How to Train Your Dragon
Dean DeBlois and Chris Sanders gave us a near perfect family animated film in How to Train Your Dragon with a story, characters, animation, and score that all work in harmony to produce a film that became an instant classic and is undoubtedly one of the all-time greats.
The Sound of Music
Regardless of how you feel about the film’s overwhelming optimism, there’s no doubt that The Sound of Music continues to stand the test of time thanks in large part to its music and characters, especially the performances from its two leads, and it certainly deserves recognition as one of the Greatest Films of All Time.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is ultimately a triumph of both the animation craft and of storytelling, though, more than deserving of a place among the greats.
Song of the Sea
Anyone looking for an excellent coming-of-age tale that also has poignant themes and gorgeous animation will be hard pressed to find many films better than this one, cementing its place among the cinematic greats.
Billy Elliot
The characters and story of Billy Elliot, portrayed excellently by its leading cast, turn this coming-of-age tale into something even more universal and topical and earn this film a place among the greats.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs earns its spot among the greats thanks to its phenomenal feats of animation, iconic character designs, and classic music that all bolster the film’s watchability.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.
The combination of Blume’s universal story and strong acting from Abby Ryder Fortson, Rachel McAdams, and Kathy Bates makes Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. an instant success and a film worthy of a place among the greats.
The Straight Story
The Straight Story features an excellent combination of execution from actor and director with Farnsworth’s grounding performance allowing Lynch’s surrealist sensibilities to shine and vice versa, giving audiences a tale that’s equal parts relatable and thought-provoking, earning a place of greatness.
Kubo and the Two Strings
Kubo and the Two Strings wins you over by combining familiar and engaging visuals with new and unexpected twists on the norms of children’s, animated, and fantasy storytelling to create a unique film about story, family, and memory worthy of a place among the greats.
The Kids Are All Right
Lisa Cholodenko’s The Kids Are All Right hits the right notes in its examination of the complex nature of family thanks to the combination of her writing and the perfect trio of leading performers to make it sing, earning it a place among the greats.
The Iron Giant
The many positive aspects of The Iron Giant – its comedy, resonance, themes, and animation – coalesce into a near-perfect animated film, worthy of a spot among the Greatest Films of All Time.
Ernest & Celestine
While its animation and style would make for a great film on their own, Ernest & Celestine’s message of overcoming prejudices in order to forge bonds of friendship that lead to the cultivation of one another’s strengths makes it a film worthy of all-time great status.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish shows that children’s sequels don’t have to be simple cash grabs and that animation can offer mature themes, fun action, and interesting characters to audiences of all ages, making it a film worthy of recognition among the greats and one worth celebrating for years to come.
My Neighbor Totoro
My Neighbor Totoro checks so many of the boxes for what makes a film good: from its animation and music to its story and themes, Miyazaki gives audiences a gloriously fun film that is sure to touch the hearts of anyone who watches it.
Fiddler on the Roof
It really is the interplay between Topol’s phenomenal performance as Tevye and the gorgeous camerawork of Morris that turn Fiddler into one of the all-time greats, rewarding the audience for the time they have invested.
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
The film’s ability to portray truth in simplicity while giving its audience a heartfelt and moving story in the form of a silly mockumentary about a shell with shoes allows Marcel the Shell with Shoes On to rise above its premise and achieve film greatness.