The 11 Best Animated Movies on Netflix, Ranked — Perfect for Family Movie Night

Bonnie Siegler

December 19, 2023 at 9:20 PM·6 min read

While animated movies are ideal for watching with the family, they're not just for kids! These days, the sheer variety of animated styles and stories out there means there's something for everyone and there’s no limit as to what filmmakers can accomplish onscreen. Whether animated films use old-school stop-motion or cutting edge computer-generated images, they're capable of building truly captivating worlds that offer some much-needed escapism. If you haven't watched an animated movie since seeing Disney classics in the theater or on TV as a kid, you might be surprised by the vast selection of titles streaming services have to offer. We've gathered a list of the best animated movies on Netflix, from gloriously goofy comedies to artsy, surprisingly sophisticated titles.

Best animated movies on Netflix, ranked

Let us know if your favorite makes the list!

11. Trolls (2016)

Remember troll dolls? Those wild-haired little guys now have their own movie franchise. Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick star as two happy-go-lucky trolls who have to go on a quest to save their village from destruction by giant predatory creatures who eat Trolls as snacks in order to be happy — eek! The combination of colorful animation and catchy tunes ("Can't Stop the Feeling!" even won a Grammy) makes this movie a must-see.

Watch Trolls now.

10. Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)

The Kung Fu Panda franchise, starring the eternally likable Jack Black as Po, the titular athletic panda, is coming out with a new movie in March 2024. In anticipation, we recommend catching up with the last installment.

In Kung Fu Panda 3, Po succeeds his retired mentor Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) as a kung fu teacher. Po runs into challenges trying to develop his own style of instruction, and along the way finds his biological father, Li Shan (Bryan Cranston). The two then set out on an adventure, and must turn a village of pandas into disciplined warriors to fight against a supernatural villain set on destroying all kung fu masters.

Watch Kung Fu Panda 3 now.

9. Vivo (2021)

Set in Havana and Florida, Vivo features ultra-catchy songs from the wildly talented Lin-Manuel Miranda. The vibrant film follows a one-of-a-kind rainforest honey bear (voiced by Miranda himself) who spends his days playing music to the crowds along with his human performing partner, Andrés (voiced by acclaimed Cuban musician Juan de Marcos González).

When Vivo tries to reunite Andrés with his lost love, Marta (voiced by pop icon Gloria Estefan), he goes on a musical journey that's sure to make you dance, laugh and maybe even shed a tear.

Watch Vivo now.

8. The Boss Baby (2017)

This comedy features Alec Baldwin as a baby who talks business while wearing a suit and tie. The catch? He only does it when his parents aren't around! The combination of cute baby and corporate jargon is endlessly amusing, and watching the Boss Baby hold a staff meeting with other infants under the guise of a neighborhood playdate will make you laugh out loud.

Watch The Boss Baby now.

7. Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017)

The Captain Underpants book series has been a must-read for kids since 1997. The movie centers on fourth grade BFFs who love pulling pranks at their elementary school. When they get in trouble with their humorless principal, they hypnotize him into thinking he's the tighty whitey-clad superhero Captain Underpants and much goofiness ensues.

Watch Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie now.

6. Bee Movie (2007)

Only Jerry Seinfeld could think up this oddball comedy about a talking bee, voiced by the comedy icon himself. Barry B. Benson is a bee who just graduated college but is outraged by his species' lone career choice of making honey.

So what’s a bee to do? Sue the human race, of course! Once outside the hive in New York City, Barry meets a human woman (Renee Zellweger), and the two fall in love. The quirkiness of Bee Movie even led it to become a popular source of internet meme material years after it was originally released.

Watch Bee Movie now.

5. Minions (2015)

The pint-sized yellow creatures known as Minions were first introduced in the 2010 animated movie Despicable Me and proved so popular that they got their own spinoff.

In this madcap adventure, Minions Stuart, Kevin and Bob (all voiced by Pierre Coffin) are recruited by Scarlet Overkill (Sandra Bullock), a supervillain with a plot to take over the world. While Minions exist to serve history’s most evil masters, they now have their hardest job yet — saving all of Minionkind from complete annihilation.

Watch Minions now.

4. Leo (2023)

Adam Sandler voices a 74-year-old lizard named Leo who sets out with his turtle friend to escape from the terrarium of an elementary school classroom that they've called home for decades. The creatures are tired of being stuck inside and when Leo finally gets to see the outside world, he's given a whole new perspective on life. The movie blends Sandler's hilarious voice work with some surprisingly poignant questions about mortality and the passing of time.

Watch Leo now.

Scene from 'Leo,' 2023, Best animated movies on Netflix — Best animated movies on NetflixNetflix

3. I Lost My Body (2019)

Set in Paris, I Lost My Body begins in dissection lab where a severed hand determined to find its owner makes an escape. The extremity then ventures into the city, and has to fend off pigeons and rats as it tries to reunite with its body, a pizza deliveryman. The film uses gorgeously evocative animation and sophisticated storytelling to create a singular viewing experience.

Watch I Lost My Body now.

Scene from 'I Lost My Body,' 2019, Best animated movies on Netflix — Best animated movies on NetflixNetflix

2. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

First introduced in the ultra-popular Shrek films, Puss in Boots is an adorable swashbuckling cat perfectly voiced by Antonio Banderas. Naturally, Puss in Boots was given his own franchise, and the latest entry finds him being crushed by a bell and waking up in a hospital, only to be told that he has lost eight of his nine lives. What's a cat to do? Why, go on a wild adventure in order to grant his wish and gain back his lost lives, of course!

Watch Puss in Boots: The Last Wish now.

1. Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio (2022)

Most of us are familiar with the classic tale of Pinocchio, the wooden marionette who is magically brought to life after a father’s wish following the death of his young son. This retelling, from the visionary filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro, uses stop-motion animation and sets the story in Fascist Italy during World War II.

The tactile, highly detailed animation is stunning, and the film grapples with darker themes than the classic Disney version. It won a well-deserved Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

Watch Guillermo Del Toro's Pinocchio now.