Classic Animated Movies That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

However, because feature-length animation dates back almost a century, some movies haven't aged well, whether that be because of their themes, story, or outdated visuals. On the other hand, some movies have aged perfectly, which is why this list will rank 10 animated movies that have aged like fine wine based on animation, art, themes, story, relevance, popularity, influence, critical acclaim, and overall quality.

1 'The Land Before Time' (1988)

Some animated movies give kids a wonderful childhood. Others traumatize them. The Land Before Time did both. This classic dinosaur film follows Littlefoot (Gabriel Damon), a herbivore whose mother died protecting him from a carnivore. Learning about a great valley, he sets out with a group of friends to find the fabled land, hoping to escape the dangers of the prehistoric world.

Before it became an established franchise, the first movie was a profound and entertaining film that was part of many viewers' childhoods. The Land Before Time still has incredible animation even by modern standards, and its story is a timeless example of how to handle an emotional story about grief with a tragic ending while remaining an important kids' film.

2 'The Lion King' (1994)

The 1990s were a golden age of animation, especially by Disney, which produced an all-time classic with The Lion King. When Scar (Jeremy Irons) usurps the throne, the heir to it, Simba (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), escapes, coming back decades later as an adult to take back his rightful place as king.

Out of all the animated movies on this list, none is as iconic as The Lion King, which remains a cultural sensation to this day. The live-action movies do hinder its legacy a bit, but the animated film alone has aged perfectly. Its scale, story, animation, and themes are all timeless, meaning The Lion King has aged like a fine wine over the years, and will continue to do so.

3 'WALL-E' (2008)

Pixar is a legendary animation studio with some of the best animated movie trilogies ever, but one of their most impressive and well-aged films is WALL-E. The titular robot is left on Earth to clean an impossibly dirty planet, but when he discovers life growing on it, he sets off to the colony to let the humans know. However, an evil robot hinders his best efforts to save humanity.

Unfortunately, the health of the Earth is always relevant, as it seems the planet is perpetually in danger. WALL-E is a poignant tale about environmentalism and saving the Earth, and as time goes on, this message becomes even more important. What some fans said was preachy is now prophetic. WALL-E is also a dazzling spectacle with some of the best visuals in animation.

4 'The Iron Giant' (1999)

It may feel like a Disney film, but The Iron Giant is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece from a different studio. When a giant robot crashes down on Earth, the first person to find it is a young boy. After learning more about each other, the boy is determined to protect the goliath from the military, which wants to destroy it.

The Iron Giant is a well-aged film and still one of the most tragic and complex animated movies, proving to be an emotional heavyweight that can make fans cry whether they watch it as a kid or an adult. This emotional intrigue and timeless hand-drawn animation are timeless, leading to the film aging perfectly. Its themes about weapons and good nature are also more important in a world full of technology.

5 'Spirited Away' (2001)

Studio Ghibli is one of the most iconic animation studios of all time, and their greatest film is arguably Spirited Away. When Chihiro moves to a new house with her family, her parents are taken over by a mysterious curse. She must now travel to a resort for spirits and work with the supernatural to find a way to reverse it.

Every single one of Hayao Miyazaki's films ages well because of his atmospheric style and attention to detail, and Spirited Away excels in both. However, the spectacular hand-drawn animation and stunning art are why this movie has aged well, still being a masterclass of visual style that may be the most beautiful animated movie.

6 'Akira' (1988)

Anime used to be shunned by the Western world for various reasons, but in 1988, Akira proved to the world that the medium can be complex, profound, and mature. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, it follows the leader of a bike gang searching for his kidnapped friend. However, when he learns that his friend is the product of a psychic experiment, Neo Tokyo is at risk of destruction again.

Akira feels like the Big Bang of modern animation, ushering in a new age of technological innovation and riveting storytelling that evolved the medium instantly. Akira is a masterpiece for so many reasons, including its timeless sci-fi story that redefined cyberpunk and its remarkable animation that is still unique, inventive, and absolutely gorgeous to look at.

7 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (1993)

Animation comes in many shapes and sizes, and one of those unique forms is stop-motion. The Nightmare Before Christmas follows Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon), the mayor of Halloweentown, who has become bored with the yearly spooky routine. However, when he discovers a portal leading to Christmas, he wants to spread cheer and joy in his own peculiar ways.

Everyone loves a holiday movie, and The Nightmare Before Christmas blends Halloween and Christmas to create a true end-of-year classic. However, it has aged so well because of its timeless stop-motion animation and genre-defining style. The spooky and gothic aesthetic reinvigorated this style in cinema and pop culture. The Nightmare Before Christmas is a rare film that will be iconic every year.

8 'Mulan' (1998)

As mentioned, the 1990s were a golden era for Disney, and one of their best animated films from this decade was Mulan, which is about the titular character disguising herself as a man to join the army, hoping they won't draft her father. With the help of her dragon, Mushu (Eddie Murphy), she wards off the Hun invasion, proving her worth, but she must hide the fact that she is a woman, even if she is a great asset.

During a time when films were less progressive, Mulan stood out as a groundbreaking, genre-defining, and culturally significant animated movie that broke down barriers. Not only that, but its story is enjoyable, and its characters are endearing. Mulan's animation also holds up spectacularly, providing fluid motion and an engaging atmosphere that has kept it in style decades later.

9 'Perfect Blue' (1997)

Anime is a big contributor to the modern appreciation of animation, and directing legend Satoshi Kon has produced more than a few masterpieces, including his magnum opus, Perfect Blue. When an idol wants to shift to the movies, she is instantly faced with critical backlash. From her old group now becoming successful to her roles being unsuited for her to a crazed stalker, Mima (Junko Iwao) can no longer separate reality from fantasy.

Perfect Blue was ahead of its time, displaying a story with themes that perfectly represent the modern-day world. With social media more prevalent than before, the story of this anime film is even more relatable and relevant. Not only that, but the general style, animation, and themes create a riveting thriller that, relevance aside, is compelling to watch. Perfect Blue is a masterpiece that only gets more poignant as the years go on, proving Kon is a true visionary, as many of his works, such as Paranoia Agent, are more than relevant in the modern age.

10 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' (1988)

As previously mentioned, animation comes in all shapes and sizes, but one of the most innovative is blending animation with live-action, which is what Who Framed Roger Rabbit accomplished. The titular character suspects that his wife is cheating on him, but when the prime suspect is murdered, everyone believes it is him, leading him to investigate and clear his name.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a technical marvel, being a painstaking task of animation that seamlessly blended live-action with animation. Even with modern animation and CGI, no film has accomplished as impressive a feat in animation. Who Framed Roger Rabbit is one of the most ambitious animated movies of all time, which has aged like fine wine, still looking nearly flawless decades later.