Animated movies managed to break barriers time and again that traditional cinema has failed to do for decades. Whether you are a movie lover or simply appreciate the possibilities that animation brings to the table, here are the top 10 animated movies that you should watch.

1. Wall-E

Wall-E is one of Pixar’s greatest animated tales. The movie tells a story of isolation and loneliness, and it reminds us that we all have the desire within us to connect with others. The original trailers made it look like it’s just some silly robot movie for kids, but once it released, all such notions were shattered. Pixar has proven time and again that they are capable of telling some of the best stories through animation.

2. Grave of The Fireflies

Studio Ghibli is considered by many to be the greatest animation studio in Japan. Grave of the Fireflies tells a tale that will leave you emotionally devastated, and yet its animation manages to be so beautiful. The events in the movie pick up shortly after World War 2, showing the world from the perspective of two young siblings. We do not want to spoil the story, but be prepared to shed some tears!

3. The Iron Giant

Brad Bird is known for his impeccable work with Pixar, but before he rose to stardom, he created the cult classic The Iron Giant. He is known as the “most crazy talented storywriter” in the world of animation and for a good reason. The movie tells the story of Hogarth and his alien robot friend. While it might sound like The Iron Giant has a kidding backdrop, the story is definitely something you need to understand deeply to get the message. Bird carefully speaks about the political landscape in the 1950s through his storytelling, and if you know about the events surrounding the Cold War, you will truly appreciate the film for what it is.

4. Belladonna of Sadness

Belladonna of Sadness might be one of the most obscure films on this list, but the Animerama trilogy is one of the best examples to show you what animation is capable of. Created by Osamu Tezuka and Eiichi Yamamoto, this is definitely a movie strictly for adults unlike the other titles on this list. The movie is loosely adapted from ‘La Sorcière’ by Jules Michelet. It focuses on witchcraft in the 1800s, and the visual design is just as good as the storytelling.

5. Toy Story

Toy Story is one of the first animation films 90s kids grew up watching. It is such an iconic entertainment product because Toy Story is, in fact, the first feature-length film that was created fully using computers. If you want to know more about how computer-based animation filmmaking first started, this is where you should begin. The critical acclaim and praise from fans make Toy Story truly one of the best movies of our generation.

6. Snow White and The Seven Dwarves

Snow White and The Seven Dwarves is the most profitable animated film of all time if you account for inflation over the years. Had the movie released in 2019 and got the same reception it did at launch, it would be one of the most valuable products in the entertainment history ever. Even after 82 years, it still is one of the most enchanting tales for kids and adults alike. While it might not have the fancy graphics that you find in modern day animated movies, it is definitely worth your time to see how animated movies evolved over the years.

7. Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse

Into the Spider-Verse is undoubtedly a significant milestone in animation. The art style, the sound, and the storytelling are all top-notch. Even if you are not a fan of superhero movies, you should give this one a try just to marvel at the beauty of it. The animation style is different from any other movie ever made, and the intentional stop-motion style effects are just incredibly pleasing to the eye. Set in a different universe, we get to see Miles Morales take on the helm of Spider-Man with a bunch of other symbiotes from other parallel universes.

8. Your Name / Kimi No Na Wa

Kimi No Na Wa took the world by storm not too long ago, and it outperformed most other popular anime to become the second most popular Japanese film in history. The fantasy romance speaks about a number of relatable topics like childhood experiences, love, bullying, and more. A teenage girl and boy find themselves in each other’s bodies. While Spirited Away may still be reigning champion when it comes to Japanese animated movies, we are hopeful about movies like Kimi No Na Wa after the positive response it received in the west.

9. Spirited Away

If we told you that Spirited Away was created without a script, would you believe us? Believe it or not, it’s actually true. The greatest Japanese animated film of all time by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki is one of the most enchanting tales ever created using animation. All of the small details make Spirited Away one of the greatest stories ever told and you will love how much work Miyazaki put into the movie that makes it feel so real.

10. The Adventures of Prince Achmed

Even though Snow White is known as the first full-length animated feature movie, German director Lotte Reiniger was ahead of his time with Prince Achmed. Created in 1926, it is one of the earliest surviving animated feature films that was directed by a woman. The storyline is loosely based on One Thousand and One Nights. If you want to see how stop motion was used back in the day, this is the perfect movie for you.

If you want to create movies just like these and want to become an animator, join us at Arena Siliguri for a learning experience like no other. We have some of the best faculty members in the industry and would love to help you realize your dream of becoming an animator.