The Best Animated Films Ever

Over 58.5K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Animated Films Ever
Voting Rules
Vote up your favorite cartoon and CGI animated movies, including shorts.
Latest additions: Metalocalypse: The Army of the Doomstar, Babylon 5: The Road Home, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Most divisive: Despicable Me

The best animated movies of all time are an assortment of animated movies that rank among the best movies Hollywood ever made. While the characters might be brightly colored and possess abilities most real people could only wish to ever have, the stories and imagery speak to everyone and have set these movies up to become the best animated films ever. You'll quickly find  that this is far more than just a top 10 best cartoon movie list. It takes into account the best cartoon movies that have been ranked by your votes.

Far from simply being movie versions of cartoons, these are movies with some of the best characters, most compelling stories, and some of the overall most memorable movies in the history of cinema. With great animated movies, the sky's the limit (literally, for characters in movies like The Incredibles and WALL-E) for the story being told. Many of these top animated and cartoon movies are a funny comedy with a message (like Toy Story). Others are not the funniest animated movies but can be considered heartbreaking dramas (like The Lion King). There's no story that can't be told through these amazing and popular animated films.

What are the best animated movies ever? What makes one animated film better than another? What is the greatest animated film? There are many varied answers to what makes good animated movies (story, characters, adventure, animation style), but there's no question that these are the best animated movies ever made. If you see your favorite animated movie on the list, make sure to vote it up this list of the greatest animated films so that it might become someone else's favorite animated film someday.

Not all animated films are for kids, but if you are looking for some more animated and live-action kid friendly fare, check out the best movies for children.

Ranked by
  • The Lion King
    1
    21,858 votes
    • Actors: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones, Madge Sinclair, Moira Kelly
    • Directed by: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff

    A young lion prince embarks on an extraordinary journey after his father, the king, is tragically killed. As he faces treachery and betrayal, he learns invaluable life lessons about responsibility, love, and the circle of life. A tale of self-discovery and redemption, this movie is a captivating spectacle filled with breathtaking animation and memorable music.

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  • Monsters, Inc.
    2
    15,275 votes
    • Actors: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Mary Gibbs, Steve Buscemi, James Coburn
    • Directed by: Pete Docter

    In this brilliant tale of friendship and adventure, two monstrous pals work together to navigate the wild world of child-scare energy production. However, their lives are turned upside down when an unexpected human visitor infiltrates their world and touches their hearts. This movie is a relatable, heartfelt story that demonstrates the importance of overcoming fear and the power of friendship.

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  • Up
    3
    2009
    16,697 votes
    • Actors: Ed Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai, Bob Peterson, Delroy Lindo
    • Directed by: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson

    An elderly widower embarks on the adventure of a lifetime, proving that it's never too late to chase your dreams. With an earnest and plucky young companion by his side, our hero sets out to fulfill a lifelong promise to his late wife. Through heartwarming bonds and gravity-defying escapades, this tale teaches us the importance of living life to the fullest and cherishing the memories we make along the way.

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  • Toy Story
    4
    18,309 votes
    • Actors: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn
    • Directed by: John Lasseter

    Delight in the secret world of sentient toys who come to life when no humans are around. When a shiny new action figure joins the crew, jealousy sparks an unlikely friendship between the toy room's top dog and the fresh-faced newcomer. This heartwarming, hilarious, and sometimes poignant film explores themes of loyalty, bravery, and the true meaning of friendship.

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  • The Incredibles
    5
    16,939 votes
    • Actors: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Jason Lee, Wallace Shawn
    • Directed by: Brad Bird

    A family of undercover superheroes balance domestic life with their duty to save the world from imminent danger. As they juggle parental responsibilities, marital strife, and teenage angst, they must also use their incredible powers to rise up against a villainous foe. A delightful blend of action-packed adventure, laugh-out-loud humor, and heartwarming family dynamics make this film an instant classic.

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  • Finding Nemo
    6
    16,032 votes
    • Actors: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe, Brad Garrett
    • Directed by: Andrew Stanton

    Embark on an extraordinary underwater journey with a lovable, overprotective clownfish father in search of his lost son. Joined by a hilariously forgetful companion, they navigate treacherous waters, face curious creatures, and form unbreakable bonds in this visually stunning and heartfelt adventure, teaching us about the love between a parent and child.

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