Disney and Pixar may sit on the animation throne, but they are far from the only players in the game. Beyond the castle and the lamp lies an entirely different universe of animated films that dares to get weird, bold, emotional, and wildly inventive. If you’re ready to step outside the usual magic-kingdom bubble, here’s a countdown of the 10 best animated movies not made by Disney or Pixar, proof that brilliant animation thrives far beyond the mouse’s reach.
10. Boss Baby 2: Family Business
DreamWorks has always been the mischievous sibling in the world of animation, and Boss Baby 2 shows they’re capable of surprising maturity. The sequel eases off the chaos just enough to let its heart shine through, weaving in themes of family, imagination, and growing up. It’s “more for families than just the kids,” offering a sharper story, a more emotional core, and even some thoughtful character backstories. Kids will enjoy the antics-but parents may be shocked to find themselves genuinely moved. A sequel that actually levels up? Turns out it’s possible.
9. The Prince of Egypt
DreamWorks’ first hand-drawn feature was a daring swing-and they absolutely crushed it. The Prince of Egypt tackles the epic story of Moses with staggering visuals and emotional depth, and a willingness to explore heavy themes mainstream animation often avoids. As critics have noted, DreamWorks wasn’t afraid of “dark and violent themes, risqué humor and anti-heroes.” The result is an animated drama of towering ambition, paired with unforgettable music from Stephen Schwartz and Hans Zimmer. It’s grown-up storytelling executed with breathtaking artistry.
8. The Simpsons Movie
When Springfield finally leaped to the big screen, expectations were intense-and the film delivered. The Simpsons Movie captures the chaotic brilliance of the show’s golden years, firing off jokes, sight gags, and sharp satire at full speed. Between President Schwarzenegger, Russ Cargill’s villainy, and the immortal “Spider-Pig,” it’s become a pop-culture touchstone. More than just an extended episode, it’s a celebration of everything fans love about this dysfunctional yellow family.
7. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Phil Lord and Chris Miller came out swinging with a debut that’s equal parts absurd and delightful. Loosely inspired by the picture book, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs follows the hyperactive inventor Flint Lockwood as his food machine turns the town into an all-you-can-eat disaster zone. The film is “quirky, off the wall, charming, and hilarious,” with Bill Hader’s performance setting the tone for a movie that’s both clever and joyfully silly. Visually playful and emotionally sweet, it’s proof that animated comedies can be brilliant without taking themselves too seriously.
6. Chicken Run
Aardman’s first feature is a stop-motion triumph. Take a film like The Great Escape, swap in chickens, and somehow it just works. Ginger and her feathered compadres plot an escape from a grim pie factory, with humor, tension, and warmth in equal measure. The handcrafted animation gives the film a texture and personality that CGI rarely matches. Funny, touching, and filled with unforgettable characters, this is Aardman at its finest. And yes, Mac still steals the show.
5. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Aardman does it once more, this time bringing the beloved cheese-obsessed inventor and his dog onto the big screen. Goofy, pun-filled, and carried by meticulous stop-motion work and a witty script that feels like a warm hug, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit shines with Helena Bonham Carter and Ralph Fiennes standing out in the voice cast, adding flair to the film that’s as cozy as a British afternoon tea and as inventive as one of Wallace’s gadgets.
4. Coraline
Laika’s first feature is a creepy fable with real bite. Adapted from Neil Gaiman’s novella and directed by Henry Selick, Coraline dives headfirst into an inimitably beautiful, eerie world of buttons, shadow, and twisted dreams. Critics have termed it “dark, twisted, and occasionally horrifying.” And, yeah, they’re right. Stop-motion craftsmanship is astounding, and the story weaves its wonder and dread together seamlessly, rendering it unforgettable. It’s not light viewing, but for those who like their animation with edge, this is one to treasure.
3. The Lego Movie
No one expected a corporate-branded movie about toy bricks to be this good, but Lord and Miller defied expectations once again. The Lego Movie is a fast, funny, meta-explosion of creativity that celebrates the imagination and actual joy of building. Chris Pratt’s Emmett is the perfect everyman, and everything from Elizabeth Banks to Will Arnett’s iconic Batman rounds out the cast for constant laughs. Animation cleverly replicates real Lego pieces with astonishing accuracy, while the emotional twist at the end of the third act elevates the whole thing. It’s weird, hilarious, and heartfelt-and totally original.
2. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Just when superhero movies seemed predictable, Into the Spider-Verse blew the doors off the genre. Bursting with style, emotion, and humor, the film introduces Miles Morales in a multiverse story that juggles multiple Spider-people with ease. The groundbreaking animation melds comic book textures with kinetic movement in a way no movie had ever pulled off. The soundtrack hits hard, the cast is phenomenal, and its message-that anyone can be a hero-resonates on a universal level. It’s not just a top-tier animated film; it’s one of the best superhero movies ever made.
1. The Iron Giant
Brad Bird’s first feature is a timeless treasure that deserved much more appreciation upon its initial release. The Iron Giant follows a boy in the 1950s who befriends a giant robot with the power to destroy-and the heart to choose peace. It’s a story about fear and empathy and identity, wrapped in stunning hand-drawn animation and sprinkled with sharp humor. The finale is guaranteed to be a tearjerker, introducing one of the most profound questions ever asked: “What if a weapon chose not to be one?” Decades later, it still hits like an emotional meteor.
These films make one thing clear: animation is not just “kid stuff.” It’s a medium capable of pushing boundaries, experimenting with style, and telling stories that stick with us long after the credits roll. Disney and Pixar may be titans, but the animation landscape is far richer and more varied, and honestly, we’re lucky it is.