The art of Stop-motion animation is considered by many as superior to 2D and 3D animation for many reasons. Though anime, for example, can often impress with its plot twists, stop-motion animation usually takes a heartwarming story that will stay in the hearts of the viewers for a long time.
Though what sets Aardman apart is probably its ability to create genuinely funny comedy with its clay creations. Here are Aardman Animated Movies, Ranked According To IMDb.
Early Man (2018) - 6.1
If you are a fan of unconventional stop-motion animation movies, then the historical sports comedy Early Man will be the perfect film for you. Unfortunately, though it got positive critic reviews, it ended up being a box office disappointment and was quickly forgotten by regular audiences.
The voice cast pretty impressive and includes such stars as Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Maisie Williams, and Timothy Spall. the plot revolves around a group of primitive Stone Age valley dwellers who are forced to defend their territory from bronze-using invaders in a football match.
Flushed Away (2006) - 6.6
Flushed Away is a strange film, even for those who somewhat remember seeing it way back when it was released in 2006. Though it was praised by critics, it was still a box office disappointment. It was the final collaboration between Aardman and DreamWorks with a voice cast that included Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Bill Nighy, Andy Serkis, Ian McKellen, and others.
The plot revolves around a spoiled pet rat named Roddy St. James. After Roddy is flushed down the toilet by a sewer rat and becomes lost, he befriends a scavenger named Rita. During his struggle to return home, he must evade a toad, his henchman and overcome many challenges.
The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! (2012) - 6.7
Loosely based on the first book from The Pirates! series by Gideon Defoe, The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! is a swashbuckler comedy film produced by Aardman and Sony. It features a stellar cast with such notable names as Hugh Grant, David Tennant, Martin Freeman, and others.
It was nominated at the Academy Awards but lost to Pixar's Brave. The plot revolves around the so-called Pirate Captain and his crew of amateur pirates as they desperately try to win in the Pirate of the Year competition. The sequel called The Pirates! In an Adventure with Cowboys! was in development for some time, but was canceled after Sony backed out of the project.
A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2019) - 6.9
The latest film from Aardman Animations, A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon is a stand-alone sequel to 2015's Shaun the Sheep Movie. That film, in turn, was based on the claymation series Shaun the Sheep which was based on a 1995 short film A Close Shave from the Wallace and Gromit universe.
The story once again follows Shaun and his flock as they meet a cute alien with extraordinary powers. The alien crash-landed near the Mossy Bottom Farm where they live. In order to prevent the Ministry for Alien Detection from getting her, Shaun and the flock have to figure out a way to get the alien home.
Chicken Run (2000) - 7.0
Chicken Run is the first feature-length film produced by Aardman Animations. To this day, it is still the highest-grossing stop-motion animation film of all time which is probably why Aardman decided to create a sequel that is currently in production and will be the fourth collaboration between Aardman Animations and StudioCanal.
Though the story is quite simple, the comedy is excellent which makes the film so enjoyable. The plot focuses on a band of chickens who meet a rooster named Rocky. After the owners prepare to turn the chickens into pies, Rocky becomes their only hope to escape the farm.
Arthur Christmas (2011) - 7.1
Arthur Christmas is the only computer-animated Aardman film to this day which makes it stand out from the completely stop-motion animation filmography of the studio. The voice cast includes such well-known actors as James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, and others. What's interesting is that many consider it an underrated Christmas classic.
The events take place on a Christmas night when Arthur Claus, the son of Father Christmas, discovers that Santa's high-tech ship didn't deliver the gift meant for one girl. To save the girl's Christmas, Arthur teams up with his grandfather, a young Christmas elf, and a group of eight magical reindeer.
Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015) - 7.3
As mentioned earlier, Shaun the Sheep Movie was based on the Shaun the Sheep television series. It is still one of the most critically and commercially successful films by Aardman being nominated both at the Golden Globes and at the Academy Awards and being praised for its lighthearted tone and genuine enjoyment of absurdity.
As always, the story revolves around the sheep named Shaun who always finds creative ways to get himself and his flock out of trouble. This time, they should work together to find their farmer in the big city after he loses his memory as a result of their mischief. It is the perfect stop-motion animation film to watch with the whole family.
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) - 7.4
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is a part of the greater Wallace and Gromit universe created by Aardman Animations and particularly Nick Park. Luckily, the film received universal acclaim and even won the Academy Award for the Best Animated Feature Film (Helena Bonham Carter, who voiced one of the characters, also participated in another nominee of that year, Corpse Bride).
One of the reasons for its success is that it parodies classic horror movies and Hammer horror flicks quite well while also having an interesting plot and engaging character relationships. The story follows Wallace, an eccentric inventor, and his mute but intelligent dog Gromit. The two work as pest control agents and have to help out a village plagued by rabbits right before the annual vegetable competition.