Best Animated Movies of 2025

2025 was a fantastic year for animation, filled with creative stories that really stretched what’s possible with visual storytelling. Both big studios and independent filmmakers released movies that captivated audiences worldwide. These films, including highly anticipated sequels and completely new ideas, demonstrate how advanced animation has become. Here’s a look at the most memorable animated features of the year.

‘Zootopia 2’ (2025)

The long-awaited sequel brings back Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde for a new adventure in the busy city. This time, they’ll encounter fresh animal environments and quirky characters that build upon the world of the first movie. The film explores the challenges and strengths of Judy and Nick’s teamwork, all while keeping the funny and heartwarming moments fans love. With bright, colorful animation and a captivating mystery, this movie is one of the best of the year.

‘Elio’ (2025)

When a creative young boy is accidentally sent across the galaxy, he’s mistaken for Earth’s representative to an alien council. Now, Elio has to convince these diverse aliens that humanity is worth something. The movie is a visually stunning adventure about finding where you belong and being brave, and it’s full of the same sense of wonder and discovery that audiences love from this studio.

‘The Bad Guys 2’ (2025)

This sequel follows the reformed gang of bad guys as they try to prove they’re heroes now. When a new villain appears, they’re forced to confront their old ways and decide if they can really change. The movie has the same fun, fast-paced animation as the first one, mixing exciting action with a funny story about second chances and the power of friendship.

‘Dog Man’ (2025)

This movie is based on the incredibly popular book series and brings the famous hero – who’s part dog and part human – to life on the big screen. The story centers around his ongoing rivalry with a cat villain and his efforts to keep the city safe from danger. The animation captures the fun and energetic feel of the original books. Readers and new viewers alike will enjoy how the movie stays true to the books’ unique humor and adventurous stories.

‘The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants’ (2025)

In this exciting underwater adventure, SpongeBob SquarePants sets out to find the Flying Dutchman. The story revolves around a search for a hidden treasure that could save Bikini Bottom. The movie blends classic SpongeBob humor with impressive visuals, offering a fun experience for longtime fans and new viewers alike.

‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’ (2025)

Feathers McGraw, the notorious penguin, is back for more trouble, and Wallace has become too reliant on his latest inventions. This leads to a string of funny and chaotic accidents! Once again, it’s up to the clever Gromit to rescue Wallace from a dangerous situation. The film’s beautiful and detailed stop-motion animation is just as delightful as fans remember in this long-awaited return.

‘The Twits’ (2025)

This version of the beloved Roald Dahl story centers on a terribly unpleasant couple and their conflict with a mischievous family of monkeys. The animation is uniquely styled to highlight both the funny and slightly disturbing sides of the characters. The story follows the monkeys’ clever attempts to escape and regain their freedom, staying true to Dahl’s signature dark humor and imaginative storytelling.

‘Plankton: The Movie’ (2025)

The notorious Plankton, SpongeBob’s longtime rival, stars in his own movie where he tries to take over the world – again! The film throws him into hilarious and challenging scenarios, pushing his intelligence and determination to the limit. While keeping the quick, funny style of the show, the movie also explores why Plankton is so determined to succeed, offering a fresh and imaginative addition to the Bikini Bottom world.

‘Spellbound’ (2025)

I just finished watching this amazing film about Princess Ellian, and I was completely hooked! It starts with her parents being turned into monsters by a really powerful spell, and she has to go on this incredibly dangerous quest to save them and her kingdom. The journey takes her through some breathtakingly beautiful, magical landscapes, and the music really amplifies all the emotional moments. It’s a story about how strong family ties are and how much courage it takes to confront some really tough realities. Honestly, it’s a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that I highly recommend!

‘Fixed’ (2025)

This animated comedy, geared towards adults, centers on a dog who finds out he’s getting neutered. Determined to go out with a bang, he spends one last crazy night with his quirky friends. The show’s distinctive animation style perfectly matches its daring and often shocking humor. It’s a unique offering in animation, specifically aimed at mature viewers who enjoy a bolder brand of comedy.

‘The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep’ (2025)

Geralt of Rivia arrives in a coastal village to investigate strange attacks, uncovering hidden dangers lurking in the sea. This animated film delves deeper into the world’s rich backstory with a fast-paced, gripping story. It’s packed with exciting action and explores the complicated connections between people and magical beings, offering fans a fresh look at Geralt’s journey as a monster hunter.

‘Night of the Zoopocalypse’ (2025)

When a mysterious meteor crashes near a zoo, the animals undergo a bizarre transformation into colorful, zombie-like creatures. A few animals that aren’t affected must team up to find a solution and prevent the infection from spreading. The movie is a fun and lighthearted take on the horror genre, making it suitable for families. It’s a fast-paced, humorous, and suspenseful adventure all contained within the zoo.

‘In Your Dreams’ (2025)

A brother and sister venture into a fantastical dream world on a quest to find the Sandman and help save their parents’ relationship. Along the way, they travel through bizarre and beautiful landscapes that represent the power of the human mind. The movie uses many different animation techniques to show the characters moving between dreams. It’s a touching story about the importance of imagination and sticking together as a family.

‘Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie’ (2025)

The beloved preschool show comes to life in a colorful movie! Gabby and her cat friends go on a big adventure inside her magical dollhouse, working together to solve puzzles and save a special party. Like the show, the movie is fun and teaches kids valuable lessons, all while being filled with bright colors and catchy songs that young children will love.

‘The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie’ (2025)

Porky Pig and Daffy Duck join forces to protect Earth when they uncover an alien invasion plan. The movie keeps the same funny, over-the-top humor and familiar interactions fans love from the classic cartoons. While the animation is updated, the characters still look like the Porky and Daffy we all know and remember, creating a fun and heartwarming experience that celebrates their history.

‘Sneaks’ (2025)

A lost designer sneaker finds itself navigating the busy streets of New York City, trying to get back to its owner. During its journey, it encounters a colorful cast of other shoes, each with their own story to tell. The movie uses the city as a backdrop for a big adventure, told from a surprisingly fresh perspective. It’s a fun and imaginative tale about finding yourself and where you belong.

‘Memoir of a Snail’ (2025)

The film tells the life story of a solitary woman who finds solace in collecting snails, revealed through letters she writes to a friend. It’s beautifully animated using detailed stop motion, and delicately explores themes of loss and overcoming hardship. This touching drama proves how powerfully animation can convey complex emotions and mature themes.

‘Buffalo Kids’ (2025)

Okay, so this movie really grabbed me. It’s about two Irish brothers who are orphaned and end up in New York before heading west – like, really west. They meet this amazing kid in a wheelchair, and the three of them become this tight-knit crew as they search for their uncle. Honestly, the scenery is breathtaking – you really feel like you’re right there in the Old West. But it’s more than just pretty landscapes; it’s a really heartwarming story about what family means, and what ‘home’ even is when everything around you is changing. It’s a classic adventure with a lot of heart.

‘The Glassworker’ (2025)

This beautifully hand-drawn film follows a glassblower and a violinist whose lives are disrupted by an approaching war. The animation perfectly captures both the artistry of glassblowing and the powerful emotions between the two characters. Set in a fictionalized past, the story examines how war affects art and relationships. It’s a remarkable film and a significant moment for animation around the world.

‘Animal Farm’ (2025)

This animated movie retells the classic story of a group of animals who revolt and try to create their own society. It powerfully shows how power can corrupt and how easily good intentions can be lost. The animation brings the unique characters and challenges of the farm animals to life, making this a timeless and thought-provoking story about how groups organize themselves.

‘The Ark and the Aardvark’ (2025)

I was completely charmed by this movie! It’s about an aardvark, who everyone thinks is a bit of an oddball, but he ends up being the one chosen to lead all the animals onto Noah’s Ark before the big flood. It’s a really funny and heartwarming story about how he tries to keep everyone together and deal with all the challenges along the way. What I loved most is that it shows anyone can be a leader, and that every single animal – every single person – has something important to contribute.

‘Deep in the Bowl’ (2025)

This funny movie reveals the hidden world of aquarium fish, complete with their own everyday problems and social circles. It uses quick, silly humor to show things from the fish’s point of view. The animation is bright and colorful, bringing both the underwater environments and the fish themselves to life. It’s a delightful and original film that finds humor in surprising places.

‘Ozi: Voice of the Forest’ (2025)

Okay, so I just saw this amazing animated film about an orangutan who’s basically a social media star! It’s a really moving story – she’s orphaned and uses her online platform to show everyone what’s happening to her rainforest home. Honestly, it really hit me how much our actions impact these animals and their environment. The animation is gorgeous, truly capturing the beauty of the jungle, and it’s not just pretty pictures – it’s a powerful message about conservation. It left me feeling like I need to do something to help protect these incredible places.

‘Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust’ (2025)

This animated film is set in a bleak city where everyone hides their face with a paper bag. It follows a man who starts to wonder why things are the way they are, challenging the strict rules of his society. The film contrasts the dullness of the city with the colorful world beyond its borders, and explores what it means to be an individual when everything is controlled. It’s a thought-provoking and visually stunning independent production.

‘Dragonkeeper’ (2025)

This animated story is set in ancient China and follows a young girl who becomes the guardian of the last dragon. Together, they set out on a grand adventure to save the dragon’s species, facing challenges and enemies along the way. The film boasts beautiful animation, with richly detailed characters and backgrounds inspired by Chinese history. It’s an exciting tale of courage and the special bond between people and magical creatures.

‘The Sloth Lane’ (2025)

This animated comedy follows a sloth family as they trade the rainforest for the fast lane of city life. The movie playfully shows how difficult it is to adjust to a hectic new environment when you prefer a slower pace. With charming animation, it highlights the funny differences between the sloths and the bustling city around them, and ultimately celebrates the importance of being yourself.

‘Little Emma’ (2025)

This sweet story follows a little creature searching for where she truly belongs in a world filled with much larger beings. Though small, her adventures have a surprisingly big effect on everyone she meets. The animation is beautifully done with gentle colors and textures, creating a warm and magical atmosphere. It’s a heartwarming tale that shows how perseverance and kindness can make all the difference.

‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’ (2025)

A boy finds himself stranded on a faraway island and relies on the guidance of an enigmatic older man to stay alive. The film beautifully portrays their developing bond and the hardships they overcome while living in the wilderness. With stunning animation, it showcases both the beauty and the perils of the island, telling a touching story about survival and the relationship between people and the natural world.

Please share your favorite animated films from this year in the comments.

2025-12-23 07:48