Bored during isolation? Furlough? Summer holidays? Grab a bowl of popcorn and take a look at our guide of animation as we suggest some must watch titles!
Recently you might have found yourself with a lot more spare time than you have in the past, and with more time on your hands, there will inevitably be the urge to watch more movies and who are we to deny you that pleasure.
But before diving into your Netflix or Hulu catalogs, we advise you to take a break from live-action and explore the realm of animation, and to make sure you reach the cartoon that’s best for you, we have crafted a guide just for you.
Frozen
We all know and love the songs this instant animated classic produced, but the story and the animation itself really helped make this one of the best animated movies of the past decade and some would argue of all time.
Following the story of two estranged sisters and their journey to right an icy mistake, this Walt Disney animated tale of princesses and princes alike is a family friendly toon that will have you coming back around for another rewatch and at least a couple sing-alongs.
Moana
Just two years later after knocking it out the park with Frozen, Disney delivered to audiences again with a similar but tried and true formula.
Moana will have you singing along and admiring the great animation and storytelling just as you did during your viewing of Frozen.
Moana follows a teenage girl on her journey to complete the will of her ancestors and along the way find herself in the process with the help of a former demi-god, Maui.
This ocean filled adventure is one that everyone should have the pleasure of viewing at least once, and if you have a subscription to Disney Plus you can watch it today.
The Incredibles 2
The first was so incredible we didn’t think we needed another one, but man one is complaining that we indeed got one.
Fourteen years after the release of the highly acclaimed and academy award winning original entry in this two film series, the sequel delivered more Incredibles family fun in a way that was still as entertaining and as much as a thrill to watch as the first.
Starting right off where the last film left us, this continuation of the superpowered family is one that is to be enjoyed just as much as the first and could serve as a great family back to back viewing. You can watch the Incredible family’s second adventure on Netflix today.
Finding Dory
Another sequel film that viewers were unexpectedly delivered and very satisfied with the service of said delivery was the sequel to one of the best animated films of all time.
Finding Nemo is not only an animated classic, it’s a classic in general and building upon the same roots and formula of the original, Finding Dory is a laugh packed underwater thriller that does more than enough justice to the original and provides another compelling and thought-provoking story that allows it to stand on its own.
If you have yet to see it and haven’t seen Finding Nemo in a good bit, much like The Incredibles it’s a great and recommended back to back viewing and is available today on Disney Plus.
Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse
When I first heard about plans to make an animated Spider-man movie I was excited, then I heard that Miles morales would be at the center of the film, and I became ecstatic.
Even then I could not have predicted how much this film shattered expectations, and trust me that’s exactly what it did.
Backed by an outstanding soundtrack and an A plus cast, this Marvel and mostly Sony collaboration is a must watch for any comic book fan.
Packed with humour, clever storytelling, and diving into a deep character database within the Marvel selection, this animated classic (yes already) should be loading on your Netflix screens right now.
Loving Vincent
Loving Vincent is a truly breathtaking work of animation as it delivers the story of Vincent Van Goghs’ life through animated paintings in the style of Van Gogh’s paintings.
The beautiful and downright visually appealing animation style is what will of course catch your eye, but the tragic and quite sad story of Van Goghs’ life being told through such beautiful art is hopefully what viewers of the film take from it and try to understand one of the greater artistic minds that graced the earth.
A more adult or teenage oriented animated film, this should be a must watch for fans of art, animation, Van Gogh, or those looking for a captivating story.
If you’re interested you can give it a viewing today on Hulu.
Dante’s Inferno: An Animated Epic
Often overlooked or cast aside because of its deviation from the original source of which it derives its name from, Dante’s Inferno is still a compelling and action-packed watch for fans of the horror-genre and those interested in the stories of Dante.
Following roughly but not quite the same premise as the books, this animated film follows a crusader and his quest to save his lover from the depths of hell, which of course means he will have to enter hell itself and navigate through it’s nine and mostly unpleasant circles of hell.
At first glance it may just seem like an action addict’s dream but the animated epic does feature a rather compelling tale of love, loss, and deceit that will keep story driven viewers locked in throughout the ride.
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox
DC has been churning out great animated classics for years now and is still going strong with more and more animated shows and movies in the past decade.
For fans of comic books and animated tales of superheroes, this comic book adapted animated film should be a joy ride as you get to see the panels you loved while reading Geoff John’s Flashpoint comic actually move and come to life in some fine animation.
Sticking to the source material for the most part, those unfamiliar with the comic itself should have little problem with keeping up with the rather interesting and slightly more teen to adult orientated content.
This being the first film in the DC animated universe, if you enjoy your viewing here, you should go on to watch those that follow after.
Ghost in the Shell
The oldest entry on the list and falling more in the category of anime than the cartoon category that the other entries on this list belong to, this 90’s anime classic still holds up in terms of storytelling and the animation itself.
The influence Ghost in the Shell had upon future animation films as well as live-action films is a testament to how damn good this animated film is and that sort of generational influence should be enough to convince you to give this gem a watch.
Definitely more geared for an older audience, this classic explores some of the more compelling concepts that science fiction typically tries to explore such as what it means to be human and how would A.I coexist with humans.
Currently free to watch on youtube, this should definitely be added to your to watch list.
Persepolis
Often when we think about animation today, we think about colorful characters and adventurous tales that have some lesson or moral attached to it somewhere throughout.
So when animation tackles real life experiences in a rather blunt and head first way it is noticed, and a film such as Persepolis, deserves that recognition and your viewership.
Based on the autobiographical series of the same name, Marjane Satrapi’s account of her life as an out of the norm teenager in a rather tumultuous and rapidly shifting Iran should be a must watch for those that enjoy realistic and grounded storytelling.
A film that is often played for students in school, this movie is an educational one and one more geared for older audiences.
Article written by Devin Baker
