The origins of animation can be traced to antiquity when the French artist Émile Cohl made creative use of stop-motion methods in 1907. It has evolved in numerous forms throughout history – from ancient Greek ceramics to the optical playthings of the 17th century to the computer-generated imagery of the 21st century. Now it developed into the technological marvel we see today.
However, there are so many platforms with extraordinary animated movies currently, but HBO Max’s library has a solid collection. Their Studio Ghiblis collection has a separate shortcut in the main menu. In addition, you can find numerous Warner Bros. Animation and DC Animated movies of your liking. So, if you are curious, here’s the list of the top 10 best animation movies on HBO Max.
Image Courtesy: Movies Anywhere
Kung Fu Panda
Director: Mark Osborne, John Stevenson
Writer: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, Ethan Reiff
Cast: Jack Black, Ian McShane, Angelina Jolie
IMDb Rating: 7.6
Runtime: 1 hr.32 mins
In the US, the franchise debuted in 2008. Kung Fu Panda (2008), Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011), and Kung Fu Panda 3 are the three animated movies that make up the series (2016). The fourth installment is scheduled to be released in 2024. Its first two movies were nominated for the Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature.
It’s a tale about the protagonist Po Ping’s experiences. A fat panda who surprisingly becomes the prophesied Dragon Warrior and gains kung fu proficiency. Po proves his value as he strives to fulfill his destiny, despite the early concerns about his status.
Image Courtesy: The New York Times
The Lego Batman Movie
Director: Chris McKay
Writer: Seth Grahame-Smith, Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers
Cast: Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson
IMDb Rating: 7.3
Runtime: 1 hr.44 mins
A superhero comedy movie, The Lego Batman movie, premiered in the US on February 10, 2017. For its animation, voice acting, soundtrack, visual design, and humor, the film earned largely favorable reviews from the audience. It was also commercially successful, grossing $310 million globally against an estimated $80 million budget.
As the usual antagonist plot to take over Gotham City, Bruce Wayne must confront them. While also learning that he has unintentionally fostered a young orphan who wants to be his partner.
Image Courtesy: IMDb
Sherk the Third
Director: Chris Miller, Raman Hui
Writer: Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman, Chris Miller
Cast: Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy
IMDb Rating: 6.1
Runtime: 1 hr.33 mins
The 1990 novel Shrek served as the basis for the action-adventure animated comedy movie Shrek the Third. It is the third part of the Shrek franchise and the follow-up to Shrek 2. Its first weekend brought in over $121.6 million, making it the fourth highest-grossing movie worldwide.
Shrek and Fiona inherited the throne after King Harold’s death, but Prince Charming (Orge) is not conspiring to dethrone them. Artie, Fiona’s unprepared 16-year-old cousin, is persuaded by Shrek to seize the throne in Shrek’s place. While according to Shrek, Ogre isn’t a suitable fit and does not wish to reign.
Image Courtesy: IMDb
Bee Movie
Director: Simon J. Smith, Steve Hickner
Writer: Jerry Seinfeld, Spike Feresten, Barry Marder
Cast: Jerry Seinfeld, Renée Zellweger, Matthew Broderick
IMDb Rating: 6.1
Runtime: 1 hr.31 mins
A 2007 animated comedy movie, Bee was a hit and brought in more than $293 million globally. Additionally, the movie was nominated for the 65th Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film.
The Bee movie’s plot follows Honey Bee that chooses to prosecute people for taking from bees. She is incensed and intends to stage a protest against humans after learning that humans trade and consume honey from his buddy Vanessa Bloome.
Image Courtesy: WarnerBros
Happy Feet
Director: George Miller, Warren Coleman, Judy Morris
Writer: George Miller, John Collee, Judy Morris
Cast: Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy, Hugh Jackman
IMDb Rating: 6.4
Runtime: 1 hr.48 mins
The 2006 computer-animated comedy Happy Feet generally garnered favorable reviews from critics, who appreciated the film’s aesthetics, plot, and music. It was the fourth non-Disney or Pixar picture to receive the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and it won the BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film.
It’s a story that follows a penguin without vocal cords born into the Royal Penguins’ society. They communicate with one another through the song, but he talks through dance.
Image Courtesy: Mana Pop
Scobby-Doo and the Goblin King
Director: Joe Sichta
Writer: Joe Sichta
Cast: Frank Welker, Casey Kasem, Grey Griffin
IMDb Rating: 6.3
Runtime: 1 hr.15 mins
The twelfth installment in the Scooby-Doo series, an animated comedic horror film, Scooby-Doo! and the Goblin King, was released in 2008 on direct-to-DVD.
Shaggy and Scooby-Doo friends are in danger from The Amazing Krudsky, a mortal with a desire for dominance. They have to enter the underworld rules by Goblin King if they want to save their friends.
Image Courtesy: Plugged In
The Wild Life
Director: Art Linson
Writer: Cameron Crowe
Cast: Chris Penn, Ilan Mitchell-Smith, Eric Stoltz
IMDb Rating: 6.0
Runtime: 1 hr.36 mins
On September 28, 1984, this coming-of-age comedy-drama, The Wild Life, was launched in the US.
It’s the story of a wrestler from high school who enjoys a night out at a swinging single apartment building with a friend.
Image Courtesy: IGN
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight
Director: Sam Liu
Writer: James Krieg, Brian Augustyn, Mike Mignola
Cast: Bruce Greenwood, Jennifer Carpenter, Chris Cox
IMDb Rating: 6.7
Runtime: 1 hr.18 mins
An American adult animated superhero movie, Batman: Gotham by Gaslight, was released in 2018. It’s the 30th one in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series.
Its story starts when Batman looks into a fresh wave of Jack the Ripper killings. He launches his crusade against crime in an alternate Victorian-era Gotham City.
Image Courtesy: Deadline
Garfield
Director: Peter Hewitt
Writer: Jim Davis, Joel Cohen, Alec Sokolow
Cast: Breckin Meyer, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Stephen Tobolowsky
IMDb Rating: 5.0
Runtime: 1 hr.20 mins
It’s an American live-action/computer-animated comedy movie from 2004. It is the first film in the Garfield movie duology. Critics gave the movie unfavorable reviews, yet it made $200 million compared to a $50 million budget.
Its story follows Jon’s pet cat, Garfield, who locates his recently kidnapped dog.
Image Courtesy: The New York Times
Paddington 2
Director: Paul King
Writer: Paul King, Simon Farnaby, Michael Bond
Cast: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Grant, Hugh Bonneville
IMDb Rating: 7.8
Runtime: 1 hr.43 mins
Paddington 2 is a live-action animated film from 2007. It was one of the highest-rated films until 2021, when it received a negative comment.
Paddington is now content to live with the Brown family and is well-liked in his neighborhood. He takes on several unusual jobs to pay for the ideal gift for his aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday. But unfortunately, his present got lost.
