Whilst I don’t mind the odd Disney film or two, when it comes to animation I naturally veer towards Pixar and who can blame me, they have produced some phenomenal films over the past 25 years but even I have to admit that both production studios together have garnered something of a monopoly over the genre. Therefore, I wanted to write a post that celebrated films made by other studios, so here’s ten great animated films that were not produced by Disney or Pixar.

The Iron Giant (1999)

Tagline: Some secrets are too huge to hide.

One of Mark’s favourite films, The Iron Giant tells the story of a small boy named Hogarth, who befriends an innocent alien robot that crash landed on Earth. Now Hogarth must protect his friend, and his home town, from a paranoid government agent who is determined to destroy the sentient robot at all costs.

Ferngully: The Last Rainforest (1992)

Tagline: They live in a secret world touched by magic and surrounded by nature, and the only human who has ever been there, must now fight to save it.

Despite being almost thirty years old FernGully: The Last Rainforest‘s message is still as prevalent today as it was back in 1992. Starring Tim Curry and Robin Williams, FernGully sees the magical inhabitants of the rainforest fight to protect their home from a logging company and an evil pollutive force called Hexxus.

Spirited Away (2001)

Tagline:  The tunnel led Chihiro to a mysterious town.

Ten-year old Chihiro and her parents are on their way to their new home in the suburbs, when her father takes a wrong turn and they stumble upon what looks to be an old abandoned amusement park which turns out to be a supernatural bathhouse for many of Japans spirits, ran by an evil spiteful witch called Yubaba. With the help of a mysterious boy named Haku, Chihiro must work for Yubaba in order to find a way to break the spell and save her parents.

Read full review – here.

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-verse (2018)

Tagline: What makes you different is what makes you Spider-Man

Spider-Man is a story that has almost, almost, been done to death but Phil Lord and Christopher Miller brings a different, visually spectacular, take to the hero we all know and love. Into The Spider-verse tells the story of Miles Morales as he struggles with his new powers, but when Kingpin’s machine rips a hole across the dimensions, five new spider-powered heroes help him take up the mantle and save the multiverse.

Read my full review – here.

Klaus (2019)

Tagline: Discover the friendship that launched a legend.

When Jesper’s spoilt and selfish ways distinguish himself as the Postal Academy’s worst ever student, his father sends him off to an ever-so distant, frozen island to set up a postal office. He is given a year to succeed or risk being cut off from the family fortune and the luxury that comes with it. A chance encounter with a mysterious carpenter gives Jesper the opportunity he needs to succeed but their unlikely partnership sets off a series of events that will melt even the iciest of hearts.

Read my full review – here.

The Land Before Time (1988)

Tagline: It is the dawn of time, the land of the dinosaur. Lost and alone, Littlefoot and his friends are about to embark on the journey of a lifetime.

Littlefoot, an orphaned brontosaurus, meets four other young orphaned dinosaurs and the set off in search of the legendary Great Valley, a safe haven where dinosaurs can thrive and live in peace. As they journey on they must learn to work together in order to overcome obstacles and survive the evil tyrannosaurus, Sharptooth.

Sing (2016)

Tagline: Auditions begin at Christmas

Featuring a star-studded cast, Sing tells the story of Buster Moon, a passionate yet slightly delusional showman who puts on a singing competition as a last-ditch effort to save his theatre. A small typo in the flyer promises a grand prize of $100,000 – money he doesn’t have – which spreads like wildfire through the city and brings a whole host of musical talent out to audition.

Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Tagline: Be Bold. Be Brave. Be Epic.

Kubo lives a quiet, normal life in a small shoreside village until a spirit from the past turns his life upside down by re-igniting an age-old vendetta. This causes all sorts of havoc as gods and monsters chase Kubo who, in order to survive, must locate a magical suit of armor once worn by his late father, a legendary Samurai warrior.

Full disclosure – I actually don’t particularly like this film too much but I do admire the story and cannot deny the beauty of the animation.

Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Tagline: Even monsters need a vacation.

Secluded from the human civilisation, Hotel Transylvania is a five-star resort ran by Dracula where all the monsters of the world can relax in peace and free of fear. To celebrate his daughter Mavis’ 118th birthday, Dracula invites some of the world’s most famous monsters including Frankenstein, werewolves and the Invisible Man for a big birthday bash but when a human backpacker stumbles onto the hotel, Dracula’s safe haven is put at risk.

The Lego Movie (2014)

Tagline: The story of a nobody who saved everybody.

Who would’ve ever thought that a humble Lego brick would spawn a franchise of movies, all of which are actually pretty good, but Phil Lord and Christopher Miller kicked it all off by bringing us a story of Emmett, a humble and very ordinary construction worker who is deemed to be the key to saving the universe from the tyrannous Lord Business.

Until next time… X