t sit by as Shredder and his henchmen attack the city. The Turtles set out to defend New York with the aid of April O’Neil, an intrepid reporter, and her cameraman.
Ratatouille
IMDb rating: 8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 96%
The rat Remy schemes to become a chef by befriending the restaurant’s trash worker in the classic Pixar film Ratatouille. The 2007 Oscar winner for Best Animated Feature is a feel-good movie with a stunning soundtrack. Therefore, it won’t be wrong to say this is one of the best animated movies to watch.
Conclusion
These engaging works represent the pinnacle of an ever-developing contemporary art form: animation. The finest animated films, from Walt Disney’s hand-drawn classics to the cutting-edge productions of Pixar, Illumination, and Laika, are beloved by audiences because of the boundless creative potential they provide.
