Animated Films That Became Works of Art

Animation goes beyond storytelling—it's a vibrant art form. These ten films showcase stunning visuals, creativity, and expert craftsmanship, rivalling the beauty of the world’s greatest artworks.

ByFarheen Ali28 Jun 2025

New Update

1/10

Beauty and the Beast

Disney’s first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture, it seamlessly blended traditional animation with early CGI. The sweeping ballroom dance scene remains one of animation’s most iconic artistic moments.

2/10

Loving Vincent

The world’s first fully oil-painted animated film, created using 65,000 hand-painted frames in Vincent van Gogh’s style. It’s a stunning cinematic tribute to the artist, where each scene is literally a painting come to life.

3/10

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

This gem uses minimalism and soft watercolour brushstrokes to evoke traditional Japanese scroll paintings. The sketchy, freeform style adds emotional depth in this animated film, especially in its dreamlike and raw action sequences.

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4/10

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Revolutionising animation, this animated film fuses comic book aesthetics with 3D technology. From halftone textures to motion smears and pop-art panels, every frame looks like a painting in motion, earning it both critical and artistic acclaim.

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5/10

Spirited Away

This Oscar-winning classic is rich with hand-drawn artistry. Every frame is infused with lush detail, from the ethereal bathhouse to misty spirit worlds. Ghibli’s signature watercolour-inspired style elevates it beyond animation into fine art.

6/10

Raya and the Last Dragon

A triumph of modern CGI, the animated film Raya features richly textured environments, fluid martial arts animation, and cultural design inspired by Southeast Asian art. It’s a digital tapestry woven with precision and beauty.

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7/10

The Secret of Kells

Inspired by Celtic mythology and medieval illuminated manuscripts, this Irish animated film is gorgeously stylised with flat perspectives, bold patterns, and decorative borders, turning every scene into a living page of the Book of Kells.

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8/10

Akira

A cyberpunk landmark, 'Akira' dazzles with dystopian Tokyo’s hand-drawn urban chaos. Every detail—flickering neon lights, crumbling buildings, fluid movement—cements its status as a visual tour de force in animation.

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9/10

Coco

From the Land of the Dead’s glowing marigold bridges to its neon-lit cityscapes, 'Coco' is a visual celebration of Mexican culture and art. Its vibrant imagery and intricate design make it a true feast for the eyes.

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10/10

The Red Turtle

A near-silent movie that uses minimal colour palettes and flowing, painterly landscapes to depict a man’s quiet life on a deserted island. Its naturalistic animation style feels like a moving storybook.

Author

Farheen Ali

Tags: movie Animated