The 2020s as a decade has not shied away from having an exceptionally high number of great, instantly iconic animated films that will surely go on to define the decade. From massive blockbuster successes likeSpider-Man: Across the Spider-VerseandInside Out 2to critically acclaimed masterpieces likeThe Boy and the HeronandGuillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, this is only the beginning of what will surely be an iconic decade for animation.
However, for every animated film that won a selection of awards and broke records, there are still a great number of well-made animated films that didn’t get the time in the spotlight they deserved. Whether it be because of a lack of marketing, being overlooked in favor of other films, being forgotten in the wave of streaming original films, or all of these combined, these animated films sadly got lost to the wayside. However,just because these films remain underappreciated doesn’t mean that they aren’t exceptionalworks of art that are worth checking out.
10’Under the Boardwalk' (2023)
Directed by David Soren
Under the Boardwalkis a perfect example of how the medium of animation acts as a perfect jumping-off point for the zaniest and wildest concepts that couldn’t possibly be accomplished in live action. The film follows Armen (Michael Cera), a New Jersey hermit crab who has difficulties socializing with the rest of his hermit crab friends and family. Things suddenly change when he falls for Ramona (Keke Palmer), a sea hermit crab visiting the boardwalk on vacation.
If aWest Side Story-inspired musical love story featuring a cast of Jersey Shore hermit crabs isn’t enough of a wild, crazy premise to have you intrigued byUnder the Boardwalk, the surprisingly great animation and character moments certainly will. Despite its numerous positives,the film was forgotten before it was even released, thanks to a complicated release whereParamount seemingly didn’t know what to do with the filmand simply dumped it onto video-on-demand services.Under the Boardwalkwears its strange and absurd aspects like a badge of honor and is certainly worth a watch for thoselooking for underrated animated musicals.
Rent on Amazon
9’Blue Giant' (2023)
Directed by Yuzuru Yachikawa
A glorious feast for the eyes and ears that acts as a love letter to jazz and the magic of playing music in general,Blue Giantis guaranteed to hit like a truck for anyone who has experience playing an instrument. The film tells the story of high school student Dai Miyamoto, who ends up completely changing the trajectory of his life after being introduced to jazz, determined to play his saxophone on the biggest stage imaginable. He soon finds himself teaming up with expert piano player Yukinori Sawabe and his roommate Shunji Tamada in an amateur jazz band, hoping to rise the ranks and play at an exclusive jazz club.
Few films have been able to distinctly capture the energy and raw passion that comes from playing an instrument in front of an audience, with the mixture of adrenaline and precision coming through perfectly on screen.Blue Giantaccomplishes this feat in numerous different ways, from changing animation styles to flashy and colorful musical sequences to beautifully realized renditions of jazz classics. Even for those who aren’t as accustomed to anime or Japanese cinema,Blue Giantis a wonderous, one-of-a-kind experiencethat is easily one ofthe best anime movies of the 2020s.
8’The Willoughbys' (2020)
Directed by Kris Pearn
One of many underrated films released in the middle of the pandemic,The Willoughbysis easilyone of Netflix’s most underappreciated animated offerings. The film follows the story of the four Willoughby children, tired of living their sad and dour lives where they are constantly ignored and berated by their unloving parents. However, the kids hatch a plan to trick the parents into going on a dangerous vacation across the world, hoping they’ll die on the trip.
The biggest draw and selling point forThe Willoughbysis easily its distinctblend of family messages with a chaotic twist of dark humorthat adds to its overall memorability and strength. It’s not every day that a film that has its main characters blissfully getting excited about the death of their parents transforms into a wholesome and effective message of familial love in many different forms. While many people missed out on the film when it was first released, it’s certainly worth checking out as one of the most underrated animated movies of the 2020s.
The Willoughbys
7’Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie' (2022)
Directed by Andy Suriano and Ant Ward
It’s no secret that, throughout the 21st century, 2D animation has largely been downplayed and forgotten in the realm of feature-length animation in favor of the much more common 3D computer animation. However, exceptionally beautiful 2D animated films are still created in the modern era, andRise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movieis one of the best examples. While many were quick to write off this film from the get-go because of its connection to an already underrated TV show and its premiere date only a year before the massively successfulMutant Mayhem, it may just be one of the best TMNT movies of all time.
The visual flair on display inRise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movieeasily produces some of the best and most exhilarating sequences put into 2D animation. It’s easy to consider the film to be the near-pinnacle of what is possible with modern 2D animation in an action setting, yet all ofthis glorious action was overlooked due to being a streaming releaseattached to a little-known show. The action is so exceptional that it helps the film become not just an uncelebrated gem of animation but alsoone of the most underrated action moviesin recent memory.
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie
6’Mars Express' (2023)
Directed by Jérémie Périn
While most successful animated films come from English-speaking or Japanese studios, the medium is filled with glorious cinematic experiences from across the world; France’sMars Expressis a great modern example. The film takes place in a cyberpunk, futuristic setting where androids and artificial intelligence are part of everyday life and live among humans on both Earth and Mars. When detective Aline Ruby and her android partner, Carlos, are called to track down a notorious hacker, they go down a rabbit hole, uncovering a dangerous, worldwide conspiracy.
Much like the best science fiction films,Mars Expressdoes an exceptional job with its worldbuilding and characterization, brimming with creativity and endless possibilities in its futuristic world. These facets are far from simply being surface level, however, as nearly every aspect of its design and world is made in accordance with the film’s themes of autonomy and artificial intelligence. Succinctly wrapped together in a classic buddy cop mystery formula, it’s difficult not to fall in love with the story and stakes thatMars Expressprovides.
5’Entergalactic' (2022)
Director: Fletcher Moules
A companion film to theKid Cudialbum of the same name,Entergalacticis a story of unexpected love and passion showcasing the blossoming romance between Jabari and his new next-door neighbor, Meadow. As they fall deeper in love, the duo comes into some difficulties as they attempt to balance this new, exciting bond with the individual success that each is receiving in their careers.
It’s rare to see romantic comedies brought to the world of animation, especially ones that are so distinctly made for adult audiences, such as this.Entergalacticmakes the most out of the medium of animationwith its story and characters. On top of using all of Cudi’s music to emphasize the emotional moments of the film,the classic stylized animation of the filmhelps even small innocuous scenes pop off the screen for a massive visual impact.
Entergalactic
Watch on Netflix
4’Orion and the Dark' (2024)
Directed Sean Charmatz
From legendary experimental screenwriterCharlie Kaufmanin his second foray into animation afterAnomalisa,Orion and the Darkfollows young Orion, a boy with a vivid imagination and a fear of just about everything. However, his biggest fear, the dark, is so massive that it convinces the physical manifestation of darkness himself to visit Orion and show him that he is nothing to be afraid of. Dark soon takes Orion on a wild journey across the world against his will, showing him the glory of nighttime and introducing him to the other night entities.
Charlie Kaufman’s signature writing styleof self-reflection and meta-commentary makesOrion and the Darkone ofthe most singular and one-of-a-kind experiences by DreamWorksAnimation. The film has a lot to say about not only the source and impact that fear can have on a person but also the importance of storytelling and the continued impact that it has when passed down from generation to generation. Due to its straight-to-streaming release,Orion and the Darkis largely forgotten among DreamWorks' filmography, which is a shame considering just how exceptional it is.
Orion and the Dark
3’Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood' (2022)
Directed by Richard Linklater
An exceptional time capsule from legendary directorRichard Linklater,Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhoodfollows a man named Stan reminiscing on his life and stories as a 10-year-old living in 1969 Houston. On top of all the classic moments and attributes that came from life in the late 60s, Stan plays a pivotal role in NASA’s race to the moon and is chosen to be the real first person on the moon in a story secretly hidden from the public.
While the story is already unbelievable enough, the biggest draw from Linklater’s love letter to the late 60s is itsbeautiful rotoscoped animation style and uncanny ability to conjure nostalgia.Apollo 10½masterfully transports the audience back in time to its simple, wholesome setting through the lens of an evocative childhood experience, making audiences long for a time they may not have even been alive for. Combined with a beautiful and distinct visual style,Apollo 10½is a genuine work of art that deserved much more praise and success than it received.
Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood
2’Barber Westchester' (2021)
Directed by Jonni Peppers
The digital era and online platforms have resulted in more widespread accessibility for independent animators around the world. One of the most prominent and exceptional independent animated films that thrive through the tendencies and core aspects of the digital era isJonni Peppers’sBarber Westchester, which is only one part of her long-lasting “blindfold series.” The film follows young inquisitive student Barber, who, after receiving an internship at NASA, learns on their first day that all of space is fake.
As simply the latest film in a long line of stories and chaotic adventures that Peppers has created,Barber Westchesteronly expands upon the creative tendencies of the series in a feature-length experience. Still, the film works wonders as a standalone experience aboutthe difficulties of adjusting to adult lifeand passions being far from how they were perfectly envisioned as a child. Despite its status as an independent film largely animated by one person,Barber Westchester, alongside the rest of Peppers’s work, has amassed a notable cult following asone of the defining pieces of independent animation for the digital era.
Buy on Amazon
Directed by Phil Tippett
A masterful labor of love that took over 30 years to fully realize,Mad Godis a cacophony of stop-motion terrors andterrifyingly haunting animated horrorfrom legendary practical effects visionaryPhil Tippett, known for his work onJurassic Park,Starship Troopers, andReturn of the Jedi. The film follows an unnamed assassin as he travels deeper and deeper into a terrifying world filled with unholy abominations and unsightly beings as far as the eyes can see. With each monstrosity that he passes, his life grows increasingly in danger, with seemingly no hope of escape while on his mysterious quest.
The story plays second fiddle to the true mastery on display inMad God, with its mesmerizing stop-motion visuals a genuine work of art that needs to be seen to be believed. The film doesn’t shy away from going all out in terms of grotesque imagery and chaotic concepts to bring its disturbing world to life, yet the masterful visuals make it impossible to look away from the horrors. More than simply a great animated film, or even one that didn’t receive the success that it got,Mad Godis a meticulously crafted work of artthat will be appreciated and analyzed for decades to come.
The Assassin travels through a nightmare underworld of tortured souls, ruined cities and wretched monstrosities forged from the primordial horrors of the unconscious mind of Phil Tippett, the world’s preeminent stop-motion animator.
