# Greatest animated movies and TV shows of all time! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 15, 2005, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618 "2005-07-15T04:28:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kaspar\_Hauser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b3f665/32.png) [@Kaspar\_Hauser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kaspar_Hauser)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/1 "2005-07-15T04:28:08Z")
[This](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=325047) recent discussion may have left the impression that I was some kind of crank with regards to animation (or as I like to call it, “cartoons”), so I just wanted to reiterate that I do indeed love about the art form. All are invited to play, and no kind of animation is excluded (yes, even _barf_ 3D animation). My top five, as of this particular moment: 1. _Watership Down_ 2. _Batman: The Animated Series_ Yes, the entire series. If I needed to pick just one, I would, of course, pick _Heart of Ice_. 3. The original _Looney Toons_ shorts, but if I could only pick one, I’d pick _Duck Amuck_. 4. _The Iron Giant_ 5. _Futurama_. If I could pick only one – I couldn’t do it. 6. _Spirited Away_ OK, top six. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/2 "2005-07-15T05:06:41Z")
In no particular order, there’s _The Simpsons_, _Futurama_, and on the Japanese side, _Tenchi Muyo!_ and _Cowboy Bebop_. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/3 "2005-07-15T05:17:32Z")
Any list would be incomplete without the short-lived \*[Clone High](http://www.clone-high.com) \*. ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/4 "2005-07-15T05:19:34Z")
Do we include rotoscoping? I’ll stand behind Waking Life, if so - atleast as a dark horse canidate. ---
**Author:** ![Fredescu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/73ab20/32.png) [@Fredescu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fredescu)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/5 "2005-07-15T05:42:31Z")
_Castle of Cagliostro_ is still my favourite “cartoon style” animated movie. I loved _The Secret of Nimh_ too, although it’s been a long while since I’ve seen it. _Shrek_ is a great family favourite. I’d have to round out my six with the usual suspects: _The Simpsons_, _Futurama_ and _Family Guy_. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/6 "2005-07-15T06:11:11Z")
Here’s my list, in order. I couldn’t limit myself to five. My only criteria was pure animation quality – just the drawing (or rendering) – largely ignoring the voice acting and story. 1. _Pinocchio_ 2. _Castle in the Sky_ 3. _Spirited Away_ 4. _101 Dalmatians_ 5. _Wings of Honneamise_ 6. _The Incredibles_ 7. _FLCL_ 8. _How the Grinch Stole Christmas_ 9. _The Iron Giant_ 10. _Ghost in the Shell_ _Shrek_? Good God, no! The art direction is atrocious and the characters move like bad marionettes. And, as amusing as I find _Family Guy_, _Futurama_ and \*the Simpsons \*, they’re much better written than they are drawn. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/7 "2005-07-15T06:13:45Z")
> [@Pochacco](#): > > And, as amusing as I find _Family Guy_, _Futurama_ and \*the Simpsons \*, they’re much better written than they are drawn. Oh, the animation on Family Guy is terrible! The Simpsons has become a rather well-drawn in spots, but it’ll always be more about the writing. Futurama can also be quite pretty at times. ---
**Author:** ![Hung\_Mung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a88e4f/32.png) [@Hung\_Mung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hung_Mung)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/8 "2005-07-15T06:22:01Z")
I always loved **Duckman**. It wasn’t beautiful but it was certainly unique. Plus, the quality didn’t reallly go up or down between episodes. I second Waking Life as a fringe possibility. In list form, no certain order… 1. Akira. Blew my mind the first time I saw it. 2. Iron Giant 3. Wings of Honneamise 4. Cowboy Bebop and Trigun 5. Ninja Scroll (also a mindblower) 6. Animaniacs. I’ve never seen a smarter cartoon. ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/9 "2005-07-15T06:22:39Z")
> [@ZebraShaSha](#): > > Do we include rotoscoping? I’ll stand behind Waking Life, if so - atleast as a dark horse canidate. Yeah, with rotoscoping Waking Life is a definite winner, without it: Cowboy Bebop Reign Vampire Hunter D Akira Batman the animated series (the good one) Gargoyles (the first two seasons) Ghost in the Shell Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex Futurama Venture Brothers Aqua Teen Hunger Force Sealab 2021 Big O (Big O, Big O, Big OOOOOOOOOOOOO!) Foolie Coolie ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/10 "2005-07-15T06:27:34Z")
Invader Zim. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/11 "2005-07-15T06:28:13Z")
Akira Jin-roh Wings of Honeamise Revolutionary Girl Utena (TV and Movie) Key: The Metal Idol Evangelion Beauty and the Beast Grave of the Fireflies Vampire Hunter D (2nd Movie) The Hakkenden Mononoke-hime ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/12 "2005-07-15T06:29:53Z")
And: Niea Under Seven ---
**Author:** ![FinnAgain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finnagain/32/12500_2.png) [@FinnAgain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinnAgain)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/13 "2005-07-15T06:32:02Z")
> [@Sage Rat](#): > > Vampire Hunter D (2nd Movie) Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust ---
**Author:** ![Fredescu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/73ab20/32.png) [@Fredescu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fredescu)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/14 "2005-07-15T06:58:59Z")
> [@Pochacco](#): > > My only criteria was pure animation quality > > \ > > Shrek? Good God, no! The art direction is atrocious and the characters move like bad marionettes. > > And, as amusing as I find Family Guy, Futurama and the Simpsons , they’re much better written than they are drawn. Thats fine, but my interpretation of the OP was the best movies and TV shows that are animated, not the best animation in a movie or TV show. I’m happy to accept that from a pure animation stand point, none of my selections make the grade 🙂 > [@Hung Mung](#): > > Ninja Scroll I knew I forgot something. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/15 "2005-07-15T07:30:51Z")
I think _Bambi_ is one of the most beautifully drawn Disney movies, although I’ll second _Pinocchio_. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 9:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/16 "2005-07-15T09:32:04Z")
Tron! 😃 (Although admittedly its not _all_ animated) ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/17 "2005-07-15T11:28:06Z")
I’ll second Clone High. That show was so good, they even made Marilyn Manson funny when he guested. As I’m a fan of the classics, I’ll nominate Looney Tunes. Good animation. Best gags and characters. It’s top of my list. Batman: The Animated Series is next, followed closely by the futuristic Batman Beyond. I was worried when the show first came out, but it was pretty durn close to the original series as far as quality of animation, story, etc. All in all, it was a worthy successor and much better than the new The Batman. Blecch I’ll round out the list with Animaniacs. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/18 "2005-07-15T12:18:00Z")
1. Princess Monomoke 2. The Iron Giant 3. The Rocky Show/Rocky and His Friends/The Bullwinkle Show (All hail Jay Ward! The animation sucked, but there’s a reason why Bart Simpson’s middle initial is “J.”) 4. The Simpsons 5. Mulan ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/19 "2005-07-15T12:22:57Z")
The Incredibles Castle of Cagliostro Futurama Cowboy Bebop Star Blazers/Space Battleship Yamoto Pinnochio (The Disney craftsmanship here is astounding!) Metropolis ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2005, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618/20 "2005-07-15T13:11:27Z")
> [@Pochacco](#): > > Here’s my list, in order. I couldn’t limit myself to five. My only criteria was pure animation quality – just the drawing (or rendering) – largely ignoring the voice acting and story. > \ > 7. _FLCL_ > \ Please forgive my ignorance, but what the heck is FLCL? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/greatest-animated-movies-and-tv-shows-of-all-time/312618.md?page=2)