Disney may well be the undisputed kings of wholesome animated blockbusters, but there are still a fair few from other studios who release just as beautiful, funny and hard-hitting animation as Disney (and therefore Pixar) do themselves.
As Disney slowly start to buy just about every company out there, it’s important to celebrate the animation that doesn’t come from Walt’s legacy. We’ve ranked the top ten best non-Disney animated films.
Over The Hedge
With an ensemble cast featuring the likes of Bruce Willis, Steve Carell and Avril Lavigne, Over The Hedge is a brilliant example of perfect animation left untouched by Disney’s wand. The story follows anthropomorphic animals as they are deceived by Bruce Willis’ character, with Carell providing an impressive amount of the punchlines.
Beyond the animation and the writing, the film also boasts one of the finest soundtracks ever set to screen, courtesy of the inimitable songwriting talents of Ben Folds.
Wallace And Gromit In The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit
Aardman studios are at the forefront of stop-motion animation, having behind the masterminds behind every Wallace And Gromit short film, as well as Chicken Run (and its forthcoming sequel). Their greatest achievement, however, still lies in the one and only Wallace And Gromit feature film.
An hour and a half which perfectly combines silent film-esque visual jokes and brilliant one-liners from Wallace himself is great as it is, but the charming and impressive animation is what makes it a cut above the rest.
Spirited Away
Studio Ghibli is known for creating visually stunning, thoughtful and magical landscapes for their characters to live in and explore. Spirited Away in particular is often considered the best of the bunch. Following Chihiro through a variety of interesting locations and surrealist moments, not least her parents turning into pigs. Her escape from the world of Kami is unique, with music from Joe Hisaishi complimenting every frame.
Madagascar
The first in a trilogy of films to explore the lives of anthropomorphic animals and their escapades after leaving Central Park Zoo, Madagascar is iconic in its genre. Not only is its sequel just as good (if not better, but the third film is a disaster) but it also spawned two TV series’. One follows the dry humor and big plans of the Penguins, and the other lets the series’ best character, King Julian, get up to his own adventures, even if Sascha Baron Cohen doesn’t reprise his iconic role.
Coraline
With her creepy button eyes and impressive stop motion style animation, Coraline is one of the most adventurous examples of animation. Adventure and experimentation isn’t typically something Disney goes for, so it was only right that this sort of film would come from elsewhere. Handing Tim Burton the reigns over this one was the perfect decision because it meant his unique, recognizable tone would make its way to the foreground throughout. A powerful story, incredible visuals and enough dark humor to keep everyone entertained, Coraline acted like a spiritual predecessor to The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs
Based on a crazy, borderline surrealist book from the 70s, you’d have never thought Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs would land successfully, but it certainly did. The charming and incredibly unique landscape of the film allows for Flint Lockwood to shine as an impressive inventor, while the story, despite being centered on meatball rain, manages to end up on a weirdly heart-warming note. On top of that, it’s one of the most laugh out loud hilarious pictures to come from a non-Disney studio.
Ice Age
The first Ice Age film might not look as impressive as some of its Disney contemporaries, but it certainly ended up with some incredibly loveable characters, evergreen quotes and longevity beyond most animated films, having spawned four sequels.
The partnership between Manny, Sid and Diego is just as charming as Elsa and Anna or Moana and Mowi, except these guys get to explore the rarely looked at Ice Age landscape. Let’s also not forget about the borderline experimental sideline story of Skrat and his quest to keep a hold of his acorn.
Despicable Me
Putting Steve Carell at the center of Despicable Me was a stroke of genius. His desire to remain as evil as he can quickly goes out of the window when he begins to care for three orphans, including arguably the cutest kid in animation history, Agnes. The series introduced the Minions, who have ended up overshadowing the rest of the cast, as well as two almost as good sequels, providing that Disney doesn’t have a vice grip over hilarious animation.
How To Train Your Dragon
Another brilliant book adaptation, how can you go wrong with a story about a loveable guy who decides he wants to train a kind-hearted dragon instead of fighting the fabled beasts?
One of the best things about animation that doesn’t come from Disney is that we don’t have to follow the trope of a distressed princess being saved by a man. Instead, this film brings us relationships from a different angle, one which ends up far more interesting. Combine this with action sequences involving fire breathing dragons, and you’re onto a real winner.
Shrek 2
Arguably the greatest animated film of all time after the first Toy Story film, Shrek 2 has basically everything you can want from a film. Looking beyond its exceptional cast and characters, the sequel to the (also brilliant) notches up the humor, does away with Princess Fiona’s portrayal as a damsel in distress and gives us one of the finest soundtracks in the history of film.
We all know that the two sequels that came after Shrek 2 didn’t need to happen, but there is no denying that this film might well be better than anything Disney has ever produced.