Some of the greatest animated films ever made flew under the radar, overshadowed by bigger releases or overlooked by mainstream audiences. These underrated animated movies are hidden gems that deserve a second look — brilliant films with stunning animation, powerful stories, and unforgettable characters that prove there's so much more to animation than the biggest box office hits.
The Iron Giant (1999)
A boy befriends a giant alien robot during the Cold War and must protect it from a paranoid government agent.
Directed by Brad Bird
Treasure Planet (2002)
A rebellious teen embarks on a space voyage to find the legendary Treasure Planet filled with unimaginable riches.
Directed by Ron Clements
The Prince of Egypt (1998)
Moses discovers his true heritage and must free the Hebrew slaves from his adoptive brother, Pharaoh Rameses.
Directed by Brenda Chapman
Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
A one-eyed boy uses his magical shamisen to battle ancient gods while searching for his father's legendary armor.
Directed by Travis Knight
Song of the Sea (2014)
A boy and his mute sister, who is the last of the selkies, must journey through a world of Irish mythology.
Directed by Tomm Moore
The Breadwinner (2017)
An Afghan girl disguises herself as a boy to support her family after the Taliban imprisons her father.
Directed by Nora Twomey
Ernest & Celestine (2012)
An unlikely friendship forms between a big bear and a small mouse in a world where their kinds are enemies.
Directed by Stéphane Aubier
Wolfwalkers (2020)
A young apprentice hunter befriends a girl who turns into a wolf at night in 1650s Ireland.
Directed by Tomm Moore
A Silent Voice (2016)
A former bully seeks redemption by reconnecting with a deaf girl he tormented in elementary school.
Directed by Naoko Yamada
The Secret of NIMH (1982)
A timid field mouse must find a way to save her family's home with help from a mysterious group of rats.
Directed by Don Bluth