Top 10 Best Oscar-Winning Animated Films

The Lion King was released in 1994. Set in the wilds of Africa, this film creates an entire society of animals with their own conflicts, rivalries, and love, similar to the human world. The story follows Simba, the young lion and son of Mufasa, the king of the animal kingdom. Simba's carefree life with his parents and friend Nala is cut short when his uncle Scar plots to take the throne. The film chronicles Simba's journey to reclaim his kingdom from Scar, with the help of his friends. After many battles with Scar and the hyenas, Simba triumphs and restores peace to the kingdom. The animals celebrate as the kingdom thrives once more under Simba's rule.

The film imparts a valuable lesson of courage, as Simba overcomes his fears and challenges to fight for peace with the support of his friends, ultimately restoring harmony to the savannah.

DETAILS:

• IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
• Release Date: May 7, 1994
• Genre: Animated, Adventure, Drama
• Runtime: 88 minutes
• Country: USA
• Directors: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
• Main Cast: Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons
• Notable Awards: Oscar for Best Original Song, Oscar for Best Original Score, Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Monsters, Inc., released in 2001, is a beloved animated film from Walt Disney. Set in the monster world of Monstropolis, the film imagines a society where energy is derived from the terrified screams of children. To harvest this energy, a company called Monsters, Inc. sends monsters to the children's bedrooms through magical doors to scare them. Sulley, the giant, furry monster, is the top employee, known for being the most terrifying to children.

However, everything changes when Sulley accidentally brings a young girl into the monster world. Monsters believe children are toxic and dangerous, so Sulley and his best friend Mike embark on an adventurous mission to hide the girl and return her to the human world. Monsters, Inc. is a timeless film that appeals to both children and adults, offering not only fantastic animation but also deep, meaningful lessons.

DETAILS:

• IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
• Release Date: November 2, 2014
• Genre: Animation, Adventure, Friendship
• Runtime: 92 minutes
• Country: USA
• Director: Pete Docter
• Main Cast: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi, James Coburn, Jennifer Tilly
• Awards: Oscar for Best Original Song for "If I Didn't Have You" and nominated for Best Animated Feature, losing to Shrek. Nominated for Best Original Score and Best Sound Editing.

Finding Nemo tells the heartwarming story of a young fish named Nemo and his adventurous journey through uncharted waters. Marlin, along with his wife Coral, plans to move to a new reef, but tragedy strikes when Coral is taken by a predator. Left with only Nemo, Marlin raises his son, constantly warning him of the dangers of the ocean. However, Nemo, eager to prove his father wrong, sets off on his own adventure. Unfortunately, he is captured by a diver and taken away. Now, it's up to Marlin to overcome his fears and rescue his son from danger.

DETAILS:

• Genre: Comedy, Adventure
• Release Year: 2003
• Runtime: 100 minutes
• Director: Andrew Stanton
• Writer: Andrew Stanton
• IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
• Awards: Oscar for Best Animated Feature, Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie

WALL-E is an animated film inspired by the question: "What would happen if humanity left Earth and forgot to turn off the last remaining robot?" The story follows WALL-E, a small, childlike robot who has spent years alone on Earth sorting through garbage after humans have evacuated to another planet. WALL-E continues his work tirelessly, unaware that he is the last robot left functioning. Over the years, he has become lonely and dreams of finding someone to hold hands with, just like in the romantic movies he watches. By chance, WALL-E meets EVE, a robot sent to Earth to search for signs of life. Together, they embark on an intergalactic adventure to bring humanity back to Earth.

DETAILS:

• Genre: Animated, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
• Release Year: 2008
• Runtime: 98 minutes
• Director: Andrew Stanton
• IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
• Awards: Oscar for Best Animated Feature

Encanto is an animated film about the multi-generational Madrigal family. The Madrigals are victims of the late 19th-century civil war in Colombia. After the tragic death of her husband, Alma Madrigal flees with her three children—Julieta, Pepa, and Bruno—while being pursued by enemies. In a desperate moment, a magical candle suddenly ignites, banishing the soldiers and saving the family. This miracle gives each child a unique magical gift, and the Madrigals build a magical house in their new home. However, Mirabel, the youngest, is the only family member without a gift. Despite this, she remains hopeful and strives to prove her worth. When the Madrigal family faces a crisis, Mirabel embarks on a journey to uncover the truth and save her loved ones. The film carries a powerful message about self-confidence, family bonds, and the importance of understanding one another to overcome challenges.

DETAILS:

• Genre: Family, Drama
• Release Year: 2021
• Runtime: 102 minutes
• Directors: Byron Howard, Jared Bush
• IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
• Awards: Academy Award for Best Animated Feature (2022), Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature (2022), BAFTA for Best Animated Film

Frozen is a captivating animated movie inspired by the tale of 'The Snow Queen'. It follows the brave journey of young Anna as she sets out to rescue her kingdom and search for her sister Elsa, the Snow Queen who rules over the land of Arendelle. Elsa possesses the magical power to control ice and snow, but this gift is also a curse, causing her to shut herself away in fear. During her coronation, Elsa accidentally reveals her powers in front of others, plunging the kingdom into an eternal winter. Anna embarks on a perilous quest to find Elsa and restore the kingdom to its former glory. Alongside stunning visuals and powerful music, Frozen carries a meaningful message about the strength of familial love. The movie is a beautiful tribute to love conquering all obstacles.

DETAILS:

• Genre: Family, Animated Musical
• Release Year: 2013
• Runtime: 102 minutes
• Directors: Jennifer Lee, Chris Buck
• IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
• Awards: Academy Award for Best Animated Feature (2014), Annie Award for Best Animated Feature (2014), Oscar for Best Original Song.

Brave tells the story of Merida, a fiery and adventurous princess from the Scottish Highlands, unlike any traditional princess in Disney films. With her wild red hair and fearless spirit, Merida defies royal expectations and resents the traditional female roles that are expected of her—cooking, sewing, and acting demure. She prefers to ride horses, hunt, and prove herself as a warrior. Merida’s rebellious nature causes tension with her mother, Queen Elinor, while her father, King Fergus, encourages her boldness. When Merida turns down the arranged suitors selected for her, she flees into the forest and encounters a witch who grants her a wish that will alter her fate, but it also brings about a curse. Merida must now rely on her courage and resourcefulness, with the help of her mischievous brothers, to break the curse before it’s too late.

DETAILS:

• Genre: Adventure, Family
• Release Year: 2012
• Runtime: 93 minutes
• Directors: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman
• IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
• Awards: Academy Award for Best Animated Feature (2013), Annie Award for Best Animated Feature (2013).

The Little Mermaid is a heartwarming story of love and sacrifice. It follows Ariel, a 16-year-old mermaid princess, daughter of King Triton, who is discontent with her life beneath the sea and dreams of living as a human. During a visit to the surface, Ariel falls in love with Prince Eric. However, tragedy strikes when Eric is swept into the ocean, and Ariel saves him, using her voice to revive him from a deep sleep. Despite this, Ariel must return to the ocean, heartbroken, but her longing for Eric only grows. When the evil sea witch Ursula learns of Ariel’s desires, she concocts a devious plan to steal Ariel’s voice and wreak havoc on her family. Will Ariel be able to stop Ursula’s wicked plot and find her true love?

DETAILS:

• Genre: Romance
• Release Year: 1989
• Runtime: 83 minutes
• Director: Ron Clements
• Screenplay: Hans Christian Andersen
• IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
• Awards: Academy Award for Best Original Song, Golden Globe for Best Original Score, Satellite Award for Best DVD for Teenagers.

Spirited Away follows the journey of 10-year-old Chihiro Ogino as she navigates the mysterious spirit world in an attempt to rescue her parents and return them to their human forms. Chihiro and her family are on their way to a new home when they accidentally stumble upon a strange, otherworldly realm. Her father, eager to explore, drives them deeper into the area, leading them to a seemingly abandoned restaurant. While there, Chihiro encounters Haku, a young boy who warns her to leave immediately, but it is too late. Her parents are transformed into pigs, and Chihiro is left alone to find a way to reverse the curse and escape this strange world. She begins working at a bathhouse run by spirits and gods, determined to find a solution to her parents' predicament.

DETAILS:

• Genre: Adventure, Family
• Release Year: 2003
• Runtime: 125 minutes
• Director: Hayao Miyazaki
• Screenplay: Hayao Miyazaki
• IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
• Awards: Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, Japan Academy Prize for Best Film, Critics' Choice Award for Best Animated Feature

Ratatouille is the heartwarming story of Remy, a rat with a dream to become a world-renowned chef. With an extraordinary sense of taste and smell, Remy admires the famous chef Auguste Gusteau. However, when the family of rats is discovered by their human owner, they are forced to flee. In the process, Remy finds himself lost in Paris.

In Paris, Remy crosses paths with Alfredo Linguini, a young, awkward cook at Gusteau's restaurant. Linguini, who is struggling in the kitchen, takes Remy home, and the two unlikely companions form a secret partnership. Remy helps Linguini cook and prove his worth to Skinner, the restaurant's harsh sous-chef. Together, they face challenges and create culinary magic. Will Remy and Linguini's unlikely friendship lead them to success?

DETAILS:

• Genre: Comedy, Adventure
• Release Year: 2007
• Runtime: 111 minutes
• Director: Brad Bird
• Screenplay: Jan Pinkava
• IMDb Rating: 8/10
• Awards: Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, Golden Globe for Best Animated Film