Universal Pictures: The 10 Best Animated Movies (According To IMDb)

Universal Pictures has released a lot of films since its creation in 1912. While the studio’s resume includes live-action hits like Jurassic Park and Fast & Furious, we can’t ignore the many critically acclaimed animated features the company has also distributed. We thought it was time to look at Universal’s best animated pictures to date. Rather than picking our own favorites, however, we’re turning to IMDb for answers.

The popular entertainment website has assigned every film released by Universal a star rating, based on the votes of registered users on a scale of 1 to 10. These scores are what we’ll be using to stack up the studio’s best. Before we get started, we’re shouting it out to Balto, which could have made the top-10 lineup with a high score of 7.1. Unfortunately, space is limited.

With that out of the way, it’s time to grab some popcorn and enjoy the pictures. Here are the highest-rated theatrically released Universal animations, according to IMDb.

10 Sing (7.1)

This 2016 musical comedy tells of a group of anthropomorphic animals who decide to compete in a talent competition that might just save koala Buster Moon’s failing theater. As it turns out, five contestants are in it for the long haul as they attempt to come out on top.

Featuring over 60 songs from popular artists and a star-studded voice cast including Scarlett Johansson, Reese Witherspoon, Matthew McConaughey, and more, the film had a lot going for it. Combined with fun animations and a strong entertainment value, Sing knew how to hit that high note.

9 9 (7.1)

Director Shane Acker noticed that not many dark animated films had been made. Therefore, he decided to fill this void in the market with the release of 9. This 2009 post-apocalyptic sci-fi story has a rag-doll-like stitchpunk named 9 waking up in a world where humans have gone extinct. The people have been exterminated by a group of machines, and 9 and his friends realize that they’re next. The gang sets out to find how they can stay alive.

Though the narrative wasn’t particularly unique, the world-building combined with the stunning visuals were too innovative to be ignored.

8 Despicable Me 2 (7.3)

The Despicable Me sequel opened to eager moviegoers in 2013. Thankfully, it was almost as charming as the original.

This time around, Gru decides to put his villain life in the past by joining an evil-fighting organization called the Anti-Villain League. Original right? While attempting to track down the legendary El Macho, Gru must also raise three girls and balance a new love interest. With colorful visuals and fresh humor, fans of the first film had nothing to complain about.

7 The Land Before Time (7.4)

This 1988 adventure film tells of a dinosaur named Littlefoot who becomes orphaned after his mother is killed while protecting him from a predator. Before dying, she instructs her son to search out other dinos like him, and along with his friends, he embarks on a journey toward the Great Valley where they live.

Viewers loved the heartwarming feel of the movie. This was only made better with a classic animation style.

6 How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (7.5)

The third installment in the How To Train Your Dragon film series has Hiccup uniting the clans in order to track down the Hidden World at which they can stay safe. If they’re unable to find it, their utopia will be wiped out by the evil Grimmel who hopes to hunt down dragon-kind.

The franchise managed to keep up its appeal through The Hidden World by forming a story that was enchanting, visually impressive, and full of spirit.

5 Despicable Me (7.6)

Yes, the first Despicable Me also had a lot going for it. The 2010 comedy focuses on then-supervillain Gru on his quest to steal the moon. Though his goals are lofty, they grow even more complicated after he becomes the father of three orphan girls.

The delightful story was bursting with humor and life. Of course, this led to the creation of an entire franchise.

4 Coraline (7.7)

Coraline became an animated horror classic upon its release in 2009. The stop-motion dark fantasy, based on the novel of the same name by Neil Gaman, tells of a girl named Coraline who finds an alternate universe behind a door in her house. However, the family living their tries to keep her as a prisoner, and she must figure out how to get back to her own world.

The film received a Best Animated Feature nomination at the Academy Awards, alongside interest from viewers who found Coraline to be creepy and whimsical.

3 The Snow Queen (7.7)

Far before Disney was putting their own spin on Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of the Snow Queen, Universal was taking the reigns. The entertainment company released The Snow Queen for Russian audiences in 1957, and then again for English audiences in 1959.

This tale has a girl journeying to find her friend who has been kidnapped by a queen, who has a soul nearly as chilling as her exterior. The film proved to be a classic, containing enchanting characters and pretty visuals.

2 Kubo And The Two Strings (7.8)

Kubo and the Two Strings is the first of two films distributed by Universal to receive a strong rating of 7.8. This action fantasy, which released in 2016, tells of a Japanese boy named Kubo who joins together with a snow monkey and beetle to stop the sinister plans of the Sisters and Raiden the Moon King. To do this, he brings with him a magical stringed instrument called a shamisen.

The stop-motion-animation garnered much praise for its beautiful visuals and compelling story. This had it earning Academy Award nominations for Best Animated Feature and Best Visual Effects.

1 Ethel & Ernest (7.8)

The other animation to receive a 7.8 is the British biographical film Ethel & Ernest. The movie, which is based on the graphic memoir of the same name by Raymond Briggs, recounts his parents’ long lives together. Though the story begins in the 1920s during which they marry, it ends in ’70s at their deaths.

The film’s sunny animations, moving storyline, and warm feelings left critics impressed. Though the movie’s theatrical release was small, its impact was large.

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