From theearly days of Disney’s most enchanting and timeless talesto the groundbreaking Studio Ghibli masterpieces,animationas a genre has evolved continuously and left an indelible mark on our collective memory of movie history. Going way back to the early 20th century, the animated movie industry has always been a vibrant and thoroughly entertaining landscape. Whether it is the adventures ofSnow White and the Seven Dwarfsor the spectacle of Pixar’s finest, there have been at least over 10,000 animated movies premiered worldwide and each one is unique.
Few voices in cinema have been as respected and revered as that ofRoger Ebert. His keen eye and unbiased perspective has been a guiding light for movie enthusiasts and, when it comes to the animated genre, Ebert has been in awe of the artistry, technical brilliance, innovation, and emotional resonance of certain gems.
This is a list of 10 animated movies that earned the highest praise from Roger Ebert, and it goes without saying that they’re all worthy of the coveted four-star rating only Ebert could give.
10’Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' (1937)
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Walt Disney’sSnow White and the Seven Dwarfsis the first ever feature-length animated movie produced in America, and it’s a landmark achievement in the industry. Bringing the Brothers Grimm fairy tale to life in glorious fashion, it follows the innocent and kind-hearted Snow White, who flees into the forest to escape her jealous stepmother, the evil Queen. She finds a safe haven in a cottage of seven dwarfs, who become her unlikely protectors.
Takes the First Leap Into Animation
It is impossible not to fall in love with the breathtaking artistry demonstrated in this movie, which has the ability to transport audiences into a world where magic is triumphant. Roger Ebert praisedSnow Whiteas a film that transcends mere storytelling, calling it“a film in which every corner and dimension would contain something that was alive and moving.”He admired Disney’s use of multiplane camera and the realism in animation, adding how,“to one degree or another, every animated feature made since owes it something.”
9’Pinocchio' (1940)
Disney’sPinocchiois a tale of adventure and growth. Crafted by Geppetto, the titular wooden puppet wants nothing more than to become a real boy. Guided by his own conscience, Jiminy Cricket, he embarks on a perilous journey fraught with deception, temptation, and reckless actions, where he is deceived by conmen, lured into the infamous Pleasure Island, and even swallowed by a monstrous whale called Monstro.
Disney’s Most Unforgettable
The movie has emotional depth, boasts stunning animation, and some truly unforgettable moments, which makes it one of Disney’s best movies of all time. Despite initial commercial setbacks,the movie has become a beloved classicfor its timeless message of redemption, honesty, and integrity. As for Ebert, the film creates a palpable space outside the screen. He states:
“The power of the film is generated, I think, because it is really about something. It isn’t just a concocted fable or a silly fairy tale, but a narrative with deep archetypal reverberations.”
8’Yellow Submarine' (1968)
Yellow Submarine
Released when the Beatles were dominating the world of pop music,Yellow Submarinetakes viewers on a psychedelic journey through Pepperland, a utopian world attacked by the music-hating Blue Meanies. The Beatles are summoned by Old Fred, and they travel through bizarre landscapes like the Sea of Time and the Sea of Holes to finally arrive in Pepperland and restore music and joy.
A Brilliant Musical
Employing a dazzling explosion of color and music and visual effects, this film presents an imaginative world so pure and creative, with no boundaries of reality and fantasy, that it perfectly complements the Beatles’ legendary soundtrack. The fusion of Peter Max, Rene Magritte, and M.C. Escher-inspired aesthetic, the witty dialogue, and surreal animation, was all embraced by fans and Ebert alike, who described the film as“a time capsule from the flower power era.”
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7’Who Framed Roger Rabbit' (1988)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Loosely inspired by Gary K. Wolf’s novel,Who Framed Roger Rabbittakes place in an alternate history Hollywood in 1947. It follows Eddie Valiant, a hard-boiled private investigator, who is thrust into a wild whodunit after the mischievous Roger Rabbit is framed for murder. Eddie teams up with the Toons and uncovers a sinister plot that threatens to destroy Toontown.
Breaks New Ground in Animation
With a seamlessblend of live-action and animation, the movie becomes yet another towering accomplishment in cinematic history. Roger Ebert endorses its revolutionary animation techniques, noir-inspired aesthetic, and glorious humor. He noted that the film“gets made once in a blue moon”due to its immense technical challenge and the pressure of inventing something, comparing it to2001: A Space OdysseyandE.T.in terms of combining actors and cartoons and making it look real.
6’Toy Story' (1995)
Directed by John Lasseter,Toy Storyis the first entirely computer-animated feature film ever made. It introduced audiences to a world where toys come to life when humans aren’t looking. The plot revolves around Woody, a cowboy doll, who has always been Andy’s favorite. That is until Buzz Lightyear, a flashy space ranger, arrives and threatens his place in the hierarchy.
A Roller-Coaster Ride
Featuring the voices of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, Pixar’sToy Storybecame a cultural phenomenon. It earned universal acclaim and launched the studio’s domination of animated storytelling. Its success also paved the way for an entire franchise and narratives based on friendship, self-discovery, and innocence. Ebert hailed the film as“a visionary roller-coaster ride of a movie”that creates a universe out of simple locations like a child’s bedroom and a suburban highway.
5’Tarzan' (1999)
Adapted from the 1912 story,Tarzan of the Apes, written by Edgar Rice Burroughs,Tarzantells the story of a young boy named Tarzan, who is raised by a family of gorillas after his parents’ tragic demise. His sheltered existence is turned upside down when he meets the kind-hearted Jane, a curious explorer who introduces him to the human world, its language, and culture.
About Identity and Belonging
Roger Ebert’s review ofTarzanwasa terrific four-star endorsement. He praised the movie for capturing the essence of the character, its stunning visuals, and emotionally resonant themes. The critic also applauded the film’s use of deep canvas, a technique used to create immersive environments like Tarzan’s treetop escapades.
“Like all the best Disney animated films, this one is about something other than cute characters and cheerful songs. It speaks even to the youngest members of the audience, who, like Tarzan, must have days when they feel surrounded by tall, rumbling, autocratic bipeds.”
4’Shrek' (2001)
Directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson,Shrekreimagines the fairy tale genre with humor and heart. The film follows the gruff and lovable green ogre Shrek, who lives in blissful solitude. But his life is upended when his swamp is overrun by a group of storybook characters banished by the villainous Lord Farquaad. To reclaim his peace, Shrek teams up with the wisecracking Donkey and agrees to rescue Princess Fiona.
Wicked, Funny, and Heartfelt
With its clever, subversive humor and endearing characters, this DreamWorks Animation film has stolen the hearts of many. It also helps that the movie puts a delightful and unexpected twist on the happily-ever-after trope. Ebert sees it all and admires the attempt, describingShrekas“jolly and wicked, filled with sly in-jokes and yet somehow possessing a heart.”The stellar voice performances by Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, and some digs at Disney occasionally make it stand out too. About the character, Ebert says:
“No animated being has ever moved, breathed or had its skin crawl quite as convincingly as Shrek, and yet the movie doesn’t look like a reprocessed version of the real world; it’s all made up, right down to, or up to, Shrek’s trumpet-shaped ears.”
3’Waking Life' (2001)
Waking Life
A heavy-hitting and philosophical addition to the catalog of animated gems,Waking Lifefollows an unnamed young man as he drifts through a series of surreal encounters and engages with individuals in deep conversation about free will, reality, existential dread, and the nature of one’s being. As he struggles to wake up fromwhat feels like an endless dream, he meets artists and thinkers and strangers who challenge everything he knows about life.
Intellectually Stimulating Film
Richard Linklater crafts a tapestry of thought-provoking conversations with jaw-dropping imagery and urges the audiences to question their assumptions while also expanding their horizons of thinking. The film’s unique rotoscope animation style, where live-action footage is transformed into fluid, shifting visuals, creates a hypnotic experience that mirrors its philosophical themes. For Roger Ebert, the movie essentially cleanses viewers of“boredom, indifference, futility and the deadening tyranny of the mundane”at a time when it’s absolutely necessary.
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2’Finding Nemo' (2003)
Finding Nemo
An early classic from Pixar,Finding Nemotakes you under the ocean and introduces you to a shy and fearful clownfish named Marlin, who embarks on a dangerous quest to find his son, the adventurous Nemo, snatched from their home by a scuba diver and placed in a dentist’s aquarium in Sydney. Marlin sets off across the sea, navigates currents and creatures, and also teams up with the forgetful Dory, who joins him.
Visual and Emotional Success
More than 20 years after its release,Finding Nemocontinues to tug at the heartstrings and remind the audiences of the resilience of the human (or in this case, fish) spirit. The gorgeous animation, rich emotional core, and exhilarating, nail-biting adventure, makes it one of Pixar’s best creations. And Roger Ebert could not agree more. He describes the movie as“one of those rare movies where I wanted to sit in the front row and let the images wash out to the edges of my field of vision.”
1’Ratatouille' (2007)
Ratatouille
Ratatouilleis one of those beloved animated classics that never got a sequel, but it definitely had Roger Ebert desiring one. A story about ambition and artistry and, of course, the love for food, it follows Remy, a rat with an insatiable passion for the art of fine dining and an extraordinary sense of taste. His dreams of becoming a chef in Paris come true when he secretly helps the bumbling Linguini create culinary masterpieces in the kitchen of Gusteau’s restaurant.
An Inspiring Masterpiece
Ratatouilleis an adorable movie; it is a triumph of animation, comedy, and imagination. And while Remy’s culinary skills take center stage, the film explores themes of perseverance and following one’s dreams no matter what. Themouthwatering visualsand meticulous attention to detail, from the bustling Parisian kitchen down to every garnish, elevate it beyond typical animated movies. With a four-star rating, Ebert hailsRatatouilleas one of Pixar’s and Brad Bird’s finest.
