As someone who credits animation with sparking my love for cinema, I've seen the medium produce some of the most groundbreaking and emotionally resonant films in history. But for every Spirited Away or Up, there's a film that makes you wonder how it ever got greenlit. These eight animated disasters aren't just bad—they're among the worst movies ever made, period. They're visually ugly, poorly written, and creatively bankrupt. Some are so-bad-they're-good curiosities; others are just plain painful. Here's my ranking of the worst animated movies of all time.
8. The Emoji Movie (2017)
It's almost cliché to pile on The Emoji Movie at this point, but there's no escaping its awfulness. This Sony Pictures misfire is a juvenile, unfunny mess that somehow became a box office hit. It's the kind of corporate product designed to sell smartphones to toddlers, with zero heart or wit. The animation is passable, but the writing is so painfully bad that it ruins everything. Unlike some terrible movies that gain ironic cult status, The Emoji Movie remains universally reviled—and for good reason.
7. Finding Jesus 2 (2021)
The sequel to the already-atrocious Finding Jesus somehow manages to be even worse. This Christian-themed animated film is visually atrocious, painfully preachy, and so boring it could be used as a sleep aid. The first film at least had some so-bad-it's-good charm, but the sequel is just torture. It's full of fish puns that try to hide the fact that there's no story, and it offers zero redeeming qualities. Even the most dedicated bad-movie enthusiasts should steer clear.
6. The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild (2022)
The Ice Age franchise was never as good as the original 2002 classic, but it had a consistent charm—until this Disney+ disaster. Produced after Disney shut down Blue Sky Studios, Buck Wild feels like it was made by people who had never seen an Ice Age movie. It's visually ugly, horribly written, and completely devoid of the series' humor. Even Simon Pegg's committed voice performance can't save this mess. It's arguably the worst animated Disney movie ever.
5. Marmaduke (2022)
Pete Davidson's career hit rock bottom with this Netflix adaptation of the classic comic strip. With a 0% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Marmaduke is an obnoxiously unfunny, charmless disaster. There's no story, no structure—just 90 minutes of childish fart jokes that are too stupid even for undiscerning kids. Being mauled by a Great Dane would be more pleasant than watching this one. It's already been forgotten by most, and the world is better for it.
4. What's Up: Balloon to the Rescue! (2009)
Mockbusters are a dime a dozen in animation, but this Brazilian rip-off of Pixar's Up takes the cake. While Up is one of the best animated movies of all time, What's Up: Balloon to the Rescue! is a visually hideous, narratively incoherent mess. It's a shameless cash grab that fails at every level, from animation to storytelling. If you want to see how not to make an animated film, this is your textbook.
3. Foodfight! (2012)
This infamous disaster is a masterclass in how not to make a movie. With its bizarre premise—supermarket mascots come to life—and horrifyingly ugly animation, Foodfight! is a fever dream of bad decisions. It was in production for years and somehow got worse with time. The voice cast includes Charlie Sheen and Hilary Duff, but even they can't save this trainwreck. It's a must-see for anyone who loves truly terrible cinema.
2. The Emoji Movie (2017) — Yes, Again
Wait, didn't we already cover this? That's the thing—The Emoji Movie is so bad it deserves two spots. It's the epitome of soulless corporate filmmaking, a movie that exists only to sell merchandise and promote smartphone culture. It's not just bad; it's a cultural crime. If you've somehow never seen it, consider yourself lucky.
1. Norm of the North (2016)
Topping the list is Norm of the North, a film so bad it makes The Emoji Movie look like Spirited Away. This polar bear adventure is a visual eyesore, with animation that looks like it was made on a budget of $50. The jokes are painfully unfunny, the plot is nonsensical, and the voice acting is phoned in. It's a movie that has no reason to exist, and it's a testament to how low animation can sink. Avoid at all costs.
These films are a reminder that even the most beloved medium can produce absolute garbage. But hey, at least they make the good ones look even better. For more on the best of animation, check out Your Animated Movie Calendar: The Must-See Releases From Shrek to Spider-Verse and The Anime Canon: Ranking the 10 Series That Shaped the Entire Medium.
