The magic of animated films. You feel it the moment you press play, your eyes widening as the first traces of the enchanted universe start unfolding on screen. Whether it’s a fantastical realm crafted by Pixar, a charming kingdom dreamt up by Disney, or a riveting adventure shaped by Dreamworks, you know you’re in for a special treat.
In truth, the allure of beautiful animation movies lies in their unique ability to transcend the constraints of reality. While live-action films offer a slice of life, often a mirror of our own world, animated films transport viewers to entirely new dimensions. Here, anything’s possible. Elephants can fly, toys can talk, and cars, well, they have a personality of their own.
But what is it about animation movies that makes them more appealing than live-action?
First off, animation opens up a world of unlimited possibilities. With no regard to physics or biology, it invites you to witness spectacular landscapes, gravity-defying stunts, and fantastical creatures only limited by the extent of the animator’s imagination.
Moreover, animation connects with audiences on a deeper level. It has the power to simplify complex ideas, making them more digestible and engaging. This way, animation films become a timeless source of enjoyment for viewers of all ages.
Most importantly, it’s the emotional connection that truly sets beautiful cartoons apart. Whether it’s the camaraderie between Woody and Buzz or the heartwarming tale of an ogre named Shrek, these stories tug at our heartstrings, resonating with us long after the credits roll.
Here is our list of 10 most beautiful animations:
10 – The Lion King
The Legendary Lion King is a 1994 American animation produced by Disney. The Lion King tells the story of Simba. A young lion who has to become a king, after his father Musafa leaves this world. Simba’s uncle Scar is the one that murdered Mufasa and manipulated Simba into believing that he was guilty for his father’s death. Simba leaves the realm feeling guilty, but he returns later on to fight against Scar’s tyranny.
09 – WALL-E
WALL-E is a 2008 American computer-animated comedy film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Disney. The story is focused on a robot named WALL-E, who is designed to clean up a deserted, waste-covered Earth, in the distant future. He falls in love with another robot called EVE and he follows her into outer space on an adventure that changes the destiny of robots and humans.
08 – The Boxtrolls
The Boxtrolls is a 2014 American 3D animation based on the novel Here Be Monsters by Alan Snow, produced by Laika. The film tells the story of Eggs, a human boy raised by trash-collecting trolls, as he attempts to save them from Archibald Snatcher, a pest exterminator. The story is very funny and different, suitable for children in particular.
07 – The Adventures of Prince Achmed
The Adventures of Prince Achmed is a 1926 German animated film by Lotte Reiniger. It is the oldest surviving animated feature film, so it is really worth watching. The Adventures of Prince Achmed features a silhouette animation technique invented by Reiniger, which involves manipulated cutouts made from cardboard and thin sheets of lead under a camera. The story is based on elements taken from the book One Thousand and One Nights.
06 – The LEGO Movie
The Lego Movie is a 2014 computer-animated comedy film produced by Warner Animation Group. Based on the Lego line of construction toys, the film tells the story of an ordinary Lego figure who has to save the universe from the tyrannical Lord Business, played by Will Ferrell, as he gains different allies along the way.
05 – Waltz with Bashir
Waltz with Bashir is a 2008 controversial Israeli animation war documentary film, which presents the story of a soldier from the 1982 Lebanon War. The film won a Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film, an NSFC Award for Best Film, a César Award for Best Foreign Film and an IDA Award for Feature Documentary, and it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and a BAFTA Award for Best Film, Interestingly, the film is officially banned in Lebanon.
04 – Tale of Princess Kaguya
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is based on a beautiful Japanese folktale called The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter. The film was very well received in Japan and abroad. It received critical acclaim and it was actually nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
03 – Fantastic Mr. Fox
Fantastic Mr. Fox is a 2009 American animation comedy based on a children’s novel. The film tells the story of a fox who steals food every night from three rich farmers. The farmers want to catch to fox and kill it, but there is where the real adventure begins. The film features the voices of famous actors such as George Clooney, Meryl Streep and Owen Wilson.
02 – Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole
Legend of the Guardians is a 2010 American-Australian 3D computer-animated film, based on the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series by Kathryn Lasky. The story focuses on a family of owls trying to protect the realm from evil and defend their people from their rivals–the Pure Ones. The film praised for the amazing visual effects.
01 – The Garden of Words
The Garden of Words is a 2013 Japanese anime drama, which focuses on the lives of Takao, an aspiring 15-year-old shoemaker, and Yukari, a mysterious 27-year-old woman he keeps meeting at Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden on rainy mornings. Shinkai wrote the story as a tale of “lonely sadness”, based on the meaning of the traditional Japanese word for “love”. The animation received multiple awards in Japan, but also abroad such as the Fantasia International Film Festival Award.
And so, we journey on, forever touched by the magic woven by beautiful animation. We’ve laughed, cried, and learned with these characters, marveling at the endless possibilities that animation movies present. They transcend the limitations of live-action, opening up infinite dimensions of creativity, emotion, and connection.
Sure, we love the grit and realism of live-action. But we adore animation for its boundless imagination, its profound emotional depth, and its extraordinary ability to make us feel like children again – wide-eyed, hopeful, and ready to believe in magic.
So, next time you’re browsing for something to watch, don’t overlook beautiful cartoons. You’re not just choosing a film. You’re choosing an adventure, a journey, an emotion, and a memory. Here’s to the countless worlds yet to be discovered in the realm of animation.