The Best Animated Musicals, According To IMDb

With the recent hit release of Disney’s animated musical Encanto and the highly anticipated sequel to Illumination’s Sing, Sing 2, hitting theaters across the country, movie goers are finding themselves being drawn back into the unique animation styles, heart-warming stories, and spell-binding songs that accompany these films.

Even with these popular releases, animated musicals face the stigma that they’re “just for kids” or they’re just simply “cartoons” with no meaning behind them. However, according to IMDb, there’s much more of a variety of animated musicals that spans from releases across the globe, Oscar winners, and independent films that appeal to different age ranges and are cherished by animation, film, and music lovers alike.

8 K-On! The Movie (2011) – 7.7

K-On!The Movie is derived from the Japanese K-On! anime series. In this anime’s movie debut, the popular girl group “After School Tea Time” makes a trip to London to celebrate their graduation. 

Met with glowing reviews for its storytelling, authenticity, character development, and musical sequences, K-On! The Movie is cherished by fans for staying true to being appropriate for all ages and sticking to the details of the original anime series. Fans highlight the relationship between the girl band as being realistic and unique, so much so that many were begging for a third season of the anime series. K-On! The Movie went on to gross over $21 million in the worldwide box office.

7 Macross: Do You Remember Love? (1984) – 7.8

Macross: Do You Remember Love? is a film adaptation of the Japanese anime series Macross. In this action-packed film,  a military pilot named Hikaru rescues a singer named Lynn Minmay from large humanoid warriors called Bionoids who are attacking Earth.

This action-packed story keeps fans coming back even 37 years later. Macross: Do You Remember Love? is held in high regard by fans for staying true to the original Macross anime series as well as adding even more intricate details to add more to the film such as choice of voice actors. The movie is praised for its score and soundtrack as well as showing just how much power music and love can hold in times of peril.

6 Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem (2003) – 7.8

Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem comes from the minds of electronic music duo Daft Punk. A continuation of the story seen in popular music videos such as “One More Time” and “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger”, an evil music executive kidnaps an alien techno band and strips them of their identities to pass them off as human.

Interstella 5555 is wildly popular amongst fans of Daft Punk and is beloved for its social commentary and message of finding one’s true self. The film’s combination of electronic music and anime helps expand its audience and has something for everyone to enjoy. Interstella 5555 also sets itself apart from the other entries by having no spoken words throughout the whole film, which fans find unique and adds more to the main characters’ journey in breaking free from conformity.

5 Given (2020) – 7.8

Given is a Japanese film based on the manga of the same name. The film revolves around the difficult romances of new and ex-lovers of the band Given: bassist Haruki Nakayama, drummer Akihiko Kaji, and Akihito’s ex-boyfriend violinist Ugetsu Murata.

Given is loved by fans for showing the realistic highs and lows of LGBTQ+ relationships within the music scene, but has also faced criticism in relation to the lows. The film has been accused of mishandling the subject of the sexual abuse of men and glossing over the murkier aspects of dealing with and handling abuse. While some fans love this film for its continuation of the Given manga, other fans are disappointed due to how much it contrasts from the original content.

4 Until Sbornia Takes Us Apart (2013) – 7.8

Until Sbornia Takes Us Apart is a Brazilian film in which the small country of Sbórnia is faced with difficult cultural changes upon the removal of its walls that previously separated it from the rest of the world. Two musicians of Sbórnia, Kraunos and Pletskaya, are left to face the culture shocks that await them.

Until Sbornia Takes Us Apart has been loved for its unique, satirical story and outstanding voice cast. This film draws in the viewer and personally involves them in the story, its creativity and soundtrack captivating viewers of all nationalities. The film has won five awards for its beautiful and cartoonish animation including Best Brazilian Feature Film at the São Paulo International Film Festival in 2013.

3 Dou Kyu Sei: Classmates (2016) – 7.8

Dou Kyu Sei: Classmates is praised for its beautiful, well-written LGBTQ+ relationship. Fans also praise Dou Kyu Sei: Classmates for steering away from hyper-sexualizing the relationship between the two main characters, a problem that’s prevalent in anime and manga. The film’s realism and touching story of pure love left fans feeling fulfilled, but still hoping for a sequel some time in the future.

2 Soul (2020) – 8.1

Soul is a Disney movie following the life of pianist and music teacher Joe Gardner who dreams of being a professional jazz musician. After falling through a manhole, Joe finds himself trapped in a new world in-between Earth and the afterlife. 

Soul has been highly praised for its advanced jazz compositions, craftsmanship, and story. It’s also been praised for its handling of difficult subjects like Joe’s experience with life, death, and the afterlife which may be hard to explain to children. Soul is also loved for its portrayal of non-stereotypical Black characters and its intricate animation of different hair textures, body types, and skin tones. The film is also Pixar’s first movie led by a Black character. Soul has won 57 awards including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score at the 93rd Academy Awards in 2021.

1 Coco (2017) – 8.4

Coco is a Disney movie following 12-year-old Miguel Rivera and his journey to break his family’s ban on music and become a famous musician. During this mission, Miguel finds himself in the Land of the Dead in search of his great-great-grandfather Ernesto de la Cruz, a wildly famous singer.

The music of Coco has been highly praised as well as its positive and accurate Latino cultural representation. Coco‘s release in 2017 came at a time where minorities and immigrants were constantly under siege. The beauty and celebration of Mexican culture in Coco through its heartwarming, emotional story and beautiful visuals took viewers’ breath away and put pride in the hearts of Latino viewers across the globe. Coco has won 68 awards including Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Remember Me” at the 90th Academy Awards in 2018.

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