2025 will mark the 20th anniversary of some old animated favorites, and it’s hard to believe certain movies have been around for so long. Looking back at the best animated movies from 20 years ago is also a good way to rediscover some forgotten classics. The 2000s saw plenty of straight-to-DVD movies, or movies based on popular children’s TV shows that were huge at the time but don’t get talked about much these days.
2005 was an interesting year for feature-length animated movies. After releasingFinding NemoandThe Incrediblesin back-to-back years, Pixar took a year off before releasingCarsin 2006. Other studios battled it out to claim the throne, with DreamWorks and Aardman Animations both producing classics. Disney also produced its first fully computer-generated movie, finally catching up to the competition and ushering in a new era.
10Pokémon: Lucario & The Mystery Of Mew
The Eighth Pokémon Movie Is A Highlight For The Franchise
Even for dedicated fans of Pokémon, it can be hard to keep track of the sheer output of movies and TV shows that relate to the video games.Lucario and the Mystery of Mewstands out as one of thebestPokémonmoviesof all, and it was a big deal for fans at the time. The fourth generation of games didn’t debut in Japan until 2006, sothe movie offered a first look at some exciting new Pokémon, including Lucario, of course.
Lucario and the Mystery of Mewcertianly isn’t the type of movie that will appeal toPokémonnewcomers, but it’s a treat for hardcore fans.
Lucario and the Mystery of Mewcertianly isn’t the type of movie that will appeal toPokémonnewcomers, but it’s a treat for hardcore fans. The story spans hundreds of years, so it offers a glimpse into a distant past when Pokémon were used in large-scale medieval battles. There are some great action scenes, butLucario and the Mystery Mewalso has some emotional moments as Ash is separated from his beloved Pikachu.
Chicken Littleholds an important place in the history of Disney animated movies, as it was the studio’s first movie produced entirely using computer-generated animation. Pixar and DreamWorks had already been setting the industry standard for many years with hits likeToy StoryandShrek,andChicken Littleis nowhere near as polished. By contrast, Pixar releasedThe Incrediblesone year before the relatively simplisticChicken Little.
Disney produced many better movies in the 2000s, both before and after the switch to computer-generated animation.
For their first foray into computer-generated animation, Disney resorted to their tried-and-tested playbook by adapting a popular old folk tale. The problem withChicken Little -aside from the animation being a little rough around the edges - is thatthe story and the characters feel underdeveloped. Disney produced many better movies in the 2000s, both before and after the switch to computer-generated animation.
Disney continued producing straight-to-DVD sequels for some of their most popular animated movies in 2005. WhileMulan IIandKronk’s New Groovewill also be turning 20 in 2025,Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitchis probably the pick of the bunch. Like with any Disney DVD sequel, there’s a noticeable drop-off in quality, but it isn’t nearly as bad as some of the studio’s other misguided sequels.
Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitchis a good stepping stone between the first movie and the animated series.
Stitch Has a Glitchsees Stitch revert to his destructive old habits due to a fault in his molecular composition. This all happens while Lilo is preparing for a hula festival, so there are plenty of funny scenes as Stitch causes chaos with her rehearsals.Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch Has a Glitchis a good stepping stone between the first movie and the animated series. If the upcomingLilo & Stitchlive-action remakeis a hit,Stitch Has a Glitchcould provide the framework for a fun sequel.
7Kim Possible Movie: So The Drama
The Second Kim Possible Movie Delivers On What The Show Does Best
Kim Possibleis one of thebest Disney cartoon shows, and the 2005 movie gives fans more of what they love.Kim Possible Movie:So the Dramais the second movie based on the show, following 2003’sA Stitch in Time.So the Dramasteps things up, with a story grounded in the present that still makes room for plenty of exciting action scenes as Kim faces off against Shego and Dr. Drakken.
So the Dramamakes room for plenty of exciting action scenes as Kim faces off against Shego and Dr. Drakken.
So the Dramafollows Kim and her sidekick Ron Possible as they fight off an army of robotic toys. It’s a silly premise in some ways, but the toys are a surprisingly effective metaphor for the small, creeping changes that can upend someone’s life as they face the prospect of growing up and leaving high school. ForKim Possiblefans,So the Dramawill represent a fond memory, and the sight of Kim’s battle suit may bring about a wave of nostalgia.
Hoodwinkedwas independently-funded, and it looks extremely rough and unusual in places. Disney hadn’t yet nailed computer-generated animation in 2005, so it’s no surprise that an independent feature fails to reach the heights of Pixar. Despite its often shoddy appearance,Hoodwinkedwas a huge box office hit, grossing over $100 million on a budget of just $8 million.
If one can look beyond the outdated animation, there’s an intriguing genre mash-up that knows how to have fun.
The voice cast ofHoodwinkedfeatures some big names, including Glenn Close and Anne Hathaway.The plot is a fairy tale parody much likeShrek,although it uses a different approach. Its non-linear crime story evokesPulp Fiction,but with talking woodland creatures.Hoodwinkedis still worth watching almost 20 years later. If one can look beyond the outdated animation, there’s an intriguing genre mash-up that knows how to have fun.
In some ways,Robotslooks like it wants to be a Pixar movie, following the"what if X had feelings"formula just likeMonsters Inc.orCars.WhileRobotsmight seem a little derivative on the surface, it’s a fun, lighthearted movie that still deserves some more love. It has been unjustly forgotten about by some people because it doesn’t belong to any of the major animation studios, but the 20th Century Fox movie has some great moments.
Robotshas been unjustly forgotten about by some people because it doesn’t belong to any of the major animation studios.
Robotsfollows a young inventor in a world of sentient robots who travels to the big city to seize his future. When he arrives, he finds that nothing looks the way that he imagined, and he soon teams up with a group of rusty misfits to overthrow an evil corporation.Robotstakes a simple premise to great comedic lengths.There are all sorts of fun visual gags in the backgrounds of bustling city scenes, and the dialogue also packs in a lot of great jokes.
While critics generally agree thattheMadagascarfranchisereached greater heights with its sequels, the first movie is still a fun family comedy that does a good job of setting up the characters. Alex, Marty, Melman and Gloria start out as pampered zoo animals in New York City, essentially living like celebrities in the entertainment industry. When Marty’s sense of adventure gets the group in trouble, they are shipped overseas and find themselves in the wilds of Madagascar.
The scenes in New York have some great jokes, butMadagascarreally hits its stride when the animals reach the island.
The scenes in New York have some great jokes, butMadagascarreally hits its stride when the animals reach the island. This is becausethe supporting characters often overshadow the main four, especially the flamboyant lemur King Julien and the penguins. Even though the characters are all animals, the comedic personas of the voice cast still manage to shine through, with Ben Stiller’s awkward humor and Chris Rock’s eccentric good-natured optimism getting a lot of laughs.
Corpse Brideis a dark fairy tale that perfectly aligns with Tim Burton’s idiosyncratic sensibilities, and it has grown a devoted fan base over the past two decades. Seen by many as a spiritual successor toThe Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Brideis another stop-motion animated musical fable that delights in the macabre.Corpse Bride’s songsare often catchy, but they’re just as morbid as the movie’s visual aesthetic.
For fans of Burton’s peculiar vibe, it’s a pleasing treat that deserves a place in the annual Halloween rotation.
Corpse Brideis oddly optimistic for a movie that revels in grisly imagery. Though it sings about death and despair,Corpse Brideis also a sweet romantic story about how love can transcend any and all boundaries. For fans of Burton’s peculiar vibe, it’s a pleasing treat that deserves a place in the annual Halloween rotation. Its animation and its story have both aged beautifully.
Howl’s Moving Castleoriginally premiered in 2004, but English-speaking audiences didn’t get to see the movie in their own language until June 2005. Like many of Studio Ghibli’s best movies,Howl’s Moving Castlepresents a remarkably immersive fantasy world, where every corner of Hayao Miyazaki’s compositions is populated with fully realized characters and enigmatic concepts.
Howl’s Moving Castleis the kind of inventive story that can easily enchant young audiences, but it has plenty of nuanced meaning for adults.
Howl’s Moving Castleis a loose adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones' novel of the same name, and Miyazaki takes plenty of artistic license. It’s one of his most unabashedly romantic tales, although the relationship Sophie has with herself is even more important than the one she fosters with Howl.Howl’s Moving Castleis the kind of inventive story that can easily enchant young audiences, but it has plenty of nuanced meaning for adults who want to step back into Miyazaki’s world.
Wallace and Gromit first appeared in the 1980s, but they didn’t have a feature-length movie untilThe Curse of the Were-Rabbitin 2005. Fortunately, their big-screen adventure is just as witty, playful and downright entertaining as any of their short films.The Curse of the Were-Rabbitwon the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, and it has stood the test of time as the standout animated movie of 2005.
From clever wordplay to goofy stop-motion slapstick,The Curse of the Were-Rabbithas a huge bag of comedic tricks.
WithWallace & Gromit: A Vengeance Most Fowlcoming soon, it’s the perfect time to revisit the first movie. Aardman Animations have long been leading the way with claymation, so it’s no surprise to see thatThe Curse of the Were-Rabbitstill looks wonderful. The brilliant animation is paired with a hilarious story that makes the most of one of Britain’s most popular on-screen comedy duos. From clever wordplay to goofy stop-motion slapstick,The Curse of the Were-Rabbithas a huge bag of comedic tricks.
