Top 10 Underrated Animated Movies Of The 2020s

Even though we’re only halfway through the 2020s, it’s already clear this decade is proving to be a fantastic era for animated movies. Established studios like Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, and Studio Ghibli continue to deliver quality films, and we’re also seeing studios like Illumination and Sony Pictures Animation gaining more and more recognition.

Wow, the animation we’ve seen in the 2020s has been incredible! I’ve been consistently blown away, and films like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, The Boy and the Heron, Encanto, The Mitchells vs. The Machines, and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish really stand out as some of the best animated movies we’ve gotten so far this decade.

Recent years have seen a surge in popular animated blockbusters, including hits like Zootopia 2, Ne Zha 2, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Inside Out 2. Because so many big animated films are released, many excellent movies haven’t gotten the attention they deserve.

This collection features films that didn’t succeed in theaters, often getting lost among new releases on streaming platforms. Despite this, they’re all truly great movies – ranging from big-budget productions to incredibly original indie films – and well worth watching.

Onward (2020)

The movie Onward was among the first to suffer financially due to the pandemic. It was released right before widespread closures began, and as a result, it didn’t earn enough money to cover its production costs. Without those closures, the film probably would have been viewed more favorably.

The movie Onward tells a touching story about two brothers going on an adventure to reconnect with their father in a magical world. The animation is beautiful, and the voice acting is excellent, featuring stars like Tom Holland and Chris Pratt. Because it was popular with audiences, it had all the ingredients for success.

Piece By Piece (2024)

No biopic is quite like Piece by Piece, and perhaps Better Man comes close. Piece by Piece uniquely tells the life story of Pharrell Williams using LEGO animation.

This movie captures the clever humor we love from LEGO films, while also celebrating the highlights of Pharrell’s amazing life and work. With a fantastic soundtrack, Piece by Piece is one of the most enjoyable biopics you’ll ever see.

Elio (2025)

Pixar faced some challenges after the disappointing performance of Onward. While some films went straight to Disney+, Elemental and Inside Out 2 were successful. However, Lightyear and Elio weren’t well-received, despite being good movies. Lightyear, with its ties to the popular Toy Story franchise, likely had more audience recognition.

Elio is a unique and heartfelt story about a lonely boy who gets unexpectedly taken by aliens. They think he’s Earth’s representative, and suddenly he’s caught in the middle of a major crisis involving a powerful and dangerous enemy. It’s a really touching film that critics loved, and it deserves a much wider audience.

Transformers One (2024)

The Transformers name used to guarantee a blockbuster movie. But after several poorly received films, the newer ones aren’t generating as much excitement, and that’s especially true for Transformers One.

This movie feels like a return to what makes Transformers special, and the animated style works much better for the series than the live-action films. Beyond the impressive animation, Transformers One delivers a compelling backstory for many beloved characters, brought to life by a talented voice cast including Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry.

Predator: Killer Of Killers (2025)

As a huge fan of the Predator movies, I have to say Dan Trachtenberg has done incredible things for the franchise. Prey was a fantastic shot in the arm, and seeing another Predator film, Badlands, hit theaters was great. But honestly, I think his work in between those two might be his strongest yet.

The new animated film, Predator: Killer of Killers, quietly premiered on Hulu and marks the first animated installment in the Predator series. The movie jumps between different time periods, boasts great animation, and even includes a few fun surprise appearances. Surprisingly, it currently has the highest rating of any Predator film on Rotten Tomatoes.

Raya And The Last Dragon (2021)

Like many films affected by the pandemic, Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon didn’t perform as well as expected. However, Disney had a huge success later that year with Encanto, which benefited greatly from its memorable music.

Unlike some Disney films, Raya and the Last Dragon focuses on a thrilling adventure and a truly memorable main character. The story follows Raya as she teams up with the last dragon to rescue her people. It’s packed with exciting action, a fantastic (but often overlooked) musical score, and stunning visuals.

Memoir Of A Snail (2024)

Memoir of a Snail is an Australian animated film that didn’t get much attention, likely because of its unusual animation, mature themes, and generally serious tone. It’s not a lighthearted or typical ‘fun’ movie.

Rather than being a typical adventure story, Memoir of a Snail draws inspiration from the director’s personal experiences. The film centers on Grace, a solitary snail whose life is often marked by sadness and hardship. Notably, it’s one of the few R-rated movies to be considered for the Best Animated Feature Oscar, and it’s a powerfully moving film.

Entergalactic (2022)

Originally planned as a multi-part series for Netflix, Entergalactic evolved into a 92-minute film that’s categorized as a TV special. Created by rapper Kid Cudi, it’s a visual experience designed to complement his album of the same title.

Entergalactic tells the story of Jabari, an artist who develops a sweet and genuine connection with his new neighbor. The movie features fantastic music and is visually stunning, with bright and vibrant scenes. The cast includes Kid Cudi, along with Timothée Chalamet, Vanessa Hudgens, Jessica Williams, and others.

Wendell & Wild (2022)

Henry Selick is best known for directing beloved films like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline. But his latest movie, Wendell & Wild, doesn’t get mentioned as often.

The stop-motion animated film Wendell & Wild tells the story of two demons who team up with a rebellious teenager to find a way out of the underworld. It’s a fun, spooky movie perfect for Halloween that the whole family can enjoy.

Wolfwalkers (2020)

Tomm Moore is a truly talented animator, though his films don’t always get the attention they deserve. He’s best known for his beautiful “Irish Folklore Trilogy,” starting with The Secret of Kells and Song of the Sea, and concluding with Wolfwalkers.

Apple TV+’s Wolfwalkers is a beautifully animated film about an unlikely friendship. It tells the story of a young hunter and a girl with the ability to transform into a wolf, and how their connection is tested by their different worlds. Nominated for an Academy Award, it’s a heartwarming and visually stunning movie.

2026-04-19 19:05