2024 has been a great year so far, with brilliant animated films released this year. While the year started out slow, but after Inside Out 2 came out in theaters and broke every conceivable record, it was off to the races. We compiled a list of the best animated films we could find that came out this year. So, rest up gather your family for most of these films, and enjoy these best-animated films of 2024.
Transformers One (Paramount+ & Rent on Prime Video)
Transformers One is an animated sci-fi action film directed by Josh Cooley from a screenplay co-written by Eric Pearson, Andrew Barrer, and Gabriel Ferrari. Based on the Transformers action figures by Hasbro, the 2024 film follows the origin stories of Optimus Prime and Megatron who were once friends before turning into each others’ arch nemesis. Transformers One’s voice cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne, and Jon Hamm.
Piece By Piece (Rent on Prime Video)
Piece By Piece is a Lego animated biographical documentary comedy film directed by Morgan Neville who also co-wrote the screenplay with Jason Zeldes, Aaron Wickenden, and Oscar Vasquez. Based on the life and career of Pharrell Williams, the 2024 film follows the life story of singer/songwriter and record producer Pharrell Williams from his childhood in Virginia to his successful career in the music and fashion industry. Piece By Piece’s voice cast includes Williams, Morgan Neville, Gwen Stefani, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, and Kendrick Lamar.
Inside Out 2 (Disney+ & Rent on Prime Video)
Inside 2 is an animated coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by Kelsey Mann from a screenplay co-written by Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein. The 2024 sequel film follows a teen Riley Anderson as she enters high school and until now all of her emotions including Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust were operating normally but when Anxiety suddenly shows up everything goes awry. Inside Out 2’s voice cast includes Amy Poehler, Maya Hawke, Liza Lapira, Kensington Tallman, Tony Hale, Lewis Black, Phyllis Smith, Ayo Edebiri, and Diane Lane.
Despicable Me 4 (Peacock & Rent on Prime Video)
Despicable Me 4 is an animated family comedy film directed by Chris Renaud from a screenplay co-written by Mike White and Ken Daurio. The 2024 film is the fourth entry in the Despicable Me film franchise and it continues the story of Gru and his family as they go into hiding because of a master criminal who escapes from prison and vows to destroy Gru. Despicable Me 4’s voice cast includes Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Pierre Coffin, Joey King, Miranda Cosgrove, Stephen Colbert, Sofia Vergara, and Will Ferrell.
Look Back (Prime Video)
Look Back is a Japanese animated coming-of-age comedy-drama film written and directed by Kiyotaka Oshiyama. Based n the one-shot web manga of the same name by Tatsuki Fujimoto, the 2024 film follows the unique connection between overly confident Fujino and the shut-in Kyomoto, who couldn’t be more different from each other but what binds them together is their shared love for manga. Look Back’s voice cast includes Yuumi Kawai, Mizuki Yoshida, Yoichiro Saito, Kota Oka, and Kureha Maki.
The Wild Robot (Rent on Prime Video)
The Wild Robot is an animated sci-fi adventure comedy-drama film written and directed by Chris Sanders. Based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Peter Brown, the 2024 film follows a robot named Roz, who crashes on a deserted island and must learn to adapt to her new environment. Roz soon develops relationships with the animals and a parental bond with an orphaned gosling. The Wild Robot’s voice cast includes Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O’Hara, Matt Berry, and Ving Rhames.
Orion and the Dark (Netflix)
Orion and the Dark is an animated fantasy adventure film directed by Sean Charmatz from a screenplay by Charlie Kaufman. Based on a children’s book of the same name by Emma Yarlett, the Netflix film follows the story of an 11-year-old boy Orion who is scared of the dark, but when the embodiment of darkness himself comes to visit to convince him not to fear both of them go on a life-changing adventure. Orion and the Dark’s voice cast includes Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser, Colin Hanks, Nat Faxon, Natasia Demetriou, Rob Delaney, Angela Bassett, Werner Herzog, Ike Barinholtz, Carla Gugino, and Aparna Nancherla.
The Garfield Movie (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video)
The Garfield Movie is an animated comedy adventure film directed by Mark Dindal from a screenplay by Paul A. Kaplan, Mark Torgove, and David Reynolds. Based on a comic strip titled Garfield by Jim Davis, the 2024 film follows the story of Garfield as he unexpectedly meets his long-lost father Vic, after which he has to go on a dangerous mission leaving his comfortable life with Harald behind. The Garfield Movie’s voice cast includes Chris Pratt, Samuel L. Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, Nicholas Hoult, Cecily Strong, Harvey Guillen, Brett Goldstein, Bowen Yang, Janelle James, Snoop Dogg, Angus Cloud, Jeff Foxworthy, and Alicia Grace Turrell.
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One (Max & Prime Video Add-On)
Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One is the eighth film in the second phase of the DC Animated Movie Universe. Directed by Jeff Wamester from a screenplay by James Krieg, the DC film is based on DC Comics’ Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez. Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One sees an endless army of shadow demons trying to destroy the world and all the parallel with the only thing standing in its way Justice League, they must defeat the villains and save the world. Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One’s voice cast includes Jensen Ackles, Kevin Conroy, Matt Bomer, Stana Katic, Alexandra Daddario, Meg Donnelly, Aldis Hodge, Ashleigh Lathrop, Darren Criss, Jimmi Simpson, Keesha Sharp, Cynthia Hamidi, Zachary Quinto, Dean Norris, and Lou Diamond Phillips.
Thelma the Unicorn (Netflix)
Thelma the Unicorn is an animated musical adventure comedy film directed by Jared Wess and Lynn Wang from a screenplay by Jared and Jerusha Hess. Based on a children’s book series of the same name by Aaron Blabey, the Netflix film follows the story of Thelma, a pony who dreams of becoming a music star and calls it fate or luck because she transforms into a pink unicorn instantly making her a global star but that fame comes at a cost. Thelma the Unicorn’s voice cast includes Brittany Howard, Jermaine Clement, Ally Dixon, Will Forte, Jared Hess, Kristen Schaal, Zach Galifianakis, Jon Heder, Fred Armisen, and Edi Patterson starring in supporting roles.
Kung Fu Panda 4 (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video)
The fourth installment in the popular animated Kung Fu Panda franchise was finally released this year and while it wasn’t as good as its previous films, it’s entertaining enough to give us a barrel of laughs and a heartfelt story. Directed by Mike Mitchell from a screenplay by Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger, and Darren Lemke, Kung Fu Panda 4 continues the story of Po as a dragon warrior but when he is chosen to become the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace he must find and train a new warrior to take his place. Kung Fu Panda 4’s voice cast includes Jack Black, Awkwafina, Bryan Cranston, Ke Huy Quan, Viola Davis, James Hong, Ian McShane, Dustin Hoffman, Mr. Beast, Lori Tan Chinn, Ronny Chieng, and Seth Rogen.
Robot Dreams (Rent on Prime Video)
Robot Dreams is an animated tragicomedy film written and directed by Pablo Berger. Based on a 2007 comic of the same name by Sara Varon, the animated film has no dialogue and it follows the friendship of a dog and a robot in New York in 1984. One day when they go on an outing to Coney Island, the Robot’s metal part rusts and he is unable to move.
Dragonkeeper (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video)
Dragonkeeper is a Spanish-Chinese animated fantasy adventure film directed by Salvador Simó Busom and Li Jianping from a screenplay by Carole Wilkinson, Pablo Castrillo, Ignacio Ferreras, and Rosanna Checcini. Based on a fantasy novel series of the same name by Wilkinson, the 2024 film is set in Han Imperial China and it follows the story of a young orphan who must find the last remaining dragon egg to fulfill her destiny. Dragonkeeper’s English voice cast includes Mayalinee Griffiths, Bill Nighy, Bill Bailey, and Anthony Howell.