Arguably better than the previous decades, the 2010s packed an amazing punch ofrewatchable animated movies, making the task of selecting the best almost impossible. The decade got off to a great start with critically acclaimed films like Disney’sTangled(adapted fromRapunzel),Universal Pictures’Despicable Me, and DreamWorks’sMegamindblazing the trail for new concepts in the genre. What followed was a surge of binge-worthy classics that still hit differently regardless of how often you watch them.
Over the last three decades, animated movies have evolved exponentially. The genre has produced more cult classics and entertaining movies, becoming one of the most lucrative in the industry. While The 2010s boast one of the best collections of animated movies, the decade only lends credence to the genre’s versatility inclusive of all ages. The 2000s introduced popular franchises such asShrek,Ice Age,The IncrediblesandKung Fu Panda, which became hits immediately. As such, thebest animated movies of the 2010sare just a continuation of the ongoing innovative work in the genre. As studios continue to churn out rewatchable animated movies, these entries will always stand out.
10’Incredibles 2' (2018)
Amid the influx ofsuperhero movies in different genres,Incredibles 2was able to preserve the legacy of television audiences' favorite super family. As the second full-length installment inThe Incrediblesfranchise, this offering follows the Incredibles' busy lives after their shortlived attempt to live a normal life away from their superhero identity. Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) and his wife Helen Parr/Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) must restore the integrity of superheroes and gain the public’s trust while fighting off a new villain. Their superhero kids are not left out of the fun.
Riding on the wave of the first film’s success,Incredibles 2scooped a 93% score onRotten Tomatoesand didn’t disappoint at the box office. Though it took over a decade to hit the theaters, the film was released to positive reviews. Bird’s decision to focus on The Incredibles as a family rather than just another superhero movie made the film relatable to audiences and worthy of a second watch. Against a budget of $200 million,Incredibles 2grossed a massive$1.243 billionat the global box office, joining the likes ofAvengers: Infinity Warin thetop 5 highest-grossing films of 2018.
Incredibles 2
Incredibles 2 is available to stream on Disney+ in the U.S.
WATCH ON DISNEY+
9’Frozen' (2013)
Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee
With an ensemble voice cast led byKristen Bell(Anna) andIdina Menzel(Elsa),Frozenwas an instant hit among fans ofclassic fairytales. Jennifer made her directorial debut in this Disney animated movie inspired byHans Christian Andersen’sThe Snow Queenwritten in 1844. Frozen follows Anna, the princess of Arendelle, on her adventure into the unknown. With the help of her companions, Anna hopes to find her estranged sister Elsa, who has used her powers to trap the kingdom in perpetual winter.
Beyond the smartly written story,Frozenintroduced beautiful songsto audiences, leading to a popular culture phenomenon. The film wrapped up its theatrical run with a record-breaking gross of over$1.280 billionat the global box office. As such, it holds many records, including the highest-grossing animated film of all time before The Lion King ousted it in 2019. Nevertheless,Frozenremainsthe highest-grossing film of 2013. It also spawned a lucrative franchise that saw the release of another blockbuster,Frozen II, earning over$1.450 billionworldwide.
When the newly crowned Queen Elsa accidentally uses her power to turn things into ice to curse her home in infinite winter, her sister Anna teams up with a mountain man, his playful reindeer, and a snowman to change the weather condition.
Frozenis available to stream on Disney+ in the U.S.
8’Moana' (2016)
Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker
A diversion from the typicalDisney Princess lineup,Moanais a modern classic with a fresh take on the ancient Polynesian culture. StarringAuliʻi Cravalhoas the voice of Moana andDwayne Johnsonas Maui,Moanafollows a fierce, strong-willed heroine as she sets sail on a daring journey to save her people from looming danger. The performance of the star-studded cast is not the only thing that makes this entry special. Moana has one of the best original plots and songs in the genre and the heroine is not your typical damsel in distress.
With over$687 millionin box office earnings against the film’s $150–175 million budget,Moanais a critical and commercial success.Critics lauded its beautiful animation, music and cast performance.The film scored 95% onRotten Tomatoes, whileIMDbgave it a 7.6/10 rating.Moanaalso baggedtwo nominations at the 2016 Academy Awardsfor Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (“How Far I’ll Go”). Additionally,a sequel, Moana 2, anda live-action remakeare in the works with 2024 and 2026 release dates respectively.
In ancient Polynesia, a young girl chosen by the ocean embarks on a daring voyage to save her island from a devastating curse. Alongside the demigod Maui, she navigates treacherous waters, battles mythological creatures, and discovers her true destiny as a master wayfinder.
Moanais available to stream on Disney+ in the U.S.
7’Rango' (2011)
Directed by Gore Verbinski
Deserving an honorable mention for its colorful and entertaining plot,Rangois a blend of animated film, western, and comedy in one project. The film focuses on an eccentric lizard, Rango, who is thrown into a thrilling adventure in the wild after finding himself in a desert town.Johnny Deppvoiced three roles inRango, including the title character and Raoul Duke. Other stars includeIsla Fisheras BeansandBigail Breslinas Priscilla. The cast also includes veterans likeNed Beatty(John),Alfred Molina(Roadkill),Bill Nighy(Jake), andHarry Dean Stanton(Balthazar).
Rango stands out for its spot-on humor and the voice performances even make it a stronger contender on this list. Though not filled with bright colors, the animation is designed to match the dessert and the characters are endowed with unforgettable unique features. Rango is a perfect addition to your rewatchable animated movie collection if you desire a good laugh. Rated 7.3/10 onIMDbwith an 88% score onRotten Tomatoes,Rangoperformed well both critically and commercially, grossing over$245 millionat the box office against a budget of $135 million.Rangoalso won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature.
Rangois available to stream on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S.
WATCH ON PRIME VIDEO
6’Finding Dory' (2016)
Directed by Andrew Stanton
Coming as both a sequel and a spin-off ofFinding Nemo, one of themost entertaining animated movies of the 2000s,Finding Doryhad some big shoes to fill, and it didn’t disappoint. The adventure-packed comedy film continues the events ofFinding Nemo, focusing on the titular blue tang amnesiac fish voiced byEllen DeGeneresas she seeks to reunite with her family. The film also starsAlbert Brooksas Marlin,Hayden Rolenceas Nemo, andEd O’Neillas Hank.
The funny and thought-provoking performances of theFinding Doryvoice cast make it a rewatchable piece. The film was released to widespread acclaim from audiences and critics. Earning over$1.029 billionat the end of its theatrical run,Finding Dorysurpassed the success of the first installment in the franchiseand shattered manybox office records. It finished as the third-highest-grossing film of 2016, winning the 2017 Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Animated Movie.
Finding Dory
Finding Doryis available to stream on Disney+ in the U.S.
5’The Boss Baby' (2017)
Directed by Tom McGrath
The Boss Babyis a worthy inclusion on any list of rewatchable animated movies for its unusual storyline. This DreamWorks masterpiece follows a 7-year-old Tim (Miles Bakshi) and his baby brother Ted/The Boss Baby, voiced by Alec Baldwin. From being jealous of the attention his new baby brother is getting from their parents, Tim discovers Ted is actually a secret agent. Taking the lead as the voice of little Ted in this artistic animated movie, Baldwin stars alongsideJimmy Kimmel(Ted’s dad) andLisa Kudrow(Ted’s mom).
Classified as one of thebest animated movies of all time,The Boss Babyis hilariously appealing to both young and old. As such, it’s a good rewatchable piece for family movie night. While it didn’t win an Oscar,Boss Babywas nominated for Best Animated Feature nominations at the Academy Awards, Annie Awards, and Golden Globes respectively.The film recorded over$528 millionin box office earnings against its $125 million budget.
The Boss Baby
A suit-wearing, briefcase-carrying baby pairs up with his seven-year-old brother to embark on a hilarious adventure aimed at thwarting the dastardly plot of the CEO of Puppy Co., who threatens to destabilize the balance of love in the world. As they attempt to save the day, the brothers discover the true meaning of family and brotherhood.
The Boss Babyis available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.
WATCH ON NETFLIX
4’Inside Out' (2015)
Directed by Pete Docter
Those tiny voices in your head are brought to life inInside Out, a beautifully animated classic.Inside Outexplores the mind of a young girl (Riley) voiced by Kaitlyn Dias as she adapts to a new environment after her family relocated. The focus is more on the fivepersonified emotions controlling her thoughts and actionswhich make the plot unique. The amazing voice cast includesAmy Poehler(Joy),Phyllis Smith(Sadness),Lewis Black(Anger),Mindy Kaling(Disgust),Bill Hader(Fear), andRichard Kind(Bing Bong).
With a sequel,Inside Out 2, coming out in June 2024, now is the perfect time to rewatch the 2015 filmInside Out. The film was released to rave reviews and listed among thetop 10 films of 2015by the American Film Institute and the National Board of Review. Wrapping up its theatrical run as the seventh-highest-grossing film of 2015,Inside Outearned over$858 millionat the global box office. The film was awarded Best Animated Feature at the 88th Academy Awards among other nominations.
Inside Out
After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust, and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.
Inside Outis available to stream on Disney+ in the U.S.
3’Kung Fu Panda 2' (2011)
Directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson
The 2010s spawned two great animated movies in the popularKung Fu Pandafranchise. WhileKung Fu Panda 3remains a worthy addition to an already great lineup,Kung Fu Panda 2revived the excitement instigated by the first film and left a lasting impression on fans. A sequel to the 2008Kung Fu Panda,Kong Fu Panda 2continues the adventures of Po (Jack Black) and his Furious Five allies.
Kung Fu Panda 2boasts an ensemble cast includingAngelina Jolie,Dustin Hoffman,Seth Rogen,Lucy Liu,David Cross, andJackie Chan. While it lost its Oscar nomination toRango,Kung Fu Panda 2held many records, including the highest-grossing film directed by a female director untilFrozendethroned it. With a 7.3/10 rating onIMDband an 81% score onRotten Tomatoes, the second installment in theKung Fu Pandafranchise grossed over$665 millionagainst its $150 million budget.The film also ranks among thebest middle offerings in film trilogies.
Kung Fu Panda 2
Kung Fu Panda 2is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S.
RENT ON PRIME VIDEO
2’Zootopia' (2016)
Directed by Rich Moore and Byron Howard
Sporting a cool 98% score onRotten Tomatoesand an 8/10 rating onIMDb,Zootopiais not just one of the best animated movies of the 2010s but has retained relevance several years later. Disney went all out with this 3D animation movie to create a masterpiece that combines diverse elements for the utmost entertainment.Zootopiarevolves around a rabbit police officer and a red fox scammer who form an unlikely alliance to solve crime in the titular city where anthropomorphic mammals coexist.
Zootopiastars the voices of A-listers, includingGinnifer Goodwin(Judy Hopps),Jason Bateman(Nick Wilde),Idris Elba(Chief Bogo),Jenny Slate(Dawn Bellwether), andShakira(Gazelle). The film was released to positive reviews from both critics and audiences.Zootopiashattered records with a whopping box office gross of over$1 billion, winning in the Best Animated Feature category at the 89th Academy Awards among other awards. Right off the bat,Zootopiahad franchise written all over it, and true to that, a sequel,Zootopia 2is expected to hit the theatersin November 2025. The film already has a television spin-off series,Zootopia+,which premiered on Disney+ on August 24, 2025.
Zootopiais available to stream on Disney+ in the U.S.
1’Megamind' (2010)
The impact of the titular character and his sidekick, Minion, on the overall success ofMegamindsolidifies the claim that an animated movie is only as good as its villain. While it shares plot similarities withDespicable Me, released the same year, Megamind stands out for its spectacular cast, quick humor, and the titular humanoid alien supervillain with a bulb-shaped blue head. Also, major characters in the superhero comedy film are inspired bythe Superman franchise.Thus, for lovers of the superhero genre,Megamindis one of the best animated movies to binge-watch.
The superhero cult classic starsWill Ferrellas Megamind,Brad Pittas Metro Man,Tina Feyas Roxie,David Crossas Minion, andJonah Hillas Hal Stewart.Megamindpremiered to generally positive reviews and was praised by critics for its unique plot and visual presentation. Having a villain who charms his way into the hearts of audiences is no small feat. Describing Megamind’s persona,Collider’s Rachel Sandell writes- “Viewers love an underdog, and Megamind is one villain that an audience can root for.”
Megamindis available to stream on Amazon Prime Video in the U.S.
