The 12 Best Animated Movies of the 2010s
The 2010s represented a golden era for animated cinema, a decade where technological leaps in CGI, hand-drawn artistry, and stop-motion wizardry converged with bold storytelling. Studios like Pixar, Disney, DreamWorks, and independents such as Laika and Cartoon Saloon pushed boundaries, delivering films that resonated with children and adults alike. From emotional gut-punches exploring grief and identity to visually revolutionary spectacles, animation matured into a powerhouse of cultural commentary and pure entertainment.
Ranking the best requires balancing multiple factors: critical acclaim (drawing from Rotten Tomatoes scores above 90%, Oscar wins and nominations), innovative animation techniques, emotional and thematic depth, box-office resonance, and lasting cultural impact. We prioritised films that not only dominated their year but also influenced future works, blending universal appeal with fresh perspectives. Commercial juggernauts sit alongside underseen gems, showcasing the decade’s diversity. Here are our top 12, ranked from exceptional to utterly transcendent.
What emerges is a snapshot of animation’s evolution: heartfelt tales from Pixar, empowering Disney adventures, irreverent comedies, and artisanal imports that remind us why hand-crafted frames endure. These films redefined what animation could achieve, proving it as vital to cinema as live-action ever was.
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Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Directed by Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman, this Sony Pictures Animation triumph shattered expectations with its groundbreaking comic-book aesthetic. Miles Morales, a Brooklyn teen bitten by a radioactive spider, steps into heroism amid a multiverse meltdown. The film’s visual innovation—mimicking printed panels with halftone dots, exaggerated motion lines, and rapid cuts—earned it the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, a first for superhero animation.[1]
Beyond style, it excels in representation: Miles as a Black-Latino lead, voiced by Shameik Moore, navigates identity, legacy, and doubt with nuance rare in the genre. The voice cast, including Oscar Isaac’s textured Spider-Man 2099 and John Mulaney’s hilarious Spider-Ham, injects levity into profound themes. Grossing over $384 million worldwide, it spawned a sequel and TV spin-offs, cementing its influence on Marvel’s live-action fare. Spider-Verse isn’t just the decade’s pinnacle; it’s animation’s quantum leap forward.
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Inside Out (2015)
Pete Docter’s Pixar masterpiece delves into the mind of 11-year-old Riley as her family relocates, personifying Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Fear (Bill Hader), Anger (Lewis Black), and Disgust (Mindy Kaling). The film’s ingenuity lies in its metaphorical headquarters of emotions, memory orbs, and abstract realms like Abstract Thought, all rendered with meticulous emotional logic.
A triumph of psychological insight, it demystifies mental health—validating sadness as essential—while delivering laughs through core memory hijinks. Winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, it boasts a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score and grossed $857 million. Docter drew from his daughter’s struggles and daughter Riley Andersen’s neuroscience work, adding authenticity. Inside Out redefined family animation, proving cartoons could dissect the psyche with grace and humour.
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Coco (2017)
Lee Unkrich’s Pixar gem, inspired by Mexico’s Día de los Muertos, follows aspiring musician Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) entering the Land of the Dead. Vibrant visuals—skeletal marigold bridges, alebrije spirit guides—immerse viewers in cultural specificity, with songs like “Remember Me” earning a Best Original Song Oscar alongside the Animated Feature win.
Thematically, it grapples with family legacy, ambition, and loss, blending folklore with heartfelt resolution. Grossing $814 million, it resonated globally, boosting Mexican pride and holiday traditions. Unkrich’s research with cultural consultants ensured respect, avoiding stereotypes. Coco’s alebrijes and ofrendas linger as animation’s most evocative afterlife journey.
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Toy Story 3 (2010)
Lee Unkrich’s Pixar swan song for Andy’s toys captures growing pains as toys face donation amid college-bound farewells. Voices like Tom Hanks’ Woody and Tim Allen’s Buzz anchor the ensemble, with Michael Keaton’s Lotso adding antagonism. The incinerator climax delivers cathartic tears, underscoring themes of impermanence.
A technical marvel in its third outing, it won Best Animated Feature and grossed $1.06 billion. Critics hailed its emotional closure—Roger Ebert called it “heartbreakingly beautiful.”[2] Toy Story 3 bridged childhood nostalgia with adult reflection, a franchise peak that redefined animated sequels.
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Zootopia (2016)
Byron Howard and Rich Moore’s Disney hit pairs bunny cop Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) with sly fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) in a metropolis of anthropomorphic animals. Satirising prejudice, politics, and urban life, it mirrors real-world divides through predator-prey tensions.
Winning Best Animated Feature, its 98% Rotten Tomatoes acclaim and $1.02 billion haul reflect sharp writing. Shakira’s “Try Everything” amplifies empowerment. Zootopia’s world-building—sloth DMV, nudist districts—endures as peak satirical animation.
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Moana (2016)
Ron Clements and John Musker’s Disney voyage stars Auli’i Cravalho as Polynesian wayfinder Moana, joined by demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson). Oceanic mythology inspires stunning seascapes and lava battles, with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s soundtrack earning an Oscar nod.
Emphasising self-discovery and environmental stewardship, it grossed $687 million and championed Pacific representation. Moana’s agency subverts princess tropes, making it a feminist milestone in animation.
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Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
Travis Knight’s Laika opus blends Japanese folklore with stop-motion mastery. Kubo (Art Parkinson), armed with shamisen magic, quests against Moon King ancestors amid origami armies and sword duels.
Visually breathtaking—water effects via custom tech—it explores memory and storytelling, earning an Oscar nomination. With a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score, Kubo showcases stop-motion’s emotive power against CGI dominance.
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The Lego Movie (2014)
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s meta-comedy elevates plastic bricks into existential satire. Emmet (Chris Pratt) as “the Special” rallies against President Business (Will Ferrell) in a world of interlocking absurdity.
Voice stars like Elizabeth Banks and Morgan Freeman fuel irreverence, with “Everything is Awesome” ironically triumphant. Grossing $469 million from $60 million budget, it spawned a franchise. Lego’s anarchic joy mocks blockbusters while embracing them.
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How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders’ DreamWorks epic follows Viking teen Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) befriending Night Fury Toothless. Flight sequences revolutionised CGI aerodynamics, blending humour with anti-war messages.
Nominated for Best Animated Feature, its 99% Rotten Tomatoes rating launched a trilogy. Dragon’s score by John Powell soars, mirroring themes of acceptance.
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Frozen (2013)
Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee’s Disney phenomenon centres sisters Anna (Kristen Bell) and ice-queen Elsa (Idina Menzel). “Let It Go” became cultural shorthand, propelling $1.28 billion earnings and two Oscars.
Subverting romance for sibling bonds, its Broadway adaptation underscores legacy. Frozen thawed animation’s princess fatigue with empowerment anthems.
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Big Hero 6 (2014)
Don Hall and Chris Williams’ Disney marvel adapts Marvel comics into San Fransokyo, where Hiro Hamada (Ryan Potter) and inflatable robot Baymax fight crime. Heartfelt grief narrative elevates superheroics.
Oscar winner for Best Animated Feature, its 89% score belies charm. Baymax’s healthcare protocol steals scenes, influencing robot portrayals.
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Song of the Sea (2014)
Tomm Moore’s Cartoon Saloon fairy tale follows Ben and Saoirse, an owl-eyed selkie, unraveling Irish myths. Hand-drawn watercolours evoke Celtic artistry, with 99% Rotten Tomatoes praise and Oscar nomination.
Themes of loss and folklore preservation shine modestly. Song of the Sea exemplifies independent animation’s poetic soul.
Conclusion
The 2010s elevated animation from children’s fare to cinematic artistry, with these 12 films exemplifying innovation, heart, and relevance. Spider-Verse’s stylistic daring and Inside Out’s emotional mapping heralded a future where animation tackles complexity unflinchingly. As streaming expands access, these works endure, inspiring creators to blend technology with timeless tales. Whether revisiting childhood favourites or discovering hidden gems, they affirm animation’s boundless potential.
References
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. “91st Academy Awards Winners.”
- Ebert, Roger. “Toy Story 3 Review.” RogerEbert.com, 2010.
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