10 Epic Animated Movies That Will Keep You Hooked

by

Animation is generally perceived as a format primarily targeted towards families and younger viewers, considering their relatively shorter attention spans. It’s uncommon to come across animated films that boast the same levels of grandeur and epic scale as renowned movies like “The Godfather” or “Titanic”.

On the contrary, this doesn’t have to be the truth. Animation is a form of art that offers infinite potential, free from the limitations of traditional filmmaking with live actors. Though creating animated films might be more laborious and technically challenging, given the right vision, they can certainly delve into intricate stories, profound emotions, and grand cinematic vistas, equal in impact to their live-action counterparts.

10
‘Akira’ (1988)

124 Minutes

1988 marked a significant milestone in animation history with the debut of “Akira”. This release ignited a passion for Japanese anime and manga-influenced animation in the Western world, a fascination that persists even now. The innovative visuals, intricate storyline, and mature subject matter enthralled viewers, offering an animation sophistication seldom encountered prior to this.

‘Akira’ Lit the Fuse for the Anime and Manga Explosion in the West

Nowadays, Japanese anime and manga play significant roles in global popular culture, and Akira continues to stand as a testament to their lasting influence. It has sparked countless imitations and fueled interest in the genre’s distinctive narrative and artistic elements.

9
‘Spirited Away’ (2001)

125 Minutes

In the same vein as Akira, the debut of Spirited Away signified a pivotal moment within the realm of animation. This groundbreaking production not only expanded the horizons of Japanese anime to an even more expansive global audience, but it also demonstrated that animation could encompass elements of whimsy and imagination, all while maintaining an artistically refined and emotionally profound impact on viewers of all ages. The prolonged immersion into the world of Chihiro “Sen” Ogino leaves audiences with a profound emotional bond, experiencing her triumphs and tribulations, cheering for her in ways seldom witnessed in animated films.

‘Spirited Away’ Was Groundbreaking

The film revolutionized the public’s viewpoint towards animated films, particularly those originating from Japan, opening up a path for numerous subsequent movies. Today, it is widely cherished and recognized as one of the greatest animated films ever made. For almost two decades, it held the title for the highest-grossing Japanese movie, and it made history by becoming the first non-English film to win an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

8
‘Incredibles 2’ (2018)

126 Minutes

After the massive popularity of The Incredibles, the sequel was released in 2018, bringing back the Parr family as they encounter difficulties following a fight against the malevolent Underminer, resulting in extensive damage to their town. This event triggers negative sentiment towards superheroes, leading to their financial support being withdrawn. Aid comes from two affluent siblings who enlist Helen (Elastigirl) to revamp the superhero image. Initially focusing on public relations, her actions lead her into confrontations with a fresh villain, the Screenslaver, who aims to manipulate people through their mobile gadgets.

‘Incredibles 2’ Is the Perfect Superhero Comedy for the Whole Family

Incredibles 2″ stands out as one of the few films, either animated or not, that may surpass its predecessor. The original “Incredibles” saw Pixar skillfully venturing into the superhero genre by blending sharp satire of suburban life akin to sitcoms with homages to the iconic comic book heroes from Marvel and DC. In “Incredibles 2”, they concentrate on what made the first film popular, dedicating more screen time to the characters’ family lives and expanding on the charming and endearing Jack-Jack character. The advancements in animation technology also contribute to sharper visuals, resulting in one of the best superhero movies ever produced.

Watching the abundance of action, humor, and animated turmoil, the movie’s extended duration seems short, ensuring an entertaining and delightful viewing time suitable for viewers of any age group.

7
‘The Wind Rises’ (2013)

126 Minutes

The Wind Rises
The Wind Rises, a historical drama, revolves around the life of Jiro Horikoshi, a Japanese aeronautical engineer. The narrative begins in 1923 at the University of Tokyo and culminates with the first test flight of the Mitsubishi Ka-14, an aircraft notorious for its use during war. This captivating animated film portrays the struggles and triumphs of ambition and sacrifice, while delving into the moral dilemmas that arise when creating military aircraft during conflict.

‘The Wind Rises’ Takes a Few Creative Liberties

The main part of the story is based on real historical events, but some artistic license was used to make it more engaging, such as introducing a fictional romantic angle. However, this doesn’t diminish Horikoshi’s significant role in aviation. As a result, viewers get an educational, enjoyable, and thought-provoking experience.

6
‘The Lord of the Rings’ (1978)

132 Minutes

As a devoted fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s timeless masterpiece, it hardly comes as a shock that the 1978 animated adaptation mirrors the epic length of the novel. After all, the book wove an intricate tapestry of a world complete with its unique history, dialects, customs, and folklore – many aspects of which were faithfully translated to the silver screen.

Despite Its Ambition, ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Received Mixed Reviews

In terms of length, The Lord of the Rings was an incredibly ambitious production, distinguished by its unique blend of conventional cel animation and rotoscoped live-action imagery. However, in adapting the intricate themes and storyline from the original text into a family-friendly animated film, it unfortunately failed to preserve much of the book’s enchanting appeal. Nonetheless, it remains a worthwhile viewing experience for dedicated readers of the book or those who admire animation as an artistic medium.

5
‘Fantasia’ (1940)

120 Minutes

Fantasia overturns all the standard rules in animation and becomes an immense success, both critically and commercially. Unlike most animations, it doesn’t have a traditional storyline, spoken dialogue is scarce, and its duration is significantly longer than usual. Instead, viewers are immersed in a stunningly animated array of captivating musical performances that elicit a multitude of profound emotions without requiring much verbal communication at all.

‘Fantasia’ Is One of the Most Influential Movies Ever Made

Fantasia expanded the horizons of animation, revolutionizing what was thought possible within the art form. It sparked creativity in future animators and filmmakers, encouraging them to delve into the infinite potential of animation. Its impact extended beyond the realm of cinema, influencing the world of music as well, particularly evident in films like The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine and Pink Floyd’s The Wall. These movies, like Fantasia, showcased an innovative approach to integrating animated sequences with music.

4
‘Princess Mononoke’ (1997)

134 Minutes

Princess Mononoke is an epic fantasy film set during Japan’s Muromachi era, showcasing a stunningly animated realm filled with enchantment and malevolence. From the very start, viewers are drawn into this magical world as they accompany Ashitaka, a young prince of the Emishi tribe, on his dangerous quest to find a cure for his cursed arm. Along the way, he confronts numerous perilous challenges and interactions while becoming entangled in the strife between Iron Town and the sanctified forest, as well as the animosity between Lady Eboshi and a girl brought up by wolves.

‘Princess Mononoke’ Failed to Resonate with Younger Western Audiences

Although Princess Mononoke received considerable international praise, it didn’t match its domestic box office performance in America. The film, a blend of entertaining fantasy and Japanese cultural heritage, might have been an ideal family movie, but its lengthy running time may have deterred some viewers. Nonetheless, for those with ample time on their hands, Princess Mononoke offers a captivating escape—filled with action, adventure, emotion, and mystery.

3
‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ (2023)

140 Minutes

2018 saw “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” captivate everyone with its visually breathtaking and intellectually deep interpretation of the timeless superhero franchise, centered around Miles Morales and his Spider-Man persona. It’s as much a teen drama as it is an action-packed superhero movie, seamlessly blending emotional depth and heartfelt moments with thrilling web-slinging exploits. The film was praised by both critics and audiences, ultimately earning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film.

‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ Is Even More Ambitious Than Its Predecessor

In the continuation titled “Across the Spider-Verse“, the concept of various interconnected dimensions, each hosting a unique Spider-Man, was further explored. Miles Morales’s Spider-Man, in his quest to defeat the menacing supervillain known as The Spot, ventured freely between these universes. Maintaining the captivating, comic book-style blended animation, it proved yet another success, sparking excitement among fans for its 2027 release.

2
‘The Tragedy of Man’ (2011)

160 Minutes

This lengthy animated film, hailing from Hungary, clocks in at a remarkable 160 minutes, making it the longest animated movie in the Western hemisphere. Given its tale encompasses Biblical origins, prehistoric times up to 50,000 BC, and journeys into the far future, such longevity is hardly unexpected. The narrative essentially orbits around characters like Adam, Eve, and the Devil as they delve into the essence of humanity and the purpose of life.

‘The Tragedy of Man’ Is an Ambitious Animation Project Set Over Multiple Time Periods

As a film enthusiast, I found myself deeply moved by the poignant portrayal of human struggle in “The Tragedy of Man.” The animation style, while minimalistic, was incredibly expressive, capturing the weight of the characters’ burdens with an almost ethereal grace. They seemed to drift through some of the planet’s most harrowing scenes, their movements slow and dreamlike. This isn’t a film for everyone, but its epic, experimental nature is awe-inspiring, deserving admiration merely for its audacious ambition.

1
‘Space Battleship Yamato’ (1983)

163 Minutes

During the 1970s, Space Battleship Yamato undeniably stood out as Japan’s most popular animated series, captivating massive audiences and earning widespread acclaim from critics. The storyline follows an assortment of space travelers who set off on a cosmic journey with the objective of rescuing Earth, which has been rendered uninhabitable due to radiation leaks caused by alien bombings.

The Success of the Show Spawned a Total of 5 Feature Film Spin-offs

After the remarkable achievement of the television series, five movies were produced from 1977 to 1983, with the longest one being “Space Battleship Yamato: The Final Chapter,” which lasted an impressive 163 minutes. In these films, audiences found themselves engrossed in the adventures of the titular battleship and its crew as they encountered a new alien peril. Filled with action, adventure, and engaging storylines, the movie maintained a sense of novelty and excitement throughout without ever becoming tedious or drawn out, even with such an extended runtime.

Read More

2025-04-20 03:22