Emotions, Robots, Minions, and Felines
From dazzling visuals to uninspired sequels, 2024 delivered a rollercoaster of animated films. Which ones soared, and which ones are a disservice to their franchise? Here’s our ranking, from worst to best!
Obs: Please note, I have not yet seen The Garfield Movie, The Tiger’s Apprentice, Look Back, or That Christmas.
16. Mufasa: The Lion King (review)
Context: Disney’s prequel to The Lion King explores Mufasa’s origins, set against the photorealistic aesthetic introduced in the 2019 remake.
Evaluation: Mufasa manages to be an even greater disservice to The Lion King legacy than the 2019 live-action remake. While it takes a step forward with lions that can finally emote and a plot that isn’t a direct copy of the original, the new story is weak and devoid of emotional depth. Young Mufasa is a bland, overly perfect character, and his rivalry with Taka (Scar) is reduced to shallow conflicts and rushed development that over-explains instead of enriching the original dynamic, missing the opportunity to add meaningful layers as a good prequel should. None of the new characters come close to matching the charm or impact of the originals, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s songs don’t even deserve to be mentioned alongside Elton John’s classics, and Timon and Pumbaa’s painfully unfunny interludes undercut what little tension the film tries to build. Worse still, it squanders the chance to teach children valuable lessons about forgiveness. Coupled with the misuse of one of Hollywood’s most talented directors, this film feels like a hollow, uninspired cash grab. It’s time for Disney to stop recycling its beloved franchises and focus on creating fresh, original stories.
15. Transformers One (review)
Context: Set on Cybertron, this animated prequel explores the origins of the rivalry between Optimus Prime and Megatron, marking the first animated Transformers theatrical release since 1986.
Evaluation: Perhaps the most controversial opinion on this list, Transformers One is the second prequel here that fails to deliver an origin story that enhances its franchise or feels remotely necessary. Filled with tired MCU-style humor, annoying characters, and unappealing visuals, the film rushes through character development, leaving its central conflict thin and unconvincing. Like Mufasa, it proves that when one character in a rivalry is portrayed as flawless, all tension and depth evaporate. By the halfway point, I honestly couldn’t wait for it to be over.
14. Moana 2 (review)
Context: Set three years after the original, this sequel follows Moana as she embarks on a new mission to lift a curse on the island of Motufetu, reuniting fans with the beloved wayfinder and her crew.
Evaluation: While Moana 2 is undeniably gorgeous, with its stunning water animation and charming voice performances, it feels like a significant downgrade sequel that plays it way too safe. The story rehashes the structure of the first film without offering meaningful character growth or innovative challenges, leaving the adventure feeling flat and predictable. The songs are forgettable, and the jokes rarely land. Ultimately, it’s a pleasant but uninspired outing that feels better suited to Disney+ than the big screen. Its box office success, unfortunately, sets a troubling precedent, reinforcing the idea that studios can profit from delivering the most basic rehashes instead of striving for creative storytelling.
13. The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (review)
Context: This animated prequel dives into the origins of Helm Hammerhand and the story behind the fortress of Helm’s Deep, aiming to expand the lore of Middle-earth.
Evaluation: While The War of the Rohirrim offers the thrill of revisiting Middle-earth, it struggles to escape the shadow of Peter Jackson’s trilogy. The mix of realistic landscapes with anime-style character designs creates a jarring visual contrast that disrupts immersion, and the story feels formulaic and overly reliant on nostalgia. As someone who believes live-action stories can be meaningfully expanded through animation rather than the other way around, and that this medium holds incredible potential for franchises like The Lord of the Rings, this uneven entry feels especially disappointing.
12. Piece by Piece (review)
Context: This unconventional documentary chronicles Pharrell Williams’ rise to fame using LEGO bricks to visualize his creativity and career milestones.
Evaluation: This commercial for Pharrell and LEGO deserves credit for attempting a fresh take on the “musician’s rise” narrative, but its sanitized portrayal of the singer’s life—blaming any missteps on three generic villains—feels disingenuous. Rather than providing an honest exploration of Pharrell’s journey, it skims the surface, ultimately leaving me with more frustration toward the musician than admiration for his work.
11. Kung Fu Panda 4
Context: Po returns to train a new generation of kung fu warriors, stepping into the role of mentor while facing new challenges.
Evaluation: Another unnecessary sequel that undermines its franchise? Absolutely. The biggest sin of Kung Fu Panda 4 is that it follows a trilogy that concluded so efficiently and with such emotional resonance. However, it doesn’t entirely disrespect its main protagonist; Po’s transition into a mentor feels like a natural progression for his character. Yet, the plot is painfully predictable, and the hidden depth that elevated the earlier films is almost entirely absent. While fans of the franchise might find some charm, and a few action scenes are genuinely impressive, this is yet another animated film on this list that simply didn’t need to exist.
10. Spellbound (review)
Context: Skydance Animation’s second feature follows Princess Ellian as she embarks on a magical quest to undo a curse that has divided her kingdom and turned her parents into monsters.
Evaluation: Spellbound continues Skydance Animation’s streak of underwhelming releases, feeling more like a generic animated adventure than a magical standout. Despite its impressive talent, including director Vicky Jenson and composer Alan Menken, the film suffers from a sluggish start, derivative plot, and uninspired visuals. While there are lighthearted moments and the Bolinar character injects some humor, the adventure lacks originality and emotional depth. The climax’s heavy-handed message feels rushed and underdeveloped, leaving the film as yet another forgettable addition to Netflix’s crowded animation lineup.
9. Orion and the Dark
Context: This Netflix animated film tells the story of a boy, Orion, who befriends his fear, personified as the lovable Dark, as they embark on an adventure to confront his anxieties.
Evaluation: Following the trend of personifying emotions and feelings since Inside Out in 2015, Orion and the Dark attempts to tackle similar territory but lacks the cleverness and emotional nuance of its predecessors. While it has some good ideas on paper, the execution feels thin and stretched, making it better suited for a short story than a full-length feature (it does cover similar themes of Pixar’s Day & Night). Despite its flaws, the film’s charm and creativity offer enough to entertain younger audiences, even if it doesn’t fully live up to its potential.
8. Thelma the Unicorn
Context: Adapted from the popular children’s book, this Netflix film follows a pony named Thelma who rises to fame after being mistaken for a glamorous unicorn.
Evaluation: Another mid Netflix animation, Thelma the Unicorn brings plenty of quirky humor and charm, and is mostly harmless. While the story leans heavily on predictable beats, making it enjoyable but ultimately forgettable, its sense of humor manages to land, adding a touch of fun to an otherwise unremarkable experience.
7. Despicable Me 4 (review)
Context: The fourth main installment in the franchise follows Gru and Lucy as they juggle parenting their mischievous son, Gru Jr., and facing a new adversary, Maxime Le Mal, alongside his femme fatale partner, Valentina.
Evaluation: Like Moana 2, Despicable Me 4 has an episodic structure that feels more like a stitched-together TV series than a cinematic story, with underdeveloped subplots and a forgettable villain. Yet, it embraces this format and puts effort into placing its characters in fresh, engaging scenarios. The secret to why it works? It keeps everything in small doses. The Minions are less central than in previous films, while side conflicts—like Lucy trying hairdressing or a tennis rivalry with new neighbors—are established quickly and resolved just as fast, keeping the pacing light and breezy. Do kids today deserve more creativity? Sure, but this outing is fun enough to entertain.
6. The Wild Robot (review)
Context: The Wild Robot adapts Peter Brown’s beloved novel into an animated feature, blending 2D aesthetics with 3D animation to tell the story of a robot who bonds with a baby bird on a remote island.
Evaluation: The Wild Robot seems like a shoo-in for the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, and honestly, it deserves recognition for its jaw-dropping visuals alone. The animation is absolutely stunning, from the intricate water effects to the lifelike textures of snow and feathers—it’s some of the best we’ve ever seen. Add in its humor and heartwarming moments, and it’s a movie that kids will enjoy. Yet, the film takes one approach that undermines much of its impact: constant dialogue. Characters are always talking, over-explaining what we’re already seeing on screen, which strips the story of its emotional depth. If the film had leaned more on its breathtaking visuals to tell the story (much like the next film on this list), it could have been truly unforgettable.
5. Flow (review)
Context: Set in a mysterious, human-free world, Flow follows a cat overcoming its fear of water as it navigates a rising sea. Along the way, it encounters other animals, including dogs, capybaras, monkeys, and a bird. The story is told entirely without dialogue, relying on music and the animals’ realistic behaviors to convey their struggles and personalities.
Evaluation: Flow is a serene and visually stunning journey, using its dialogue-free approach to immerse viewers in a mysterious, waterlogged world. The striking 2D character designs paired with beautifully detailed backgrounds create an atmosphere that’s captivating and contemplative, while the animals’ authentic behaviors make their cooperation and survival feel deeply relatable. Though the story is simple, its themes of acceptance and collaboration resonate, making Flow a tranquil, heartfelt experience that celebrates the power of visual storytelling.
4. Memoir of a Snail (review)
Context: Memoir of a Snail is a darkly whimsical stop-motion tale about an awkward misfit whose life takes a brighter turn after befriending a life-loving elderly woman named Pinky.
Evaluation: This one is definitely not for children. Memoir of a Snail blends dark humor with visual storytelling, pairing Burton-esque gloom with Aardman-inspired character designs. Its macabre humor—ranging from absurd visual gags to bizarre character quirks—keeps the audience engaged, even as it explores relentlessly heavy themes. Balancing its darkness with enough quirkiness and emotional depth, Memoir of a Snail delivers a deeply unique and thoroughly entertaining experience.
3. Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Context: In their long-awaited return to the big screen, Wallace and Gromit face off against the returning villain Feathers McGraw and an out-of-control robotic garden gnome named Norbot, in a story that blends humor, charm, and a timely exploration of artificial intelligence.
Evaluation: Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl is a delightful return to form for the beloved duo, expertly balancing its comedic charm with a thought-provoking take on AI. The humor is constant and sharp, from Wallace’s bumbling inventions to Gromit’s wonderfully expressive reactions, while the story cleverly transitions from lighthearted gags to a compelling cautionary tale about technology. At a brisk 80 minutes, the pacing is perfect, delivering nonstop entertainment with no filler. With its inventive animation, heartfelt moments, and insightful message, this is not only one of the best family films of the year but also one of the smartest.
2. Inside Out 2
Context: Pixar returns to the mind of Riley, exploring her emotions as she navigates the complexities of adolescence, with new emotions entering the mix.
Evaluation: Inside Out 2 is a rare sequel that smartly builds upon the foundation of the original while taking the story in fresh and meaningful directions. The real-world sections, which were more of a backdrop in the first film, are now just as compelling as the mind’s internal workings. The introduction of Anxiety as a new emotion is particularly timely and handled with nuance, offering an insightful exploration of adolescence’s challenges. With its sharp humor, emotional depth, and thoughtful expansion of its core themes, Inside Out 2 solidifies itself as the best non-Toy Story Pixar sequel. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind watching Inside Out movies until Riley becomes an elderly woman.
1. Arcane: Season 2 (review)
Context: The critically acclaimed Arcane returns for its second season, continuing the visually stunning and emotionally gripping tale of Piltover and Zaun, with beloved characters facing new challenges and alliances shifting in unexpected ways.
Evaluation: It may feel like cheating, but Arcane: Season 2 truly feels like three animated films in one, delivering a cinematic experience that pushes the boundaries of animation and makes unparalleled use of the medium. Every frame is a work of art, with breathtaking detail, inspired song choices, and thrilling action sequences that elevate storytelling to new heights. This series redefines what serialized animation can achieve, combining sharp character arcs, complex themes, and visual mastery in a way that feels both innovative and deeply moving. While it may not quite reach the masterpiece level of the first season, with its conclusion feeling a bit rushed and leaving you yearning for more time in its extraordinary world, Arcane: Season 2 is undoubtedly the best animated installment of the year and a shining example of animation’s storytelling potential.
- Where to watch
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- Where to watch
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