Best Animated Movies on Netflix to Watch Right Now (2025)

If you’re into animation and spend way too long scrolling Netflix, you’re in the right place. From classics, to anime, adult animation, and Netflix Originals… the platform has a surprisingly diverse range of animated films.

This list rounds up the best animated movies on Netflix right now — whether they’re blockbuster hits that Netflix managed to license, or originals made in-house. We’ve included a mix of titles for all ages, and a little context around each one, so you know what you’re in for.

Some Netflix animated movies are great for kids, while others are definitely more suited for adults. Either way, there’s something here worth watching. To keep things fair, we looked at ratings, popularity, and overall vibes to figure out which animated movies on Netflix are actually worth your time.

Editor’s Picks – Top Animated Movies to Stream on Netflix

Netflix has a surprisingly strong lineup of animated movies — from family-friendly favorites, to classics (and some titles that fall somewhere in the middle). This list rounds up the best animated movies on Netflix right now, with Rotten Tomatoes scores included, to help you decide what’s worth watching. We keep it updated regularly with both hidden gems and big-name hits.

Netflix Animation Originals – What’s Exclusive to the Platform?

Netflix Animation has been stepping up with a mix of beautifully crafted family films and original stories. Here’s a look at some of the most notable animated movies to hit the streaming service, plus a peek at what’s coming later this year (and beyond).

America: The Motion Picture (2021)

An R-rated, absurd, and ultra-violent reimagining of the American Revolution, where George Washington wields chainsaws and fights werewolves.

• Director: Matt Thompson
• Style: Adult-targeted 2D animation
• Music: By Mark Mothersbaugh

Back to the Outback (2021)

Australian wildlife breaks out of a zoo to return to the wild, led by a deadly (but kind-hearted) snake and a group of misunderstood creatures.

• Director: Clare Knight, Harry Cripps
• Style: CG animation with colorful, stylized animal characters
• Music: By Rupert Gregson-Williams, songs by Tim Minchin

Leo (2023)

An aging classroom lizard breaks free from his tank for a year of self-discovery, voicing life advice in song along the way.

• Director: Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, David Wachtenheim
• Style: Stylized CG
• Music: Features original songs; Adam Sandler stars and sings

The Magician’s Elephant (2023)

A young boy follows a mysterious elephant and magician in hopes of finding his long-lost sister, unraveling fate and wonder along the way.

• Director: Wendy Rogers
• Style: Dreamy, storybook-style CG animation
• Music: By Mark Mothersbaugh

The Sea Beast (2022)

In a world of sea monster hunters, one fearless girl stows away on a legendary ship. What she finds changes history.

• Director: Chris Williams (Moana, Big Hero 6)
• Style: Epic CG animation with Pixar-level scope
• Music: By Mark Mancina

The Willoughbys (2020)

Four eccentric siblings scheme to send their neglectful parents away forever, only to discover the meaning of family on their own.

• Director: Kris Pearn
• Style: Quirky, stylized CG with storybook textures
• Music: Original songs by Mark Mothersbaugh and Alessia Cara

Wendell & Wild (2022)

Two demon brothers convince a teen punk with a tragic past to summon them from the underworld in this darkly comedic stop-motion story.

• Director: Henry Selick (Coraline), co-written with Jordan Peele
• Style: Stop-motion with a gothic, edgy tone
• Music: By Bruno Coulais

That Christmas (2024)

A charming holiday tale, based on a book by Love Actually writer Richard Curtis, centering on unexpected connections during the holidays.

• Director: Simon Otto
• Style: Festive CG
• Music: By John Powell

The Twits (June 13, 2025)

A darkly funny take on the Roald Dahl book about the nastiest couple alive, brought to life with absurd humor and bold visuals.

• Director: Phil Johnston (Wreck-It Ralph)
• Style: Stylized CG with exaggerated character design
• Music: TBD

In Your Dreams (November 2025)

Two siblings journey through the fantastical Dream World to save their parents’ marriage, meeting bizarre dream creatures along the way.

• Directors: Alex Woo, Erik Benson
• Style: Surreal, dreamlike CG
• Music: By John Debney

The Buried Giant (Date TBD)

Based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel, this film will blend fantasy and memory in a medieval world after a mysterious forgetfulness has spread.

• Director: Guillermo del Toro
• Style: Stop-motion
• Music: TBD

Sulwe (Date TBD)

Based on Lupita Nyong’o’s children’s book about a girl with skin the color of midnight, learning to embrace her beauty.

• Style: CG with celestial visuals
• Music: TBD

The Witch Boy (Date TBD)

In a world where girls are witches and boys are shapeshifters, a boy who discovers magical powers challenges the system.

• Director: Minkyu Lee
• Style: CG fantasy with inclusive themes

Watch These Spectacular Award-Winning Titles From Your Couch

Focusing on critically acclaimed films is another great way to decide what to watch on Netflix. Below is a list of award-winning Netflix animations that have stood out for their storytelling, visuals, and cinematography.

• Klaus: A reimagined Santa Claus origin story with hand-drawn animation and a big heart. It was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars and won seven Annie Awards.
• The Sea Beast: This high-seas adventure mixed monster-hunting story earned an Academy Award nomination in 2023 and several Visual Effects Society Awards.
• I Lost My Body: A severed hand searches for its body in this dark, poetic French film. It won the Grand Prize at Cannes Critics’ Week and Best Animated Feature at the César Awards.
• Robin Robin: This half-hour stop-motion musical about a bird raised by mice learning to fit in was a 2022 nominee for Best Animated Short at the Academy Awards.
• The Willoughbys: An offbeat comedy about four kids ditching their selfish parents, this film was nominated for six Annie Awards, including Best Feature.
• The Mitchells vs. the Machines: A quirky family faces a robot apocalypse in this tech-fueled comedy. It was nominated for the Academy Award, won eight Annie Awards, including Best Feature, and was the 2022 winner of the Critics Choice Award.

Watch Fan Favorites From Netflix’s Animation Studio

To put this list together, we looked at which Netflix animated originals got the biggest reactions from viewers, based on trending data, positive reviews, and overall vibes. These aren’t just critically acclaimed; they’re the ones people keep talking about. Chances are – you’ll probably like them, too!

• Nimona: Fans rallied behind its bold themes, queer representation, and edgy tone, which turned it into a talking point across social media.
• Leo: This one took off as an unexpected hit, especially among families – thanks to its humor, rewatchability, and Adam Sandler’s surprising charm in animation.
• The Sea Beast: Viewers loved the scale and emotion, with repeat watches driven by its adventurous world and comparisons to Disney-level storytelling.
• Klaus: What’s not to like about a holiday movie? Fans return to it year after year, drawn by its art style and the emotional payoff that sticks.
• The Mitchells vs. the Machines: This animated movie on Netflix instantly connected with both kids and adults, especially among tech-savvy audiences who appreciated its humor and offbeat visuals.

Best Animated Movies for Kids on Netflix

These G-rated animated movies on Netflix are perfect for kids and offer family-friendly themes with no intense content. Yes, they’re ideal for safe, stress-free viewing. As an added bonus, all of these kid movies have an IMDb rating above 7, so you know they’ll be great.

Preschool & Young Kids

The really young kids need something wholesome and wonder-filled. Below are more G-rated animated movies on Netflix that are safe, lighthearted, and full of adventure.

Tweens & Older Children

We know that older kids need something a bit more mature, and gripping (but still age-appropriate). So, let’s raise the bar a little with complex stories, layered humor, and themes that speak to growing up, independence, and identity.

Here’s our most entertaining picks for young minds:

The Films Adults Can’t Stop Talking About

Who says animations are just for kids? These animated films on Netflix offer mature themes and amazing visuals that resonate with grown-up viewers. While some are still PG-rated, they explore ideas and experiences adults will connect with more deeply.

Best Anime Movies on Netflix

If you’re a fan of anime, Netflix offers a variety of anime films that showcase stunning animation, intricate plots, and unforgettable characters. Whether you’re new to anime or a long-time enthusiast, this list of the best anime movies on Netflix is sure to have something that resonates with you.

Must-Watch Anime Films (2025 List)

Looking for animations with a little edge? Try these popular options:

Hidden Anime Gems You Might’ve Missed

Even if you think you’ve seen them all, these underrated diamonds in the rough are sure to blow your cinematic socks off.

Upcoming Animated Movies Coming to Netflix (2025)

Lost in Starlight is slated to hit some Netflix libraries on May 30. This film brings a beautiful blend of science fiction and emotional depth, following a group of explorers who venture into space to solve a mystery that could change the course of humanity. Expect stunning visuals and an engaging narrative that will interest fans of both space exploration and emotional storytelling. View Lost in Starlight on Netflix to sign up for a reminder to watch it.

The Twits will arrive on June 13 in a stop-motion animated film, based on the beloved 1980 Roald Dahl book. The film promises quirky humor and eccentric characters, as it follows the mischievous antics of Mr. and Mrs. Twit in their strange and whimsical world. With Dahl’s wild imagination, this film is set to be a fan favorite for families and Roald Dahl enthusiasts alike.

K-pop Demon Hungers will premiere on June 20. This animated movie, coming to Netflix soon, combines the world of K-pop with a dark fantasy twist, as a group of young idols find themselves battling demons from another realm. The movie’s vibrant animation, combined with the cultural influence of K-pop, is likely to attract both fans of the genre and those eager for a new type of animated adventure.

In Your Dreams is another film set for release this fall. Though the details are still under wraps, early reports suggest this film will blend a dreamlike narrative with powerful themes of self-discovery. This one is likely to resonate with anyone who enjoys introspective stories with a strong visual style, reminiscent of films like The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Scheduled for sometime in 2025, Pookoo is about a woodland creature and a majestic bird who magically trade places and set off on an adventure of a lifetime. It’s produced by Skydance Animation and Netflix.

Also coming later this year, though the exact date is still TBD, is Leviathan, produced by Orange Studio. Set against the backdrop of looming war in 1914, the film follows a fugitive prince and a girl in disguise as they embark on a journey that could alter the course of history.

How to Browse and Find Animated Movies on Netflix

The platform includes easy-to-access genre categories, so it’s actually really simple to find most animated movies on Netflix. Here are some ways to find animated movies:

• The Home tab: Scroll until you locate Family Movie Night or another related kid/family category. Not all of these tiles are animated, but some are.
• Open the Movies section: Here, you can further refine the results by Anime, Kids & Family, Shorts, and other categories that include animations.
• Netflix’s New & Popular page is another smart way to find trending animated movies. We also keep a list of all the newest movies on Netflix in other genres.
• Use a secret Netflix code: such as this one, that includes adult animated movies on Netflix.
• JustWatch: Is an incredible third-party service that lets you scour Netflix’s massive library with a number of helpful filters. For example, all the animated movies are listed here, or you can edit the filters to find all the animated Netflix movies with a high IMDb score.

Using those methods, we were able to locate this 2020 animated movie called If Anything Happens I Love You. It’s only 12 minutes long, but it has a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Your Animation Watch List Is Ready – Just Hit Play!

Grab the snacks, the difficult part is over. Now that you have plenty of top-tier recommendations for animations to watch on Netflix (and a quick guide for how to watch them), all that is left to do is to settle in for your next movie-night. Don’t forget to bookmark this page for future reference, you don’t want decision-paralysis to stop you from enjoying these fantastic films.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read Full Bio

Alex Ion

Latest from Author

Best Sci-Fi Movies on Netflix to Stream Right Now (2025) The Best Drama Movies on Netflix to Watch Right Now (2025)