Hulu has an impressive library of movies and TV shows, but Western animated films are not the streaming service's specialty. Not only is the collection not particularly expansive, but it also lacks much in the way of big names.
That said, Hulu doesn't leave animation fans completely out in the cold, and there are enough great movies on the service to keep someone entertained for a while. Hulu also has a very strong collection of animated TV shows, including Futurama, Regular Show, Animaniacs, and Danny Phantom. For anyone looking to enjoy some cartoon goodness, these are the best animated movies on Hulu at the moment.
Note: Anime films have been left out as the focus is on Western animation. However, Trigun: Badlands Rumble and especially Akira are great.
Shrek & Shrek 2
Easily the most famous animated movies on Hulu, Shrek and Shrek 2 established DreamWorks as a powerhouse of the film industry, one that could rival Disney on occasion. Soaked in fairy tale whimsy and a willingness to mock typical "happily ever after" storylines, Shrek turns these classic narratives on their heads, striking comedy gold in the process.
Shrek 2 is arguably the stronger of the two movies since it relies a bit less on random and gross-out humor than its predecessor, although both flicks are a delight. They very much feel like early 2000s films, which is part of their charm.
Shaun The Sheep Movie
A Wallace and Gromit spin-off, Shaun the Sheep Movie is one of those films that is shockingly fantastic. While familiarity with the property will elevate someone's experience, the movie is very newcomer-friendly. Moving at a blistering pace and featuring top-notch stop motion, Shaun the Sheep Movie is funny, refreshingly straightforward, endearing, and rewatchable.
Children will love this film, while adults might find themselves enjoying the ride more than they anticipated. Shaun the Sheep Movie is simply fun.
Joseph: King Of Dreams
The Prince of Egypt is, unfortunately, not on Hulu, but its direct-to-video prequel is available on the streaming service. Joseph: King of Dreams is another biblical tale, one that follows the story from the Book of Genesis quite faithfully.
Due to being a direct-to-video production, Joseph: King of Dreams can't match the majesty of The Prince of Egypt. Its emotional beats do not quite hit as hard as the theatrical production, however, Joseph: King of Dreams is a solid film in its own right. It is far better than most direct-to-video animated sequels or prequels.
A Boy Named Charlie Brown (1969) & Snoopy Come Home! (1972)
The Peanuts movies are generally reliable, and Hulu has arguably the best two films based on the comic strip. A Boy Named Charlie Brown was the first feature to bring the downtrodden child to the big screen, and it holds up brilliantly after all these years. Its themes, message, and animation are all timeless.
Snoopy Come Home! has a slightly more adventurous tone and is far funnier than its predecessor. While they are quite different in many ways, these two films work splendidly as a double-feature.
Happy Feet (2006)
George Miller has quite an eclectic filmography. When not delivering some of the most thrilling chase sequences ever put to film or crafting an unexpectedly grim sequel to a movie about a pig, George Miller dabbled in animation with the Happy Feet series.
Happy Feet tells the story of Mumble, an emperor penguin who can't sing but is quite the tap dancer. Boasting smooth animation and a packed roster of voice actors, Happy Feet is an easy watch. The sequel is also on Hulu, although it doesn't reach the same heights as the first movie.
The Congress (2013)
Blending live-action and animated sequences, The Congress takes viewers on quite the bizarre trip. Set in an alternate reality ruled by Miramount Studios, Robin Wright – as a version of herself who is considered a bad actress – sells her image rights so her computer-animated doppelganger can be used in films. Things get weirder from there.
Set over the span of decades, The Congress is a confounding but captivating film, one featuring an incredible performance by Wright. It doesn't hit a bullseye every time, but it always goes for broke.
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs
Sure, this film's title might be incredibly silly, but the world could use some non-sense every once in a while. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is about a scientist who creates a machine that turns water into food. Naturally, he loses control of the gadget, causing food to rain down from the sky like a culinary twist on a biblical plague.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs takes its over-the-top premise and runs with it, combining its hijinks with likable characters and a solid sense of humor.
The Croods 2: A New Age (2020)
The Croods 2 took a long-time to materialize, originally announced close to the release of its 2013 predecessor. The final product isn't anything to write home about, however, the sequel succeeds in delivering an agreeable adventure with family-friendly laughs and a good heart.
The Croods 2 is the type of movie a parent can throw in for their children that they can also enjoy, even if it won't leave too long-lasting of an impression.