10 animated films that are much better than expected

Despite the widespread popularity of Disney and Dreamworks, animation as a storytelling medium remains criminally underrated, to the point that it is still widely considered a film genre. While there is an exclusive Oscar for animated feature filmsthe Academy has not yet considered, for example, dubbing worthy of an Oscar. Even the Oscar for visual effects has never been awarded to an animated film. Only three animated films were nominated, one of which is the live-action remake of The Lion Kingwho is still totally excited.

As a result, It's not uncommon for animated films to go unnoticed or have low expectations from viewers. Although animated films are often dark, they are still considered made just for children. Even if that were the case, there's no reason why an adult couldn't enjoy animated films, as can be seen in some of the most exciting animated films of 2025. The general lack of enthusiasm, however, leads to pleasant surprises. ​​for many viewers, whose expectations are often exceeded by animated films.

10

Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Directed by Travis Knight

In a field largely dominated by Disney, Pixar and Dreamworks, animation studios like Laika and Cartoon Saloon inadvertently go unnoticed. While Coraline and Corpse Bride have a cult following, Laika Studios remains underrated. Most viewers of Kubo and the Two Strings Either they are fans of Laika and have high expectations, or they watch it with almost no expectations, finding interest in the idea of ​​a stop-motion animated film with a samurai theme.

However, Kubo and the Two Strings It's much more than that. One of the best martial arts adventure films of all time, it is equal parts martial arts action thriller and character-driven adventure drama. Beautifully animated, it is one of three animated films in history to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Visual Effects. The film features breathtaking action sequences, but exceeds expectations with its tender narrative that transforms the action-packed adventure into an emotional journey. Kubo and the Two Strings is a tale about identity and the importance of memories, packaged like a samurai film.

9

The LEGO Movie (2014)

Directed by Chris Miller and Phil Lord

2014 was one of the best years in film history, and it's no surprise that one of the most refreshing animated films of the era was released that year. From the looks of it, it seems like a silly, silly adventure aimed at kids. However, the silly and silly parts are not only enjoyable for people of all ages because of their satirical nature, but also The LEGO Movie It has a lot more heart than one might expect.

Many viewers expected this to simply be a feature-length advertisement for LEGO, and instead they were met with a meaningful reflection on what it means to be good, in an animated adventure film that turns many prevalent narrative tropes upside down. . The jokes in The LEGO Movie they're all in the form of an overcommitment to silliness, which inevitably turns common action movie moments into parodies. The humor is refreshing and unique, especially in the context of 2014 when the comedy scene was kind of saturated with formulaic films every year.

8

Rango (2011)

Directed by Gore Verbinski

One of the most underrated western films, Rank was a total surprise hit with moviegoers in 2011. Gore Verbinski, who played the highly popular Pirates of the Caribbean films, worked with his regular star Johnny Depp to create a classic western film set in a world without people, where a lizard becomes an accidental hero in a city of animals terrorized by a gangster snake. Not only is the idea completely crazy, but the action and photorealistic visuals make for a ridiculously fun time.

The animation team used motion capture to create the character designs so that when they emote, the voice actors' expressions appeared on the characters' faces, increasing the immersion of the game. Rankwhich takes place in a well-developed world. From the soundtrack and stylish visual design to the voice acting and emotional thread of the story, almost everything is perfect Rank. However, it is still little talked about, despite being a commercial and critical success. Nobody expects it to be as good as it is.

7

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

Directed by Joel Crawford

THE Shrek the franchise seemed to have run its course with Puss in Boots (2011), despite critical and commercial success, including an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature. And then in 2021, DreamWorks announced the title of a sequel to Puss in Boots. After 11 years, although the ad caused a stir among viewers, there wasn't much interest in it. It even had a disappointing box office weekend, but it soon became a commercial success, thanks to positive reviews and because moviegoers couldn't stop talking about how unexpectedly good it was.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish uses a unique animation style that is a mix of the CGI style used for the Shrek films and a form of hand-drawn animation that gives the film the texture of an illustrated storybook. The character Death was a huge hit with viewers and is now often listed as one of the greatest animated film villains. Furthermore, The cat passes an emotionally rich journey of reconciliation with your limitationsand adds a layer of meaning to the film that reminds viewers of how the original film Shrek presents commentary on the real world.

6

Transformers One (2024)

Directed by Josh Cooley

THE Transformers the films undoubtedly tired audiences. Since Michael Bay's third film, the series has struggled to find its identity, with later installments also struggling at the box office. Furthermore, while the Transformers franchise has always been linked to animation, the last animated feature in the saga was in 1986. To make matters worse, the first trailer for Transformers One It failed to do the film justice.

Not only is “genre” less appreciated, but there is simply not enough interest in it. Transformers films to raise expectations further. But, Transformers One pleasantly surprised spectators. The art style is exceptionally refreshing, featuring a mix of beautiful shots that play with light and shadow in breathtaking settings, and Transformers characters who look and feel like Hasbro toys. Plus, there are genuine emotional stakes for the characters and a meaningful message, neither of which can be found in Michael Bay's latest live-action films.

5

Kung-Fu Panda (2008)

Directed by Mark Osborne and John Stevenson

Sitting in 2024, Kung Fu Panda is anything but unpopular, having become a highly celebrated franchise with a Kung Fu Panda 5 It's rumored to be released in the future, but that hasn't always been the case. A panda voiced by Jack Black beats other animals using kung fu wasn't exactly a killer elevator pitch. Unsurprisingly, many viewers in 2008 approached Kung Fu Panda skeptically, expecting it to be just another silly animated film with nothing meaningful to say.

Instead of, Kung Fu Panda It features funny and exciting action choreography and also offers a refreshing take on the hero's journey. As a trope, even in the form of the Chosen One who doesn't believe in himself, it has become a formula for martial arts films. But the final revelation in Kung Fu Panda reinvents the idea of ​​a hero destined for greatness and sends a comforting message about the importance of believing in yourself. It also features one of the most terrifying villains of all time, someone viewers can even sympathize with. Despite seeming silly, the film has enough nuances to deserve the recognition it receives.

4

Toy Story 4 (2019)

Directed by Josh Cooley

The first Toy Story the film introduced the world to Pixar studios, and the rest is history. The film's beloved group of characters returned two more times before Toy Story 3 (2010) gave everyone a perfect farewell to the trilogy that would live forever in people's hearts. However, nearly a decade later, in the same year that DreamWorks' universally beloved book How to train your dragon was about to end his trilogy, Toy Story 3 had an unlikely sequence in Toy Story 4.

The convenient timing of release led many to believe that Pixar brought back talking toys for good measure. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019) had a potential Oscar contender, which Toy Story 4 finally won in 2020. Expectations were low because it seemed like a story would have to be forced since things ended perfectly in the previous film, but as is often the case, Pixar managed to exceed these expectations and some more. With a significant premise to bring the characters back, it poignantly reflects on life and gives the perfect goodbye again.

3

The Mitchells VS The Machines (2021)

Directed by Mike Rianda

There are simply too many films about AI control, and many have nothing new to say. Then, The Mitchells VS The MachinesThe premise makes it seem like an exhaustive exercise in anti-AI philosophy. However, the film, one of the best comedy films of 2021, uses the premise of an evil corporation to tell a story about family dynamics. The sheer reliability of this dysfunctional family, where everyone has their quirks and no one gets along as they try to contain their individualism to fit in with the family, makes it an instant hit with viewers.

The characters' quirkiness shines through beautifully in the mix of hand-drawn animation and high-energy 3D art. The visual design is less focused on being realistic and instead brimming with creativity, using the freedom from the limitations of live film production to flesh out a living world. It is also a perfect use of POV storytelling because the protagonist's creativity seems to inform the look of The Mitchells VS The Machines. Additionally, the main character is gay, but this is not addressed through a fight or romance plot, and normalized through subtle character choices.

2

Megamind (2010)

Directed by Tom McGrath

Two 2010 films made the villain the protagonist. One of them became so popular that his supporting character became a worldwide sensation and spawned an entire franchise of films. The other went so unnoticed that it didn't even get a sequel until 2024, which achieved a record low score on Rotten Tomatoes. The first is, of course, Despicable Mewhich introduced Minions to the world, and the latest, introducing a character named Minion, is Megamindwhich continues to be criminally underrated today.

The film takes a critical look at what it means to be a hero or a villain and cleverly upends the tropes of the superhero genre to create a madcap adventure through extravagant displays of villainy and heroism and unforgettable needle drops. Megamind is a fashionable villain with a flair for the dramatic who undergoes a major character transformation throughout the film, and he's naturally a fan favorite of the film. The story structure, the soundtrack, the stylish visuals, the developed characters, There's simply no shortage of good things about Megamind.

1

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey and Rodney Rothman

It may seem very dramatic, but Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse changed animation forever. With a unique visual style that is always in flux and reflects the character's emotional state, the world, or the Spider-Verse, is imaginative and immersive, to the point that the runtime of the film and its sequel never feels long enough. The characters are fresh and real and has relatable instincts and problemsand they all go through significant emotional arcs. The film evokes emotion, laughter and tears over the course of 2 hours and is unforgettable.

The ensemble of secondary characters gets their moment to shine, and the protagonist goes through a training arc that changes the chosen trope by introducing the concept of chosen infinities. It's simply impossible to list how many ways this changed things in animation, not just film but TV as well. And yet, a standalone animated Spider-Man movie didn't feel like the kind of event movie that the live-action installments had been, which is why Inside Spider-Man it would later find an even larger audience on streaming and VOD.