Animated films are just as worthy of praise as their live-action counterparts. Aside from being a superb entertainment source for children and adults alike, the highest-grossing, most iconic, and best animated movies — some of which have been released in the 2000s — serve as proof of how the general audience enjoys seeing animation on the big screen.
On Letterboxd, a social media platform for film enthusiasts, a handful of animated films from the 2000s have received incredibly high ratings. This isn’t exactly surprising, as film studios like Studio Ghibli and Pixar have released a number of their most memorable films during this decade.
Tokyo Godfathers (2003) - 4.08
Available to rent on Apple TV.
Satoshi Kon is one of anime’s most loved creators and his works serve as inspiration for other mind-bending movies like Christopher Nolan’s Inception and Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan. While his third feature, Tokyo Godfathers, is not known to inspire any acclaimed director or film, it has made a mark on many viewers by offering a touching story about the true meaning of family.
In Tokyo Godfathers, viewers follow three people and their journey to finding the parents of an abandoned newborn baby. Filled with entertaining and funny scenes, Tokyo Godfathers is a truly remarkable film that has been able to perfectly encapsulate goodness on the silver screen.
Samurai Jack: The Premiere Movie (2001) - 4.09
The Premiere Movie is the debut and continuous showing of Samurai Jack’s first three episodes. In the film, viewers get to see the origins of Samurai Jack, are introduced to the big bad of the series, Aku, and witness as the samurai warrior gets thrown into an apocalyptic world controlled by the villainous shapeshifter.
The Samurai Jack universe has a cult following today thanks to the masterful direction of creator Glenn Tartakovsky in The Premiere Movie. As an added bonus, legendary voice actor Phil Lamarr gives an amazing performance as the iconic samurai warrior.
Gurren Lagann The Movie: The Lights In The Sky Are Stars (2009) - 4.09
Fans love Gurren Lagann for being able to portray honest characters who deal with heavy issues such as loss and abandonment — as well as show off amazing robots in dynamic fight sequences.
The Lights in the Sky Are Stars is the second Gurren Lagann movie and the sequel to Childhood’s End. Based on the second half of the anime series, the movie perfectly wraps up the Gurren Lagann universe by going beyond the flashy mecha genre and featuring inspirational and uplifting characters like Simon and Kamina.
Millennium Actress (2001) - 4.11
Available to rent on Apple TV.
Satoshi Kon’s second feature, Millennium Actress, has firmly established him as a key figure in the world of anime and film with its captivating animation style and heartwarming story about an aging Japanese movie star. In the movie, viewers follow the life of famed actress Chiyoko Fujiwara through the lens of TV interviewer Genya Tachibana and his trusted cameraman.
The film is a charming and refreshing follow-up to Kon’s thrilling and terrifying first film, Perfect Blue. It's one of the best anime movies that can be streamed for free online.
Mary And Max (2009) - 4.12
Available to stream on AMC+ and rent on Apple TV.
Mary and Max is one of those films that successfully married a heartwarming story with a bleak sense of humor. It illustrates a twenty-year correspondence between an odd pair of pen pals — Mary, an eight-year-old Australian girl, and Max, a forty-four-year-old New Yorker.
Writer and director Adam Elliot was able to touch on grown-up themes like depression, suicide, and substance abuse in this film without it feeling too heavy for the viewer. This claymation film has truly left a lasting impression on viewers who were able to see the valuable life lessons behind the dark humor and sorrowful drama.
Ratatouille (2007) - 4.12
Available to stream on Disney+ and rent on Apple TV.
Pixar fans consider Ratatouille as one of the best films to come out from the studio — so much so that Reddit users think it deserves a sequel. It tells the story of Remy, a mouse with superb taste and cooking skills, who pursues his dream of becoming a chef by conspiring with untalented cook and restaurant heir, Alfredo Linguini.
Looking beyond the film’s gorgeous visuals of 1960s Paris, viewers, no matter the age, can pick up the valuable life lesson that brilliance can come from the most unexpected sources.
WALL-E (2008) - 4.13
Available to stream on Disney+ and rent on Apple TV.
Pixar’s WALL-E paints a very terrifying future for humans, as it depicts a world where trash has taken over the planet. In an attempt to preserve humanity, the remaining humans have left the planet to live in a comfortable spaceship filled with interactive screens, robot servants, and levitating chairs.
Its striking message on environmentalism, consumption, and purpose resonated deeply with viewers and critics. In fact, the film even took home the Academy Award for Best Animated Picture in 2009.
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) - 4.18
Available to stream on Disney+ and rent on Apple TV.
Wes Anderson has an incredible filmography — from the well-loved comedy, The Grand Budapest Hotel, to the dysfunctional family drama, The Royal Tenenbaums, he's considered one of the best auteurs of his generation. His stop-motion adaptation of the beloved Roald Dahl book, Fantastic Mr. Fox, is not one that’s exempt from critical recognition.
Apart from featuring the voices of renowned actors like Meryl Streep and George Clooney, Fantastic Mr. Fox has also been able to charm critics thanks to Alexandre Desplat’s fantastic musical score. Furthermore, Anderson’s quirky treatment of the children’s classic book and eye-catching color palette has made this film a must-see for anyone who appreciates a good story and striking visuals.
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) - 4.27
Available to stream on HBO Max.
Helmed by the brilliant Hayao Miyazaki, Howl’s Moving Castle is a timeless animated movie that focuses on Sophie, a girl who was cursed and transformed into a 90-year-old woman, and Howl, a wizard who is perpetually stuck in adolescence.
Howl’s Moving Castle is a Ghibli film that dials up the whimsy as it features talking fire demons, glorious traveling castles, and evil witches in the studio's recognizable art style. With an enchanting storyline that widens the viewer’s perception of age and beauty, it’s no wonder that the animated film is a fan-favorite on Letterboxd.
Spirited Away (2001) - 4.47
Available to stream on HBO Max.
Spirited Away is a coming-of-age movie that follows 10-year-old girl Chihiro as she attempts to save her parents from a terrible curse. Set in a world filled with spirits, witches, and gods, the Studio Ghibli film successfully thrusts the viewers into its universe with its stunning visuals and poignant story.
The eccentric and powerful characters in Spirited Away have also added to the charm of the film, from the greedy dark-spirit, No-Face, to the selfish bathhouse owner and witch, Yubaba. Anyone who says that animated films don’t carry the same emotional weight as live-action films are bound to change their mind after seeing Spirited Away.