Best 2D animation movies of all time (must watch!)

The traditional 2D style of animation is often seen as a throwback to an earlier era, but there are some exceptions. Even though the studios primarily animate in 3-dimensional space and create characters with unique personalities for each film.

In a world where 2D animation is slowly being phased out in favor of computer-generated graphics (CGI), the battle between 2D and 3D animation reached new heights. The question is: how does 2D animation manifests in the movies and films field? and how does it stand the competition with 3D animation movies?

To answer this question, we will go over some of the best 2D animation movies. These movies from the past couple of decades still manage to capture what it’s like for humans when they interact with their environment through 2D animation visuals.

1. The Lion King (1994)

The Lion King is one of the most iconic 2D animation films in history and for good reason. It has been heralded as an excellent example of hand-drawn animation from Walt Disney Co., with the vibrant colors that made it so popular among children at that period (1994).

The character animators studied real-life animals for reference, as was done for Bambi (1942). Jim Fowler is a renowned wildlife expert who visits the studios on several occasions with an assortment of lions and other savannah inhabitants to discuss behavior and help give his drawings authenticity.

To simulate the unpredictable movement of a herd, several wildebeest characters were created in 3D computer programs and multiplied into hundreds. Cel-shaded animations were given randomized paths down mountainsides which gave their appearance an almost drawn-looking feel before they were even animated!

The two-and-a-half minute stampede was created by five specially trained animators who used the Computer Animation Production System (CAPS) in their work. This system helped them simulate camera movements such as tracking shots, and it’s employed for coloring effects among other things.

2. Princess Mononoke (1997)

It’s no big surprise that when Hayao Miyazaki released Princess Mononoke in 1997, it was a new kind of anime film. It is Miyazaki’s seventh major film. It took Mononoke four years from conception to release.

The plotline of Princess Mononoke was originally drawn up by Miyazaki in sketches after the success he had with My Neighbor Totoro. 

Princess Mononoke was a very ambitious 2D animation movie in its production, with an estimated budget of ¥2.35 billion (approximately US$23.5 million). The hand-drawn animation and 10% computer-generated graphics blend well together to create a beautiful story that is not only realistic but also fun to watch!

To create a cohesive look for the film, traditional paint was used. However, at some points in time producers wanted more creativity and so computer animation was implemented alongside handcrafted animations from Telecom Animation Film Company or Oh! Production who helped with this process too- Toei Animations‘ partnership meant that they could rely on them when it came down to making sure everything looked perfect during its debut across Japan. While DR Movie helped with the painting process.

Toonz has been a major player in the animation world for years, but they’re not just limited to anime. They’ve also created some of Ghibli’s most popular films including Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away which are attributed largely thanks to their software capabilities with high-end maintenance costs that can run up to $10k per license!

3. Demon Slayer (2021)

This was the first anime movie to get a top spot at the U.S Box Office in decades, despite being in Japanese. But what made Demon Slayer such a big deal?

Studio Ufotable’s first venture into the world of shonen anime is one helluva debut. The Demon Slayer movie features beautifully lavish animation and scores that would make any filmgoer jealous.

Ufotable uses CGI animations in demon slayer. It is renowned for its use of CG to achieve dynamic camera work that simply cannot be replicated in hand-drawn animation.

4. The Princess and The Frog (2009)

Disney’s The Princess and the Frog 2D animation movie was made using hand-drawn animation techniques, rather than computer-generated imagery. The film was three-and-a-half years in the making. 

The use of traditional animation techniques in a relatively recent 2D animation movie was not just for artistic purposes, but also to preserve the history and legacy that has been passed down from generation to generation. The Toon Boom Harmony software was used in this film because it can produce results similar to what you would see with an older CAPS system developed by Disney around 1984 which is why we’re able to get such amazing aesthetic qualities without any modern-day advancements or updates!

5. The Simpsons Movie (2007)

We had to include The Simpsons Movie because it features some of the most iconic cartoon characters of all time.

The comedy show has always been ahead of the curve, switching from its original cel-animation style to digital ink and paint in 2004. Now they are using early access to Adobe technology for more realistic characters that can be animated live on air!

The Simpsons Movie is a popular show that Toon Boom helped animate. With the use of Harmony software, they were able to create an entire world and cast new characters in amazing detail with motion capture technology!

6. If Anything Happens I Love You (2020)

Netflix describes this short film as a story of grieving parents, who are left with the emotional void after their child is killed in a tragic school shooting. 

The animation draws attention to the message that this unique 2D animation film bears, through the simplicity of drawing and color. The use of minimal colors helps too!

Peter Ettinger edited the film with Adobe Premiere Pro.

The lack of color and scratchiness in the illustrations makes for a more cohesive story, as it better portrays depression. The hollowness that is depicted also points out society’s grim effects of gun violence on young children who may be struggling with their feelings about death after losing someone close.

The minimalist style of illustration, font, and color is a powerful way to communicate the feeling that no words could ever capture.

7. Klaus (2019)

2D animation made a real comeback in 2019 when Klaus along with Kitbull and Hair Love was released.

The Spanish director and his team have chosen to step away from CGI– which currently dominates the mainstream animated world – by using traditional 2D animated techniques, with an innovative stage in between that gives them quality lighting like 3D animations.

With a traditional 2D animation pipeline, production started with rough sketches that were cleaned up before being inked and painted. But for Klaus’ animated film they have taken this one step further by adding lights to give their characters more depth than ever thought possible! 

The characters in this film were all hand-drawn using digital tablets and Harmony by Toon Boom. The animators used live-action reference videos of themselves as guides, which is something that hasn’t been done before to my knowledge!

8. Winnie The Pooh (2011)

Produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, Winnie the Pooh is a 2011 American animated musical comedy film.

Winnie the Pooh ended up being a great finale for 2D animation at Disney, which revolutionized the art form. It’s no wonder that this movie is considered among one of greatest animated films ever made

9. Wolfwalkers (2020)

The 2D animated feature film Wolfwalkers is one of the newest ones: it came out in November 2020. A lot like Klaus, this movie was nominated for an Oscar but lost.

With a 3D modeling program called Medium, animators were able to explore and create their own virtual set in VR. This was then transferred onto computers where artists added more stylistic 2D elements using the computer-animation tool Blender.

3D animation techniques that make films feel as if they exist in their world were used here, with depth and uniqueness. Among others, it used 3D models and virtual reality to help create immersive, hand-drawn images that let viewers see through the eyes of wolves.

Parallax – an effect created by moving your eyes closer towards something, then farther away from it after having already looked only once before.

10. Spirited Away (2001 – 2002)

Spirited Away continues to be a strong pillar of 2D animation movies despite being almost 20 years old. The incredible, magical world of Ghibli is brought to you in Toonz.

A unique style that pays homage and celebrates the beauty found within this Japanese animated film-making.

As a 2D animation film, Spirited Away differs from others because it’s hand-drawn instead of being computer-generated. That type of animation has almost entirely disappeared in the United States. 

To film a picture, artists first draw and paint individual frames. Because of its high labor costs, the work tends to be tedious, time-consuming, and expensive.