Despite their propensity for telling unique, fun, colorful stories, animated TV shows can often get a lot of undeserved flack or unfairly labeled as "childish." They’re even treated worse than animated movies, frequently being more restricted in time or budget. However, the occasional show gets the silver screen treatment.
In fact, plenty of movies based on a popular animated series have been released - and this isn’t referring to live-action remakes of classic cartoons. These are full feature films produced by the teams responsible for the original show, although there will only be one film per franchise. These films may be a bit intimidating to newcomers, but they're more than worth taking the time to watch, and perhaps even delving into the show that came before.
A Goofy Movie (1995) - 6.9
Available to stream on Disney+
Based on the television show, Goof Troop, this movie was originally conceived by showrunners as a way to give Goofy deeper and more emotional moments. And they succeeded, with some fans arguing A Goofy Movie is Disney's deepest film. Of course, that doesn’t mean this is a serious movie. This film is still a riot with excellent musical numbers.
The movie is set three years after the show, with Max now in high school and Goofy still trying to relate to him. The movie has a classic coming-of-age set up with the characters embarking on a road trip. Unfortunately, the film did not perform well, being released by Disney as an obligation. But it did well enough to receive a direct-to-DVD sequel called An Extremely Goofy Movie.
The Spongebob Squarepants Movie (2004) - 7.1
Available to stream on Paramount+
Spongebob Squarepants has had several theatrical outings at this point, but the most enjoyable is arguably the first. While not the end of the series, the movie was built to be a grand finale of sorts. It was the last Spongebob media before the creator took a long hiatus, after all. It’s popular for fans to believe that the movie is the last Spongebob story, even if other media has been released since.
The plot sees a second Krusty Krab opened and Mr. Krabs in peril. Spongebob and Patrick volunteer to find King Neptune’s crown to save him. In the meantime, Plankton enacts a nefarious plan to mind control Bikini Bottom. This grand adventure is plenty funny and a fitting companion for a show considered to be one of the best kid's cartoons of the 2000s.
The Chipmunk Adventure (1987) - 7.2
There were four Alvin and the Chipmunks films released in the late '00s. But when it came to critical reception, none of them could beat 1987's The Chipmunk Adventure. This movie featured the Chipmunks and the Chipettes on a concert tour. Unfortunately, it turns out to be a cover for a diamond-smuggling plot.
The film was written and directed by members of the voice cast. It’s a musical adventure, so it contained nine songs in total. Despite being delayed to release, it still made over eight million dollars at the box office. It’s an enjoyable time for both parents and children alike.
The Transformers: The Movie (1986) - 7.2
Available to rent on Amazon Video
Transformers: The Movie has quite a legacy. While the cartoon was always popular, it was the film that arguably put it on the map. It added weight to the battle of the Autobots and Decepticons beyond good vs. evil. It featured gravitas with Orson Wells voicing the imposing Unicron.
Stan Bush’s song The Touch was featured prominently in the film, which many remember. Especially memorable was the death of Optimus Prime, which was considered a legendary event. Unfortunately, the movie did not perform well at the time of release, but the decades have been kind to it, with many fans remembering it fondly.
Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015) - 7.3
Available to stream on DIRECTV
Aardman's work in stop motion animation is extremely well known, with plenty of short films for Aardman fans to enjoy. While they're most famous for their Wallace & Gromit short films aired on TV, the television spin-off Shaun the Sheep made the jump from small screen to big screen. The film became a critical hit and even received a sequel.
The film opens with Shaun living at Mossy Bottom Farm. But he quickly becomes bored of his life and tries to incapacitate the farmer so he can escape. Unfortunately, he gives the farmer amnesia and must go into the city to bring him back. The film is endlessly charming and full of laughs for viewers of all ages.
The Simpsons Movie (2007) - 7.3
Available to stream on Disney+
Given how iconic The Simpsons is, it's surprising that it took until 2007 for it to get the film treatment, but America's foremost animated family got there eventually with The Simpsons Movie. The movie helped boost the show's reception and received mostly positive reviews upon release.
The film feels a lot like a much longer version of a typical episode. In fact, besides a small cameo, the movie only stars the show's normal voice cast, which is rare. The movie's plot sees Homer accidentally pollute Springfield's lake and cause the town to be domed by the EPA. The movie spirals out from there, featuring numerous different scenarios and references to the show.
South Park: Bigger, Longer, & Uncut (1999) - 7.7
Available to stream on Paramount+
South Park is one of the most enduring animated comedies ever made. Despite beginning in the '90s it's still receiving new episodes to this day. The show has changed a lot since its heyday, and the creators admit they'd do things differently now. That being said, the 1999 movie Bigger, Longer, & Uncut still has a lot of the same themes as today's episodes.
It's true that the 1999 film focuses less on more prominent characters these days like Butters and Randy, but the film still takes potshots at censorship and politics, which are the major antagonists of this film. It even had some pedigree, as "Blame Canada" was nominated for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards. The movie is an important part of this loud, controversial, and beloved show.
Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001) - 7.8
Cowboy Bebop was recently in the news due to its live-action remake by Netflix. Prior to this, it was an excellent 1999 animated series with a movie in the 2000s. Unlike most anime movies, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie is canon to the show and takes place between episodes 22 and 23. It's been rated highly just like the show it's based on.
As the original Cowboy Bebop is self-contained, this movie is an episodic affair. It still features all of the action and likable characters from the original Cowboy Bebop, and even expands more on Faye. It takes place on Halloween and incorporates some more Arabian elements for a different look from the main series. Fans of the anime who haven't seen it should give it a go.
Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018) - 7.8
Available to stream on Starz
There are multiple Dragon Ball films with great reception but it's undeniable that the most recent film, Dragon Ball Super: Broly, is the franchise at its peak. It features a streamlined narrative with epic battle scenes. It also retools one of the series' most controversial characters into a fan favorite.
The film also expands heavily on the backstory of the Saiyans and Goku's origins. These events have had many different interpretations throughout the years, but this film aimed to streamline things. What resulted was a conflict that was weirdly personal for Goku, Vegeta, and Freeza. It's a film that'll be hard for the next one to top, that's for sure.
Batman: The Mask of the Phantasm (1993) - 7.8
Available to stream on HBO Max
Batman: The Animated Series is an all-time classic animated show, but this definitive Batman was in a weird place conceptually. It was originally green-lit as a companion to Tim Burton's films about the Caped Crusader. However, it crafted such an identity for itself that it was allowed to spread its bat wings and get a film of its own.
The film features a deadly new serial killer called the Phantasm stalking the streets of Gotham. Investigating the mystery has Batman falling more into his own past as well as the Joker's. The film is epic and atmospheric, with a deeply interesting story that climaxes in spectacular fashion. Unfortunately, the film did not perform very well at the time of its release, but reviewers on IMDb view the film in a more favorable light.