2022 showcased a vibrant and diverse animation landscape, with a wide range of styles and stories being told. Both major studios and independent animators were pushing boundaries and experimenting with new techniques. 2022 is widely considered a golden age for animation, and with 2023 already shaping up to be just as exciting, it’s a great time for fans of the Gobookmart. Here are 10 best animated movies of 2022.
10 Best Animated Movies of 2022
The Bob’s Burgers Movie (2022)
The Bob’s Burgers Movie is a fitting addition to the Bob’s Burgers television show. It reinvigorates the demand for family-friendly adult animation in theaters. The show’s theatrical style, with its musical numbers and larger-than-life plotlines, makes a smooth transition to the big screen, making the movie feel like a feature-length episode. The movie received high praise from both critics and long-time fans of the show, earning an 89% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 7.4 rating on IMDb. Its visuals, entertainment value and seamless incorporation of the show’s pacing and plotlines make for a fun and enjoyable family film.
The Sea Beast (2022)
The Sea Beast, a new animated adventure on Netflix, tells the story of a young stowaway girl on a monster hunter’s ship. It has received high praise since its release, earning a 7.1 IMDb score and quickly becoming a fan favorite on the streaming service. Its impeccable visuals and engaging fantasy storyline make it a great addition to Netflix’s lineup of original animated movies and family-friendly comedies. The relatable characters are a major strength in carrying the story.
Lightyear (2022)
“The central concept of “Lightyear” was meant to be the big, splashy sci-fi movie that Andy saw as a kid in “Toy Story” and inspired him to become interested in Buzz Lightyear. The movie was not meant to be a puzzle and it succeeded in bringing the character to life in a new way. It not only dramatizes the events of the in-universe movie version of Buzz but it also playfully examines the original “Toy Story” movies and what a sequel means in 2022. The plot follows Buzz (Chris Evans) as he bungles an escape from a hostile alien world, leaving his crew members and passengers stranded. Buzz, being a perfectionist, repeatedly attempts to get off the planet but due to the time space continuum, he returns to a world that has moved on from his adventures.
He eventually encounters a villain – a version of himself who is even more obsessed with returning to the past. In this way, the writer/director questions the soundness of returning to the “Toy Story” universe, the potentially poisonous nature of nostalgia, and the way audiences want the same thing, only in a slightly different package. “Lightyear” is more than the same thing in a slightly different package; it’s a rousing sci-fi adventure full of chunky machinery, thrilling voyages and the cutest sidekick in movies this year – Sox (voiced by Pete Sohn), Buzz’s robotic cat companion. To infinity and beyond.”
Pinocchio (2022)
Guillermo del Toro, with the help of Netflix, finally achieved his goal of adapting Carlo Collodi’s classic story of Pinocchio. The movie, titled “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio” takes place before World War II, with the wooden boy, who cannot die, being sought after by a traveling circus and fascist movement. Instead of emphasizing the traditional themes of obedience and following rules, the movie pays tribute to disobedience and free thinking, as well as the fragility of life and importance of relationships. Despite its heavy thematic elements, the movie is also lighthearted and funny, featuring beautiful design work and an underworld ruled by a chimeric monster. The movie is a bold retelling of the classic “Pinocchio” story.
Turning Red (2022)
“Turning Red” is a triumph for Pixar, which seems to be in a resurgence under the leadership of new chief creative officer Pete Docter. Co-written and directed by Domee Shi, who was promoted to a vice president of creative following the movie’s release, “Turning Red” tells the story of Mei, a Chinese-Canadian teenager living in early-2000’s Toronto, who transforms into a giant red panda when she gets stressed out. The movie is quietly revolutionary, featuring frank talk of menstruation, a unique animation style influenced by Japanese animation and old monster movies, and a focus on themes of reconciliation, generational trauma, and self-acceptance. The movie is also accompanied by catchy boy band songs co-written by Finneas and Billie Eilish. It’s a movie of unique cultural specificity that feels truly universal.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)
One of the biggest and best surprises of the year was the sequel to 2011’s “Puss in Boots,” directed by Joel Crawford, who also directed the similarly surprising “The Croods: A New Age.” “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” follows the self-described “fearless feline hero” on a quest to find a wishing star and extend his existence after he loses one of his lives. The movie is more contemplative and darker than the first film, with a new visual aesthetic, an all-star supporting cast, and inventive action sequences. The underlying sense of melancholy adds weight to the story.
Wendell & Wild (2022)
Director Henry Selick, known for his stop-motion classics like “The nightmare Before Christmas” and “James and the Giant Peach,” has returned with a new movie, “Wendell & Wild,” after a hiatus since 2009’s Oscar-nominated “Coraline.” Co-written, produced and starred in by Jordan Peele, “Wendell & Wild” is a new version of “Beetlejuice,” featuring a young orphan goth girl who communicates with demons, played by Peele and frequent collaborator Keegan Michael-Key, and gets into more trouble than she anticipated. The plot is not always strong, but the movie has a strong core and raises hard questions about whether to spend more time with her parents and the additional complications that come with it. Dark and strange, the fact that “Wendell & Wild” exists is a cause for celebration, and the fact that it’s good is just a bonus.
Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe (2022)
“Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe” is much better than expected and more complex than it seems. It’s a sequel to the 1996 movie “Beavis and Butt-Head Do America” and the original series which ended in 1997. It also introduced new ideas that were further developed in the 2022 series, which aired on Paramount+ and was also excellent. Despite having a lot of ground to cover, directors John Rice, Albert Calleros and original creator Mike Judge, who co-wrote and starred as both characters, managed to do it well, updating the original series and presenting a funny and compelling sci-fi comedy. It’s also a movie that will have you laughing uncontrollably throughout the duration.
The Bad Guys (2022)
2022 was a successful year for DreamWorks Animation, with the studio regaining its momentum in a big way and a promising lineup for the future. “The Bad Guys” was a delightful surprise, a visually striking crime movie about a group of animal thieves, led by Sam Rockwell’s Mr. Wolf, who try to change their ways. Inspired by books series by Aaron Blabey, the movie is charming, offbeat and draws inspiration from Quentin Tarantino movies, Japanese anime and French comic books. The movie’s only weakness is its lack of emotional center, but with DreamWorks already planning it as a franchise with a holiday special, TV series and possibly a sequel, there’s plenty of time to improve it.
The House (2022)
The House, a Netflix original stop-motion animation film, is not to be confused with the live-action movie of the same name from 2017. The film is a comedy-horror that appeals to audiences of all ages, and serves as a reminder of the timeless appeal of stop-motion animation. Told in three parts set in different eras. The House offers a unique story that has resonated well with viewers, both those who appreciate the nostalgic feel of a stop-motion haunted house and those who are impressed by the underutilized animation medium.
Also Read: Top 5 Animated Series From Both DC and Marvel
