Best Animation Movies Of All Time IMO and My Favorites – FS

Animation has always been one of my favorite Genre and I have always wondered how the creative & think tank team come up with so many imaginative fantasies on screen creating ripples at box office as well as exceeding viewers expectations.

I have listed those movies that I have watched and may change the ranks after careful assessment of suggestions and good recommendation. I have not seen Perspolis, Nausica Valley of the Wind, The Iron Giant, Monster University etc… hence not included in the list. If I ever find them mesmerizing after watching in future then surely I’l update the list while removing the odd ones out.

You can also Click on the title that will take you back to IMDB site for listing and other information related to the film. I thought this was the best way to list Top 50 Animation Movies of All Time and if you have any suggestions and recommendations you are most welcome.

Top Ten (01-10)

Grave of Fireflies (1988) – It’s a beautiful story of a brother and a kid sister’s survival at the backdrop of World War in Japan. It’s a very emotional journey and a moving film that touches your heart and lightens up your soul. A must watch for all Animation addicts. Highly Recommended!!!

Spirited Away (2001) – It is visually stunning films in which great details are captured brilliantly that are mesmerizing. A girl is separated from her family & wanders off into the world of witches, monsters, humans turned into animals and bath houses. I wish there was part 2 of spirited away against the reunion of Chihiro and Haku. Highly Recommended!!!

Wall E (2008) – A futuristic rom-com movie about a robot named Wall E busy piling up the garbage that was manufactured to do & falls in love with another futuristic robot named EVE that is sent on earth on a research mission. It’s a charming, highly imaginative and hilarious family entertainment with things you hardly see in any animation movies. Highly Recommended!!!

The Secrete World of Arrietty (2010) – The little tiny 4 inch people named Clock family resides secretly in someone else’s residence and borrow (steal) for their living. Things change when they get exposed and how it affects them or their clan. It is cantilevered on a strong chemistry between the boy suffering from disease or ill and the tiny girl Arrietty that got exposed to him while running around in open field and is aesthetically presented to the viewers. Highly Recommended!!!

The Incredibles (2004) – Once the undercover superheroes are forced to take the center stage and save the world from evil minds and their demonic attacks. The best part of the movie is represented by the child character and his running skills. The cinematography and animation is of top notch and kids will enjoy this movie more than adults. It is very perceptive and covers everything as these Superhero’s are family unlike other superhero movies. Highly Recommended!!!

Mary and Max (2009) – Beautiful tale of two odd people one residing in Melbourne – a school girl who thinks she is odd and unloved and another one from New York – a forty four year old obese suffering from Asperger’s Syndrome becomes pen pals exchanging letters. Very odd and unusual film but soulful… Highly Recommended!!!

Princess Mononoke (1997) – Aashitaka embarks on a journey to get rid of a curse acquired upon killing a cursed boar reaches into a town known as Iron town ruled by Lady Eboshi. The movie exposes the conflicts between humans against humans, humans against the Mother Nature, against animals and nature against the nature itself. The film is rich in colors, landscapes, forests and other vistas. Highly Recommended!!!

Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) – It’s a film about witches, wizard, curses and howl’s castle. Sophie – a beautiful young, gorgeous looking lady is cursed by witches of wastes and turns her into old lady. Shophie travels to Wastes in order to find the cure for curse and gets into Howl’s Castle. Then many things reveals, the country gets into war with other country and even howl’s castle gets destroyed. The chemistry between the howl and sophie is beautiful also the voice over artists is just brilliant. Highly Recommended!!!

The Jungle Book (1967) – This was one hell of a movie of its time but still I would rate the TV series more than the film. I thnk almost everyone is aware of the story line and the characters of the film that itself makes it classic among the animation fanatics. Highly Recommended!!!

Toy Story 1 (1995)2 (1999) 3 (2010) – Part 3 is the best one among the series followed by part 1 and part 2. Part 1 has not aged well and that’s why part 1 and 2 find a similar spot. This is also an unusual movie about toys, their adventures and friendship bond overcoming the obstacles they face. Part 3 is Highly Recommended!!!

Top Twenty (11-20)

The Lion King (1994)– “Tricked into thinking he killed his father, a guilt ridden lion cub flees into exile and abandons his identity as the future King – IMDB”. It not only aged well but still a classic for its simplicity and subtlety. Highly Recommended!!!

Cars (2006) 2 (2010) – It is a story about a race car named Lighting McQueen that is arrogant learns the true meaning of friendship and embarks on a journey to win the race championship in the later part that involves some international spies trying to expose international fraud. Excellent stuff from Pixar and Highly Recommended!!!

UP (2009) – You will instantly fall in love within five minutes into the film.  Showcases one of the best Romantic short story in first 10 minutes and it is such a beautiful one but it has lot to offer other than romantic track. It was mostly talked about for the new improvisation in animation technique for its expression sync to its dialogues. Highly Recommended!!!

Whisper of the Heart (1995) – “A young girl finds that all the books she chooses in the library have been previously checked out by the same boy. Later she meets a very infuriating fellow… could it be her “friend” from the library? The boy’s grandfather has a violin sales and service shop. The boy wants to be a violin maker like his grandfather – IMDB”. It tells you that once you truly fall in love you would go to any length to win over your love and do whatever it takes you to fulfill your commitments. Highly Recommended!!!

Shrek (2001)(2004)Shrek the Third (2007) Shrek Forever After (2010) – When the first Shrek released it was all praise for its realistic motions & expression along with creating some unusual characters such as talking donkey, ogre, fighting cat and other likeable characters. First two films were excellent both in story as well execution but third failed miserably so much so that it was to totally horrible to sit through. Again fourth part did very well and had some better content.  1&2 Highly Recommended!!!

Finding Nemo (2003) – A Clown fish named Marlin is over protective and passionate about the safety of his lone surviving son named Nemo whereas Nemo is frustrated from the restrictions imposed upon him tries to explore the world of sea on his own and ends up caught by the fisherman. Excellent film by pixar and Highly Recommended!!!

How to Train your Dragon (2010) – A young guy who learns to Hunt down the dragon suddenly & unexpectedly encounters a ferocious & injured dragon. He tries to explore more about the dragon and eventually becomes the best buddy who in turns helps to save the village from the fireballs of other dangerous dragons. Animation and Background score is fantastic and they have really taken care of minute details. Highly Recommended!!!

Kungfu Panda (2008) (2011) – “In the Valley of Peace, Po the Panda finds himself chosen as the Dragon Warrior despite the fact that he is obese and a complete novice at martial arts – IMDB”. It was hell of a martial art film with hell lot of fun and entertainment. You will fall in love with Panda instantly and with other characters as well. Part 2 “Po and his friends fight to stop a peacock villain from conquering China with a deadly new weapon, but first the Dragon Warrior must come to terms with his past – IMDB” was little disappointment still Highly Recommended!!!

Ice Age (2002)The Meltdown (2006)Dawn of Dinosorus (2009), & Continental Drift (2012) – First & third installments are great but the 2nd and fourth falls short of expectation in quality as well as story line. Part 1 (bond of friendship between tiger, slot and mammoth) and part 3 (rescue mission when they find dinosaurs egg) Highly Recommended!!!

Ratatouille (2007) – “With dreams of becoming a chef, a culinary genius in the form of a rat, makes an unusual alliance with a young kitchen worker at a famed restaurant – IMDB”. It is a wonderful film with unique storyline and little emotional joyride. Highly Recommended!!!

Top Thirty (21-30)

Beauty and the Beast (1991) – “Belle, whose father is imprisoned by the Beast, offers herself instead and discovers her captor to be an enchanted prince – IMDB” A Classic among children & Recommended!!!

Paprika (2006) – It’s an Animation movie that has similar concept of Matrix and Inception. It is about a device DC Mini (which captures your dreams on video) that is stolen from the laboratory and misused to the extent that it ends up in a situation where dreams and reality starts to merge. Kids, it has some explicit content and I recommend you to watch under parental guidance & Recommended!!!

Rio (2011) – When Blu, a domesticated macaw from small-town Minnesota, meets the fiercely independent Jewel, he takes off on an adventure to Rio de Janeiro with this bird of his dreams – IMDB”. Story is simple but I liked the animation and colors, character roles and some foot tapping numbers in the movie. Kind of Rom-com thriller and Highly Recommended!!!

Tangled (2010) – “The magically long-haired Rapunzel has spent her entire life in a tower, but now that a runaway thief has stumbled upon her, she is about to discover the world for the first time, and who she really is – IMDB”. Some scenes are flawless with beautiful love story. Highly Recommended!!!

Corpse Bride (2005) – “When a shy groom practices his wedding vows in the inadvertent presence of a deceased young woman, she rises from the grave assuming he has married her – IMDB”. Another Excellent animation and brilliant concept and Liked it very much and Recommended!!!

Aladdin (1992) – “Aladdin, a street urchin accidentally meets Princess Jasmine, who is in the city undercover. They love each other, but she can only marry a prince – IMDB”. I loved every episode of Aladdin TV series as well, Recommended!!!

Rango (2011) – “Rango is an ordinary chameleon who accidentally winds up in the town of Dirt, a lawless outpost in the Wild West in desperate need of a new sheriff – IMDB”. The voice over artist and his dialogue delivery was terrific again with unique concept. Recommended!!!

Megamind (2010) – “The supervillain Megamind finally defeats his nemesis, the superhero Metro Man. But without a hero, he loses all purpose and must find new meaning to his life – IMDB”. You will enjoy the mega mind’s head as well as his brain inside his head. Recommended!!!

Madagascar (2005)Escape To Africa (2008) Europe’s Most Wanted (2012) – Story about four Escaped animals from New York Central zoo, alien to wild life in jungle go through a lot in their subsequent parts. Recommended!!!

My Neighbor Tororo (1988) – Another beautiful Japanese animated movie that is rich in colors, details, characters but had a little disappointing story. May suit to Children and may even love this film to the core but for adults it’s a simple story with children’s fairy tale and still you will not be disappointed. I liked the movie & Recommended!!!

Top Forty (31-40)

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) – “An urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers’ retaliation – IMDB”

Puss in the Boots (2011) – Famous character of Shrek and you would definitely like to see more of it in Shrek than in this particular film. “The events leading up to the sword fighting cat’s meeting with Shrek and his friends – IMDB”.

Despicable Me (2010) – “When a criminal mastermind uses a trio of orphan girls as pawns for a grand scheme, he finds their love is profoundly changing him for the better – IMDB”. Like the introduction and his arrogance but didn’t like the baby sitting part but overall very good movie. One time Watch & Recommended!!!

The Little Mermaid (1989) – “A mermaid princess makes a Faustian bargain with an unscrupulous sea-witch in order to meet a human prince on land – IMDB”. After watching the movie I always dreamt about Mermaids and their beauty. Recommended!!!

Happy Feet (2006) – Cute animated version of the documentary “Marches of the Penguins” that has gave some realistic foot taping feel in a cute story. Recommended to all and after this film you wanna see more abt penguins.

Epic (2013) – “A teenager finds herself transported to a deep forest setting where a battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil is taking place. She bands together with a rag-tag group characters in order to save their world — and ours – IMDB”.

Monsters Inc (2001) – “Monsters generate their city’s power by scaring children, but they are terribly afraid themselves of being contaminated by children, so when one enters Monstropolis, top scarer Sulley finds his world disrupted – IMDB” Recommended!!!

Akira (1988) – “A secret military project endangers Neo-Tokyo when it turns a biker gang member into a rampaging psionic psychopath that only two kids and a group of psionics can stop – IMDB”. Movie is good but didn’t age well still I would Recommend it.

A Bug’s Life (1998) – “A misfit ant, looking for “warriors” to save his colony from greedy grasshoppers, recruits a group of bugs that turn out to be an inept circus troupe – IMDB”.

9 (2009) – “A rag doll that awakens in a post-apocalyptic future holds the key to humanity’s salvation – IMDB”. Some may like it and some may find it boring or weird but keep your expectations low.

Top Fifty (41-50)

Brave (2012) – “Determined to make her own path in life, Princess Merida defies a custom that brings chaos to her kingdom. After granted one wish, Merida must rely on her bravery and her archery skills to undo a beastly curse – IMDB”.

The Adventures of Tintin (2011) – “Intrepid reporter Tintin and Captain Haddock set off on a treasure hunt for a sunken ship commanded by Haddock’s ancestor – IMDB”. Too much of talk but nothing spectacular about anything neither animation nor direction. One time watch.

Bolt (2008) – “The canine star of a fictional sci-fi/action show that believes his powers are real embarks on a cross country trek to save his co-star from a threat he believes is just as real – IMDB”.

Frankenweenie (2012) – “Young Victor conducts a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life, only to face unintended, sometimes monstrous, consequences – IMDB”. You will like the Corpse Bride as well starring the same animated character.

Hotel Tranyilvania (2012) – “the animation was brilliant, one of its kind but as a story it lacked in many departments. Bored me for a while before until the boy enters the hotel. Too many character introductions in the beginning, same old romantic saga that itself were a comedy & all monsters looked like bunch of junkies instead of monsters.

Rise of the Gaurdians (2012) – “When the evil spirit Pitch launches an assault on Earth, the Immortal Guardians team up to protect the innocence of children all around the world – IMDB”.

Arthur Christmas (2011) – “On Christmas night at the North Pole, Santa’s youngest son looks to use his father’s high-tech operation for an urgent mission – IMDB”

Wreck-it Ralph (2012) – “A video game villain wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives – IMDB”. The journey of Ralph is good, concept wise brilliant but they faulted at execution level still Recommended!!!

Coraline (2009) – An adventurous girl finds another world that is a strangely idealized version of her frustrating home, but it has sinister secrets – IMDB”. First half is quite good.

ParaNorman (2012) – “A misunderstood boy takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse – IMDB”. If you have seen many horror or paranormal type of movies than you may not like it.

I have seen most of the movies listed above during its release time and have not repeated most of them so that I could retain those enjoyable memories and fun time spent watching with friends and families. Some movies were totally out of the box and completely innovative and fewer had exceptionally brilliant story, capturing even minute details, better content than most of the films that released during those years and breathtaking Cinematography.

Jungle Book and Death Note remains my Favorite TV series ever.

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22 Comments
  1. Author
    FS 10 years ago

    Sputnik – I tried to post it more than 25 times after working on Word Column arrangements but couldn’t overcome the obstacle that I was facing. There is a gap between the columns which is unnecessary and I tried my best to solve in word but later found out that it is the problem with site settings. I hope you could sort out and expand the width size of column so that text could fit in or wrap up against the cell without spacing out between columns.

    • sputnik 10 years ago

      For now I had to remove the first column (the one with the numbers) to fit within the main post area.

    • sputnik 10 years ago

      Fixed the padding stuff by adding some custom css within your post. So don’t try to make changes in your word document and copy over the table you posted. Instead try changing anything in visual mode. If it does not work or gets messed up again let me know.

      —————-

      Very good post. I am not really a fan of animation movies but have watched some recently that too multiple times because of obvious reasons 🙂

      Liked Cars, Finding Nemo and Despicable Me. Cars 2 was not as good as the first one. Did not like The Lion King that much. May be it was good for its time. Used to love The Jungle Book when it used to come on DD. Had seen Shrek a few years back thought it was ok. Watched Madagascar 2 and did not like it that much.

      From a kids point of view “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” (1977) and “Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree” (1966) are really good and the animation is really good for its time.

      • John Galt 10 years ago

        You have disappointed me. Life will never be the same again.

        • sputnik 10 years ago

          Ha Ha. Let me disappoint you more. Have watched Tinkerbell too 🙂

          Seriously I think I had said I can understand watching animation movies only with/for the kids and its still the same for me.

      • Author
        FS 10 years ago

        thank you Sputnik… It looks good and I don’t have to do anything about the editing the post.

      • Author
        FS 10 years ago

        Sputnik – you will definitely like Madagascar 3 specially because of villain character.

        The jungle book on DD was a TV series and I liked it more than the movie version.

        You have to watch some Japanese movies to explore more about animation and I am sure you will turn into fan of Japanese animation. I would recommend you to begin with Grave of Fireflies and Spirited Away as their movies are not only rich in detail but they do have terrific stories and narration. You will like it even if you don’t like animations.

  2. Soumya Dhar 10 years ago

    I agree with most of the choices, though not with the order. Many old Disney Classics are missing (beauty & the beast, jungle book, Pinocchio, dumbo, fantasia etc.), some good jap manga too in the list. I will also suggest the iron giant to everybody who havent seen it yet, one of the most under-rated animated flicks out there. I will also add Persepolis, Road To El Dorado, Akira, The simpson´s movie, a scanner darkly, coraline, who framed roger rabbit (almost), batman: mask of phantasm, mulan, walking life, the bug´s life, south park movie, ghost in the shell, the triplets of belleville, These are the ones coming to my mind right now…..btw hotel Transylvania makes to the list & no mention of any Zemecki´s work (polar express, bewoulf, christmas carol)?? i admit his works were flawed but still better than that atrocious hotel Transylvania, I even find flushed away, over the hedge funny than hotel.

    • Author
      FS 10 years ago

      Rex – Jungle book is at top 9 rank, beauty and beast is at 21 rank and most of the films you referred are there in the list. Yes few films I have not watched that you have recommended and will include if I like them. I might have seen dumbo i guess but let me check later about that.

      How is Mulan? I didn’t like Christmas Carol – infact couldn’t complete and so was coraline. But on second attempt i completed Coraline and found little better the second time. Last 20 ranked films are average to ok and nothing special about those films. I am looking forward to watch Perfect Blue, Nausica Valley of the Wind, Mulan, Perpolis (its too bright white & black color film), the Iron giant etc….

      thanks for the list and will check out your recommendations as well.

  3. Soumya Dhar 10 years ago

    Also if megamind gets a mention so shud be lio & stitch, the croods, chicken run, cloudy with a chance of meatballs, space jam, horton hears a who & lorax.

  4. Anjanpur685Miles 10 years ago

    Good to see Miazaki’s movies there. Dont agree with the ranking though for many. Bookmarking this post. Will have to see many of those mentioned by you and Soumya. Thx.

  5. John Galt 10 years ago

    Okay, I am not really an animation movie watcher, but here’s my recommendation.

    “Waking Life”

    Its not your typical animation, but its animation rotoscoped.

    • Author
      FS 10 years ago

      I will recommend the same to you what I have recommended to Sputnik. I read in one of your comment where you mentioned lots of cartoon as a kid, then how come you stopped watching animation movies as soon as you became a grown up
      ?

      • John Galt 10 years ago

        Fs,

        I still watch cartoons although all old ones (youtube videos) I love Popeye, Scooby do, tom n Jerry, Jetsons,Top Cat and about 50 others but I watch them when I want to watch a cartoons for fun and laughter..

        I have seen movies like ratatouille, happy feet, Ice age etc. (because of a lot of friends insisting or dragging in theater) and even though I didn’t dislike them, I just do not feel like spending my time watching a full fledged film with cartoon characters that do not always talk or behave cartoonish.

        Heck, if there were an animation movie about Scooby-Do, or Popeye (using the old school animation- not the new advanced one) I’d gladly watch it in theater but only if they were fulfilling the purpose of cartoons, not if they were trying to tell some story.

        • Author
          FS 10 years ago

          But You can watch same movies at home instead of cartoons na?

          • John Galt 10 years ago

            Fs,
            its not like I Hate animation movies.. I guess its just a person to person thing.. I just cant get myself to watch them, even though I may not get bored watching them. Same way I just don’t like to watch Fantasy films. They just never attract me. I can watch fiction but not fantasy.

          • Author
            FS 10 years ago

            I got your point of view Sup.

  6. danish 10 years ago

    though i m not a huge animation film fan, i think ‘the lion king’ is one film which can easily be amongst the top classics of all time.

  7. Anjanpur685Miles 10 years ago

    @John Galt

    pls watch Finding Nemo. I hope u wont have a question of why animation movies exist then….

    • Author
      FS 10 years ago

      Which are your favorites btw anjanpur/ritz

  8. Anjanpur685Miles 10 years ago

    @FS

    Finding Nemo
    Toy story series

    and then the rest …

    I do see that u like superhero stuff more in this genre,,well my choice is bit different ….

    • Author
      FS 10 years ago

      I don’t particularly like any genre within the animation. GOF isn’t superhero stuff and I would include this film in top 10 Films of All Time (All Genres).

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