Published on April 19, 2026, this analysis highlights the hidden treasures and missed opportunities in the animated film landscape of the 2020s.
Kevin Pantoja, a seasoned writer and editor at Screen Rant, brings his expertise to this deep dive into both celebrated and neglected animated titles from the past decade.
Among the notable successes are Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Encanto, and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, which have captivated audiences worldwide. Meanwhile, studios like Illumination and Walt Disney Animation Studios continue to push creative boundaries.
Several films, however, have slipped under the radar despite their quality. These include Onward, a pandemic-era disappointment with untapped potential, and Piece by Piece, a charming LEGO-animated biopic of Pharrell Williams that blends humor and heart.
Pixar's Elio offers a poignant tale of an outcast boy mistaken for an alien ambassador, while Transformers One revives the franchise with faithful animation and a compelling origin story. Predator: Killer of Killers stands out as a surprisingly strong entry in the franchise, released directly to Hulu with striking visuals.
Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon faced box office challenges despite its stunning visuals and memorable protagonist. In contrast, Australia's Memoir of a Snail delivers a raw, emotionally resonant story that defies typical animated conventions.
Netflix's Entergalactic, born from Kid Cudi's artistic vision, combines vibrant visuals with a heartfelt romance. Henry Selick's Wendell & Wild showcases his signature stop-motion style in a Halloween-themed adventure, while Wolfwalkers by Tomm Moore offers breathtaking animation and a moving narrative on Apple TV+.
These films represent just a fraction of the decade's rich animated output—many more deserve attention beyond mainstream popularity.
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