Timeless Toons: The Top Animated Movies of All Time

Spirited Away is an animation masterpiece that captivates audiences of all ages with its boundless imagination and its profound exploration of universal themes such as identity, greed, and the importance of family. Its beautifully crafted animation and moving narrative make it a film that transcends time and cultures.

• Gorgeously drawn

• Fantastical and realistic

• Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece

• Visually stunning

Toy Story 3 masterfully balances heartwarming humor with a deeply resonant emotional narrative that explores themes of growing up and the fear of being forgotten. Its satisfying conclusion and the profound connection it establishes with its characters make it a landmark in animated cinema.

• Keeps both children and adults entertained

• Truly timeless

• Brimming with wonderful satire and nostalgia

• Acclaimed for its exceptional storytelling

Frozen has earned its place in this ranking due to its innovative narrative that challenges traditional fairy tale tropes and its focus on sisterly love. The film stands out for its stunning animation, catchy songs that have become cultural anthems, and complex characters that resonate with audiences of all ages, ensuring its lasting appeal.

• Great story with a shocking twist

• Great characters

• Lots of humor and heart

• Beautiful music and animation

Beauty and the Beast (1991) stands out for its groundbreaking animation, its emotionally resonant, Oscar-winning score, and a poignant narrative that has captivated audiences across generations. The film masterfully blends traditional animation with musical elements, creating an unforgettable cinematic experience that transcends time.

• Feature-length animation of high quality

• Fun ride from beginning to end

• Relatable suffering of the Beast

• Breathtaking animation

Incredibles 2 stands out in this ranking for its brilliant balance of thrilling action, intelligent humor, and heartwarming character development. The film masterfully expands the established universe, exploring complex family dynamics and themes of identity, making it an animated masterpiece that deeply resonates with audiences of all ages.

• Flawlessly animated and voiced

• Among the funniest films in recent years

• Fast paced and clever

• Excellent sequel to the original movie

Aladdin is a timeless animated film thanks to its vibrant animation, iconic soundtrack, and memorable characters that have captivated audiences of all ages for decades. Its story of adventure, romance, and comedy, along with Robin Williams' unforgettable voice performance as the Genie, solidifies it as an undisputed classic of animated cinema.

• Features a powerful, wisecracking Genie

• Whimsical and fast paced

• Extremely entertaining

• Hilarious, creative, imaginative and romantic

The Jungle Book stands as a timeless animation masterpiece, captivating generations with its vibrant animation, memorable characters like Baloo and Mowgli, and an iconic soundtrack that remains beloved today. Its tale of adventure and self-discovery resonates universally, securing its place among the greatest animated films of all time.

• Memorable characters

• Catchy music

• Laidback storytelling

• Great story

"Cinderella" (1950) saved Disney from bankruptcy after World War II, reestablishing its commercial viability. It blended traditional animation with rotoscoping and struck an optimistic tone after years of crisis. It was the studio's first big project in a decade, featuring a refined design and epoch-making songs. Its success ushered in a new era of animated feature films and cemented the princess archetype that would define the Disney brand for decades.

• Retains the tale's essential charm

• Enchanting animated version of the classic fairy tale

• Timeless story

• Unforgettable characters

"The Little Mermaid" revolutionized animation by marking Disney's renaissance in 1989. It revived the classic musical with an Oscar-winning score, integrated traditional animation with pioneering digital techniques like CAPS, and consolidated a new narrative model. It impacted Disney by laying the groundwork for the future Princess franchise, restoring critical and commercial prestige to the studio and ushering in the golden age of the 1990s.

• Jolly and inventive animated fantasy

• Creative and fun

• Has color and wit

• Joyous fluidity and buoyant self-confidence

"Sleeping Beauty" (1959) was the culmination of Disney's classic animation style. Shot in Super Technirama 70 widescreen, it stands out for its visual design influenced by Gothic painting and the medieval aesthetics of Eyvind Earle. Its soundtrack adapted Tchaikovsky's score, fusing classical art and commercial cinema. It was a box office failure upon its release, but became a cult film for its artistic ambition and visual impact.

• Majestic storytelling

• Unforgettable music

Shrek has earned its place in this ranking for its irreverent humor and its ability to subvert classic fairytale tropes. Its clever storytelling and memorable characters resonate with audiences of all ages, ensuring its enduring appeal.

• Marvelous fairy tale with a thrilling quest

• Happily-ever-after ending

• Delightful action adventure film

• Has heart, comedy, and imagination

Bambi stands out in this ranking for its groundbreaking animation and its poignant narrative about growth and loss. Its depiction of nature and the cycles of life continues to resonate deeply with audiences of all ages, solidifying its place as a timeless masterpiece.

The Lion King is a timeless masterpiece that captivates audiences of all ages with its poignant story of growth, responsibility, and the circle of life. Its iconic animation, unforgettable soundtrack, and profound characters solidify its place as one of the greatest animated films of all time.

• Many levels of humor

• Artwork conveys images and themes that real-life movies could only hint at

• Majestic score

• Extraordinary animation