The best animated movies of 2022 included sci-fi, romantic comedies, action-packed adventures, and thrilling self-discovery journeys. At a time when the movie-going experience was being tested after the pandemic, the role of animated films in the industry was also being rethought. While it might be disappointing that some of the best animated movies of 2022 were not released theatrically, the number of streaming animated movies helped a plethora of stories to be told.
For example, Pixar saw Lightyear as its first-ever IMAX release, while Turning Red was released directly on Disney+. 2022 also saw iconic anime series hitting the big screen with Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero and One Piece Film: Red. From a Toy Story spinoff to the unique Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, there were a variety of great animated movies in 2022.
10. Lightyear
When Pixar first announced a Buzz Lightyear movie based on the fictional movie character that Toy Story's Andy became enamored with, it took a while before such an unusual pitch grew on audiences. Despite the confusing selling point, Lightyear delivered what it promised, a sci-fi adventure that just happened to star Buzz Lightyear and did not try to emulate Toy Story. While Lightyear’s reviews were mixed, the movie was a solid sci-fi story that stood on its own. The Toy Story comparisons made Lightyear’s job more difficult, but the Chris Evans-led film still worked.
9. One Piece Film: Red
The latest One Piece story, One Piece Film: Red continued the franchise's tradition of “questionably canon” movies. While not all One Piece Film: Red events had a manga counterpart, the movie did reference important elements from both the One Piece anime and the One Piece manga in a mostly self-contained adventure. One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda had a significant role in One Piece Film: Red, meaning that elements from the movie may be incorporated into the anime at some point. While One Piece Film: Red may have been not too appealing for those who did not already watch One Piece, it was a bold animated experience regardless.
8. The Bob’s Burgers Movie
The first-ever theatrical Bob’s Burgers film, The Bob’s Burgers Movie translated everything that made the show so popular while adding a different, more cinematic feel. The Bob’s Burgers Movie was set between Bob's Burgers’ seasons 12 and 13, and it saw most of the cast reprising their roles. As Bob and Linda tried to sort out their finances after a sinkhole opened right in front of their restaurant, Gene, Louise, and Tina encountered a murder mystery. A slightly darker Bob’s Burgers story while still being hilarious, The Bob’s Burgers Movie was not an extended Bob’s Burgers episode but rather a well-crafted movie.
7. The Sea Beast
Pirates confronted sea monsters in The Sea Beast, a Netflix animated movie that starred Karl Urban and Zaris-Angel Hator. A famous sea beast hunter, Jacob Holland had to face his most difficult mission yet and protect a young girl named Maisie. Set in a world where pirates faced giant sea creatures daily, The Sea Beast's likable cast of characters formed an intimate, nuanced movie with deeper meaning than just sea monster fights. That said, The Sea Beast’s brilliant action sequences were a highlight of the film.
6. Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero
The first Dragon Ball movie to be made mainly with CG animation, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was the latest entry in the Dragon Ball franchise. Similar to Dragon Ball Super: Broly, Super Hero was a canon adventure that took place after the most recent events of the Dragon Ball Super anime. For the first time since Dragon Ball Z’s Cell Saga, audiences saw a Gohan-centered adventure as Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero put Goku’s firstborn in the spotlight. Super Hero also focused a lot on Piccolo, another Dragon Ball character that had been forgotten over the last few years.
Arguably one of the best Dragon Ball movies ever, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero made the most of the big screen and offered an action-packed third act. The CG-animated Dragon Ball movie brought back the iconic Dragon Ball Z villains Red Ribbon Army and featured the android-like creatures Gamma #1 and Gamma #2 as key characters. From Gohan’s new form to a brand new Goku vs Vegeta fight, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero was far more than just a tie-in film.
5. Entergalactic
A 90-minute story divided into chapters, Entergalactic combined 2D and 3D elements into a gorgeous animation style that audiences may have recognized from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse or Arcane's colorful characters. Entergalactic was produced by Kid Cudi, who also voiced Entergalactic’s main character Jabari, and it was inspired by one of the artist’s very first songs, "Enter Galactic." A love story set in New York City, Entergalactic was designed as an extended experience of Kid Cudi’s latest album. While Entergalactic may not have a movie-like pace given that it was originally envisioned as a TV show, it was a visually stunning romantic comedy with a lot of heart.
4. Drifting Home
A Studio Colorido Studio 2D animation, Drifting Home followed a group of kids as their childhood memories took them on a mysterious journey across worlds. The influence of Studio Ghibli films continued to inspire filmmakers across all media as exemplified by Drifting Home. A Spirited Away-like adventure, Drifting Home was a visually stunning experience that showed how strong a person’s connection with their home and the people around it could be. Drifting Home didn't give all the answers at first, but the film’s ending was worth the wait. With engaging characters and a thrilling plot, Drifting Home may be an instant classic.
3. Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood
A coming-of-age story set during the Space Race, Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood took audiences back to right before the moon landing through the eyes of Stan. There was no secret Apollo space mission with a child, so Apollo 10 ½ was not based entirely on a true story, but the specific family moments added by director Richard Linklater were authentic. The beauty of Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood was how it depicted the everyday life of Stan and his family. Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood used rotoscoped animation to capture a sense of realism to the point it almost felt like a documentary based on a 1960s suburban family.
Apollo 10 1/2 also slowly combined these snapshots of suburban mundanity with the wonder of a child’s dream. The rotoscoped animation technique contributed to that wondrous feeling, and it deliberately muddled the line for audiences between what was real and what was a dream. From the recreation of classic sci-fi movies like 2001: A Space Odyssey to the actual moon landing, Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood was one of the most original animated films of 2022.
2. Turning Red
Although Lightyear may have been a letdown for some, Turning Red was Pixar at the studio's best. Unfortunately, the instant classic Turning Red missed the big screen. Still, audiences met Mei Lee, an engaging main character whose coming-of-age journey made for a compelling, funny, and heartwarming movie. Turning Red may have felt familiar to other Pixar classics at first. However, the 3D-animated movie quickly set itself by offering a unique look at the heart and soul of its main character in a way that not even Pixar’s box office hit Inside Out managed to achieve.
1. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Not only was Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio the best 2022 Pinocchio film, but it was also the best 2022 animated movie in general. A stunning achievement in stop-motion animation, del Toro’s Pinocchio took a tale that audiences were very familiar with and made it into a unique film that combined drama, comedy, and music. Whereas Disney’s live-action Pinocchio ended up being a straightforward adaptation of the 1940 classic but without the same magic, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio was not focused on recreating familiar moments. Instead, del Toro borrowed more from the original Pinocchio story than the Disney adaptation.
By dealing with the concepts of life and death as well as war and fascism, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio set itself apart from every other Pinocchio movie. However, del Toro’s Pinocchio still managed to have its sense of wonder, something that did not copy Disney’s Pinocchio yet felt as magical as the 1940 classic. Del Toro’s Pinocchio songlist didn't include “I’ve Got No Strings” or “When You Wish Upon A Star” and instead featured an all-original list of catchy themes. From the performances to the visuals, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is a strong contender for the 2023 Awards Season as arguably the best animated movie of 2022.