Top 10 Best Animated Movies of 2023

Top 10 Animated Movies of 2023

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best animation on the big screen this year.

#10: “Leo” (2023)

When fifth-graders start taking home their class pet for the weekend, it seems like a recipe for disaster. But, trust us; Leo is the best homework you could ask for. For one, he’s a talking tuatara. Secondly, he’s downright hilarious. Then again, what else do you expect from the creative mind of Adam Sandler? In fact, Sandler’s fingerprints are all over this film. Outside of voicing Leo, he also co-wrote the script, and produced the film through his own company, Happy Madison Productions. The unified vision behind the scenes ensures that “Leo” is sweet, charming, and surprisingly poignant to the very end. Plus, where else will you get to see a tuatara sing?

#9: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (2023)

For all their enduring appeal, Mario games aren’t traditionally remembered for their stories. Yet, somehow, Illumination Entertainment turned that thin lore into the definition of a crowd-pleaser. “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” is a bright, energetic experience that’s fun for the whole family; whether you’re a series veteran or not. That’s not to say there’s nothing for diehards, though. On the contrary, “Mario Bros.” is packed with so many clever references and easter eggs that it’s practically impossible to catch them all. Basically, everyone can love the Mario movie - and we do mean everyone. The film ended its theatrical run as one of the highest-grossing animated movies ever made. Those kinds of numbers don’t lie.

#8: “Wish” (2023)

To commemorate the studio’s hundredth anniversary, Disney went back to their bread and butter - an original story, a lovable princess, and plenty of rousing musical numbers. The result is “Wish.” Without giving too much away, the movie features a girl named Asha discovering the true meaning of the phrase, “be careful what you wish for.” It sounds heavy, but don’t worry, it still has all the soul, humor, and wit that Disney animation is known for. Not to mention the music. While “Wish” may not quite clear the high bar left by previous Disney princesses, Asha’s story is still definitely worth a watch. No shooting stars required.

#7: “Elemental” (2023)

Love is in the air! But, when you’re a sentient fireball and he’s a living drop of water, that love looks a little steamier than most. Hey, opposites attract, right? Admittedly, the underlying themes in “Elemental” aren’t as deep or subtle as some of Pixar’s best. But, it’s hard to care when the world feels so alive. This is some of Pixar’s most impressive animation to date, and from a studio with their track record, that’s saying something. Still, it’s the characters that really hold it all together, and thankfully, “Elemental” has more heart than it knows what to do with. So do Ember and Wade, for that matter.

#6: “Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget” (2023)

Whether they’re fried, grilled, plucked, or still clucking, these chickens are always an uproariously good time. But, now, they’re facing their biggest foe yet: the dreaded chicken nugget. Yeah, the jokes practically write themselves. It’s been over twenty years since Ginger and her flock first pecked their way onto screens, and somehow, their poultry-laden commentary hasn’t gone cold yet. If anything, it’s more relevant than ever before. Actually, you could say that about everything in this film. From the animation to the punchlines, “Dawn of the Nugget” is a loving homage to the thoughtful storytelling that made “Chicken Run” special in the first place. And you can’t ask for anything better than that.

#5: “Suzume” (2023)

As if “Your Name” didn’t break our hearts enough, this year, writer-director Makoto Shinkai returned to the big screen to cause even more waterworks. Although, to him, that’s probably a compliment. Released in Japan at the end of 2022, the 2023 international debut of “Suzume” gave us an emotionally engrossing experience that deserves to be seen for itself. And with lots of tissues. Like the rest of Shinkai’s work, part of the fun is discovering the story alongside the characters. The only thing we’ll tease is that “Suzume” might be the only movie in all of existence to make us emotional over a chair. If that doesn’t prove Shinkai’s talent, we don’t know what will.

#4: “Nimona” (2023)

In hindsight, it’s amazing this movie ever saw the light of day. It was announced, delayed, canceled, revived, and released on Netflix all within the span of a few years. But, boy was it worth the hassle. Following the exploits of its namesake shapeshifter, “Nimona” is a moving tale of acceptance and prejudice wrapped inside a thrilling fantasy adventure. It’s funny, it’s smart, it’s action-packed, and above all, it’s just plain entertaining. That’s all without even mentioning the movie’s groundbreaking portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in animation. Couple that with the tenacity it took just to see the film released, and it’s obvious that “Nimona” is something special.

#3: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” (2023)

The turtles in a half-shell are back, and better than ever. But, fair warning. You’ll come for Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, and Michaelangelo, and end up staying for the laughs. Despite a mature storyline about the realities of experimentation, “Mutant Mayhem” is easily one of the funniest outings the turtles have ever had. That’s partly because of its wickedly-clever script, and partly because of its scene-stealing voice cast. What’s more, the radical new animation style amps the action up to a whole other level, too. As a whole package, there’s just too many positives to list, to the point that many cite “Mutant Mayhem” as the best turtles movie ever. Cowabunga, indeed.

#2: “The Boy and the Heron” (2023)

A new movie from Studio Ghibli basically sells itself. Throw in Hayao Miyazaki, and it’s no surprise that “The Boy and the Heron” is must-watch material. Given the already sky-high expectations, “mastery” doesn’t feel like a good enough word to describe the impassioned places this movie goes. Or, how gorgeous it looks while doing it. As you’d expect from Miyazaki, “The Boy and the Heron” is a visual tour-de-force that’s equal parts beautiful and unsettling. But, the most impressive part is how distinctly fresh it feels. “The Boy and the Heron” is unlike anything Miyazaki or Ghibli has done before, and that’s precisely why it’s one of their greats.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken” (2023)
Who Knew Krakens Could Make For Such a Heartwarming Movie?

“Trolls Band Together” (2023)
Another Trolls Film, Another Amazing Soundtrack

“The Monkey King” (2023)
This One’s Worth a Watch for Its Breathtaking Fight Scenes Alone

“Ladybug & Cat Noir: The Movie” (2023)
Boasting More Style Than Ever Before, This Is an Adventure Worth a Feature-Length Runtime

“PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie” (2023)
It’s Hard to Go Wrong With Superhero Pups

#1: “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (2023)

It’s not every day you get to see a classic born right before your eyes. But, that’s how it feels to watch “Across the Spider-verse.” This movie is head and shoulders above any other superhero story right now, and all it takes is one passing glance to see why. Literally. The innovative animation is nothing short of stunning. Still, this is “Spider-verse” we’re talking about, and it’s nothing without Miles Morales. He may not be the one and only Spider-Man anymore, but his coming-of-age heroics elevate the movie into something else. Well, that, and the action, the emotional heft, the supporting cast… we could go on. So, when’s the next movie again?

What was your favorite animated movie of the year? Let us know if it made our list in the comments below!