Some completely missed the mark
Bumbling panda Po is a kung fu enthusiast who is unwittingly named the "Dragon Warrior" after it's believed the overweight bear is destined as the chosen one to defeat evil warlord and martial artist Tai Lung.
A waitress named Tiana aspires to be a restaurateur. After kissing a prince who has been turned into a frog by an evil voodoo sorcerer, Tania becomes a frog herself. Both have to find a way of becoming human again before it's too late.
A green and grumpy ogre called Shrek who lives alone in a swamp is suddenly joined by fairy tale creatures exiled to his humid, watery domain by the dwarfish Lord Farquaad of Duloc. Angered by the intrusion, Shrek decides to pay Farquaad a visit.
This fantasy yuletide yarn tells the story of Arthur Claus, the clumsy but well-meaning son of Father Christmas who sets out on a mission with grumpy Grandsanta to deliver one girl's misplaced present.
Based on the 1837 Danish fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Anderson, 'The Little Mermaid' tells the story of a mermaid princess who dreams of becoming human and falling in love with a human prince.
Z Marion-4195 "Z" is an idealistic but highly strung ant who attempts to break from his totalitarian society. Along the way he falls in love with Bala, the ant colony's princess.
An adventurous 11-year-old blue-haired girl named Coraline finds an idealized parallel world behind a secret door in her new home. But it's a spooky domain full of sinister secrets.
This heart-warming musical fantasy film tells the tale of Queen Elsa, who accidentally uses her magical powers to engulf the kingdom of Arendelle in a eternal winter. Princess Anna, Elsa’s younger sister, sets out with her companions, including a comical-looking snowman, to try and reverse the weather conditions.
Good-natured but eccentric Wallace and his faithful hound Gromit are pest control agents. The pair are called to the rescue of a village plagued by rabbits who threaten the annual vegetable competition.
A band of chickens on a farm are desperate to take flight as it becomes apparent the owners plan to turn the flock into chicken pies. Their only hope is Rocky Rhodes, a laid-back rooster with an escape plan.
A 1756 French fairy tale is brought to life in this romantic fantasy. Can a prince who is magically transformed into a hideous monster learn to love Belle, a young woman whom he imprisons in his castle? It's the only way he can regain his humanity.
A well-meaning but overprotective clownfish named Marlin, along with a regal blue tang named Dory, searches for his missing son Nemo. But the deep can be a dangerous place, and Marlin’s quest is fraught with danger.
A wooden puppet named Pinocchio is brought to life by a fairy who informs him that he can become a real boy if he proves himself to be "brave, truthful, and unselfish." He's helped along the way by a wise talking cricket, who becomes the puppet's "conscience."
Quiet suburban family the Parrs are really a team of undercover superheroes. One day their extraordinary powers are called upon to rescue the world from total destruction.
Sean and his woolly-coated buddies head into the big city to rescue their long-suffering farmer, who is suffering from amnesia as a result of a joke played on him by the mischievous flock.
Old-fashioned pull-string toy Sheriff Woody is the favorite toy of Andy Davis. That is until the youngster receives a surprise gift—a modern Buzz Lightyear action figure. Jealousy ensues, but soon cowboy and spaceman become friends as they work together to be reunited with Andy after being separated from him.
Produced in black and white, this animated short is considered the official debut of Mickey Mouse and his girlfriend Minnie. 'Steamboat Willie' was the first Disney cartoon with synchronized sound, with Walt Disney performing all the voices in the film.
Who can wake the sleeping princess, cursed by the wicked Maleficent to doze until woken by a prince? Three good fairies—Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather— use their magic to weaken the spell.
A male stray mutt called Tramp meets a female American Cocker Spaniel called Lady. The two dogs fall in love and embark on a romantic adventure. Along the way they share one of cinema's most charming spaghetti dinners.
A feature-length film comprising eight animated segments set to pieces of classical music, 'Fantasia' features more than 500 characters, including Mickey Mouse, who appears in 'The Sorcerer’s Apprentice' segment.
Jumbo Jr. is a young circus elephant cruelly ridiculed for his big ears, so much so that everybody calls him "Dumbo." But Dumbo has a special talent: he is capable of flying by using his ears as wings. With the help of his mouse friend Timothy Q, the little elephant sets out to achieve his full potential.
A litter of cute Dalmatian puppies are kidnapped by the villainous Cruella de Vil. The youngsters' distraught parents, Pongo and Perdita, set out to save the pups, whose numbers are swelled when Cruella buys more little Dalmatians for use as dog-skin fur coats.
The first full-length animated feature film, and Disney’s earliest, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' is based on the 1812 German fairy tale by the Brothers Grim. Doc, Grumpy, Sleepy, Happy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Dopey rescue a beautiful princess who's been abandoned in a forest by her wicked stepmother.
One of the great classics of animated film, 'Cinderella' follows the dissatisfied life of a scullery maid whose cruel stepmother prevents her from going to the ball. But Cinderella benefits from some unexpected help from two adorable mice, Jaq and Gus, and her Fairy Godmother.
Based on the Arabic folk story of the same name, 'Aladdin' takes audiences to a mystical and fantastical world where a street urchin named Aladdin finds a magic lamp containing a genie. The lamp, however, is also desired by Jafar, an evil and power-hungry grand vizier.
Bambi, a young white-tailed deer, grows up in the woods with friends Thumper, a pink-nosed rabbit, and Flower, a skunk. Along the way Bambi, who's destined to become the Great Prince of the Forest, meets and falls in love with Faline, a beautiful doe. But danger is always lurking in the shape of men out hunting.
Based on the story ‘Tarzan of the Apes’ by Edgar Rice Burroughs, an orphan child is raised in the jungle by gorillas and named by them Tarzan. Living with animals, Tarzan’s peaceful life is interrupted by the arrival of a group of human explorers from England. Ultimately he must decide where he really belongs when he discovers he is human.
Sources: (Library of Congress) (Biography) (Britannica)
See also: Children's movies that are equally entertaining for adults
Young Riley moves with her family from Minnesota to San Francisco, where she draws on a gamut of emotions—Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust, and Anger—to help deal with a new city, house, and school.
Based on the superhero team of the same name, 'Big Hero 6' is set in the futuristic city of San Fransokyo where a special bond develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax and prodigy Hiro Hamada.
From the earliest Disney productions to the latest Pixar blockbusters, animated movies have always held a special place in the hearts of cinemagoers. Colorful, charming, and exuberant, with striking visuals and spectacular sound, big screen cartoons are nearly always inspiring and uplifting, and often focus on delivering a positive message. Kids have recognized this for years, which is probably why animated films bring out that specific feeling, that nostalgia for childhood, in grown ups. They reveal our inner child. But what do you think are the most creative, emotional, and entertaining animated movies of all time?
Grab the popcorn and click through this gallery of traditional and computer-generated cartoon classics we all love.
Funtastic animated movies for the whole family
Today is International Animation Day
MOVIES Animation
From the earliest Disney productions to the latest Pixar blockbusters, animated movies have always held a special place in the hearts of cinemagoers. Colorful, charming, and exuberant, with striking visuals and spectacular sound, big screen cartoons are nearly always inspiring and uplifting, and often focus on delivering a positive message. Kids have recognized this for years, which is probably why animated films bring out that specific feeling, that nostalgia for childhood, in grown ups. They reveal our inner child. But what do you think are the most creative, emotional, and entertaining animated movies of all time?
Grab the popcorn and click through this gallery of traditional and computer-generated cartoon classics we all love.