This year, Disney’s Encanto took home the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, which, although well deserved, still comes as no surprise. Throughout history, the Walt Disney Company has won an Academy Award virtually every year since the 1930s. This has sparked a debate amongst fans of animation who feel, at this point, no studio is given a chance to shine as bright as Disney. They’re on to something. Animation studios seem to be too few and far between, and whenever the term animated movie comes to mind, one can’t help but automatically think of Disney movies. Their massive collection of timeless masterpieces is hard to avoid, whether looking at Oscar ballots or Billboard charts. However, that’s not to say that there aren’t other animated films outside the Disney vault that don’t deserve recognition. Here are 10 fantastic animated films that could easily fare against any Disney classics.
10. The Mitchells vs. the Machines
Animation Studio: Sony Pictures Animation
The Mitchells vs. the Machines is a fantastic animated film that stands alone thanks to its relatable themes, original storyline, and lovable characters. The Mitchells are a quirky quartet who must find a way to work together and navigate their growing family issues to save the world from an impending robot apocalypse. The Mitchells vs. the Machines perfectly synchronizes hysterical family comedy with heartwarming themes about love, family, acceptance, and individuality. Katie, Rick, Linda, and Aaron are a gang of unconventional heroes you really want to see win. Especially Katie– her character’s struggles with confidence and finding her place in the world is something a lot of girls can relate to.
9. The Lorax
Animation Studio: Illumination Entertainment
This Universal animated film is clever, wholesome, and enlightening– I would easily put this movie up against any Disney musical. From its catchy, infectious songs (sing it with me: everybody needs a thneed!) to its vivid animation style, The Lorax proves that it’s not only Disney Studios that can produce a solid musical.
The Lorax is based on the classic Dr. Seuss book of the same name and tells the tale of a mythical creature advocating for nature and Earth preservation. The Lorax is fantastic family fun full of joyous laughs, inspiring quotes, and memorable moments about morale, consumerism, and taking nature for granted. And if I haven’t sold you on the plot, maybe its star-studded cast will convince you: it features the vocal talent of Ed Helms, Danny Devito, Zac Efron, Rob Riggle, and the late-great Betty White.
8. Coraline
Animation Studio: Laika Studios
If you’re a fan of Tim Burton’s A Nightmare Before Christmas, chances are you’ll love this gothic stop-motion film. Coraline is a visually stunning animated spectacular with memorable characters and masterful storytelling. Coraline takes an otherwise grim tale and turns it into a wholesome, mystical, cinematic adventure with captivating scenes and a score that brings the inner child out of us all.
The brave (and bratty) Coraline is a childhood hero whose character growth and development blossom from start to finish. Through her journey of trying to escape the clutches of her evil Other mother, she finds herself. In doing so, we are taught valuable life lessons about love, acceptance, and humility. Coraline also teaches us that everything that glitters isn’t gold–just when you think you’re down for a gravy train, they ask you to sew buttons over your eyes. Some things are just too good to be true.
7. Kubo and the Two Strings
Animation Studio: Laika Studios
Kubo and the Two Strings is a fantastic animated film that too few have seen. Kubo and the Two Strings has a complex story easily comparable to a Studio Ghibli film. Kubo wows us with its unique tale, exciting adventures, and dark visuals and undertones that are downright creepy at times (I still shudder every time I see The Sisters.)
It’s a creative fantasy film that can be enjoyed and appreciated by both kids and adults alike. You’ll bond over the fun, magical journey of the titular character, fall in love with his friends (who are voiced by none other than Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey), and enjoy the emotional rollercoaster ride of its visionary story, which is set in ancient rural Japan.
6. The Rugrats Movie
Animation Studio: Klasky Csupo
I’m not crying; you’re crying! The Rugrats Movie is a Nickelodeon classic that is a must-see for anyone who grew up watching the misadventures of Tommy Pickles and his gang of toddler misfits. This fantastic animated movie is not only non-stop family fun, but it also comes with a killer soundtrack a la Disney.
The Rugrats Movie is arguably one of the most underrated animated films of all time, with memorable scenes, hilarious comedy, and heart-wrenching moments that grip your heartstrings. Somehow, almost a quarter-century later, I still can’t get through that scene of Tommy and Dill Pickles in the woods without bawling my eyes out.
5. The Road to El Dorado
Animation Studio: DreamWorks Animation
The Road to El Dorado is a fun, stylish, high-flying adventure with a fantastic cast and an original story about two con men who find a map to the legendary city of gold. This fantastic animated film features some of the most memorable characters in an American cartoon, with on-screen dynamics that could only be compared to live comedy.
Not only is the vibrant art style in the film aesthetically pleasing, but the on-screen chemistry between Kevin Kline and Kenneth Branagh will have you rolling in laughter for hours. Don’t even get me started on Chel– her captivating presence made her the object of every boy’s affections, and her character design is a popular cosplay choice to this day.
4. The Pagemaster
Animation Studio: Turner Feature Animation
This movie is so great!! The Pagemaster is a hidden gem from the early 90s. It stars none other than Macaulay Culkin shortly after his success in films like The Good Son and Home Alone 2.
The Pagemaster is a fantastic animated film that features a star-studded cast (Christopher Lloyd, Leonard Nimoy, Patrick Stewart, and Whoopi Goldberg all have roles in the film), a heart-warming story, and a sense of adventure that’ll completely immerse you in its fictional world. It’s part live-action, part animation, and all awesome.
3. Cats Don’t Dance
Animation Studio: Turner Feature Animation
Cats Don’t Dance was the Sing of the 90s. It’s a triumphant tale of perseverance and doing whatever it takes to accomplish your dreams.
In Cats Don’t Dance, we meet an ambitious cat named Danny who has big dreams of getting his big Hollywood break. However, Danny’s dreams are often challenged by cultural norms– in this World; animals are only allowed to make animal sounds. They are not given roles outside of roars, moos, and meows. Never one to take no for an answer, Danny goes to great lengths to pursue his passions and fights tooth and nail to break down barriers for him and his animal friends. Cats Don’t Dance is a fantastic heartfelt, awe-inspiring animated story of passion and resilience. By the time you get to the big musical number, you won’t be able to hide your smile or your tears.
2. The Prince of Egypt
Animation Studio: DreamWorks Animation
When this animated movie came out, it was a whole spectacle. Between its star-studded cast and its soulful gospel soundtrack (featuring the legendary Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston), The Prince of Egypt quickly became one of our generation’s most cinematic animated films.
The Prince of Egypt is a fantastic animated film about the biblical tale of Moses and his journey to free the enslaved Hebrews in ancient Egypt. The film takes a complex story of religion, morale, and betrayal and makes it easily digestible. The animation is done masterfully, and the film does a fantastic job pairing a cinematic art style with an epic, emotionally gripping tale. 10/10.
1. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Animation Studio: Sony Pictures Animation
You know I couldn’t make a list of fantastic animated films without featuring Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. This movie is so epic–and even though it’s animated, Spider-Verse is cinematically comparable to any Spider-man movie ever made. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse stands alone thanks to its impressive mashup of art styles, unforgettable cast, and creative storyline.
Before Sony delivered three Peter Parkers in No Way Home, Spider-Verse fulfilled our multiverse dreams and gave us Spider-man and Spider-people, including a Peter Porker and a Spider-Gwen. Seeing the Spiders’ powers and personalities collide in this animated action adventure was fun, hilarious, and endlessly entertaining. To top it all off, the soundtrack has music that will get stuck in your mind forever; I still can’t hear the word sunflower without instantly breaking into rapper Swae Lee’s verse.
What are your favorite animated movies outside of the Disney catalog? Let us know in the comments!
