These are the greatest animated films and cartoons of all time — the masterpieces that defined generations, pushed the boundaries of art and storytelling, and proved that animation is one of the most powerful forms of cinema. From hand-drawn classics to groundbreaking CGI, these films represent the absolute pinnacle of the animated art form.
Spirited Away (2001)
A girl must work in a magical spirit world bathhouse to save her parents who've been turned into pigs.
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
The Lion King (1994)
A young lion prince must reclaim his throne after his father is murdered by his treacherous uncle.
Directed by Roger Allers
Toy Story (1995)
The groundbreaking first CGI film follows a cowboy doll threatened by a flashy new spaceman toy.
Directed by John Lasseter
WALL-E (2008)
A lonely robot on a desolate Earth falls in love with a sleek probe and follows her across the galaxy.
Directed by Andrew Stanton
Princess Mononoke (1997)
A cursed warrior is caught in a war between forest gods and a mining colony in this Ghibli epic.
Directed by Hayao Miyazaki
Akira (1988)
A biker gang leader must save his friend who develops destructive psychic powers in a dystopian Neo-Tokyo.
Directed by Katsuhiro Otomo
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
A young woman is imprisoned in an enchanted castle and slowly falls in love with the Beast who lives there.
Directed by Gary Trousdale
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Two Japanese children struggle to survive in the final months of World War II in this devastating Ghibli film.
Directed by Isao Takahata
Up (2009)
A 78-year-old man ties balloons to his house and flies to South America to fulfill a lifelong dream.
Directed by Pete Docter
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
A teen becomes Spider-Man and teams up with heroes from other dimensions in this visual masterpiece.
Directed by Bob Persichetti