10 Best Animated Comedy Movies Since ‘Shrek’

There’s a scene in Shrek, shortly after Donkey arrives and starts singing “On the Road Again,” that makes it clear this isn’t your typical animated film. It’s unconventional, playfully references itself, and surprisingly heartfelt. This moment was a real shift in animation. Before Shrek, animated movies generally followed traditional fairy tale formulas. Afterwards, they became more energetic, humorous, and much more aware of their own conventions.

Animation is a uniquely flexible storytelling format, allowing creators to build imaginative worlds. When it’s used for comedy, it truly shines. The most successful animated comedies aren’t just funny—they create believable characters and situations, blending physical humor with genuine heart and surprising twists.

Animated comedies have come a long way since Shrek. Now we have everything from pandas becoming kung fu masters to rats becoming chefs, and even villains learning to be parents! It’s a really creative and fun time for animated movies, and they’re often surprisingly relatable and full of character.

Here are the 10 best animated comedy movies since Shrek.

‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs’ (2009)

Flint Lockwood, a quirky and somewhat clumsy inventor (voiced by Bill Hader), is the laughingstock of his small town, Swallow Falls, known for its love of sardines. Everything changes when he invents the FLDSMDFR, a machine that magically creates food and sends it falling from the sky. At first, it’s a dream come true – cheeseburgers rain down, tourists flock to town, and Flint becomes famous. But when the machine malfunctions, Flint has to find a way to stop it before the world is overwhelmed by endless food.

Weird and Inventive

Phil Lord and Chris Miller, known for their wild and funny style, perfectly deliver in Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. It’s a genuinely fun adventure that’s also consistently hilarious. The animation is over-the-top – imagine meatballs flying like wrecking balls and syrup turning streets into rivers of lava! But beneath all the playful chaos, the movie also tells a sweet story about believing in yourself and the bond between a father and son. It’s a really well-rounded film.

‘Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit’ (2005)

This charming stop-motion film from Aardman Animations features inventor Wallace and his incredibly clever dog, Gromit. They run a pest control company called Anti-Pesto, dedicated to protecting the town’s vegetables for the big Giant Vegetable Competition. However, when a huge rabbit starts destroying gardens at night, Wallace and Gromit have to figure out the secret behind the mysterious “Were-Rabbit.”

Technically Impressive and Narratively Satisfying

Featuring the voices of Peter Sallis, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, and Peter Kay, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is both charming and cleverly witty. The beautifully detailed animation makes even the smallest expressions incredibly expressive, and the humor is distinctly British. The film’s over-the-top transformations are hilarious, and the action-packed chases are as thrilling as any blockbuster. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and is considered one of the funniest animated comedies since Shrek.

‘Despicable Me’ (2010)

Despicable Me tells the story of Gru, a supervillain known for his grand entrances, who dreams of stealing the moon. With help from his mischievous Minions and a hidden base under his house, Gru intends to shrink the moon and steal it. However, his plans get complicated when he unexpectedly becomes the caretaker of three young girls, who he initially sees as tools to help him break into a rival’s base.

Redefines The Villain-as-Hero Trope

This fun and funny movie follows a group of girls who manage to soften the heart of the initially cold Gru, teaching him the importance of family. Directors Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud perfectly balance silly slapstick comedy with heartwarming moments. Gru’s over-the-top inventions are reminiscent of classic cartoons and James Bond films, and the energetic Minions remain as entertaining as ever. Featuring the voices of Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Kristen Wiig, and Julie Andrews, the film was a major hit that established Illumination as a leading animation studio.

‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines’ (2021)

Katie Mitchell is excited to go to film school and escape her quirky family, but her dad, Rick, wants one last road trip together. Along for the adventure are her positive mom, Linda, dinosaur-loving younger brother Aaron, and their goofy pug, Monchi. Their trip takes an unexpected turn when a powerful AI called PAL starts a robot rebellion, and the Mitchells find themselves having to save the world.

Builds a Language of Its Own

Wow, “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” just blew me away! It’s unlike anything I’ve seen in a long time – a total explosion of color and energy. The animation style feels so fresh, like it was created by someone who gets internet culture and loves classic cartoons. It’s not just visual noise, though; all the craziness actually supports the story. I especially loved the relatable, if a little messy, relationship between Katie and her dad, Rick. And Mochi, the pug? Total chaos in the best way! Plus, Olivia Colman as the villain, PAL, is brilliant – she’s so subtly menacing and hilarious. It’s just a really fun, inventive movie.

‘Zootopia’ (2016)

In the vibrant city of Zootopia, where animals who normally hunt and are hunted live together, Judy Hopps makes history as the first rabbit police officer. Determined to prove her worth, she takes on a challenging case involving missing animals and is forced to partner with Nick Wilde, a cunning fox. As they investigate, they travel through different parts of the city and uncover a dangerous conspiracy that could disrupt the peace of Zootopia.

Funny But Thoughtful

Directed by Byron Howard and Rich Moore, Zootopia truly shines in its detailed world-building and use of allegory. The city feels alive, with each district – like the frosty Thundratown and lush Rainforest District – having a distinct atmosphere brought to life through impressive animation. The relationship between Judy and Nick is both witty and heartwarming, and Jason Bateman’s performance as Nick adds a delightful dry humor that perfectly complements Judy’s cheerful personality. Ultimately, Zootopia offers a more intelligent and thoughtful experience than most animated comedies.

‘The Lego Movie’ (2014)

More than ten years ago, The Lego Movie proved that a toy could also be a hit movie. It tells the story of Emmet Brickowsky, an ordinary construction worker living in a perfect Lego city. His life is turned upside down when he joins forces with Wyldstyle, Batman, Vitruvius, and a team of heroes to save the Lego world from the evil Lord Business.

Meta Brilliance That Lands

While it could have easily been a typical advertisement, The Lego Movie became a truly original and funny film thanks to the direction of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. It’s bursting with imagination and cleverly pokes fun at itself, with its fast pace and unique stop-motion style. The humor is non-stop, from Batman’s moody comments to quirky details like the double-decker couch and the enthusiastic “Spaceship!” guy. It’s not only the funniest animated comedy since Shrek, but also proves that even a simple idea can become something truly special.

‘Megamind’ (2010)

Megamind, voiced by Will Ferrell, is a blue alien who always fights Metro Man, the golden superhero of Metro City. But when Megamind finally defeats Metro Man, he finds himself lost and without purpose. After all, what’s a villain without someone to fight? He decides to create a new enemy, Titan, but Titan turns out to be a reckless and immature menace, unexpectedly leading Megamind to become a hero himself.

Superhero Satire With a Soft Heart

Megamind offers a fresh and funny twist on the typical superhero story. Directed by Tom McGrath, the animated film features a fantastic voice cast – Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, David Cross, Jonah Hill, and Brad Pitt – who brilliantly portray the colorful characters. The humor is sharp and witty, largely stemming from Megamind’s comical mispronunciations and his dramatic villainous speeches.

‘Kung Fu Panda’ (2008)

DreamWorks’ Kung Fu Panda is considered their best film to date. The story centers on Po, a panda who’s a bit clumsy and spends a lot of time dreaming. He looks up to the skilled kung fu masters known as the Furious Five: Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Viper, and Crane, who are all trained by the strict Master Shifu. Everyone is surprised – including Po himself – when the wise old tortoise Oogway chooses him to be the Dragon Warrior. As Po begins his training, he learns that becoming a true warrior means accepting and celebrating who he is.

The Kind of Silly That Holds Up

The huge success of Kung Fu Panda and the creation of a franchise aren’t just down to its beautiful animation or impressive fight choreography. The film cleverly blends Eastern philosophical ideas with Western-style humor. Directors Mark Osborne and John Stevenson clearly respect martial arts, but they also allow Jack Black’s energetic and playful performance to shine. With a fantastic voice cast including Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, and Dustin Hoffman, the movie is filled with laugh-out-loud moments.

‘The Incredibles’ (2004)

Bob and Helen Parr, known as Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl, were once celebrated superheroes, but a series of lawsuits have forced them to retire and live a quiet suburban life with their three children. Bob misses the excitement of being a hero, so he eagerly accepts a mysterious assignment that takes him to a distant island. However, it’s a cleverly laid trap set by Syndrome, a former fan who’s become a villain, and soon the whole Parr family is caught up in the action.

A Superhero Saga Fueled by Humor and Heart

Brad Bird’s The Incredibles isn’t just a superhero movie – it’s a surprisingly relatable story about family, growing up, and navigating midlife challenges. Its unique retro-future style, cool jazz soundtrack, and exciting action still feel fresh today, but it’s the realistic family dynamics – like Dash’s excitement about his powers and Violet’s teenage struggles – that truly make it special. It stands out as one of the funniest and most original animated films since Shrek, cleverly reimagining the superhero genre with a lot of humor.

‘Ratatouille’ (2007)

Directed by Brad Bird, Ratatouille tells the story of Remy, a remarkably talented rat with a passion for cooking. Though he lives in the Parisian sewers, Remy dreams of becoming a celebrated chef, inspired by the legendary Auguste Gusteau. Through a lucky turn of events, Remy finds himself in the kitchen of Gusteau’s struggling restaurant, where he teams up with a clumsy kitchen worker named Languini. Together, they secretly work to restore the restaurant to its former greatness, with Remy skillfully guiding Languini’s actions.

A Mouthwatering Masterpiece

The idea of a rat competing for Michelin stars might sound like a guaranteed hit, and the movie Ratatouille truly delivers. It’s a visually stunning experience, with a wonderfully strange story, beautiful animation, and a playful depiction of cooking as an art form. Beyond the visuals, it’s surprisingly funny – watching Remy manipulate Linguini is consistently entertaining. And Anton Ego’s speech about the impact of art is a standout moment, easily ranking among Pixar’s finest.

2025-10-22 02:52