Time and time again, animation proves to be one of our most valuable mediums. It serves as a vehicle to make complicated themes and ideas accessible while pushing the limits of what is achievable on camera. I would argue that some of the best films ever made are animated.
Earlier this month, we celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of The Iron Giant (1999), a film that, despite not being an initial box office hit, is now widely regarded as a landmark film in animation. As the movie industry progresses and we get more art than ever before, some truly great pieces of work get buried or lost to audiences. Some receive immense critical acclaim and financial success but are overshadowed by larger properties. Some are misunderstood upon release. Last, there’s the classic case of the film not being promoted well. There are a multitude of animated gems waiting to be discovered.
Here are sixteen underrated animated gems that you should add to your watchlist.
16. Nimona (2023)
I may be cheating by including Netflix’s Nimona on this list as it only came out last year, but this movie flew under the radar for many people even though it managed to secure an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. Based on the graphic novel, Nimona showcases landmark LGBTQ+ representation in a time where studios pat themselves on the back for queer characters that have less than five minutes of screen time. Additionally, it drops viewers into a wholly unique fantasy world and boasts stellar voice work from the likes of Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, and Chloë Grace Moretz as the titular Nimona.
15. The Sea Beast (2022)
The Sea Beast, a film that tackles the implications that come when government leaders attempt to rewrite history to fit our own needs, is an accessible and powerful investigation of this moment in our political landscape. The film also integrates themes of colonialism, prejudice, and chosen family. It drowned a little bit in the massive pool of Netflix content, but The Sea Beast proves animation’s value as a vehicle to unpack complex issues universally.
14. Wolfwalkers (2020)
One of many films that fell prey to the COVID-19 pandemic and got dumped on streaming platforms without much fanfare, Wolfwalkers is a magical, heartfelt feat of filmmaking. From the Academy Award-nominated director of The Secret of Kells (2009) and Song of the Sea (2015), the film focuses on respecting the natural world and celebrates coexistence.
13. Raya and the Last Dragon (2021)
Disney released two animated features in 2021, and they’re both terrific entries into the studio’s animation roster. Yet, Raya and the Last Dragon was largely overshadowed by Disney’s later release Encanto (2021). It’s a shame because Raya is a stunning, high-fantasy adventure film steeped in Southeast Asian cultural influences and brimming with maturity. Kelly Marie Tran delivers one of the more memorable Disney Princess performances and is backed by a vibrant cast of characters.
12. A Bug’s Life (1998)
Pixar’s second feature film was, by all accounts, a success. However, when discussing the highlights of the studio’s legacy, A Bug’s Life often finds itself lost in the shuffle. At its core, A Bug’s Life is an anti-capitalist, pro-union joyride that unabashedly celebrates outcasts rising up against their oppressor. It would be easy to dismiss this as Seven Samurai (1954) with bugs (which only enhances its brilliance in my eyes), but A Bug’s Life explores timely, prescient themes through Pixar’s signature wit and style and deserves to be held in a similar regard with the studio’s heavy hitters.
11. 9 (2009)
9 isn’t a perfect film, but it is the perfect example of animation being a medium, not a genre. The film takes place in a post-apocalyptic world devoid of humans. 9, a sentient ragdoll, leads others like him to rise up against machines bent on their extinction. 9 embraces its PG-13 rating with a dark tone accompanied by deaths galore. Shane Acker showed the potential for animated films in a way that we still don’t see often in modern cinema.
10. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
It almost feels silly to include a Hayao Miyazaki film on this list given his prolific track record, yet, when discussions arise over Miyazaki’s body of work, I’ve found that a young witch and her small business often get overshadowed by fantasy behemoths like Spirited Away (2001) or Howl’s Moving Castle (2004). Kiki’s Delivery Service is much quieter and smaller in scope, but Miyazaki weaves a delightful story about found family, coming of age, and agency. Kiki herself is such a well-rounded female character—messy, confident, and figuring it out as she goes. The supporting cast is colorful and quirky. It’s time more respect was put on Kiki’s name.
9. The Brave Little Toaster (1987)
Long before Toy Story (1995) asked “What if our toys were alive?”, The Brave Little Toaster anthropomorphized common home appliances. Based on a children’s book by Thomas M. Disch, the movie follows a ragtag group of appliances patiently awaiting their Master to return to his family cabin. It handles similar themes to the Toy Story franchise but in a much darker way.
8. The Prince of Egypt (1998)
A sweeping, historical epic with a soundtrack to match its scale, The Prince of Egypt was, on paper, a success at the time. However, the fervor has softened as the years pass. Yet, when you mention this film, audiences light up as they recall the haunting imagery, the gorgeous songs, and the moving story at the film’s center. It takes a familiar tale that we’ve seen committed to film time and time again and reshapes it into something undeniable, unforgettable, and wholly unique.
7. A Goofy Movie (1995)
A musical road trip movie about Goofy and his son probably doesn’t immediately jump to mind when the Disney Renaissance or even Walt Disney Animation at large is mentioned. It absolutely should though! A Goofy Movie is a heartfelt story about fathers and sons and how growing up comes with letting go. Goofy’s slapstick antics never feel cumbersome and, despite the perpetual angst, Max is an enjoyable character to follow. It’s a delight to see a character used primarily for comedic relief be fleshed out this way. If nothing else, you should tune in for the music; A Goofy Movie is one of the best Disney soundtracks ever.
6. The Lion King ½ (2004)
In the way that The Lion King (1994) drew inspiration from Hamlet, this direct-to-video gem turns to Tom Stoppard’s play Rosencratz and Guildenstern Are Dead for inspiration and retells an iconic story from the perspective of supporting characters. The film, which follows the original story of The Lion King but through Timon and Pumbaa’s eyes, earnestly winks at the audience as it takes iconic scenes from The Lion King and tilts the camera ever so slightly to deliver behind-the-scenes hijinks that feel connected to the comedic spirit of its predecessor. Infectious earworms (Diggah Tunnah, anyone?) and the return of Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella elevate The Lion King ½ above its fellow direct-to-video Disney sequels.
5. My Life as a Zucchini (2016)
It is almost jarring just how straightforward My Life as a Zucchini approaches its themes. Despite its bright color palette and quirky character design, we watch these characters navigate death, abuse, and grief head on. In doing so, the film allows glimmers of light to shine even brighter, culminating in a healing story about redemption and restarting.
4. The Breadwinner (2017)
The Breadwinner is probably the heaviest film on this list. It tells the story of a young girl in Afghanistan who must disguise herself as a boy to provide for her family under Taliban rule. It’s tense and hard to watch at moments, but it demands you not look away. What’s most impressive is how The Breadwinner manages to weave the devastation and hope into one coherent and beautiful story that will stay with you for years.
3. Teen Titans GO! To the Movies (2018)
In a post-Endgame (2019) world, the Teen Titans’ theatrical endeavor feels timelier than ever. It employs sharp meta humor in a similar vein to The Lego Movie (2014), satirizing the superhero movie phenomenon in a smart and silly way. What’s most impressive, though, is that the comedy never bogs down the emotional core or overshadows our characters. This is a rare DC gem that features perhaps one of the best superhero movie cameos of all time.
2. ParaNorman (2012)
A stop-motion zombie film sounds like a tough sell, but ParaNorman brilliantly rises to the occasion. On the surface, it’s a simple story about a young boy who can communicate with the dead. But when you start digging, you find a story about alienation, bigotry, and willful ignorance. There are zombies and witches and paranormal occurrences, but the real horrors are what happens when we meet the moment with vitriol over compassion. Through a beautiful marriage of horror and comedy, Chris Butler and Sam Fell draft a love letter to the outcasts and anyone who has been misunderstood. This feels fitting since this movie was overlooked at the Oscars in favor of Brave (2012), one of Pixar’s more traditional albeit weaker entries.
1. Cats Don’t Dance (1997)
Before Zootopia (2016), there was Cats Don’t Dance. In an alternate version of 1930s Hollywood where humans and anthropomorphic animals coexist, a scrappy cat must overcome an oppressive studio system and the secretly sinister Darla Dimple to become a movie star. Through a blend of infectious musical numbers and thoughtful social commentary, Cats Don’t Dance simultaneously acts as a loving homage and smart critique of Hollywood. Thanks to an utter lack of promotion it floundered in theaters and was ultimately lost to time; however, Mark Dindal created a joyous film that champions inclusivity that resonates with children and adults alike. Also…this was the final film Gene Kelly worked on.
List Courtesy of Adam Patla
Image Credit to Warner Bros. Animation via IMDB