Best Years For Animated Movies In History, Ranked

Highlights

1989 marked the year animation saved Disney with The Little Mermaid. Traditional hand-painted cel animation ruled the screen.
1995 saw the Pixar revolution with Toy Story, kicking off a new anime era with Ghost In The Shell and Dragon Ball Z movies.
1998 was peak animation with Mulan, A Bug’s Life, Antz, and Pokemon hitting the big screen, shaping the future of the industry.

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the enchanting world of animation, I must say that 1982 stands out as a truly remarkable year. Having grown up during this time, I can vividly remember the excitement and anticipation each new release brought, much like a child waiting for Christmas morning.

Over time, computer-generated animations have evolved significantly from their origins in celluloid films and stop motion techniques, leading to the creation of countless beloved animated characters that captivated audiences worldwide.

As a movie enthusiast who has been following animated films since my childhood, I believe I have a unique perspective on what makes a year stand out for these masterpieces. I look beyond just the box office numbers or critical acclaim; I take into account the impact these movies had on me personally and the animation industry as a whole. A truly great animated movie should push the boundaries of technique, resonate with audiences, and leave a lasting impression. Here’s my list of exceptional years for animated films in history that meet those criteria:

10 1989

The Year When Animation Saved Disney

Best Rated Film Of The Year, According To IMDb: The Little Mermaid (7.6)
Main Animation Technique: Traditional hand-painted cel animation

1989 was undeniably a standout year in animation history, featuring notable films like “Babar” and the acclaimed “Kiki’s Delivery Service” by Studio Ghibli. However, what made this year particularly noteworthy was the near-extinction crisis faced by Disney’s animation division. The saddest and most heartwarming animated movie of the time, “All Dogs Go to Heaven,” left countless children around the world in tears. Additionally, the legendary “Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland,” a joint American-Japanese production, saw tremendous success.

In 1982, competitors had been overwhelming the market, causing Disney Corporation to contemplate closing its animation division as their financial projections weren’t promising. However, everything changed when “The Little Mermaid” was released and became an enormous hit. This film adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale rescued Disney’s animation department from closure and marked the beginning of a new prosperous era for Disney.

9 1995

Pixar Inaugurates A New Golden Age, Japanese Animation Steps Hard

Best Rated Film Of The Year, According To IMDb: Toy Story (8.3)
Main Animation Technique: CAPS, Full Drawn/Digitalized

1995 marked a significant turning point for animation, building upon a half-decade of moderately successful films. This year signaled the end of the road for traditional layout animation and the dawn of a new era for anime films, with “Ghost In The Shell,” the acclaimed Cyberpunk film, and two “Dragon Ball Z” movies gracing the silver screen in the same financial year.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that in 1995, we saw the release of films like “A Goofy Movie,” which had moderate success, and the blockbuster hit “Pocahontas” from Disney. Furthermore, the film adaptation of “Gargoyles” came out, marking a significant point. Notably, Pixar began its reign in the animation film industry with the release of “Toy Story.” Many analysts consider 1995 as a pivotal year for animation, transitioning from traditional to modern styles, and it’s hard to argue otherwise.

8 1998

Mid-Golden Age of Animation, Best Year For Cultural Blockbusters

Best Rated Film Of The Year, According To IMDb: Mulan
Main Animation Technique: Rotoscope/CGI

As Disney’s animation team was busy with various forthcoming productions, it became an opportunity for Dreamworks/Universal Studios to make a significant impact, and they did so grandly with the cultural animation masterpiece, “Prince of Egypt“, which told the captivating story of Moses and Ramses in a unique and unprecedented way. Following closely, Disney released “Mulan“, demonstrating that musical animated films were truly dominating that particular year.

1998 was an unforgettable year for me as a gamer, witnessing significant leaps in 3D animation. Movies like “A Bug’s Life” and “Antz” were game-changers, redefining the boundaries of the animation industry. Meanwhile, I couldn’t help but notice the furor caused by the release of “Pokemon: Mewtwo Strikes Back” on the big screen. The Pokemon Company capitalized on this franchise juggernaut, raking in some seriously impressive revenues. It was a golden age for animation, an era I’ll always remember fondly.

7 1997

Studio Ghibli Rises To Power, Disney In Its Prime

Best Rated Film Of The Year, According To IMDb: Princess Mononoke (8.3)
Main Animation Technique: Rotoscope

1997 stood out as a remarkable year for animation, boasting headline-grabbing success with films like “Hercules,” considered one of the finest animated productions to date. It was then followed by “Princess Mononoke,” which solidified Studio Ghibli’s dominance in the field. To add to this, 20th Century Fox entered the competition with “Anastasia,” a film that may have been underestimated but left an indelible visual impact on viewers and is highly revered among animation enthusiasts.

Warner Bros made strides in animation with “The Batman Superman Movie: World’s Finest,” a move that would shape superhero animated films for over a decade. DC Comics dominated this genre with top-tier productions, while other notable titles were sequels to “Beauty and The Beast” and “The Swan Princess” movies. Although these didn’t garner much acclaim, they featured skilled animators who worked tirelessly to advance the industry, paving the way for successful releases in subsequent years.

6 1999

Later Stages Of The Golden Age, Sequels And A New Fan Favorite

Best Rated Film Of The Year, According To IMDb: The Iron Giant (8.1)
Main Animation Technique: CGI

1999 was an intriguing year, marked by significant events in the world of cinema. The second Pokemon movie, titled “The Power of One,” raked in a massive income. On the other hand, the remake of the classic Fantasia (1940) film struggled to meet its budget. However, Pixar’s release, Toy Story 2, stood out as one of the most successful animated films in history. With an initial investment of $90 million, it grossed over $511 million worldwide. Additionally, the exceptionally well-made and critically acclaimed Disney film, Tarzan, featured Phil Collins singing songs in multiple languages, giving life to some of the greatest animation soundtracks ever produced.

1998 was a peculiar time in my movie-loving journey; it brought both triumphs and setbacks. The Iron Giant, produced by Warner Bros Pictures’ animation division, unfortunately didn’t live up to expectations, despite its hefty budget of over $50 million and earning slightly more than $33 million globally. This underperformance led to some significant adjustments in how WB handled their animated intellectual properties.

5 2001

Animated Films Become A Gathering Point For People All Ages

Best Rated Film Of The Year, According To IMDb: Spirited Away (8.6)
Main Animation Technique: CGI

Starting from the early 2000s, there was a shift or transitional phase before the emergence of the golden age of animation in 2001. During this time, producers of animated films started to realize that a new approach to marketing would be beneficial. This led to the concept of “animation for everyone,” as they aimed to create movies that would captivate audiences of all ages simultaneously. Notable examples include Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius, Monsters, Inc., and the groundbreaking Spirited Away by Miyazaki, which defied many traditional animation norms and became a universally acclaimed masterpiece. Additionally, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within was the first attempt to create photo-realistic human characters in animation. Although they perfected the technique, the screenplay failed to resonate with audiences.

Disney paved the way with the movie “Atlantis: The Lost Empire,” investing almost $100 million into its production. This film, a masterpiece with exceptional CGI that blended classic animation with contemporary methods, generated a total global revenue of over $189 million. However, it was soon overshadowed by the introduction of a groundbreaking new franchise: “Shrek.” With a budget almost half that of “Atlantis,” “Shrek” went on to earn an astounding $491 million worldwide and became one of the most successful and critically acclaimed franchises after “Toy Story.”

4 2002

The Later Age Of Lost Animated Film Jewels

Best Rated Film Of The Year, According To IMDb: Ice Age (7.5)
Main Animation Technique: CGI

2002 might just have been one of the standout years for animation over the past two decades, yet it seems that many critics aren’t quite ready to delve into that topic. Some of the films that graced our screens that year included remakes like “Treasure Planet”, “Lilo & Stitch”, and “Ice Age”; heartwarming Japanese animations such as “My Beautiful Girl, Mari” and “The Cat Returns”; and the often overlooked but groundbreaking “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron”. This film, which featured animals in an epic story since “The Land Before Time” (1988), boasted an unforgettable soundtrack, striking visuals, and a deeply moving narrative. To this day, it remains a masterpiece.

Treasure Planet stood out for its visually stunning design, faithful adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s work, and overall excellence. However, Lilo & Stitch captured hearts with its heartwarming portrayal of the unique idea that “every family is unique in its own way.” On the other hand, Blue Sky Studios truly made a splash with their hit movie Ice Age. This film marked the beginning of a successful franchise and ushered in a new era for contemporary animation.

3 2000

Underrated But Visually Impressing Films Change The Audience’s Expectations

Best Rated Film Of The Year, According To IMDb: Chicken Run (7.5)
Main Animation Technique: CGI

2000 marked not just the start of a new millennium but also a fresh era for animated films. Some incredible animations graced our movie screens, while innovative methods in animation became the norm. Computer-generated imagery (CGI) was rapidly advancing, leading to remarkable creations such as Titan A.E. and Dinosaur, which, despite being undervalued, are true masterpieces. Unexpectedly, Chicken Run became a massive box office hit with its low-budget stop-motion animation techniques, topping the revenue charts that year.

Disney took a gamble on cultural representation with the film “The Emperor’s New Groove,” which was not only entertaining (and a gold mine for memes) but also colorful, humorous, and had a unique sense of humor. Unfortunately, it didn’t do well at the box office, earning less than anticipated, causing Disney to question this approach. However, its fortunes improved over time, particularly when it was released on home media, nearly tripling its original budget. As for 2000 animated movies, “The Road to El Dorado” is considered the cream of the crop, boasting some of the best character development, visual effects, and animation ever created by human hands.

2 2010

3D Animation Becomes The Norm, New Franchises Appear

Best Rated Film Of The Year, According To IMDb: Toy Story 3 (8.3)
Main Animation Technique: CGI

2010 was undeniably a standout year for animation, boasting an impressive lineup of films such as Batman: Under the Red Hood, How to Train Your Dragon, Shrek Forever After, Toy Story 3, Despicable Me, Arrietty, Megamind, and Tangled. Moreover, it was an exceptional year for DC animation, with a string of three movies – Superman/Batman: Apocalypse and Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths among them – truly making their mark.

In 2010, “How to Train Your Dragon” was warmly welcomed in cinemas, making it one of the year’s biggest hits at the box office. However, “Toy Story 3” outshone everything else, earning the title of the highest-grossing animated film ever (until 2014 when it was surpassed by “Frozen”), and “Shrek Forever After” wasn’t far behind, cementing the “Shrek” series as one of the most financially successful franchises in history.

1 1982

The Golden Age of Animation Begins, The Best Year Ever

Best Rated Film Of The Year, According To IMDb: The Flight Of Dragons
Main Animation Technique: Traditional Hand-Painted Cel animation

In the early ’80s, the landscape of animated filmmaking was on the brink of a monumental shift. Traditional stop motion and paper frame-by-frame techniques were gradually being replaced by innovative methods such as Cel animation, which ultimately transformed the industry completely. This period marked the beginning of the Golden Age of Animation, widely regarded as the most successful year for animated films in history.

1982 marked a significant year for animation, with numerous critically acclaimed films gracing the screens. Some of these included “The Last Unicorn,” “The Flight Of Dragons,” “Aladdin And The Wonderful Lamp” (the original), “Arcadia of My Youth” (Captain Harlock), “Time Masters,” “Flash Gordon: the Greatest Adventure of All,” “Techno Police 21C,” “Stanley, the Ugly Duckling,” “Gauche the Cellist” (also known as Goshu), and the original “Treasure Planet.” Among these, “The Last Unicorn” and “The Secret of NIMH” stood out as the most notable. The latter was the most successful film of that year, while “The Last Unicorn,” though less commercially successful, remains a cherished gem in animation due to its exceptional artistry and cel animation, often studied closely by aspiring animators. Interestingly, “The Last Unicorn” was a joint production between US producers and the Japanese animation company Topcraft, which later collaborated with Hayao Miyazaki to animate the legendary “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind.”

2024-08-21 09:34