4 Animated Movies Better Than Toy Story

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Many consider this 1995 Pixar film to be a true masterpiece, and not just within the world of animation. It was revolutionary and completely redefined what animated movies could be. While Toy Story remains a beloved classic for many, a few other animated films are arguably even better.

Toy Story is still considered a beloved animated classic, and many people enjoy it because it reminds them of their childhood. It’s undeniable that the film was groundbreaking and greatly influenced animation as we know it today. However, over time, other animated movies have either expanded on the ideas introduced in Toy Story or created entirely new approaches to the genre.

Spirited Away Is One of the Deepest Animated Films

While many animated movies are simply entertaining, 2001’s Spirited Away showed that animation can also be incredibly thoughtful and complex. The film tackles big ideas – like growing up, the dangers of greed, and the impact of modern life on Japanese traditions – and rewards repeat viewings. It’s a story about a young girl’s journey, but also a look at themes of consumerism, cultural change, and the influence of the West.

Chihiro’s adventure begins when she stumbles into a magical world inhabited by spirits. After her parents are transformed into pigs, she must find a way to save them. Spirited Away is a truly innovative film, and its dreamlike, fantastical qualities allow it to explore meaningful themes, arguably making it even more impactful than films like Toy Story.

Up Is Still One of the Most Heartbreaking Disney Films

Most animated movies focus on making people laugh, but the 2009 Disney and Pixar film Up is best known for being deeply moving. The film’s opening minutes are unforgettable, and many viewers find them incredibly emotional—even just remembering them can bring tears to your eyes. That’s how powerful Up is.

Up is a touching story about a widower named Carl who goes on one last journey to fulfill a promise he made to his wife. He gets a surprising companion in a young boy named Russell. While the movie is full of exciting adventures, it’s the heartwarming connection that develops between Carl and Russell that truly makes it special and unforgettable.

WALL-E Feels Even More Relevant Today

While movies like Toy Story are great, some animated films stand out because they deliver a powerful message or offer insightful social commentary. WALL-E, a Disney and Pixar film from 2008, is a perfect example – and its themes feel especially important today. The movie centers on WALL-E, a robot whose job is to clean up the massive amounts of trash left behind on a now-empty Earth.

The movie WALL-E presents a grim but believable vision of Earth’s future if we continue to overconsume and create waste. Released nearly two decades ago, its message feels even more urgent and important today. It’s not just a fun animated film; for a lot of people, it serves as a frightening warning about where we’re headed.

Shrek Proved Animated Films Could Also Be for Adult Audiences

The movie Shrek is the second most successful animated franchise of all time, and a big part of its success comes from appealing to older viewers. While most animated films from studios like Disney, DreamWorks, and Pixar are made for children, the 2001 film Shrek showed that animated movies could also be enjoyed by adults.

Shrek playfully pokes fun at traditional animated movies and fairy tale clichés, offering a more sophisticated take on the genre. Despite this, it was also incredibly popular with kids, showing the film appealed to a wide audience. This success is thanks to its smart writing, which balanced humor for all ages with layers of deeper meaning.

Similar to other great animated movies, Shrek boasts an amazing voice cast. Mike Myers stars as Shrek, Eddie Murphy plays his hilarious sidekick Donkey, and Cameron Diaz voices Princess Fiona. With so much comedic talent involved, it’s no surprise some people actually prefer Shrek to Toy Story.

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2026-05-14 21:37