The 25 best animated movies that aren't just for kids

Cartoon craze

Animation has come a long way since Mickey Mouse's first appearance. Way back then Walt Disney created stories with the sole purpose of keeping the kids entertained. But as ti🧸me ha♔s gone on the entire animation world has changed tack. It's not just about the young 'uns anymore. Mature themes, sophisticated storylines and creepy characters have all emerged in movies, meaning adults can now revel in the joy of cartoons just as much as their children. 

This genre now ranges from sinister and shocking, to innocent and childlike, to madcap and fantastical. And, with more movies coming from multiple 𒊎studios, each with their own approach to developing the animation art form, the animation world is evolving to find fresh ways of telling stories. Want to 🐻know more? You're in luck. Here's the top 25 best animated movies. 

25. Wreck-it Ralph (2012)

The movie: Disney's 52nd animation goes full-on CGI and benefits from the presence♒ of Rich Moore in the director's seat - he previously brought knife-sharp wit to The Simpsons and Futurama. Tired of always being the bad guy in games, Ralph does a spot of g💙ame-hopping to figure out how he can become the hero. The film, co-written by Frozen's Jennifer Lee. is a loving ode to all things video game, with in-jokes and heart galore.   

Only in animation: We see the v♉ideo game world as it truly is: an animated metropolis of mag✱nificence.  

24. Shrek (2001)

The movie: Dreamworks' two-fingered salute to Disney dominance trashed sacred cows and provided Pixar with its first real competition, especially when it beat Monsters Inc. to the Best Animated Feature Oscar. Mike𓃲 Myers voices the green-skinned ogre, whose happy swamp-dwelling existence is disturbed by an influx of fairytale characters. He sets out with Donkey (Eddie Murphy's best turn in years) to visit the evil Lord Farquaad and demand he take them back. 

Only in animation: A snake and a frog are blown up turned into living balloon animals. 
 

23. Moana (2016)

The movie: Taking an i𒊎mportant issue that might ordinarily fly over kids' heads, and transforming it into a tale of animated glory is nothing new. Disney's bash at tackling the controversial climate change debate manages to make its point and make it a devilishly fun one. This Polynesian adventure tells of a young girl called Moana whose island is on the verge of collapse. The fish swim away, crops are dire and so there's only one way forward. She journeys to defeat an ancient baddie in order to restore the Earth's true balance! Well, after meeting up with Dwayne Johnson's larger-than-life Maui. 

Only in animation:  A giant lava demon. Just sayin'. 

22. Happy Feet (2006)

The movie: Dancing penguins. Need we say more? Oh, alright then! This cuteness overload from the director who brought you the Mad Max movies (no, really, George Miller made this) follows Elijah Wo𓄧od's emperor penguin named Mumble. His attempts to lure a mate t🦄hrough song aren't hugely successful - indicated by his name - so he sets about learning how to tap in order to catch the eye of a prospective female. I kid you not.  

Only in animation: The dancers in big song and dance routines can be ꦦso much better synchronised when you're dealing with cartoon critters.&n🍌bsp; 

21. Big Hero 6 (2014)

The movie: Although it may not look like it, Big Hero 6 is a Marvel Comics adaptation. To be fair, though, it's a very loose adaptation. The film's breakout star Baymax - an inf😼latable medical droid repurposed as an armoured fighting machine - is very different to his comic counterpart. The film, though, is an unexpected deligh♓t; a story of teenage friendship with a manga makeover. Think Stand By Me meets Neon Genesis Evangelion (or if that's too obscure a reference, a cooler version of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers). It's funny, emotionally engaging, visually spectacular and packed with charm.  

Only in animation: Baymax goes from cuddly Michelin Man to Hulkbus♎ter with rocket hands and you totally buy into it.