Top 10 Critically Acclaimed Animated Movies

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The nostalgia is strong with these ones! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down a wide variety of animated movies that are particularly noted for their importance, influence and imagination.

Transcript

00:00I like that boulder. That is a nice boulder.

00:03Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down a wide variety of animated movies

00:08that are particularly noted for their importance, influence, and imagination.

00:12Hey, we're superheroes. What could happen?

00:23When it premiered in 1940, Fantasia broke new ground in the industry

00:26by pairing classical music with meticulously crafted sequences.

00:30This Walt Disney production, characterized by its innovative use of the Fantasound system,

00:34was one of the first movies to feature multi-channel sound,

00:37significantly enhancing the cinematic experience.

00:39Its ambitious scope and its synthesis of music and animation have not only placed it on numerous

00:59greatest lists, but also garnered it a special honorary award at the Academy Awards.

01:04Fantasia's influence extends beyond cinema, especially in the music video industry.

01:08Its ongoing reputation as a pioneering artistic endeavor highlights its acclaim and enduring legacy.

01:27With its stark black and white design, Persepolis stands out as a profoundly personal narrative,

01:32exploring the tumultuous life and times of its co-director,

01:35Marjan Satrapi, in post-revolutionary Iran.

01:48Based on Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novel, it captures the complexities of national identity

01:53and personal freedom through a deeply intimate lens.

02:06Its unique visual style and emotional depth earned it the jury prize at the Ken's Film Festival in 2007

02:11and an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature.

02:13Critics have lauded Persepolis for its bold storytelling,

02:16making it a significant cultural touchstone in modern cinema.

02:19Upon its release in 1988, Akira set a new benchmark for the possibilities of animation.

02:50Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo and based on his own landmark manga,

02:54this dystopian epic unfolds in Neo-Tokyo, a city reborn from the ashes of World War III.

02:59Noted for its detailed images and intense narrative, Akira's influence extends well beyond Japan,

03:04reshaping perceptions of what anime can achieve in terms of story and visual effects.

03:12It is often credited with introducing anime to western audiences,

03:16and it has been widely acknowledged in many best-of lists for its profound impact on the genre.

03:20It paved the way for anime's global popularity and acceptance as a serious art form.

03:46In 1978, Watership Down, directed by Martin Rosen,

03:50emerged as a compelling adaptation of Richard Adams' novel.

03:53This British film explores the harrowing journey of a group of rabbits seeking a new home,

03:57delving into themes of survival and societal structure.

04:00Its narrative depth and the emotional stakes of its characters stand out,

04:16offering a darker, more poignant look at life and liberty compared to typical fare.

04:20The movie's highly artistic approach,

04:22and its unflinching portrayal of the realities of the animal kingdom, earned it an enduring status.

04:30Noted for its thought-provoking content and the emotional impact it has on viewers,

04:42Watership Down remains a landmark for its mature thematic complexity.

04:46Number 6. The Incredibles

04:57Released in 2004, The Incredibles quickly became celebrated for redefining the superhero genre with

05:03an animated cinema. Directed by Brad Bird, this Pixar offering blends thrilling action

05:08with the everyday dilemmas of family life, making it both relatable and exciting.

05:20It's praised for its inventive approach to superhero dynamics, focusing on a family

05:25where each member struggles with their identities and societal expectations.

05:38The movie won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature,

05:43and its sophisticated narrative and technical excellence have placed it on many lists of the

05:48top films. The Incredibles is often recognized for its clever humor and deep emotional resonance,

05:53which appeal to both children and adults alike.

05:58Number 5. Heavy Metal

06:08This influential movie is an anthology of various fantastical and sci-fi stories,

06:17each segment based on or inspired by stories from the cult magazine of the same name.

06:21Known for its adult themes, graphic content, and a rocking soundtrack featuring artists

06:26like Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult, Journey, and Devo, it offers a unique blend of science

06:31fiction and fantasy with a distinctly mature edge. Critics have highlighted its pioneering

06:42techniques and the way it pushed the boundaries of the genre at the time. Heavy Metal has achieved

06:46a cult status, noted for its daring narrative style and the varied artistic directions of

06:50its multiple segments. Its influence is seen in how it opened doors for adult-oriented

06:59animation in Western cinema.

07:01Number 4. Shrek

07:08Released in 2001, Shrek revolutionized film with its irreverent humor and satirical take

07:13on fairy tales. Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jensen, this DreamWorks feature

07:26flipped the script on traditional fairy tale narratives by celebrating an ogre as its hero.

07:30Its appeal is broadened by clever dialogue, memorable characters, and a storyline that

07:40parodies and pays homage to the classics. Winning the first-ever Academy Award for Best

07:50Animated Feature, Shrek is often credited with transforming the landscape by appealing equally

07:55to adults and children. Its artistic success spawned a multimedia franchise, reaffirming

08:04its impact on pop culture.

08:16Number 3. Toy Story

08:27There's no doubt that Toy Story marked a monumental moment in cinematic history as

08:30the first feature-length film created entirely with computer graphics. It chronicles the

08:38adventures and misadventures of Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and their cohort of toys, bringing

08:43a new depth to animation. It received universal acclaim for its groundbreaking technology,

08:48as well as its emotionally rich narrative that appeals to both children and adults.

08:55Toy Story was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Original Screenplay,

08:59and won a Special Achievement Oscar for its pioneering techniques. It set a new standard

09:03for the industry, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest animated movies ever made,

09:08and sparked an immensely popular franchise.

09:23Number 2. The Triplets of Belleville

09:26This French creation, directed by Sylvain Chaumet, is celebrated for its distinctive

09:33style and inventive approach. Released in 2003, it is a quirky and visually engaging

09:38tale that follows an elderly woman and her dog as they team up with a trio of aged music

09:42hall singers to rescue her grandson, a tour-de-france cyclist kidnapped by the mafia.

09:57This film's unique style, which eschews conventional dialogue for expressive visuals

10:01and music, garnered an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature.

10:05Praised for its originality and artistic flair, The Triplets of Belleville has been lauded as a

10:09masterpiece of modern animation, reflecting a deep appreciation for the nuances of visual

10:13creativity.

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10:391. Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse

10:46An instant classic that burst onto the scene in 2018, this spider epic redefined what a superhero

10:51flick could be. Its innovative style, which combines both traditional and computer-generated

11:00techniques, mirrors the feel of living comic book pages, setting a new visual standard.

11:04Directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman, it presents a fresh take on the

11:09Spider-Man lore, introducing audiences to Miles Morales and multiple other Spider-People from

11:14different dimensions. Winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, the film was universally

11:27praised for its dynamic and vibrant style, as well as the way it embraces diversity and inclusion.

11:352. A Leap of Faith

11:44Critics and fans alike regard it as a landmark, profoundly impacting the genre.

11:48We know there are dozens more animated movies that could also plausibly make this list,

11:52so tell us in the comments which one should be included in the next version.

11:56Did you enjoy this video? Check out these other clips from WatchMojo,

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