The Best Animated Movies 2023

In this article we are having a list of The Best Animated Movies 2023.

Despite being only halfway through, the release calendar for blockbuster feature animation in 2023 is shaping up to be the most impressive since at least 2009.

That year witnessed the success of acclaimed films like Wall-E, Up, Coraline, Secret of Kells, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, and Fantastic Mr. Fox, with the latter even winning an Oscar.

The current year’s lineup is equally exciting, offering a graphic-novel adaptation that seemed unlikely, a vibrant Spider-Verse movie filled with energy, and the comeback of a renowned anime filmmaker not named Hayao Miyazaki.

Furthermore, it promises the highly anticipated final film by Miyazaki himself, a fresh interpretation of TMNT, the satisfying conclusion to The Venture Bros., a long-running saga exploring ancestral trauma, and even another installment of Chicken Run, among other notable releases.

However, for now, let’s focus on the seven remarkable features below that have captivated us for various reasons.

Nimona

During the development of Nimona at Blue Sky Studios, the team received devastating news in 2021.

Disney, the new owners of Blue Sky’s parent company Fox, decided to shut down the studio, jeopardizing the fate of the film.

Allegedly, Disney executives expressed discomfort over a same-sex kiss, leading to the decision to bury Nimona along with the studio.

However, after two and a half years, the film has finally emerged, thanks to the efforts of Annapurna Pictures, DNEG Animation, and Netflix.

Surpassing all expectations, Nimona has turned out to be an extraordinary creation.

Based on the comic by ND Stevenson, Nimona serves as a queer parable centered around a shape-shifter who defies societal expectations regarding appearance and identity.

When Nimona encounters a knight named Ballister Boldheart, falsely accused of regicide, they join forces to challenge the oppressive regime that once employed him.

The film skillfully combines 2-D and 3-D animation in a stylized manner, building up to an epic kaiju-sized climax.

However, the film’s true beauty lies in its emphasis on the deep friendship between the ever-fluid Nimona and her gay best friend, Boldheart, portrayed by the talented voices of Chloë Grace Moretz and Riz Ahmed, respectively.

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken

Remarkably, among the limited pool of mermaid movies this summer, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken stands out as the best.

Despite facing relatively weak competition, this delightful film revolves around a young kraken named Ruby Gillman, whose dormant powers awaken at the exact moment she gathers the courage to invite her crush to prom.

As she confronts the challenges of fitting in at school, Ruby must harness her newfound abilities and navigate a long-standing conflict between her species and the mermaids.

The animation and character designs possess a charmingly flexible and lively quality, and the voice cast, led by Lana Condor, Toni Collette, and Jane Fonda, delivers an outstanding performance.

While Ruby Gillman isn’t without flaws, as the plot bears similarities to Turning Red (albeit with less sincerity), and an illogical joke questioning the belief that the blue, wiggly-armed sea creatures are “from Canada” may leave you puzzled as to who approved it, the film compensates in other aspects.

It features breathtaking underwater sequences and culminates in an epic showdown between mermaids and krakens, accompanied by the powerful sounds of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ “Burning.”

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

From the very opening scene of the Spider-Verse sequel, it is clear that an immense amount of effort went into creating its hyperkinetic and strikingly stylized animation.

The sequence immediately captivates with vibrant bursts of color and meticulously timed line work, synchronized with the powerful drumming of Gwen Stacy.

Set in Earth-65, her world immerses us in a realm of mood-ring watercolors, just one of the many uniquely illustrated universes showcased throughout the film to demonstrate its artistic prowess and creative ambitions.

Miles Morales appears more vibrant than ever, gracefully zipping, flipping, and thwip!ing across the screen.

His character arc in this installment is just as compelling as in the first, cleverly drawing parallels between his attachments to his family and civilian life with those he shares with his fellow Spider-people and his superhero destiny.

While the plot concludes with a gripping cliffhanger, the majority of the primary thematic elements in Across the Spider-Verse find satisfying resolutions, setting it apart from other recent two-part films.

It is not merely half a movie; in fact, it surpasses the majority of superhero films by offering a more complete experience.

Furthermore, stylistically, the film undeniably stands as one of the most visually intricate and imaginative works of the decade.

Suzume

Makoto Shinkai, an esteemed anime film director in the past two decades, has unveiled what could be considered his most exceptional cinematic creation to date.

In his latest masterpiece, a teenage protagonist named Suzume is entrusted with the critical task of averting the imminent collision of a colossal worm with various cities and landscapes across Japan.

This perilous journey takes Suzume throughout the entire length of the country, where she encounters malfunctioning inter-dimensional portals that must be sealed. Amidst the impending doom, Shinkai skillfully interweaves moments of lightheartedness, striking a delicate balance between apocalyptic fears and comedic relief.

Suzume can be described as a captivating road trip movie that boasts a plethora of enchanting elements.

Notably, it showcases a mischievous feline capable of speech, a cantankerous three-legged chair that possesses both mobility and a propensity for mischief, and numerous subtle and overt references to beloved anime classics that precede it.

Shinkai’s unwavering dedication to every aspect of his productions shines through once again, as he assumes responsibility for the screenplay, backgrounds, and storyboards.

In expressing his intentions for this film, he has shared that it serves as a reckoning with Japan’s recent history of ecological calamities while simultaneously aiming to bring laughter to its viewers.

Undoubtedly, Suzume triumphantly accomplishes this objective with flying colors.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie

The most significant and most comical attempt to seize intellectual property rights this year has also become the hottest sensation at the box office, amassing a staggering $1.339 billion worldwide, surpassing all other releases in 2023 thus far.

Led by Chris Pratt, this movie has achieved a financial success that is approximately 36 times greater than the infamous live-action failure of Super Mario Bros. three decades ago.

However, it’s worth noting that the film itself is quite enjoyable, presenting a visually captivating 92-minute spectacle that pays homage to Nintendo and caters to fans of the franchise.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie takes viewers on an enchanting journey through iconic Mario game settings, including the Mushroom Kingdom, the Jungle Kingdom, and Rainbow Road.

These familiar landscapes provide a delightful experience for fans.

While the film plays it safe in terms of storytelling, it manages to avoid being overly gimmicky, which could have been more grating.

Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic adopt a straightforward character arc for Mario, reminiscent of the simplicity found in the games.

They skillfully incorporate elements from these games, infusing Illumination’s visually stunning sequences throughout the runtime.

This fusion of artistic flair and Nintendo’s beloved elements results in a movie experience that can be aptly described as “Okey dokey!”

Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman

Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman, which draws its name from a collection of Haruki Murakami’s short stories, stands out as perhaps the most challenging film on this roster.

In this adaptation, director Pierre Földes ventures beyond a single story, instead incorporating six of Murakami’s tales.

The film is set in the aftermath of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, taking inspiration from “Super-Frog Saves Tokyo,” a plot where a melancholic banker is recruited by an amphibian to prevent the city’s destruction by a colossal worm.

Földes skillfully utilizes this premise as a foundation to intertwine additional narratives from Murakami’s works. Coincidentally, Suzume, a character in the film, also draws inspiration from Japanese myths.

Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman unfolds through 2D animation, featuring precise line work and a subdued color palette.

At times, the visuals venture into eerie and surreal territories, gradually leading to an enigmatic and satisfying conclusion.

Földes employs a technique akin to rotoscoping, where live actors serve as reference models for the animators, ultimately transforming the artists’ vision into a distinct and captivating final product that can be described as wonderfully strange.

Unicorn Wars

The movie has rightfully earned the moniker of “Care Bears meets Apocalypse Now.”

Director Alberto Vazquez crafts a narrative that pits vibrant and cuddly bear cubs against a mysterious and malevolent race of black unicorns, resulting in a bloody and vengeful conflict.

This animated fantasy film, one of the most hilarious and grotesque of the decade, introduces us to an endearing and intricately designed ensemble of bear characters, only to subject them to brutally violent and graphic demises.

Amidst the dark and gory journey, Unicorn Wars provides insightful commentary on the essence of conflict and the complex nature of the human condition.

It delves into themes of militarism, propaganda, and religion, shedding light on the narratives employed by empires and nations to justify wars.

In an interview, Vazquez stated, “All empires and all nations have their narratives to justify the wars,” emphasizing the film’s intention to make a thought-provoking statement.

Unicorn Wars is unlikely to secure recognition such as an Academy Award, even within the realm of animation, but it serves as a remarkable testament to the potential of the medium and what it can accomplish.

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