Top 10 Animated Movies of 2024 You Must Watch

As we approach the final days of December, anticipation builds for the animated films releasing in 2025. However, it is essential to reflect on the vibrant landscape of animated cinema in 2024. While the announcement concerning the delayed release of Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse has left fans waiting another two years for its arrival, the past year has still been notable for animated storytelling, primarily due to several high-profile sequels launching to much fanfare.

Not all animated features of 2024 captured the intended spark at the box office or with critics, yet a few unexpected successes emerged. The releases of sequels for fan-favorites such as Kung Fu Panda, Inside Out, Moana, and Despicable Me were highly anticipated. Additionally, the Transformers franchise made an intriguing leap into animation, while The Wild Robot exceeded all expectations, both critically and commercially.

10 Inside Out (2024)

Directed by Kelsey Mann

In a series of sequels that have sometimes led to disappointment, Inside Out 2 emerges as the top-grossing animated film of 2024. Released nearly ten years after the original, this much-anticipated sequel not only met but surpassed audience expectations by providing insight into Riley’s evolving emotions as she navigates adolescence. This heartfelt narrative profoundly explores how children transition while still cherishing their formative experiences.

While Inside Out 2 may not innovate as much as its predecessor, it successfully expands the emotional universe by integrating newer feelings like anxiety—making it widely relatable. However, some viewers may find the themes familiar and even formulaic, as the film reiterates the crucial need for conflicting emotions to coexist harmoniously. Even as new characters introduce fresh dynamics, the overall narrative feels reminiscent of the original.

9 The Most Precious of Cargoes (2024)

Directed by Michel Hazanavicius

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gW-rrODeLs

THE MOST PRECIOUS OF CARGOES | Official Trailer | STUDIOCANAL (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gW-rrODeLs)

A remarkable development occurred at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024, with The Most Precious of Cargoes marking the first animated film to compete for the Palme d’Or in over 15 years, following 2008’s Waltz with Bashir. Hazanavicius tackles the sensitive subject of the Holocaust through a sensitive lens, employing a gentle animation style that emphasizes the humanity of those who resisted despair and helped save lives in Nazi-occupied Poland.

Rather than yielding to sentimentality, the film’s emotional depth largely derives from Alexandre Desplat’s moving score, which, while occasionally overwhelming, complements the visuals. However, the animation sometimes struggles to create a sense of dramatic tension amidst its heartfelt message.

8 Transformers One (2024)

Directed by Josh Cooley

With Transformers One, the franchise finds itself revived through a compelling animated venture that rekindles interest in the essence of the original series. This film explores the origins of iconic characters Optimus Prime and Megatron, providing both a visually captivating experience and an emotionally resonant narrative.

Although it is positioned as a prequel, Transformers One serves as an excellent starting point for new audiences while offering seasoned fans delightful Easter eggs. The straightforward yet engaging storytelling allows for character depth, resulting in a thrilling experience filled with vibrant action and emotional dialogue. This delicate interplay of rebellion and transformation is beautifully reflected in the fluid animation and dynamic character designs.

7 Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

Directed by Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham

Aardman Studios delights audiences once again with another whimsical adventure featuring the beloved duo, Wallace and Gromit, who tackle the pressing issue of automation in this charming story. The clever juxtaposition of handcrafted stop-motion animation against a narrative about artificial intelligence adds a layer of humor to the film.

This latest installment, featuring the iconic villain Feathers McGraw, captures the quintessential British humor that has endeared Wallace and Gromit to fans for two decades. The film perfectly balances nostalgia with innovation, bringing forth characters and antics that feel both familiar and fresh.

6 Flow (2024)

Directed by Gints Zilbalodis

As nominations for the upcoming Academy Awards loom, Flow is emerging as a strong contender for the Best Animated Feature title in 2025. This dialogue-free film presents a poignant survival narrative centered on a cat confronting an apocalyptic flood, serving as an urgent cautionary tale about climate change. The absence of dialogue creates an emotional intensity that critics have hailed as one of the year’s finest animated offerings.

While not explicitly stated, the film appears to draw inspiration from the Biblical flood narrative, paralleling contemporary environmental themes. The simplicity of its premise creates an immersive viewing experience where emotional expressions are conveyed through vigilant body language rather than spoken words.

5 DAN DA DAN: First Encounter

Directed by Fuga Yamashiro, Rushio Moriyama, and Daiki Yonemori

Despite initial skepticism regarding an anime adaptation of the beloved manga Dandadan, the series has flourished into one of the standout anime performances of 2024. The feature film, DAN DA DAN: First Encounter, showcases the vibrant emotions and energy that endeared fans to the original manga, successfully bridging three episodes for theatrical release.

Blending shōnen and romance, DAN DA DAN chronicles the adventures of its two protagonists as they confront ghosts and aliens, navigating their beliefs along the way. The energetic very color palette captures the spirit of the source material and reflects the team’s genuine reverence for their work.

4 Memoir of a Snail (2024)

Directed by Adam Elliot

Memoir of a Snail is an underappreciated gem in the realm of 2024 animated films. This R-rated story encapsulates the resilience of a snail, brought to life through Sarah Snook’s moving voice performance. The film offers a profound, if bleak, exploration of isolation and the profound impacts of rejection.

Though not a direct sequel to Mary and Max, it serves as a thematic continuation of Adam Elliot’s masterful storytelling. Its abstract claymation serves to amplify the emotional resonance, rendering experiences both whimsical and devastating, resulting in a work that is equal parts tragicomedy and emotional journey.

3 HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle (2024)

Directed by Susumu Mitsunaka

In its anticipation, HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle gifts loyal fans a thrilling conclusion to a beloved series. This eagerly awaited film features a high-stakes showdown between rival teams Karasuno and Nekoma, encapsulating the spirit and intensity that defined the anime throughout its run.

Serving as a continuation from where Season 4 left off, the film eschews recaps, allowing dedicated viewers to dive right into the action while still honoring the legacy of the original series. Despite initial skepticism about whether a fifth season might serve better, this film impressively marries exquisite animation with an emotionally charged plot, garnering acclaim from all quarters.

2 The Wild Robot (2024)

Directed by Chris Sanders

With the legacy of films like Lilo and Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, The Wild Robot showcases a captivating story of an unlikely bond between a robot and the island’s inhabitants. Despite underwhelming marketing efforts, the film has enjoyed critical success as a rising contender for awards. Thus, it captures the audience’s attention with humor while addressing themes of life’s unpredictability and loss.

While it ventures into serious territory, the dialogue enriches the narrative experience, bolstered by an exceptional voice cast led by Lupita Nyong’o in her first animated role since The Jungle Book (2016).

1 Look Back (2024)

Directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama

Fans rejoiced as the one-shot manga Look Back by Chainsaw Man creator Tatsuki Fujimoto was finally adapted into an anime film. The adaptation is both tender and haunting, illuminating the challenges of an artist’s journey and the isolation often felt in their pursuit of creativity. In just under an hour, it poignantly encapsulates the profound loneliness entwined with artistry, ultimately finding redemption in unexpected connections.

This film crafts a heartfelt narrative from fleeting moments of inspiration, presenting a beautifully illustrated world that resonates deeply with anyone familiar with the trials of following one’s passion.

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