10 Greatest Animated Movie Masterpieces of the Last 100 Years, Ranked

9 hours ago 3

Miles Morales floating in Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse while the world is upside down.

Lucas Kloberdanz-Dyck is a writer for Collider. He grew up creating lists, stories, and worlds, which led to his love of anime and video games. He attended Sheridan College where he earned an Honours Bachelor of Game Design. Lucas and his group won 1st place for technical innovation at LevelUp Toronto 2023, and he was also an intern for the Oakville Film Festival of Arts.

Animation is one of the fastest growing mediums of all time, evolving from a kid's platform to adult-oriented content, and now striking a healthy balance where all ages can enjoy it. From modern classics such as KPop Demon Hunters and timeless masterpieces including Pinocchio, this medium offers a plethora of strikingly beautiful works that have drastically changed over the past century.

Since animation can be consumed by all ages, now is the perfect time to reflect on the past 100 years of animation and break down ten masterpieces. Based on aspects such as animation quality, innovation, originality, story, writing, creativity, influence, popularity, critical acclaim, fan opinion, and overall quality, these ten movies are must-watch for connoisseurs and the general audience alike.

10 'Perfect Blue' (1997)

Mima lying on a bed of toys in Perfect Blue

Satoshi Kon is one of the most prolific and influential anime directors of all time, so it is only right that his magnum opus makes this list. Perfect Blue shows the dark side of the Japanese entertainment industry, following an idol singer who leaves her group to pursue acting. However, when her former idol group excels without her, and her acting career starts off slowly, she can't tell the difference between reality and fantasy.

Most of the films on this list are family-friendly, but the one mature movie on this list is Perfect Blue, and it is too good to leave out. This anime film has influenced many animation projects and live-action films, most famously Black Swan. Other than that, it is widely acclaimed for its story, mind-bending visuals, and distinct style, being one of the greatest written anime films ever. Overall, Perfect Blue is a flawless anime film that is perfect for a mature audience.

9 'Bambi' (1942)

Bambi and his mother chomp on a small patch of grass amid an snowy, wintery landscape in 'Bambi' (1942).

The rest of the movies on this list are more family-friendly, but that doesn't mean they can't traumatize an entire generation of fans, and that is exactly what Bambi did. The titular young deer loves exploring the forest with his friends, but there are some dangers lying in wait. When tragedy strikes, Bambi learns about the tragedy and beauty of life along his journey to adulthood.

Back then, animation used to have lush and busy backgrounds, but Bambi opted for a minimalist aesthetic that revolutionized the genre, creating a visually striking movie that plays into the film's themes. Bambi also had an effect on humanity, which now cared more for cute animals, which just adds another point to its legacy. From its masterclass on grief and life lessons, this film is the definition of a classic.

8 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse' (2018)

This list features a handful of modern animated films, but the most recent one is Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which came out in 2018. Miles Morales is just a normal kid, that is, until he becomes the new Spider-Man of his world. However, when Spider-People from alternate dimensions crowd his Earth, they need to team up to find a way to get them back to where they came from.

Proving that animation can be fresh, new, and original in recent years, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse kicked off the reinvigorated popularity of the genre this decade. The art and animation in this list is jaw-dropping and absolutely stunning, creating a strikingly gorgeous film that leans into its comic book nature. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is the greatest animated superhero film, and the only movies that have a chance at dethroning it are its sequels.

7 'Shrek' (2001)

Disney was known as the king of animation for decades, and while that still mostly holds true, some wanted something new, and that is how Shrek came about. Spitting in the face of Disney's typical format, this movie follows a disgruntled ogre annoyed that mystical beings are moving into his swamp. This prompts him to set out on a journey to deliver the princess to the king and get him to relocate these creatures.

Shrek is a masterpiece of subversion, taking established tropes and casting them aside, which creates a parody that can stand on its own as an excellent film. The movie is a bit heavy-handed on the references and appeal of the 2000s, but that only makes it a staple of that decade, which has remained popular and culturally relevant. Shrek has plenty of memorable moments and funny writing, and a satirical story that anyone can enjoy.

6 'Spirited Away' (2001)

Chihiro holding into Haku as he flies above the river in Spirited Away.

Fans can expect a few anime films on this list, as evident with Perfect Blue, but no animation list would be complete without a Studio Ghibli film, and Spirited Away is arguably the best. When a family moves to a new house, the parents fall victim to a curse, prompting the daughter, Chiyo, to embark on an adventure into a resort for supernatural beings in hopes of finding a cure.

Spirited Away is one of the greatest anime films of all time, and one of the few to win an Oscar. The story isn't anything too special, but it features essential themes and an adventurous plot that is touching and relatable to all ages. Spirited Away is a masterclass of hand-drawn animation, creating a stellar atmosphere with flawless art that is detailed and downright stunning.

5 'The Lion King' (1994)

Simba and Nala from the ending of The Lion King (1994).

As mentioned, Disney is the main producer of high-quality animation, and one of their most popular films is The Lion King. Simba is the prince of the land, but when his uncle usurps control over his father, Simba leaves on a journey. However, he returns to his rightful land as an adult, determined to take back what was his and avenge his father.

The modern interpretations aren't fantastic, but that only speaks to how good the original was, truly being ahead of its time in terms of art, animation, storytelling, and popularity. Even though it has a story similar to other films, it reinterprets it for a modern audience, and evidently it resonated more. Even though it is animated, fans can feel the cinematography in The Lion King and the creative freedom that resulted in an unforgettable masterpiece.

4 'Akira' (1988)

This list mentioned earlier that there is only one mature film here, but that is not true, as the second is yet another anime film, and the final one on this list is Akira. Set decades after a nuke decimated Tokyo, the remnants of humanity fight for power. However, when Shotaro's friend disappears and returns with psychic powers, a struggle begins that threatens to end the world again.

For years, Western fans always thought of anime as a child's medium, and it wasn't until Akira that they truly realized that anime could be masterpieces for all ages. The film is absolutely gorgeous, with detailed art and fantastic animation. However, it isn't just visually perfect; Akira is a masterpiece of storytelling as well, creating a dark narrative that was unpredictable and influential.

3 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' (1937)

Snow White sings to a blue bird that is sitting on her finger in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

As this list covers a century of animated perfection, there are bound to be some classic titles, and the oldest is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The wicked queen is jealous of Snow White's beauty, and therefore orders her murder. Despite surviving, Snow White falls into a deep sleep that can only be awoken by a kiss from a prince.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was Disney's first feature-length animated film, and the rest is history. It revolutionized animation in art, story, popularity, critical acclaim, and originality. This film was a marvel in technical innovation, giving the animation a more authentic feel through rotoscoping and detailed art. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs redefined animation, arguably making it the most important and essential animated film.

2 'Toy Story' (1995)

Pixar is arguably the greatest animation studio of all time, so, naturally, they would have at least one film on this list. Toy Story was their first film, and probably their best, spawning a trilogy that has gone down in history. Woody is Andy's favorite toy, and Buzz is his new and improved toy, starting a conflict between the two. When they are both lost when Andy moves, the two must work together to get back to him.

The fourth movie was good but unnecessary, leaving many fans uncertain about Toy Story 5. However, no sequel, no matter how bad, will ruin the legacy of the first Toy Story. Animation was always a 2D medium, but Toy Story revolutionized the scene with its 3D animation, which was both innovative and visually striking. This film changed the medium for good, and its trilogy is just as perfect, proving to be a storytelling masterpiece.

1 'Beauty and the Beast' (1991)

Belle and the Beast dance in the ballroom in 'Beauty and the Beast.'

There are plenty of worthwhile animated films on this list, and many that didn't make the cut, but the final masterpiece featured is Beauty and the Beast. Transformed into a monster by an enchantress, the selfish prince can only reverse the curse by earning the love of a girl named Belle.

Beauty and the Beast is a prestigious and critically acclaimed animated film that was the first to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. It took technical risks, utilizing CGI for the first time to create an engrossing and unforgettable moment in cinematic history. Beauty and the Beast also excels with its characters, creating a complex heroine who is relatable and well-written, alongside the beast portrayed as human, creating an emotional weight.