The 20 best animated movies that aren't Disney or Pixar

When you think of children’s movies, Disney may be the first thing that pops to your mind. Later, Pixar emerged to rival the classic production company with hits like ‘Toy Story.’ But that does not mean children’s viewing needs to be dominated by either. Here is a list of the 20 best animated children’s movies that come from other studios.

A heartwarming story about a young boy named Hogarth who discovers a giant robot from outer space during the Cold War era. Directed by Brad Bird and produced by Warner Bros., this film is based on the book The Iron Man written by poet Ted Hughes to explain to his children the death of their mother — poet Sylvia Plath.

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures / YouTube

Inspired by Irish mythology and the creation of the Book of Kells, this visually stunning animated film was produced by Cartoon Saloon and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature. Rotten Tomatoes critics concluded that the film was "Beautifully drawn and refreshingly calm, ‘The Secret of Kells’ hearkens back to animation's golden age with an enchanting tale inspired by Irish mythology."

Image: GKIDS Films / YouTube

Directed by Don Bluth, this film follows a roguish dog named Charlie who returns to Earth from heaven to redeem himself by helping an orphan girl. Known for its darker themes and emotional storyline, it’s a unique take on redemption and the afterlife, set to a jazzy New Orleans backdrop. Although it wasn’t a box office success, it became one of the biggest-selling VHS releases ever.

Image: Amazon MGM Studios / YouTube

A stop-motion animated epic from Laika Studios, this film tells the story of a young boy named Kubo who embarks on a magical quest to find his father’s armor and defeat a vengeful spirit. Known for its breathtaking visuals and intricate puppetry, the film was praised for its emotional depth and masterful animation, winning a BAFTA and getting an Oscar nomination.

Image: Universal Pictures All-Access / YouTube

DreamWorks’ witty take on fairy tales follows an ogre named Shrek who reluctantly sets off on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona. The film’s sharp humor and subversive take on classic tropes made it a cultural phenomenon and worthy of many sequels. The United States Library of Congress seven selected it for the National Film Registry in 2020, becoming the first 21st-century animated film to be preserved.

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli, this enchanting story follows two sisters who move to the countryside and encounter magical forest spirits, including the iconic Totoro. The film’s simplicity and whimsical charm have made it a beloved classic worldwide.

Image: GKIDS Films / YouTube

This stop-motion comedy from Aardman Animations, this film features the beloved duo, Wallace and his loyal dog Gromit, as they attempt to save their village from a monstrous rabbit. Known for its quirky British humor and charming claymation, it won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Image: Movieclips / YouTube

Another Don Bluth classic, this film is a touching tale of young dinosaurs embarking on a journey after being separated from their families. The film’s emotional depth and beautiful score by James Horner have made it a childhood favorite. Steven Spielberg was also involved and wanted to make a film like ‘Bambi’ but for dinosaurs.

Image: Universal Pictures All-Access / YouTube

Another beautiful film from Ireland’s Cartoon Saloon, this story centers on a young boy and his sister who turns out to be a mythical creature. The film’s lush, hand-drawn animation and Celtic-inspired art have garnered critical acclaim for its visual storytelling. On Rotten Tomatoes, it even has a 99% approval rating.

Image: StudiocanalUK / YouTube

A fun and surprisingly heartfelt adventure that takes place in a world made entirely of Lego bricks. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the film celebrates creativity and individuality, turning an unlikely concept into a critical and commercial success. Need proof? It has a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures / YouTube

Another Don Bluth film, ‘An American Tail’ follows Fievel Mousekewitz, a young immigrant mouse who travels to America in search of a new life. The film is known for its emotional storytelling and the iconic song “Somewhere Out There,” which became a hit.

Image: retro VHS trailers / YouTube

This beautifully animated French film tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a grumpy bear and a spirited little mouse. With its watercolor-inspired animation and heartwarming narrative, it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature but it lost to Disney’s ‘Frozen.’

Image: StudiocanalUK / YouTube

This dark and thrilling animated film from Don Bluth tells the story of a courageous field mouse, Mrs. Brisby, who seeks the help of a mysterious society of rats to save her sick son. It’s known for its detailed animation, complex themes, and haunting atmosphere, making it a cult classic.

Image: Amazon MGM Studios / YouTube

Another dark and imaginative masterpiece from Laika Studios, this film is based on Neil Gaiman's novella and follows a girl who discovers a seemingly perfect parallel world that hides sinister secrets. The film’s stop-motion animation, combined with its eerie atmosphere, has made it a modern classic in the genre of dark fantasy.

Image: Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers / YouTube

A visually inventive French animated film that follows an old woman and her dog as they try to rescue her grandson, a cyclist kidnapped by the French mafia, with the help of three eccentric former music hall singers. The film is celebrated for its distinct animation style and minimal dialogue, relying on visual storytelling and a fabulous jazz soundtrack. It got two Oscar nominations, losing out on best-animated feature to Pixar’s ‘Finding Nemo.’

Image: 35mm Movie Trailers Scans / YouTube

A story about a group of household appliances that set off on a journey to find their owner. This film, produced by Hyperion Pictures, explores themes of loyalty, friendship, and perseverance. Disney originally acquired the rights to the story, but it was turned down. Despite its limited release, it grew a cult following and seemed to have inspired another inanimate object feature – ‘Toy Story.’

Image: Upscaled HT / YouTube

Directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli, this Oscar-winning film is a mesmerizing journey where a young girl named Chihiro must navigate a spirit-filled bathhouse to save her parents. Often regarded as one of the greatest animated films ever made, it’s a rich tapestry of Japanese folklore and stunning hand-drawn animation.

Based on George MacDonald's 1872 children's book, this film tells the tale of a brave princess and a young miner who team up to stop goblins from invading their kingdom. The movie is cherished for its enchanting storyline and traditional animation style and was co-produced by Welsh, Hungarian, and Japanese companies.

Image: retro VHS trailers / YouTube

Ok, this may have been a TV special but it’s so good it gets on the list. Based on Dr. Seuss’s classic book, this film follows the Grinch as he attempts to steal Christmas from the Whos of Whoville. Narrated by Boris Karloff, the film's enduring popularity is marked by its catchy songs and timeless message about the true spirit of Christmas.

Image: retro VHS trailers / YouTube

DreamWorks' charming tale of a young Viking named Hiccup who befriends a dragon, leading to an unexpected friendship that changes his world. Matt Risley of Variety hailed it as "undoubtedly Dreamworks' best film yet, and quite probably the best dragon movie ever made."

Image: Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers / YouTube

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