Long List Inspecting #23 GCRN's Top 100 Animated Films Countdown
Seeing some of the nostalgia as of this late in the year. I went back and listened to an old podcast where these guys would talk, and debate about top 100 lists. One of which had best animated films. GCRN was one of those sites I gravitated towards before podcasting got huge later on that decade. Back in 2013 or 2012 which either date this was their second of many lists to come. I do like the style of how they dive into each movie the best they could. With that said here are my thoughts as I listened along all 5 part countdown with a few extra depth as well. With that said let’s get right into this shall we.#100 Waltz with Bashir - I never heard of this, but if its one of the best foreign films that does say a lot from what the dude said that had it high up his list.
#99 Madagascar - Well at least its the first one, I do not care for the others after it. I’d say its good for what it is. I do like the hidden message with what Alex spells help, and the P the little loop falls over I laughed so hard when I saw that in theaters. I do like the characters, but I could see the flaws the film has at the same time.
#98 Despicable Me 2 - Personally I would not have it on the list. Like what I said about Madagascar this is one where I would have one movie for the franchise itself.
#97 Lilo & Stitch - Should be a little bit higher, the last really good 2D movies before jumping into the 3D animation. I like the gags, the characters are great. I say give this a watch its probably Disney’s best movie that decade.
#96 A Goofy Movie - Yeah this would be right around the tail end maybe at most. Its a funny movie, but that’s about it. Does a good job of reminding us that yes it did come from Goof Troop.
#95 Oliver and Company - I would agree its a forgotten Disney film, but at the same time I can see why a little bit. Seeing this is centered around dogs there is also another Disney film that’s opposite to this with Cats one would think they go side by side personally.
#94 James and the Giant Peach - Yeah in comparison to Nightmare Before Christmas not nearly as good. It should be near the end, but it's one you either like the style of animation or you don’t type film.
#93 World’s Finest - Never seen this, but based on what there saying its basically a better version of Batman and Superman than what we would get three years later of pure travesty.
#92 Kiki’s Delivery Service - This is one of the animes on the list I have not seen. I have only seen trailers of it.
#91 Rise of the Guardians - I have heard of it, but have never seen it.
#90 American Tail 2 - Its still a solid sequel, definitely better than the last one that barely made the list.
#89 Paranorman - I watched this one its good for what it is. Might not be as memorable overtime, but I rather watch this over the disappointing Frankenweenie of Tim Burton.
#88 Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs - Yeah this is a rare case of a Sony movie that was actually fairly good for what it did.
#87 Persepolis - Never heard of it, and I got nothing on this one.
#86 Ninja Scroll - Cool name, but little information seeing the majority and myself have nothing on this movie.
#85 Pocahontas - Yeah its very okay for that time. I do enjoy the songs, but otherwise it is kinda that lower tier Disney film.
#84 Princess and the Frog - There are flaws with this movie, but the voice cast is pretty good otherwise. Hey at least it was a better last impression into 2D animation than Home on the Range right?
#83 Polar Express - I loved this movie as a kid, but yeah the animation looks a bit ghostly like. Being In the higher end 80’s is fine with me at least it made the list.
#82 The Aristocats - It would of been fitting to have this side by side with Oliver and Company honestly. A little bit too high, but not that afr from where it should be.
#81 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part II - I have seen this one time only, and its good, but I would not put it on the lost knowing not everyone is a superhero buff from an animated point of view.
#80 Tarzan - I like the movie, especially the music is great Phil Collins doing majority of it. Story is basic, but has a good end that is probably the most disturbing villain death of all. I can see why some of the supporting cast were annoying such as Rosie O'Donnell. Its alright for that time, but I'm okay with where it is.
#79 Meet The Robinsons - I would not have this on the list, the plot is unique I guess, but I feel its in that forgettable realm of Disney films that would not merit a spot on the top 100 best animated films.
#78 Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit - I like the animation style, but the humor is not one of its strengths, and thus it should probably in the lower end like somewhere in the 90’s.
#77 Hunchback of Notre Dame - Of the late 90’s Disney films I loved this one the most. I like the story arch of following this protagonist. What really puts this over though is soundtrack, and one of Tony Jay’s best works as the sadistic Claude Frollo that wants to kill gypsies.
#76 Shrek 2 - Yeah if there was a good sequel from Dreamworks I would agree with is Shrek 2 is still good for what it could do. Shrek the Third, and Shrek Forever After are not nearly in the same vein as this one and they just fall from grace.
#75 Watership Down - Definitely should be top 60 range. It is a great film that’s very dark. I’d give this one a watch if you are curious of how it is.
#74 TMNT (2007) - I have seen this once, and I can’t see this being on the countdown. Sure it may seem good, but on a list like this I would bump this off knowing how it stacked up to the rest it feels out of place.
#73 Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker - Way too low, at the height of the animated series came this masterpiece film for Batman Beyond. Sure there’s probably gonna be more superhero films higher that might not be quite as good for sure. What those will be remain to be seen, but this is a top 50 film.
#72 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part I - I would not have this higher than the previous film, but I would put it next to where part two is since its basically a longer extension to that.
#71 Rescuers Down Under - Now this would have to be the best of the sequels thus far on the list. I liked Down Under far more than the original Rescuers which was dull and forgettable in comparison. Much more exciting adventure and that it was at the peak of Early 90’s Disney films were very good dynamic changes.
#70 Emperor's New Groove - Stunning hate for a buddy buddy comedy I like. It was a much different approach to the last three films focusing on one single protagonist and instead tries to not be too serious with a goofy, but funny approach that being this movie. I love the voice cast, and Its fine where it is, but there are some movies that probably should be higher than this though.
#69 Beavis & Butt-head Do America - Probably my favorite of the primetime turned into a full length feature films of them all. Yes I loved the series, I loved the film. I was dedicated to Beavis & Butthead. Great jokes, excellent soundtrack for the most part. Major win with the long lasting legacy brought justice with this film being the major success that it was.
#68 Prince of Egypt - I never liked the first go, and at best I would have towards the 90’s. The Road to El Dorado is better than this.
#67 Titan A.E - Good movie, might be a little high but otherwise i’m glad to see this film make the list.
#66 Batman: Under the Red Hood - Didn’t see that one, but definitely developing in a Batman bias so far of the obscure animated films I have seen from the DC side of things.
#65 Fox and the Hound - A strong bond of friendship strictly. Its not one of my favorites seeing I have seen this movie a few times, but its innocent enough to be on the ist.
#64 Coraline - Very dark film, but I like this over most of Tim Burton’s works. Just seeing the torture Coraline goes through and the dark world we are introduced to very creative film in its own right.
#63 Ice Age - Well at least its the only good movie in the entire saturated franchise.
#62 The Simpsons Movie - Back to Back fox films, I like this movie. I would argue this would have been more fitting end to one of the most iconic shows of all time.
#61 Chicken Run - I would argue top 50 I would put this up among the best all time of Dreamworks. Great story, I am a fan of that style of animation being stop motion. Its a film I like to watch when I get a chance. Back then I watched this religiously.
#60 Mulan - I’d put Hunchback of Notre Dame right next to Mulan there both the better late 90’s Disney films that go side by side. Both focus on a strong main character, but I’d give the nod to Hunchback because it had the better foil. I can’t even recall the antagonist in this movie that much.
#59 Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths - Never seen this, but based on the mediocre scores it probably doesn’t to be higher or the ordering of the DC films are very misplaced.
#58 Rango - It feels like a forgettable title even though its almost 10 years old Rango is an odd choice being halfway up the list. I don’t hate it, but I would not have it on the list seeing its not something I think of in terms of the best animated movies.
#57 All Dogs Go To Heaven - Its been reenacted as old as time, and yet I can see South Park poke fun at this easily.
#56 Anastasia - Yeah that’s all I can think of when I hear of the movie Anastasia is the russian attempt of Cinderella in a nutshell.
#55 Charlotte’s Web - A classic that’s a good fit for where it is placed.
#54 Hercules - I like this movie, but I would not put it above Mulan or Hunchback when comparing the other two films. While I do love the mythology genre. Story is not exactly accurate to the background given. Its a guilty pleasure with great music, and good humor. I can see some being bothered by this film.
#53 Fantastic Mr. Fox - Its go the animation I like, but this movie I just can’t stand. Not a fan of it. Just something about it bothered me.
#52 Ghost In The Shell - Compared to the godawful live action version this a flawless masterpiece in comparison. Yeah there’s a sequel to this that’s not bad, but not quite as impactful to the grand scheme of Anime.
#51 My Neighbor Totoro - Another classic Miyazaki film, but its not one of my favorites, but its really popular in Japan than it is here I find.
#50 Howl’s Moving Castle - Might be a weird anime of the english dub side of things. I prefer it in japanese in this case.
#49 Sword In the Stone - Might be one of the more forgettable so called classic Disney movies that I didn’t like all too much to be honest. It feels too much like King Arthur in weird ways.
#48 Transformers: The Movie - Oh, it's the best Transformers movies yes, but at the same time that’s not saying a whole lot. Sure it killed off a beloved character and it gets points in the regard just a bit high compared to all the other movies it has beaten out thus far.
#47 The Rescuers - Probably wouldn’t have the original Rescuers on the list, nothing really stands out.
#46 A Bug’s Life - For the longest time I liked this Pixar film, but my goodness this is severely dated in a bad way. While Toy Story 1 is also, but at least that had a long lasting impact this one was just out to compete with Antz which might not be on the list at all. If anywhere would have been the last portion of 20 since this movie now that I look at it might be too high being the first of the Pixar films revealed.
#45 Cars - I do like this movie, but again a little high for where it stands. It should be on the list, but MUCH lower, not a top 50 film.
#44 101 Dalmatians - Great villain really ascends this movie being up here. A crazy Business woman killing puppies, and even more so you got the perfect live action casting with Glenn Close is even more fitting if you watch Fatal Attraction.
#43 South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut - Its good, but I would not have this in the top 50 myself. I do like South Park the series, but the movie to me while it does have memorable jingles I would not have this higher than Do America or The Simpsons Movie even.
#42 Kung Fu Panda - Its fine where it is, but Chicken Run I prefer slightly more. While this is the more popular film so be it. Kung Fu Panda I did enjoy much more than its sequels to come.
#41 Brave - Should not be on the list, the story is taken from two previous films How to Train Your Dragon, and Brother Bear and that’s not a good blend. Thus one of the weaker Pixar films, and I still don’t get how this beat Wreck It Ralph to this day.
#40 Secret of Nimh - I have no seen this one surprisingly, but its gotta be good being this up high.
#39 Grave and the Fireflies - This is easily the saddest anime film I have ever seen. I’m not sure if I can’t rewatch this movie over and over knowing the traumatic effects it has on those that saw it the first time will never forget it.
#38 Nightmare Before Christmas - A timeless classic that’s played between two holidays. This to me made Tim Burton a legend, the songs, the captivation that got me into more of the stop motion related things I would come to.
#37 Lady and the Tramp - I could see this in the top 50, but lower 30’s not sure. Yeah there’s one iconic scene in it, but than stack to some others past it not too sure if its worthy in that regard.
#36 Land Before Time - I never got into the Land Before Time franchise honestly. This is the original, and I can’t say much about it even though I have at least heard of it.
#35 Akira - Akira one of those really cool animes that tries to disguise itself well. To the point if you were much younger. You were not sleeping that night when seeing this movie and all the action packed pace you end up loving that much giving it a shot.
#34 How to Train Your Dragon - You can thank this in a way for insparting the idea of Game of Thrones in a way with the dragons. Which can also be said about the viking like persona in which Brave ended up using (which is vastly inferior). This movie is great, becoming a smashing hit it spawned a tv show. Two other films that some say are at par with the Toy Story trilogy.
#33 Despicable Me - I mean I like the first movie, but no way would I rank it as high as the top 40, and what its sandwiched between.
#32 Pinocchio - Very dark, but one of Disney's most memorable tales. Its a borderline top 25 film mainly for the most quotable lines that would end up being brought back many decades later in more of spoofs and homage to this film.
#31 Bambi - The mother death that never gets old, and as badly dated of spoiling something so obvious not named Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back. It has a good supporting cast, but Bambi isn’t one I watched that much probably because I mainly remember that than the entire film itself.
#30 American Tail - Definitely better than the second movie, but no way would I placed this 50 spots higher. Top 60 sure, but 30 no way!
#29 Alice in Wonderland - I never understood the love for the original Alice in Wonderland personally. Its a trippy movie that makes almost no sense. While that is creative in fairness, I myself am no fan of the original incarnation.
#28 Robin Hood - Its a good parody, but no way is it a top 50 movie. Its more of a give or take Disney classic that I would not have on the list or towards the 90’s.
#27 Dumbo - Never grew up watching the old incarnation of Dumbo, but the Pink elephants my goodness. Otherwise nothing else stands out.
#26 Peter Pan - Yeah I could see this being borderline 25, great villain, good supporting cast.
#25 Batman: Mask of the Phantasm - Yeah this would have to be the best of the DC movies by far. Return of the Joker is a close second. With Mask of the Phantasm being that mid climax os the amazing Batman: The Animated series. This was deserving of its own justice, a dark film where killing is shown.
#24 Tangled - Now look its a good film for what it is, but top 25? Especially next to some of the classics already being passed up? Not to displease it I do like some things about such as Mother Gothel being a great villain. Everything else feels a bit generic on its own for their updated take on Rapunzel.
#23 Princess Mononoke - One of the more beautiful looking, but very violent animes on the list. The combination alone doesn’t shock me its up here as it should be.
#22 Spirited Away - If this is the last of the animes being ranked the best than I absolutely agree although its 10 spots lower for me. Its a movie where it hooks you immediately of what exactly is going on in this movie?
#21 Ratatouille - I mean I like it, but yet again after awhile its one of their weaker movies for me. A Rat that cooks food, and helps out a new guy on the job. The setting definitely gets some originality, but its not a Brad Bird film I would watch that often.
#20 The Jungle Book - I’m not too fond of the old 67’ film that was the last of Walt Disney ever worked on. Weird I like the rebooted live action version more than this. While The Bare Necessities is a timeless classic, and it does have fairly memorable villains its not one I watched quite often as with the other classics I have come to.
#19 Fantasia - A tiny bit low, I like the creativity this Disney movie has. Its worthy of the top 10. I love classical music, and this is what introduced me to that genre. The different pieces, and symphonies put into these short cartoons really make it stand out especially two of those The Devil at the very end, and Mickey Mouse making spells of brooms. If your somebody that hates today’s current music give this a shot.
#18 Shrek - You could push Shrek to the top 15, but just missed it fair enough. This movie is very iconic even for Dreamworks its still the best one in my book still looks great today. The unforgettable soundtrack to boot can’t beat that one bit.
#17 Cinderella - Incredibly too high, never understood the strong appeal other than yes Cinderella is living under terrible circumstances, but its not among the best of Disney. The weakest Disney princess along with a supporting cast is not very interesting in the long run.
#16 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - Badly dated, but its the first film in all fairness. Its a very basic film that is very quotable, but not the one I liked that often, but being this high up is given an excuse being the first Disney film of its time.
#15 The Little Mermaid - Its a good movie for what it accomplishes I’ve always heard by many females this was their favorite disney film, and that does not shock me one bit.
#14 Sleeping Beauty - Basically Maleficent carries the film entirely let’s be honest. The princess isn’t that intriguing other than the dark theme in all how she is put in a curse. Hey at least the prince actually fight for her honor and does something to somehow defeat the greatest Disney Villain of all time.
#13 Monsters Inc. - Great voice cast, memorable quotes I have no problem with where this one sits near the top of the list it is a Pixar classic. I’m one of the few that does not mind the prequel as well being a good follow up to how they would work at Inc.
#12 Wreck It Ralph - I like the idea of it being the best video game movie of its kind. The arcade style approach definitely appeals to an older audience. Thus a cult following gathered due to the love for video games makes this movie become even more bigger quality than anticipated. Definitely too high though not top 15, but I would argue for top 30 though for what it accomplishes. The sequel on the other hand they did not have to go through with that by I digress.
#11 Toy Story 2 - It would have been the weakest of the series if it was not for the release of the 4th movie. 2nd movie I do like the characters were introduced to for the most part. Its a great film that might of had a weakness in that the villain is not as good as from the 1st and 3rd movies.
#10 Finding Nemo - Timeless classic that honestly didn’t need a sequel it was perfect the way it was teaching a moral lesson of losing a lost kid from the very start of the film.
#9 Wall-E - Its a top 50 movie that I would not have quite 9th, but more down 30-21 range. Great idea of a futuristic waste dumped earth to find out what was really going on. As if robots were really taking over with a purpose. Although the conscapy is what if Wall-E is the villain for what he was doing in the first place. It still hold up though 11 years later.
#8 The Iron Giant - The one movie that’s not from Disney/Pixar in the top 10 from Warner Bros. The Iron Giant is another true defining classic from Brad Bird I can watch with no problems with it.
#7 Beauty and the Beast - Defining movie where Belle is very daring going into a castle with the beast striking no fear. A tiny nitpic I have though is Gaston is just more of a jerk than a standout villain. It’s another rare film to be up for an Oscar, and seemed like almost nearly won by my standpoint. Belongs in the top 10 no problems its the best of that princess genre.
#6 Aladdin - Great movie, its a movie that should not of been touch for a live action film nothing how weird that was. To me there will always be on Genie untouchable. A classic tale down right with proper tales told right. Plus it had two serviable direct to movies that were actually acceptable decent titles.
#5 The Incredibles - To me this is a well ‘’incredible’’ film, and that lives up to its name. A family that's basically a fantastic four of their own where kids and adults can love a movie like this. Just an entertaining throughout, and got a long deserved sequel many fans were asking for.
#4 The Lion King - Great, but at the same time very overrated movie. Big fanbase, while this story is good. I can see this being up the list. Great music, great voice cast, there is that nerve of many to this day don’t stop talking about it to death it feels like.
#3 Up - I mean I like up, but 3rd? Again its more from 40-26 end type movie. Pixar being way more towards the top is kinda strange. While they are classics you gotta also look at how many of those others stand up as well, and Up while still great i’m not sure with this elite group of movies it has surpassed.
#2 Toy Story 3 - Top 5? Tough for me to say its the 2nd best animated film. Its very emotional i’ll give that and a top placement at the very least, but there are other movies I would put above this. Another movie that was nominated for best picture which is a big accomplishment.
#1 Toy Story 1 - I can’t disagree really, The first movie will remain the best animated movie of all time for its long lasting impact for what it did for that style, and for what Pixar would give us later of great titles to come. Endless music hits, incredible voice cast. This movie will always have a friend in me, and beyond.
There’s the list it was interesting, but mostly overrun by Disney which is not a surprise. A bit of snubs right away I thought would make this list that didn’t were… Megamind, Antz, The Road to El Dorado, The Great Mouse Detective, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Monster House, 9, Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story, Castle in the Sky, and Robots.
Megamind being one of the better Dreamworks films I have seen, and probably the best of its decade. Antz might be a slightly better to A Bug’s Life in terms of hold up is much better. As I said on the list El Dorado can take Prince of Egypt's spot pretty much. Its a fun, and humorous adventure. Of all the Disney films they said how did The Great Mouse Detective been that lost in the mix among the forgotten Disney films. Its at least better than some of the lower end tier that made it in. Another one of those right next to it is Winnie the Pooh was one I was exposed to watching when I was really little that was a bit stunning to see. Monster House is one of those independent films that I really liked for what it did. Just a very good mid 2000’s animated film worth a shot. 9 is an interesting concept, a bit of a dark film like some of the films seen of course I’d put it towards the bottom, but not far away from those. There was a Beavis & Butthead, The Simpsons, and South Park all having their films on the list. Sure Family Guy’s popularity sunk pretty quickly, but this is a movie you take a look at when they were still watchable. There were many animes I was not too familiar with and the ones I did I knew were among the greatest, and one of those a tiny bit surprised was not in the mix was Castle in the Sky. The final one I would consider is Robots. A bit underrated, and yet another one of Robin Williams greatest performances among Aladdin i’d argue. Not quite a mixed bag, but there were mostly films I expected to make the list whether they were deserved of their rank is still up for debate. Everybody's a critic it seemed like as I listen to it again. This has been a long during journey, but that was a thrill wasn’t it? See you next time.