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AFI's Greatest Animated Films

The American Film Institute Lists Their Fave Toon Movies

© Dominic von Riedemann

Jun 18, 2008

Snow White, copyright 1937 The Walt Disney Company
The American Film Institute compiled a list of what they consider the greatest animated films of all time. But is it accurate?

The American Film Institute, in its mania for listing what it considers to be the best movies in every genre, has finally turned its attention towards animation, announcing their faves in a star-studded spectacle last night.

Jennifer Love Hewitt hosted the animation portion of the event, where the AFI unveiled what it considers to be the greatest animated films of all time. Here's their list:

The AFI's Greatest Animated Films

  1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
  2. Pinocchio (1940)
  3. The Lion King (1994)
  4. Fantasia (1940)
  5. Bambi (1942)
  6. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
  7. Shrek (2001)
  8. Toy Story (1995)
  9. Cinderella (1950)
  10. Finding Nemo (2003)

Now, before you start screaming about how none of Hayao Miyazaki's movies made the list, take a look at who's compiling it: the American Film Institute. Non-Yanks need not apply.

Not surprisingly, this is a pretty Disney-centric list, with nine of the 10 nominees either produced or distributed by the Mouse House. Five of the honorees are from Disney's "Golden Age," which is prior to the 1950's, two of them are from the 1990's "animation renaissance," and two of them are from Pixar.

The lone holdout? DreamWorks Animation's Shrek, which snagged the first ever Best Animated Feature Film Oscar.

Interestingly, DreamWorks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg shepherded three movies on the list: Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, and Shrek. None of Disney's post-Katzenberg movies made the cut (excepting Pixar, which was still independent), which makes a compelling argument that then-Disney CEO Michael Eisner goofed when he turfed Katzenberg in 1994.

IMDb's Top 10 Animated Movies

Just for the sake of argument, let's compare the AFI's choices versus IMDb users' most beloved animated films, as of June 18th, 2008 (the list tends to change as new movies get added).

  1. Spirited Away (Studio Ghibli, 2001)
  2. Princess Mononoke (Studio Ghibli, 1997)
  3. Mind Game (Studio 4º C, 2004)
  4. Cat City (Pannonia, 1988)
  5. Ratatouille (Disney/Pixar, 2007)
  6. Finding Nemo (Pixar, 2003)
  7. The Incredibles (Pixar, 2004)
  8. Whisper of the Heart (Studio Ghibli, 1995)
  9. Toy Story (Pixar, 1995)
  10. Grave of the Fireflies (Studio Ghibli, 1988)

Just a leetle different, hmm? None of Disney's classic or "animation renaissance" films rate; Pixar and Japan's Studio Ghibli take over with a vengeance. Only four out of the Top 10 are American, and they're all from Pixar. Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki is the most beloved animator (directing the two top films, and helping write Whisper of the Heart), with Pixar's Brad Bird running a close second (his movies take #5 and #7).

IMDb's Top 10 American Animated Movies

If we eliminate the non-American animated movies, the IMDb Top 10 List resembles this (actual ratings are in brackets):

  1. Ratatouille (#5)
  2. Finding Nemo (#6)
  3. The Incredibles (#7)
  4. Toy Story (#9)
  5. The Lion King (#12)
  6. Kung Fu Panda (#14)
  7. Toy Story 2 (#20)
  8. The Nightmare Before Christmas (#21)
  9. Shrek (#22)
  10. Monsters Inc. (#23)

Pixar's dominance becomes even clearer, with 6 movies from that company. Disney gets The Lion King and The Nightmare Before Christmas, and DreamWorks has Shrek and Kung Fu Panda. It's worth noting that new films like Kung Fu Panda tend to get initially high ratings before dropping down into their final slots. At one point, Ratatouille was challenging Spirited Away for overall supremacy before sliding to #5. So Kung Fu Panda's position may not last.

Just for the heck of it, how did IMDb users rate the AFI's choices? Here's the AFI's list again, with the IMDb positions in brackets:

  1. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (#33)
  2. Pinocchio (#50)
  3. The Lion King (#12)
  4. Fantasia (#32)
  5. Bambi (didn't make the list)
  6. Beauty and the Beast (#25)
  7. Shrek (#22)
  8. Toy Story (#9)
  9. Cinderella (didn't make the list)
  10. Finding Nemo (#6)

So, what would be *your* Top 10 List of Animated Films? Let us know by making a comment below.


The copyright of the article AFI's Greatest Animated Films in Animated Films is owned by Dominic von Riedemann. Permission to republish AFI's Greatest Animated Films in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Snow White, copyright 1937 The Walt Disney Company
        

Comments
Jun 22, 2008 7:08 AM
Dan Lalande :
Hey, Dominic - Dan Lalande here from the Classic Film column.

All of these lists should have the same opening one-two punch: 'Snow White' and 'Toy Story' - two films that set incredible precedents in terms of form and style. The other titles are certainly worthy but each, essentially, is no more than a byproduct of the aforementioned two.

The Japanese deserve their due for their distinct contribution, so yes, 'Spirited Away' should be on any list. And though I certainly don't expect the AFI to acknowledge the more adult titles - though IMDb should - where are 'Fritz The Cat' and 'Persepolis'? Again, these are films that took the art into hitherto unexplored directions!

Continue to enjoy your column! Please keep at it!

Dan
Aug 29, 2008 2:44 PM
Guest :
Well, the AFI List is a list of the best "American Films", so obviously there aren't any Studio Ghibli's movie. I agree with you guys, Hayao Miyazaki's films must be on any decent list of the best animated pictures, especially Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, but we most not forget other non-japanese films like Persepolis that are great too.
2 Comments


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