10. How to Train Your Dragon (PG, 2010) {In depth review}
The first film on this countdown and the most recent, Dreamwork’s surprise hit was genuinely funny, startlingly heartfelt, and beautifully animated.
Based on the book by Cressida Cowell, the film tells the story of young Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel), the kindhearted son of a Viking chief who dreams of joining the ranks of great Dragon-killers. But when Hiccup befriends a dragon he learns the true nature of the “beasts” that plague his island village.
The most striking aspect of How to Train Your Dragon, beyond its exceptional animation and thrilling story, is the pitch-perfect balance it strikes between sincerity and sardonic humor. Its well-crafted characters are instantly engaging, very funny, and warm from the outset. How to Train Your Dragon is sure to become an enduring family film.
9. Aladdin (G, 1992)
The third film released during Disney Animation Studio’s renaissance period of the 1990s, Aladdin boasted stunning animation, memorable characters, and an exquisite soundtrack.
One of the most adventurous stories in the Disney canon, Aladdin follows a poor young man living on the streets of Agrabah who finds himself by a twist of fate in possession of a magical lamp. With the help of the
lamp’s Genie (voiced by Robin Williams), his faithful capuchin Abu, and a magical flying carpet, Aladdin woos the princess of Agrabah and battles the Sultan’s villainous Vizier, Jafar.
While almost every character in Aladdin is memorable and endearing in their own right, William’s irreverent performance as the bombastic Genie elevated the film’s humor to a level that could be enjoyed by both adults and children. With its near-classic story and charming performances, Aladdin stands out amongst Disney’s very impressive collection of films.
8. The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG, 1993)
The next film on this countdown took a radically different aesthetic approach than the previous two films. Tim Burton’s vision of a ghoulish Halloweentown and its demented denizens was the first full-length stop-motion film in history.
Burton’s musical adventure details the exploits of Jack Skellington, the King of Halloweentown, who, tiring of “the sound of screams,” discovers Christmastown and attempts to give this world his version of Christmas.
A stunningly animated film, The Nightmare Before Christmas was set against vividly gothic backdrops, making the grotesque and ghastly beautiful. Also lending his talent (both in voice and composition) to the film was venerable composer Danny Elfman, who provided the film with a jaunty and suitably haunting soundtrack.
7. Ratatouille (G, 2007)
Pixar studio’s eighth consecutive commercial and critical success, Ratatouille was an inventive and heartwarming tale, brimming with humor, wit, and lovable performances.
The story focused on Remy, an adorable French rat with culinary aspirations, who befriends Linguini, a young busboy, and strives to achieve his dream of becoming a chef in a prestigious Paris restaurant.
Precious few animated films are as richly animated or feature the heart apparent in Ratatouille. Its plot and script (true to Pixar’s idiosyncratic track record) are simultaneously unconventional and yet familiar, but what really set the film apart and secured its placement on this list was its extraordinary warmth and attention to details that make the film’s unlikely hero instantly charming and relatable to both the young and the young-at-heart. A sweet, exceptional film.
6. Toy Story (G, 1995)
While Ratatouille was one of Pixar’s most engaging offerings, it was the studio’s first full-length feature that rejuvenated and revolutionized the animated film industry.
Utterly original and yet grounded on universal themes, Toy Story followed a group of children’s toys led by Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), an old-fashioned cowboy toy, who deals with the arrival of space ranger action figure Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen).
Pixar Animation Studios has built its reputation since Toy Story on producing unexpected and one-of-a-kind films that connect with audiences on an elemental level. The studio’s only series to date, Toy Story illustrated how Pixar has pushed the boundaries of computer animation with every successive film it has produced. More importantly, the studio has placed uncommon emphasis on character development and story while impressing audiences with new visual achievement. Toy Story revealed to audiences the untapped potential of CGI while introducing characters so iconic they warranted two of the best film sequels ever produced.
Five down, five to go. To find out which films topped the list, click HERE. (Coming Soon)
Had enough of the best animated films? How about The Top Ten Films of the Decade or The Ten Best ‘Get Even’ Films or The Ten Best Comedies Of All Time.
Enough of the best, about some of the worst? Check out The Ten Worst Films of the Decade.
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