50 best animated feature films
My favourite feature length toons.
Near misses included: 101 Dalmatians, Beauty and the Beast, The Cat Returns, The Croods, Dumbo, Flushed Away, Footrot Flats, Gay Pur-ee, Ghost In the Shell, Giovanni's Island, Hercules, Help I'm a Fish, Ice Age, Hotel Transylvania, I Married A Strange Person, Liar's Autobiography, Little Nemo in Slumberland, Millennium Actress, Monsters Inc, My Dog Tulip, Nausicaa, Patema Inverted, Persepolis, Pirates in an Adventure with Scientists, Princess Kaguya, The Red Turtle, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Summer Wars, The Tune, Yellow Submarine.
Not so near misses included: Aladdin, Akira, Appleseed, Aristocats, Bee Movie, Bug's Life, Cars, Cinderella, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, The Fox and the Hound, Gnomeo and Juliet, Happy Feet, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Journey to Agartha, The Little Mermaid, Origin, Madagascar, Mr Bug Goes To Town, Norse Prince, Perfect Blue, Pocahontas, Pom Poko, Ponyo, Puss in Boots, Robin Hood, Sleeping Beauty, The Sword in the Stone, Tales from Earthsea, A Tree of Palme.
Other omissions may simply be down to my not having caught up with them. Suggestions for films that should be on the list would be gratefully received.
PS I've tried to avoid sequels.
Near misses included: 101 Dalmatians, Beauty and the Beast, The Cat Returns, The Croods, Dumbo, Flushed Away, Footrot Flats, Gay Pur-ee, Ghost In the Shell, Giovanni's Island, Hercules, Help I'm a Fish, Ice Age, Hotel Transylvania, I Married A Strange Person, Liar's Autobiography, Little Nemo in Slumberland, Millennium Actress, Monsters Inc, My Dog Tulip, Nausicaa, Patema Inverted, Persepolis, Pirates in an Adventure with Scientists, Princess Kaguya, The Red Turtle, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Summer Wars, The Tune, Yellow Submarine.
Not so near misses included: Aladdin, Akira, Appleseed, Aristocats, Bee Movie, Bug's Life, Cars, Cinderella, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, The Fox and the Hound, Gnomeo and Juliet, Happy Feet, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Journey to Agartha, The Little Mermaid, Origin, Madagascar, Mr Bug Goes To Town, Norse Prince, Perfect Blue, Pocahontas, Pom Poko, Ponyo, Puss in Boots, Robin Hood, Sleeping Beauty, The Sword in the Stone, Tales from Earthsea, A Tree of Palme.
Other omissions may simply be down to my not having caught up with them. Suggestions for films that should be on the list would be gratefully received.
PS I've tried to avoid sequels.
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50 titles
- DirectorJohn LasseterStarsTom HanksTim AllenDon RicklesA cowboy doll is profoundly threatened and jealous when a new spaceman action figure supplants him as top toy in a boy's bedroom.The sequels were arguably even better but the Pixar march to world domination started here.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsDaveigh ChaseSuzanne PleshetteMiyu IrinoDuring her family's move to the suburbs, a sullen 10-year-old girl wanders into a world ruled by gods, witches and spirits, and where humans are changed into beasts.Miyazaki's masterpiece. It doesn't get more Japanese than this.
- DirectorSylvain ChometStarsMichèle CaucheteuxJean-Claude DondaMichel RobinWhen her grandson is kidnapped during the Tour de France, Madame Souza and her beloved pooch Bruno team up with the Belleville Sisters--an aged song-and-dance team from the days of Fred Astaire--to rescue him.Sylvain Chomet's masterpiece. It doesn't get more French than this.
- DirectorWolfgang ReithermanStarsPhil HarrisSebastian CabotLouis PrimaBagheera the Panther and Baloo the Bear have a difficult time trying to convince a boy to leave the jungle for human civilization.Still the king of the swingers.
- DirectorTim BurtonMike JohnsonStarsJohnny DeppHelena Bonham CarterEmily WatsonWhen a shy groom practices his wedding vows in the inadvertent presence of a deceased young woman, she rises from the grave assuming he has married her.Sublimely creepy Tim Burton animation.
- DirectorIsao TakahataStarsTsutomu TatsumiAyano ShiraishiAkemi YamaguchiA young boy and his little sister struggle to survive in Japan during World War II.Isao Takahata's heartbreaking tale of survival in post-war Japan.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsShûichirô MoriyamaTokiko KatôBunshi Katsura VIIn 1930s Italy, a veteran World War I pilot is cursed to look like an anthropomorphic pig.If pigs could fly, in bi-planes. Miyazaki's romantic tale of aces high.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsHideaki AnnoHidetoshi NishijimaMiori TakimotoJiro Horikoshi studies assiduously to fulfill his aim of becoming an aeronautical engineer. As WWII begins, fighter aircraft designed by him end up getting used by the Japanese Empire against its foes.Miyazaki's obsession with flight finds its ultimate expression in his final film.
- DirectorTomm MooreNora TwomeyStarsEvan McGuireBrendan GleesonMick LallyA young boy in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids is beckoned to adventure when a celebrated master illuminator arrives with an ancient book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers.Celtic design leaps off the page as the wrath of the Northmen descends on an Irish monastery in Thom Moore's fine animation.
- DirectorHiromasa YonebayashiStarsSara TakatsukiKasumi ArimuraNanako MatsushimaAnna, a shy 12-year-old girl, is sent to spend time with her aunt and uncle who live in the countryside, where she meets Marnie. The two become best friends. But Anna gradually discovers that Marnie is not quite who she appears to be.Moving Studio Ghibli coming of age ghost story
- DirectorPeter LordNick ParkStarsMel GibsonJulia SawalhaPhil DanielsWhen a cockerel apparently flies into a chicken farm, the chickens see him as an opportunity to escape their evil owners.Aardman animation stop frame remake of the Great Escape. With poultry. What's not to like?
- DirectorShinji TakagiKatsuhiro ÔtomoStarsAnna PaquinPatrick StewartAlfred MolinaIn 1860s Britain, a boy inventor finds himself caught in the middle of a deadly conflict over a revolutionary advance in steam power.Katsuhiro Otomo lays waste London in steampunk masterpiece.
- DirectorAndrew StantonStarsBen BurttElissa KnightJeff GarlinIn the distant future, a small waste-collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind.The first half of this Pixar offering is brilliant, the second half just extremely good.
- DirectorBrad BirdStarsEli MarienthalHarry Connick Jr.Jennifer AnistonA young boy befriends a giant robot from outer space that a paranoid government agent wants to destroy.The Ted Hughes fable is brought exhilaratingly to life.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsYôji MatsudaYuriko IshidaYûko TanakaOn a journey to find the cure for a Tatarigami's curse, Ashitaka finds himself in the middle of a war between the forest gods and Tatara, a mining colony. In this quest he also meets San, the Mononoke Hime.Miyazaki's environmentally on message epic of Muromachi Japan.
- DirectorSylvain ChometStarsJean-Claude DondaEilidh RankinDuncan MacNeilA French illusionist finds himself out of work and travels to Scotland, where he meets a young woman. Their ensuing adventure changes both their lives forever.Chomet does more than justice to a lost Jaques Tati script.
- DirectorRobert ZemeckisStarsBob HoskinsChristopher LloydJoanna CassidyWhen a cartoon rabbit is accused of murder, he enlists the help of a burnt out private investigator to prove his innocence.Bob Hoskins live action performance blends seamlessly with Richard Williams animation.
- DirectorWes AndersonStarsGeorge ClooneyMeryl StreepBill MurrayAn urbane fox cannot resist returning to his farm raiding ways and then must help his community survive the farmers' retaliation.Wes Anderson fins his metier in animation in this Roald Dahl adaptation.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsKirsten DunstMinami TakayamaRei SakumaA young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service.Classic Miyazaki.
- DirectorPete DocterBob PetersonStarsEdward AsnerJordan NagaiJohn Ratzenberger78-year-old Carl Fredricksen travels to Paradise Falls in his house equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway.Another Pixar gem that does not quite fulfil its early promise.
- DirectorEric DarnellTim JohnsonLawrence GutermanStarsWoody AllenSharon StoneGene HackmanA rather neurotic ant tries to break from his totalitarian society while trying to win the affection of the princess he loves.The best Woody Allen movie since Annie Hall.
- DirectorMartin RosenJohn HubleyStarsJohn HurtRichard BriersRalph RichardsonHoping to escape destruction by human developers and save their community, a colony of rabbits, led by Hazel and Fiver, seek out a safe place to set up a new warren.Faithful adaptation of Richard Adams lapine epic. The goriest bunny movie since Night of the Lepus.
- DirectorAndrew AdamsonVicky JensonStarsMike MyersEddie MurphyCameron DiazA mean lord exiles fairytale creatures to the swamp of a grumpy ogre, who must go on a quest and rescue a princess for the lord in order to get his land back.The sequels got progressively worse but the original was fun.
- DirectorHenry SelickStarsDakota FanningTeri HatcherJohn HodgmanWandering her rambling old house in her boring new town, an 11-year-old Coraline discovers a hidden door to a strangely idealized version of her life. In order to stay in the fantasy, she must make a frighteningly real sacrifice.Neil Gaiman is well served in Laika's disturbing adaptation.
- DirectorSteve BoxNick ParkStarsPeter SallisHelena Bonham CarterRalph FiennesWallace and his loyal dog, Gromit, set out to discover the mystery behind the garden sabotage that plagues their village and threatens the annual giant vegetable growing contest.Wallace and Gromit hit the big screen.
- DirectorNorman FergusonT. HeeWilfred JacksonStarsDickie JonesChristian RubMel BlancA living puppet, with the help of a cricket as his conscience, must prove himself worthy to become a real boy.Surprisingly respectful Disney handling of Carlo Collodi classic.
- DirectorChris ButlerSam FellStarsKodi Smit-McPheeAnna KendrickChristopher Mintz-PlasseA misunderstood boy takes on ghosts, zombies and grown-ups to save his town from a centuries-old curse.Fun small town gothic from Laika.
- DirectorHenry SelickStarsPaul TerryJoanna LumleyPete PostlethwaiteAn orphan who lives with his two cruel aunts befriends anthropomorphic bugs who live inside a giant peach, and they embark on a journey to New York City.Roald Dahl adaptation that crosses stylishly from live action to stop frame animation.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsMayumi TanakaKeiko YokozawaKotoe HatsuiA young boy and a girl with a magic crystal must race against pirates and foreign agents in a search for a legendary floating castle.Miyazaki at his most exhilarating.
- DirectorHenry SelickStarsDanny ElfmanChris SarandonCatherine O'HaraJack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his home causes confusion.Unseasonal seasonal favourite.
- DirectorBrad BirdStarsCraig T. NelsonSamuel L. JacksonHolly HunterWhile trying to lead a quiet suburban life, a family of undercover superheroes are forced into action to save the world.Crimefighting family frolics from Pixar
- DirectorBibo BergeronStarsMatthieu ChedidVanessa ParadisGad ElmalehA 3D-animated movie set in Paris in the year 1910 and centered on a monster who lives in a garden and his love for a beautiful, young singer.The French show Disney how it should be done.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsChieko BaishôTakuya KimuraTatsuya GashûinWhen an unconfident young woman is cursed with an old body by a spiteful witch, her only chance of breaking the spell lies with a self-indulgent yet insecure young wizard and his companions in his legged, walking castle.Miyazaki at his most occidental.
- DirectorClyde GeronimiWilfred JacksonHamilton LuskeStarsBarbara LuddyLarry RobertsPeggy LeeThe romantic tale of a sheltered uptown Cocker Spaniel dog and a streetwise downtown Mutt.Tuneful Disney cuteness.
- DirectorPierre CoffinChris RenaudStarsSteve CarellJason SegelRussell BrandGru, a criminal mastermind, adopts three orphans as pawns to carry out the biggest heist in history. His life takes an unexpected turn when the little girls see the evildoer as their potential father.Wasn't this fun?
- DirectorRich MooreStarsJohn C. ReillyJack McBrayerJane LynchA video game villain wants to be a hero and sets out to fulfill his dream, but his quest brings havoc to the whole arcade where he lives.And I don't even like computer games.
- DirectorMamoru HosodaStarsRiisa NakaTakuya IshidaMitsutaka ItakuraA high-school girl named Makoto acquires the power to travel back in time, and decides to use it for her own personal benefits. Little does she know that she is affecting the lives of others just as much as she is her own.Mamoru Hosada's tale of high school time travel.
- DirectorJoy BatchelorJohn HalasStarsGordon HeathMaurice DenhamA successful farmyard revolution by the resident animals vs. the farmer goes horribly wrong when the victors create a new tyranny among themselves.Halas and Batchelor's respectful handling of the George Orwell fable.
- DirectorMark DindalStarsDavid SpadeJohn GoodmanEartha KittEmperor Kuzco is turned into a llama by his ex-administrator Yzma, and must now regain his throne with the help of Pacha, the gentle llama herder.Better no songs at all than ropey show tunes in Disney non-musical.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsHitoshi TakagiNoriko HidakaChika SakamotoWhen two girls move to the country to be near their ailing mother, they have adventures with the wondrous forest spirits who live nearby.Miyazaki starts to cut loose.
- DirectorAndrew StantonLee UnkrichStarsAlbert BrooksEllen DeGeneresAlexander GouldAfter his son is captured in the Great Barrier Reef and taken to Sydney, a timid clownfish sets out on a journey to bring him home.Jolly Pixar offering.
- DirectorTony BancroftBarry CookStarsMing-Na WenEddie MurphyBD WongTo save her father from death in the army, a young maiden secretly goes in his place and becomes one of China's greatest heroines in the process.Impressive Disney cultural envelope widening.
- DirectorBrad BirdJan PinkavaStarsBrad GarrettLou RomanoPatton OswaltA rat who can cook makes an unusual alliance with a young kitchen worker at a famous Paris restaurant.Solid Pixar offering.
- DirectorGraham AnnableAnthony StacchiStarsBen KingsleyJared HarrisNick FrostA young orphaned boy raised by underground cave-dwelling trash collectors tries to save his friends from an evil exterminator.More evidence of Laika as a serious force in animation.
- DirectorTomm MooreStarsDavid RawleBrendan GleesonLisa HanniganBen, a young Irish boy, and his little sister Saoirse, a girl who can turn into a seal, go on an adventure to free the fairies and save the spirit world.Beautifully animated Thom Moore quest tale rooted in Irish myth
- DirectorMakoto ShinkaiYoshio SuzukiStarsHidetaka YoshiokaMasato HagiwaraYuka NanriIn an alternate postwar timeline, Japan is divided into the Union-controlled North and the US-controlled South.Jaw dropping animation from Makoto Shinkai.
- DirectorTono ErrandoJavier MariscalFernando TruebaStarsEman Xor OñaLimara MenesesMario GuerraChico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and romantic desire unites them, but their journey - in the tradition of the Latin ballad, the bolero - brings heartache and torment.Got to love that soundtrack.
- DirectorHiromasa YonebayashiStarsBridgit MendlerAmy PoehlerWill ArnettThe Clock family are four-inch-tall people who live anonymously in another family's residence, borrowing simple items to make their home. Life changes for the Clocks when their teenage daughter Arrietty is discovered.Studio Ghibli take on the Borrowers.
- DirectorDean DeBloisChris SandersStarsJay BaruchelGerard ButlerChristopher Mintz-PlasseA hapless young Viking who aspires to hunt dragons becomes the unlikely friend of a young dragon himself, and learns there may be more to the creatures than he assumed.Proper fun.
- DirectorLotte ReinigerCarl KochA handsome prince rides a flying horse to faraway lands and embarks on magical adventures, which include befriending a witch, meeting Aladdin, battling demons and falling in love with a princess.Not perhaps Lotte Reinieger's finest work, but her only feature film and animation's first full length feature.