In the past, the target audience of animated stories was children because adults didn’t find them appealing. However, there have been releases that have attracted viewers of all ages.
Films such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Cinderella were a source of moral lessons and entertainment. There was a lack of multilayered characters in these films, but it changed with time.
This list mentions the best animated movies of all time in USA that you shouldn’t be missing out on. These old stories provide a gush of nostalgia to viewers, and the new ones come with a breath of fresh air.
Our list has animated films from all genres; even adults will love these!
1. The Boss Baby (2017)
Director: Tom McGrath
Writer: Michael McCullers, Marla Frazee
Cast: Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi, Jimmy Kimmel
IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
Despite the questionable premise, this story of a Boss Baby is among the best animated movies in USA of all time. There are two types of babies in this film, ones who go with their family and others who go into the corporate world. A baby with a hoarse Alec Baldwin voice behaving like an adult is top comedy for audiences.
This movie is a perfect choice for anyone wanting to enjoy a casual, comedic flick. It has several snarky, funny moments, and Boss Baby will never fail to make people laugh.
2. Mulan (1998)
Director: Tony Bancroft, Barry Cook
Writer: Robert D. San Souci, Rita Hsiao, Chris Sanders
Cast: Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
This movie is the ultimate symbol of women’s empowerment in its times. With her country on the verge of war, Mulan forces herself to become strong. She disguises herself as a man to join the army in her father’s place, thus finding herself in high-stakes situations. She immerses herself in the war-torn atmosphere and toughens up to protect her country. Mulan achieves extreme feats from the moment she chooses to take matters into her own hands.
3. Despicable Me (2010)
Director: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud
Writer: Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio, Sergio Pablos
Cast: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
The cute, wobbly, yellow characters will become everyone’s favorite in no time. Despicable Me and other minion movies are among the best-animated films of all time. The minion’s craze began immediately with this movie, and it is never going away. Despicable Me follows the story of a villain whose life changes after adopting three young girls. The audience can not stop themselves from gushing over this evil character as he slowly comes to terms with his soft side.
4. Moana (2016)
Director: Ron Clements, John Musker, Don Hall
Writer: Jared Bush, Ron Clements, John Musker
Cast: Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rachel House
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
This badass princess is a treasure to the animation movie industry. A Polynesian girl and demigod set out to save their precious, beautiful island. This lovely movie is full of lessons about hard work, dedication, bravery, and kindness. The audiovisual beauty of this animated work is outstanding, capturing the beauty of Polynesian islands. However, Moana is a different Disney princess; she willingly breaks the stereotypes to achieve a noble, higher goal.
5. Spirited Away
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Writer: Hayao Miyazaki
Cast: Mari Natsuki, Daveigh Chase, and Miyu Irino
IMDb Rating: 8.6/10
Young Chihiro and her parents make up a small and happy family until they stumble upon a seemingly normal yet abandoned amusement park. Before they realize what’s going on, Chihiro’s parents are converted into pigs, and the young girl is forced to work her way to her freedom.
6. Kung Fu Panda (2008)
Director: Mark Osborne, John Stevenson
Writer: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, Ethan Reiff
Cast: Jack Black, Ian McShane, Angelina Jolie
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
These animated movies dealt with the three pillars of Kung Fu: body, mind, and soul. The first movie deals with several crucial life concepts such as forgiveness, openness, and determination. Xiao Po, an optimistic panda who struggles with self-image issues, becomes a famous Kung Fu master. While it may seem like a typical “dork-turns-hero” movie, there are several things to unpack. Anyone who wants to see complex characters should watch the Kung Fu Panda movies.
7. The Jungle Book (1967)
Director: Wolfgang Reitherman
Writer: Larry Clemmons, Ralph Wright, Ken Anderson
Cast: Phil Harris, Sebastian Cabot, Louis Prima
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
It begins with Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves, and the harsh jungle life meeting a tiger. The tiger is a man-eater, so Mowgli’s wolf-family urges him to stay with the villagers instead of the jungle, thus creating a series of tumultuous events.
Disney released this glorious, evergreen movie ten months after Walt Disney’s death, with no idea that it would get super famous. The film gave life to the Rudyard Kipling book with its memorable characters and catchy songs.
8. Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Writer: Hayao Miyazaki
Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Phil Hartman, and Janeane Garofalo
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
A young witch, Kiki moves into a whole new town with only her cat Jiji as her companion. As she begins her witchcraft lessons, she realizes she’s pretty good at this. Once she gets a hold of the broomstick, she embarks on the business of a flying courier service.
9. The Lego Movie (2014)
Director: Christopher Miller, Phil Lord
Writer: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Dan Hageman
Cast: Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Legos are a part of everyone’s childhood, indicating their business is always soaring. Well, this movie tells the audience how the Legos feel about their ever-increasing popularity. The Legos do not like how their fame is expanding, and someone called Lord Business wants to take advantage of it. Emmet, an ordinary Lego with an ambitious attitude, decides to stop the cruel ways of Lord Business to save his Lego World.
10. Zootopia (2016)
Director: Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush
Writer: Byron Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush
Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
In simple words, this movie is about a countryside rabbit breaking stereotypes to find her place in the city. She comes from a small carrot farm and joins the police force, where they reckon she is only good as a meter maid. But our rabbit has high aspirations, which eventually land her in a mess, including a mafia boss, kidnapped victim, and an enemy-turned-friend. Despite its cartoony animation, this movie is for adults and kids alike.
It is unquestionably the most entertaining film of the year so far for viewers of all ages, and Zootopia is sure to delight audiences of all ages. I think it’s better than most movies involving comedy, including the Ice Age sequels, Bolt, the Hotel Transilvania series, and anything else that comes to mind, with the exception of another Zootopia movie.
11. Coraline (2009)
Director: Henry Selick
Writer: Henry Selick, Neil Gaiman
Cast: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, John Hodgman
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Children need entertainment and stimulation, without which they can get themselves into trouble. Coraline is one such curious kid who is bored with her life. Her parents are not adventurous, and all she does are the tiresome chores around the house. Then, one day, she finds a secret door inside her home, which leads her to a new world. Her life is now fun-filled, but something sinister is there, and Coraline must get to the bottom of this secret.
12. Coco (2017)
Director: Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina
Writer: Lee Unkrich, Jason Katz, Matthew Aldrich
Cast: Benjamin Bratt, Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Coco is proof that Pixar can handle topics like grief and loss with utmost finesse. It starts with a young boy who dreams of becoming a musician against all odds, one of them being his family’s ban on music. Unable to relate with his family, a frustrated Miguel finds the Land of the Dead.
In this colorful place, Miguel meets a trickster who becomes his friend, and together they begin exploring the world. The two friends must now find the secret behind the confusing family of Miguel.
13. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
Director: Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders
Writer: William Davies, Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders
Cast: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Christopher Mintz-Plasse
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Who knew Dragons behaved like cats, jumping around, sneaking, and purring occasionally? Nobody, until Hiccup, saved and made friends with a majestic dragon, Toothless. This story, which began from an unconventional friendship, gave rise to a saga of adventures. The HTTYD movies have garnered a mega fanbase over the years, thanks to their heartwarming characters. This movie trilogy is perfect for binge-watching as all three films are beautifully showcased to the audience.
14. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Director: William Cottrell, David Hand, Wilfred Jackson
Writer: Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm, Ted Sears
Cast: Adriana Caselotti, Harry Stockwell, Lucille La Verne
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
This movie was the first animated feature in media history, so its overwhelming popularity is unsurprising. The story of the first Disney princess begins when a beautiful girl runs away and finds refuge with seven dwarves. The forest animals love her, much like everyone else except her evil stepmother, who wants to destroy Snow White at all costs. This gateway horror film with Gothic representations gained heavy popularity, paving the way for other Disney princesses.
15. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
Director: Bill Melendez
Writer: Charles M. Schulz
Cast: Peter Robbins, Christopher Shea, Sally Dryer
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Despite being old, it is among the top animated movies of all time in USA, thanks to its innocent humor. The decision to make a movie from the comic strip – Peanuts was a great idea because people love this film even today.
This classic movie reminds people of the simple times when people of all ages appreciated the light and harmless jokes. This film is the perfect choice for adults to watch something fun with their children while remembering their childhood.
16. Madagascar (2005)
Director: Tom McGrath, Eric Darnell
Writer: Billy Frolick, Eric Darnell, Mark Burton
Cast: Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Ben Stiller
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Four spoiled animals from the New York Zoo escape, tracking their friend Marty. Marty wants to live like a free, wild animal, so he convinces his friends to give him a chance. Little do these caged animals know, nature is unfair, and they are unprepared. The animals try to live like wild animals, learning slowly but steadily. Soon, other wild animals join their journey, thus creating an adventurous story.
This movie about animals is perfect for kids, thanks to the funny characters and significant life lessons.
17. The Croods (2013)
Director: Chris Sanders, Kirk DeMicco
Writer: Kirk DeMicco, John Cleese, Chris Sanders
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Grug, the stone age man, has a restrictive mindset, and his family hates it. He uses the same tried-and-tested method for gathering food and surviving, which involves staying inside the cave most of the time. His defiant daughter disobeys his rules, goes outside, and meets a young boy. The boy, named Guy, embarks on a journey with the caveman family, ensuring a series of adventures.
This movie has several morals about openness and an innovative mindset, which can save us from adversity.
18. Bambi (1942)
Director: Samuel Armstrong, David Hand, James Algar
Writer: Perce Pearce, Larry Morey, Felix Salten
Cast: Hardie Albright, Bobette Audrey, Stan Alexander
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
The lovely story of this white-tailed deer has touched and scarred the hearts of many people. Bambi is the chosen future ruler of the forest, but he has a lot to learn, beginning from walking. The baby deer learns about friendship, love, and the importance of protecting his loved ones, sometimes the hard way. Bambi remains one of the best animated movies of all time in USA, thanks to the iconic paintings of Tyrus Wong.
19. Finding Nemo (2003)
Director: Lee Unkrich, Andrew Stanton
Writer: Bob Peterson, David Reynolds, Andrew Stanton
Cast: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Alexander Gould
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
If anyone has ever watched a nature documentary, they know that underwater life is unpredictable and harsh. Even though most animal parents leave their young ones to fend for themselves, Nemo’s father is overprotective. It only makes sense as Nemo is a highly impressionable fish who is curious about everything.
A worrisome adventure begins as Nemo’s father and a forgetful fish try to look for the lost child. This movie highlights the importance of independence despite the inevitable dangers of the world.
20. Shrek (2001)
Director: Vicky Jenson, Andrew Adamson
Writer: Ted Elliot, Terry Rossio, William Steig
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz
IMDb Rating: 7.9/10
Who knew a 1990 fairy tale picture book could give rise to the most iconic movie and meme of all time? Even though the plotline is similar to other fairy tales, the comedic timing and stellar animation of Shrek sets it apart.
Princess Fiona gets trapped with an evil lord, and the ogre, Shrek, must save her. He embarks on this noble journey with a funny donkey, adding a spark to the movie. There are dragons, jokes, high-stakes situations, and all other elements of an entertaining film.
21. The Little Mermaid (1989)
Director: John Musker, Ron Clements
Writer: Hans Christian Andersen, John Musker, Ron Clements
Cast: Samuel E. Wright, Rene Auberjonois, Jodi Benson
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Everyone has a conflict with their loved ones at some point, and many times, this conflict stems from love. The Little Mermaid is a story of a headstrong and naive individual who falls in love with a man, disappointing her father in the process. This movie showcases the tragedy and sacrifices of love which often get people in trouble. Adapted from the ancient, much darker original tale, Disney makes the story child-friendly.
22. Ratatouille (2007)
Director: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava
Writer: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava, Jim Capobianco
Cast: Brad Garrett, Lou Romano, Patton Oswalt
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Having rats inside a kitchen is a health code violation, but what if the rats can cook better than the chefs? The rats in this movie live in the kitchen for easy access to food, but one little member of the rat family has big dreams. He wants to become a chef like the humans working in the kitchen.
One day, he helps an innocent chef with a background of poverty, and a series of questionable events begin. This movie has a bittersweet ending with significant character arcs that fans will love.
23. WALL-E (2008)
Director: Andrew Stanton
Writer: Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter, Jim Reardon
Cast: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
The robots in this movie have emotions, fall in love, yearn for their loved ones, and deserve some appreciation. In the post-apocalyptic period, one waste-collecting robot invokes utter sympathy among audiences. He is wide-eyed, sad, and barely makes any noise. WALL-E embarks on a dangerous journey through space, which will decide humankind’s destiny. The robot can strike a chord with viewers despite the lack of words, an admirable feat in the animation industry.
24. Up! (2009)
Director: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson
Writer: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson, Tom McCarthy
Cast: Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, John Ratzenberger
IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
How many balloons would it take to fly a house, and why would anyone do it? Ask the 78-year-old Carl Fredricksen, who flew to Paradise Islands by tying balloons to his home. The man was eager to see the dream destination of his late wife, but there was a lot in store for him.
The film tells significant lessons about child neglect, loss, and the importance of adventure in life. The gut-wrenching animated movie in USA is watch-worthy for all ages.
25. The Incredibles (2004)
Director: Brad Bird
Writer: Brad Bird
Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson, Holly Hunter
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Superheroes need lives full of adventure, fun, and action, or their boredom gets the best of them. Forced to work a forlorn corporate job, Mr. Incredible is desperate for some action. Thanks to this desperate mental state, he gets lured into a trap, and his family must now save him. The mother and her two kids, also superheroes, spring into action to save Mr. Incredible, thus creating a story that everyone loves.
26. The Lion King (1994)
Director: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
Writer: Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, Linda Woolverton
Cast: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
The iconic story and deep, meaningful songs are the hallmarks of this movie. It is more than a story about an exiled lion prince taking back his rightful kingdom. This movie gives lessons about independence, strength, and friendship, which are significant for people of all ages. Every character in this film, including the villain, can entertain people and make them cry. This movie is the perfect choice for anyone who wants to reminisce about their childhood.
27. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Director: Henry Selick
Writer: Tim Burton, Michael McDowell, Caroline Thompson
Cast: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Tim Burton made this scary movie using stop motion animation for kids, and it is among the most horrific animated films. German expressionism coupled with songs by Danny Elfman can haunt audiences for years.
Jack Skellington trying to bring Christmas to his Halloween town is an excellent premise for a story. He gets so obsessed with Christmas that he kidnaps Santa Claus, causing havoc among people and delivering a few significant life lessons to viewers.
28. Dumbo (1941)
Director: Samuel Armstrong, Norman Ferguson, Wilfred Jackson
Writer: Joe Grant, Dick Huemer, Otto Englander
Cast: Sterling Holloway, Edward Brophy, Herman Bing
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Elephants naturally have big ears, but one baby elephant has ears so big that he can fly. The ability to fly is marvelous, but Dumbo does not realize it. However, Dumbo is bullied and ridiculed for having such big ears, which naturally makes him sad.
An unlikely friend, a mouse, approaches him and helps him gain confidence in his ability. Dumbo and his mouse friend help each other through different situations, thus playing excellent models of an ideal friendship.
29. The Iron Giant (1999)
Director: Brad Bird
Writer: Tim McCanlies, Brad Bird, Ted Hughes
Cast: Eli Marienthal, Harry Connick Jr, Jennifer Aniston
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
Nobody would want their friends to face mortal peril, but a young boy must deal with this horrific situation. He befriends an alien from outer space that resembles a robot, and things take a dark turn. The alien is kind and friendly, but a government agent still gets scared of him.
As a result of paranoia, the agent decides to eliminate the alien, causing turmoil to the kid and audience. Despite not gaining as much popularity as other movies, it is still among the best films in animation history.
30. Soul (2020)
Director: Pete Docter, Kemp Powers
Writer: Pete Docter, Mike Jones, Kemp Powers
Cast: Jamie Foxx, Tina Fey, Graham Norton
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Pixar has a movie for everything, and this one revolves around death, a topic less discussed in animated films. It starts with a musician struggling in his industry, forced to work a mediocre job.
One day, he gets an opportunity to shine, but a mishap leads him to a mysterious place called The Great Before. This place is full of infant souls, and one of them needs help. So the musician helps this troubled soul return to reality, learning an important life lesson in the process.
31. Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
Director: Rich Moore
Writer: Rich Moore, Phil Johnston, Jim Reardon
Cast: John C. Reilly, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
People hate villains everywhere, and nobody understands them or wants to be in their position. Ralph is a villain in an arcade game, forced to wreck things wherever he goes. But he does not wish to remain a villain any longer, so he decides to play the hero, breaking the whole arcade in the process.
Sometime during his journey, Ralph lets an evil character escape, one unlike him, a mega-villain. Follow his journey of self-discovery as he tries to make things right again with a trusted, cute little friend.
32. Sonic The Hedgehog (2020)
Director: Jeff Fowler
Writer: Pat Casey, Josh Miller
Cast: Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Jim Carrey
IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Sonic The Hedgehog, a famous gaming character, made it to the big screen, making fans happy. Sonic has superpowers that help him escape the evil interstellar forces, but that is not everything. Sonic needs some help hiding on the planet Earth because several entities are tracking him.
Watch the film to find out if the town Sheriff Tom Wachowski can help the blue hedgehog. This story about an animated hedgehog is among the best animated movies of all time in USA.
33. Inside Out (2015)
Director: Pete Docter, Ronnie Del Carmen
Writer: Pete Docter, Ronnie Del Carmen, Meg LeFauve
Cast: Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Lewis Black
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
The concept of mental health is still new in some parts of the world, so people struggle to manage it. Emotional regulation forms the backbone of mental health, but as everyone knows, managing emotions is tricky.
A young girl in this movie goes to San Francisco, bidding farewell to her midwestern lifestyle. However, the new environment makes her overwhelmed, due to which her emotions – Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness struggle to cope with the new environment.
34. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Director: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
Writer: Linda Woolverton, Brenda Chapman, Chris Sanders
Cast: Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson, Jesse Corti
IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
This movie had a live-action remake, but the charm of the original animated feature is amazing too. A young girl meets a beast and agrees to stay with him on one condition. She does not know that the beast is a cursed prince yearning to get his humanity back. The beast must make her fall in love with him to regain his humanity, and this premise creates the whole movie. Story aside, viewers still haven’t stopped fawning over Belle’s beautiful dress.
35. Pinocchio (1940)
Director: Norman Ferguson, T. Hee, Wilfred Jackson
Writer: Carlo Collodi, Ted Sears, Otto Englander
Cast: Dickie Jones, Christian Rub, Mel Blanc
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
The gift of humanity is sacred, and this story will make people understand the reason behind it. Humans are brave, compassionate, and truthful, according to the movie. Pinocchio is a marionette who desperately wants to become a human but does not have those virtues. He lies and acts like a coward, but his conscience named Jimmy Cricket helps him. The film is a classic tale, with the original story being much darker than the movie.
36. Sleeping Beauty (1959)
Director: Clyde Geronimi, Eric Larson, Les Clark
Writer: Erdman Penner, Charles Perrault, Joe Rinaldi
Cast: Mary Costa, Bill Shirley, Eleanor Audley
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
From a narrative standpoint, this movie is not as celebrated as other Disney princess films. A witch gets snubbed by the royal family and decides to take revenge in the most twisted way. She places a curse on the beautiful princess, which causes her to enter deep, eternal sleep. The only way to break the curse is via a prince’s kiss, and most viewers know the rest of the story. This story is one of the famous tales that became popular via Disney.
37. Onward (2020)
Director: Dan Scanlon
Writer: Dan Scanlon, Keith Bunin, Jason Headley
Cast: Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
People often joke that Harry Potter could have killed Voldemort faster using a gun instead of spells. This movie explores the concept of magic getting replaced with modern technology, but one elf hates it. Ian Lightfoot, the elf in question, wants to bring his father back to life, and no technology can do it. So he embarks on his mission to resurrect his father via magic, aiming to get a loved one and bringing magic back to his land.
38. Frozen (2013)
Director: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Writer: Jennifer Lee, Hans Christian Andersen, Chris Buck
Cast: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Elsa and Anna, the sister duo, took the animation industry by storm as soon as they made it to the big screen. Elsa, gifted with supernatural powers, goes into seclusion one day. She accidentally curses the whole kingdom into an eternal winter during this process of isolation. The hero of the movie – Anna, sets out to rescue her sister and end the eternal winter.
The story of these modern Disney princesses has lessons that will stick with the audience for life.
39. The Secret Life of Pets (2016)
Director: Chris Renaud, Yarrow Cheney
Writer: Cinco Paul, Ken Daurio, Brian Lynch
Cast: Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart
IMDb Rating: 6.5/10
Dogs, cats, and rabbits have several cute mannerisms, and the excellent animation of this movie makes them more adorable. The sassy, scheming rabbit, a dog who wants to pretend to be a cat, and several other characters light up the film. People who think their four-legged companions silently wait for them to return home must watch this movie. These pets roam around NYC, and the cat even appears on television while the owners stay oblivious to their mischiefs.
40. Happy Feet (2006)
Director: George Miller, Warren Coleman, Judy Morris
Writer: George Miller, John Collee, Judy Morris
Cast: Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman
IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
In this movie, Penguins are musically talented animals that use their songs to attract a mate. But there is always one misfit in the group who must make adjustments because they lack the mainstream ability. This oddball is called Mumble, a penguin that cannot sing as well as his friends.
Instead of feeling defeated, Mumble uses a different strategy to attract a mate – his outstanding tap dancing skills. The popularity of this movie is unsurprising given the cute tap dances and animation.
41. The Lady and the Tramp (1955)
Director: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
Writer: Ward Greene, Erdman Penner, Joe Rinaldi
Cast: Barbara Luddy, Larry Roberts, Peggy Lee
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
People often treat their pets as if they were their children, but what happens when another child comes along? Lady, a pet dog, gets ignored when her owners conceive a child. Her life becomes hard when two Siamese cats come into the house as new pets. The cats wreak havoc all over the place, and Lady has to shoulder the blame. Watch this movie to find out how Lady deals with discrimination and ignorance.
42. Tangled (2010)
Director: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard
Writer: Dan Fogelman, Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm
Cast: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
The iconic long hair Rapunzel looks extra beautiful and lustrous in this movie. Her luminous golden hair holds a mysterious power that a jealous witch yearns to have. So the witch kidnaps the princess from her crib and brainwashes her into thinking that the outside world is dangerous.
Rapunzel engages in several creative activities but gets bored and ventures outside, only to find out the truth about the witch. Rapunzel tries to escape her confines. Does she succeed? Watch the movie to find out!
43. Brave (2012)
Director: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman, Steve Purcell
Writer: Brenda Chapman, Mark Andrews, Steve Purcell
Cast: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Merida is a rebellious modern princess who resonates with modern feminists. Her red curls are a symbol of her will to fight the flawed system and empower herself. Merida rejects the traditional notions of her mother and tries to create a life of her own, thus giving the audience an empowering experience. She meets a wood enchantress and uses her sacred powers for her rebellion.
The story of this princess deserves recognition because it covers everything from self-sufficiency to defeating evil.
44. Peter Pan (1953)
Director: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske
Writer: J.M. Barrie, Ted Sears, Erdman Penner
Cast: Bobby Driscoll, Kathryn Beaumont, Hans Conried
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Most people have wished to stay forever young at some point, just like the two teens in this movie. Their wishes to remain youthful seem realistic when Peter Pan and Tinkerbell visit them. Peter Pan and Tinkerbell talk about the neverending youth they received in Neverland, causing the teens to get curious about the same. As a result, impressionable teens visit the sacred land, only to find out some dark secrets about the ability.
45. The Little Prince (2015)
Director: Mark Osborne
Writer: Irena Brignull, Bob Persichetti, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Mackenzie Foy, Rachel McAdams
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
In this busy world, parents hardly get any time to spend with their children and vice versa. However, children need attention and connection, without which they can get deeply affected.
In this movie, a girl meets an aviator who introduces her to a new world. She gets a chance to relive her childhood, thus understanding the importance of human connections in life. This film tells the audience that the most valuable things often get overlooked in today’s world.
46. Fantasia (1940)
Director: James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, Ford Beebe Jr.
Writer: Joe Grant, Dick Huemer, Lee Blair
Cast: Leopold Stokowski, Deems Taylor, The Philadelphia Orchestra
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
This movie is the bravest experiment of Disney so far, and it was a success. The dream-like visuals of Mickey Mouse and other classic characters left audiences enchanted for years. The movie is a must-watch for anyone who wants to remember their childhood because it has been a part of everyone’s life. The film is a step towards advancing the career of Mickey Mouse, which blew up immediately after release.
47. The Polar Express (2004)
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Writer: Chris Van Allsburg, Robert Zemeckis, William Broyles Jr.
Cast: Tom Hanks, Chris Coppola, Michael Jeter
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
This Christmas movie has the most stunning visuals of the north pole that make it worth a watch. The main character is skeptical about Christmas and its spirit. He gets on a train ride to the north pole, and the beauty of Christmas traditions helps him regain his faith in the festival. The young boy meets Santa Claus and forms a memorable journey with the help of his friends. The movie is a must-watch during the Christmas season.
48. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
Director: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
Writer: Tab Murphy, Victor Hugo, Irene Mecchi
Cast: Demi Moore, Jason Alexander, Mary Kay Bergman
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
Quasimodo is a deformed young man who was abandoned by his parents for his looks. He is kind-hearted, hardworking, and lives with the priests of Notre Dame, who adopted the young boy and gave him a purpose. Quasimodo works as the bell ringer in the cathedral, thus earning his money and having a semblance of independent life. After some time, he begins working as the ward of Lord Frollo, a man who wants to eliminate all gypsies out of Paris.
49. Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Director: Pete Docter, David Silverman, Lee Unkrich
Writer: Pete Docter, Jill Culton, Jeff Pidgeon
Cast: Billy Crystal, John Goodman, Mary Gibbs
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Pixar never fails to create different story premises, and Monsters, Inc. is one such unique movie. It tells the stories of monsters Sully and Mike, who work at a company fuelled by the screams of children. The concept may sound strange, but the lessons from this movie apply to reality. One monster makes a mistake which causes the monsters to panic as they try to make things right. What was the unforgivable mistake? Watch the film to find out!
50. Cars (2006)
Director: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft
Writer: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft, Jorgen Klubien
Cast: Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt, Paul Newman
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Pixar uses everything to make a point, including a racing car named Lightning McQueen. McQueen, the rookie racing car, has high ambitions for life and lives for the win. But one day, he accidentally goes astray and discovers some life insight. The sleepy Route 66 town teaches him that racing and life are all about the journey, not the goal. McQueen also makes new friends with Sally, Doc Hudson, and Mater, helping him realize the value of non-materialistic things.
Conclusion
Disney gave us pretty, strong, and feminist princesses. Pixar gave us entertaining, humane, and relatable characters.
For long, animated movies served as a platform for delivering complicated life lessons. The best part about animated movies is that they give people an opportunity to create unique visuals. It is why people find it so hard to replicate the golden, luminous hair of Princess Rapunzel or the royal dress of Belle.
The films in this list are some of the best-animated movies of all time in USA. So do not forget to binge on some of these classic films on a free day because they are perfect for relieving stress.
