10 Best Animated Movies on Netflix

Best Animated Movies on Netflix: In 2022, Pinocchio, directed by Guillermo del Toro, became the inaugural Netflix original to secure an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Although challenging the dominance of Disney and Sony is formidable, Netflix has been consistently producing exceptional animated films in recent years. While Pinocchio is particularly noteworthy, there are nine other animated movies that you should consider watching, whether or not you have kids to enjoy them with.

10 Best Animated Movies on Netflix

1. Klaus

Directors: Sergio Pablos
Writers: Sergio Pablos, Jim Mahoney, Zach Lewis
Cast: Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Will Sasso, Neda Margrethe Labba, Norm Macdonald, Joan Cusack

Klaus stands out as one of the most remarkable yet underrated Christmas films ever made. This distinctive tale of Santa’s origins features breathtaking animation, emotional storytelling, and a blend of humor and warmth that appeals to all ages. The film’s impressive voice cast, including Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, and Norm Macdonald, further enhances its charm.

2. The Mitchells vs. the Machines

Director: Mike Rianda
Writers: Mike Rianda, Jeff Rowe
Cast: Danny McBride, Abbi Jacobson, Maya Rudolph, Mike Rianda, Eric André, Olivia Colman

What starts as a routine family road trip to take their eldest daughter to college soon transforms into a high-stakes battle against a robot apocalypse. If you enjoyed the animation style of the Spider-Verse films, this movie is a must-see. It excels not only in its visually captivating animation but also in its deeply developed characters and emotional narrative, standing shoulder to shoulder with some of Pixar’s best. This film is a standout among Netflix’s exclusive content.

3. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

Directors: Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson
Writers: Guillermo del Toro, Patrick McHale
Cast: Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Gregory Mann, Burn Gorman, Ron Perlman, John Turturro, Finn Wolfhard, Cate Blanchett, Tim Blake Nelson, Christoph Waltz, Tilda Swinton

In Guillermo del Toro’s reimagining of the classic story, the narrative takes a darker, more unconventional turn. Set against the backdrop of Fascist Italy, the tale follows Geppetto (voiced by David Bradley), who crafts a puppet from pine wood grown in his son’s grave. Pinocchio, brought to life by Gregory Mann, then joins a circus to evade being drafted into the Royal Italian Army.

4. Leo

Directors: Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, David Wachtenheim
Writers: Robert Smigel, Adam Sandler, Paul Sado
Cast: Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Sadie Sandler, Sunny Sandler, Rob Schneider, Jo Koy

Adam Sandler’s collaboration with Netflix has produced a range of films, but the animated feature Leo stands out as a notable success. In this charming movie, Sandler provides the voice for a classroom pet who dreams of exploring the world, though he must first escape from his fifth-grade owner, Summer. With an engaging story and a stellar voice cast, this film is worth watching, even for those who aren’t usually fans of Sandler.

5. Hilda and the Mountain King

Director: Andy Coyle
Writer: Luke Pearson
Cast: Bella Ramsey, Ameerah Falzon-Ojo, Oliver Nelson, Daisy Haggard, Rasmus Hardiker, John Hopkins, Lucy Montgomery, Dino Kelly, Rachel August, Agnes Peacock

Hilda and the Mountain King continues the story right from where season 2 left off, with Hilda transformed into a troll. As her friends search for her, Hilda embarks on a fresh adventure. As one of Netflix’s top animated series for children, this film is a crucial link between the second and third seasons of Hilda.

6. Wendell & Wild

Director: Henry Selick
Writers: Henry Selick, Jordan Peele
Cast: Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Angela Bassett, Lyric Ross, Ving Rhames, James Hong

In Wendell & Wild, Henry Selick, renowned for his mastery in stop-motion animation, delivers his most unconventional film yet. The story follows Kat Elliot, a rebellious teenager who, five years after her parents’ tragic car accident, is now attending an all-girls Catholic school. Her life takes a turn when she accidentally summons two mischievous demons who offer to resurrect her parents, leading to a series of comical and chaotic events.

7. The Willoughbys

Director: Kris Pearn
Writers: Kris Pearn, Mark Stanleigh
Cast: Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, Alessia Cara, Terry Crews, Martin Short, Jane Krakowski, Seán Cullen, Ricky Gervais

Adapted from Lois Lowry’s book The Giver, The Willoughbys is a humorous animated film that follows four siblings seeking to improve their lives by getting rid of their parents. They create a brochure featuring enticing yet extremely hazardous destinations, which their parents unwittingly fall for. The twist comes with a new nanny who adds another layer of complexity to their plans.

8. The Sea Beast

Director: Chris Williams
Writers: Chris Williams, Nell Benjamin
Cast: Karl Urban, Zaris-Angel Hator, Jared Harris, Marianne Jean-Baptiste

In The Sea Beast, the crew of the Inevitable faces replacement by a modern naval vessel after years of fighting sea creatures that endanger humanity. They request one final mission to hunt the fabled Red Bluster, leading the King and Queen to set up a contest between the old and new ships. Amidst the preparations, they find an orphan girl named Maisie Brumble who has secretly boarded their vessel, setting off a chain of events that drastically changes their journey.

9. Over the Moon

Director: Glen Keane
Writer: Audrey Wells
Cast: Cathy Ang, Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong, John Cho, Ruthie Ann Miles, Margaret Cho, Sandra Oh

Over the Moon is the sole musical in this selection, telling the story of Fei Fei, a young Chinese girl who, after losing her mother, builds a rocket to travel to the Moon. Her goal is to prove the existence of the Moon goddess, Chang’e. This film features the final screenplay written by Audrey Wells, renowned for her work on Guinevere, Under the Tuscan Sun, and The Hate U Give.

10. Nimona

Directors: Nick Bruno, Troy Quane
Writers: Robert L. Baird, Lloyd Taylor
Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy

Nimona is a remarkable success story in the world of animation. Based on ND Stevenson’s webcomic, this film faced numerous hurdles, including the closure of Blue Sky Studios in 2021, which led to its initial cancellation. However, Annapurna Pictures revived the project, and it finally made its way to the screen. The film masterfully brings to life its futuristic medieval setting, proving that its long journey was well worth it.