Animated movies can do everything live action movies can do -- make us laugh, make us cry, make us go agape at the sheer wonder of it all.Actually, they can do all those things better than live action movies can, sometimes -- because they're drawn, which makes them that much more, you know, impressive. Check out these 25 awesome animated treats and see if you don't agree.
-- By Glenn Kenny
25. 'The Simpsons Movie' (2007)There are some who complain that this long-awaited feature is not much more than three TV episodes of 'The Simpsons' strung together and livened up with widescreen picture and some fancy effects. And their point is? We don't know. The movie, with its entirely nude Bart, Springfield-under-a-dome, and President Ahnuld, rules.
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24. 'Dumbo' (1941)This Disney classic has it all -- a story line to tug at the heartstrings (try not to cry when the big-eared pachyderm is rocked to sleep by his mom), surreal humor that's ahead of its time (it doesn't get any more bizarre than the 'Pink Elephants on Parade' bit) and a rousingly redemptive climax. Not to mention the most improbably cute young hero in all of cartoons.
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23. 'The Triplets of Belleville' (2003)An innovative, eerie, almost all visuals-and-music tale of bicyclists, washed-up singing sisters, and chronically farting pooches, this French-produced 2003 Oscar nominee is one of the most curious animated features ever produced. The kids might not get it -- in fact, 'Belleville' may flat-out weird them out -- but adult fans with a taste for the outré will want to lap it up three times.
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22. 'Lady and the Tramp' (1955)Sometimes a simple love story of a well-brought-up maiden and an incorrigible but good-hearted ne'er-do-well is just the romance you want to watch on a Friday night. There are plenty of live-action options, but rare is the endearing cartoon version. This 1955 Disney perennial, with its enchanting bow-wow interaction and fabulous Italian restaurant scene, is, as they say, the pup of the walk.
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21. 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (1993)Stop-motion animation was never as creepily hilarious as it is here. Cinematic misfit Tim Burton concocted this twisted tale of a Halloween maven who wants to expand the holiday franchise and knock over old St. Nick. With the help of animator/director Henry Selick and prodigious composer Danny Elfman, this 'Nightmare' dazzles and delights, making the macabre seem, well, kind of cozy.
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Reader Comments (269)
ttbek at 8:08AM on Jun 29th 2008
This is supposedly a list of the best animated movies of all time, but unfortunately there are a few truly poor movies appearing on this list, and some truly good ones that do not make an appearance, including The Secret of Nimh. In particular I felt that at least one of the two movies done by Squaresoft (now Square Enix) should have been mentioned, if not for other factors, then as breakthroughs in the world of digital animation. They display a stunning amount of detail as well as fluid and realistic motion (when the characters are moving within the realm of human abilities). While it is good to see Miyazaki's work on the list, I feel like it has been included mainly because of its U.S. audience. There are certainly other animated Japanese films on that level, but Disney was never involved with bringing those to U.S. audiences. These lists shouldn't, but unfortunately are, popularity contests where box office numbers and popular culture are dictating "quality."
Alura at 10:12AM on Jun 29th 2008
I was impressed to see Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away on here, but then again, I wasn't surprised. Miyazaki films are amazing.
callmespence at 12:46AM on Jun 30th 2008
an american tail? Awesome movie that got left out as well as curious george
Benidorm34 at 3:15AM on Jun 30th 2008
I can't believe Akira, Yellow Submarine, and Heavy Metal are not on this list. Who came up with the list? And Who Framed Roger Rabbit? didn't even get a memorable mention.
Kathy at 9:41AM on Jun 30th 2008
Never seen the Japanese movies, eh, but where is Fieval Goes West? And yeah, other unmentioned Disney movies ought to have been there too, agreed!
Allo at 2:23PM on Jun 30th 2008
I think Finding nemo should have been #1 and the speongebob squarepants movie should have been on ther somewhere!
Josh at 9:30PM on Jul 5th 2008
what about WALL-E that was the best animated movie EVER it was amazing and why was the simpsons movie and south park on there they don't deserve it
brian at 6:03PM on Jun 30th 2008
no American Tale? are you serious?
Bigg Mike at 7:36PM on Jul 2nd 2008
Where is Aladin!?!?
Lion King shoulda been number 1!!!!
kansaskix at 11:18PM on Jul 1st 2008
MULAN!! Where is MULAN?! That is one of the best animated movies ever, hands down. I think one of the most sadly overlooked animated movies ever is: THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE. And Madagascar was so funny (the Lemur king). Newbie Kung Fu Panda, a definite winner. Monster's Inc, where is that one? And another overlooked one: The Last Unicorn. And I think the new Fantasia is way better than the old one, so I would replace that one on the list.
steeler6t9 at 1:06PM on Jul 2nd 2008
I can't believe Cars didn't make this list. It's toys are still selling years after it's release.
steeler6t9 at 1:06PM on Jul 2nd 2008
Oh yeah Aladdin, The Emperor's New Groove and Mulan!
steeler6t9 at 1:05PM on Jul 2nd 2008
Ok for all you old farts out there! get over hand drawn vs. computer. at some point the computer ones were hand drawn as draft. It's a new type of animation Deal with and get into the now. I do agree that this list is a joke and that many of the classics that should be there aren't. Toy Story #1 no but how is that a disgusting joke called South Park makes to this list is beyond me. It may be me but this list of animated movie that made it to the big screen and I don't remember Akira coming to the big screen at all. I loved that movie, but I don't remember it making it there. Oh hell Transformers animated movie should've made the list instead of South Park imo.
asharattique at 11:48PM on Jul 2nd 2008
Yey i rock.
pntballne1 at 12:20AM on Jul 3rd 2008
Come on! This list is completely wrong. How does wallace and gromet as well as the nightmare before christmas make it on the list when I can think of several other movies that were better than either of those 2. Lets see......Aladdin, Cars, Ice Age, Poccahontas, Mulan to name a few. Who put this list together anyways.
MICHAEL at 12:40AM on Jul 6th 2008
WELL GUYS ...THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD CHOICES COMPILED HERE BUT I AGREE THAT ALADIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN AND I AM BLOWN AWAY THAT FINAL FANTASY VII :ADVENT CHILDREN WASN'T INCLUDED AT LEAST IN THE TOP 15 JUST FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE ANIMATION AND FLUID CHARACTERS. SOMEONE WHO SAID THEY SAW IT THOUGHT THE MOVIE WAS BORING?!?! UNBELIEVABLE...I DON'T THINK SHE EVER PLAYED THE GAME OR EVEN KNOWS WHAT BORING IS OR GOOD MOVIE ACTION IS .....AND YOU KNOW WHAT? ...YOU DON'T HAVE TO PLAY THE GAME TO GET INTO THE ACTION AND LOVE THOSE CHARACTERS....CHECK IT OUT AND I AM SURE YOU GUYS OUT THERE WILL KNOW ABOUT THE MOVIE FFVII:ADVENT CHILDREN. THIS MOVIE IS NOT BORING AND HAS A GREAT SOUNDTRACK. THIS MOVIE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THIS LIST.
disneylover93 at 6:11PM on Jul 6th 2008
HELLO??? WHERE IS ANASTASIA??? that movie is a classic!!!!! and the hunchback of notre dame???? the fox and the hound??? THE GOOFY MOVIE????? whoever made this list has terrible taste. the whole list shud b disney, with the exception of anastasia. geez.
AlyssaBot at 1:41PM on Jul 7th 2008
uuh, hello... ALICE IN WONDERLAND!!!! ALLADIN!!!! where are the good movies... south park? ratatoulle? come on.....
asomatous at 2:26PM on Jul 7th 2008
who makes these lists? they're exponentially terrible at it.
i'll give them slight credit for the triplets and spirited away. but how could they list the incredibles... AND FORGET MULAN. mulan was art in motion.
and how "south park" beats "princess mononoke" OR "triplets" is preposterous.
there needs to be more euro stuff in this list at least. if these rep the greatest animated creations of all time, it says little for animators worldwide.
Summer at 4:44AM on Jul 12th 2008
I DEFINITELY agree to a lot of those on the list...Toy Story is an unparalleled animated creation. Spirited Away as well. But having South Park instead of Pochahontas and such? b 4 real!!!!!!