What makes a great animated movie? Is it their stunning visuals? The boundless possibilities of what they can do? Perhaps even the incredible stories they showcase? Or maybe it's a combination of all three.

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It wasn't until 2001 that the Academy introduced the 'Best Animated Feature' Oscar into its running, with the 2002 74th Academy Award show giving audiences their very first winner. Since then, the awards have gone on to reflect the increasingly high caliber of animated features that continue to be released.

10 Zootopia

The 2017 Winner

• Directors: Bryan Howard, Rich Moore, Jared Bush
• Release Date: March 4th 2016
• Runtime: 1h 48m

Notable Quote: “Do you think when she goes to sleep, she counts herself?” - Nick Wilde

Animals living in the city, that's all. We jest, there's so much more to Zootopia than that. The film excels not only in its intricate but detailed world-building but also in creating a great pair of central characters in Nick and Judy.

Add to that the poignant story, array of great animated sequences, and countless funny moments that both children and adults will enjoy, and viewers can see why the film was a well-deserved winner.

9 Up

The 2010 Winner

• Directors: Pete Docter, Bob Peterson
• Release Date: May 29th 2009
• Runtime: 1h 36m

Notable Quote: "Thanks for the adventure - now go have a new one!" - Ellie Fredricksen

Up is best known for its heartfelt montage of Ellie and Carl's life; that alone would earn itself a spot on this list. Despite the rest of the film taking viewers on a colorful and adventurous journey (flying house included), it doesn't quite match the bar set by that opening. In the end, it's still a beautiful animation, one that shows viewers that the real adventure of life isn't the places we go but the relationships we form along the way.

8 The Incredibles

The 2005 Winner

• Director: Brad Bird
• Release Date: November 26th 2004
• Runtime: 1h 55m

Notable Quote: "Honey - Where's my super suit?" - Frozone

The Incredibles was an *ahem* Incredible film. Interestingly, playing on the superhero world trope and showing a super-powered family trying to get through normal day-to-day life was both entertaining and refreshing. The film delivered so many quotable lines and great action sequences and still had the beloved Pixar charm flowing throughout. It got a deserved sequel in 2018, but with such an interesting world, it's no wonder fans are still hoping for another trip with the superhero family.

7 Coco

The 2018 Winner

• Directors: Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina
• Release Date: November 22nd 2017
• Runtime: 1h 45m

Notable Quote: "If there’s no one left in the living world to remember you, you disappear from this world. But you can change that!" - Hector

Coco is a jaw-dropping animation. The sheer vibrancy and creativeness of the film blew many viewers away, but like most Pixar films, it was the heartfelt story that kept them entertained. Even though the film is certainly one of Pixar's more somber affairs, it is a beautiful film nonetheless. Any animation fan who hasn't been treated to this excellent film owes it to themselves to check it out.

6 Shrek

The 2002 Winner

• Directors: Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson
• Release Date: June 29th 2001
• Runtime: 1h 30m

Notable Quote: "Ogres are like onions. Ogres have layers... Onions have layers." - Shrek

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It's been over twenty years since Shrek was released, and the internet hasn't stopped obsessing about him, for good reason. Shrek was the very first film to take home the accolade, beating out the likes of Pixar's much-lauded Monsters Inc. The film was an animation that entertained the whole family with jokes to suit all ages and a brilliant central duo of Donkey and Shrek that kept many viewers laughing throughout. Though many fans believe the sequel to be superior, it's hard to knock what an influential and great animated feature the first entry was.

5 Ratatouille

The 2008 Winner

• Directors: Brad Bird, Jan Pinkava
• Release Date: June 29th 2007
• Runtime: 1h 51m

Notable Quote: "Anyone can cook, but only the fearless can be great." – Chef Auguste Gusteau

Ratatouille is a home run; there's no better way to put it. The film is a success on every front, whether that be the mesmerizing soundtrack, stunning animation, or a main story that had viewers hoping for a rat to make them dinner. There's a reason Remy is regarded as one of Pixar's best characters to date, and that's partly due to the inspiring animated tale that was woven around him.

4 Toy Story 3

The 2010 Winner

• Director: Lee Unkrich
• Release Date: June 18th 2010
• Runtime: 1h 43m

Notable Quote: "So long, partner." - Woody

There was bound to be an entry for the Toy Story series on this list somewhere. Oddly enough, Toy Story 3 is one of only three films to have ever been nominated for the Oscars' overall Best Picture award. Toy Story has so many beloved characters that fans of the series probably cherish just as much as Andy did. The film was an animation showpiece. It had viewers in tears of laughter and sadness throughout and acted as a fitting farewell for the franchise despite spawning another winning sequel.

3 Spirited Away

The 2003 Winner

• Director: Hayao Miyazaki
• Release Date: July 20th 2001
• Runtime: 2h 5m

Notable Quote: "So, Your Name’s Chihiro? What A Pretty Name! And It Belongs To Me Now." - Yubaba

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Spirited Away remains to this day the only non-English language film to take home the coveted award, which helps showcase just how excellent this film is. If there's ever a film to showcase the endless possibilities of animation, Spirited Away would be it. With an engrossing story backed by wondrous hand-drawn animation, Spirited Away captured the hearts and imagination of so many viewers out there and continues to do so for any new movie fan who witnesses it.

2 WALL-E

The 2009 Winner

• Director: Andrew Stanton
• Release Date: June 27th 2008
• Runtime: 1h 38m

Notable Quote: "I don't want to survive. I want to live." - Captain

For a character with only 17 lines of dialogue, WALL-E has gone down as one of animation's greatest characters. The film is still as relevant today as it was all those years ago. The film itself was a treat for animation fans and general moviegoers alike, thanks to its stunning animation and gorgeous soundtrack. That's not to even discuss the lovable robot WALL-E capturing the hearts of movie fans the world over as he seeks companionship set against the greater story focusing on climate concerns and taking care of the Earth.

1 Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse

The 2019 Winner

• Directors: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman
• Release Date: December 12th 2018
• Runtime: 1h 57m

Notable Quote: "That's all it is, Miles, a leap of faith." - Peter. B. Parker.

Picking the frontrunner from a pack full of standouts was always going to be a hard task. Likely, the top 5 movies in this list will be interchangeable for many fans, but it's just too hard to deny what an absolute showcase Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse actually is.

Every aspect of the movie fires on all cylinders. The comic book animation style is nothing short of stunning, the soundtrack is absolutely killer, and the story is a riot filled with so many memorable moments, lines, and gripping action sequences. Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse is a masterpiece, and somehow, it spawned a sequel that nearly reaches the same heights.

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