Ranking the 15 Animated Movies You'll Never Get Tired of Watching
Some of these are not for kids, but most are universally loved and aged surprisingly well.
15. Toy Story (1995)
Woody, a pull-string cowboy doll, is Andy's favorite toy – that is, until Buzz Lightyear, a space ranger action figure, comes into the picture. Woody feels threatened and tries to get rid of Buzz, but both end up lost and far from home. The duo then embarks on a perilous journey, encountering all sorts of challenges like dealing with the evil neighbor kid, Sid, and navigating through a pizza joint full of alien toys. Will they ever make it back to Andy?
14. Spirited Away (2001)
Enter the world of gods, spirits, and witches with young Chihiro. When her family stumbles upon an abandoned amusement park, her parents get turned into pigs after eating cursed food. Now, Chihiro has to navigate this mysterious world to save them. She starts working in a bathhouse run by a witch named Yubaba, and meets a slew of unique characters, including a mysterious boy named Haku. From cleaning a polluted river god to confronting a gluttonous creature called No-Face, Chihiro faces it all.
13. The Iron Giant (1999)
Set during the Cold War era, a young boy named Hogarth discovers a gigantic robot who crash-landed in his small town. While the U.S. government is hell-bent on destroying the so-called "alien invader," Hogarth forms a secret friendship with the metal giant. Together, they share comics, evade the feds, and even stop a train crash.
12. The Prince of Egypt (1998)
This movie retells the story of Moses, but with a blockbuster flair. Raised as a prince alongside his stepbrother Ramses, Moses discovers his Hebrew heritage and learns of the Hebrews' enslavement. Stricken with guilt, he leaves the palace, only to return years later with a divine mission: to free his people. Cue epic scenes of miracles, plagues, and the unforgettable parting of the Red Sea set to the equally unforgettable sound of Hans Zimmer's score.
11. Coraline (2009)
Ever wish for a better version of your life? Coraline did, and oh boy, was she in for a shock. Feeling neglected by her busy parents, Coraline discovers a secret door leading to an alternate world where everything seems perfect. Her "Other" parents shower her with attention and her "Other" world is filled with wonders. But things take a dark turn when her "Other" mom reveals she wants to sew buttons over Coraline's eyes.
10. Ratatouille (2007)
Who would've thought a rat could whip up a mean beef bourguignon? In "Ratatouille," Remy, a sewer rat with culinary aspirations, dreams of becoming a chef and tries to achieve his goal by forming an alliance with Linguini, a garbage boy at a Parisian restaurant. Together, they dodge sharp knives, angry chefs, and health inspectors, all while creating mouth-watering dishes. Remy scurries around the kitchen floor and maneuvers Linguini like a puppet to cook up delectable dishes. It's literally a rat's race against time to impress the feared food critic, Anton Ego. A dash of courage, a sprinkle of humor – this one's a recipe for a timeless tale!
9. Shrek (2001)
Before memes immortalized him, Shrek was just a grumpy ogre who wanted his swamp back. His home is overrun by fairytale creatures dumped there by the villainous Lord Farquaad. To reclaim his swamp, Shrek strikes a deal with Farquaad: rescue Princess Fiona so Farquaad can marry her. Together with his fast-talking sidekick Donkey, Shrek embarks on a quest filled with dragons, Robin Hood musical numbers, and a lot of mud. But as he gets to know Fiona, he finds himself falling for her.
8. How to Train Your Dragon ( 2010)
Dragons: They're not just for burning villages anymore! Hiccup, a Viking teen, doesn't fit in with his dragon-slaying tribe. In a twist of fate, he befriends a dragon he names Toothless and discovers that these creatures are not the destructive beasts everyone believes them to be. The duo soars through the sky, dodging fireballs and battling gargantuan dragons, to prove to Hiccup's tribe that peace between dragons and humans is possible.
7. The Secret of NIMH (1982)
Often overlooked, this movie is a hidden gem. Mrs. Brisby, a timid field mouse, seeks to save her family from a farmer's plow. Her journey leads her to NIMH, a secret society of genetically altered rats with advanced intelligence. These aren't your average subway rats; they have elevators and libraries! With their help, Mrs. Brisby battles a menacing cat, navigates booby traps, and eventually moves her house to a safe location.
6. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
Kubo, a one-eyed boy in ancient Japan, goes on a quest to find his father's magical armor to defeat his evil grandfather. Using his magical shamisen (that's a stringed instrument), Kubo brings origami to life and tells stories to the villagers. He's joined by a no-nonsense Monkey and a forgetful Beetle warrior.
5. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
In a world powered by children's screams, monsters Mike and Sulley are top scarers at Monsters, Inc. But their lives get turned upside down when a little girl named Boo accidentally enters their world. Picture this: a big, furry, blue monster and his one-eyed buddy frantically running around trying to get a toddler back to her bedroom.
4. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Mr. Fox, a reformed bird thief, longs for one final heist against three odious farmers. Armed with wit, cunning, and a penchant for dramatics, Mr. Fox, with his ragtag team, goes toe-to-toe with farmers Boggis, Bunce, and Bean. They dig tunnels, dodge bullets, and even go sewer-diving – all in the name of some good ol' poultry and cider.
3. Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001)
Often lost in the sea of Disney classics, "Atlantis" is pure under-the-radar gold. Milo Thatch, a geeky linguist, is obsessed with finding the lost city of Atlantis. He joins an expedition filled with colorful characters, like an explosives expert who loves blowing stuff up just a little too much. They encounter monstrous sea creatures, treacherous underwater caverns, and eventually discover Atlantis – and its lone survivor, Kida.
2. Persepolis (2007)
This one's an autobiographical account of Marjane Satrapi's tumultuous childhood during the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Through striking black-and-white animation, we follow young Marjane as she navigates political upheaval, family tragedies, and teenage rebellion. From buying contraband Iron Maiden tapes to witnessing the horrors of war, Marjane's story is both unique and universally relatable. It's heavy stuff but handled with humor, heart, and some rock 'n roll.
1. Kung Fu Panda ( 2008)
Dreaming of kung fu greatness but stuck serving noodles, Po's life changes when he's unexpectedly chosen as the "Dragon Warrior" to fight the villainous Tai Lung. Trained by the skeptical Shifu and his team of martial arts masters, Po hones his skills while gulping down bowls of dumplings. The epic showdown involves a lot of fists, fur, and philosophical wisdom wrapped in humor.