The Best Stop Motion Movies

Ranker Film
Updated September 1, 2023 8.5K votes 1.3K voters 39.7K views
Over 1.3K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Stop Motion Movies
Voting Rules
Vote for your personal favorite Stop motion films, regardless of how popular or successful they were at the box office.

Stop motion movies are a genre of animation films, but instead of using drawings or computer generated imagery, objects are physically manipulated in small increments between frames, to simulate motion. This is most commonly down in claymation films. So, if you’re looking for the best stop motion movies to watch with your family (or, hey, maybe you just wanna watch a little stop motion on your own, we’re not here to judge!), this list has got you covered.

With stop motion titles ranging from James and the Giant Peach, to Chicken Run, to The Nightmare Before Christmas, this list has the greatest stop motion films ever made, ordered from best to worst. But you don’t have to take our word for it -- this list has been voted on by fans of stop motion movies, and you can vote too! If your fave stop motion flicks are low on the list, vote them up to move them higher -- and if you think any of the top films on this list aren’t deserving of their high positions, vote them down to move them outta the way.

But enough chit chat, if you’re looking for the best stop motion movies to watch, let this list guide your decision on where to start!

Stop motion movies have been directed by some pretty famous names, including Sam Raimi and Joe Dante.

Most divisive: Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey
Ranked by
  • Coraline
    1

    Coraline

    Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders
    501 votes
    • Released: 2009
    • Directed by: Henry Selick
    Coraline (voiced by Dakota Fanning) is a dark, stop-motion animated fantasy movie adapted from Neil Gaiman's celebrated novel. Coraline, an adventurous girl, discovers a secret door in her new home that leads to an alternate world mirroring her own life but seemingly perfect. However, this parallel reality harbors sinister secrets. The 'Other Mother' (Teri Hatcher), who rules this realm, tries to keep Coraline forever. Directed by Henry Selick, the film received critical acclaim for its unique animation style and compelling narrative. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2009.

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  • Fantastic Mr. Fox
    2

    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman
    396 votes
    • Released: 2009
    • Directed by: Wes Anderson
    In the animated film Fantastic Mr. Fox, Mr. Fox (George Clooney) lives an idyllic home life with Mrs. Fox (Meryl Streep) and their son, Ash (Jason Schwartzman). However, when Mr. Fox's sly nature drives him to raid the farms of three wealthy farmers, he jeopardizes not only his family but the entire animal community as well. Directed by Wes Anderson, this stop-motion comedy-drama is a captivating adaptation of Roald Dahl's children's novel. It was nominated for two Oscars including Best Animated Feature. The movie, known for its witty dialogues and rich visuals, is a delightful mix of humor and adventure.

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  • The Nightmare Before Christmas
    3

    The Nightmare Before Christmas

    Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara
    499 votes
    • Released: 1993
    • Directed by: Henry Selick
    In the hauntingly whimsical film, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jack Skellington (voiced by Chris Sarandon), the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, stumbles upon Christmas Town. Enchanted by its stark contrast to his eerie homeland, Jack decides to replicate Christmas in Halloween Town. But he struggles to grasp the true spirit of this holiday. Directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton, this stop-motion animated musical has won numerous awards for its unique blend of horror and holiday cheer. Sally (voiced by Catherine O'Hara), a rag doll smitten with Jack, adds a tender element to this dark yet enchanting tale.

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  • Kubo and the Two Strings
    4

    Kubo and the Two Strings

    Charlize Theron, Art Parkinson, Ralph Fiennes
    221 votes
    • Released: 2016
    • Directed by: Travis Knight
    Young Kubo's (Art Parkinson) peaceful existence comes crashing down when he accidentally summons a vengeful spirit from the past. Now on the run, Kubo joins forces with Monkey (Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Matthew McConaughey) to unlock a secret legacy. Armed with a magical instrument, Kubo must battle the Moon King (Ralph Fiennes) and other gods and monsters to save his family and solve the mystery of his fallen father, the greatest samurai warrior the world has ever known.

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  • Corpse Bride
    5

    Corpse Bride

    Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson
    344 votes
    • Released: 2005
    • Directed by: Tim Burton, Mike Johnson
    Set within the realm of the living and the dead, Corpse Bride is a stop-motion animated musical fantasy. The film revolves around Victor Van Dort (voiced by Johnny Depp), a young groom who mistakenly weds a deceased bride, Emily (Helena Bonham Carter), in the underworld. In this tangled tale, Victor must navigate his way between his betrothed, Victoria Everglot (Emily Watson), in the land of the living and his accidental wife in the afterlife. Noteworthy for its macabre and humorous narrative, Corpse Bride was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

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  • Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
    6

    Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

    Peter Sallis, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter
    254 votes
    • Released: 2005
    • Directed by: Nick Park, Steve Box
    In the delightful stop-motion animated film Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, Wallace (voiced by Peter Sallis) and his loyal dog, Gromit, run a humane pest control service. They are tasked with protecting the town's gigantic vegetables for the annual Giant Vegetable Competition. However, their mission takes a turn when they grapple with a monstrous rabbit. This charming comedy, directed by Nick Park and Steve Box, won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2005. Its unique blend of British humor, unforgettable characters, and inventive plot is sure to entertain viewers of all ages.