The Best Animated Movies Currently On Netflix

Arguably the greatest animated superhero film of all time, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse made an entire industry rethink the relevance of a theatrically released, 2D-animated superhero film. Animation veterans Phil Lord and Chris Miller had previously created the beloved Clone High, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, and Lego films like The Lego Movie and The Lego Batman Movie. You don’t need to see any other Spider-Man movie to understand the plot or why this film is, simply put, amazing.

Any animation guru knows that the Walt Disney of Japan is most certainly Hayao Miyazaki. Hits like Spirited Away and Kiki’s Delivery Service found a lot of love here in the States. The first animated film Miyazaki directed was this adaptation of the beloved Lupin III character who first appeared in manga and later in his own television series, and this film is actually the fourth theatrical film starring the character. But as far as appreciation goes, it is number one!

For those looking for something more recent, family-friendly, and international, definitely check out the joint Chinese and American film Over the Moon. This film about a young girl seeking out a Moon Goddess has a hilarious all-star voice cast, including Sandra Oh, Ken Jeong, John Cho, and Disney veteran Glen Keane in the director’s chair. This ensures the animation is top-notch.

A Christmas movie with a lot of heart might be the first thing some people think of, but this is one that merges technology with some of the most amazing hand-drawn animation seen in the modern era. Klaus is a unique Christmas movie that is family-friendly without losing its hip edge. Thank you, Jason Schwartzman?

This Disney Princess movie is based on a modern-day children’s novel that’s based on a Grimm’s Fairy Tale story. And while Disney+ is going full steam ahead with the lion’s share of the Disney feature library, this entry still currently makes its home on Netflix.

What’s the deal with this movie? Other than stand-up and a little sitcom called Seinfeld, Jerry Seinfeld hadn’t attached himself to much, but he DID put his heart and soul into an animated family film that is thoroughly fun and funny.

Another Japanese import, this cinematic opus wraps up a television series known as Neon Genesis Evangelion. This is a very beloved anime franchise that follows a techno-savvy group of humans as they face off against robotic “angels” in a cyberpunk armageddon.

Originally a segment on the ’60s/’70s children’s show The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends, Mr. Peabody & Sherman focused on the adventures of a genius, time-traveling dog and his boy Sherman. The motion picture really evolves the characters from their origin points, and features a great voice cast and some really solid writing.

This film is interesting in that the original movie Pokemon 2000 was reanimated, particularly for Netflix. Think if Detective Pikachu had been written for children circa 1999: This is the result. A great movie then, a great movie now.

While not quite as amazing as the original Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, the return of Bill Hader’s Flint Lockwood remains nearly as fresh as the first installment. Sure, Mr. T has been replaced, but the great animation and heartfelt storyline remain intact.

Before Scooby-Doo revamps were attempted literally every year, there was a time when the closest thing to a Scooby-Doo reboot was 1991’s A Pup Named Scooby-Doo. That hadn’t been on the air for close to a decade when Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island was released straight to VHS and DVD in 1998. While certainly not aimed at adults, it wasn’t aimed specifically at kids either and actually featured a truly paranormal storyline without an old man in a mask.

Fans of old-school Nickelodeon animation will find comfort in what Netflix has made available. And while Rocko’s Modern Life is not the only film on this list to originate from Nickelodeon, it is ranked highest. Rocko’s Modern Life holds up without changing the look, style, vibe, or voices of the original. The only downside to this story of a Wallaby, his friends, and his neighbors simply existing in a stylized suburbia is that it was too short, but sometimes a 45-minute movie is just right.

As far as comic book adaptations go, this is as good an animated film without a theatrical release is going to get. A great choice for a Saturday morning of monstrous proportions. This is relatively true to one of the most popular Hulk storylines in the Marvel CBU that was integrated into the Thor: Ragnarok script in a much more condensed form. Definitely recommended for Marvel fans.

Invader Zim, the underground king of comic books that sold only at Hot Topic, returns in a short, quality film. This is another fantastic entry on the list of Nickelodeon series that have received the Netflix reboot feature treatment.

A memorable family film that kind of horrified children in the late ’80s with the tender tunes of Burt Reynolds as a dead dog trying to save himself from literal damnation. Look, it’s no Secret of NIMH, but any of the Bluth ’80s animations remains something to be respected, if not simply riffed upon by today’s cartoonists and content creators.

The Killing Joke is another film that utilizes comic book source material that, while still far superior on the comic book pages, scratches an itch without forcing you to read. Mark Hamill reprises his iconic Joker voice and even does a musical number!

Le Petit Prince is the perfect choice for Francophiles and literature nerds who spend less time at their local bookstore’s “Gift Suggestions” table in this quarantined world of today. Based on the 1943 book of whimsy with illustrations most quaint, the 2015 English-language French film has a star-studded cast, including Jeff Bridges, Rachel McAdams, and Albert Brooks!

This movie gives off spoopy ’80s claymation vibes, even though it is from 2006 and fully computer-animated. Watch what happens when a bunch of kids discover a living house of horrors!

Maybe the best of the modern-day Dr. Seuss adaptations. Danny DeVito shines as a little mustached fellow with a passion for nature. He speaks for the trees!

Before Disney owned Pixar, they tried to compete with them. This was one of the few non-Pixar CG films that hit the big screen. The story follows an incredibly neurotic chicken with a checkered past (voiced by Zach Braff) and some Men in Black vibes.

While it’s an older Nickelodeon flick than some of the others on this list, it’s still a great piece of cartoon nostalgia.

This less-than-modern Stone Age family has a sequel coming out soon. Curious as to what a caveman with the soul of Nicolas Cage might sound like? Behold, your answer awaits.

A late ’90s Warner Bros. cartoon that makes the list because the soundtrack features Don Rickles singing in harmony with Eric Idle. It’s based on the novel The King’s Damsel by Vera Chapman.

A result of a partnership between Aardman Animations and Sony Pictures Animation, this film based on British comedy books by Gideon Defoe features a lot of UK talent. This film is actually called The Pirates! In an Adventure With Scientists! in most countries, even if my Netflix calls it The Pirates! Band of Misfits. What’s that about? This film shares its title with the first of five books of The Pirates! series.

Irish filmmaker Tomm Moore’s follow-up to The Secret of Kells, Song of the Sea is a hand-drawn visual treat. The story follows a young Irish boy named Ben and his younger sister Saoirse moving through a mythical wonderland of Celtic mythology after dealing with a family tragedy.