There's no denying that in the world of animation, Disney has reigned supreme for years. While at this point we've all heard every fun fact there is to know about The Lion King and we've read more Aladdin fan theories than what's really necessary, many of us also have major love for a lot of non-Disney animated movies that no one seems to be talking about.
As much as we love every magical moment that Disney has ever delivered as well as every heart-wrenching scene Pixar has ever forced us through, we can't help but feel like it's unfair for all of the other incredible animated adventures to just be tossed to the side. Today, we are here to focus on the best of the best in terms of non-Disney animated films!
15 The Croods Is A Seriously Fun Family Adventure
Try as they might, DreamWorks Animation will never have quite as large an audience as Disney does. However, that's not to say they haven't given us some truly classic films and franchises over the years. The Croods wasn't their most successful, but the story of a family of cavepeople discovering new terrain is hilarious and moving. Here's all the info on the upcoming sequel!
14 There's Never Been A Better Time To Show Your Kids Osmosis Jones
Even though Osmosis Jones didn't do Warner Bros. any favors at the box office, the movie is absolutely a must-watch. Even if you don't want to go as far as watching the animated spin-off series that came later, we still suggest watching Ozzy (Chris Rock), a white blood cell, and Drix (David Hyde Price), a cold pill, try and save the body of Frank (Bill Murray), from a wicked virus.
13 The Lego Movie's Success Speaks For Itself
Honestly, with as many giant names as they got to participate in this original movie, it's no wonder why we've seen it grow into such a massive franchise. In this film about an average Lego man becoming extraordinary in order to save the day, you'll hear familiar voices like Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Alison Brie, Channing Tatum, and Morgan Freeman.
12 Maybe The Best Take On Dracula Yet...
The Hotel Transylvania franchise has exploded since the original film released back in 2012 and it's not too hard to see why either. Not only does the franchise star Adam Sandler as Dracula, but it's also got the hilarious voices of Andy Samberg, David Spade, Molly Shannon, Steve Buscemi, and Selena Gomez. Follow the story of an overprotective vampire father as he becomes an overprotective vampire grandfather.
11 FernGully Gets More Relevant By The Day
The name of this film is literally FernGully: The Last Rainforest. Sure, this came out back in 1992, but if we're still watching '90s Disney movies, then there's no reason to not be watching this excellent and informative film, too. When a village of fairies living in an Australian rainforest face the dangers of loggers and pollution, they must fight to save their beloved lands.
10 Trolls Can Put A Smile On Anyone's Face
There's no other way to say it, Trolls is just a blast from start to finish. The animation is as colorful as it gets, ensuring both kids and adults will be pulled into this crazy world before even learning the story. Also, we can't forget about the awesome singing talents of leads Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake.
9 The Minions Can't Be Stopped
This one entry is going to count for the entire Despicable Me franchise. As popular as the original 2010 film was, this franchise didn't hit its peak until exclusive Minions content started to get released. The entire story is fun, as the hero is actually a supervillain and the minions his henchmen. A little bad news, Minions: Rise of Gru has officially been pushed and is now expected to hit theaters July 2021.
8 The Best Animated Dinos By Far
Sorry The Good Dinosaur, but this is one department where Disney is not the best. When it comes to animated dinosaurs, Amblin Entertainment is still the winner. In the original 1988 The Land Before Time, Littlefoot (a long neck) is orphaned and forced on a mission to find habitable lands and, of course, meets adorable dino friends along the way.
7 The Pagemaster Is Easily Macaulay Culkin's Best
We know this may be ruffling the feathers of some Home Alone fans, but we stand by our statement. 1994's The Pagemaster is an incredible movie, whether it did well at the box office or not. It tells the story of a young boy who finds himself battling through the situations found in classic literature. Apart from Culkin, the film stars Christopher Lloyd, Leonard Nimoy, Whoopi Goldberg, and Patrick Stewart.
6 Rango Scored Big At The Oscars
Rango is a great example of how talented actors can still show off their stuff, even when just lending their voices to animated characters. Johnny Depp stars in this one as the titular character, Rango. He's a pet chameleon who winds up in a one horse town. In this Academy Award winner, you'll also hear the voices of Isla Fisher and Timothy Olyphant.
5 Coraline Is As Magical As It Is Creepy
Coraline may not be the best choice for kids under a certain age, but it's definitely a must-watch for any child who doesn't spook too easily. In this 2009 movie, we meet a young girl who is less than happy with her new living arrangements. While exploring her new home, she discovers a secret door that leads to a seemingly perfect version of her own world.
4 Kubo And The Two Strings Will Blow You Away
This 2016 animated film is nothing short of a masterpiece. It tells the story of a young, instrument wielding boy, who must set out to find his lost father's armour before he goes up against some unlikely villains. If you're looking for star-power, this one's got Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, Ralph Fiennes, Art Parkinson, George Takei, and Rooney Mara.
3 There's No Bond Like The One Between A Boy And His Dragon
It should come as no surprise that the How to Train Your Dragon franchise has landed so high on this list. The tale of how an outcast viking boy changes the relationship between his people and dragons is one you'll be watching on repeat. This one's got the voices of Jay Baruchel, Jonah Hill, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, Kristen Wiig, and America Ferrera.
2 Spider-Man: Into The Spider Verse Really Is That Good
This hit movie have been receiving all kinds of praise since it first released in 2018 and we can honestly say it deserves every bit of it. A seriously refreshing change-up from all of the live-action superhero movies that are around these days, this film's story isn't just thrilling, but the animation is truly unique. What could be better than 1 Spider-Man? How about a handful of them!
1 Shrek Is Still The Best
Ok, so we've mentioned a ton of outstanding films on this list already, but when it comes down to it, the best non-Disney animated movie is still Shrek. Thanks to memes and merchandise, no one will ever forget about the story of an ogre with as many layers as an onion finding love and friendship.