Although we’ve barely passed the halfway point of the decade, it’s clear that the 2020s have been a special time for the animated genre. Powerhouses like Walt Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, DreamWorks, and Studio Ghibli are still great, while the likes of Illumination and Sony Pictures Animation are becoming more prominent.
So far, the 2020s have been host to some stellar animated films. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, The Boy and the Heron, Encanto, The Mtichells vs. The Machines, and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, are just some of the most well-received movies to release in the genre since the turn of the decade.
There are also the big blockbusters (some of which are also critical hits), like Zootopia 2, Ne Zha 2, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Inside Out 2, and more. With so many major animated movies over the past few years, plenty of great ones have flown under the radar and were overlooked.
These are the films that flopped at the box office and weren’t given the chance they deserved, the ones that hit streaming services and get overshadowed by other releases, and the movies that should be considered among the decade’s best. Some are from big studios, some are incredibly creative, and all make for a fantastic viewing experience.
Onward (2020)
Onward was one of the first movies to have its box office hurt by the pandemic. The film hit theaters just about a week before pretty much everything closed down, causing it to gross less than its budget. Had that never happened, this would likely be more positively remembered.
The premise of Onward, following two brothers on an adventure to see their dad one final time in a fantastical world is heartwarming. The animation style is stunning and the voice cast, led by Tom Holland and Chris Pratt, is filled with stars. It was also well-received, meaning it had everything needed to succeed.
Piece By Piece (2024)
There is no biopic out there more unique than Piece by Piece, except for maybe Better Man. Piece by Piece tells the story of the life of rapper and music producer Pharrell Williams, yet it’s done in the form of a LEGO animated project.
That allows this movie to have all the witty charm that we’ve come to know from LEGO films, while also hitting the important beats of Pharrell’s incredible career. Add in the great music and Piece by Piece is among the most fun you’ll ever have watching a biopic.
Elio (2025)
After Onward struggled, things weren’t great for Pixar. Several films were just put on Disney+ and while Elemental and Inside Out 2 were hits, Lightyear and Elio bombed. Both are good movies, but more people are likely in tune with Lightyear, given its connection to Toy Story.
Elio is a completely original story about an outcast boy who is taken by aliens and mistaken for Earth’s ambassador, thrusting him into an important position during a crisis involving a dangerous warlord. There’s a ton of heart here and reviews were strong, so Elio deserves more fans than it has.
Transformers One (2024)
There was a time when just having the Transformers name attached to a movie would’ve made it a huge hit. However, years of bad reviews have led to newer installments receiving less fanfare and that has never been truer than with Transformers One.
This film takes the franchise back to its roots and animation has always suited Transformers more than live action. On top of the cool visuals, Transformers One tells a great origin story for most of our favorite characters, while also having a fantastic voice cast that includes Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry.
Predator: Killer Of Killers (2025)
The way that Dan Trachtenberg has revitalized the Predator franchise is astonishing. Prey injected new life into things, while Predator: Badlands brought the series back to the big screen. However, in between those movies, he might’ve put out his best project.
Predator: Killer of Killers released directly to Hulu with little fanfare and is the first animated entry into the franchise. It tells a story that spans several time periods, features impressive animation, and includes some cool cameos. It’s actually the best-rated Predator movie on Rotten Tomatoes.
Raya And The Last Dragon (2021)
Another film that had its box office impacted by the pandemic, Raya and the Last Dragon, should’ve been a great hit for Disney. The studio’s other release that year, Encanto, became a monster hit and its use of music played a big part.
Raya and the Last Dragon doesn’t have that, and instead relies on a captivating adventure featuring one of Disney’s best protagonists. Raya goes on a journey with the last living dragon to save her people. The action is great, the score is underrated, and the visuals are breathtaking.
Memoir Of A Snail (2024)
Memoir of a Snail is an Australian animated movie that got overlooked for a few reasons. For starters, the animation style is unique, it’s aimed at older audiences, and it’s not exactly what you’d call a fun film.
Instead, Memoir of a Snail is loosely inspired by the director’s own life and follows the lonely, often tragic, aspects of its protagonist, an outcast snail named Grace. It’s a rare R-rated movie to be nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards and it’s an emotionally charged picture.
Entergalactic (2022)
Originally designed as a miniseries for Netflix, Entergalactic was reimagined into a 92-minute project that’s still listed as a TV special. The project comes from the mind of rapper Kid Cudi and works as a visual companion to his studio album of the same name.
Entergalactic follows Cudi’s Jabari, an artist who falls for his new neighbor. The romance at the center is simple, yet touching, while the music is phenomenal. The movie is also a visual delight, as every scene has a ton of color that pops. Cudi is joined by Timothée Chalamet, Vanessa Hudgens, Jessica Williams, and more in the cast.
Wendell & Wild (2022)
Whenever people talk about Henry Selick, their minds rightfully go to his classics, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline. However, not many people bring up his most recent project, Wendell & Wild.
Featuring his signature stop-motion animation, Wendell & Wild centers on the titular demons as they strike a deal with a punk music-loving teen so they can escape the underworld. It’s the perfect kind of spooky movie for Halloween, and people of all ages can enjoy it.
Wolfwalkers (2020)
Tomm Moore is one of the most impressive names in animation, even if his films are often overlooked. His “Irish Folklore Trilogy,” which includes The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea, is spectacular and the final leg is Wolfwalkers.
One of the best movies on Apple TV+, Wolfwalkers centers on a young hunter who befriends a girl who can turn into a wolf. Their differences come between their tight bond, making for a heartwarming story that gets boosted by the gorgeous visuals in this Best Animated Feature Oscar nominee.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
