Worst2First: My Top Ten Animated Kids Films

Worst2First: 

My Top Ten Animated Kids Films

There's two ways to look at animated kids movies: as a way to distract your children for awhile yet feeling extremely pained for having to sit through a totally unoriginal, utterly laughable borefest, or as a way to enlighten both yourself and your children through the means of highly intellectual, yet entirely practical, films that teach a lesson to both adult and child.  In the last three decades, kids animated films have grown in popularity and excitement not just for the young, but the young at heart.

Here are my top ten kids animated films, Worst2First.

**There will be no spoilers**

#10

 Shrek

Taking a unique spin on fairy tales, "Shrek" shows us that true beauty is what's on the inside.  Shrek - a lovable but gruff ogre - is shunned by society and viewed as a monster, yet he still sets out to save the Princess from the evil lord, even if it's just to get his land back.  Featuring standout comedic voice acting by Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, and especially Eddie Murphy, "Shrek" holds firm for animated films even today, with still classic quotable lines ("In the morning, I'm making waffles!") and that still hilarious bit between the evil lord and the Gingerbread Man ("not my gumdrop buttons!").

#9

Inside Out

 "Inside Out" shows us that sadness is just as important as joy, that we're all a product of our vastly different emotions.  This highly thoughtful Pixar hit focuses on five voices in the head of a young girl, and how they interact with each other and shows us the importance of true joy, and deepest sadness.  It's a thought-provoking, moving, stirring animated tale that grips you by the heart and makes you appreciate your memories even more.

#8

Finding Nemo

"Finding Nemo" shows us the importance of family, and the lengths we go to protect those we care the most about.  After his son is kidnapped, overprotective clown fish father Marlin traverses the vast ocean to rescue him, accompanied by Dory, the most lovable sidekick ever who suffers from memory loss.  Featuring Albert Brooks and the incorrigible Ellen DeGeneres, "Finding Nemo" is a fantastic tale for both old and young alike with some truly laugh-out-loud moments and a heart-tugging tale at its center.

#7

Toy Story 3

"Toy Story 3" teaches us that sometimes we have to grow up and let go of our childhood toys, but also serves as a lesson in giving and sacrifice.  While the original "Toy Story" was revolutionary for its time, I included the third on the list because it served as a fitting conclusion for a series (alright, there's going to be a fourth but I'm not too excited about it) that spanned from 1995 - 2010, a span of fifteen years - which is a perfect representation for anyone who saw the first movie as a child.  Now as adults, they have the same feeling as Andy did - growing up and having to let go of the things that once brought countless hours of joy.  Being one of the very few animated movies (including the only animated movie sequel) to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, "Toy Story 3" is one of the most stirring animated movies of our time, and if you're not balling like a baby at the end, I'm convinced you have no soul.

#6

Up

"Up" teaches us that we can find adventure even at an older age.  Carl was always up for an adventure, and when he meets Ellie at a young age, it seemed the two were destined for great adventures together.  Then there's that first ten minutes of the film, which is simply a punch to the gut.  Then Carl re-ignites his old adventurous spirit and decides to fly to the place he and Ellie had planned on going to all those years before.  With trusty wilderness survival sidekick Russell and the hilarious talking dog Dug, Carl is able to achieve his lifelong dream of action and adventure.  Only the second animated film in history to be nominated for Best Picture, "Up" is an adventure for the young and young at heart to enjoy together.

#5

The Lion King

"The Lion King" shows us that, even though life is hard and there's trials, we have a choice to be happy in the midst of it.  Having lost his father (in one of the most heart-wrenching scenes since "Bambi"), young Simba is sent into exile due to his uncle's thirst for power, and finds his true self thanks to a group of oddball friends.  Featuring toe-tapping songs by Elton John that are as famous today as they were in 1994 ("Hakuna Matata," "The Circle of Life," "I Just Can't Wait to be King"), and a emotional tale at its heart, "The Lion King" is a mainstay animated kids film that can be enjoyed by everyone.

#4

Spirited Away

"Spirited Away" teaches us that, if we learn to face our deepest fears, they don't hold sway over us any longer.  Visionary director Hayao Miyazaki is able to blend beautiful, unique illustrations with profound, thought-provoking themes that might be too adult for children, but they'll still enjoy the lavish animations being produced - if not a bit terrified as well.  Just like the film's hero, once we learn to face our fears we realize they don't hold as much power over us as we once thought, and we learn to see the good in everyone - no matter how evil they may appear.

#3

WALL-E

"WALL-E" teaches us that love can be found in the most odd of places.  Pixar took a gamble with "WALL-E," making a film that features little to no dialogue, which is an effort even for adult-oriented films, but making one for children was unprecedented.  How could adults expect their children to sit through thirty minutes of speechless dialogue was something asked by more than one critic, but Pixar managed to knock it out of the park again by introducing us to the lovable WALL-E, a robot living alone in a destroyed Earth for 700 years, doing nothing but menial tasks.  That is, until a spaceship lands and he meets EVE, and suddenly his life finds new purpose.  The love story here is more powerful and emotional than most live-action romances, and the character is so beautifully done that you can't help but fall in love with the little guy.  A perfect blend of romance, humor and action for everyone.

#2

Kubo and the Two Strings

"Kubo and the Two Strings" teaches us that we find true strength in family.  This fantastic stop-motion undertaking tells the beautifully tragic story of Kubo - a young boy who lost his eye to his evil grandfather, and who is being hunted down by him and his evil daughters to take his other eye.  Having been protected by his mother, she uses the last of her magic to rescue him and bring to life a wooden monkey who is tasted with protecting him.  The relationship between Kubo, Monkey and Beetle is as poignant as anything set to screen, serving as the most unconventional of family dynamics, yet still a family.  They will fight to the death for one another, and that's the emotional core of the movie that's far more powerful than any typical animated kids movie.

#1

Beauty and the Beast

Be our guest to witness the majesty and wonder of "Beauty and the Beast," a tale as old as time that shows us that it doesn't matter what's on the outside - but rather what's on the inside.  The classic tale gets the Disney treatment as we're introduced to Belle - a beautiful, free-spirited, intellectual girl - who finds a Beast in a castle, cursed to remain a beast until he finds true love.  The story is beautiful and magical, the animation is lively and exciting (especially for its time), and it was the first animated film to ever be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.  There's no surprise why, more than twenty years later, it still holds a special place in our hearts.