Entertainment
The 8 Most Fun Animated Movies Ever Made
Animated films are the perfect medium to communicate concepts that would be hard to replicate in real life. By using this captivating and visually engaging art form, filmmakers are able to tell the stories they want to without having to compromise due to logistical limitations. While some animated movies are designed to tell compelling and dramatic stories, these eight are a pure delight.
When it comes to being fun, these animated movies know what they’re doing. From witty banter and clever dialogue to hilarious gags and spot-on timing, these movies excel at delivering laugh-out-loud moments and lighthearted themes. When you are in the mood for a movie that will lift your spirits and keep you thoroughly entertained, these movies should be next on your watchlist.
1
‘Madagascar’ (2005)
Curiosity gets the better of the cat in DreamWorks’ Madagascar. The story begins with a lion named Alex (Ben Stiller) who lives in a zoo enclosure in New York City. As his tenth birthday rolls around, he begins to wonder what other life possibilities could be out there for him, and he comes up with the idea to return to the wild. Joined by his friends, a zebra named Marty (Chris Rock), a giraffe called Melman (David Schwimmer), and a hippo named Gloria (Jada Pinkett Smith), the adventurous crew leave the creature comforts of home and embark on an epic adventure.
Madagascar is full of hilarious antics and exciting situations. It is vastly entertaining to watch the four city-dwelling animals reacclimate to life in the great outdoors. The cast of the movie is phenomenal and includes several actors with comedic backgrounds, such as Sacha Baron Cohen, Andy Richter, and Cedric The Entertainer. Although Madagascar was a bit overshadowed by Shrek, it is finally getting the respect it deserves and topped Netflix’s streaming charts earlier this year, climbing all the way to #5 in worldwide viewership.
2
‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ (2018)
No one had seen anything like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse when it debuted in theaters in 2018. The animation style was an energetic and fresh new presentation that combined comic book aesthetics with anime, 3D computer graphics, and more. The story was an invigorating change from established expectations. Introducing the character of Miles Morales (Shameik Moore), the protagonist was a parallel, but not direct copy, of Peter Parker. This new storyline and focus opened up a whole new multiverse of possibilities, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse hit every benchmark with unparalleled flair.
Not only does Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse have a remarkable story and animation, but it also has one of the best multiverse and multiple Spider-Man cameos ever done. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse set the precedent several years before the MCU followed suit (no pun intended). This outstanding movie refuses to fit into preconceived boxes. It is both a comic book movie and a spectacular urban fantasy. It simultaneously pays homage to the canon that started it all while paving its own path. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is an absolute triumph and manages to keep all fans, new and old, happy.
3
‘Aladdin’ (1992)
The Oscar-winning hit that remains quintessential viewing for many, Aladdin is ‘90s Disney gold. The epic adventure tale that is thousands of years old is unique for the studio in that the main character is male. A majority of Disney’s animated films focus on princesses, mermaids, etc. Aladdin, voiced by Scott Weinger, proved to be an engaging protagonist, and his rise from street urchin to fortunate prince is a story full of magic and wonder.
Although Aladdin has its flaws, it remains a favorite for many and is considered a hallmark of Disney’s Renaissance era. Robin Williams’ role as Genie is one of the best vocal performances ever committed to film, and he instantly elevated the movie and made it iconic. With its supernatural themes, nonstop thrills, and undeniable humor, Aladdin is one of the most fun family movies Disney has produced. Collider staff recommend it as one of the best feel-good movies, and it delivers on all fronts. When it comes to music, plot, and comic relief, it is hard to beat this nostalgic gem.
4
‘The Lego Batman Movie’ (2017)
DC movies are notably dark and broody, but one that not only breaks the mold but shatters it is The Lego Batman Movie. Will Arnett voices the caped crusader with a Lego makeover in this brilliant and absolute banger of a film. The Lego Batman Movie epitomizes the essence of Batman while never taking itself too seriously. It is a 104-minute love letter to the fans, and it is the second highest-ranked Batman movie of all time on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Lego Batman Movie is nonstop fun no matter how you examine it. It is a delightful DC movie, an awesome Batman movie, and the best Lego movie so far. It includes all the tropes and meta references fans are expecting, while still finding ways to bring something new to the lore. If you haven’t seen this absolute riot yet, this is your sign.
5
‘Shrek’ (2001)
Though Shrek was not DreamWorks’ first animated film, it is the one that catapulted the studio into stardom. A pointed satire of traditional clichés, it kicked down the door of fantasy and sat on the throne as the new ruler of how stories were going to be told. Shrek destroyed every preconceived notion about romance, beauty standards, hero types, and more. It took laser-focused shots at DreamWorks’ major competitor, Disney, and told the story it wanted to without apology.
Shrek remains a hilarious and unconventional comedy. There are enough raunchy jokes to keep adults entertained and plenty of silly situations to hold kids’ attention as well. Even though the road it takes to get there is unlike anything fairy tale movies have done before, Shrek still arrives at its own version of “happily ever after.” It changed the game forever and makes a diverting watch for viewers of all ages.
6
‘Hotel Transylvania’ (2012)
When you have a modern king of comedy, Adam Sandler, as the main character and executive producer, you know the movie is going to be fun. In Hotel Transylvania, Sandler stars as Dracula. Now a single father, Dracula tries everything within his natural and supernatural power to keep his only child, Mavis (Selena Gomez), safe from humans. His efforts result in the titular abode, which provides a safe place for monsters to stay, away from the prying eyes and sharpened pitchforks of humans. Dracula’s plan to keep Mavis from the human world starts to unravel when a wayward backpacker named Jonathan (Andy Samberg) stumbles into the hotel.
Hotel Transylvania is a silly take on spooky staples like vampires, werewolves, Frankenstein’s monster, and more. The cast is stocked with comedic talent, and the sweet father-daughter bond between Dracula and Mavis is the chewy caramel center of the movie. Hotel Transylvania is a film that audiences love, and critics love to hate, as evidenced by its widely contrasting Rotten Tomatoes scores. Last January, over a decade after its debut, Hotel Transylvania ranked #6 in Netflix’s Top 10. The love from viewers for this haunting and hilarious tale is not weakening anytime soon, and it makes for a superb watch any time of year, but especially in the fall and around Halloween.
7
‘A Goofy Movie’ (1995)
As I mentioned in another Collider article, “It was completely unexpected that a movie that relied solely on staple but lesser-known characters would become the voice of a generation.” However, that’s exactly what A Goofy Movie did. The 1995 hand-drawn feature would prove to have its finger so accurately on the pulse of the current culture that it became a time capsule, quintessentially defining the era for generations to come. The story follows Goofy (Bill Farmer) as he tries to bond with his teenage son Max (Jason Marsden), which leads to them going on a father-son road trip, whether Max likes it or not.
A Goofy Movie is surprisingly awesome. It is greater than the sum of its parts, and like discovering a hidden level in a video game, there are unexpected riches to be found. It has catchy music, an interesting plot, some low-key intrigue, identifiable characters, and a whole lot of fun. It makes an ideal choice for Disney fans and anyone wanting to relive some 1990s nostalgia.
8
‘How to Train Your Dragon’ (2010)
Take an underdog story, mix it with a hero’s journey, add in an Oscar-nominated score by John Powell, and you will get How to Train Your Dragon. DreamWorks’ fantasy epic launched a flawless trilogy where every movie is a 10/10 masterpiece. The first movie follows a young Viking named Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) as he challenges centuries of his village’s cultural beliefs about dragons. After a formative encounter with an elusive Night Fury, Hiccup seeks to prove that dragons are not the soulless killing machines he was taught to fear.
How to Train Your Dragon is perfect from beginning to end and doesn’t falter once. It has imaginative creature design, likable characters, and the aforementioned stupendous soundtrack crafted by Powell. It is everything a great fantasy movie should be, and it is tons of fun to watch.
How to Train Your Dragon
- Release Date
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March 26, 2010
- Runtime
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98 minutes
- Director
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Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois
- Writers
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Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders, William Davies, Cressida Cowell
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