The Best Animated Films

When Hiccup (voice of Jay Baruchel) and Toothless (voice of Randy Thom) discover a secret ice cave filled with hundreds of wild dragons and a mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of an epic battle to save the future of men and dragons!

A surprising tale about growing up, finding the courage to face the unknown...and how nothing can ever train you to let go. What began as an unlikely friendship between an adolescent Viking and a fearsome Night Fury dragon has become an epic trilogy spanning their lives. When the sudden appearance of a female Light Fury coincides with the darkest threat their village has ever faced, Hiccup and Toothless must journey to a hidden world thought only to exist in myth. In this last chapter, Hiccup and Toothless will finally discover their true destinies, and dragon and rider will fight together to protect everything they've grown to treasure.

There are two types of people, those who absolutely adore Frozen's Let It Go song, and those who can't stand it. Regardless, Frozen is one of the most loveable animated films out there. Princesses Elsa and Anna have become iconic characters very quickly, alongside the comic relief/snowman Olaf. Princess Anna sets on an epic journey to find her sister Elsa who has always struggled to accept her icy powers, and it proves to be a beautiful story about sisterhood, friendship, and romance in the end. 

Tangled is another Disney’s animated film with a different take on a classic. We’ve all heard the Rapunzel tale and how her extremely long and shiny hair made many girls jealous. This interpretation follows Rapunzel and a charming bandit Flynn Rider on a series of adventures. The result is entertaining, fun-filled and imaginative animated film – not just for the youngest. This list wouldn’t be complete without Tangled, no matter how many versions of Rapunzel we know. Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi did a wonderful job giving the voices to the long-haired princess and the dashing bandit.

Shaun the Sheep is probably the most famous sheep ever and that’s why it deserves a place on the best animated films list. Young or old, we all know Shaun and love him. This stop-motion animated kid’s television programme is a spin-off of Wallace and Gromit, another beloved programme. Shaun the sheep takes us on a variety of adventures, on and off his home farm. Here we’re presenting you four series on DVD including a fun-filled look behind the scenes and many more special features you and your kids can enjoy.

All Looney Tunes characters are an essential part of a childhood, and there cannot be an animated films list without their slapstick adventures. Just naming a few of those iconic characters (Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig) brings up joyful memories. Do you have a favourite? Some of the entertaining special features on these DVDs include a greeting from Chuck Jones, commentaries and behind-the-tunes, featurettes with animators and historians profiling cartoons, characters, and creators. It’s fun and educational! So much more is waiting for you but we must finish with immortal Porky Pig’s words: That’s all folks!

Big Hero 6 could be classified as a children and family friendly superhero film, for those still bit too young for the Marvel’s franchise. The animated film is set in the future, in the fictional city San Fransokyo – crossover between San Francisco and Tokyo with an anime twist. Hiro Hamada is a child prodigy when it comes to technology, but ends up alone with only his brother’s invention as a companion. That invention is Baymax, a robot first intended for medical needs. The series of adventures and mishaps ensue which at times become gloomy, but that makes it even better.

Paddington, as many of these films, is a true family classic. Even though it’s not in full an animated film, its protagonist is. It’s adapted from a Michael Bond’s book with a devoted following. Little cute Peruvian bear ends up stranded at Paddington Station, trying to find a new home in London. Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, and Julie Walters lead a great cast. Paddington is voiced by Ben Whishaw who manages to make it even more loveable supplying a sweet and warm tone. You and your little ones will definitely want to see this entertaining bear in action.

Clangers is another British stop-motion title worth mentioning as one of the best animated films for the whole family. Clangers are pink, knitted, mouse like creatures living in space. The series has an abundance of interesting characters such as the Soup Dragon, the Froglets or Glow Buzzers. This wonderful children’s programme is a great way to unite you with your youngest and enjoy fun-filled space adventures. Oh, and green soup as well. A bit of trivia: three kilometres of wool was used to create the Clangers family.

Welcome to another futuristic animated film and a classic! It’s by now a cult Brit puppet series that follows the Tracy family, a part of Thunderbirds team. They’re an elite team consisted of rescue workers operating from an unknown island location. Thunderbird operations are real adventures and stories about saving people and fighting villains. The series comes in eight volumes and is packed with exciting episodes and special features such as Tracy island F.A.B. fact files, Thunderbirds: The characters featurette and Making of Thunderbirds.

How to Train Your Dragon is an animated film for the whole family that’ll make you want to have a dragon of your own. If he’s anything like Toothless at least. Jay Baruchel gives the voice to Hiccup, a young Viking not really set in Viking ways or characteristics. He’s an inventor with inquisitive mind which comes in handy when he stumbles upon an injured dragon he then names Toothless. Their society has been taught to fear and loathe dragons, but minds start to change when there are new enemies on the horizon. How to Train Your Dragon is a great family fun film and we’re sure you’ll have your own favourite dragon you’d want to train.

Pixar’s animated film Inside Out was one of the biggest films in 2015, not just for children. Its innovative storytelling and imagination brought tears and happiness to audiences of every age. The story takes place inside an 11-year old’s mind named Riley, where we follow five emotions: Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness. Joy is the one leading the quest to keep Riley happy which takes her and her companions on an interesting and emotional adventure. Inside Out won a BAFTA and an Oscar for best animated film.

If Inside Out was the biggest animated film of 2015, then Zootropolis took the title for 2016. This is a family comedy set in the modern mammal metropolis where we meet rabbit Judy (Ginnifer Goodwin) determined to become a respected police officer. When Judy gets on a case that could advance her career, she must deal with the only witness of the crime, a sly fox named Nick (Jason Bateman). There is so much to adore about Zootropolis, from the amazing design to quick wit and mystery, it is surely to entertain the whole family.

Kubo and the Two Strings is a stop-motion animated film told in the form of a Japanese folktale. The story follows Kubo who has a special power – he can bring his origami creations to life by playing his guitar. Talented Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey and Ralph Fiennes lead the wonderful voice cast, including young Art Parkinson as Kubo. The adventure begins when Kubo decides to go into dangerous lands and out of his comfort zone. Even though Laika’s beautiful animation can get a bit dark, Kubo and the Two Strings is a must-see for all ages.

When Marnie Was There is a family adventure animation that challenges the boundaries between fantasy and reality. It is wonderfully hand-drawn animation following 12-year old Anna and her possibly imaginary friend Marnie. The animated film comes from studio Ghibli famous for other masterpieces like Spirited Away. When Marnie Was There is adapted from the Joan G. Robinson’s novel of the same name and the result is beautiful. It is available in Japanese and English, on DVD and Blu-ray.

Finding Nemo is a 2004 Oscar winner and still one of the most beloved animated films. The plight of a little clownfish Nemo and his father Marlin has opened a whole world under the sea to us, where even sharks try to change their diet (repeating their pledge: Fish are friends, not food). The story follows Marlin (Albert Brooks) on the mission to find his son and the encounter with Dory (Ellen DeGeneres), a forgetful companion on the quest. Finding Nemo comes on 3D Blu-ray as well as DVD and Blu-ray, so you and your little ones can enjoy the experience to the fullest.

Toy Story is still going on strong as everybody’s favourite animated film after 20+ years. Well, it’s definitely in top five and there cannot be the best animation list without Woody and Buzz Lightyear. When it was first released it amazed with ground-breaking animation, but to this day it amazes with its story. With voice talents, such as Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, it’s surely going to stay one of the most beloved films. Blu-ray edition comes with abundance of special features including Buzz Lightyear mission logs: Blast off, three animated studio stories and making Toy Story.

The series Lego Star Wars: Droid Tales brings us once again the iconic characters in LEGO animation form. What a wonderful way for the little ones to get a first taste of the Star Wars franchise, isn’t it? Droid Tales is an animated five-part mini-series following the (mis)adventures of everybody’s favourite droids, C-3PO and R2-D2. These are the droids we’re looking for. It also recaps the previous films so you can catch up with current events in the series. There is much to enjoy while watching this, children and adults alike.