By Robbie Fleming
Academy Award winning director Guillermo del Toro once said "Animation is not a genre for kids. It's a medium for art, it's a medium for film, and I think animation should stay in the conversation."
Honestly, I agree with him and I personally think we should respect animated film in the same light as live-action films. Rather than give you all my top 5 animated films of 2024, I thought it would be better to rank all the animated film that I saw that were released in 2024.
For this list, I have placed every animated film I've seen on this list (that was released in 2024) and have ranked them to my least favourite to favourite. I will also be including films like Migration and Robot Dreams that were released in the UK in 2024. However, I won’t be included film that mix live-action and animation together (eg. Sonic 3, If and Paddington in Peru) as well as direct-to-Download films without a cinematic premiere (so the Watchmen 2 part film would be included either).
With that being said, here's how I rank these films.
17. The Garfield Movie
Director: Mark Dindal
Studio: Sony Pictures
When I was growing up, I was obsessed with Garfield. I loved the cartoon, all the animated specials, and even enjoyed the first Garfield film with Bill Murray. So, I was excited to see another Garfield film come out. However, this new reboot did not sit well with me, and out of all the animated films I’ve watched, this one let me down the most.
First off, Garfield’s characterization is nothing like it is in the cartoon. The plot feels too childish and generic, the side characters are bland and forgettable, and the animation style looks too similar to other animated films aimed at children. Also, Chris Pratt as Garfield (which sounds good on paper) delivers a voice performance that feels phoned in, failing to embody the lazy ginger cat.
Another gripe I had is how the film never made a joke about Garfield being fat a trademark of his character. I feel this was likely avoided to discourage kids from making fat jokes about others. Don’t get me wrong; I’m completely against fat shaming. However, Garfield’s laziness and love of food are core elements of his character, and omitting this felt like a missed opportunity to stay true to his essence.
As I was watching this film, I couldn’t help but think that it shouldn’t have been completely aimed at children. Instead, it should have been made for the adults who grew up with the character. Kids today are probably unaware of Garfield’s existence, and let’s face it—the original comic strip was never really aimed at children either.
If I were to make a Garfield film, I’d create something that pays tribute to the characters and universe Jim Davis created, designed for the adults who grew up with Garfield in some shape or form. This film, however, felt like they slapped Garfield onto a generic kids’ movie, and to me, it ended up as a forgettable mess.
16. Despicable Me 4
Director: Chris Renaud
Studio: Universal/ Illuminations
The Despicable Me franchise may not be perfect, but I overall enjoy these films for their entertainment value. While I enjoyed the second Minions film a lot, Despicable Me 4 was only okay at best. This installment, which sees Gru trying to adapt to his new family life while dealing with an old high school rival (voiced by Will Ferrell), isn’t as well-structured compared to the other films in the franchise.
I appreciate what this film was going for by giving Gru a new baby to care for alongside the conflict with his rival-turned-nemesis. However, the film struggles to balance these storylines, and they end up feeling like two separate movies happening at once rather than a cohesive narrative.
There were a few things I liked about the film, including a subplot where the Minions become superheroes, Pharrell Williams’ opening song, and Will Ferrell’s performance as the villain. The animation maintains the same style Illumination is known for, keeping it consistent with the franchise and their brand, which made it feel less jarring.
I also think the ending was a perfect conclusion to the main storyline, with Gru bumping into old villains from the franchise. However, I feel it’s time to close the curtain on the main narrative. After a possible third Minions film, I think it’s best to let this franchise rest before I return to my Minions-hating phase again.
15. The Lord of the Rings: The War of Rohirrim
Director: Kenji Kamiyama
Studio: New Line Cinema / Warner Bros. Animation
As a massive Lord of the Rings fan, this was my most anticipated animated film of the year—and boy, did it let me down. While the animation was fantastic, and Brian Cox gave a brilliant voice performance, it’s the writing that makes this film fall flat for me.
The plot is mostly boring until the last 15 minutes, the characters aren’t that interesting, and the whole story doesn’t feel significant to Lord of the Rings canon. The main character is what completely lets this film down for me, as she feels more like a Mary Sue than a complex female character. She reminded me of characters like Rey from Star Wars rather than Ripley from Alien.
It’s a shame because I love anime, and I noticed a lot of Studio Ghibli influence in the animation. However, the paper-thin plot and shallow characters made this one of my biggest disappointments of the year. I just wish we’d gotten something bigger and better. Instead, this felt more like the equivalent of Solo: A Star Wars Story rather than Rogue One.
Please, just leave the Lord of the Rings franchise as it is.
14. Chicken for Linda
Directors: Chiara Malta and Sébastien Laudenbach
Studio: Gebeka Films
For those unfamiliar with this one (as it’s one of the more niche films I came across), Chicken for Linda is a French abstract animated film about a mother trying to right her wrongs after falsely punishing her daughter, Linda, for something she didn’t do. I heard about this film through the grapevine and decided to check it out.
For me, the animation style stood out the most, as it’s quite unique compared to other animated films I’ve seen. Its abstract style reminded me of Picasso’s paintings and other abstract artists. I also appreciated the music, which helped elevate the film and set the tone effectively.
However, I found the story less engaging and somewhat hard to follow. The abstract animation made it difficult to work out what was happening at times, and it felt a bit distracting, making it hard for me to suspend my disbelief. Despite these issues, I can still admire the film for its production values, particularly its animation and score.
I think this is a film more suited for cinema buffs than regular fans of animation.
13. Moana 2
Directors: David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller
Studio: Disney
After the success of the first film, Disney brings us Moana 2. Originally planned as a Disney+ TV series, it was wisely condensed into a single film. In this sequel, Moana embarks on a new journey to the far seas of Oceania after receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors. I’m glad they chose the film format, as a series might have dragged the plot out too much.
The story in this sequel feels more engaging, and the animation looks even better than in the original. Honestly, this is one of the stronger sequels to a Disney Animated Classic. That said, I found the music and songs to be less memorable this time around, with the first film's soundtrack remaining superior.
Dwayne Johnson, Auliʻi Cravalho, and the rest of the cast bring their characters to life with great energy. The trademark Disney humor is still present, providing a few genuine chuckles along the way. If you’re a fan of the first Moana film, I think you’ll enjoy this one too.
12. Migration
Director: Benjamin Renner
Studio: Universal/ Illuminations
Although Migration was released in the US back in 2023, I’m including it on this list since it didn’t reach our screens until February 2024. This road trip comedy follows a family of ducks on their journey to Jamaica for their migration. Written by Mike White—the acclaimed writer of School of Rock and The White Lotus—Migration feels like more than just your typical Illumination film.
Essentially Little Miss Sunshine with ducks, the story moves at a solid pace and keeps you engaged throughout its 90-minute runtime. The voice cast delivers fantastic performances, and John Powell's beautiful score elevates the film. I also appreciated the creative choice to have the animal characters speak while the humans remain silent, cleverly flipping the real-life dynamic and adding charm to the film.
With its unique animation style, Migration feels less generic than most other Illumination films, leaning more toward being a piece of art than just another commercial product. While I think younger audiences might get even more out of it, Migration is a fun, heartwarming comedy that animation fans of all ages can enjoy. Among Illumination’s lineup, I’d rank it quite highly.
11. Mufasa: The Lion King
Director: Barry Jenkins
Studio: Disney
The Lion King (1994) is my favorite Disney film of all time, and I didn't care for its 2019 remake because it was practically beat-for-beat with nothing new coming out of it. In 2024, Oscar-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins comes along and decides to tell us a story about the origins of Mufasa and how he became the King of Pride Rock, as a sequel/prequel to the 2019 remake.
The film is framed with Rafiki telling Simba's daughter Kiara of how her Grandfather Mufasa became King of Pride Rock, along with Timon & Pumbaa cracking jokes throughout the film. While I do like these parts of Rafiki telling us Mufasa's story, they could be easily cut out to give the film a shorter runtime.
However, the actual story of Mufasa is interesting as we learn about his relationship with Scar (formerly known as Taka), how he meets Sarabi, Zazu & Rafiki, and how he came to be King of Pride Rock. Whereas the original film takes influence from Shakespeare's Hamlet, this film takes influence from the Book of Exodus and tells a compelling story centering around Mufasa. I'm going to start referring to this film as "Prince of Egypt with Lions" as it's the vibe I get from this film.
One thing that made this an improvement over the 2019 version is the animation as it gives more expressions to the characters and feels like a solid upgrade. The visual effects, along with James Laxton's cinematography, help create some fantastic visuals and shots that elevate this story to look stunning. I think Barry Jenkins' directing made this film the best it could be, even though I'm surprised he chose to direct a Disney Film after making two Oscar-winning movies.
I also liked the score as it felt similar to Hans Zimmer's iconic score from the 1994 & 2019 films. Composed by David Metzger, who worked with Zimmer on the Lion King films he scored, the score helps it feel in place in the Lion King universe by giving us a score with a Zimmer-esque feel to it. I also praise Lin-Manuel Miranda and Lebo M for bringing us some delightful songs that go well with the story and visuals.
The voice acting was also impressive with Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, John Kani, and Beyoncé reprising their roles from the 2019 version and still bringing life to these returning roles. Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison Jr. bring life to Mufasa and Taka, respectively, and deliver some fantastic voice performances.
Lennie James, Thandiwe Newton, Keith David, and Blue Ivy Carter also give strong voice performances in their supporting roles out of the newcomers of the cast. However, the best performance of the film was from Mads Mikkelsen, who voiced the film's antagonist perfectly, bringing fear and intensity into his performance.
While I do like this film for what it is, if I would have made it, I would have given it a more traditional animation style in the same vein as the 1994 classic. The story could still work the same, and the voice cast could have been the same actors they cast for this film. I just feel like giving it the same style as the '90s original would have made it feel more connected to the original product. I could even see this being the backstories of the original Mufasa and Scar from the original Lion King film.
Besides that, I think Barry Jenkins has done a fantastic job with this film like no other high-class director has on a Disney film. It's watchable, it's functional, it's entertaining, and it might even give you a tear or two while you're watching this. Although it feels like "Prince of Egypt with Lions" on paper, it's a sweet tale about family and legacy brought to life with brilliant visuals, fantastic voice performances, and beautiful music.
10. Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Director: Nick Park & Merlin Crossingham
Studio: Aardmans
Britain's iconic animated duo returned in a new adventure where Feathers McGraw seeks revenge for his imprisonment years ago. As a huge Wallace & Gromit fan, I was eagerly anticipating this film, especially its exclusive UK premiere on BBC One on Christmas Day.
While I enjoyed last year's Chicken Run sequel, I felt some characters had undergone significant changes. Here, however, Wallace and Gromit felt true to themselves, brimming with the same wit and charm that define them.
Ben Whitehead, who succeeded the late Peter Sallis, delivered a fantastic performance as Wallace. Honestly, it was difficult to discern any difference between the two actors' portrayals. Peter Kay, reprising his role from The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, and newcomer Lauren Patel also provided excellent voice work. Notably, Reece Shearsmith from Inside No. 9 stole the show as Norbot, a fantastic addition to the world of Wallace and Gromit. However, the film's true highlight was the return of Feathers McGraw.
I particularly appreciated how this film subtly references previous projects like The Wrong Trousers and The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. I also enjoyed the subtle connection to the Shaun the Sheep spin-off, further solidifying the shared universe of these beloved characters.
Combined with Aardman's signature stop-motion animation and the iconic Wallace and Gromit score, this film delivered another delightful adventure for the dynamic duo. While The Curse of the Were-Rabbit may still hold a slight edge in my personal preference, Vengeance Most Fowl is a solid and entertaining addition to their filmography.
9. Kung Fu Panda 4
Director: Mike Mitchell
Studio: Dreamworks Animation
Kung Fu Panda 4 sees Po (voiced by Jack Black) embark on a new journey, searching for his successor as the Dragon Warrior. His potential candidate is Zhen (voiced by Awkwafina), a mischievous fox bandit who enlists his help to defeat the evil sorceress, The Chameleon (voiced by Viola Davis), before she can steal the kung fu abilities of all masters in China.
Alongside Kung Fu Panda 2, this film stands out as one of the best entries in the franchise. The story feels like a natural progression for Po's character arc, culminating in his search for the next Dragon Warrior. Zhen is a fantastic addition to the cast, bringing a fresh dynamic. The B-plot involving Po's two dads was a personal highlight, showcasing excellent chemistry between Bryan Cranston and James Hong as the endearing parents.
Jack Black delivers his finest vocal performance as Po. Awkwafina brings Zhen to life with an engaging and unique personality (even with her frequent appearances in other animated films). Viola Davis masterfully portrays another compelling and iconic villain for the franchise. Returning cast members Dustin Hoffman and Ian McShane also shine in their respective roles, as does Key Hu Quan in a brief but memorable appearance.
The animation style showcases a commendable level of experimentation while maintaining the familiar visual aesthetic that has become synonymous with the franchise. The score by Hans Zimmer and Steve Mazzaro is truly delightful, and Jack Black's cover of "Baby One More Time" serves as a fitting and memorable theme for this entertaining film.
While Kung Fu Panda 2 may still reign supreme in the franchise, Kung Fu Panda 4 undoubtedly earns the silver medal. With two more films planned, I eagerly anticipate Kung Fu Panda 5 and hope to see Po embark on one final adventure alongside the Furious Five, who only make cameo appearances in this installment.
8. Orion and the Dark
Director: Sean Charmatz
Studio: Netflix / Dreamworks Animation
The first animated film I saw in 2024 was this delightful offering from Netflix and DreamWorks, which quickly became a personal favorite. Born from the mind of acclaimed writer Charlie Kaufman, Orion and the Dark follows a young boy (voiced by Jacob Tremblay and Colin Hanks as an adult) with a vivid imagination as he confronts his fears on a remarkable journey through the night with his newfound friend: a giant, smiling creature named Dark (voiced by Paul Walter Hauser).
Like other films penned by Kaufman, Orion and the Dark boasts significant depth, allowing him to express his unique writing style in a more accessible format for younger audiences. The film explores profound themes such as fear, desire, family, legacy, and friendship, weaving them seamlessly into a captivating narrative.
The animation style is truly distinctive, setting it apart from other DreamWorks animated features. Following a disappointing 2023 with films like Ruby Gillman and Trolls 3, Orion and the Dark represents a triumphant return to form for the studio, demonstrating their continued ability to produce high-quality animated entertainment.
The voice acting is superb, with Jacob Tremblay and Colin Hanks bringing distinct and compelling portrayals of the character at different stages of his life. Paul Walter Hauser and Angela Bassett also deliver outstanding performances, captivating audiences whenever they are on screen.
If you're a fan of Charlie Kaufman's work and seek a more accessible entry point into his unique world, I highly recommend checking out Orion and the Dark.
7. Transformers One
Director: Josh Cooley
Studio: Paramount
Although I’ve seen all the Transformers films, I wouldn’t call myself a fan of the franchise. I only really liked the first film Michael Bay directed and the Bumblebee spin-off from 2018. However, Transformers One is a surprising addition to the Transformers films I actually enjoyed. This prequel, set on Cybertron, showcases the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron and how they went from being best friends to bitter enemies.
I was skeptical about the animation style, as it didn’t look great in the trailer, but boy, was I wrong! When you watch the film, the animation is actually stunning, immersing you into Cybertron and the lives of these characters. What really made this film stand out was its world-building, which gave me the same vibes as Blade Runner.
The story is surprisingly deep for a Transformers film, let alone an animated one. The themes are explored brilliantly through the world and its characters. The characters themselves are interesting and are brought to life perfectly by their respective voice actors. Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Bryan Tyree Henry, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne, and Jon Hamm are the standouts of the voice cast.
If you’re a fan of Transformers, you’ll love this. If you’re not into the franchise, I think you’ll still appreciate its storytelling, world-building, and animation style. I didn’t think I was going to like it this much, but it’s honestly been one of my biggest surprises of the year.
6. Inside Out 2
Director: Kelsey Mann
Studio: Disney / Pixar
While I enjoyed Elemental from last year, this long-awaited sequel to 2015's Inside Out felt like a triumphant return to form for Pixar. In Inside Out 2, Riley is now a teenager, embarking on a summer hockey camp, and her five core emotions welcome new neighbors as she navigates the complexities of adolescence.
Although I still hold the original in high regard for its unique concept and intricate storytelling, Inside Out 2 proves to be a worthy successor. I particularly appreciated how the film thoughtfully explores themes of friendship and mental health, presenting them in both unique and relatable ways. Compared to the first film, which demanded closer attention to grasp its nuances, this sequel offers a more accessible narrative.
The animation is visually stunning, reminiscent of the first film's style while incorporating innovative techniques. The score effectively builds upon the musical motifs established by Michael Giacchino in the original while developing its own distinct identity. The new characters are delightful additions to the Inside Out universe and have the potential to become beloved Pixar icons.
Amy Poehler, Lewis Black, Phyllis Smith, Diane Lane, and Kyle MacLachlan reprise their roles from the first film, retaining the same charm and energy that made their original performances so memorable. Among the newcomers, Maya Hawke steals the show as Anxiety, emerging as one of the most intriguing characters in the franchise. Tony Hale (replacing Bill Hader as Fear), Ayo Edebiri, and Paul Walter Hauser also deliver strong vocal performances.
Overall, while Inside Out 2 may not surpass its predecessor, it stands as a commendable return to form for Pixar, boasting strong storytelling, impressive animation, a captivating score, and exceptional voice acting. If you enjoyed the original, you're sure to find much to appreciate in this sequel.
And now for the top 5:
5. Flow
Director: Gints Zilbalodis
Studio: Janus Films
Hailing from Latvia, Flow is an animated adventure film that follows a black cat striving to survive in a world devoid of humans, where animals roam freely. Remarkably, the film was rendered entirely using the open-source software Blender and features no dialogue.
While the animation might appear slightly rough around the edges, it's undeniably captivating, immersing viewers in this post-apocalyptic setting. From the character designs to the stunning backdrops, the animation is quite impressive, especially considering its creation with free and open-source software. Director Zilbalodis demonstrates a strong artistic vision, guiding the film towards a visually stunning result.
The story is effectively conveyed through these captivating visuals, cleverly navigating the narrative without relying on dialogue. We witness the cat's journey from beginning to end, showcasing their character arc in a compelling manner that inspires empathy and support. The film encourages viewers to simply sit back and enjoy the ride, experiencing the world through the cat's eyes.
The score, composed by Zilbalodis and Rihards Zalupe, is a significant highlight, perfectly capturing the film's whimsical tone. The sound design is equally impressive, adding subtle nuances that enhance the viewer's engagement with the story. From the sounds of movement to the calls of other animals, the sound design masterfully complements the visuals and narrative.
Overall, Flow is a unique and intriguing addition to the 2024 animation landscape. Director Zilbalodis and their team have created a truly remarkable film with its captivating storytelling, exceptional sound design, and impressive score. I believe "Flow" has the potential to become a classic piece of animation. If you're seeking an engaging and unconventional animated film experience, I highly recommend checking out Flow.
4. Robot Dreams
Director: Pablo Berger
Studio: B Team Pictures / Wild Bunch
It's frustrating that this film received an Oscar nomination but wasn't released in the UK until after the awards ceremony, as Robot Dreams is a beautiful and underrated gem that all animation fans should experience. This Spanish-animated film follows the unusual friendship between a dog and a robot in 1980s New York, told entirely without dialogue.
Despite its silence, Robot Dreams delivers an emotionally charged and profound story about the bond between two unlikely friends. It tackles themes of change, loneliness, and existentialism with sensitivity and depth. The two main characters are endearing and relatable, and the world they inhabit – an alternate 1980s New York where anthropomorphic animals coexist – is visually captivating. I also appreciate the film's unique and unexpected narrative interruptions.
The 2D animation is exquisite, transporting viewers into this vibrant and imaginative world while allowing the story to touch our hearts. The film subtly incorporates numerous film references, enriching the narrative without being overly obvious. The score is masterful, elevating the world and enhancing the immersive experience. However, the film's most striking element is its use of "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire, with the iconic song playing during pivotal moments to powerful effect.
Although technically a 2023 release, Robot Dreams stands out as one of the best animated films I've seen all year, setting a new standard for visual storytelling without the reliance on dialogue. Its stunning animation, evocative score, and engaging world and characters make Robot Dreams an absolute must-see.
3. Memoir of a Snail
Director: Adam Elliott
Studio: Madman Entertainment
From the director of Mary and Max comes Memoir of a Snail, an Australian stop-motion animated film for adults that follows the trials and tribulations of lonely misfit Grace Pudel (voiced by Sarah Snook) from childhood to adulthood. This is the only adult-oriented animated film I've seen this year, and it's a must-see for any fan of the genre.
The story is undeniably sad, depicting Grace's series of unfortunate life experiences. However, it's also incredibly compelling, as viewers can easily relate to Grace's struggles and find themselves rooting for her throughout her journey. Based on Elliott's own life experiences, the narrative is well-written, infused with both humor and poignant moments that evoke genuine empathy for the protagonist.
The animation is truly unique, perfectly capturing the film's dark, tragicomic tone with a sprinkle of hope. Elliott's signature style is on full display, and the stop-motion animation is remarkably impressive. For his second feature film, Elliott masterfully brings this poignant story to life, utilizing animation to convey the narrative with incredible visual power.
Sarah Snook delivers a captivating performance as Grace, bringing the character to life with a natural and nuanced voice. Eric Bana, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Jacki Weaver also provide excellent vocal performances, each bringing their respective characters to life with depth and authenticity. Weaver's character, Pinky, is particularly memorable, serving as a wise and loving mentor to Grace and a genuinely endearing presence on screen.
Overall, Memoir of a Snail is a must-watch for all fans of stop-motion and adult animation. Its compelling story, unique animation style, and exceptional voice acting make it one of the best films I've seen all year. If you're seeking a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the human condition through the medium of stop-motion animation, Memoir of a Snail is an absolute must-see (just don’t watch it with the kids)
2. Piece by Piece
Director: Morgan Neville
Studio: Universal / Focus Features
Music legend Pharrell Williams teams up with Morgan Neville to tell the story of his life through both his music and pieces of LEGO. In this animated documentary biopic, we follow Pharrell’s journey from his humble beginnings to becoming one of the best-selling artists in the world.
Done in a similar style to the previous LEGO Movies, the animation style works well with the story Williams and Neville aim to tell. However, it does feel a bit more computer-generated rather than resembling the stop-motion LEGO aesthetic seen in earlier LEGO Movies. Despite this, the animation is used imaginatively, making it stand out as more than just a typical documentary.
As a documentary, it tells Pharrell’s life story in a fascinating way. It strikes a good balance between surrealism and reality, includes some great interviews with key figures from Pharrell’s life, and features mesmerizing narration by Pharrell himself. I also loved how it incorporated tracks Pharrell has been involved with, including some of my favorite songs of all time.
For fans of music and animated films, this is a must-see documentary. Pharrell has lived such an interesting life, and seeing it through the lens of LEGO makes for a unique and captivating watch that I highly recommend.
1. The Wild Robot
Dir: Chris Sanders
Studio: Universal Studios/DreamWorks Animation
The Wild Robot follows an abandoned service robot (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o) who gets shipwrecked on an uninhabited island and must adapt to her surroundings, build relationships with the local wildlife, and become the adoptive mother of an orphaned goose, Brightbill (voiced by Kit O’Connor). Pedro Pascal, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O'Hara, Matt Berry, and Ving Rhames also deliver voice performances in supporting roles.
Since I first watched this film, The Wild Robot is already a modern classic in my head and now stands as my favourite films of Dreamworks aswell as my favourite animated film of 2024. Wanna know why?
My favourite aspect of this film was the animation that makes you want to say "Wow!" as you're watching it. The animation style is unique and feels like a blend of hand-drawn and 3D animation, resembling DreamWorks’ previous films mixed with the style of Studio Ghibli.
The storytelling also gave me Studio Ghibli vibes, which I thought helped the story feel unique. Sure, the story formula is familiar to other animated films, but The Wild Robot approaches it freshly. One part of the film I thought was clever was how the robot studied all the animals on the island so she could communicate with them, which also helped the film explain its logic without taking too much time away from the story.
Lupita Nyong’o delivers an outstanding performance voicing Roz (the main character) and shows that she is very talented in her vocal range. Pedro Pascal, Kit O’Connor, Bill Nighy, Mark Hamill, Catherine O’Hara, and Matt Berry also deliver amazing voice performances in the film as the animals in supporting roles, using their voices cleverly to bring the animals and their personalities to life.
Another aspect of the film I loved is Kris Bowers’ incredible score, which I think should also be in talks for an Oscar nomination. Composing his first score for an animated film, Bowers helps elevate the film with a beautiful soundtrack that complements the film well and suits its heartwarming tone perfectly. This is certainly the best score for a DreamWorks animated film so far.
Overall, The Wild Robot is a beautiful animated film that shines as DreamWorks’ masterpiece. The storytelling, voice performances, animation style, and score all make it stand out as my favourite animated film of the year. I honestly think and hope this will win the Oscar for Best Animated Film. If you’re a fan of DreamWorks’ animated library, make sure you don’t miss this one!
Thank you all for reading this article and special thanks to Keziah Hyde Media for publishing it. It's so far the biggest project that I’ve worked on for them and I wanna remind you all to check out all of their past content (including some reviews I’ve written for them). Please let me know your favourite animated films of 2024 in the comments down below and I’ll see you again in the next one!
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