20 Underrated Animated Movies You Need To Watch

The world of animation can be a vast one. With films that tackle adventure, romance, slice-of-life drama, and everything in between, the medium can open viewers' eyes to new perspectives in a variety of imaginative ways. Creators from around the world have turned to animation to tell their stories, resulting in some of the most beloved works in cinema history. And with the industry constantly inventing new techniques and technologies, even more unique and essential tales can be told to audiences across the globe.

Yet, even with the acclaim that many animated films receive, quite a few fall through the cracks. That's why it's time to give some much-needed respect to these underrated animated movies. Some come from big studios, others from independent filmmakers. But, no matter their origins, these movies should be seen not just as distractions for small children, but as impressive and crucial pieces of art that should be watched by all different types of audiences. Let's take a look at some underrated animated feature films that deserve your time.

Helmed by the great Yoshiaki Kawajiri ("Nina Scroll", "Wicked City"), "Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust" exists not only as an excellent sequel to the original "Vampire Hunter D" film but also as a stunning homage to the great westerns and anti-hero stories of cinema's past. The movie follows D, a half-human, half-vampire bounty hunter searching for a girl named Charlotte, who has been kidnapped by Meier Link, a powerful vampire. But when Charlotte and Meier's romantic connection is discovered, D finds himself at a moral crossroads that complicates everything.

With stunning art direction and fantastic character designs by Yutaka Minowa, this adaptation of Hideyuki Kikuchi's novel continues to impress over 20 years later. Not only is it the gold standard of "Vampire Hunter D" movies, but it shows Kawajiri's understanding of the action and horror genres perfectly. From some narrative and visual nods to Clint Eastwood films to some incredibly memorable on-screen battles, "Bloodlust" is an animated film that respects the history of the films that came before it while setting a new standard for the heights that anime can achieve.

One of the few hand-drawn animated films from Dreamworks Animation, "The Road to El Dorado" is an adventure story with exciting visuals and memorable characters. The story centers around the dynamic duo of Miguel (Kenneth Branagh) and Tulio (Kevin Kline), two con artists who find themselves on a mysterious island with the map to the city of El Dorado in their hands. Following various clues, they eventually find themselves in the legendary city of gold, where they are greeted as prophesied gods. With the help of the fast-thinking local Chel, the boys must keep up appearances so that the evil high priest, Tzekel-Kan, doesn't discover their true identities.

With luscious art direction and catchy music by Elton John, "The Road to El Dorado" evokes the best of classic Hollywood buddy films, especially those of the Bob Hope and Bing Crosby variety. Yet, the best aspect of this Bibo Bergeron and Don Paul-directed flick is its perfect balance of laughs and heart. "The Road to El Dorado" knows when to turn the dial up on the swashbuckling action, and when to slow down to focus on the emotions felt by its brilliant ensemble of characters. When combined with the efforts of its talented voice cast, "El Dorado" remains one of those movies that will always bring a smile to the viewer's face.

Forgotten by many, Amblimation was the short-lived passion project of Steven Spielberg. Starting with the moderately successful "An American Tail: Fievel Goes West" and followed by the flawed "We're Back," Amblimation wouldn't survive past 1997, but its last feature film, "Balto," is arguably its most under-appreciated on a technical level (even though it spawned many direct-to-video sequels). The film adapts the real-life story of the heroic sled dog who helped get the diphtheria antitoxin to Nome, Alaska, and while the narrative is full of typical '90s flourishes, it has a down-to-earth nature that still sticks with audiences.

Featuring a talented voice cast that includes Kevin Bacon, Bob Hoskins, and Phil Collins, "Balto" is often remembered for its heartwarming characters. However, it makes this list for two simple reasons: its memorable, emotionally charged, and almost dialog-free sequences, and its underrated James Horner score. The animation is top-notch, Horner's melodies swell, and everything comes together wonderfully. Sure, it might not be the most mature film on this list, but "Balto" is more than just a distraction for kids — it's also a compelling piece of art.

Loosely based on the 1968 children's book "The Iron Man," Brad Bird's "The Iron Giant" is an animated gem that has gained a significant cult following. It details the adventures of Hogarth Hughes (Eli Marienthal), a young boy who discovers a mysterious metal-eating robot (Vin Diesel) in the woods. What follows is a fairly typical story of the friendship that blossoms between the pair, complete with parental anxieties, intervention by the military, and plenty of other drama. And yet, "The Iron Giant" stands above many similar tales because of the maturity of its themes.

From the Iron Giant's vague, militaristic origins to the movie's powerful exploration of death and Cold War paranoia, Brad Bird's masterpiece is far from a typical family film. While many might argue that "The Iron Giant" isn't really underrated, this is still a movie that not enough people have seen — it's a film that should be ranked among the greatest animated classics of all time.

When it comes to stop-motion animation, there are a number of classics, but Laika's "Kubo and the Two Strings" holds a unique and special place in animation history. Filled with jaw-dropping images and a classic story structure, the movie follows the titular hero on his quest to battle his evil, all-powerful family members. Along the way, he befriends unlikely allies and unlocks aspects of his past. The end result is nothing short of pure movie magic.

Keep in mind that the plot description above is simplified. "Kubo and the Two Strings" weaves an inventive tale of family drama, which would require many more words to detail correctly. In this case, though, the less information you have going in, the better. It's also a film full of tiny visual details. From the leaf-covered boat to the intricate monsters, this is a production that deserves to be examined frame by frame. Considering how laborious stop-motion animation is, the handcrafted world is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Serving as a sequel to William Joyce's "Guardians" stories, Peter Ramsey's "Rise of the Guardians" is a heartwarming tale that's full of whimsy, with just a touch of drama. The film focuses on Jack Frost, a mischievous character who's reluctant to become a new Guardian. But when the evil Pitch Black returns to give nightmares to the world's children, Jack must join Nicholas St. North, Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and the Sandman to protect kids' dreams while also discovering his true purpose.

Though it's a silly concept on paper, "Rise of the Guardians" is one of the few Dreamworks movies that's earnest from top to bottom. Unlike the "Shrek" franchise, for example, it never mocks itself, and it wears its heart on its sleeve. Plus, it has one of the best casts of any of the movies on this list — Chris Pine's performance as Jack in particular doesn't get anywhere near the amount of recognition it should. When paired with a ravishing score by the magnificent Alexandre Desplat, "Rise of the Guardians" never fails to deliver just the right amount of sweetness, drama, and genuine emotion.

A Japanese-American co-production, "Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland" is a collaborative effort like none other. The film, directed by both Masami Hata and William Hurtz, depicts the adventures of the titular protagonist as he journeys to Slumberland to become the heir to the kingdom's throne. He meets new friends, fights off the evil Nightmare King, and learns important lessons along the way. With stunning narration and a somewhat clumsy structure, this fascinating movie has gained quite the cult following over the years.

From its majestic set designs to its pastel-filled art direction, "Little Nemo" is about as dreamy as it can get. Sure, the film had a bumpy road to the finish line, with talent dropping from the project left and right. But even with these famous hurdles, this charming slice of late-'80s nostalgia proves that hand-drawn animation has no limits, able to take you to luscious, well-realized fantasy worlds while also telling messy (but adorable) stories.

Inspired by the tales of Sherlock Holmes, Disney's "The Great Mouse Detective" is the definition of cozy. With its cushion-covered set design and cheese-crumpet-filled details, it is a film as pleasing as a cup of hot cocoa. But don't let that description fool you — this adaptation of Eve Titus' novels doesn't hold back when it comes to action or snark, particularly when it comes to the interactions between its hero and its villain.

In the movie, the famous Basil of Baker Street (Barry Ingham) must go on a mouse-sized quest to save a young girl's missing father from the clutches of his arch-enemy, Ratigan (Vincent Price), and it's the banter between the two that makes for the film's most entertaining moments. But the action is quite good, too — there's nothing quite as thrilling as the film's groundbreaking clock tower fight, which revolutionized the animation world by using CGI to create a massive and memorable set piece. This, alongside its other remarkable elements, makes "The Great Mouse Detective" a significant part of Disney history.

Helmed by the lesser-known Studio Ghibli director, Isao Takahata, "Only Yesterday" is a journey through the forests of nostalgia for both its lead character and its audience. Based on the manga by Hotaru Okamoto and Yuko Tone, the film follows Taeko Okajima, a 27-year-old, unmarried businesswoman. As Taeko travels from the big city to the rural countryside during the summer, she reflects on her youth, wondering if her younger self would be impressed with the woman she's become. The answer she finds is one filled with love, tears, and a Japanese version of the famous song, "The Rose."

Though many would consider "Only Yesterday" a story more suited for live-action, Takahata and the team at Studio Ghibli make Taeko's hilarious and relatable stories a delight to watch. Takahata perfectly realizes the dreamlike world of memories and the bitter regret that one sometimes feels when recalling past experiences. With its tear-inducing finale, there's no denying that "Only Yesterday" is a unique slice-of-life film that brings the complicated process of growing up to life in some remarkable ways.

Directed by the late filmmaker Satoshi Kon, "Millennium Actress" is a remarkable tribute to the movies and the history of Japanese cinema. In the film, viewers follow the fictional biography of Chiyoko Fujiwara, a fading film actress. As two documentary filmmakers interview her about her life, they relive incredible memories along with her. Yet, as her stories progress, a mysterious part of Chiyoko's past begins to unravel, resulting in one of the most romantic and heartbreaking stories to ever be animated.

Though many anime fans know of Kon's small yet fantastic filmography, not enough people have taken the time to see "Millennium Actress." Sure, it doesn't have the over-the-top visuals of "Paprika" or the Hitchcock-inspired thriller elements of "Perfect Blue," but "Millennium Actress" is a personal, down-to-earth movie from Kon, one that flourishes both in the small details of both its narrative and also its stunning animation. Yet nothing quite compares to its final sequence, a moment that will remind you of the magic of lost love, the movies, and everything in between.