Studio: Studio Ghibli
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Synopsis: A young girl named Chihiro enters the spirit world and must work at a bathhouse to find her way back to the human world and her parents.
Why it's best: Stunning visuals, imaginative creatures, and a captivating story about courage and self-discovery.

2. The Iron Giant (1999)

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The Iron Giant (1999) movie poster

Studio: Warner Bros. Feature Animation
Director: Brad Bird
Synopsis: A young boy befriends a giant alien robot that has crash-landed on Earth, and they must protect each other from the U.S. military.
Why it's best: A heartfelt story about friendship, tolerance, and who you are and who you choose to become.

3. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

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How to Train Your Dragon (2010) movie poster.

Studio: DreamWorks Animation
Directors: Dan DeBloss and Chris Sanders
Synopsis: A young Viking with dreams of slaying dragons discovers an injured dragon and learns that they are not the monsters he thought they were.
Why it's best: exciting action sequences, beautiful animation, and a heartwarming story about acceptance and understanding.

4. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

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Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) Movie Poster

Studio: Sony Pictures Animation
Directors: Bob Persicetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman
Synopsis: Miles Morales becomes Spider-Man and teams up with other Spider-People from alternate universes to save reality.
Why it's best: Visually stunning, with a unique comic book style, a bestsoundtrack, and a fun and heartwarming story about finding your way.

5. The Secret of Kells (2009)

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The Secret of Kells (2009) Movie Poster

Studio: Cartoon Salon
Directors: Tom Moore and Nora Twomey
Synopsis: A boy living in a medieval monastery becomes involved in the creation of the Book of Kells.
Why it's best: Beautiful, intricate animation inspired by Celtic art, a magical story about the power of art and imagination.

6. Song of the Sea (2014)

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Song of the Sea (2014) Movie Poster

Studio: Cartoon Salon
Director: Tom Moore
Synopsis: Two brothers discover that their mute mother is a selkie, a mythical creature that can transform from seal to human.
Why it's best: Stunning visuals inspired by Irish folklore, a moving story about family, loss and the power of myth.

7. Persepolis (2007)

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Persepolis (2007) Movie Poster

Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Director: Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Perronaud
Synopsis: A coming-of-age story for a young girl in Iran during and after the Islamic Revolution.
Why it's best: A powerful and moving story based on the graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi, with stunning black-and-white animation.

8. Waltz with Bashir (2008)

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Waltz with Bashir (2008) Movie Poster

Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
Director: Ari Folman
Overview: An Israeli filmmaker interviews fellow veterans to try to jog their memories of the 1982 Lebanon War.
Why it's best: A unique, powerful and moving documentary with striking footage that explores the complexities of war trauma and memory.

9. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

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Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) Movie Poster

Studio: 20th Century Fox Animation
Director: Wes Anderson
Synopsis: A cunning fox returns to his thieving ways, endangering his family and community.
Why it's best: Quirky and charming stop-motion animation in Wes Anderson's distinctive style, based on the book by Roald Dahl.

10. Coraline (2009)

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Coraline (2009) Movie Poster

Studio: Focus Features
Director: Henry Selleck
Synopsis: A young girl discovers a seemingly perfect alternate world behind a secret door in her new home.
Why it's best: Scary and atmospheric stop-motion animation, a dark and suspenseful story about family and identity.

11. ParaNorman (2012)

Studio: Leica
Director: Chris Butler and Sam Fell
Synopsis:
- A misunderstood boy who can talk to the dead must use his abilities to save his town from a centuries-old curse.
- Why it's best: Fun and creepy stop-motion animation, a touching story about acceptance and staying true to yourself.

12. The Book of Life (2014)

Studio: Reel FX Creative Studios
Director: George R. Gutierrez
Synopsis: A young man journeys through the land of memories to win the heart of his one true love.
Why it's best: Vibrant, colorful animation inspired by Mexican folk art, a funny and touching story about love, family, and tradition.

13. April and the Extraordinary World (2015)

Studio: Estudio Canal
Director: Christian Desmeyers and Franck Akenky
Synopsis: In an alternate year 1941, a young woman searches for her missing scientist parents.
Why it's best: Stylish steampunk animation, an exciting adventure story with a unique premise.

14. My Life as a Zucchini (2016)

Studio: Rita Productions
Director: Claude Barras
Synopsis: A boy nicknamed Zucchini is sent to a foster home after his mother dies, where he learns to build a new life with other orphaned children.
Why it's best: Heartbreaking and moving stop-motion animation, a sensitive and honest depiction of childhood trauma and resilience.

15. Loving Vincent (2017)

Studio: Breakthrough Films
Directors: Dorota Kobela and Hugh Welchman
Summary: The story of Vincent van Gogh is told through his paintings, each frame hand-painted in his style.
Why it's best: A visually stunning and unique film, a touching tribute to the life and art of Vincent Van Gogh.

16. I Lost My Body (2019)

Studio: Xelam
Director: Jeremy Clapin
Summary: A severed hand emerges from the lab and sets out to find its body.
Why it's best: A unique and true story, with beautiful animation and a terrifying atmosphere.

17. Klaus (2019)

Studio: Netflix Animation
Director: Sergio Pablos
Synopsis: A selfish mailman stationed in a remote town strikes up an unlikely friendship with a toymaker.
Why it's best: Beautiful 2D animation with a unique style, a heartwarming and original take on the true story of Santa Claus.

18. Wolfwalkers (2020)

Studio: Cartoon Salon
Directors: Tom Moore and Ross Stewart
Synopsis: A young hunter arrives in Ireland with his father to take down the last wolf, but befriends a free-spirited girl from a mysterious tribe rumored to turn into wolves at night.
- Why it's best: Stunning visuals inspired by Irish folklore, a magical and heartwarming story about friendship, nature and the clash of cultures.

19. The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)

Studio: Sony Pictures Animation
Director: Michael Rianda
Synopsis: A dysfunctional family's road trip is interrupted by a robot apocalypse.
Why it's best: Hilarious and heartbreaking, with a unique visual style and a bestsoundtrack.

20. Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022)

Studio: Netflix Animation
Directors: Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson
Synopsis: A dark and twisted stop-motion adaptation of the classic fairy tale.
Why it's best: Beautiful and disturbing stop-motion animation, a unique and evocative take on the Pinocchio story.

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