Hey there, movie fans! Are you tired of watching the same old cartoons? Well, we’ve got some good news for you. In 2025, there are tons of great animated films that grown-ups love too.
You don’t have to feel silly watching these movies – they’re made for big kids like us!
Did you know that in 2005, we saw a boom in animated films? Now, 20 years later, we’re still loving those classics and new ones too. This list will show you 15 top animated movies that adults can’t get enough of in 2025.
From funny stories to deep tales, there’s something for everyone. Ready to find your new favorite film?
Inside Out 2
Inside Out 2 is coming soon! This fun Disney Pixar movie picks up where the first one left off. Riley is now 13 and about to start high school. The film shows how her mind and feelings change as she grows up.
Growing up can be a rollercoaster of emotions!
This sequel digs into the teen years and all the ups and downs that come with it. It looks at mental health and how we deal with big feelings. Fans can’t wait to see what new emotions might pop up in Riley’s head.
The movie comes out in 2024, so mark your calendars!
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Moving from the colorful world of emotions, we swing into the amazing Spider-Verse. “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” hit theaters in 2023 and wowed fans. This film takes animation to new heights.
People call the visuals “godly” and even better than the first movie.
The story digs deeper into Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy. We see them grow and face new challenges. The music rocks too. Metro Boomin made a great soundtrack, and Daniel Pemberton’s score fits perfectly.
Many think this film should get an Oscar nod for Best Picture. It’s not just for kids – adults love it too. The mix of cool art, deep story, and awesome tunes makes it a hit for all ages.
The Boy and the Heron
The Boy and the Heron” is a hit animated film from 2023. It’s made by Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli. The story follows Mahito, a 12-year-old boy dealing with his mom’s death. This movie won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature in 2024.
The film digs deep into tough topics like grief and loss. It shows how Mahito grows and learns to cope. Fans love how it mixes sad moments with hope. The movie’s beautiful art and touching story make it a favorite for both kids and adults.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio brings a dark twist to the classic tale. Set in 1930s Italy during fascist rule, this stop-motion film won big at the Oscars and Golden Globes. It’s not your usual kids’ movie.
The story digs into heavy topics like loss and doing what’s right.
Top actors lend their voices to bring the characters to life. Ewan McGregor, Cate Blanchett, and Christoph Waltz are part of the star-studded cast. The film shows the deep bond between Geppetto and his wooden boy, Pinocchio.
It’s a fresh take on an old story that adults will love.
Howl’s Moving Castle
Moving from Pinocchio’s wooden world, we step into a magical castle. Howl’s Moving Castle turns 20 in 2025. This film mixes fantasy and love in a way grown-ups enjoy. It’s not just for kids!
The story follows Sophie, a young woman turned into an old lady by a witch’s spell. She meets Howl, a wizard with a walking castle. As they travel, Sophie learns to love herself and others.
The movie talks about war, aging, and finding who you are. These big ideas make adults think while they watch. Plus, the beautiful art and funny moments keep everyone smiling. It’s a perfect mix of fun and deep thoughts that people of all ages can enjoy.
Soul
From magic castles, we move to jazz and life’s big questions. “Soul” takes us on an exciting journey. This Pixar gem came out in 2020 and impressed both kids and adults.
“Soul” follows Joe, a music teacher who dreams of being a jazz star. After an unexpected accident, he ends up in the Great Before. There, he helps a soul named 22 find her spark. The movie received high praise from critics.
It scored 8.0 on IMDb and 83 on Metacritic. With its blend of fun and deep thoughts, “Soul” touches hearts and makes us think about what truly matters in life.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines
The Mitchells vs. the Machines is a fun movie for both kids and adults. It came out in 2021 and tells the story of Katie Mitchell, a girl who feels far from her family. The film mixes family drama with a wild robot takeover led by a tech boss named Mark Bowman.
What makes this movie special is its cool look. It uses hand-drawn art and odd shapes to make the world feel alive.
This film speaks to people of all ages. Parents and kids can both enjoy it for different reasons. The story touches on how tech affects our lives and relationships. It also shows how families can grow closer, even when things get crazy.
The movie’s mix of humor, heart, and action keeps everyone hooked from start to finish.
Waltz with Bashir
“Waltz with Bashir” is a powerful animated film for adults. It tells the story of an Israeli director trying to recall his time in the 1982 Lebanon War. This movie combines animation with real war events.
It’s an unconventional cartoon that explores war and memory deeply.
Adults appreciate this film for its bold style and serious subject matter. It runs for 90 minutes and has an R rating. On IMDb, it scores 8.0 out of 10 from 61,000 ratings. This indicates its popularity.
In our next section, we’ll discuss another excellent animated film that appeals to grown-ups.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Moving from war stories to furry tales, we find “Fantastic Mr. Fox.” This Wes Anderson film hit screens on November 13, 2009. It’s a fun ride that lasts 87 minutes and is good for kids and adults alike.
George Clooney, Meryl Streep, and Bill Murray lend their voices to this PG-rated movie. The story digs into themes like looking back on the past and money troubles. It’s a clever mix of laughs and life lessons.
Anderson’s style shines through, making old ideas feel fresh and fun. Fans of his work will spot his trademark touches all over this animated gem.
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is a stunning film from 2013. Director Isao Takahata brings an old Japanese story to life with soft watercolors. The movie shows a bamboo cutter finding a tiny girl in a glowing stalk.
She grows up fast and faces many tests.
This film looks different from other cartoons. It uses gentle brush strokes that seem to dance on the screen. The story talks about big ideas like life and death in a simple way. Viewers feel the joy and sadness of being human through Princess Kaguya’s journey.
It’s a beautiful mix of art and storytelling that adults love.
Ratatouille
Moving from the enchanting world of Japanese animation, we now turn to a delightful French-inspired tale. “Ratatouille” is a tasty treat that adults can’t get enough of. This Pixar gem hit theaters on June 29, 2007, and quickly became a fan favorite.
The film follows Remy, a rat with a passion for cooking. He teams up with a clumsy kitchen helper to create amazing dishes in a top Paris restaurant. “Ratatouille” serves up laughs and heart, exploring themes of identity and following your dreams.
Critics loved it, calling it one of Pixar’s best since “Toy Story”. The movie’s score by Michael Giacchino adds extra flavor to the mix. With stars like Peter O’Toole lending their voices, “Ratatouille” is a dish that’s sure to please grown-up movie lovers.
Persepolis
Persepolis is a special animated film that adults love. It tells the true story of Marjane Satrapi growing up in Iran during big changes. The movie shows her life in Tehran when the country had a revolution.
It’s based on Satrapi’s own comic book about her life.
The film uses black and white pictures to show how life was hard to understand in Iran after the revolution. It talks about big ideas like who we are, what we believe, and feeling out of place.
Adults enjoy it because it mixes personal stories with history in a clever way.
Song of the Sea
Song of the Sea is a lovely movie that mixes old and new art styles. Tomm Moore made this film about Irish stories. It shows two kids, Ben and Saoirse, on a big trip. The movie looks like a mix of classic cartoons and Japanese anime.
People loved it so much that it got a nod for Best Animated Film at the Oscars.
This film came out on January 30, 2015. It tells tales from Ireland’s past in a fresh way. The art is pretty and the story is deep. Grown-ups and kids both enjoy it. Next up, we’ll look at another great animated film that adults love.
Isle of Dogs
Isle of Dogs is a cool movie that came out in 2018. Wes Anderson made it using stop-motion, which means he moved tiny figures bit by bit to make them look alive. The story happens in Japan, but not the Japan we know.
It’s set in the future where dogs aren’t welcome anymore.
The film looks different from other cartoons. It uses small models and moves them slowly to create a special look. This style fits well with the odd and funny story about dogs and their human friends.
Even though it’s about dogs, grown-ups love it too. It’s smart, funny, and full of heart. Next up, we’ll look at another spooky favorite that both kids and adults enjoy.
Coraline
Moving from the quirky world of dogs, we step into a spooky tale for kids and grown-ups alike. Coraline is a dark fantasy that came out in 2009. It’s about a girl who finds a secret door to a perfect version of her life.
But things aren’t what they seem.
This movie runs for 1 hour and 40 minutes. It got good scores from critics and fans. IMDb gave it 7.8 out of 10, while Metacritic rated it 80 out of 100. The PG rating means it’s okay for most kids, but some parts might be scary.
Coraline mixes fun and fear as she explores a hidden world full of strange beings. It’s a story that pulls you in and doesn’t let go until the end.
Bottom Line
Animated films keep getting better. Adults love them as much as kids do. In 2025, we’ll see some great new movies. “The Bad Guys 2” comes out on August 1. “David,” a musical, hits theaters on November 21.
“Zootopia 2” arrives on November 26. And don’t forget “The Smurfs Movie” on July 18. These films will make 2025 a fun year for animation fans of all ages.
