Wave Twisters

• 2001
• Adventure
• Animation
• Music

We saw this film and then QBert performed with D-Styles on stage. Then the crowd sang happy birthday to QBert’s mom. T'was a rad night.

Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance

• 2009
• Action
• Animation
• Drama

If you like Japanime, then chances are you’ll most certainly know about this. As for people that are unaware, try out Evangelion 1.1 and see if it’s your cup of tea. It has all the typical elements that you would expect from a Japanime, albeit cheesy. However, there’s something fascinating about it that I can’t put my finger my on. Maybe you can.

The Secret World of Arrietty

• 2012
• Adventure
• Animation
• Family

Another charmingly-beautiful film from Studio Ghibli. The only difference here is how innocent it is compared to others. Even Ponyo had a bit more of a mature edge to it.

ParaNorman

• 2012
• Adventure
• Animation
• Comedy

Paranorman has a special style that looks vintage, yet modern with its animation. It fuses stop-motion with today’s CG. The story has a great lesson for children and adults will find it liberal, while also reminding grown-ups to be more like kids.

Brave

• 2012
• Action
• Adventure
• Animation

What do you want to talk about? Her awesome red hair, the touching story, the charming characters – what? It's a Pixar movie, of course it's great.

Wreck-It Ralph

• 2012
• Animation
• Comedy
• Family

It starts off great with the video game characters, the witty jokes, and all its nostalgic charm. After all that goes, we’re stuck in little kiddie land for the rest of the movie. It’s not a bad thing but these animated films are usually great for both adults and kids. This one felt like it was geared more towards the kids. The ironic thing is that the kids are too young to get all of the video game jokes. Still, I really, really enjoyed it.

Redline

• 2009
• Action
• Animation
• Sci-fi

This is insanely ridiculous and you won't care who wins the race because you'll just enjoy watching it. The animation and visuals are outstandingly loony and that's all it's got going for it.

Macross Frontier the Movie: The False Songstress

• 2009
• Animation
• Sci-fi

Hey, I’m in the mood to watch a Japanimation and I loved Robotech as a kid so why not.

There are pop songs with lyrics such as “At my wink signal, dive into my chest. Pure heart, go and violate my exposed thighs...The limit is vague 1000%” (extra zero is not a typo). I wouldn’t normally poke fun at that because I’m sure it doesn’t translate over well but when the lyrics are shown on screen like karaoke, sung in broken english, and happening constantly – well, fuck them. As for characters, we have the male hero (who has the longest hair in the film) stuck in a love triangle with a woman and a girl who looks like she’s 10. The two girl's singing is also the key to defeating the alien invaders. There is a second movie in this series but I would rather chug bleach.

The Adventures of Tintin

• 2011
• Animation
• Action
• Adventure

It's a shame that a lot of Americans don't know who TinTin is because this is worth the watch. I love the detailed art style of the characters and the graphics are amazing.

Puss in Boots

• 2011
• Animation
• Adventure
• Comedy

I'm not a cat person but this film gave me enough laughs to change a bit of that and the "Oooh" cat definitely helped. This was also successful in avoiding all the things that made the last few Shrek films bad.

Batman: Year One

• 2011
• Animation

It's an animated version of Batman Begins with a few plot changes and the inclusion of Catwoman. This has a much more serious tone for a cartoon but I think that's what all these DC Universe animated films are trying to do. I think it's a great way to introduce the young ones to the world of superheroes.

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole

• 2010
• Animation
• Adventure
• Fantasy

This one is more for the kiddies than the adults but it's a good watch. The visuals are really detailed but it's got your typical Zack Snyder, Matrix-slow-mo action if you're not sick of that yet.

Rio

• 2011
• Animation
• Adventure
• Comedy

Unlike other animated films similar to Rio, this one won't flare up your emotions or squeeze out a tear. It is based on sex, so parents, prepare to have that awkward talk with your kids about the birds & the birds, and hope that you don't also have to discuss the criminal underground of trafficking exotic animals.

Rango

• 2011
• Animation
• Adventure
• Comedy

I really loved all the visual details of the animals. It magnified their character's personality so well and it was fascinating to watch them interact with each other. I enjoyed the jokes and even at some parts, things get a little dark but it never lost its charm. However, this film has a very different vibe from all the other big animated movies that we're used to.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time

• 2006
• Animation
• Comedy
• Drama

The title is literal so I'm not spoiling it for you when I say that she does exactly just that, but she's not very good at altering the past so things go wrong. It's a cute movie about time travel and young love but I wasn't too crazy about the ending. Regardless, it's not bad.

Sword of the Stranger

• 2007
• Animation
• Action
• Adventure

This is a great animated movie! It has a more realistic art direction and a warm story. One of the proofs in this film's quality is in the last battle scene.

Megamind

• 2010
• Animation
• Action
• Comedy

I can't choose which is my favorite character, Metro-sexual Man or Minion. Every character in this film is awesome! This film is awesome!

How to Train Your Dragon

• 2010
• Animation
• Adventure
• Comedy

This one is awesome! There's a big boss battle and I really like how they made the black dragon "Toothless", behave like a gigantic cat.

Despicable Me

• 2010
• Animation
• Comedy
• Family

This was cool and the little girls are adorable but I didn't find it as clever as other 3D Animated films. It's not bad though, you should definitely watch it with your kids.

Batman: Under the Red Hood

• 2010
• Action
• Animation
• Crime

These Batman originals are getting darker, bloodier, and better! This one is especially good but I'm not sure if it's suitable for kids.

Battle for Terra

• 2007
• Animation
• Action
• Adventure
• Sci-fi

The graphics production is not that grand compared to other Pixar movies and the story is not as clever or touching but it is enjoyable. It's also a bit more serious than what you would expect from these types of animated films.

Toy Story 3

• 2010
• Animation
• Adventure
• Comedy
• Family
• Fantasy

It was a long time in the making but totally worth it. A touching and great conclusion that’s nothing short of excellent.

DuckTales: The Movie - Treasure of the Lost Lamp

• 1990
• Animation
• Adventure
• Comedy
• Family
• Fantasy

I loved Ducktales when I was a kid and this movie was awesome.

Robots

• 2005
• Animation
• Adventure
• Comedy
• Family
• Sci-fi

Is it weird that my favorite robot character is the gate greeter in front of the evil corporation's building?

Halo Legends

• 2010
• Animation
• Action
• Sci-fi

This is the only thing I like about the Halo franchise. I dig the first short movie the most.

Fantastic Mr. Fox

• 2009
• Animation
• Adventure
• Comedy
• Family

Wes Anderson's very distinct style turned into a stop-motion film. But is it good? Cuss yes, it's good.

Vexille

• 2007
• Animation
• Sci-fi

Japan isolated itself from the world so the UN sends in a chick to investigate what they're up to. Guess what they're up to? Oh, just the usual, making robots and shit.

Family Guy - Something, Something, Something Dark Side

• 2009
• Animation
• Comedy

As much as I still love Stewie, these Star Wars/Family Guy collaborations are getting sort of boring. The last one wasn't great and this one is just the same formula. But I did have a few good laughs.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

• 2009
• Animation
• Family

I wasn't planning to watch this one but a family member kept bugging me to, so I did. Turned out to be really good.

Up

• 2009
• Animation
• Adventure
• Comedy
• Family

After I finally got around to seeing this, I have to say wow! I understand why it's so great now. First off, there's a death within the first 20 minutes and this film even shows blood! I have never seen blood in any of these cute Pixar pictures. So it sets off a slightly more mature environment from the get-go. As for the rest of it, it's one of the most touching films I have seen.

Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone

• 2007
• Action
• Animation
• Sci-fi

One of the most unique Japanese animated series out there, not to mention the very bizarre but captivating art style. This story has a lot more substance and depth than your average Anime. But, it's really godamn weird, too.

Voices of a Distant Star

• 2003
• Animation
• Romance
• Sci-fi

An interesting and poetic love story between a student that is far off in space and his lover back on Earth.

Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

• 1984
• Animation
• Sci-fi
• Fantasy

I didn't enjoy this as much as everyone else did. In fact, I think I might have dozed off for a bit. The animation and art style is beautiful and well-done, as expected from Studio Ghibli. However, the story and pacing couldn't hold my attention.

Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs

• 2008
• Animation
• Comedy
• Sci-fi

I'm glad they're still making films on this franchise even though it's canceled from TV.

9

• 2009
• Animation
• Adventure
• Drama
• Fantasy
• Sci-fi

This is what hell looks like for The Muppets.

Renaissance

• 2006
• Animation
• Action
• Sci-fi
• Thriller

On a technical level, this movie is beautiful. It's done in stunning black and white, CGI, and stop-motion. They put a lot of work into the visuals. Unfortunately, I don't think the same can be said about the movie. Poor acting, bland story, and uninteresting characters. I fell asleep twice while watching this.

RG Veda

• 1992
• Animation
• Drama

It's difficult to remember everything about this Anime but what I do remember is badass. I think it was one of the very few Animes that really kept my attention when I was young.

M.D. Geist

• 1996
• Animation

This film is sort of like Fist of the North Star except the dude has a mech suit. There's not much to the plot, the main guy just slaughters everyone – it's really violent.

Waltz with Bashir

• 2008
• Animation
• Biography
• Drama
• War

The animation in this film is beautiful but I think that they wanted this approach to sugar coat the horrors of war. If this was a live action film, it would simply be about men telling war stories all the while showing gruesome images.

The Simpsons Movie

• 2007
• Animation
• Adventure
• Comedy

The same can be said about every TV series turned into a movie. It's one long episode.

Steamboy

• 2004
• Animation
• Action
• Adventure
• Sci-fi
• Thriller

Another Anime that made waves in Japan, which of course means that it would be on the American radar. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy as much as the rest of the world did. Besides the stellar animation, I didn't find this film that compelling and the story was bland.

Vampire Hunter D

• 1985
• Animation
• Fantasy
• Horror
• Sci-fi

Classic animated movie with a unique art style about a vampire that decimates other vampires.

Starchaser: The Legend of Orin

• 1985
• Adventure
• Animation
• Sci-fi

The art cover says "fun for the whole family" but I remember this movie being a lot more dark and bloody than that. I must be mistaken. Regardless, it's an OK animated classic, which is obviously trying to imitate Star Wars.

Turok: Son of Stone

• 2008
• Animation
• Sci-fi

Turok is an angry indian warrior who kills anything that can bleed. He’s put to the test when his own tribe boots him out and he has to fight off dinosaurs. It’s all so very uninteresting.

Batman: Gotham Knight

• 2008
• Animation
• Action
• Crime
• Sci-fi

This is a collection of short Batman stories done by Japanese Anime talents. This was meant to hold Batman fans over until the launch of The Dark Knight and it worked. You'll really like this if you liked The Animatrix.

The Plague Dogs

• 1982
• Adventure
• Animation
• Drama

This is a really gritty, adult cartoon about two dogs that escape from a lab and then are hunted down. I definitely do not recommend this if you have a dog or love dogs.

Star Wars: The Clone Wars

• 2008
• Animation
• Action
• Adventure
• Sci-fi
• Thriller

More pew pew lasers, more woosh woosh light sabers, just another Star Wars episode, except this one is computer animated and also as pointless as the episodes.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

• 1993
• Animation
• Family
• Fantasy
• Music

The greatest claymation classic of all time! There are too many good things about this movie and if you don't know anything about it, then go put it on your rental list, already. This is Tim Burton's peak.

James and the Giant Peach

• 1996
• Animation
• Adventure
• Family
• Fantasy
• Music

This is the claymation remake of the classic children's story, all done in Tim Burton's style. Pretty cool!

Monsters vs Aliens

• 2009
• Animation
• Action
• Family
• Sci-fi

Another really fun and cleverly animated movie! Great dialog for kids and adults. I especially liked the voice of Amy Poehler (the computer).

Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie

• 1994
• Action
• Animation

A lot of people expected this movie to be crap but it turned out fairly decent. I liked it and it was very faithful to the original source.

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

• 1993
• Animation
• Action
• Crime
• Family
• Mystery
• Romance
• Thriller

The Joker is my favorite villain of all time and some of his craziest antics are in here.

FLCL

• 2000
• Animation
• Comedy
• Drama
• Fantasy
• Sci-fi

I was told this was a very different and insane type of animated Japanese film so I gave it a shot. Is it different and insane? Yes, it is. Is it good? Nope.

Karas: The Revelation

• 2007
• Animation
• Action
• Fantasy

I was just bored and decided to venture into the Anime category on Netflix. Typical and fairly boring.

G.I. Joe: The Movie

• 1987
• Animation
• Action
• Adventure
• Family
• Fantasy
• Sci-fi

This was such a memorable and badass cartoon for me when I saw it as a child.

TMNT

• 2007
• Animation
• Action
• Adventure
• Comedy
• Drama
• Fantasy

It’s official, Turtle Power is dead. It has been dead for a long time. Fans, please let go.

Paprika

• 2006
• Animation
• Mystery
• Sci-fi

This is a really cool and mind-bending movie about a stolen machine that allows therapist to enter their patient's dreams. I recommend it if you're in the mood for a trippy, adult Anime.

Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence

• 2004
• Action
• Animation
• Drama
• Sci-fi
• Thriller
• Fantasy

This sequel lives up to the first one. I fine Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence much more dark and twisted. Great film!

Ghost in Shell

• 1995
• Animation
• Action
• Sci-fi
• Fantasy
• Thriller

Because of Studio Ghibli and the Ghost in the Shell franchise, Japan has an absolute strangle-hold as king of animated films. What am I even saying, that's not news.

Princess Mononoke

• 1997
• Animation
• Adventure
• Fantasy

Another very creative and beautiful film from Studio Ghibli. I saw this one in the theaters and I was mesmerized. I didn't fully understand it but the movie itself was so fascinating and well-drawn that I just didn't care about figuring it out.