The animated film genre was effectively launched in 1937. While there were feature-length animated films released before
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, it was this first Disney Classic that properly launched the genre to the Western world. The first princess and her seven short cohorts proved that legendary animator Walt Disney could sell a full-length animated film to the masses and he never looked back. In more recent times animation houses like Pixar, Dreamworks and the Japanese masters at Studio Ghibli have pushed the animated film to rival anything that live action has to offer… and sometimes more.
10. The Triplets of Belleville (2003)
Sylvain Chomet’s first feature-length animated film proves to be one of not only his best, but one of the finest, for-adults-only animated films of all time. His unique animation style, combined with a ripplingly witty and subversive script and a host of memorable characters and scenes places The Triplets of Belleville in the upper echelons of animated films alongside anything from Disney, Pixar or Studio Ghibli.
9. The Jungle Book (1967)
One of Disney’s most enduringly popular animated masterpieces, The Jungle Book remains one of the animated film companies most successful films. A sing-a-long classic soundtrack, combined with memorable and engaging characters makes this animated film based on Rudyard Kipling’s collection of stories one of the greatest animated films ever committed to celluloid.
8. Aladdin (1992)
Another entry from Walt Disney animated films,
Aladdin was one of the key films in the second golden age that was kick-started by
The Little Mermaid. It also marked one of the first examples of a-list actor casting with Robin Williams voicing the role of the genie and absolutely stealing the show. Combine the story of Aladdin with a memorable and superb soundtrack and
Aladdin stands alongside Beauty and the Beast,
The Jungle Bookand
The Lion King as one of the ‘Mouse House’s’ best offerings.
Toy Story 3 completes
Pixar’s first great series of stories and unlike so many others, each instalment builds on the previous work to create the single greatest trilogy of films. Every moment is deliberate and perfectly placed to create one of the best viewing experiences imaginable. More than anything the audience have grown to love the characters and this is our chance to say goodbye to Woody, Buzz and the gang and
Pixar send them out with the biggest bang possible. It is pure, unadulterated cinematic heaven.
Read the full review here…
In a story of deceit, jealously and death, Disney’s first attempt at the animated feature film is rather dark and ominous for children. Never the less
Snow White goes on to be one of the most successful American animated films ever produced. Using the good vs. evil concept, which they grow and integrate into all their ‘classic’ tales, they will always have a princess to save or a wicked women to stop. Good will ultimately conquer all.
Read the full review here…
WALL·
E is also no slouch in the social commentary stakes. The idea of a human race so obsessed with convenience and ease that they’ve come to resemble large babies is unique and completely believable. Then somewhere at the heart of the film is a little menial robot whom continues to work hard, interacts with anyone and ends up passively leading a revolution. It’s inspired, uplifting and an absolute joy in character development and story-telling.
Read the full review here…
4. Spirited Away (2001)
Hayao Miyazaki‘s most famous and best directorial and animated film to date, Spirited Away highlights everything that is wonderful and joyous about anime and Studio Ghibli. Drawing on elements from
My Neighbour Tortoro and
Princess Monoke,
Spirited Away is a beautiful and stunning masterpiece that will live long in the memories to those fortunate enough to have seen it.
A Tale as old as Time…Disney again catches the imagination of all children in the 1991 hit,
Beauty and The Beast. Mindful of its audience Disney creates another film with an important message. Looks are not the be all and end all, despite what many think. Disney jumps on the band wagon to teach children that to respect people of all backgrounds is a trait no one should grow up without; however recycled into a easily digestible formula. One that many will remember for the rest of their lives – relived through their own children’s childhood.
Read the full review here…
2. The Lion King (1994)
Smack in the middle of Disney’s second golden age, surrounded by other classics like
Aladdin and
Beauty and the Beast comes Disney’s most enduring masterpiece,
The Lion King. Telling the story of Simba,
The Lion King uses story devices from its finest works to create a veritable menagerie of life-lessons, catchy songs and hilarious side-characters. This is the epitome of Disney and the last great Western hand-drawn film since the advent of Pixar in all its glory and an animated film has never been better.
Toy Story represents film-making at its very best, with a cast and crew desperate to prove their quality in a market dominated by Disney’s hand-drawn animation,
Pixar paved the way for the majority of future animated films. Future animations like
How to Train Your Dragon,
Megamind and
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs all owe a debt of gratitude to
Lasseter and Pixar and more importantly so do countless thousands of children, whose upbringings were influenced and shaped by Woody, Buzz and the gang. It goes to show that we’ve all got a friend in
Toy Story. Comfortably the best animated film of all time.
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