Animated films have a way of squirming their way into viewers’ hearts. Whether a major tearjerker or a fascinating fantasy movie, an animated film takes you on an emotional journey. If you want to go on this trip, here are 15 of the best animated films you can binge-watch on the weekends.
1. Akira (1988)
“Akira” follows the story of a teenager and his friends as they attempt to stop a dangerous experiment, along with the evil biker-turned-psychopath who plans to destroy Neo-Tokyo. This film can be considered one of the most influential animated movies for many because of its amazingly messy storyline and unique cyberpunk style.
2. Spirited Away (2001)
“Spirited Away” is one of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli’s masterpieces. The movie follows the adventure of a 10-year-old girl, Chihiro, as she gets lost and wanders in the realm of the spirits, gods, and witches.
The story is magical because of the visually stunning imaginative world presented in the movie and the unique and intriguing mystical characters the story introduces. The movie is incredibly engaging and filled with surprises as the plot unfolds, and Chihiro gets the well-awaited character transformation from a scaredy-cat to a courageous little girl.
3. Princess Mononoke (1997)
“Princess Mononoke” tells the story of Ashitaka, the prince of Emishi village, as he searches for the cure to Tatarigami’s curse. He was caught in the middle of a war and met a princess along the way.
While it seemed like the cliche “hero’s journey,” the flow of the story and the emotions it evokes are to die for.
4. Emperor’s New Groove (2000)
“Emperor’s New Groove” follows Emperor Kuzco and his efforts to take back his throne from Yzma, his former administrator who betrayed him. It’s not an easy task, considering he was turned into a llama. The movie is well-written, and no one can actually say no to its amazing comedy masterpiece.
5. Iron Giant (1999)
“Iron Giant” is a story about a young boy who formed a strong friendship with a large robot from outer space. The government wants to put the robot down, fearing it. And it’s up to Hogarth Hughes, a young boy, and his friends to protect and teach the robot about the value of life.
This animated film is a perfect combination of humor and heartfelt scenes. It’s definitely a good watch, not just for its heartfelt storytelling but also because of the themes discussed in the movie. It also delivers the perfect sprinkles of humor and wit that both kids and adults will appreciate.
6. A Goofy Movie (1995)
“A Goofy Movie” narrates the story of Max and his father, Goofy, as they travel on a cross-country trip. While the movie focuses on the misadventures of the father and son duo, a slight peek at Max and his attempt to woo Roxanne, his long-time crush, is also shown.
This animated movie uses slapstick humor that can be fun for children and adults alike. The story discusses issues that involve the relationship between fathers and sons, as well as some concepts you will recognize as part of your adolescent phase.
7. The Secret of Nimh (1982)
“The Secret of Nimh” is a heart-breaking animated film that follows the struggle of Mrs. Brisby, a field mouse trying to save her home from destruction. She asked for the help of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) genetically modified rats and found out their secrets.
A rollercoaster of emotions is evident throughout the entire film. While it may be an animated film, it has a uniquely dark tone that features danger and survival in experimentation.
8. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” features teen superhero Miles Morales, who teamed up with five other spidermen from other dimensions to stop a danger that can destroy all realities.
This movie is the very definition of a revolutionized animation, thanks to the intriguing multi-verse concept and a fusion of 2D and 3D animation techniques, which brings comic elements to life.
9. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)
“Howl’s Moving Castle” is about a young woman, Sophie, who was cursed by a witch and aged her body. She went to find Howl, a young wizard capable of breaking the spell, and lived in a magical moving castle. Sophie got mixed up with Howl’s adventures and worked together to stop a brewing war.
Besides the awesome music, this animated film is the perfect combination of adventure and romance. The stunning visuals and incredible themes of anti-war concepts, female empowerment, and self-love, make this a must-watch.
10. Ratatouille (2007)
“Ratatouille” is a popular animated movie that follows the adventure of a rat who forms a relationship with a young kitchen worker to create delicious meals at a Paris restaurant.
It is one of the earliest Pixar masterpieces that can be considered the best among the rest. The film has a unique storyline you won’t find anywhere. More than the stunning food animations, it also discusses culinary art and food culture in-depth.
11. Wall-E (2008)
“Wall-E” follows the story of a tiny and lovable waste-collector robot, Wall-E, which is the last of his kind living in the post-apocalyptic abandoned earth. The robot discovered a plant-based life form that could potentially save the fate of humanity and life on Earth.
It’s a heartwarming film that discusses serious themes you won’t want to think about. The movie highlights the effects of consumerism and technology on the environment and people’s way of living.
12. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
“Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” tells the story of a warrior princess struggling to stop two nations at work from destroying each other. This Miyazaki film is incredible both in aesthetics and in storytelling.
13. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
“Fantastic Mr. Fox” follows the story of a fox with an irresistible craving to continue raiding farms. Because of the farmers’ retaliation, it’s up to him to help the fox community survive. Simple as it may seem, this movie features a kind of humor everyone will appreciate.
14. The Brave Little Toaster (1987)
“The Brave Little Toaster” shows the story of a group of appliances who go on a journey to find their master in the middle of the woods. While the title may sound silly, this film has real drama you won’t expect from inanimate objects.
15. The Land Before Time (1988)
“The Land Before Time” follows the story of a brontosaurus, Littlefoot, who allied with other dinosaurs to go on a journey to the Great Valley. In the hope of reuniting everyone with their families, they had to face many dangers and challenges along the way and succeed.
This is the real movie that made people love dinosaurs at a young age. The storytelling of the movie is undeniably heartwarming, emphasizing the themes of friendship and hope. The movie is also filled with memorable and adorable characters you will love.
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MSN Writer, Radical FIRE
Expertise: Entertainment, Travel, Interior Design, and Personal Improvement Niches
Education: Bachelor of Science in Tourism, Major in Development Tourism Management at Ateneo de Naga University
Experience: Marisa Bolivar is a content writer with 10 years of experience in creating blogs and articles across different industries on the web. She has explored many niches in her years working as a content specialist with her favorite zeroing on entertainment, from books to movies and TV shows. Marisa is also a bookworm, who has a fondness for personal improvement and philosophical authors like Paulo Coelho and Mitch Albom.