5 Great Animated Movies From the Past Six Years That No One Talks About

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Animation is facing a strange situation right now. We’re seeing more animated movies released than ever before, but they often quickly disappear from public attention. Unless it’s a big Disney sequel or a huge hit like Spider-Verse, most animated films don’t stay popular for very long. This creates a problem for the industry, because many truly excellent animated movies are treated like just another release, despite often being better written and more creative than many live-action films. In the last six years, several innovative and visually unique animated films have been overlooked, even though they were genuinely good.

This isn’t about claiming these animated movies are hidden gems; it’s about pointing out that they didn’t receive the recognition they deserved. Here are five examples.

5) Entergalactic

It’s surprising Entergalactic didn’t become a bigger success, because it feels like a special occasion movie. Visually, it’s one of Netflix’s most striking projects, with a lively, city-inspired style that looks hand-drawn. The film centers on Jabari, an up-and-coming illustrator, and his blossoming relationship with his photographer neighbor, Meadow, exploring the connection between pursuing your dreams and finding love.

Despite being released alongside Kid Cudi’s album and often presented as an extension of it, Entergalactic didn’t quite catch on with a wider audience. While the story is straightforward, that’s intentional—the film prioritizes creating a mood, showcasing the connection between characters, and evoking emotion. Essentially, Entergalactic is a charming and well-made animated romantic comedy with a lot of heart.

4) Onward

I’ve always been a huge Pixar fan, so I was a little surprised when Onward didn’t quite become one of their biggest hits. Honestly, it deserves more attention! It’s a really touching story about two brothers, Ian and Barley, who get a chance to spend one last day with their dad – though they only manage to bring back half of him at first! They then embark on this crazy road trip to complete the spell. What I really loved is that it’s genuinely emotional, but in a really grounded way. It doesn’t try to be some epic, world-saving adventure; it’s just a beautiful, personal story, and it tells it perfectly.

While some reviewers felt Onward didn’t fully explore its magical setting and was a bit too cautious, the film is genuinely funny, offers a good adventure, and, most importantly, beautifully portrays the bond between brothers. It realistically depicts grief – not through big displays of emotion, but through unspoken frustrations and regrets. This realism is what makes the movie relatable and gives the ending such a powerful, honest impact.

3) Migration

Illumination is known for family-friendly animated movies like Despicable Me, Minions, Sing, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Because of this, their latest film, Migration, was initially overlooked – many people assumed it was just for young children. That’s unfortunate, because it’s actually a really good movie! It tells the story of a duck family who bravely leave their safe pond to fly to Jamaica, despite their dad’s attempts to keep everything under control and avoid any danger. It might sound a little goofy, but the movie moves at a great pace and strikes a perfect balance with its humor.

Migration isn’t groundbreaking, but it’s refreshingly not a lazy movie, which is a real plus. What makes it special is how it takes a simple idea – a family road trip – and fills it with funny mishaps and quirky characters. It’s a really enjoyable watch, capturing the same exciting, unpredictable feel as a classic road trip movie, where you’re always wondering what will happen next. It’s easily one of the most entertaining animated films of the last six years.

2) Wendell & Wild

Animated movies are often made to be comforting and familiar, but every so often, one comes along that tries something truly different. Wendell & Wild is one of those films. From the start, it’s clear this isn’t a typical cartoon. It’s strange, a little spooky, full of creative ideas, and doesn’t shy away from being bold. The story centers on Kat, a teenage girl struggling with difficult emotions, who finds herself caught up in a supernatural adventure with two demons and a strange plan to bring someone back to life. It’s definitely unconventional, but it’s well-made enough to be considered alongside films like Coraline.

Wendell & Wild is visually stunning, boasting fantastic stop-motion animation, original characters, and a dark, imaginative world that also offers insightful social commentary. However, its boldness might be a drawback – it could be considered ‘too strange’ for widespread appeal, particularly for viewers seeking simple entertainment. The film tackles difficult subjects like loss, injustice, and dishonesty, which may not resonate with everyone. Despite this, it’s a remarkably unique animated film – more distinctive than most we’ve seen recently.

1) Transformers One

The Transformers series is huge, but many people unfairly dismissed this movie without giving it a chance. Transformers One surprisingly shows that the core idea of transforming robots works best when the story centers on themes like friendship, beliefs, and treachery, rather than just constant action. The film delves into the beginnings of Optimus Prime and Megatron, before their war, when they were allies on Cybertron. It carefully builds their relationship and the growing tension that eventually leads to their conflict.

What’s really impressive is that the movie’s animation is smooth, energetic, and more emotionally engaging than any of the live-action Transformers films. The success of Transformers One lies in its nuanced approach to the conflict; it doesn’t portray a simple battle between good and evil, but rather a tragic separation of perspectives that inevitably leads to war. While it delivers humor and action, what truly sets it apart is its solid storytelling – something the franchise has lacked for years. It’s surprising that this film doesn’t get more attention.

What are your thoughts on these films? Share your opinion in the comments and discuss them with other fans on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-04-25 19:41