In 2022, movies like The Minions: The Rise of Gru helped animated features rebound with the biggest opening in China since the pandemic started while remaining the fourth-highest-grossing movie of 2022, animated or otherwise. However, while movies like that are huge in today's world, there are plenty of animated movies from the 20th century that still hold up today.
Disney started the push for animated movies and had some of the most iconic movies in the genre for much of the 20th century, but shockingly, very few of its movies rank as high with fans as others. On Letterboxd, fans rank movies on a scale of one to five, and for the last century, there was a powerful mix of Disney, Studio Ghibli, and early era Pixar ranking at the top of the rankings through the century.
Mulan (1998) - 4.04
Stream Now On Disney+
In Mulan, a girl disguised herself as a man to fight in the war alongside the Imperial Chinese Army against the invading Huns. Instead of presenting Mulan as a damsel in distress, she proved to be just as powerful and clever as any male warrior.
Many people pointed out how this is a more positive movie for children to watch than the main Disney Princess movies, showing a powerful warrior who stands up for what is right and won't back down. From the story to the humor to the strong soundtrack, including "I'll Make a Man Out of You," Mulan helped raise this above almost every Disney movie from the century, with only one exception.
A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) - 4.12
Stream Now On Apple TV
Most people might not look at A Charlie Brown Christmas when thinking of movies from the 20th century. However, while short and made for TV, this was a movie and one that connected with a lot of people. From the world of Peanuts, this movie showed the kids planning a Christmas special, and then mocking Charlie Brown when he found a small, lonely Christmas tree. However, in the end, it was a movie about belonging and acceptance.
The movie touched a lot of fans and showed how all it took was a little niceness to brighten up someone's day. Many kids relate to Charlie Brown, and this is still a movie that touches people's hearts, even over 50 years later.
Kiki's Delivery Service (1989) - 4.12
Stream Now On HBO Max
While Disney was the big name in animation for most of the 20th century, a different studio took the reins and dominated the last two decades of the century. This was Hayao Miyazaki's Studio Ghibli, and his animated movies all ranked high for fans on Letterboxd. Fans today still seek out the movies, and theaters still have marathons with the movies showing annually.
In Kiki's Delivery Service, Kiki is a young witch who moves into a new town and uses her flying powers to make a living. The movie is early Miyazaki, but it still maintains its charm, and it is a beautifully colorful film that features one of his better coming-of-age storylines. The movie hits all the right notes and shows how one little girl can find herself in a big, scary world.
Toy Story (1995) - 4.15
Stream Now On Disney+
Pixar is arguably the most prestigious animation studio making movies today, and it all started with one movie in 1995 about a group of toys. In Toy Story, Woody is the leader of child Andy's toys and makes sure everyone keeps him happy at all times. However, when the new toy Buzz Lightyear arrives, everything changes.
The movie did more than just change animated movies when it came out. Separate from Disney at the start, it forced Disney to step up its game and showed all other animation studios how to compete with the giant. The story of friendship, with more folksy songs and high originality, stole fans' hearts and ensured that Pixar was here to stay.
The Iron Giant (1999) - 4.17
Stream Now On HBO Max
One outlier on the Letterboxd rankings of 20th century animated movies was 1999's The Iron Giant. During a century dominated by Disney, Studio Ghibli, and Pixar movies, this movie was made by Warner Bros. Feature Animation and was directed by Brad Bird before he made his way to Pixar. It also featured a young Vin Diesel as the voice of the Iron Giant, a giant alien robot that befriends a young boy.
Despite being a studio that did very little in animation, The Iron Giant had a lot to love. There were references to classic 1950s science fiction movies and vintage comic book stories, and it played just as well for adults as it did for kids watching giant robot action, with some of the most tear-jerking scenes ever. This was also lovingly made with hand-drawn animation and proved that Bird was a director to watch.
My Neighbor Totoro (1988) - 4.19
Stream Now On HBO Max
Ghibli's classic My Neighbor Totoro focuses on two young daughters of a professor and the friendly wood spirits they meet in the postwar rural areas of Japan. The movie earned critical acclaim and a massive cult following in the years since its release.
When people compare Miyazaki movies, the movie always sits at the top of lists alongside Spirited Away. My Neighbor Totoro has heart and captures the simple happiness of childhood. The fact that the movie is about exploration and discovery, and not about an active threat, makes it a movie that is always a joy to watch in even the worst of times.
The Lion King (1994) - 4.20
Stream Now On Disney+
While there were several iconic movies from the previous 50 years, fans mostly differed on their worth, but most agreed that The Lion King hit all the right notes. The movie is about the son of the king who goes on the run after his dad's death and has to find himself before returning to take over his rightful place on the throne.
There's little question as to why The Lion King is considered Disney's best, even to this day. With a memorable soundtrack, a compelling story loosely based on Shakespeare's Hamlet, and a cast of lovable characters, the movie is timeless and beloved by critics and audiences of all ages alike.
Akira (1988) - 4.21
Stream Now On Hulu
Akira is the movie that introduced many American animation fans to anime, to begin with.
Based on the Japanese manga of the same name, the movie tells the story of the leader of a biker gang whose close friend develops telekinetic powers and threatens a rebellion in Neo-Tokyo. The movie features some of the best breakneck action in animated movies and delivers everything an anime fan could want in its movie, from both the beautifully ridiculous action to the deeply earnest storylines.
Princess Mononoke (1997) - 4.33
Stream Now On HBO Max
Princess Mononoke is set in a fantasy world that bears similarities to the Muromachi period in Japan. The hero is a young Emishi prince who is involved in the battle between the gods of the forest and the humans who want to take its resources.
While many fans look at Spirited Away as his masterpiece, there is an argument that Princess Mononoke is better, based both on the beautiful animation and the touching story about protecting the Earth. However, what makes this stand above other movies is the fact Miyazaki doesn't have generic good and evil, but gives both sides their own stances that allow the viewers to determine what is right and wrong.
Grave Of The Fireflies (1988) - 4.37
Rent Now On Vudu And Apple TV
Grave of the Fireflies is one of the most deeply moving movies the studio ever released. Grave of the Fireflies takes place in Japan and follows two siblings at the end of World War II. This is not only one of animation's best movies, but one of the best war movies ever made.
This is arguably one of the most depressing, yet beautiful, animated movies ever made. The two children lose their mother after firebombing destroys their home and then wander the country, trying to find a place to fit in, while starving and growing malnourished by the day. The movie will break a viewer's heart and then end on a slightly positive note for those looking for the glimmer of light that fireflies can offer.
