Animated movies are popular for their storytelling and are meant for both kids and adults. These movies are available in several genres, from comedy to family-friendly to horror to action. Here we have compiled a list of all time best animated movies that are not just stories but masterpieces. From cartoons or CGI to stop-motion, these animated films take viewers to new imaginative worlds and show examples of a constantly evolving and enduring modern art form.
Note that our list includes both animated family films and films for older audiences. Also, we have considered the cultural impact, and overall quality of each before compiling this list. We assure you that the animated movies mentioned here offer beautiful visuals, great storylines, and top-notch animation.
List of All Time Best Animated Movies:
- Monsters, Inc.
- The Lion King
- Spirited Away
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
- Grave of the Fireflies
- Coco
- WALL-E
- Finding Nemo
- Toy Story
- Up
- Your Name
- Princess Mononoke
- Howl’s Moving Castle
- Ratatouille
- Klaus
- Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train
- Inside Out
- A Silent Voice
- How to Train Your Dragon
- The Iron Giant
1. Monsters, Inc.:
Indeed one of the best animation films of all time, Monsters, Inc. ensures a nostalgic viewing experience. Its cutting-edge animation and brilliant world-building make it one of the best. With its sweet-bitter, funny story, developments in animation, particularly the detailing of hair and other objects, as well as the voice talents of John Goodman and Billy Crystal, this film was a huge hit.
Release date: November 1, 2001
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Available OTT platforms: Disney + Hotstar
2. The Lion King:
This loosely African adaptation of Hamlet was one of the best and most financially successful animated movies for many reasons. It was one of the most popular films of the 90s. Since its release, the film has gone on to have a strong legacy as not only one of Disney’s pioneering films but also one of the best 2D animated films ever made. Designed to create a world of betrayal, destiny, and responsibility, the animation is a true masterpiece. This film is an exclusive cinematic achievement that still holds up 30 years later.
Release date: June 24, 1994
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
Available OTT platforms: Disney + Hotstar
Also Read: 7 UPDATED TIPS TO GET DISNEY+ HOTSTAR SUBSCRIPTION FREE
3. Spirited Away:
An extremely bittersweet animated movie, among all the best cartoon movies, that’s about growing up and adjusting to growth. Spirited Away is the only anime film to have won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature to date, and it is a work of fantasy filmmaking. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, this film is a true masterpiece cum fairy tale filled with wonderful imagination and lots of interesting characters. The evergreen themes, dynamics, and messages of this film hold even 20 years after its release, progressing to strengthen its strong legacy as one of the most sought-after animated examples of art ever produced.
Release date: July 20, 2001
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
Available OTT platform: Netflix, Max
4. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Gained popularity for its outstanding visuals, the 2023 Spider-Man sequel is one of the best examples of the beauty and power of animation. The movie is a perfect blend of uniqueness and flow of creativity, freely creating mesmerizing moments and impeccably completing the remarkable emotional plot of the film. With its vibrant painterly textures, the film is one of the most brilliant, eccentric, confident original works of art to come to the multiplex from any genre this year.
Release date: June 2, 2023
IMDB Rating: 8.6/10
Available OTT platform: Netflix
Also Read: 15 BEST HOLLYWOOD ACTION MOVIES OF ALL TIME
5. Grave of the Fireflies:
Directed by Akiyuki Nosaka, and inspired by a Japanese short story, Grave of the Fireflies is a powerful war drama that proves that animated films are not just for children. Its story of survival during the final months of World War II in Japan and its heavy themes are heart-wrenching. Due to its stark, tragic subject matter, the film initially failed at the box office across the US and Japan, but it later became one of the leading animated films of all time. It was one of the few animated films that are powerful and timeless works of art.
Release date: July 26, 1988
IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
Available OTT platform: Buy on Amazon
Also Read: 10 BEST HOLLYWOOD THRILLER MOVIES
6. Coco:
A family-animated film that blends colorful themes, fun, great music, and humor, Coco is one of the best-animated movies. This film showed that the studio is still capable of bringing highly creative and beautifully emotional stories to life. Coco is successful in showcasing Mexican culture and it is one of the few animated films that has managed to do so and is considered as one of the superhit films of Pixar.
Release date: October 27, 2017
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
Available OTT platforms: Disney + Hotstar
Also Read: 6 TOP DISNEY MOVIES THAT YOU MUST WATCH
7. WALL-E:
Wall-E is a post-apocalyptic romantic cum comedy animation about a robot who is completely astonished for long periods. This sensitive, kind, big-eyed creature is one of animation’s greatest wonders. Because of its themes of corporate greed, consumerism, and the destruction of the planet – Wall-E is one of Pixar’s best and highest-grossing films.
Release date: June 22, 2008
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
Available OTT platforms: Disney + Hotstar
8. Finding Nemo:
A classic animation film that needs no long introduction – Finding Nemo is all about epic adventures. The film has a fun cast that helps make its family-centric story all the more enjoyable, making it one of the most-watched Pixar films ever released. The animated film has something for audiences of all ages. Although the film got a sequel 13 years later, it doesn’t possess up to the original animation classic.
Release date: May 30, 2003
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
Available OTT platforms: Disney + Hotstar
Also Read: 25 BEST ENGLISH STORY BOOKS FOR KIDS
9. Toy Story:
One of the superhit and best-animated movies of all time, Toy Story was one of the best movies of this genre in 1995. With a great story, this movie has earned worldwide acclaim. Loved by different generations, this timeless classic Imitation movie is still one of the top-notch animated movies that are worth watching again and again.
Release date: October 30, 1995
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
Available OTT platforms: Disney + Hotstar
10. Up:
Up is an animation film known for its stunning visuals, humorous characters, and often tear-jerking dialogues. This film has all the qualities that make animated films so amazing and financially successful. Up has done amazingly well and is worth watching again and again with friends and family.
Release date: May 29, 2009
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
Available OTT platforms: Disney + Hotstar
11. Your Name:
This magical, emotional, romantic animation film beautifully blends realism and fantasy. With its themes of youth, love, and destiny and superb animation, Your Name presents a thought-provoking, refreshing story of two star-struck individuals living and growing up together. Upon its release, the film was a huge hit, becoming one of the highest-grossing anime films of all time.
Release date: August 26, 2016
IMDB Rating: 8.4/10
Available OTT platform: Prime Video, Netflix
12. Princess Mononoke:
Princess Mononoke, loaded with fantastical aspects, is an epic animated movie, that’s related to the environment and the evil will of humans act to create and ultimately destroy it. Princess Mononoke is one of the most thrilling and dynamic in the world of animation, full of character, life, and powerful themes that still reverberate decades later. A superbly made film with stunning visuals, this film features completely real, interesting characters that make it one of the best films in animation.
Release date: July 12, 1997
IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
Available OTT platform: Netflix
13. Howl’s Moving Castle:
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, Howl’s Moving Castle introduced iconic characters like Calcifer and created a wonderful tale of romance, war, and magic. All of these combine to deliver a powerful anti-war message, as well as feminist themes within empowerment and embracing old age. The weird and wonderful story and interesting characters make this film a popular animation.
Release date: November 19, 2004
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
Available OTT platform: Prime Video, Netflix
14. Ratatouille:
A phenomenal animation film set in the stunning landscapes of Paris; Ratatouille is one of the best cartoon movies. Apart from showing a clear love letter to food and the art of cooking, the film’s wonderfully funny story also depicts passion and the act of fulfilling one’s dream. With the popular quote that anyone can cook, Ratatouille imparts a strong message and encourages anyone to pursue their dream just like Remy does.
Release date: June 28, 2007
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Available OTT platforms: Disney + Hotstar
15. Klaus:
It is one of the highest-rated original animation Hollywood movies of all time on Netflix. Klaus, a comedy film, has particularly beautiful visuals and animation style that complements its heartwarming story beautifully. The film was able to create a perfect best-of-both-worlds experience by blending 2D animation and 3D animation, making the most of the latest technology.
Release date: November 8, 2019
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
Available OTT platform: Netflix
16. Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train
One such masterpiece that grabs attention is Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train which is one of the best animated movies ever made. The story of this movie revolves around the mystifying disappearance of several passengers on a train. The specialty of the movie is that it is a great visual spectacle with some great fight scenes.
Release date: April 23, 2021
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
Available OTT platform: Prime Video, Netflix
17. Inside Out:
Inside Out, one of the best-animated movies of all time accurately portrays mental health. This adjustment makes the film worth watching, and it represents emotions very well. As viewers expect from animated films, it has a certain depth of emotions that bring complexity to the main characters.
Release date: June 19, 2015
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Available OTT platform: Amazon Prime Video
18. A Silent Voice:
One of the most emotional anime movies, A Silent Voice has one of the most powerful and unique portrayals of anxiety in animation form. The film emphasizes strong themes and scenes of depression and self-destruction. With its likable and relatable characters, heart-wrenching scenes, and plenty of shocking twists and turns, A Silent Voice has the potential to leave a deep impact on its audience.
Release date: September 17, 2016
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Available OTT platform: Prime Video, Netflix
19. How to Train Your Dragon:
When it comes to DreamWorks anime, the How to Train Your Dragon movies have always been at the top of the quality charts. The relationship between animals and humans is portrayed to heart-warming effect in this movie. The quality control has been truly remarkable throughout the series’ run. Along with being the most loved Hollywood cartoon movie, it is one of the best family entertainment movies ever made.
Release date: March 26, 2010
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Available OTT platform: Prime Video
20. The Iron Giant:
Despite being the first blockbuster anime, The Iron Giant has since been heralded as a classic animated movie, one of the highest blends of 2D and 3D animation of the late 20th century. It is one of the few animated films that is heartbreaking, consistently beautiful, and exciting. The Iron Giant is a true animated hidden gem, making it one of the finest all time best animated movies in Hollywood.
Release date: August 6, 1999
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Available OTT platform: Prime Video
Wrapping Up!
In conclusion, the above given all time best animated movies are not just animated films, but also emotional. While some animated films are child-friendly and can attract the youngest audience, others have sophisticated jokes aimed at teenagers and teens and maybe even adults. Regardless of their theme or who the target audience is they all offer a great design, a world of bright colors, and unique stories that are extremely entertaining. Thank you for reading this blog!
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