It's a shame when animated movies are looked down upon. Some people believe they're meant for kids only, while others assume they aren't to be taken seriously. Some of the most emotional and well-written stories in history are animated, and they deserve to be treated with respect.

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While scores aren't a perfect measurement, it is always interesting to see how the hundreds of thousands of IMDb users feel about a movie, and this list has been updated to showcase a total of 15 animated films that have not only been a critical success but also left their mark on storytelling as a whole.

Updated on December 9th, 2020 by Derek Draven: As mentioned above, we've updated this list to include 5 more animated films that IMDb gave high scores to. These movies made their mark thanks to a combination of artistic merit and excellent storytelling that will continue to stand the test of time. From Pixar hits to Studio Ghibli legends, these are the best of the best when it comes to animated movies.

Toy Story 4 (2019) - 7.8

Nearly ten more years passed after the third entry when Toy Story 4 surprised audiences. There was even more cause for concern this time around because of how well the previous film wrapped up the story. Somehow, the filmmakers at Pixar managed to tug at our heartstrings once more with another goodbye.

This installment saw the toys adjusting to life with their new kid, Bonnie. No longer the favorite toy, Woody struggled the most. He embarked on a wild adventure to help save Bonnie's new favorite toy and he ran into his old flame Bo Peep. Once again, the animation improved by leaps and bounds, while the plot hit us right in the feels.

Klaus (2019) - 8.2

Director Sergio Pablos crafted this wonderful animated masterpiece after having worked on a number of classic Disney films including Aladdin, Tarzan and Hercules. It's the story of a postal academy student who ends up finding unlikely friendship in the Arctic Circle with old Saint Nick himself.

The film is a "what-if" concept revolving around what the state of traditional 2D animation might have been  had it not been swallowed up whole by CGI. For that reason, it's a blend of that timeless nostalgia that made the classics so great, and the new technology available to present it in pristine quality.

Up (2009) - 8.2

This funny and charming tale about a grumpy old man and a wide-eyed kid captured audiences almost instantly when it came out in 2009. After the tragic death of his wife, Carl Fredericksen decides to leave the city by strapping his house full of balloons which lift off for the untold reaches of South America.

Unfortunately, he ends up taking young Russell with him, and the two embark on a hilarious adventure involving a talking dog and an evil villain with a link to Carl's past.

Howl's Moving Castle (2004) - 8.2

This instant anime classic scored big points in IMDb for its inventive use of storytelling and beautiful animation. The story centers around a young woman named Sophie who is cursed to live in the body of an elderly woman. She seeks out a mysterious wizard named Howl who travels in a walking castle for help.

There, she meets a fire demon in service to Howl who promises to break her curse if she'll help him escape servitude. Eventually the wizard comes to fall in love with Sophie for who she is on the inside.

Wolfwalkers (2020) - 8.3

This wonderful animated tale acted as a metaphor against the concept of bigotry and the harm it can cause, even unknowingly. A young witch hunter named Robyn and her father travel to Ireland to wipe out the last of a remaining pack of humans who transform into wolves by night.

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When Robyn befriends a young girl who shows her the mysteries of the Wolfwalkers, she risks becoming the very thing she was sent to destroy. The stunning animation and art style combine to craft a film that scored big on IMDb.

It's Such A Beautiful Day (2012) - 8.3

Don Hertzfeldt utilized nothing but stickman graphics and basic imagery to craft a compelling and evocative narrative about a man slowly succumbing to a neurological condition. It's full of rich, dark humor, tension and a sense of sadness that mixes together to create one emotionally gripping experience.

The film received major kudos and approval from countless critics for its message, tone and delivery. The subject matter may be difficult for those who have dealt with the real-world ramifications of a brain illness, but it's no less poignant.

Toy Story 3 (2010) - 8.3

Over a decade after the second installment, Toy Story 3 arrived and managed to reignite fan passion for this iconic franchise all over again. Fans wondered if it could recapture the magic from the first two classic films. It did that and then some. The years in between releases allowed technology to advance at a rapid pace, making for an incredible looking movie.

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Toy Story 3 perfectly bookended the trilogy by giving the characters an emotional sendoff as Andy said goodbye to his toys and went off to college. It won Best Animated Film at the Academy Awards, as well as Best Original Song. It also picked up a nomination for Best Picture, which is rare for an animated feature.

Princess Mononoke (1997) - 8.4

Princess Mononoke

In 1997, Princess Mononoke took Japan by storm. For several years, it held the record for domestic box office performance in Japan. The film was directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, who is someone you'll hear about again on this list. Princess Mononoke signaled a more adult-focused version of his style that set the tone for his best work.

Princess Mononoke told the story of a young Emishi prince named Ashitaka and his place in a struggle between humans and forest gods over the consumption of resources. The film is as visually breathtaking as it is groundbreaking. Miyazaki nailed the man vs. nature story trope better than anyone else.

WALL-E (2008) - 8.4

Pixar struck gold again with this iconic 2008 releaseWALL-E is an interesting tale because it barely has any dialogue. That's not something you find in a lot of films directed at children. Instead, it focuses on visual storytelling and it hits on every aspect to deliver a touching story.

The plot centered around a trash compacting robot on an uninhabitable Earth who falls in love with a sleek robot and they travel across the galaxy, ultimately saving mankind. That romantic aspect is what drove this story. Fans were captivated by the love of two robots in a way that hasn't been matched on screen again. WALL-E also took home the Best Animated Film Academy Award.

Coco (2017) - 8.4

The string of Pixar films continues. This 2017 release marked another impressive achievement for the successful studio. It was also a change for them. Instead of telling a story about cars, bugs, or toys, this one focused on a young kid who was transported to the land of the dead during the Day of the Dead.

With stellar music that won an Oscar for Best Original Song and gorgeous visuals, Coco was another huge hit for Pixar. It also took home Best Animated Film and sent audiences on another highly emotional journey. If you're not crying by the time "Remember Me" plays at the end, you may not have a heart.

Your Name (2016) - 8.4

Two characters in Your Name. speaking on a city street.

Another recent entry to the list, Your Name hit theaters back in 2016. It was a critically acclaimed Japanese fantasy animated film, giving the country another feather in its cap when it comes to this genre. Directed by Makoto Shinkai, Your Name is about a boy and girl in high school who swap bodies.

That premise may sound like something we've heard before, as body-swapping isn't uncommon in cinema history. However, none have done it quite as well. Your Name received widespread praise for its visual style and for the emotional weight the story carries.

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018) - 8.4

After years of different iterations of Spider-Man, it took an animated film to get it perfect. Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse took the idea that anyone could be the wall-crawling superhero and ran with it. Featuring various versions of the character, including Spider-Ham, Spider-Gwen, Spider-Man Noir, and more.

This film's success went beyond the plot. It featured a gorgeous animation style that felt like it was lifted right out of the comic book. Add in uplifting scenes, an outstanding soundtrack, respect for the source material, and an unbelievably strong voice cast and you've got something special. No other Spider-Man film even comes close.

Grave Of The Fireflies (1988) - 8.5

Seita carries Setsuko in Grave of the Fireflies

We stay in Japan for this next entrant, but we go all the way back to 1988. Grave of the Fireflies was based on a 1967 semi-autobiographical story. It's not often that a tale about war is turned into an animated movie, but this film did it spectacularly. It focused on two siblings who struggled to survive the final few months of the Second World War.

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Reception to Grave of the Fireflies was universally positive. Roger Ebert included it on his list of the greatest films ever, Total Film placed it on their greatest animated films list, and Time Out featured it on their best World War II films list. It also holds an impressive 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Lion King (1994) - 8.5

There's a reason The Lion King is held in such high regard. The 1994 film stands as an all-time classic because it is beautifully animated, tells a fantastic story, and hits all the emotional beats you want from a movie like this. The ever-quotable Simba and his sidekicks get a fun story that has a combination of uplifting and heartbreaking moments sprinkled in.

The Lion King is more than just a film. it has become a cultural phenomenon that spawned several sequels, television series, and a blockbuster Broadway show. It also holds the record as the highest-selling VHS home video in history. The 2019 remake has a lot to live up to because the original is a classic.

Spirited Away (2001) - 8.6

Chihiro in the middle of flowers in Spirited Away.

If you've read any list about great movies, you've probably heard of Spirited Away even if you haven't seen it yourself. Another fantastic film from the mind of director Hayao Miyazaki, this is the one that many anime fans consider their favorite. Released in 2001, Spirited Away took home the coveted Best Animated Feature prize at the Academy Awards.

This was another case of Miyazaki nailing the combination of telling a compelling story with an impressive animation style. Fans and critics everywhere loved it, as evidenced by how it overtook Titanic at the Japanese box office and its 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. You simply can't discuss the best in animation without mentioning Spirited Away.

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