Animation has come a long way since its early days, when studios feared audiences wouldn't sit through a full-length cartoon. Pioneering works like The Adventures of Prince Achmed and The Tale of the Fox proved otherwise, and once Disney entered the picture, the medium exploded with creativity and technical innovation. Today, animated films are among the most beloved and influential in cinema. The following list highlights ten of the greatest, each pushing the boundaries of what animation can achieve.
10. Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022)
Del Toro's stop-motion reimagining of Carlo Collodi's classic tale stands apart for its stunning visual aesthetic and profound themes. A grieving woodcarver, Geppetto, creates a puppet from the tree on his son's grave, and a Wood Sprite brings it to life. Tasked with guiding the naive Pinocchio is a cricket named Sebastian. The film explores what it means to be "real" while delving into mortality and immortality through encounters with Death herself. It's a bold, unique take on a familiar story.
9. Fantasia (1940)
Walt Disney originally conceived Fantasia as a short to showcase a new Mickey Mouse design, but it grew into a groundbreaking feature. Combining classical music with animation, the film presents a series of segments ranging from narrative to abstract, conducted by Leopold Stokowski. Iconic moments like "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" and the chilling "A Night on Bald Mountain" showcase the power of marrying music and visuals. It remains a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience.
8. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Disney's first full-length animated feature proved that audiences would embrace a cartoon feature. The story follows Snow White as she flees her jealous stepmother and finds refuge with seven dwarfs. Its emotional resonance, gorgeous animation, and fairy-tale charm set the standard for decades of animated storytelling. Without Snow White, the animation landscape would look vastly different.
7. WALL-E (2008)
Pixar's tale of a lonely trash-compacting robot on a deserted Earth is a masterclass in visual storytelling. The first half is nearly dialogue-free, relying on body language and expressive animation to convey emotion. When WALL-E meets the sleek probe EVE, he embarks on a journey that could bring humanity home. The film blends romance, environmental commentary, and a cautionary message about technology into a mesmerizing space adventure.
6. Toy Story (1995)
The first fully computer-animated feature, Toy Story introduced Woody and Buzz Lightyear, two toys who start as rivals and become best friends. Groundbreaking technology aside, the film's sharp writing, relatable themes of change and jealousy, and stellar voice performances from Tom Hanks and Tim Allen made it an instant classic. It launched Pixar's reign as an animation powerhouse and changed the industry forever.
5. Spirited Away (2001)
Hayao Miyazaki's Oscar-winning masterpiece follows Chihiro, a young girl who stumbles into a world of spirits and must work in a bathhouse to free her parents. With its breathtaking hand-drawn animation, imaginative creatures, and rich cultural detail, Spirited Away is a transcendent experience that appeals to all ages. It remains Studio Ghibli's most celebrated film worldwide.
4. The Lion King (1994)
Disney's Shakespearean epic about a young lion cub who flees his kingdom after his father's death is a triumph of storytelling and music. With unforgettable songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, stunning animation, and emotional depth, The Lion King became a cultural phenomenon. Its themes of responsibility, loss, and redemption continue to resonate with audiences decades later.
3. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
This revolutionary film shattered expectations with its innovative visual style, blending 2D and 3D animation to mimic comic book art. Miles Morales' journey to become Spider-Man is filled with heart, humor, and groundbreaking action. By embracing diversity and pushing artistic boundaries, Into the Spider-Verse redefined what modern animation could look like and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
2. Princess Mononoke (1997)
Another Miyazaki gem, Princess Mononoke is a complex ecological fable about the clash between nature and industry. The film follows Ashitaka, a prince cursed by a demon, as he navigates a war between forest gods and human settlers. With its morally grey characters and stunning action sequences, it's a mature, thought-provoking work that showcases animation's potential for serious drama.
1. Pinocchio (1940)
Disney's second animated feature is often considered the studio's finest. The story of a wooden puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy is a technical marvel, with groundbreaking effects animation and memorable songs like "When You Wish Upon a Star." Its themes of honesty, bravery, and selflessness have made it a timeless classic. For many, it represents the pinnacle of Disney's golden age and remains a high-water mark for animation as an art form.
These ten films represent just a fraction of the incredible animated works out there. From stop-motion to CGI, from fairy tales to sci-fi, animation continues to evolve and captivate. For more on the art of storytelling, check out our list of best historical fantasy books or explore underrated dark fantasy movies. And if you're a gamer, don't miss our ranking of the best video games since 2020.
