For as controversial as Netflix is, one thing is for sure; it offers up some fantastic animated films from time to time. Whether you’re looking to sit down with your family for movie night or just sittin’ alone doomscrolling through the films on offer, there are diamonds in the rough.
The same can be said with the animation that the studio offers. These films are must-watch animated flicks on Netflix.
6. Vivo
Directed by Kirk DeMicco, who has credits working on the likes of The Croods, Space Chimps, and Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, Vivo was greenlit under DreamWorks, only for its production to halt in 2015.
Work sprang back up in 2016 under Sony Pictures Entertainment and luckily this time, things went smoothly.
Released in 2021, Vivo follows its namesake character, a music-loving kinkajou traveling to Miami from Cuba to deliver his late companion’s love song to that who he loved but never admitted to.
5. The Willoughbys
If you think your life sucks, at least you aren’t The Willoughbys. Trapped with a mother and father who are too infatuated with each other and their hobbies to be bothered to care for their four children; Tim, Jane, and twins Barnaby… that’s both of their names.. hatch a plan to get rid of their parents to improve their lives.
This 2020 Will Forte and Maya Rudolph starring Netflix film has plenty going for it and will have you chuckle at… or feel bad… for the situation the quad ends up in.
4. Wish Dragon
Sony once again comes in clutch with a solid animated feature; Wish Dragon follows Shanghai-based Din as he longs to reunite with his childhood friend, Li. After being gifted a teapot by a crazy man, he comes to find said teapot houses a wish-granting dragon named Long.
With his three wishes, he makes it his mission to reunite with Li and ignore the divide between classes of working-class and the upper-class.
All the while, though, he’s being watched by Pockets, a man sent to recover the teapot.
3. Arlo the Alligator Boy
If you’re looking for a charming musical, Arlo the Alligator Boy might be just what you’re looking for. Written and directed by Ryan Crego, who previously worked on Nickelodeon’s Sanjay and Craig, Arlo the Alligator Boy follows half boy half alligator, Arlo as he ventures beyond his caretaker’s swamp in search of his high-class father in New York City.
Along the way, he meets a host of other undesirables who agree to help him on his journey. It’s a sweet story with solid musical performances and a pleasing art direction.
2. Klaus
While it might not be “the season” just yet, Klaus is a must-watch for anyone who is looking to celebrate Christmas. Alternatively, you might just be looking for a 2D feature in a medium largely dominated by 3D creations.
Taking place in 19th-century Norway, Klaus follows Jesper, a spoiled self-centered person who was thrust into a postman training academy to try and reshape him.
Partnering with Klaus, a reclusive toymaker, the two end up working together to spread holiday cheer and happiness to the town’s children. Its distinctive style and well-crafted narrative makes it not just a great watch during Christmastime, but an all-around great choice.
1. The Mitchells vs. the Machines
Yet another Sony banger, The Mitchells vs. the Machines follows the Mitchells as they drive across the country as a last bonding experience before their teen daughter, Katie, is off to college.
Unbeknownst to them, though, trouble lurks elsewhere in the country as entrepreneur Mark Bowman introduces the world to his new line of home robots, declaring his old AI virtual assistant, PAL, obsolete. Angering the AI, PAL hatches a plot to send all humans to space with the help of all of Mark’s creations.
With the robot invasion, it’s now up to the Mitchells to set aside their current frustrations with each other to save humanity.