Animated movies have drastically improved since they first came about over a century ago. As the technology used to create them has evolved, so too have the visuals that continue to wow audiences every year.
Fans on Letterboxd have made it easy to see how the genre has changed over time, as the highest-rated animated films on the social media platform are representative of the best each decade has to offer. Spanning all the way to the start of this century, audiences who are interested in seeing the genre-defining animated films and their contemporary counterparts should consider the top-scoring ones on the site essential viewing.
Available to stream on The Criterion Channel.
The Adventures of Prince Achmed is widely regarded as the first animated feature-length film, taking three years to complete (according to The Criterion Channel). Director Lottie Reigener is responsible for the monumental masterpiece, which uses tinted backgrounds and cutouts to depict its characters’ silhouettes.
The actual narratives in the fairytale movie take inspiration from the collection of folk tales in the book “One Thousand and One Nights” (better known as “Arabian Nights”). Despite its characters having no facial expressions, Reigener brilliantly uses color and changing shapes to accurately capture their personalities and motivations on the screen. The film is an important part of history that marks the very beginning of a beloved genre.
Long before Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, directors Irene and Ladislas Starevich gave viewers The Tale of the Fox. The legendary film rightly mentions in its amusing introduction how it’s “a revolution in the history of cinema” and that “ten years of work went into its making.”
Set in a kingdom of animals, the film depicts an irritating protagonist called Fox, who enjoys playing tricks on characters like Cat, Badger, and Donkey. Eventually, the king, Lion, is forced to discipline him. Its deceptively simple plot is actually more complex than it initially seems, as the stop-motion movie doesn’t shy away from bold political and social commentary, dealing with subjects like corruption and religion.
Available to stream on Disney+.
Fantasia is an old-school Disney movie that’s still worth watching today. Known for its pioneering contributions to sound technology, the animated anthology features a number of segments depicting hundreds of characters’ adventures through magical worlds.
Aside from its painstakingly hand-drawn cutting-edge visuals, it’s the grand classical music’s perfect timing in each of these segments that made the movie so appealing to audiences at that time. It was a groundbreaking moment in cinema that opened doors and inspired future animated films.
Director Jiří Trnka thrusts fans into an otherworldly setting through his brilliant Shakespeare movie, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Described on Letterboxd as “the first puppet kinescope in the world” and “a milestone in the history” of animation, the film retells the well-known classic in a creative way.
It’s hard to imagine how much work must have gone into designing and building the enchanting wooden puppets, not to mention the elaborate set pieces used for the stop-motion film. It’s worth noting that the movie doesn’t faithfully stick to Shakespeare’s original play, which only adds to its resulting magical and mysterious effect.
It’s difficult to fully describe the highly-stylized and wild adventure film that is The Fabulous Baron Munchausen. Director Karel Zeman weaves together a wacky story with cosmonauts on the moon, a princess in trouble, and numerous ships and horses.
The film combines live-action actors and sets with animated elements, which only add to its overall psychedelic vibe. The constantly shifting colors and pastel palette complement its surprisingly entertaining story, which all result in a remarkable movie still worth seeing for the first time today.
Incredibly popular among Norwegian audiences and well-known among international critics, The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix is a celebrated stop-motion film by director Ivo Caprino. Set in the quaint village of Flåklypa, it follows the story of the bicycle repairman Reodor Felgen and his two companions, who create the fastest racing car and attempt to win the world championship.
Its lovable if not slightly eccentric characters are immediately recognizable to fans who have spent every Christmas season watching the beloved animated movie with their loved ones. It doesn’t add anything particularly innovative to the genre, but its nostalgic and cultural value is irreplaceable.
Available to rent on Apple TV+.
Director Isao Takahata brings Akiyuko Nosaka’s eponymous short story to life through Grave of the Fireflies. The gorgeous animated film is centered on the story of two siblings, Seita and Setsuko Yokokawa, who struggle to get through their increasingly challenging circumstances after their home is attacked.
The animated movie is known for having one of the most emotional endings among the Ghibli films. Fans will never forget how the heartwarming relationship between the protagonists evolves and keeps them inspired to overcome every difficult situation, all the way to its tear-jerking conclusion.
Available to rent on Apple TV+.
Perfect Blue introduces audiences to the iconic Mima Kirigoe, who decides to quit her Japanese idol group to pursue her dream of becoming an actor. Things take a dark turn when a stalker appears and mysterious murders start following her wherever she goes.
Director Satoshi Kon explores Mima’s state of mind through the film, which shows her slowly losing her grip on reality. Viewers won’t be able to take their eyes off the screen as they wait to find out exactly what’s going on in the twisted thriller.
Available to stream on HBO Max.
Spirited Away is a film that needs no introduction, as it’s often considered one of the best Ghibli movies ever made. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, the visually stunning animated movie tells the gripping story of 10-year-old Chihiro Ogino, who finds herself in the magical and terrifying world of the Kami.
Throughout the critically-acclaimed film, she must overcome the impossible challenges thrown at her in that realm to save her parents. Viewers are introduced to the strange and scary No-Face and other odd creatures the protagonist meets along the way.
Available to rent on Apple TV+.
Directors Rodney Rothman, Peter Ramsey, and Bob Persichetti broke open the multiverse with the award-winning animated film, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The superhero movie chronicles Miles Morales’ experiences meeting with other versions of Spidey and collaborating in an attempt to take down Kingpin.
The film has been praised for its comics-inspired animation style, with its striking color palette and fast-paced transitions guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on even the most casual fans. It’s not an overstatement to say that it reinvigorated interest in the franchise and in superhero movies as a whole.
