The 16 Best Animated Movies of 2023, Ranked (2024)

2023 has been a fantastic year for animated films, to say the least. In a year when Disney seemed to dive in quality alongside its biggest competitors, those with the gall to present creative and innovative ideas have since taken up the slack, delivering a series of innovative animated films, or just delightful breaths of fresh air. Given that so many animated movies came out this year, there's really only so many one can watch as our lives get more and more preoccupied.

Thus, we've combed through some of the biggest releases of 2023 in order to find the best animated films of the year. Not only that, but we've opted to rank them via a handful of specific criteria. In no particular order, we utilized the following criteria when considering each film for this list:

• Animation Quality
• Storytelling Quality
• Cultural Relevance and Impact
• Unique Concepts
• Powerful Performances
• Overall Entertainment Value

Keeping that in mind, it's time to can the formalities. There was some pretty stiff competition this year; hopefully your favorite film will have made the cut. From streaming exclusives to theatrical blockbusters, these are the best animated movies of 2023.

16 Leo

Leo

PG

Animation

Comedy

Musical

Release Date

November 21, 2023

Director

Robert Marianetti , Robert Smigel , David Wachtenheim

Cast

Adam Sandler , Bill Burr , Cecily Strong , Jason Alexander , Rob Schneider , Allison Strong

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Who could've thought that Happy Madison Productions, the same studio partially responsible for Eight Crazy Nights, would wind up creating one of the best animated movies of the year? Netflix's Leo sees Adam Sandler co-writing, producing, and starring in this colorful animated film. The film was directed by Robert Marianetti and Davd Wachtenheim, with additional assistance provided by Robert Smigel and Adam Sandler.

We follow Leo, a reptile voiced by Sandler, who longs for the outside world after living for years inside a classroom enclosure. When an opportunity to venture outside his home presents itself in the form of a school project, Leo is more than happy to take it. What follows is a journey of discovery and fulfillment, as Leo's talents are gradually recognized by the various students in his class. An ensemble cast comprised of Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Rob Schneider, Allison Strong, and others voice the numerous characters in this sweet and adventurous film.

Leo Was a Welcome Surprise

While you may not associate Adam Sandler with kid-friendly comedy, Leo turned out to be a shockingly entertaining outing. Geoff Zanelli and Robert Smigel are a winning combination when it comes to the film's numerous songs, Sandler gives a surprisingly stellar performance as the title character, and the film's overall positive messaging makes it a terrific fit for viewers of all ages. It may not be the most intellectual or innovative film of the year, but it's certainly a quality title from an unexpected studio. At the very least, it's a substantial improvement from Eight Crazy Nights. Stream Leo on Netflix.

15 Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham

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It wouldn't be controversial to suggest that Batman has had it pretty easy compared to other DC heroes in recent years. Given his relatively grounded universe and a terrific cast of characters, it takes only a modest amount effort to craft compelling stories with the Caped Crusader. But what happens when The Dark Knight is ripped from the modern-day and placed into an alternate timeline?

Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham is an adaptation of the DC miniseries of the same name, with David Giuntoli portraying our heroic Batman. Set in an alternate reality, we enter the 1920s as Bruce Wayne attempts to investigate the murder of his parents. After stumbling across an inopportune discovery, however, Batman finds himself embroiled in a battle against a Lovecraftian entity known only as the Lurker on the Threshold, whose reality-altering influence lays waste to Gotham City.

Batman Meets Lovecraft

As strange an idea as it sounds, Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham offers plenty of intriguing ideas and compelling fan service for all kinds of Batman fans. It's just a shame that the film itself doesn't have a lot of time to explore this idea. At a brisk 88 minutes, what you'll get is a violent, horror-tinged foray into a terrifying "what if" scenario, with an impressive voice cast including Tati Gabrielle, Navid Negahban, and Emily O'Brien. Those who don't want to keep up with the DC Animated Universe will also be happy to know that his film is completely standalone. Stream Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham on Max.

14 Suzume

Suzume no Tojimari

Animation

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

Release Date

April 14, 2023

Director

Makoto Shinkai

Cast

Nanoka Hara , Hokuto Matsumura , Eri f*ckatsu

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One of 2023's biggest animated releases came out fairly early in the year (and even 2022 for Japan and some audiences). The film benefited from American distribution in 2023 and increasingly wider releases. Makoto Shinkai's Suzume tells a heart-wrenching coming-of-age story about a high-school girl faced with an impossible task. When she discovers a strange door standing by itself, she'll uncover a bizarre series of supernatural disasters that can only be prevented with the assistance of a young man named Makoto Shinaki. The film's English cast features prominent talent like Nichole Sakura, Josh Keaton, Roger Craig Smith, Cam Clarke, and Rosalie Chiang.

A Bittersweet Animated Tale

Taking inspiration from the tragic natural disasters that struck Japan in 2011, Suzume is a film that focuses less on the disaster itself, and instead on the impact it had on Japan's populace. After its initial debut overseas, it saw an incredibly positive reception, later going on to win a Japan Academy Film Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Music, in addition to several Best Animated Film nominations from other prolific ceremonies. Like Makoto Shinkai's previous film, Weathering With You, it's an emotional journey with impeccably pristine animation, reflecting on one of the most tragic disasters of the 2010s. Watch Suzume on Crunchyroll.

13 The First Slam Dunk

2023 saw the release of one of the highest-grossing anime films of all time. The First Slam Dunk, based on Takehiko Inoue's eponymous manga series, tells an intense basketball story the likes of which we've yet to see. Takehiko Inoue himself directed this sports film as his directorial debut.

We follow the Shohoku High School basketball team, with point guard Ryota Miyagi being our central focus. We follow the team's journey from humble beginnings to their monumental rise as they take on opponents both on the court and off of it.

A Classic Sports Film With Superb Animation

Experimentation and complexity are all fine and good. However, if you can nail the simplicity of a story with rich characters and purposeful cinematography, you end up with a film that succeeds with a tried-and-true subject. The First Slam Dunk does just that, occasionally relying on recognizable tropes but making up for it with genuine heart, resulting in a triumphant sports film. Knowing that the original creator of the series directed this film means that this is likely the most faithful adaptation of his work to date. The First Slam Dunk is not yet available on streaming.

12 Mother Land

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A surprising stop-motion film, from South Korea no-less, quietly crept into 2023's release schedule. Mother Land was directed by Park Jae-beom, who was previously responsible for the 2019 short film Snail Man. We follow Krisha, a young girl living in a snowy tundra as part of a family of nomads. When Krisha's mother falls ill, only one cure can be obtained in the distant Northern lands, prompting Krisha to embark on the journey of a lifetime. All she'll have to do is locate a mysterious red bear she had previously seen in her dreams, while simultaneously preventing the bear's capture by nefarious forces.

Mother Land is a Novel South Korean Film

Mother Land is notable not only for its impressive visuals and purposeful staging, but for also marking a notable event: this film is the first feature-length stop-motion film produced in South Korea in over four decades. It's focus on underrepresented ideas in South Korean history is a notable high point, and the ambitious approach in its animation more than justifies its brisk, sub-feature-length runtime. Mother Land is currently not available on streaming.

11 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Action

Adventure

Release Date

August 4, 2023

Director

Jeff Rowe

Cast

Nicolas Cantu , Micah Abbey , Shamon Brown Jr. , Brady Noon , Jackie Chan , Ayo Edebiri , Seth Rogen , John Cena

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Another year, another franchise installment. Thankfully, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem eschews previous incarnations of our favorite reptilian martial artists in favor of something bold and unique-looking. In fact, it's one of the most visually-stunning animated films of the year. Director Jeff Rowe previously got his start writing for Disenchantment and Gravity Falls before co-directing his feature-length debut, The Mitchells vs. the Machines, with Mike Rianda.

Mutant Mayhem tells another origin tale of the Ninja Turtles, following their exposure to toxic waste via the mad scientist Baxter Stockman. After their exposure, the turtles and their newfound master, Splinter, live in isolation within the sewers of New York. However, when an army of mutants threatens the safety of New York's residents, it'll be up to the turtles and their human friend, April O'Neil, in order to stop them.

A New Step Forward for TMNT

Mutant Mayhem is arguably the closest we'll get in terms of replicating the source material's grainy graphic novel art style — minus adult violence, obviously. The film is grungy and dirty, caked in saturated colors and geometric character designs that make it stand out against other animated films released this year. Combined with an expansive cast that features more big names than you can count, and you have a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie that not only tells a terrific standalone adventure, but opens the door for future films to come. Stream Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem on Paramount+.

10 My Love Affair With Marriage

My Love Affair With Marriage is a semi-autobiographical, adult-oriented, musical dramedy primarily created by Signe Baumane. Having previously cut her teeth on Rocks in My Pockets, My Love Affair with Marriage continues to explore her unique style with a story partially inspired by her own life experiences.

We follow Zelmak, a woman searching for what she describes as "perfect love" throughout Eastern Europe. Though she tries her best to navigate the complex world of romantic attachments, the ultimate discovery surrounding who she really is might be the only thing to grant her real happiness. Dagmara Dominczyk stars as Zelma, with additional performances provided by Michele Pawk, Cameron Monaghan, Stephen Lang, and Trio Limonãde.

A Beautiful and Unique Animated Feature

Variety in animation is always appreciated. The rough, hand-drawn animation of My Love Affair With Marriage makes its themes of imperfection and surreal animated sequences truly pop. Dozens upon dozens of individual frames resemble beautiful paintings, and when combined with the utilization of multimedia backgrounds, the end result is something strangely captivating to the eye. The film's soundtrack, composed by Kristian Sensini, is an appropriate fit for this truly beautiful story as well. My Love Affair With Marriage is not available on streaming.

9 The Inventor

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The Inventor is a rarity, being one of the few authentic stop-motion films to be released in 2023. However, instead of magical adventures or talking animals, we're focusing on the life and times of Leonardo da Vinci, the bona fide face of the Italian Renaissance. The film was co-directed by Jim Capobianco and Pierre-Luc Granjon, with Blue Fox Entertainment distributing the film in the United States.

Stephen Fry plays the eponymous inventor as his curiosity leads him to the French court, where his creativity and inventive nature can be freely explored. Shortly after arriving, however, Leonardo comes face-to-face with the princess Marguerite. Will Leonardo find love? Will Leonardo simply continue to tinker with his technical contraptions? That's for us to know, and you to find out. Daisy Ridley, Marion Cotillard, and Matt Berry play additional roles within the film's main cast.

A Whimsical Stop-Motion Film

Aside from featuring some stunning stop-motion animation, The Inventor delivers a whimsical tale loosely based on Leonardo's real-life journey. Jim Capbianco, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his work on Ratatouille's screenplay, directed and wrote this charming adventure. It's a film whose dedication to traditional animation techniques certainly welcomes a spot in this extensive collection, even if it plays things a little safe in terms of storytelling. Buy or Rent The Inventor on Prime Video and other digital platforms.

8 Blue Giant

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2023 has been especially kind to anime, with several notable feature films hitting theaters by a plethora of unique creators. Blue Giant is a noteworthy example, not only delivering a quality story, but doing so with a focus on a unique subject.

We follow Dai Miyamoto (Yuki Yamada), a former basketball player, as he discovers his next passion in life: jazz. Taking up a saxophone, Dai heads to the bustling city of Tokyo, unaware of the challenges that his newfound musical lifestyle will bring. When he partners with a talented pianist and an up-and-coming drummer, however, he may have the formula for becoming the next great Japanese jazz act. Yuzuru Tachikawa directed this feature film, whose prior credits include Kill la Kill, Terror in Resonance, Steins;Gate, and Mob Psycho 100 Reigen ~The Miraculous Unknown Psychic~.

A Jazzy, Snazzy Tearjerker

Blue Giant is a deceptive film. What looks like a go-lucky success story on the surface will take you through some of the most teary-eyed moments of the year, made all the more impressive by NUT's impressive animation quality. It's a story that may feel familiar to some, but it still manages to invest the viewer in a compelling journey. If you're a jazz enthusiast as well, you'll get a kick out of this film's numerous musical compositions. Blue Giant is not yet available on streaming.

7 The Venture Bros: Radiant is the Blood of the Baboon Heart

After fifteen years, one of Adult Swim's longest-running shows has finally come to a bittersweet end. The Venture Bros.: Radiant is the Blood of the Baboon Heart is a feature-length series finale to this beloved cult classic series. What originally started as an on-the-nose parody of Jonny Quest and other Saturday morning cartoons quickly grew into an identity of its own, focusing on the escapades of the Venture family and their numerous acquaintances.

The film takes place after season 7, following up on the dramatic reveal that Rusty Venture and his long-time rival, The Monarch, are seemingly related by blood. As the two's relationship is investigated further, the search for a newly-missing Hank Venture may ultimately resolve one of the series' oldest mysteries. Series co-creators Jackson Public and Doc Hammer return to both write and direct, with the show's original cast reprising their respective roles.

Go Team Venture!

Even though it's been five whole years since The Venture Bros. aired its last episode, Radiant is the Blood of the Baboon Heart doesn't skip a beat. Though the film does leave some doors open for a future continuation, it's an ultimately fitting conclusion to one of the most well-developed and hilariously effective animated shows of the 2000s. It also happens to be incredibly funny — if you're a fan of the series, you likely would've expected that already. If you're an old-school Adult Swim fan, this film should be on your radar. Stream The Venture Bros.: Radiant is the Blood of the Baboon Heart on Max.

6 The Super Mario Bros. Movie

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

PG

Animation

Action

Adventure

Release Date

April 7, 2023

Director

Aaron Horvath , Michael Jelenic

Cast

Anya Taylor-Joy , Charlie Day , Jack Black , ​Chris Pratt2 , keegan-michael key , Seth Rogen

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The Super Mario Bros. Movie is an important film. Not just in the sense that it proved video game adaptations are viable money-makers for Hollywood, but in the sense that it opened a door of opportunities for the once-hesitant Nintendo in the world of multimedia. In fact, as we speak, a live-action Zelda movie is currently in development.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie itself is fairly simple; the plumber brothers Mario and Luigi find themselves transported into the magical world of the Mushroom Kingdom. From there, the two will have to seek assistance from the reverent Princess Peach, defeat the evil Bowser, and ultimately find a way home from this colorful fantasy world. A star-studded cast including Jack Black, Charlie Day, Chris Pratt, and Anya Taylor-Joy make up the cast of this exciting animated adventure.

Most Successful Video Game Adaptation

Chalk it up to brand recognition or Illumination's broad appeal, you can't deny that The Super Mario Bros. Movie certainly resonated with a lot of people. Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic keep Mario’s character arc simple, cleverly incorporating elements from the games into Illumination’s thrilling artistic sequences. Combine that with the meme-worthy performance of the song "Peaches," and you end up with not only one of the most financially successful animated films of the year, but the single highest-grossing video game adaptation to date. Stream The Super Mario Bros. Movie on Netflix.

5 Nimona

Nimona

PG

Animation

Action

Adventure

Release Date

June 30, 2023

Director

Nick Bruno , Troy Quane

Cast

Chloe Grace Moretz , Riz Ahmed , Eugene Lee Yang , Frances Conroy , Lorraine Toussaint , RuPaul , Indya Moore

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In 2021, during Nimona's development at Blue Sky Studios, tragic news struck as Blue Sky was being shut down, leaving the film in limbo. However, two and a half years later, the movie found new life with Annapurna Pictures, DNEG Animation, and Netflix. Nick Bruno and Troy Quane co-directed this exciting animated film as well.

Nimona, based on ND Stevenson’s comic, tells a story of mistaken identity in a retro-futuristic fantasy setting. When the famed knight Ballister Boldheart is framed for a heinous crime, he comes across the mysterious shapeshifter named Nimona in his subsequent isolation. Together, the two work together in order to clear his name, restore peace to the kingdom, and challenge the city's perceptions of them. Chloë Grace Mortez and Riz Ahmed lend their voices to Nimona and Boldheart, respectively, with additional performances provided by Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, and Beck Bennett.

Nimona was a Filmmaking Miracle

Nimona was brought back from the brink of death, and it came back with style. Colorful animation, surprisingly stylish character designs, and a unique setting rarely found in this year's offerings all coalesce to make Nimona one of Netflix's best original projects of the year. It's a film whose progressive themes and novel ideas would've certainly been neutered elsewhere, especially under the previous eye of Disney. Nimona would additionally mark the first ever animated project by Annapurna Animation, laying a solid foundation for more animated films in the future. Stream Nimona on Netflix.

4 Elemental

Elemental

Animation

Adventure

Comedy

Release Date

June 16, 2023

Director

Peter Sohn

Cast

Mamoudou Athie , Leah Lewis , Wendi McLendon-Covey , Catherine O'Hara

Pixar’s Elemental ventures into a world where elements like fire, water, plants, air, and rocks possess emotions. Set in Elemental City, the film follows an improbable romance between the fiery Ember and watery Wade. Of course, their contrasting personalities are just a part of the equation. Can the two ultimately form a meaningful relationship despite their physical incompatibilities?

Peter Sohn, who previously debuted with The Good Dinosaur, directed this visually-stunning Pixar outing. Leah Lewis plays Ember and Mamoudou Athie plays Wade, with additional performances provided by Ronnie del Carmen, Shila Ommi, Wendi McLendon-Covey, and Catherine O'Hara.

Elemental is Another Pixar Gem

What truly sets Elemental apart from Pixar’s previous films is its ambitious animation, showcasing its mastery of rendering realistic elemental effects like water and fire. Creating an entire universe revolving around these effects exemplifies how Pixar’s stories drive advancements in animation technology and vice versa. Combined with a unique focus on societal disparities and romantic comedy, Elemental would subsequently become one of Pixar's most daring films yet. Stream Elemental on Disney+. Watch our video interviews with the cast and crew of Elemental below:

3 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

PG

Animation

Superhero

Action

Adventure

Release Date

June 2, 2023

Director

Joaquim Dos Santos , Kemp Powers , Justin K. Thompson

Cast

Shameik Moore , Hailee Steinfeld , Oscar Isaac , Jake Johnson

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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was the hotly-anticipated sequel to 2019's Into the Spider-Verse — and what a sequel it was. Miles Morales, played by Shameik Moore, finds himself entwined in the web-spinning world of superheroes once more when a new villain starts making the rounds. As Miles takes on the Spot (Jason Schwartzman), he'll find himself coming into contact with the Spider-Society: a collection of Spider-People from across the multi-verse whose goals may not align with our ambitious hero. Hailee Steinfeld returns to play Spider-Gwen, with additional performances provided by Brian Tyree Hnery, Lauren Vélez, Jake Johnson, Issa Rae, Karan Soni, and Shea Whigham.

Spider-Verse is a Visual Powerhouse

Across the Spider-Verse is, bar none, one of the single most visually impressive films of the year. Aside from being an incredible treat for longtime Spider-Man fans, given the inclusion of dozens of Spider-People permutations, nearly every one is stylized in their own respective universe's art style. Combine that with a similar level of flair found in the first Spider-Verse film, along with a deliberately meta approach to storytelling this time around, and you have a film that rivals the likes of Disney and DreamWorks in terms of storytelling and presentation. To think that Sony went from The Amazing Spider-Man to this is nothing short of amazing. Stream Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Netflix.

2 Aurora's Sunrise

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Animation has a significant advantage over live-action filmmaking in that it can convey abstract ideas in a way that makes sense, both visually and spacially. Though there's a stigma surrounding animation in the west, with some likening the medium to children's entertainment, we occasionally get a film that demonstrates a level of maturity and emotional depth you simply can't find elsewhere.

This is best exemplified by Aurora's Sunrise, an animated documentary film based on the life of the titular Aurora Mardiganian. A survivor of the Armenian Genocide, Aurora's life is depicted with a unique combination of live-action footage and brilliant animation, showcasing her journey from Eastern Anatolia to the streets of Hollywood. Inna Sahakyan directed this melancholic tale, with Aurora Mardiganian appearing in a handful of snippets taken from the 1919 film Auction of Souls.

Auorora's Sunrise is a Hauntingly Beautiful Story

The animated portions of Aurora's Sunrise illustrate Aurora's journey in a way that simply wouldn't be feasible otherwise. Through the utilization of Armenian symbolism along with interview segments and archival footage, we're given an intimate viewing of Aurora's life against the backdrop of the Armenian Genocide. For those who may not have a full grasp of the Armenian Genocide's impact, Aurora's Sunrise presents this tragic event from a unique and informative perspective. Aurora's Sunrise is streaming on PBS.

1 The Boy and the Heron

The Boy and the Heron

PG-13

Animation

Adventure

Drama

Release Date

December 8, 2023

Director

Hayao Miyazaki

Cast

Christian Bale , Dave Bautista , Gemma Chan , Willem Dafoe , Karen f*ckuhara , Mark Hamill , Robert Pattinson , Florence Pugh , Dan Stevens , Tony Revolori

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Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film, The Boy and the Heron — alternatively known as How Do You Live ? — surprised the audiences with its minimal pre-release information. There was no trailer or story details released; instead, there was only a pair of teaser images. Speculation even surrounded the film's release regarding Miyazaki's potential "retirement," having previously announced such an occasion after the completion of 2013's The Wind Rise s.

Loosely based on Genzaburo Yoshino’s 1937 novel, it follows young Mahito as he moves to the countryside with his father during World War II after his mother’s tragic death. The film revolves around his journey to accept what he still has and protect it from further loss, becoming all the more apparent as he visits a bizarre fantasy world filled with magic. The Boy and the Heron's English cast is filled with some pretty significant names, including Christian Bale, Mark Hamill, Dave Bautista, Gemma Chan and Florence Pugh voicing our main cast.

Arguably Miyazaki's Best Film Yet

Echoing Miyazaki’s previous works, The Boy and the Heron is his personal creation. It focuses on a profound message rather than mass appeal, carrying relevance for an unknown future and the younger generation. Despite the exceptional production values, it embodies the essence of an indie film, making it an emotionally charged and thought-provoking experience. The film's lack of traditional advertising even sparked discussions surrounding its efficacy after some monumental box office returns. The Boy and the Heron is in theaters and not yet available on streaming.