Top 10 Animated Movies with the Best Voice Acting
Voice acting is a lot harder than it looks. With just your voice, you, as an actor, must be able to portray a variety of different emotions and inflections. These are the animated films where the actors went above and beyond to make their characters seem "real."
Featuring the voices of: Tom Hanks (Woody), Tim Allen (Buzz Lightyear), Joan Cusack (Jessie), Ned Beatty (Lots-O), Don Rickles (Mr. Potato Head), John Morris (Andy Davis)
In the rightful conclusion to the Toy Story franchise, each of the actors brought a new dimension to their performances and made us feel the tension they were going through.
STANDOUT: Tom Hanks as Woody
As a two-time Oscar winner and one of my favorite actors, it was obvious that Tom Hanks was going to bring his A-game here. His energy is palpable as he makes us laugh, cry, and feel all of the pressure that Woody is going through.
Featuring the voices of: Amy Poehler (Joy), Phyllis Smith (Sadness), Lewis Black (Anger), Mindy Kaling (Disgust), Bill Hader (Fear), Richard Kind (Bing Bong)
The quality of voice acting in this movie can largely be attributed to its casting. Every actor Pixar chose perfectly embodies the emotion they are meant to portray, and each one of them absolutely hit it out of the park.
STANDOUT: Amy Poehler as Joy
Amy Poehler's performance here was flat-out incredible. She made us laugh with her abundant energy and also made us cry. In the "Memory Dump" scene, her acting was so good that it actually made me, a 17-year-old boy, weep. That takes some serious skill.
Featuring the voices of: Albert Brooks (Marlin), Ellen DeGeneres (Dory), Alexander Gould (Nemo), Willem Dafoe (Gill), Brad Garrett (Bloat), Allison Janney (Peach)
Given the way this movie's script is written, it requires fantastic acting to properly deliver all the jokes and emotions. Pixar achieved just that with its cast of actors and comedians.
STANDOUT: Ellen DeGeneres as Dory
Ellen brought everything to the table here. She provided so much life and energy to the role of Dory and made us laugh pretty much every time she opened her mouth. Based on how she sounds here and in Finding Dory, it's evident that she's having an absolute blast in every recording session.
Featuring the voices of: Mike Myers (Shrek), Eddie Murphy (Donkey), Cameron Diaz (Fiona), Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots), John Cleese (King Harold), Julie Andrews (Queen Lillian)
I would have gone with the original Shrek until I realized how many new cast additions were brought into the sequel. Each of them did a fantastic job as well.
STANDOUT: Mike Myers as Shrek
Mike Myers is not nearly as popular now as he was back then, mostly due to films like The Cat in the Hat and The Love Guru. However, here he is perfectly able to disguise his voice to bring out tons of humor and heart to everyone's favorite ogre.
The Newcomers
Featuring the voices of: Kristen Bell (Anna), Idina Menzel (Elsa), Jonathan Groff (Kristoff), Josh Gad (Olaf), Santino Fontana (Hans), Alan Tudyk (Duke of Weselton)
Disney needed a group of actors who could deliver both humorous speaking parts and A+ singing ability. What better option is there than a Broadway all-star team?
STANDOUT: Idina Menzel as Elsa
Elsa is a very complex character, and Idina was perfect in capturing her nervous demeanor as well as providing her Tony Award-winning singing voice to create sheer musical power every time she sings.
Featuring the voices of: John Goodman (Sulley), Billy Crystal (Mike), Steve Buscemi (Randall), James Coburn (Mr. Waternoose), Jennifer Tilly (Celia), Mary Gibbs (Boo)
This is one of the funniest animated movies ever, and the voice acting is a big reason for this. Each of the actors gives their all in their roles and provides a lot of heart as well.
STANDOUT: John Goodman as Sulley
John Goodman brings so much warmth to this role and really gives Sulley the feel of a gentle giant. With his soothing, deep voice, he is able to provide many emotional moments as well as serve as a perfect foil for Billy Crystal's Mike.
Featuring the voices of: Jay Baruchel (Hiccup), Cate Blanchett (Valka), Gerard Butler (Stoick), America Ferrera (Astrid), Craig Ferguson (Gobber), Djimon Hounsou (Drago Bludvist)
How to Train Your Dragon 2 is a textbook example of how to do an animated movie sequel right. Each of the actors lends their voices greatly to the fantastic world around them.
STANDOUT: Gerard Butler as Stoick
Gerard Butler gives Stoick one of the coolest voices in animated movie history and grabs your attention anytime he's on screen. He has an epic voice that just seems to scream "Viking." He also provides many somber, quiet moments and even sings at one point in the movie.
Featuring the voices of: Craig T. Nelson (Mr. Incredible), Holly Hunter (Elastigirl), Sarah Vowell (Violet), Spencer Fox (Dash), Jason Lee (Syndrome), Samuel L. Jackson (Frozone)
With a well-rounded cast of characters, the actors were successfully able to present a film that praises superhero stories but also subverts them.
STANDOUT: Samuel L. Jackson as Frozone
Director Brad Bird cast Sam Jackson as Frozone because he wanted him to have "the coolest voice." No kidding. Samuel L. Jackson oozes charisma in any movie he's in, and it's no exception in The Incredibles. Where is my super suit?
Featuring the voices of: John C. Reilly (Wreck-It Ralph), Sarah Silverman (Vanellope), Jack McBrayer (Fix-It Felix Jr.), Jane Lynch (Sergeant Calhoun), Alan Tudyk (King Candy), Mindy Kaling (Taffyta)
Like Inside Out, Wreck-It Ralph was a movie that was perfectly cast. All the actors fit their characters' roles fantastically and really make us feel for them.
STANDOUT: John C. Reilly as Wreck-It Ralph
John C. Reilly has such a lovable voice, and he used that voice to make Ralph a fantastic and relatable character. Reilly has an "everyman" type of voice, and he utilizes this to make the audience really sympathize with Ralph's journey.
Featuring the voices of: Ed Asner (Carl Fredricksen), Jordan Nagai (Russell), Christopher Plummer (Charles Muntz), Bob Peterson (Dug), Pete Docter (Kevin), Elizabeth Docter (Ellie)
With a minimal cast of characters, the actors of Up had to supply a lot of emotion and power to convey the movie's message. They did just that.
STANDOUT: Ed Asner as Carl Fredricksen
At age 80, Ed Asner gave Carl a lovably grumpy feel but also provided a ton of heart to the character. You can really feel a sense of loss and determination in Carl's voice, and Asner truly brought the character to life.
Mike Myers voices Shrek so perfectly, and Eddie Murphy voices Donkey so humorously.