From the last decade, Netflix has been a helpful platform for veteran filmmakers and up-and-coming artists to partner in creating films. This also applies to animation, as the streaming service effectively established its animation division and branched out with acclaimed projects like Bojack Horseman, Big Mouth, and Tuca & Bertie.
Even with these quality animated shows on Netflix, they should not overshadow the service’s animated films. Thus, this list will rank the Netflix original animated films. As long as Netflix has exclusive distribution rights in North America, the movie will be taken into consideration. Films that got a Netflix release internationally, like Kung Fu Panda 3 in Japan, will not be included.
Next Gen (2018)
Next Gen tells the story of a rebellious girl named Mai and a robot named 7723, as they cross paths to stop an evil threat. Being an American-Chinese co-production, the animation value is finely tuned despite a relatively small budget. And it is packed with a stellar voice cast that includes John Krasinski, Jason Sudeikis, David Cross, Constance Wu, Michael Pena, and Charlyne Yi as the young female protagonist.
Being another Short Circuit chase film is a safe way to look at it. Though, Next Gen had enough heart and adventure to stand on its own.
Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters (2017)
The Godzilla franchise is still active in Japan as proven by their last live-action effort in Shin Godzilla and their first animation effort in Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters. This 32nd Godzilla film is the first of a trilogy of Godzilla anime films.
The premise of this kaiju flick is humanity’s attempt to recolonize a barren Earth that was ruled by Godzilla. While the script is slightly paper-thin and the characters are hard to follow, the film’s main strength is its breathtaking animation and action.
White Fang (2018)
2018’s White Fang is the 11th film based on the famous Jack London novel about a wolfdog who goes from owner to another. That simple premise serves as the standard template for dog adventure movies from the past.
Yet, this France-Luxembourg CGI animated effort is a satisfying adventure that gives a storybook feel to every scene. The plot is rather conventional, yet White Fans found its own identity with the compelling animation that evokes a lot of emotion and earnestness. Staying away from kids’ animation conventions, White Fang is gratifying.
Pachamama (2018)
Still under the realm of French language co-productions, here is one largely overlooked piece of CG animation blended into hand-drawn backdrops. Pachamama tells the story of an indigenous boy who dreams of becoming a shaman, only to deal it with a plan to redeem his village after an overlord stole their most prized possession.
Pachamama is entitled after the fertility goddess that the Andes natives worshipped. So, expect the first-time director Juan Intan to drip every scene with watercolor-inspired scenery, cultural immersion, and historical subtext.
Flavors of Youth (2018)
Flavors of Youth is a three-course animation platter that food lovers and anime enthusiasts should surely love. Following three storylines about a boy’s memories of his grandmother’s noodles, an aspiring fashion designer dealing with her habits, and two friends coming in terms of their intimacy, Flavors of Youth juggles its simple stories splendidly.
This Japanese-Chinese anime co-productions from the animation studio behind Your Name presents its beauty through its dazzling animation and unique take on reflecting through cuisine. Flavors of Youth is not the best anime but it is worth trying.
Invader Zim: Enter the Florpus (2019)
With Netflix striking a deal with Nickelodeon to produce shows and films for the platform, it gives a wide avenue for the animation network to create innovative projects. That was proven last year with the Rocko’s Modern Life special Static Cling and the feature-length film to the cult hit Invader Zim, Enter the Florpus.
While there are elements that do not strike as pure Invader Zim, the film is a zany ride from start to finish that may (or may not) bring Zim and Dib’s rivalry to a close.
The Little Prince (2015)
There already was a live-action film adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s novella with the same name. In 2015, this classic tale about a pilot who meets a boy in the Sahara desert also received an animated film adaptation with a stellar voice cast.
With a new narrative device involving a young girl meeting the aged aviator and being told the story, The Little Prince retains the original’s heartfelt story and features balanced animation, jumping between a pencil-drawn aesthetic portraying the “Little Prince” story and 3D animation showing the real world. Just engaging.
A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2019)
Claymation sadly has grown somewhat irrelevant due to CG animation. Nonetheless, it found its place on Netflix. Following Missing Link’s failed box office performance, Aardman Animation released its second Shaun the Sheep movie, with Netflix acquiring the exclusive rights for North America. It is kind of disheartening that this film didn’t get a theatrical release in the U.S., given that it is a ton of fun.
On his second movie adventure, Shaun and the flock encounter an alien and plan on bringing her back home while they dodge the efforts of a MIB group trying to capture her. Give this hidden animated gem a try.
I Lost My Body (2019)
Jumping from kid-friendly fare to arthouse projects, Netflix has been a breeding ground for international features seeking to reach a wider audience. This includes the French animated film I Lost My Body, a winner at the recent Annecy International Animated Film Festival.
The film is simple enough: Two stories of two strangers falling in love and a severed hand searching for its original body intertwining for a captivating experience. I Lost My Body takes a nuanced look to searching for intimacy and purpose.
Klaus (2019)
Hand-drawn animation has sadly faded from the mainstream public eye and has been relegated to arthouse movies and international features. Yet, along came Klaus, a genuine Christmas-themed masterpiece that retells the Santa Claus lore with a new and innovative animation.
Spearheaded by Sergio Pablos (the creator behind Despicable Me and Smallfoot) and his own animation unit, Klaus is a visual treat that underwent years of labor in order to perfect its lighting technology and intricate texture to give it a CGI feel.
Klaus offers a compelling take on Santa Claus, one filled with engaging characters and great vocal performances from Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, and Norm McDonald.
Fresh and heartfelt, Klaus is a new Christmas classic.
