10 Best Netflix Original Animated Movies In History

In the last ten years, Netflix has become a major force in filmmaking, releasing many critically acclaimed and popular original movies. While a few of these films might play in theaters for a short time, Netflix is the primary place to watch them. From hits like Carry On, Bird Box, and Leave the World Behind to Oscar-nominated films such as Marriage Story, Don’t Look Up, Tick, Tick… Boom!, and Roma, Netflix offers a wide variety of original movies spanning all genres.

Netflix really excels at animation. Their most successful film to date is KPop Demon Hunters, which broke viewership records and even won an Oscar. Movies like Leo, In Your Dreams, The Willoughbys, and America: The Motion Picture demonstrate the range and imagination of Netflix’s original animated content. Because of all the great options, it’s hard to choose the very best.

As a total movie fanatic, I’ve been checking out a lot of Netflix originals lately, and the animation stuff is seriously good. We’re talking everything from beautifully crafted stop-motion to classic hand-drawn animation, and some really stunning CGI. Honestly, there’s a little bit of everything – action-packed adventures, big musical numbers, and even those feel-good stories that just warm your heart. And the best part? They all rank among the best films I’ve seen in the last decade.

10. Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood (2022)

Despite being a visually stunning and creatively interesting film by acclaimed director Richard Linklater, Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves. The movie draws heavily from Linklater’s own experiences growing up.

This charming story follows a boy growing up in 1960s Houston during the excitement of the Space Race. In a magical twist, he becomes the first child to travel to the moon. Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood has been widely celebrated for its beautiful visuals and heartwarming, nostalgic atmosphere.

9. Over The Moon (2020)

Many great films were missed during the pandemic because so many were released directly to streaming and home viewing, making it hard to follow everything. One of these was Over the Moon, the first feature film directed by Glen Keane, a veteran animator known for his work on classic Disney films and the Academy Award-winning short Dear Basketball.

Over the Moon follows an adventurous girl who builds a rocket to meet a mythical goddess who lives on the Moon. Things don’t go quite the way she expects, leading to some outstanding scenes. The film is stolen by Phillipa Soo (Hamilton) for her rendition of “Ultraluminary.”

8. The Sea Beast (2022)

It’s often overlooked, but 2022 was a fantastic year for animation on Netflix. They released four truly exceptional animated films that year, including the popular The Sea Beast.

This animated film centers around a young orphan who teams up with a sea monster hunter to search for the legendary Red Bluster. It’s a heartwarming story that received a lot of positive attention. Despite being nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature, The Sea Beast doesn’t always get the recognition it deserves, but a sequel is currently being made.

7. Wendell & Wild (2022)

For me, the name Henry Selick immediately brings to mind incredible animated films. He’s a true master of stop-motion, and I’ve always been captivated by his work, from the classic The Nightmare Before Christmas to the whimsical James and the Giant Peach and the wonderfully eerie Coraline. Even his lesser-known film, Wendell & Wild, is fantastic and, in my opinion, deserves to be considered one of his very best.

Directed by Henry Selick and written with Jordan Peele, the movie tells the story of two demons who try to trick a teenage girl into helping them escape from the Underworld. It’s a critically acclaimed film that many people haven’t discovered yet, and it was nominated for three Annie Awards.

6. I Lost My Body (2019)

Although 2022 was Netflix’s strongest year for original animated films, 2019 was also a standout year. A major highlight was the incredibly creative and well-made film, I Lost My Body. This French movie is designed for mature audiences and tells a beautifully crafted story.

The movie tells two separate stories: one about a young man trying to win over the woman he loves, and another about a detached hand desperately trying to reunite with its body. This unique approach is what makes I Lost My Body so memorable, and it led to an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature.

5. The Mitchells Vs. The Machines (2021)

2021 saw several excellent animated films, including Encanto, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, and Raya and the Last Dragon. Many consider The Mitchells vs. The Machines to be the best of the bunch, and it was even nominated for an Academy Award.

This exciting new animated film from Sony Pictures Animation tells the story of a quirky family who must team up to stop robots from taking over the world. It’s packed with thrilling action and surprisingly touching moments.

4. KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

In 2025, KPop Demon Hunters unexpectedly became Netflix’s most popular movie ever. It quickly gained a huge following worldwide, easily broke viewership records, and remained in the top 10 for almost a year, largely thanks to its incredible music.

The song “Golden” won an Academy Award, and the movie’s soundtrack was a huge hit. But KPop Demon Hunters offers much more than just music – it’s visually spectacular and tells a touching story. The film follows three pop stars who secretly fight demons, and they discover one of them has a demonic heritage. The movie’s success was capped off with an Oscar for Best Animated Feature.

3. Klaus (2019)

Klaus has a really unique and engaging premise for an animated movie. It’s a delightful surprise to discover that it tells the origin story of Santa Claus, making it a hidden gem on Netflix.

In the charming film Klaus, a young postman is assigned to a remote town filled with feuding residents. He forms an unlikely friendship with a lonely toymaker, and together they begin delivering toys, gradually bringing the town together. This visually stunning movie offers a heartwarming origin story for Santa Claus and is truly a special watch.

2. Nimona (2023)

It’s really sad that we almost missed out on seeing Nimona. The movie, which is based on the graphic novel of the same name, faced a lot of setbacks. After the studio that was making it, Blue Sky Studios, closed, the project was canceled, but thankfully Annapurna Pictures stepped in to finish it.

The animated film Nimona was released directly on Netflix and is truly impressive. It tells the story of Ballister, a knight-in-training who’s wrongly accused of killing the Queen, and his unexpected friendship with Nimona, a shapeshifter. The film features beautiful animation, a heartwarming story, and exciting action sequences.

1. Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)

The story of Pinocchio is a well-known classic that has been retold for generations. Many consider the 2022 version, a beautifully animated stop-motion film directed by Guillermo del Toro, to be the best adaptation.

I was completely blown away by Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio. It’s the classic story, but set in Italy during a really dark time with fascism rising, and it’s filled with those incredible, fantastical creatures Del Toro is so famous for. It felt totally fresh and original, and I think it’s honestly one of his best films – it even won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, which it absolutely deserved!

2026-05-18 19:03