For over a century, animated movies have captivated audiences of all ages. From Disney to Studio Ghibli to Pixar, these timeless classics showcase the enduring magic of animation. Even decades later, these movies continue to inspire wonder and leave a lasting impression on every new generation of young viewers.
While each decade contains contenders for the best animated movies ever made, it’s very difficult to whittle each period down to one single film. However, these films represent the best movies of their time period and demonstrate the imagination and innovation of creators who have pushed the boundaries of animation further with each passing year.
1930s: Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs (1937)
Animation has never been quite the same since Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a groundbreaking release whose cultural impact has remained as strong as ever nearly 90 years since it premiered. As Disney’s first animated film, this story of a princess rescued by seven dwarves set a new standard.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs perfectly encapsulated the wonders of Disney as its imagination, charm, and innovation laid the foundations for all subsequent children’s animation throughout the rest of the 20th century. It’s highly unusual for a movie from the 1930s to hold a child’s attention, yet Snow White remains a favorite for kids all over the world.
1940s: Fantasia (1940)
Disney kicked off the 1940s with a film whose scale and ambition remain jaw-dropping to this day. Fantasia perfectly embodied Disney’s trailblazing power as it combined iconic kids’ characters like Mickey Mouse with mature classical music to make a film that viewers of all ages could enjoy equally.
Fantasia was a feast for the eyes and ears and was event cinema at its finest, having started off as a traveling theatrical roadshow throughout the United States. While the 1940s also boasted classics like Pinocchio, Dumbo, and Bambi, Fantasia was the film that packed everything great about Disney together into one awe-inspiring movie.
1950s: Lady And The Tramp (1955)
The 1950s were a golden era for animation, with classics like Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan, yet Lady and the Tramp stands out as the period’s finest. Showcasing Disney’s enduring mastery, the iconic scene of Tramp and Lady sharing a spaghetti kiss remains one of cinema’s most unforgettable and beloved images.
Telling a love story between two dogs from vastly different worlds, Lady and the Tramp was a sentimental journey that would warm even the coldest of hearts. With great music, top-tier animation, and a compelling narrative, Lady and the Tramp ticked all the right boxes.
1960s: The Jungle Book (1967)
Disney’s long-standing reign in the world of animation continued into the 1960s with their excellent adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book. While Disney’s musical numbers have always been catchy, they took things to a new level with legendary tracks like “The Bare Necessities” and “I Wanna Be Like You.”
As the final animated movie produced by Walt Disney before his death, The Jungle Book represented the end of an era and served as a worthy swansong to his outstanding legacy. While the 1960s also boasted the groundbreaking psychedelic animated Beatles movie Yellow Submarine, The Jungle Book remains the crowning achievement of that decade.
1970s: Watership Down (1978)
Even though Watership Down has been described as the film that “arguably traumatized a generation” (via The Independent), there’s no denying its place among the best animated movies of all time. Telling the story of animals trying to escape the destruction of their home environment from human contractors, there was a darkness and maturity to this animated tale.
While Watership Down’s graphic violence makes it unsuitable for children, it remains a powerful example of animation’s potential for mature storytelling. Controversial even today, the film compellingly illustrates the harsh consequences of human development, proving that cartoons can tackle complex, thought-provoking themes beyond traditional family-friendly fare.
1980s: My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
While Disney may have dominated the animation landscape in the first half of the 20th century, Studio Ghibli arrived in the 1980s to showcase the power and beauty of Japanese anime. With several outstanding releases like Castle in the Sky and Grave of the Fireflies during this time, it was My Neighbor Totoro that best captured the studio’s appeal.
Exploring themes of childhood innocence, the importance of nature, and the power of imagination, My Neighbor Totoro was a visually stunning journey into a fantastical world. With several masterpieces to his name, My Neighbor Totoro showcased director Hayao Miyazaki as one of the most interesting names in the world of animation across the entire globe.
1990s: The Lion King (1994)
After a period of downturns, Disney reclaimed its former glory during the 1990s as the Disney Renaissance reached its peak with movies like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King. As a reimagining of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet set in the jungles of Africa, The Lion King just got everything right and remains a masterpiece of animation.
With its iconic Elton John soundtrack and timeless story, The Lion King continues to captivate audiences and define a generation of animation. While some may argue Toy Story tops the decade, The Lion King’s emotional resonance leaves a lasting impact, solidifying its status as one of the 1990s’ most unforgettable animated masterpieces.
2000s: Spirited Away (2001)
Hayao Miyazaki made one of the greatest animated movies of all time with Spirited Away, a film that went on to become the highest-grossing Japanese movie ever at one point. Telling the story of a 10-year-old Chihiro Ogino entering the spirit world, after her parents are turned into pigs, she embarks on a quest to return to the real world.
Spirited Away was a wondrous fairytale that stands as an excellent jumping-in point for those unfamiliar with anime. With a richly imagined and visually stunning style, any viewer will be won over by the enchanting beauty and unique power of this extraordinary piece of filmmaking.
2010s: Toy Story 3 (2010)
It’s rare for an all-time great movie to get an equally great sequel, but even rarer for a third installment that’s just as outstanding. This is exactly what Pixar managed to pull off with Toy Story 3, a release that revived beloved characters for an emotional adventure that resonated deeply with longtime fans and a new generation.
As a touching exploration of growing up, Toy Story 3 tapped into 15 years of viewers’ nostalgia to tell a family-friendly story that was just as emotionally gut-wrenching as an adult drama. While this would have acted as the perfect farewell for the franchise, its billion-dollar success was so great that the series continues to this day.
