Top 15 Best Animated Films Ever Released in Theaters

Inspired by the popular comic book series, Big Hero 6 delivers an exciting adventure, especially for younger audiences or those who enjoy superhero tales.

While it could have fallen into familiar territory with its comic book origins, the filmmakers infused Big Hero 6 with fresh creativity, offering thrilling chase scenes, futuristic robots that any boy would dream of owning, and an exhilarating journey that unfolds over 108 minutes.

Your childhood memories could be made even more thrilling by imagining yourself as one of the beloved characters and following their action-packed exploits, and Big Hero 6 is just that kind of film. Upon its North American release, the movie surpassed $100 million at the box office.

IMDb Rating: 7.8

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 90%

Audience Score: 91%
Metacritic Score: 74

If you're a fan of fantasy films, you can't miss How to Train Your Dragon from DreamWorks Animation. It's a thrilling adventure that also carries a deep moral message. The ultimate power of love is shown as a force capable of overcoming any obstacle and even defeating powerful foes.

The young hero, Hiccup, becomes the savior of his village not through slaying dragons but by befriending them and bridging the gap between humans and nature. The 98-minute film captivates viewers with stunning action sequences and heartwarming moments.

IMDb Rating: 7.8

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 91%

Audience Score: 89%
Metacritic Score: 77

If you're feeling stressed and in need of some fun, why not watch an animated film like Minions? You'll surely laugh out loud at the adorable and humorous antics of these little characters. Since its release in June 2015, Minions has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, and their images can now be found everywhere.

With a storyline full of mischievous but lovable moments, Minions has kept viewers entertained throughout the film. It grossed an impressive 1 billion USD at the box office. And a question many wonder is: who exactly are the Minions? You’ll find out after watching this movie.

Other films in the series, such as Despicable Me, Despicable Me 2, Minions, and Minions: The Rise of Gru, have also been met with great enthusiasm. Enjoy!

IMDb Rating: 6.4

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 55%

Audience Score: 49%
Metacritic Score: 56

Officially released to theaters on November 27, 2013, Frozen melted the chill of the year-end with a worldwide sensation that was hotter than any winter storm. This return of Walt Disney Animation Studios was a bold statement of their unmatched position in the world of animated films.

Frozen is a musical fantasy film created with computer animation, telling the story of a brave princess on a journey to find her sister, a queen with the power to create ice and snow, who accidentally plunged the kingdom into an eternal winter.

Accompanied by a clumsy yet kind-hearted mountain man named Kristoff and the funny snowman Olaf, the film achieved massive commercial success, earning over 1.2 billion USD at the global box office. It also received numerous positive reviews from critics. Children will especially enjoy watching the film while singing along to the iconic song “Let It Go.”

IMDb Rating: 7.4

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 90%

Audience Score: 85%
Metacritic Score: 75

Channeling the spirit of classic animated films, Moana once again showcases the incredible artistry of Disney. The film follows Moana, the daughter of the chief of Motunui, a kind-hearted girl with a deep love for her people.

Driven by courage, resourcefulness, and a desire for peace, Moana embarks on a daring journey across the sea, carrying the heavy responsibility of saving humanity. By January 2, 2017, the film had grossed over 450 million USD worldwide. Don’t miss this inspiring and powerful film!

IMDb Rating: 7.6
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 95%
Audience Score: 89%

Metacritic Score: 81

For animal lovers and those fascinated by the animal kingdom, Zootopia delivers a thrilling adventure. Produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios, the film introduces a world where anthropomorphized animals live, talk, and interact just like humans. This unique concept provides an exciting viewing experience for all ages.

The film follows Judy Hopps, a determined rabbit police officer, and her unlikely partner, Nick Wilde, a sly fox. Together, they embark on a case that takes unexpected turns. Beyond its story, Zootopia impresses with its stunning visuals, voice acting, and sound design. Upon its release, it grossed over 1 billion USD, a remarkable achievement that added to Disney's impressive list of billion-dollar hits.

IMDb Rating: 8.0

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 98%

Audience Score: 92%
Metacritic Score: 78

The Secret Life of Pets is an animated film produced by Illumination Entertainment. Set in a small town, the story follows the lives of pets and wild animals who have their own conflicts, with the wild animals plotting revenge against humans. The captivating storyline, guided by the director, will keep audiences glued to the screen. The adorable pets, especially the white rabbit Snowball with his supreme leadership skills, add to the charm of the film.

If you’ve never considered watching this movie before, it’s definitely worth a watch. It promises not to disappoint. While it may not have the same massive influence as Disney, Illumination Entertainment achieved great success with this film, grossing over 540 million USD, a remarkable feat in itself.

IMDb Rating: 6.5

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 72%

Audience Score: 62%
Metacritic Score: 61

Smurfs: The Lost Village is an American animated film, marking a new direction for the Smurfs series. Unlike the previous two installments, this film is completely independent from the others. In SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE, the story follows Smurfette as she ventures deep into the enchanted forest to unravel long-standing questions: why is she the only female Smurf in the village, and what is her true purpose in life?

During her unexpected encounter with a mysterious creature searching for the magical forest, Smurfette embarks on a journey with three companions—Hefty, Clumsy, and Brainy. Together, they aim to discover Smurfette's true purpose. Of course, their adventure is filled with challenges, including the evil wizard Gargamel, who uses dark magic to hinder their progress. However, with their wit and courage, the Smurfs manage to overcome every obstacle.

Smurfs: The Lost Village was released in the United States on April 7, 2017, and in Vietnam on April 28, 2017, by Columbia Pictures. It received mixed reviews from critics. With a production budget of 60 million USD, the film grossed over 195 million USD worldwide.

IMDb Rating: 5.9

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 40%

Audience Score: 54%
Metacritic Score: 40

With an impressive 94% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Incredibles 2 deserves its spot among the best animated films to hit theaters. After a 14-year wait, the five members of the Parr family return to the big screen, bringing excitement and earning a global total of $1.24 billion. This sequel delves deeper into the lives of the family members.

Produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures, Incredibles 2 is a superhero film and continues the story of the beloved Parr family. The film also serves as a bold statement for gender equality within the family and reinforces the importance of sticking together. In the midst of the superhero film boom, Incredibles 2 has been praised for its stunning action scenes.

IMDb Rating: 7.6

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 93%

Audience Score: 84%
Metacritic Score: 80

Looking for some hearty laughs and valuable life lessons about family? Don’t miss The Boss Baby. This animated film is not just for kids—adults can enjoy it too and find some refreshing moments of relaxation.

The story follows Tim, a 7-year-old boy who is pampered and adored by his parents. However, his life is turned upside down when a new baby brother enters the picture. Not only does Tim have to share the love, but he also has to deal with a scheming baby who seems to have the mind of an adult.

The truth about this “Boss Baby” is that he's on a mission to investigate why puppies get more affection than babies. With his adorable baby face and sharp business attire, he quickly becomes the star of the show, pulling pranks on his older brother. Directed by Tom McGrath, The Boss Baby grossed $253.1 million worldwide and $149.2 million in the U.S. alone.

IMDb Rating: 6.3

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 53%

Audience Score: 51%
Metacritic Score: 50

The collaboration between the US and China, Kung Fu Panda 3, became the highest-grossing animated film in China, earning $150 million in just over a month after its release. This cinematic partnership between two of the world’s largest film markets tells the story of Po, the lovable panda, and his reunion with his father, as they join forces to protect their village from the sinister villain Kai. Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni, the film features voice performances from Jack Black, Bryan Cranston, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Lucy Liu, J.K. Simmons, and Jackie Chan.

As Po and his father journey to the secret panda village, an evil spirit threatens the entire land of China, forcing Po to assemble a ragtag team of local fighters. With J.K. Simmons voicing the villain, and a fun storyline featuring Po, this film delivers plenty of laughs and action-packed moments.

IMDb Rating: 7.1

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 86%

Audience Score: 78%
Metacritic Score: 66

A must-see, iconic animated film filled with deep meaning is Spirited Away, also known as Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi in Japanese, or Spirited Away in English. This magical coming-of-age movie was directed and written by Hayao Miyazaki, and it stands as one of the most successful animated films in Japanese cinema history, earning over $347 million globally.

The plot follows Chihiro Ogino, a 10-year-old girl who is bored and unhappy. While moving to a new home, she stumbles into a mystical world of spirits rooted in Shinto mythology. After her parents are transformed into pigs by the witch Yubaba, Chihiro must work in Yubaba’s bathhouse to find a way to rescue them and return to the human world.

Spirited Away received overwhelming positive reviews and is often listed among the greatest animated films ever made. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature at the 75th Academy Awards, making history as the first non-English language animated film to win that honor.

IMDb Rating: 8.6

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%

Audience Score: 96%
Metacritic Score: 96

The Lion King is Disney's 32nd animated feature film. The story is set in a society of animals that share human-like thoughts and personalities, filled with dramatic yet humorous situations.

The 2019 version of The Lion King is a live-action musical film directed and produced by Jon Favreau, with a screenplay by Jeff Nathanson. This remake of the 1994 classic animated film is a stunning computer-animated take on the original.

The film focuses on Simba, a lion cub who faces life’s challenges and, with great determination, seeks to reclaim his kingdom from the villainous Scar and restore peace to the land. With its powerful themes, stunning visuals, and captivating characters, the film earned over $1 billion globally in 1994 and, after being re-released in 3D in 2011, made an additional $73 million.

IMDb Rating: 8.5

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

Audience Score: 93%
Metacritic Score: 88

If you’re a fan of Disney animation, you’re likely familiar with the 2010 3D animated film Toy Story 3. The story follows Andy, a 17-year-old about to leave for college. As he no longer needs his childhood toys, Andy plans to store them in the attic. However, his mother mistakenly believes they are being thrown out.

To avoid being discarded, the toys attempt to sneak into a box bound for the Sunnyside daycare center. But things take a turn as new challenges arise, ultimately leading to a resolution. The beloved characters from the first two Toy Story films return, and their reunion sparked immense excitement in the animation world. The film grossed over $1 billion globally.

IMDb Rating: 8.3

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%

Audience Score: 90%
Metacritic Score: 92

Released in North America in 2009, Up quickly became a critical success, receiving a 98% approval rating. Produced by Pixar Animation Studios and distributed by Disney, the story follows Carl Fredricksen and Russell, the young boy known as the "wild explorer."

Before meeting Russell, Carl had lived a happy life with his wife. They dreamed of visiting Paradise Falls but were unable to go. Finally, when they had saved enough money, Carl’s wife passed away from old age. Carl and Russell’s unexpected journey takes them to Paradise Falls, facing many challenges along the way.

In just the first three days of release, the film earned over $68 million, demonstrating its widespread appeal. If you haven’t seen it yet, be sure to watch!

IMDb Rating: 8.3

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%

Audience Rating: 90%
Metacritic Score: 88