What do sentient toys, singing lions, a dimension-swinging teenager, and two young siblings struggling to survive wartime Japan have in common? They’re each the subjects of some of the highest-rated animated films of all time.
Yet, as any fan of the medium can tell you, animation has been snubbed by The Academy, underestimated by media critics, and treated as kids’ fare since the mid-twentieth century. Even so, the artistry in these movies has not gone entirely underappreciated. Whether it’s a trash robot seeking love or a young boy connecting with his late great-great-grandfather’s ghost, animated films have easily touched the hearts of young and old viewers, with many ranking among Hollywood’s best live-action flicks.
Here’s a countdown of the top 10 highest-rated animated films ever, according to the movie-lovers over on IMDb.
1. Spirited Away (2001)
Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away is famous for being the first (and so far, only) hand-drawn, non-English-language film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, which was absolutely deserved. The story follows Chihiro, a young girl who finds herself trapped in a surreal spirit world where she is forced to work at a mystical bathhouse to help save her parents, who have been turned into pigs. Along the way, she makes some quirky friends and grows from a fearful, spoiled child into a brave and independent girl. Every frame feels like a painting, and every moment is drenched in wonder, making it no surprise that this movie ranks No. 1.
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Watch the trailer here.
2. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)
This highly anticipated addition to the Spider-Verse franchise went bigger, weirder, and even more jaw-droppingly beautiful in its animation. Across the Spider-Verse depicts Miles Morales’ journey through multiverse madness, delivering heart and humor at each turn, and introducing a cluster of new Spider-People. The film is a wonder visually, featuring six different animation styles, each tailored to match the vibe of the world Miles visits. This film definitely deserves high praise, especially for its art direction.
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Watch the trailer here.
3. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
If you thought animated films couldn’t break your heart into a thousand tiny pieces … welcome to Grave of the Fireflies. Sometimes decried as a movie you’ll never want to rewatch, this superb World War II drama follows siblings Seita and Setsuko as they try to survive amidst the devastation. Studio Ghibli can certainly churn out some tear-jerkers, but most will agree that this masterpiece’s ending will require keeping more than a couple tissues on hand.
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Watch the trailer here.
4. The Lion King (1994)
Most Millennials probably have a memory of being traumatized by Mufasa’s death as a kid, which might be why it made such an impact! Disney’s The Lion King roared into theaters with unforgettable songs, Shakespearean drama (it’s literally Hamlet with lions), and of course, one of cinema’s most traumatic character deaths. To make the characters’ movements more realistic, the animators even studied real lions brought into the office, resulting in gorgeous animation that still holds up flawlessly — no word on whether the lions were asked to sing.
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Watch the trailer here.
5. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
The film that swung in and shook up animation as a medium, Into the Spider-Verse, introduced the silver screen to Miles Morales, a modern and fresh iteration of the beloved Marvel superhero. The film blew viewers away with its comic-book-like visuals, which they achieved by intentionally reducing the frame rate on certain characters. The choppier, more stylized animation was a breath of fresh air to the by-then tired and formulaic live-action Marvel universe, and earned the movie a place among animation royalty like Pixar and Studio Ghibli.
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Watch the trailer here.
6. Your Name (2016)
Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name is a body-swapping romance that blends comedy and drama with a dash of fate. The film follows two teens who keep waking up in one another’s bodies, prompting them to figure out what the cosmic powers that be are trying to tell them. The animation is jaw-droppingly detailed, and at its release, it became the highest-grossing anime movie worldwide, overtaking Spirited Away’s global record.
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Watch the trailer here.
7. Coco (2017)
Pixar’s Coco took the concept of death and turned it into a movie that made the topic approachable for kids without losing its gravity while also maintaining some levity. A difficult tight-rope to walk for sure! It’s a vibrant celebration of family, music, and remembering those who came before us, while also providing a feast for the eyes and ears.
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Watch the trailer here.
8. WALL-E (2008)
Who’d have thought a movie could get away with a nearly dialogue-free first act? WALL-E is a sci-fi environmental cautionary tale, and adorable beep-boop romance all rolled into one. Though his lines are limited mostly to his own name (and that of his robotic paramour), WALL-E managed to charm his way into viewers’ hearts with his big, sad eyes and innocent curiosity.
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Watch the trailer here.
9. Toy Story (1995)
The one that started it all, Toy Story, was not only Pixar’s first feature but also the first entirely computer-animated film ever. Sentient toys Woody and Buzz Lightyear’s journey to return to their beloved Andy resonated with viewers, earning the movie multiple sequels and television and film spin-offs.
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Watch the trailer here.
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10. Up (2009)
The first four minutes of Pixar’s Up prove that you don’t need the length of a feature film to make your audience invested. This heartbreaking, poignant tale is somehow also a whimsical adventure that explores grief, friendship, and the viability of turning your house into an airship via thousands of balloons.
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Watch the trailer here.
From hand-painted Japanese masterpieces to multiverse-shattering comic book spectacles, these films prove that animation is a limitless storytelling medium. Whether you’re here for the laughs, the tears, or the perfectly rendered anthropomorphic animals, the films on this list made a cultural impact (as well as contributed to Kleenex sales).
See also:
- The 10 Highest-Grossing Japanese Anime Films of all Time (Plus Fun Facts About Each!)
- A Complete Guide to the DC Animated Universe
- The Top 50 Highest-Grossing Superhero Movies of All Time Ranked by Their Rotten Tomatoes Score
- The 10 Best Netflix Movies of All Time, According to Audiences
Featured image photo credit: Pixar Animation Studios
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