3 Most Underrated Animated Films of the Last Decade

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Animated movies are finally getting the recognition they deserve, which is great news. They’re often truly artistic, allowing for imaginative stories that couldn’t be told as effectively with real actors. Although things are improving, some animated films still don’t get the attention they deserve, sometimes due to bad luck with release dates, and other times because of marketing challenges or strong competition. Most people have a favorite animated movie that overcame these obstacles and found an audience anyway.

Animated movies have become increasingly popular over the past ten years. The internet has played a big part in this, allowing fans to connect and share their enthusiasm. While online buzz doesn’t guarantee box office success or ease critical expectations, it can definitely help a good movie find its audience and become a beloved classic over time.

3) Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%

Released in 2016, Kubo and the Two Strings is a visually stunning stop-motion animated film. It blends the art of stop-motion animation with a fantastical story inspired by feudal Japan, featuring music as a key element. The film centers on Kubo, a young boy who cherishes the stories his father told him, keeping his memory alive. Years after losing his eye as a baby, Kubo finds himself pursued by two witches determined to take his remaining one.

Get ready for an enchanting adventure filled with music, as Kubo travels with a brave beetle samurai and a witty talking monkey. Their journey keeps Kubo safe from dangerous witches while also revealing secrets about his family and the past he’s always wondered about.

The animated film Kubo and the Two Strings features the voice talents of Charlize Theron, Art Parkinson, Ralph Fiennes, Rooney Mara, George Takei, and Matthew McConaughey. Although the movie’s music was highly praised, it didn’t perform as well as expected in theaters.

Kubo and the Two Strings is available to stream on Netflix.

2) Onward (2020)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%

Disney and Pixar often create heartwarming stories centered around families, and Onward is a perfect example. The film follows brothers Ian and Barley Lightfoot as they embark on an adventurous journey, hoping to briefly bring back their father, Wilden, and share one last moment with him.

Initially, Onward seemed destined to be a box office hit. It featured a large cast, a heartwarming story, and genuinely touching writing. Unfortunately, the timing of its release proved to be its downfall. Launched in 2020, the film suffered greatly due to the pandemic.

As a big movie fan, I really enjoyed Onward – the critics were generally pretty positive too. It’s a shame it didn’t do well in theaters, though. It actually lost money, which is tough. Everyone seems to agree the timing was just awful, with the pandemic shutting down cinemas right when it came out. Plus, the voice cast was amazing – Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Octavia Spencer all lent their voices to the film!

Onward is available to stream on Disney+.

1) Wendell & Wild (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 80%

Released in 2022, Wendell & Wild is a visually striking film that uses claymation and bold colors. Claymation can be a bit of a love-it-or-hate-it style, but this movie benefits from being directed by someone who also worked on the acclaimed film Coraline.

The movie Wendell & Wild centers around Kat Elliot, a young girl living in the small town of Rust Bank. Five years ago, Kat’s parents, who owned the local root beer brewery, tragically died in a car accident. Now struggling with loss and feeling disconnected, Kat is sent to an all-girls Catholic school. Through a series of events, she discovers a connection to the spirit world, offering a potential chance to reunite with her parents. To navigate the challenges ahead, Kat reluctantly teams up with a fellow student, as their combined efforts may be her only hope for survival.

Netflix acquired the rights to Wendell & Wild, giving it a small run in theaters before primarily releasing it on their streaming service. Like many new titles on Netflix, the film quickly became hard to find and was largely forgotten. The voice cast included Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Angela Bassett, Lyric Ross, Ving Rhames, and James Hong.

Wendell & Wild is available to stream on Netflix.

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2026-01-14 02:16