Greatest Animated Movies of All-time
I have however, managed to compile a list of the top 10 animated movies of all-time. In order, here they are.
The Lion King (1994)
I firmly believe that the Lion King is the greatest animated movie of all-time. Disney has produced several outstanding films since its release in June of ’94 and one day, one film could possibly surpass this movie in its magnitude, but until that time, the Lion King is still the “King of the Jungle” when it comes to animated movies.
The Lion King earned $40.9 million – a record for an animated movie – on its opening weekend. The art, storyline and music, which was composed by Tim Rice and Elton John, were absolutely out of this world.
Shrek 2 (2004)
I know this film is not even two years old yet, but the production was first-class in every sense of the word. What’s more is that this film was a sequel that followed up its highly successful predecessor, “Shrek” with even more success than the original.
The storyline and performances of Mike Meyers, Cameron Diaz and Eddie Murphy made this film an instant classic and one of the greatest animated movies of all-time.
The Incredibles (2004)
The Incredibles – pardon the pun – was absolutely, incredible. I actually gave this 3-D animated film some serious consideration as the greatest animated film of all-time and realize that many people already consider this the number one animated flick of all-time.
The direction, scriptwriting and editing – not to mention the scoring, were absolutely brilliant. Simply put, Pixar is taking 3-D animated films to a height that has never before been approached. I expect these innovative filmmakers to continue to produce ground-breaking films well into the next decade.
Shrek (2001)
I thought Shrek was very original and innovative as well. The storyline and characters were so original and likeable that it instantly made Shrek a family favorite and all-time great. The pairing of Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy was a stroke of genius that was topped with a powerful performance from Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona. The fact that the sequel to Shrek was an instant hit as well only serves as a testament to the legacy of the original.
The Prince of Egypt (1998)
When I first saw the Prince of Egypt, I knew it was one of the greatest animated films of all-time. As a Christian parent, the fact that this movie depicted Christian characters and was centered around one of the most historical Christian events (The Exodus) made this film an instant great. The score, characters and overall production of the film were first-class Disney all the way. Children – and parents – will instantly love this film. If you haven’t seen it, give it a try. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.
Little Mermaid (1989)
My now, 18-year-old daughter, Erica and I, enjoyed this movie so much when it was released, I remember rushing out and buying animated “Little Mermaid” borders and matching paint to redo her room, which stayed that way for about five years. Even after the room’s color scheme and theme changed, our feelings on the Little Mermaid have not.
The original film, which is now recognized as the beginning of the New Era of Disney, grossed $89 million in its initial US release and although it only sold 8 million copies when it initially went to video tape, the film became one of the most sought after collector’s items after Disney took the film off of shelves, fetching more than $200 per tape at one point. All figures aside, The Little Mermaid is undeniably one of the greatest animated movies of all-time.
Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs (1937)
“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” was the very first full-length animated movie and cemented Walt Disney’s reputation as a pioneer and authority on animated films.
Were it not for the success of this film – which was created by using state-of-the-art technology – then who knows how successful Walt Disney would have become.
The original storyline has remained a timeless classic that will never be forgotten.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
The re-telling of a timeless tale in an animated fashion was a stroke of genius. The characters, which are now enduring favorites, were so refreshing and original that it made Beauty and the Beast an immediate hit and all-time great. The score in this animated is among the top three ever along with The Lion King and Little Mermaid.
Aladdin (1992)
Speaking of scores, this film was another instant hit for Disney that was so successful that is spawned two other sequels that were very good themselves. However, the timeless story of Aladdin being told in an animated form was masterful and innovative. The score and performance of Robin Williams were unforgettable.
Mulan (1998)
This film, which I thoroughly enjoyed, is one of my wife’s top three of all-time. While I obviously don’t rank it quite that high, I have to agree that Mulan was an excellent film. The storyline was extremely original and well-written. The characters, led by Mulan herself and followed by the incomparable Eddie Murphy, was outstanding. Since I broke my thumb nearly a month ago, I guess I can only give this film one real thumbs up, but it’s a definite two-thumber for sure when healthy!
