RESULTS: The Blu-ray.com Community Top 20 Animated Films of All Time

[Jasonic]

#2


Beauty and the Beast

Points: 367 | Votes: 26 | Peak: 1 (3 times)
Directed by: Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale
Year released: 1991

Fun fact: All the sculptures in the Beast's castle are actually earlier versions of Beast's design. And many paintings throughout the castle are undetailed versions of paintings of many famous painters.

[Jasonic]

#1


The Lion King

Points: 402 | Votes: 26 | Peak: 1 (7 times)
Directed by: Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers
Year released: 1994

Fun fact: Ever wondered what the opening lyrics to "The Circle of Life" mean? They are from the African language of Zulu. "Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba / Sithi uhm ingonyama / Nants ingonyama bagithi baba / Sithi uhhmm ingonyama / Ingonyama Siyo Nqoba / Ingonyama Ingonyama nengw enamabala". This translates as: "Here comes a lion, Father / Oh yes, it's a lion / Here comes a lion, Father / Oh yes, it's a lion / A lion We're going to conquer / A lion A lion and a leopard come to this open place".

[Hucksta G]

Cheers Jasonic, that was fun and reminds me I have a lot more animation to see.

[roguescribner]

Bah!

[Lepidopterous]

And the King is not dethroned!!

Thank you Jasonic. The posters are beautiful and the tips were fun to read. I didn't even know about most of them.

Originally Posted by roguescribner

I hope BatB takes the top spot over TLK. TLK had a strong story, but the middle act was a little weird and the songs don't compare to BatB. BatB was nominated for Best Picture for a reason.

The songs were some of the best in the Disney canon. BatB is a deserving silver though. Absolutely timeless.

I find most Pixar to be overrated. Up was awesome... for the first 15 minutes.

The structure of TLK actually resembles Up in that it's an emotional start, fun middle, emotional end. They both have an equally potent message, but TLK has far better characters (Zazu, Rafiki), great songs, classic comedy (Timon and Pumba still get me busting up), and non-stop fun. Up fell short of greatness in the middle "adventure" act. It's novel and thrilling but not as fun as Finding Nemo nor as funny as A Goofy Movie. It's good, but a dip in quality compared to the start and end. TLK keeps consistent quality and is a fitting #1. I know you weren't comparing the two but I thought it was a fair comparison.

Also, due to some comments in this thread, I've decided to add Grave of the Fireflies to my Netflix queue.

Grave of the Fireflies is a masterpiece. It is ranked #1 on my greatest (not favorite) animated list.

[JavaJulien]

Grave of the Fireflies is on netflix? Score, I shall be watching it this week.

Great thread overall. Wished more people would have voted, but I've seen enough new titles to pique my interest.

[roguescribner]

"Circle of Life" and "Hakuna Matata" are really good songs. "Be Prepared" was solid. I didn't really care for the rest. Meanwhile, I love every song in Beauty and the Beast from beginning to end. It's like an animated Broadway musical, which was mind-blowing the first time I saw it. Ashman and Menken were an awesome team and I'm sorry that Ashman left us too soon.

[Lepidopterous]

Don't forget "I Just Can't Wait to Be King". As catchy as "Under the Sea" and just as magical a sequence.

The Lion King Just can't wait to be king HD - YouTube

[Lepidopterous]

Originally Posted by JavaJulien

Grave of the Fireflies is on netflix? Score, I shall be watching it this week.

Great thread overall. Wished more people would have voted, but I've seen enough new titles to pique my interest.

Check out Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland too if you haven't seen it. It's a cross between the dark animation of Miyazaki and the dream world of Paprika. It has always been a favorite of mine but didn't show up on any other lists.

[Tenchi7]

Originally Posted by DjMethod

Don't forget "I Just Can't Wait to Be King". As catchy as "Under the Sea" and just as magical a sequence.

The Lion King Just can't wait to be king HD - YouTube

Could you imagine Arnold Rimmer as Zazu?

[celticmoon]

My guess was that The Lion King would take the top spot. Interestingly, Toy Story seems to have gotten the highest number of votes, though it only narrowly edged out Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King by one vote.

1. Pinocchio (1940) #17
2. My Neighbor Totoro (1988) #12
3. Toy Story (1995) #3
4. Fantasia (1940) #14
5. Princess Mononoke (1997) #6

6. The King and the Mockingbird (1980)
7. Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) #20
8. Ratatouille (2006) #21
9. Mind Game (2004)
10. Sleeping Beauty (1959) #35

11. Kirikou and the Sorceress (1998)
12. Yellow Submarine (1968)
13. Grave of the Fireflies (1988) #16
14. The Triplets of Belleville (2003)
15. Lilo & Stitch (2002)

16. The Incredibles (2004) #8
17. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) #34
18. The End of Evangelion (1997)
19. Aladdin (1992) #10
20. Shrek (2001) #29

Thirteen of the films I voted for made the final top 50. Not bad! Anyway, this was fun! Thanks for compiling the list, Jasonic!

If it's not too much trouble, it might be interesting to see a list of 51-100, though I imagine there would be a lot of ties in there.

[TotoroDragon]

This list is what it is and i understand the rules ect,but The Transformers:The Movie should have been in there.

I can't really take this list seriously with out these films.

When the Wind Blows: < This Film is a Classic,Beautiful Animation touching story what more do you need ?

The Transformers:The Movie <This film's first 20 mins beats a lot of major animation released even now.Death of a major character,Violence,Swearing.It changed animation.

Also watership down,but no The Plague Dogs ?

[X400]

a bit surprised at the top 10 but Aladdin made it in there so Im Happy

I was biting my nails wondering why I hadn't seen it in the list yet


I'm shocked these aren't in the list though:






Maybe even Charlotte's Web, Heidi's Song, Land Before Time, An American Tail


but hey Aladdin is in there Im happy

[Al_The_Strange]

50.) Kung Fu Panda: cool. Was #14 on my list.
50.) Cars: not a fan
49.) Whisper of the Heart: never seen
48.) The Simpsons Movie: hahaha, awesome
47.) Tarzan: never seen
46.) The Rescuers: never seen
45.) The Secret of NIMH: haven't seen it in years. I remember seeing it often as a kid.
44.) An American Tail: same as above. Waiting a Blu-Ray release...dammit
43.) Paprika: good, but I don't like it as much as most other folks
42.) Watership Down: never seen
41.) Bambi: once again, good, but don't love it like everybody else
40.) Dumbo: surely, a classic!
39.) The Hunchback of Notre Dame: haven't seen it in a while. Barely remember it.
38.) Coraline: decent
37.) Kiki's Delivery Service: rented it a while ago. It was good, but I never had the desire to rewatch it.
36.) South Park: awesome
35.) Sleeping Beauty: one of my top favorite Disney pictures. Was #7 on my list.
34.) Fantastic Mr. Fox: Amusing.
33.) The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: Don't remember if I ever saw this one.
31.) Rango: fun.
31.) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: a classic. Not one I always care for, but a classic nonetheless.
30.) Shrek: Ew.
29.) Tangled: fun.
28.) Ghost in the Shell: Glad it's getting some love, but dissapointed it's not higher.
27.) Laputa: same as above.
26.) Wreck-It Ralph: Just saw it not too long ago. Fun stuff.
25.) The Little Mermaid: used to love it as a kid. Awaiting a Blu-Ray release.
24.) Howl's Moving Castle: thoroughly enjoyable.
23.) The Iron Giant: good stuff. Awaiting a Blu-Ray.
22.) Nausicaa: Personal fave. #2 on my list. Wished it was in the top 20.
21.) Ratatouille: I remember it being good, just don't love it like everyone else.
-----
20.) Nightmare Before Christmas: Never was a fan, but I did rewatch it recently and came to like it.
19.) Monsters Inc: like it, don't love it. Was at the bottom of my list.
18.) Akira: love it, made it #1 on my list. I almost wish it was higher, but given its overall reception and level of exposure, I suppose it's fine where it is
17.) Pinocchio: a great childhood classic
16.) Grave of the Fireflies: one of the saddest movies I've ever seen
14.) Fantasia: I do like it, just wouldn't call it top 20 material
14.) Toy Story 2: I like it better than the first one
13.) How to Train Your Dragon: Enjoyable, but never had the urge to rewatch it
12.) My Neighbor Totoro: Yes, it's cute, but for me it's far from being a favorite among Studio Ghibli stuff
11.) Toy Story 3: love it
10.) Aladdin: haven't seen it in years. Remember enjoying it as a kid. Awaiting the Blu-Ray release.
09.) Finding Nemo: was #6 from my list.
08.) The Incredibles: was #8 from my list.
07.) Spirited Away: always found it quite charming. Made it at #11 on my list.
06.) Princess Mononoke: I think it's good, but don't love it like everyone else.
05.) Up!: Never was a fan.
04.) Wall-E: Hey, just watched it yesterday. My top favorite Pixar film to date. Put it at #5 on my list.
03.) Toy Story: Decent classic. Another like-it-don't-love-it movie for me, but it's respectable.
02.) Beauty and the Beast: was #3 on my list. Personal favorite Disney film.
01.) The Lion King: was #4 on my list.

My list, comparatively:

01: Akira
02: Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
03: Beauty and the Beast
04: The Lion King
05: Wall-E
06: Finding Nemo
07: Sleeping Beauty
08: The Incredibles
09: Laputa: Castle in the Sky
10: The Ninja Scroll
11: Spirited Away
12: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
13: Despicable Me
14: Kung Fu Panda
15: Over the Hedge
16: Ghost in the Shell
17: The Cowboy Bebop: The Movie
18: Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
19: Neon Genesis Evangelion: End of Evangelion
20: Monsters Inc.

Well, the inner badass in me is dissapointed that all the non-Miyazaki anime seemed to get snubbed (no love for the Ninja Scroll, the Cowboy Bebop movie, or the new Evangelion movies?! Come on! ). Also a little shocked that Despicable Me didn't even penetrate the top 50.

However, the list overall reflects the good, wholesome, high-quality stuff we all know and love. All of the titles are quite respectable and enjoyable.

Thanks to Jasonic for putting this all together and doing all the hard work! And thanks to everyone for their inputs.

[NoFro]

My list:

1. Toy Story 2 #14
2. Spirited Away #7
3. South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut #36
4. Rango #31
5. Howl's Moving Castle #24
6. Whisper of the Heart #48
7. How to Train Your Dragon #13
8. Arrietty Didn't place.
9. Toy Story #3
10. My Neighbour Totoro #12
11. Beauty and the Beast #2
12. Wallace & Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit Didn't place.
13. Wall-E #4
14. The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn Didn't place.
15. Toy Story 3 #11
16. The Iron Giant #23
17. Kung Fu Panda #50
18. Ratatouille #21
19. The Incredibles #8
20. Sleeping Beauty #35

I've just realised that Monsters Inc. wasn't in my top 20 I swear I'd put it in there. I must have accidently deleted it when trying to whittle my list down to 20. It would've been 12th I reckon.

Thoughts on the top 10:

10. Aladdin Haven't seen.

09. Finding Nemo It's a great film but I don't like it as much as most do. Some great fish jokes/obervations kind of like the toy jokes/observations that make the Toy Story films so great.

08. The Incredibles Great film that I thought was good but never really loved until a few years ago when I caught it on TV. It just clicked with me and I fell in love with it. Keep meaning to give the blu ray a second spin.

07. Spirited Away This should have been in the top 5 I think. I saw this a few years after it came out and was aware of the hype around it and it still exceeded my expectations. An absolute joy and still my favourite Ghibli film. I need a blu ray now! Stunning animation and a magical quality which I think only Ghibli can really offer me (as a grown up).

06. Princess Mononoke I love Ghibli but this has never clicked with me like their other films. I've watched it a few times in the hope that it will.

05. Up! Great opening but as soon as they land in South America the magic kind of goes and it becomes a pretty average film. The animation style doesn't really grab me either. It's fun but I'm still slightly baffled by people's love of it.

[Show spoiler]The bit where he finds the message in the book is great though.

04. Wall-E I guess what I said for Up! could apply for Wall-E as well. A great opening that leads into a fairly conventional second half. However, Wall-E is just a brilliantly endearing character, the second half gives us the dance sequence, and the captain learning about Earth is a reminder of how wonderful this planet can be, even the everyday things. I can't say I was particularly interested in the film when I first saw the teaser trailer but it is now a firm favourite.

03. Toy Story Just hilarious. A film I watched countless times as a child and found even funnier when I returned to it a decade later. A film about toys coming alive is a simple idea that we'd all seen before but the way the jokes about being a toy and the way the Pixar crew explored what issues a Toy might face (the fear of getting lost during a move/new toys replacing them etc.) was what made this a real joy and different to other films out there.

02. Beauty and the Beast: Great film. I didn't put it this high but have no problem with it being #2. Disney at it's absolute best.

01. The Lion King The Lion King features memorable characters, great animation, some great songs and a few iconic sequences but for some reason this film has never clicked with me the way other animated films have. The high points are great but I often find myself zoning out in the parts between them.

[Bk_Tan]

The most overrated movie next to Snow White takes the prize to no surprise.

[Buddy Ackerman]

I don't know if I would ever class The Lion King as the "best" or most "worthy" animated film ever made but it is my favourite so I'm very pleased to see it win. An absolutely wonderful film.

[principehomura]

Originally Posted by JavaJulien

Part of it was because The Little Mermaid got snubbed before hand.

I snubbed it on my top 20 because I didn't remember it.
I saw it yesterday and :Q__
Definetly one of my favorites.

[GC Riot]

The second number is my placement from my top 20.

50)(--) Kung Fu Panda
One of Dreamworks' better efforts, with surprisingly solid characterization and great animation. I actually do think the sequel is a bit better though.
50)(--) Cars
One of Pixar's weakest, but still an entertaining film, especially when it actually takes its time to chill out and breathe.
49)(--) Whisper of the Heart
A Ghibli favourite that would probably have been in my top 30. Tender, imaginative and innocent, and always manages to bring a smile to my face.
48)(--) The Simpsons Movie
I really like this. It can almost be described as "The best Simpsons episode ever" if you ask me, and for that, it gets top marks.
47)(14) Tarzan
My third favourite Disney Animation Studios favourite. A real gem with character, amazing animation and great songs by Phil Collins. There's nothing here not to like.
46)(--) The Rescuers
I've never really viewed the Rescuers films as anything special. I do own them and enjoy them both equally, but I don't feel they belong in the top 50.
45)(--) The Secret of Nimh
Saw this quite recently, and I really fell for the dark and brooding nature of it. Once again nothing truly spectacular, but a good film in its own right.
44)(--) An American Tale
Saw it as a kid, and once again recently, and it's a solid film for sure, although a bit forgettable if you ask me. Not top 50 material.
43)(--) Paprika
Out of Satoshi Kon's theatrical efforts, Paprika was a bit of a culmination of everything he had done before. I still hold Millennium Actress as his absolute masterpiece, but Paprika is an amazing accomplishment and a surefire runner-up.
42)(--) Watership Down
Dark, sad and brutal in its approach. I can see why people like it, but I don't really share that sentiment.
41)(--) Bambi
Once again, one that would have made my top 30. A beautiful, beautiful film with one of the most heartbreaking moments in cinema history.
39)(--) Dumbo
Sweet for sure, but a bit on the short side with an ending that they could have stretched out a bit longer, and that hallucination sequence is just weird. Not one of my Disney favourites.
39)(--) The Hunchback of Notre Dame
One of Disney's stronger and more mature films, and one that almost made the list. Stunning animation!
38)(--) Coraline
This never really clicked with me, which I wanted it to do since I loved Nightmare Before Christmas. I'm going to give it another try soon, but the first viewing was a big disappointment for me.
37)(--) Kiki's Delivery Service
One of Ghibli's better films. It's sort of serene and relaxing to see, and being from Sweden, I like how Miyazaki's inspiration in the art and architecture from here shows.
36)(--) South Park: Bigger, Louder and Uncut
A lovely film with some of the most memorable songs I've heard in a musical, and for all the wrong reasons probably
35)(--) Sleeping Beauty
A visual wonder that almost made my list, but with so many good films to choose from, I felt this didn't quite reach the top tier.
34)(--) Fantastic Mr. Fox
I think I placed this as number 21, that's how close it came. I love Wes Anderson, and the unconventional animation style and storytelling just won me over.
33)(--) The Many Adventures of Winne the Pooh
I've never been that big of a fan of Pooh. The films and books are charming and sweet, but not really for me.
31)(--) Rango
This turned out to be a big surprise, and it was surprisingly adult in its themes. Would probably have made my personal top 50 as well.
31)(--) Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Just missed out. I can see the importance of it, but it just doesn't hold up as well for me as some of Disney's newer films.
29)(--) Shrek
A fun and for its time original take on the fairy tale. I like the second one the most, but the first one does have a memorable story as well and the characters proved they had staying power.
29)(--) Tangled
I really, really like Tangled and view it as the best Disney has done since the renaissance ended with Tarzan. A fun and really sweet film with wit and heart.
28)(03) Ghost in a Shell
This is up there with Blade Runner for me in the sci-fi genre, and one of my top 10 films of all time. Thought-provoking and so ahead of its time in the story department it's almost frightening.
27)(--) Laputa: City in the Sky
A really fun adventure story with some great set piece moments. That I really like it and still rate it as one of Ghibli's worst still says more about their consistent quality more than anything.
26)(--) Wreck-it Ralph
A film that for all intents and purposes SHOULD have been terrible, but turned out to be a surprisingly emotional ride with some great characters and gags.
25)(02) The Little Mermaid
My favourite Disney film. I know every song by heart and Glen Keane's Ariel just comes alive on the screen. Really baffled it placed this low.
24)(04) Howl's Moving Castle
See above. Miyazaki's second best and a fantasy that differs greatly from the book but still manages to get the point across and give you an emotional punch in the gut. Powerful stuff.
23)(10) The Iron Giant
Brad Bird's first theatrical feature is his worst one, and I still rank it as the tenth best animated film ever made. The comparisons with E.T. are valid, but this one is better in every way.
22)(--) Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
Since I haven't read the manga, I can't comment on the "bastardization" that the film is, but on its own merits it's a great fantasy adventure with a lot of truly inspired design.
21)(05) Ratatouille
My Pixar favourite. There's just so much love put into the film and you can feel it in every single frame. This truly is what animation is all about.
20)(--) The Nightmare Before Christmas
A classic for sure, even if I do think it's a bit over-hyped. The songs are the highlight.
19)(--) Monsters Inc.
The Pixar film that makes me feel indifferent. It's not bad, but it's not one of their better, far from it. It's just stuck there in the middle and I never really warmed up to it. Suffice to say, I'm not that hyped for the sequel.
18)(--) Akira
The animation is fantastic, but everything else is a mess. Probably the most overrated anime I've seen.
17)(--) Pinocchio
Some of the set pieces are incredible, and the story is done with real heart. May have been a top 30 contender.
16)(--) Grave of the Fireflies
An emotional powerhouse and an important film. This should be required viewing for everyone, and would have been in my top 30.
14)(16) Fantasia
I sit in awe everytime I watch Fantasia, and with good reason. It's an audiovisual spectacle that grabs hold and never lets go.
14)(--) Toy Story 2
My favourite of the Toy Story films, with the most emotionally loaded story arc. The "When she loved me" sequence is up there with the opening of Up.
13)(18) How To Train Your Dragon
Dreamworks' best film, loaded with humour and heart, and the action is truly breathtaking at times.
12)(07) My Neighbour Totoro
The best feel good film ever? Quite possible!
11)(--) Toy Story 3
Up to the ending, I actually find this a bit on the weak side, but when the last 10-15 minutes arrive, you can't help but wave a white flag and just give in. You're left with a hole in your heart, but still feel a sense of closure and happiness.
10)(17) Aladdin
One of my Disney favourites. The genie, the mat, the songs, Al and Jasmine, Jafar, everything just clicks. A great time is to be had!
09)(--) Finding Nemo
A great film to be sure, with some great characters and lovely animation. Almost reached Pixar's upper tier for me.
08)(09) The Incredibles
Brad Bird, again. A superhero film that bests almost every comic book adaptation out there, and all because of one thing. The thing that works better here than in almost every other film made; Family.
07)(15) Spirited Away
A truly magical, deep and profound Alice in Wonderland-esque tale that you can return to over and over.
06)(01) Princess Mononoke
My favourite animated film, and an incredible achievement in animation and story. A must see!
05)(13) Up
The opening is one of the most emotional rollercoasters you're likely to ever experience in film. The rest is... different, but still amazingly well done in it's own way, and the ending really does take the story full circle.
04)(--) Wall-e
Almost made the list. The first half of the film is incredible and daring, but I feel the direction it goes after that and the pay-off is a little cheap, but it really doesn't detract THAT much.
03)(--) Toy Story
A miletone in animation to be sure, but still not at all in the same league as the two sequels.
02)(06) Beauty and the Beast
Only outmatched by The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast is Disney at its absolute finest.
01)(19) The Lion King
A magnificent film, and I can see why it won as it has everything you'd wish for in a great Disney film. I just think there are a couple more worthy contenders...

And here are the picks from my list that didn't make the top 50...

08) Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence
Experimental to be sure, but at the same time a film that gets better with each viewing as you uncover the layers upon layers that it has to offer. Sci-fi at it's best!
11) The Girl Who Leapt Through Time
Such a sweet and fun film, with an emotional pay-off that you never really did see coming.
12) Millennium Actress
Satoshi Kon's masterpiece. Sophisticated and inspiring, and might leave you in tears.
20) Mary and Max
A bittersweet dark comedy with hilarious voice over dialogue and two extremely likeable leads that'll leave you an emotional wreck when all is said and done.

I recently saw the Japanese film "Oookami Kodomo Ame to Yuki" (Wolf Children/The Wolf Children Ame and Yuki), and I would have placed that one at position 11. A fantastic, warm and heartfelt film!

[JavaJulien]

1. Princess Mononoke (#6)
2. The Prince of Egypt
3. Pinocchio (#17)
4. Fantasia (#14)
5. The Lion King (#1)
6. Up (#5)
7. Spirited Away (#7)
8. Coraline (#38)
9. The Iron Giant (#23)
10. WALL-E (#4)
11. Akira (#18)
12. The Secret of Nimh (#45)
13. Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (#22)
14. Toy Story (#3)
15. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
16. The Incredibles (#8)
17. The Hunchback of Notre Dame (#39)
18. The Castle of Cagliostro
19. How to Train Your Dragon (#13)
20. The Nightmare Before Christmas (#20)