In the last 25 years,animatedfilms have reached new heights of creativity, storytelling, and technical innovation. From 2000 to the present, animation has evolved to encompass a variety of styles, including hand-drawn, CGI, and stop-motion, each contributing to an increasingly diverse and dynamic landscape. When considering the best animated films, movie fans will celebrate those that have showcased artistic excellence and captured audiences' imaginations worldwide. These films, ranging from quirky comedies to emotional adventures, highlight how animation can transcend age and genre, leaving an indelible mark on pop culture and cinema.
What makes these films stand out is their ability to blend groundbreaking technical achievement with compelling narratives. Whether through the emotional resonance ofToy Story 3,the visual revolution ofSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,or the stop-motion brilliance ofFantastic Mr. Fox,each of these amazing films is a testament to the endless possibilities of animation. They have pushed the boundaries of what animation can achieve, influencing the medium and the broader cinematic landscape.
Here are the best animated movies of the past 25 years, in no particular order.
20’Shrek' (2001)
Shrekredefined animated cinema for a new generation. As the first film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, it cemented DreamWorks as a legitimate rival to Disney and forever changed the tone of mainstream animation. Its irreverent humor, layered writing, and boundary-pushing satire skewered classic fairy tales while celebrating the weird, the outcast, and the unconventional. With Mike Myers' Scottish-accented ogre and Eddie Murphy’s unforgettable Donkey,Shrekdelivered instantly iconic performances that made thebeloved DreamWorks moviefeel larger than life, yet deeply relatable.
Irreverent Humor, Iconic Characters, and Groundbreaking CGI
From a technical standpoint,Shrekwas a landmark for CGI animation, blending innovative visuals with stylized character design that remains recognizable decades later. It also pioneered pop culture references and modern music in animated films, creating a blueprint many studios still follow. Beyond its comedic charm and quotable one-liners,Shrekresonated with audiences worldwide for its emotional core and timeless message of acceptance, making it a true cultural phenomenon.
19’The Fantastic Mr. Fox' (2009)
The Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Fantastic Mr. Foxmarked Wes Anderson’s striking debut in animation, blending his signature storytelling with the tactile charm of stop-motion. Adapted from Roald Dahl’s beloved book, the film uses handcrafted models, meticulous set design, and warm autumnal tones to create a visually distinct world that feels whimsical and grounded. Every frame is rich with detail, reflecting Anderson’s fastidious style, while the animation’s deliberately jerky movements give the film a nostalgic, storybook quality. It’s a technical achievement that reintroduced stop-motion as a serious contender in a CGI-dominated era.
A Blend of Wes Anderson’s Unique Storytelling with Stop-Motion Animation
Beyond its visual flair,TheFantastic Mr. Foxthrives on sharp wit, existential undertones, and fully realized characters. George Clooney’s suave yet flawed Mr. Fox anchors a narrative that explores identity, family, and the tension between wild instincts and domestic responsibility. Its commentary on class and survival is cleverly layered within its animal-versus-human conflict, making it more than just a kids' film - it’s a modern-animated classic with lasting cultural and cinematic significance.
Why Fantastic Mr. Fox Is the Perfect Thanksgiving Movie
Wes Anderson’s stop-motion classic has all the makings of a seasonal classic.
18’Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' (2018)
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verseis a groundbreaking animation and superhero storytelling achievement. As the filmmixed 2D with 3Dtechniques with comic book aesthetics, it created a bold, kinetic visual style that redefined what animated films could look like. With its use of halftone shading, split screens, and onomatopoeic text, every frame feels like a comic panel bursting to life. The result isn’t just visually stunning - it’s revolutionary, setting a new standard for animated storytelling and inspiring a wave of stylistic innovation across the industry.
Bold, Comic-Inspired Visuals and Diverse Storytelling
At its core, the film tells the origin story of Miles Morales, a biracial Brooklyn teenager navigating responsibility, grief, and identity. By introducing the multiverse and uniting various Spider-People,Into the Spider-Verseembraces diversity not just in its characters, but in the narrative possibilities animation offers. With universal themes and genre-defying artistry, the films proved that animation is not a limitation, but a limitless platform for cinematic excellence.
17’Chicken Run' (2000)
Chicken Run
Chicken Runmarked a milestone in animation history as the highest-grossing stop-motion film of all time. Produced by Aardman Animations, known for their charming shorts likeWallace & Gromit,this feature-length debut showcased their signature blend of dry British humor, expressive clay animation, and meticulous craftsmanship. Directed by Nick Park and Peter Lord, the film delivered both technical brilliance and a compelling narrative, drawing inspiration from classic escape films likeThe Great Escapewhile carving out its own unique tone and voice.
A Compelling Story of Freedom and Resilience
Set in a grim poultry farm run by the tyrannical Mrs. Tweedy,Chicken Runtransforms a bleak premise into a thrilling and heartfelt adventure. With a cast of memorable charactersfrom Aardman Animations, led by the determined Ginger and the cocky American rooster Rocky, the film tackles themes of freedom, resilience, and community. It remains a high watermark for stop-motion animation and a prime example of how the medium can tackle dark themes with wit, heart, and style.
16’Monsters Inc.' (2001)
Monsters Inc.
Monsters Inc.remains one of Pixar’s most imaginative and emotionally resonant achievements. Set in the vibrant city of Monstropolis, the film flips the concept of childhood fear on its head by showing audiences the monsters behind the closet doors - and making them lovable. Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan (Sulley) are instantly iconic, brought to life through standout voice performances by Billy Crystal and John Goodman. With Boo at the heart of the story, the film strikes a perfect balance between heartfelt emotion and laugh-out-loud comedy, delivering one of Pixar’s most touching final scenes.
Redefining Fear and Lovable Monsters
Beyond its story,Monsters Inc.broke ground in animation with its rendering of Sully’s fur, showcasing Pixar’s growing technical prowess. The door vault scene alone is a masterclass in kinetic animation. Its themes of empathy, fear, and moral responsibility are timeless, securing the film’s status as not just a great animated movie but a foundational piece of early 21st-century cinema.
The Scariest Monsters, Inc. Characters, Ranked
While the monsters of Monsters, Inc. may be trained and tested on their scariness, perhaps the biggest monster is the thought of one itself.
15’Coraline' (2009)
Coralinestands as a landmark achievement in stop-motion animation and remains Laika’s most iconic work. Directed by Henry Selick and based on Neil Gaiman’s novella, the film blends Gothic horror with childlike wonder, creating a dark fairy tale that challenges the conventions of family-oriented animation. Its heroine, Coraline Jones - played by Dakota Fanning, who gave anOscar-worthy voice acting performance- is a brave and curious girl who stumbles upon a secret door to an idealized parallel world, only to discover it hides something much more sinister. With the terrifying Other Mother at its center,Coralinebrings a fresh, eerie energy to the genre, earning comparisons to movies likeThe Nightmare Before Christmas.
Groundbreaking 3D Visuals, Gothic Horror Elements, and Laika’s Bold, Handcrafted Artistry
Technically,Coralinebroke ground with its handcrafted visuals, becoming the first stop-motion feature to be shot entirely in 3D. Every detail - from the character designs to the haunting set pieces - was meticulously constructed, elevating Laika’s reputation as a studio willing to take creative risks. It’s a bold, unforgettable entry in animation history that helped redefine what the medium could achieve.
14’The Wild Robot' (2024)
The Wild Robot
The Wild Robotis a poignant reminder that animation continues to evolve, not just visually, but thematically. Adapted from Peter Brown’s bestselling novel, the film delivers a resonant story about connection, survival, and the intersection between technology and nature. Director Chris Sanders, known for emotionally rich adventures likeHow to Train Your Dragon,brings his signature storytelling touch to this grounded, yet imaginative tale. Visually, the film bridges hyperrealistic animation with painterly backdrops, creating a world that feels both alive and lovingly illustrated.
Powerful Storytelling with Heart and Vision
What setsThe Wild Robotapart is its emotional depth. Through Roz, a robot stranded on an island and forced to adapt among wild animals, the film explores what it means to raise, to be raised, and to belong. With stellar voice acting by Lupita Nyong’o and Pedro Pascal, one of thebest animated movies of 2024transcended genre, becoming a layered allegory for parenting, environmental stewardship, and finding humanity in unexpected places.
13’The Incredibles' (2004)
The Incredibles
Pixar’sThe Incredibleswasn’t just ahead of the curve - it redefined what superhero stories could be in animation. Long before shared cinematic universes became the norm, Brad Bird delivered a stylish, emotionally resonant, and genre-savvy adventure that appealed to kids and adults alike. Blending mid-century modern aesthetics with fast-paced action and witty dialogue, the film created a world where supers are outlawed, and families are forced to hide their gifts. That setup alone gave the story more complexity and maturity than many live-action counterparts at the time.
A New Way To Define Superhero Films
What madeThe Incrediblestruly groundbreaking, however, was its focus on the human side of heroism. The Parrs aren’t just a team - they’re a family learning how to reconnect in a world that’s tried to suppress them. Each character’s arc reflects universal struggles like midlife crises, identity, and adolescent insecurity. With unforgettable set pieces, a jazzy score, and nuanced storytelling,The Incrediblesis still one of the most influential animated films - and superhero films - of the 21st century.
Best Non-Marvel or DC Superhero Movies, Ranked
While Marvel and DC films are the first that come to mind when talking about superhero movies, there are plenty that exists outside of the franchises.
12’Inside Out' (2015)
Inside Out
Pixar has never shied away from complex storytelling, andInside Outtook emotional intelligence to a whole new level. Set almost entirely inside the mind of an 11-year-old girl, the film turns abstract psychological concepts into vivid characters, each representing a core emotion. Joy and Sadness may seem like opposites at first, but their journey reveals how interconnected our feelings truly are. The film’s brilliance lies in how itexplores serious real-life issuesby using its imaginative landscape, complete with islands of personality, memory orbs, and long-term storage, to explore something as personal and universal as growing up.
Emotional Depth, Imaginative World-Building, and a Groundbreaking Exploration of Mental Health
Beyond its conceptual ambition,Inside Outstands as a technical and narrative milestone in animation. Its ability to explain emotional complexity in a way that resonates with children and adults alike is revolutionary. With a tender script, a top-tier voice cast, and bold visual design,Inside Outbecame an instant classic that continues to be studied, referenced, and felt across pop culture and mental health conversations.
11’Flow' (2024)
With no dialogue and minimalist design,Flowdelivers one of the most profound animated experiences of the decade. Directed by Gints Zilbalodis, this Latvian feature explores survival, connection, and the delicate balance of nature through the eyes of a solitary black cat. As rising floodwaters submerge the landscape, the cat is forced onto a makeshift boat, joining a diverse group of animals who would normally be predator and prey. What unfolds is a visually poetic journey that transcends language and culture, resonating with viewers on an emotional, almost spiritual level.
A Modern Animation with Stunning Visuals, Pure Storytelling, and Emotional Depth
Flowstands out in the modern animation landscape, not just for its technical innovation, but for its trust in pure visual storytelling. The film’s smooth CG animation, dreamlike cinematography, and sweeping musical score work in harmony to evoke emotion and tension without uttering a single word. In an era dominated by fast-paced, dialogue-heavy narratives,the Oscar-winning filmreminds movie watchers of the silent power of the animated image.
