The '90s were groundbreaking for animation, the 2000s continued to showcase that excellence, and the 2010s took things to the next level. With such successes in those decades, it can often feel like the 1980s are a forgotten era. That being said, there are some beloved films from that time.
The movie lovers at Letterboxd have rated and reviewed flicks from every decade and their feelings have helped pick out the most popular from each given year. With not as many classics from the '80s in animation as later decades, that makes it interesting to see which films topped their years.
1980 - The King And The Mockingbird
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At the beginning of the decade, nothing really seemed to stand out from the world of animation. No classics were released from the likes of Disney or Studio Ghibli and without any blockbusters, the most popular film is something many have never heard of.
Although The King and the Mockingbird wasn't a big hit commercially, it went over hugely with critics and currently holds a rare 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Based on a fairy tale, the plot follows a tyrannical king who likes to shoot birds only to have a bird attempt to thwart him at every turn.
1981 - The Fox And The Hound
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Disney came back with a vengeance in 1981 thanks to The Fox and the Hound. Since the studio's Renaissance Era didn't begin until the end of the '80s, most of the decade was seen as a commercial flop for Disney.
The Fox and the Hound, based on a 1967 novel of the same name, was a modest hit commercially and has gone on to become a beloved film from the time period. Telling the heartwarming tale of a bond between two animals that are supposed to be sworn enemies, it's a timeless classic that the users on Letterboxd adore.
1982 - The Secret Of NIMH
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Interestingly, the most popular animated flick from 1982 is actually Vincent but that's a short film. At the top of the list for feature films is The Secret of NIMH, which is based on a children's novel and is a classic fantasy movie.
It follows a family of mice that must move to a new home to avoid a farmer's plow. That gives the film a combination of both an emotional storyline and something that is thrilling and tense. A sequel came years later but was met with dislike from critics and fans.
1983 - Barefoot Gen
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The highest-rated animated movie from 1983 is also actually the most popular and it's Mickey's Christmas Carol. Alas, it doesn't qualify here because it's not a feature-length film, so instead, this spot belongs to Barefoot Gen.
Although not a household name, the movie is based on a popular manga series. The story focuses on the aftermath that a young boy and those around him feel from the impact of an atomic bomb. It tackled some serious subject matter and there were other adaptations though audiences didn't like those quite as much.
1984 - Nausicaä Of The Valley Of The Wind
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It's rare that one filmmaker can be credited with so many iconic movies but Hayao Miyazaki is pretty special in that way. His incredible films span decades and one of his earliest, and most impressive, releases was Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.
The adventure film centers on Princess Nausicaä, as she joins forces with the people of the Valley of the Wind to protect them from forces that threaten to destroy and control it. The tale was met with widespread acclaim and is arguably Studio Ghibli's greatest movie.
1985 - Angel's Egg
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Another film from the decade that ranks as the most popular (and the highest-rated of its year) despite not being iconic is Angel's Egg, otherwise known as Tenshi no Tamago. Many people may have never even heard of it but those who have seen it understand how special it is.
The film relies heavily on visuals, evidenced by the fact that it features very little dialogue. Thankfully, it is gorgeous and has actually reached a point where some consider it art more than they view it as a movie.
1986 - Castle In The Sky
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Once again, the work of the talented Hayao Miyazaki dominates a year. Castle in the Sky is written and directed by Miyazaki and continues to showcase the fact that his ideas are creative, fantastical, and beautifully animated.
Castle of the Sky tells the tale of a boy and a girl who protect a magical crystal from pirates, the army, secret agents, and more, all the while they search for a castle that is located in the clouds. It's the exact kind of story that Miyazaki makes work better than anyone else.
1987 - The Brave Little Toaster
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There are a handful of animated movies from the '80s and '90s that are memorable despite not being from one of the major studios. Among them is The Brave Little Toaster, which was popular enough to spawn two sequels in the following years.
The original movie is based on a novella of the same name and is set in a world where household appliances come to life. The adventure sees a toaster and his friends embark on a potentially dangerous quest to find their owner. It became a hit when it arrived on home video.
1988 - My Neighbor Totoro
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While Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli have certainly been behind some of the greatest animated films in history, a case could be made that My Neighbor Totoro is the most popular and iconic.
In fact, many view the titular Totoro as a mascot for the studio. This heartwarming movie is beloved and focuses on two sisters who befriend the spirits in the forest near the home they stay at while their mother is in the hospital. It was a solid box office hit but it became a smashing success with merchandise in the future.
1989 - Kiki's Delivery Service
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It's only fitting that the final most popular animated feature from the decade be from the wonderful mind of Hayao Miyazaki. He basically defined the decade and continued to do so going forward. His final release in the '80s was Kiki's Delivery Service.
This film just beat out The Little Mermaid for Letterboxd's most popular animated movie from 1989. It tells the story of a young witch who runs a courier service by flying around on her broom. With a fun world, pretty visuals, and likable characters, it's a legendary hit.