The Best Animated Movies of 2023, Ranked

Animation in 2023 didn’t just entertain; it redefined expectations for what the medium could achieve across theaters and streaming alike. Studio tentpoles, international imports, and daring originals all competed on equal footing, creating a year where animation felt culturally unavoidable rather than niche or seasonal. From record-breaking box office runs to awards-season dominance, animated films commanded the same serious attention once reserved almost exclusively for live-action prestige releases.

What made the year truly landmark was the sheer range of voices and visual languages on display. Hollywood studios leaned into bold stylistic risks, embracing handcrafted textures, comic-book chaos, and painterly aesthetics instead of chasing photorealism. At the same time, global animation and filmmaker-driven projects found wider audiences than ever, proving that emotionally complex, visually adventurous stories could resonate across age groups and cultures.

#	Preview	Product	Price
1		Sing 2-Movie Collection [DVD]	$7.99	Buy on Amazon
2		The Land Before Time [DVD]	$5.99	Buy on Amazon
3		David (DVD)	$14.32	Buy on Amazon
4		The Bad Guys - Collector's Edition [DVD]	$5.88	Buy on Amazon
5		Prince of Egypt & Joseph: King of Dreams (Double Feature)	$7.50	Buy on Amazon

Just as crucial was how audiences responded. Families showed up, cinephiles debated craft and themes, and streaming hits sparked renewed conversations about animation as a storytelling medium rather than a genre. Ranking the best animated movies of 2023 isn’t just about crowning a winner; it’s about recognizing a rare moment when innovation, popularity, and artistic ambition aligned, producing films that will influence animation for years to come.

How We Ranked the Best Animated Movies of 2023 (Criteria & Methodology)

With such a deep and varied slate of animated releases, ranking the best films of 2023 required more than box office numbers or personal preference. Animation thrives at the intersection of art, storytelling, and audience connection, and our methodology reflects that balance. Each title on this list was evaluated through a combination of critical analysis, industry context, and cultural resonance.

#1 Best Overall

Sing 2-Movie Collection [DVD]

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Storytelling and Emotional Impact

At the core of every great animated film is a story that works on multiple levels. We prioritized movies that delivered compelling narratives, well-defined characters, and emotional authenticity, whether aimed at children, adults, or both. Films that trusted their audience, explored complex themes, or took narrative risks scored higher than those that relied solely on familiar formulas.

Animation Quality and Artistic Innovation

Animation is a visual medium first and foremost, and 2023 was a year of bold stylistic experimentation. We assessed the craft behind each film, from character animation and world-building to color design, texture, and visual language. Projects that pushed the medium forward, embraced distinctive aesthetics, or reimagined established styles stood out in our rankings.

Cultural Impact and Industry Significance

Some animated films transcend their runtime and become part of the larger cultural conversation. We considered how each release influenced audiences, sparked discussion, or represented a meaningful moment for its studio, franchise, or the animation industry at large. Box office success, awards recognition, and online discourse all played a role in measuring that impact.

Audience and Critical Reception

While this list is editorially curated, audience response mattered. We weighed critical reviews, audience scores, and word-of-mouth momentum to gauge how well each film connected beyond initial release. Movies that resonated across age groups, demographics, and viewing platforms benefited from sustained enthusiasm rather than short-lived hype.

Theatrical and Streaming Landscape

Animation in 2023 thrived across both theaters and streaming services, and we evaluated films within the context of how they were experienced. A theatrical spectacle that justified the big screen was judged differently from an intimate streaming release designed for at-home viewing. What mattered most was how effectively each film used its platform to deliver a memorable experience.

Together, these criteria allowed us to rank the best animated movies of 2023 not just as individual achievements, but as part of a larger, transformative year for the medium. Each entry earned its place by excelling in multiple areas, ensuring that this list reflects both artistic excellence and lasting relevance.

The Top Tier: Instant Classics That Defined 2023 Animation (Ranks #1–#3)

These films didn’t just rise above a crowded field; they reshaped expectations for what animation can accomplish creatively, emotionally, and culturally. Each entry in this top tier delivered a singular vision, paired with technical bravado and a level of audience engagement that extended well beyond opening weekend. Ranked together, they represent the defining animated achievements of 2023.

#1. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Few animated films in history have felt as seismic as Across the Spider-Verse. Expanding on the visual revolution of its predecessor, the sequel pushed animation into painterly, comic-book-inspired territory that constantly reinvented itself from scene to scene. Every universe carried its own texture, color philosophy, and animation rules, creating a film that felt alive in a way no mainstream release had before.

Beyond the visuals, the film delivered a bold, emotionally layered story about identity, destiny, and choice, trusting its audience to keep up with complex themes and serialized storytelling. Its cultural footprint was immediate, dominating conversation across theaters, social media, and critical circles. As both a technical milestone and a deeply human blockbuster, it stands as the year’s undisputed animated crown jewel.

#2. The Boy and the Heron

Hayao Miyazaki’s return was treated as an event, and The Boy and the Heron justified that reverence with quiet confidence rather than spectacle-driven nostalgia. The film unfolds like a dream, blending grief, imagination, and myth into a deeply personal meditation on loss and creation. Studio Ghibli’s hand-drawn artistry remains unparalleled, with every frame radiating intention and emotional weight.

What set the film apart in 2023 was its refusal to conform to modern pacing or exposition-heavy storytelling. It trusted silence, ambiguity, and visual symbolism, inviting audiences to meet it on its own terms. In an industry dominated by franchise logic, The Boy and the Heron reaffirmed animation as a medium for poetic, auteur-driven cinema.

#3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Mutant Mayhem reintroduced the Ninja Turtles with an explosion of personality, style, and youthful energy. Its sketchbook-inspired animation, influenced by graffiti art and rough linework, gave the film a raw, handmade aesthetic that felt perfectly aligned with its adolescent perspective. The result was one of the most distinctive studio animated looks of the year.

Narratively, the film leaned into the awkwardness of being a teenager, grounding its superhero chaos in relatable emotional stakes. Strong voice performances, sharp humor, and a confident soundtrack helped it connect with both longtime fans and a new generation. Mutant Mayhem didn’t just revive a franchise; it redefined it for modern animation audiences.

Bold Visions and Breakout Hits: The Middle of the List (Ranks #4–#7)

If the top tier represented animation operating at its absolute peak, the middle of the list is where 2023’s range truly came into focus. These films took creative risks, chased broad audiences, or quietly redefined what animated storytelling could look like outside the blockbuster conversation. Each earned its place by connecting with viewers in very different, very specific ways.

Rank #2

The Land Before Time [DVD]

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#4. Nimona

Nimona arrived with a complicated production history and left as one of the year’s most emotionally resonant animated surprises. Its vibrant, shape-shifting animation style matched the story’s themes of identity, otherness, and self-acceptance, blending sci-fi spectacle with deeply personal stakes. What could have been a standard genre mashup became something far more intimate and urgent.

The film’s greatest strength was its sincerity. Nimona tackled queer-coded themes and societal fear of the unknown with clarity and compassion, never diluting its message for mass appeal. Its critical acclaim and passionate audience response cemented it as one of 2023’s most important animated releases, especially in the streaming space.

#5. The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Pure box-office dominance counts for something, and few films in 2023 had a cultural footprint as massive as The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Illumination delivered a colorful, hyper-polished love letter to Nintendo’s legacy, packed with references, characters, and world-building that longtime fans instantly recognized. The animation was bright, fluid, and engineered for maximum theatrical appeal.

Critically, the film favored momentum and nostalgia over narrative depth, but audiences embraced it wholeheartedly. Its success reshaped conversations around video game adaptations and reaffirmed animation’s power as an event-driven theatrical draw. Mario may not have reinvented the medium, but it reminded Hollywood just how big animated movies can still be.

#6. Elemental

Elemental began its theatrical run under a cloud of skepticism, only to slowly win audiences over through word of mouth and emotional honesty. Pixar’s elemental city was realized with dazzling technical finesse, turning fire, water, air, and earth into expressive, character-driven animation. Beneath the visual spectacle was a gentle, character-focused story about immigration, cultural expectation, and generational identity.

While it didn’t reach Pixar’s highest narrative peaks, Elemental resonated through its warmth and relatability. Its late-blooming success reflected a growing appetite for quieter, relationship-driven animated films. In a crowded year, it stood out by letting empathy, rather than spectacle, do the heavy lifting.

#7. Robot Dreams

Few animated films in 2023 captured emotional complexity with as little dialogue as Robot Dreams. Told almost entirely through visuals and music, the film explored friendship, loneliness, and memory with remarkable restraint. Its hand-drawn animation evoked nostalgia while remaining timeless, allowing small gestures and expressions to carry enormous weight.

Robot Dreams didn’t chase mainstream visibility, but its impact lingered long after the credits rolled. It exemplified animation’s ability to communicate profound human truths without exposition or spectacle. As an understated triumph, it earned its place as one of the year’s most artistically confident animated achievements.

Worth Watching: Solid, Surprising, or Divisive Entries (Ranks #8–#12)

These films may not have dominated awards conversations or reshaped the medium, but each brought something distinct to the animation landscape in 2023. Whether through unexpected emotional depth, bold stylistic swings, or sheer entertainment value, they proved well worth audiences’ time. For viewers catching up at home or deciding on a family movie night, these entries delivered more than their mixed reputations might suggest.

#8. Nimona

Nimona arrived with a turbulent production history, and its very existence felt like a small miracle. What emerged was a sharp, emotionally charged sci-fi fantasy that blended medieval imagery with futuristic world-building and a distinctly modern sensibility. Its animation style leaned into bold character designs and expressive motion, reinforcing the film’s rebellious spirit.

At its core, Nimona explored identity, otherness, and societal fear with surprising clarity. While its tone occasionally veered between anarchic humor and earnest drama, that tension became part of its appeal. As a Netflix release, it quietly became one of the year’s most talked-about animated films, especially among older teens and adults.

#9. Leo

On the surface, Leo played like a familiar high-concept family comedy: a classroom pet reflecting on life with Adam Sandler’s signature vocal cadence. Beneath that setup, however, was a surprisingly thoughtful meditation on aging, regret, and finding purpose late in life. The film balanced silly humor with moments of sincere introspection, making it more emotionally grounded than expected.

Visually, Leo favored a clean, approachable style designed for streaming audiences rather than theatrical spectacle. Its strength lay in character work and voice performances, particularly Sandler and Bill Burr. While not groundbreaking, it connected strongly with families and proved that streaming animation can still deliver heartfelt storytelling.

#10. Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget

The long-awaited sequel to Chicken Run faced enormous expectations, and Dawn of the Nugget inevitably struggled under that legacy. Aardman’s stop-motion craftsmanship remained impeccable, filled with tactile textures and meticulous physical comedy. The prison-break formula was reimagined with a darker, more industrial edge that reflected contemporary anxieties about automation and control.

Rank #3

David (DVD)

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• Bonus Content

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Narratively, the film didn’t quite match the wit or cultural bite of the original, and the recasting of key voices was noticeable. Still, its ambition and visual consistency made it an engaging watch. For longtime fans, it was a respectable, if imperfect, return to one of animation’s most beloved worlds.

#11. Migration

Illumination’s Migration leaned fully into the studio’s strengths: fast-paced comedy, colorful visuals, and broad family appeal. The story followed a duck family venturing beyond their comfort zone, using physical humor and lively set pieces to keep energy high. The animation was polished and expressive, engineered to charm younger audiences without overwhelming them.

Critically, Migration didn’t break new ground, but it knew exactly what kind of movie it wanted to be. Its themes of curiosity and courage were simple yet effective. As a crowd-pleaser designed for mass appeal, it delivered reliable entertainment rather than artistic ambition.

#12. Wish

Wish carried enormous symbolic weight as Disney’s centennial animated feature, and that expectation shaped much of its reception. Visually, the film experimented with a hybrid watercolor-inspired aesthetic that blended classic Disney imagery with modern digital techniques. The result was striking at times, though not always fully cohesive.

Story-wise, Wish aimed to echo Disney’s fairy-tale legacy while commenting on the power of hope and desire. Some found its narrative too familiar and its villain underdeveloped, while others appreciated its sincerity and musical ambition. As a divisive entry, it functioned less as a reinvention and more as a reflective tribute to Disney’s animated past.

Studios, Styles, and Trends That Shaped Animation in 2023

In a year defined by both technical daring and brand recalibration, animation in 2023 felt less like a single industry and more like a collection of competing philosophies. Major studios, indie outfits, and international creators all pushed in different directions, resulting in a lineup that was stylistically adventurous even when narratives played it safe. The strongest films found ways to balance innovation with accessibility, while weaker entries often struggled to justify familiar formulas.

The Post–Spider-Verse Visual Revolution

The influence of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse loomed large over the animation landscape, even beyond superhero fare. Its success reinforced the idea that mainstream audiences are not only open to bold, non-photorealistic visuals but actively crave them. Films like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem embraced sketchy textures, exaggerated motion, and graphic-novel energy, proving that stylization could be a selling point rather than a risk.

This shift marked a continued move away from the hyper-polished “house style” that dominated CG animation for years. Studios increasingly treated animation as a medium of artistic expression rather than a race toward realism. Even when storytelling was conventional, visual identity became a crucial differentiator.

Disney and Pixar at a Crossroads

2023 was a reflective year for Disney animation, highlighted by Wish and its overt nods to the studio’s century-long legacy. While visually ambitious, the film also underscored Disney’s ongoing struggle to reconcile nostalgia with forward momentum. The studio experimented with hybrid aesthetics and self-referential themes, but audience reception suggested that reverence alone isn’t enough to carry a modern animated feature.

Pixar, meanwhile, continued recalibrating its theatrical presence after years of streaming-first releases. While still regarded as a storytelling benchmark, the studio faced growing competition from rivals willing to take bigger stylistic and tonal risks. The expectation that Pixar films must feel culturally essential, not just well-crafted, has never been higher.

Illumination and the Power of Consistency

Illumination remained animation’s most commercially reliable studio, and Migration exemplified its approach. Bright visuals, broad humor, and universally digestible themes continued to resonate with families worldwide. While critics often note the studio’s aversion to experimentation, its understanding of pacing and comedic clarity remained unmatched.

In a year filled with visual reinvention elsewhere, Illumination’s success highlighted an important countertrend. Familiarity, when executed with precision, still holds immense value in theatrical animation, particularly for younger audiences and parents seeking safe, enjoyable experiences.

Stop-Motion and Tactile Animation’s Quiet Resurgence

Stop-motion retained its niche prestige in 2023, buoyed by studios like Aardman continuing to champion handcrafted aesthetics. Films such as Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget reminded viewers of the medium’s physical charm, where fingerprints, fabric textures, and real-world lighting add emotional warmth that digital animation often struggles to replicate.

Though rarely box office juggernauts, these films played a vital role in keeping animation diverse. Their presence reinforced the idea that animation’s future isn’t purely digital, but a blend of old-world craft and modern storytelling sensibilities.

Rank #4

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Global Voices and the Growing Anime Influence

International animation, particularly from Japan, maintained a strong global footprint in 2023. Anime releases continued to attract both dedicated fans and newcomers, offering emotionally grounded stories and distinctive visual languages that contrasted sharply with Hollywood norms. Their success underscored the increasingly borderless nature of animation consumption.

This cross-cultural exchange influenced Western studios as well, with anime-inspired framing, pacing, and emotional sincerity appearing more frequently in mainstream projects. Animation in 2023 wasn’t just global in distribution, but in creative DNA.

Streaming, Theatrical Identity, and Audience Expectations

The ongoing tension between streaming platforms and theatrical releases shaped how animated films were perceived and prioritized. Audiences became more discerning about which animated titles justified a big-screen experience, often favoring visual spectacle or event-level storytelling. Films that felt “small” or episodic risked being dismissed as streaming content, regardless of quality.

As a result, 2023 reinforced a crucial lesson for studios. To stand out, animated films needed a clear identity, whether through visual innovation, emotional resonance, or cultural relevance. In an increasingly crowded marketplace, simply being animated was no longer enough.

Critical Reception vs. Audience Love: Where Opinions Split

If 2023 proved anything, it’s that animated films increasingly live double lives. One exists in critical discourse, where originality, thematic ambition, and craft are prized. The other unfolds with audiences, where emotional connection, brand familiarity, and rewatchability often matter more than formal innovation.

When Audiences Overruled the Critics

The Super Mario Bros. Movie became the clearest example of this divide. Critics largely dismissed it as shallow fan service, but audiences embraced its vibrant energy, nostalgic joy, and straightforward fun, turning it into a global phenomenon. Its success reinforced the idea that animation tied to beloved IP can thrive even without critical approval.

Pixar’s Elemental followed a similar arc, albeit on a smaller scale. Initial reviews questioned its originality, yet word of mouth steadily improved as viewers connected with its immigrant-family allegory and gentle romance. Over time, audience affection softened its critical standing and helped redefine its legacy.

Critical Darlings That Challenged Viewers

On the opposite end, films like The Boy and the Heron earned near-universal critical acclaim for their artistry and philosophical depth. However, some general audiences found its dreamlike structure and abstract storytelling alienating. Its reception highlighted how ambitious animation can captivate critics while asking more patience from casual viewers.

Nimona, while widely praised, also revealed subtler fault lines. Critics celebrated its bold themes and genre subversion, but its emotional intensity and darker undertones made it resonate more strongly with teens and adults than with traditional family audiences. It wasn’t divisive so much as selectively embraced.

Rare Cases of Near-Total Consensus

A few films managed to bridge the gap almost seamlessly. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse dominated both critical lists and audience rankings, thanks to its groundbreaking animation and emotionally resonant storytelling. It wasn’t just admired; it became a cultural touchstone that elevated expectations for the medium itself.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem also found rare alignment. Its scrappy, hand-drawn-inspired visuals and youthful energy felt fresh without alienating longtime fans. Both critics and audiences recognized it as a reinvention done right, proof that stylistic risks can pay off when grounded in character and humor.

What the Divide Reveals About Animation in 2023

These splits weren’t signs of confusion so much as growing diversity within animation audiences. Viewers no longer approach animated films with a single expectation, and critics increasingly evaluate them as cinema rather than category. In 2023, disagreement became a sign of a healthy, evolving medium, one capable of delivering crowd-pleasers, art-house triumphs, and everything in between.

Where to Stream or Watch Each Ranked Film

With animated films now enjoying long second lives on streaming, most of 2023’s best entries are readily accessible. Whether you’re catching up for the first time or revisiting a favorite, here’s where each ranked film can currently be streamed or watched at home, based on their primary U.S. availability.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Sony’s landmark sequel is available to stream on Netflix, where it quickly became one of the platform’s most-watched animated titles. It’s also available for digital rental or purchase on major storefronts like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. The home release preserves its dazzling visual detail, making it ideal for repeat viewing.

Best Value

Prince of Egypt & Joseph: King of Dreams (Double Feature)

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• Format: DVD
• Animated; Color; DVD; Full Screen; Widescreen; NTSC

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The Boy and the Heron

Hayao Miyazaki’s final film arrived on Max, giving subscribers access to one of Studio Ghibli’s most personal and challenging works. Physical media and digital rentals are also widely available for viewers who prefer premium presentation. Its measured pace and painterly imagery reward watching on the largest screen possible.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Paramount+ is the primary streaming home for this reinvention of the franchise, where it fits comfortably alongside other Nickelodeon and Paramount animation offerings. The film is also available for digital purchase and rental. Its vibrant sound design and energetic visuals translate especially well to home setups.

Nimona

Netflix exclusively hosts Nimona, where it found an enthusiastic audience after its theatrical release was canceled. The film’s accessibility on the platform helped fuel its word-of-mouth success and awards-season presence. It remains one of Netflix’s strongest original animated features to date.

Suzume

Makoto Shinkai’s emotionally expansive fantasy is streaming on Crunchyroll, alongside the director’s earlier works. Digital rentals are also available through major retailers. For anime fans, it’s one of the most visually refined and emotionally resonant releases of the year.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Illumination’s blockbuster hit streams on Peacock, reflecting its Universal Pictures lineage. It’s also available to rent or own digitally and on physical formats. While critically mixed, its popularity makes it a frequent pick for family movie nights.

Elemental

Pixar’s quietly redemptive romance is streaming on Disney+, where it has enjoyed a strong second wave of appreciation. Its gentle pacing and lush elemental animation benefit from repeat viewing. The platform placement makes it especially accessible for family audiences.

Wish

Disney’s centennial-themed musical is also available on Disney+, joining the studio’s extensive animated catalog. While divisive upon release, it has found a steadier audience in the home-viewing space. The film’s musical numbers and visual callbacks play more warmly outside the theatrical spotlight.

Migration

Illumination’s original family adventure streams on Peacock, with additional rental options across digital platforms. Its light tone and brisk runtime make it an easy, low-commitment watch. For younger viewers, it remains one of the most approachable animated releases of the year.

Final Verdict: What These Rankings Say About the Future of Animated Movies

Taken together, the best animated films of 2023 paint a picture of an industry in creative transition rather than decline. This was a year where bold visual experimentation, emotionally specific storytelling, and a widening range of voices consistently outshined formula. Animation is no longer chasing a single house style or audience expectation, and that diversification is clearly paying off.

Originality Is No Longer a Risk, It’s the Advantage

Films like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Nimona, and Suzume demonstrate that audiences are increasingly receptive to distinctive artistic identities. These movies didn’t succeed by playing it safe; they thrived by leaning into unconventional aesthetics, complex themes, and unapologetically personal storytelling. The message for studios is clear: originality isn’t a gamble anymore, it’s a competitive edge.

Animation Is Expanding Beyond “Kids’ Movies”

One of the most encouraging trends of 2023 is how confidently animated films addressed mature emotional terrain without alienating younger viewers. Titles like Elemental and The Boy and the Heron explored identity, grief, and connection with a level of nuance once reserved for live-action prestige cinema. Animation continues to prove it’s a medium, not a genre, capable of resonating across age groups and cultural boundaries.

Streaming Has Become a Creative Lifeline, Not a Compromise

The success of films such as Nimona highlights how streaming platforms can rescue, amplify, and even legitimize animated projects that might struggle theatrically. While the theatrical experience still matters, home viewing has become a powerful second act rather than a downgrade. In many cases, streaming has allowed these films to find the audiences they were always meant to reach.

Franchises Still Matter, But Craft Matters More

2023 reaffirmed that recognizable brands like Super Mario can dominate pop culture, but longevity depends on execution, not nostalgia alone. The highest-ranked films earned their status through ambition, technical innovation, and emotional clarity. Even within franchises, audiences are rewarding movies that push boundaries rather than simply repeat familiar beats.

Ultimately, this year’s animated standouts suggest a future defined by creative confidence and stylistic freedom. As studios recalibrate and audiences grow more discerning, animation’s most exciting era may still be ahead. If 2023 is any indication, the medium is evolving into one of cinema’s most dynamic and emotionally resonant storytelling spaces, and it’s absolutely worth paying attention to.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1

Sing 2-Movie Collection [DVD]

$7.99

Bestseller No. 2

The Land Before Time [DVD]

Movie dvd

$5.99

Bestseller No. 3

David (DVD)

DVD; Bonus Content

$14.32

SaleBestseller No. 4

The Bad Guys - Collector's Edition [DVD]

$5.88

Bestseller No. 5

Prince of Egypt & Joseph: King of Dreams (Double Feature)

Condition: New; Format: DVD; Animated; Color; DVD; Full Screen; Widescreen; NTSC

$7.50

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.