Animation movies are the best. Everyone loves the stories and the characters. But what makes the best animation movies? I’m sure the answer is different for everyone, but we can probably agree on one thing: the stories have to be well-written and the characters relatable.
Other than those two things, the list below is a perfect example of the types of things that make it onto my personal “best animation movies” list:
Ice Age
The hilarious trials and tribulations of Manny the woolly mammoth, Sid the sloth, Diego the saber tooth tiger, and Scrat (of course), made this movie such an instant classic when it was released in 2002. It surprised me how much I enjoyed this movie the first time I saw it.
Orange
This film is the most distinct storyline of all the films on this list. The story revolves around the main character Kano Aiko who transforms into an artificial body after having been born with a mysterious disease.
The story unfolds two years after when she meets other children just like her and learns they’re all part of an extremely secret project that could spell doom for the entire world. I recommend this Sad anime movie available on Netflix to all fans of sad films.
Toy Story
If the very thought of the original makes you smile and put a little pep in your step, then this movie needs to be at the top of the list. The very idea that toys can come to life when we aren’t looking is fascinating and downright adorable. Who knew the movies could take such a cute concept and make it work so well?
Shrek
Speaking of things taking concepts (that seem impossible) and making them work…I present to you Shrek! While no one would have ever seen the lovable green ogre as the love interest prior to this franchise, let’s just say that he pretty much changed the game for everyone. If the adorable ogre can find the right person for him, then the character in the movie has great insight into relationships. Shrek is the perfect example of making the best animation movies when the story itself is well-written and the characters are relatable.
WALL-E
This sci-fi flick made it onto my list because the idea that the future will be populated by trashy looking robots who know more about their home than you, intrigues me. I’d love to see what happens in this version of earth once humans abandon it for space! Will there be another species living on the planet? What kinds of alliances will form? And why does EVE look like a clothes rack to life? I love the mystery the story leaves for the audience.
Space Chimps
Who doesn’t like the idea of intelligent chimps and their super human abilities? The simple fact that the movie is based off a true story makes it all the more compelling. And the animation style used in this one works perfectly; we shouldn’t expect anything less from the folks at Renegade Animation, who provide flash-style movement for characters and detailed backgrounds which include moving elements such as smoke or water.
Madagascar
If you don’t love Penguins, you might want to skip this entry on the list of best animation movies because these four friends/penguin sidekicks steal the show! Although the premise isn’t the most unique, the Madagascar franchise always leaves me curious as to what the next installment will be about.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
This animated musical is a cult classic that’s been quoted by people around the world for years. Even if you haven’t seen the movie yourself, you may have heard your children humming the songs from the soundtrack or asking about the spooky Halloween time holiday it focuses on. Although the animation style used in this one isn’t my favorite, I still find myself singing along every time I turn it on – which probably says something about why this made the best animation movies list!
Up
Again with the wonderfully written stories and relatable characters…I present to you the story of the grumpy old man who just wants to be free. It’s heartbreaking that the character then becomes the victim of the very thing he was trying to do – but the movie’s happy ending makes it all worth it!
The Croods
Another movie about family, friendship, and the ties that bind us together…it won’t surprise anyone that I absolutely love this one too. What could have turned into another ‘clichéd animation movie about a prehistoric family’ instead became a phenomenal success due in large part to the brilliant writing and characters we see on the screen every time we turn it on.
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