The 20 best animated movies that went straight to streaming

From the team that brought audiences Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The Mitchells vs. the Machines is a family road trip film with a sci-fi twist. The dysfunctional Mitchells have their long-awaited trip interrupted by a robot apocalypse and become humanity’s most unlikely chance at survival. The film features a rich blend of 2D and 3D animation, making for loud and chaotic visuals. It is also a heartfelt story full of laugh-out-loud comedy and exciting action.

Based on the popular graphic novel, Nimona is an epic fantasy adventure that is thematically layered and thoughtful. Featuring the voices of Chloë Grace Moretz and Riz Ahmed, the film is set in a hybrid medieval and futuristic world where a knight is framed for a crime he didn’t commit. Nimona, the shape-shifting creature he’s been told to kill, is also who he needs to help prove his innocence. A fable about acceptance, Nimoma is more than just a fairytale.

From Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon, Wolfwalkers is a magical folktale steeped in ancient lore. The film follows Robyn, a young apprentice who goes to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last pack of wolves, who are seen as demonic and evil. Her world changes when she befriends Mebh, a wild girl who transforms into a wolf by night. Featuring striking, bold, and detailed 2D animation, Wolfwalkers is a visual feast with an emotionally thematic story to match.

Turning Red is one of three Pixar films that went straight to Disney+ due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This comedic coming-of-age film follows Mei, a thirteen-year-old girl stuck between being a regular teen and living up to her strict mother’s expectations. Things get more complicated when Mei becomes a giant red panda when she gets excited. Exploring themes of culture and growing up, Turning Red is a hilarious and vibrant comedy with an endearing message.

Oscar-winner Soul was meant to be released in theaters in 2020 but went straight to Disney+ at the height of the pandemic. One of Pixar’s deepest and most mature films, the story follows middle-school music teacher Joe, whose life hasn’t quite gone as expected. When he gets into an accident, and his soul is separated from his body, he finds himself in an otherworldly dimension. With some of the studio’s highest-quality animation and most abstract visuals, it’s a shame it didn’t hit the big screen.

Set on the gorgeous Italian Riviera, Luca is a charming tale about friendship and being a fish out of water (quite literally). Luca is a sea monster disguised as a human being and befriends Albert on land. The pair share the summer as Luca keeps his family in the dark. While it’s one of Pixar’s more simple movies in terms of plot, it makes for a stunning adventure with exquisite visuals and will, of course, tug on the heartstrings — like any good Pixar film should.

Penned by Charlie Kaufman, the writer of Adaptation and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Orion and the Dark is a kids' movie that deals with complex themes and ideas. Orion is a young boy with many anxieties and is afraid of the dark. He faces his fears when Dark, an embodiment of his worst fear, takes him on a journey to show him there is nothing to be afraid of at night. The film is packed with ideas and makes a great conversation starter around anxiety in children. 

In Leo , Adam Sandler voices the titular lizard, who has been stuck as a classroom pet at a school for decades. When he learns he only has a year left to live, he plans to escape and see the world. The film is one of Sandler’s highest-rated in his career, thanks to its charm, humor, and heart. Sandler is joined by Bill Burr as fellow class pet Squirtle, and his daughter Sunny Sandler voices Summer, one of the students Leo forms a bond with. A fun pick for the whole family.

Aardman finally released the long-awaited sequel to the stop-motion claymation classic Chicken Run on Netflix in 2023. Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget sees Ginger and Rocky return after having escaped from the farm in the first movie. They now have a daughter. They live on a peaceful island sanctuary but must return to the mainland to save chickens once again. While the film is less memorable than its predecessor, it still makes for a hilarious adventure.

Legendary director Guillermo del Toro reworks the famous Pinocchio story and transforms it into a dark fairytale in this stunning stop-motion feature. Pinocchio is still a wooden boy brought to life by Geppetto, but this version is set in Italy at the height of fascism. Despite this more adult telling of the tale, the film is still filled with whimsical musical numbers and an abundance of heart. The detailed animation is a work of art and won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2023.

From the mind of musician and writer Kid Cudi, Entergalactic is a film that is a companion piece to his album of the same name. A traditional love story at its core, the movie follows artist Jabari, who tries to balance success and love after falling for his neighbor. Entergalactic's stylized animation, similar to that seen in the Spider-Verse movies, makes for gorgeously unique and cosmic visual sequences, accompanied by Cudi’s equally moody and atmospheric bangers. 

Thirteen years after the release of Coraline, director Henry Selick released his follow-up film, Wendell & Wild , on Netflix. Comedians Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key voice the mischievous titular demon brothers, who enlist the help of Kat, a thirteen-year-old girl, to be summoned to the Land of the Living. The film features the perfectly spooky vibes Selick is known for in films like Coraline and The Nightmare Before Christmas, making for a chaotic ride.

The Sea Beast is a charming adventure set on the sea and makes for a good old-fashioned crowd-pleaser. It is set in a world where monsters roam the seas and hunters heroically track them down, and the story follows one legendary hunter, Jacob Holland. One of his quests is interrupted by a young girl who stows away on his ship, and the pair form a partnership. Full of fantastical creatures and epic fights, The Sea Beast will please those looking for family-friendly thrills.

Vivo is a vibrant and feel-good Netflix musical featuring original songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda also voices the titular monkey, who sets out on an epic journey to deliver a love song to his former owner’s past love, singer Marta Sandoval. Along the way, he meets Gabi, a sparky young girl, and she helps him in his quest. While Vivo doesn’t break new ground in terms of animation, it’s a heartwarming story emphasizing music's power as a language.

Wish Dragon is a colorful and comedic romp that takes influence from the story of Aladdin. In the film, teen Din tries to reconnect with his childhood friend when he meets a dragon that can grant wishes. Through this, he learns important lessons about being yourself and that money cannot buy happiness, which is important for kids to hear. John Cho voices the pink dragon Long, but the character is voiced in the Mandarin version by the film’s producer, cinema legend Jackie Chan.

Based on the children’s book of the same name, The Willoughbys is a quirky tale about finding family in unexpected places. The Willoughby children are horribly neglected by their parents, so they decide to send them on vacation and raise themselves. They then venture out into the world with their nanny. The film features playful and distinctive character design, with a voice cast including Alessia Cara, Maya Rudolph, Terry Crews, Martin Short, and Ricky Gervais as the narrator, who is a cat.

Netflix has a modern Christmas classic on its hands with the magical and whimsical film Klaus. An origin story for Santa Claus, of sorts, the film follows a postman who is sent to the North Pole, where he meets a reclusive toymaker. Together, the pair are able to heal an age old feud and bring the meaning of Christmas to people for the first time. The illustrative 2D animation is breathtaking, making the perfect backdrop for this story about the power of kindness.

An animated film for adults, I Lost My Body is a surreal and fantastical drama that haunts as much as it enchants. Set in Paris, the film follows a cut-off hand that escapes a lab to reunite with its owner. The hand once belonged to Naoufel, a young man who falls in love with Gabrielle, and the hand goes over his memories to find answers. With its original and peculiar concept, the film offers a poetic experience that is wonderfully strange and beautifully moving.

Over the Moon is an animated musical that premiered on Netflix during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the film, a young girl named Fei Fei builds a rocket ship and flies it to the moon, hoping to meet the mythical goddess Chang’e. The film is co-directed by John Kahrs and Glen Keane, the latter having previously worked on many Disney films, and it shows in Over the Moon’s dazzling and eye-popping visuals. The film received an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.

A Batman Christmas movie? Yep, it exists! In the adorable Merry Little Batman, Bruce Wayne has a son, and his name is Damien. When Damien’s father goes out to help the Justice League on Christmas Eve, he must step into his father’s shoes to defend and save Christmas from the Joker. Featuring a number of fan-favorite DC characters, the film is a jolly little holiday treat and a nice lighthearted departure for the studio. Be sure to add this one to your Christmas watchlist.