Animated Movies that Came Out In 2017
This year was packed with incredible animated movies, some that got overlooked while others were popularized. There are many reasons why these films were loved or hated, but none of it matters unless you watch them!
Many people praise this movie for its heartwarming story and characters, whereas other viewers complain about how slow the pace is. It’s your choice to determine if that’s important to you.
There are also different opinions about what makes an excellent animation film. Some like longer stories with more involved plots, while others enjoy fast paced action scenes. No matter who you are, there’s always going to be another amazing cartoon out right now!
This article will go over all of the best animated movies from this past year by genre and then overall ranking.
The Boss Baby
In The Boss Baby, we meet Sean (Tom Wa-Thru) and Roo (Dana Snyder), a couple trying to have a baby of their own. They visit the doctor for help and are told that she will need to do an IUI - Intrauterine Insemination. This is where he or she gets fertilized with her own eggs and then they are put into intercourse with you, thus creating more embryos.
It was very cleverly done in the movie how they incorporated this procedure into the plot. At first it seemed like just another day at work for both characters until things get weird and uncomfortable. It makes for an interesting watch as the audience tries to figure out what is going on.
The best part about this movie though is all of the Easter Eggs. There were so many references and shoutouts to other movies and shows along the way! All of these gave away some secrets to the storyline or made reference to something important in the film’s universe.
The House with a Clock in It
Another movie that focused heavily on comedy was The House With A Clock In Its Wall, which released in December of 2017. This is not your normal run-of-the-mill family film though!
The story follows five children who move into an old house with their father and grandmother. There’s one major difference between this house and others like it - this house has a clock in its wall that only moves when there are no people left alive to stop it.
While exploring the home, the kids discover many secrets about the house and the people who lived here before. They also find some hidden objects and relics from years past.
It’s hard to tell if all these discoveries have any meaning, but the kids do what anyone would do after discovering a ghost - they start having fun. Unfortunately, the ghosts aren’t too happy and begin wreaking havoc.
Overall, The House With A Clock In Its Wall is a cleverly put together comedic horror flick. While parts feel slightly drawn out at times, the overall effect is very entertaining.
If you love stories where the audience must figure things out for themselves, then this movie may be for you. I give this movie two and a half stars out of five, as it could have been better paced.
Finding Dory
Speaking of Pixar, Finding Nemo is one of their most beloved films. It was released in 2003, which makes it ten years ago this year! The movie follows forgetful fish Marlin as he embarks to find his son who got swept away while swimming in the ocean. Along the way, he meets an intelligent clownfish, Sydney, who helps him learn more about himself.
In its sequel, Finding Dory, we see that Marlin has found his family but loses his sense of smell due to an injury. He must now rely on other senses to look for his missing child, so he hires a new diver - you guessed it - Sydney!
Not only are both films very entertaining, they also emphasize the importance of teamwork and friendship. These traits are important to develop as an individual and as a member of the community, and can be applied in your daily life.
Captain Underpants: The First Thrill of Bikini Banditry
In August, Comedy Central released their newest movie, Captain Underpants: The First Indecent Adventure. This movie is very different from any other animated film you have seen before! If you need a break from action movies, then this one is for you.
Captain Underpants follows two fourth graders named George (Jackson Gore) and Harold (Emjay Williams) who find an old doctor’s bag that has some magical underwear in it. Once they put these underwears on, everything around them becomes super-sexy and crazy!
This movie is so funny because there are never quiet moments. There is always something happening throughout all three acts. It is like watching a show with no breaks!
The characters in this movie come to life and feel real. You will laugh at their quirks and behaviors constantly. They do not behave like normal kids, which makes them seem even more realistic.
The Lego Movie
In The Lego Movie, we are given an insight into what it means to be young today. We learn that being a kid now is more about your phones, your headphones, and your laptop than having fun outside. It’s all too easy to get distracted by technology, which is why you will not find many kids playing make-believe or going to theme parks anymore.
The film also brings up the topic of parents leaving their children behind while they go out and have fun. This is very common these days because adults seem to be spending most of their time online instead of interacting with other people.
There is a 2 minute long scene where Batman and Superman fight after Catwoman calls them “bro superheroes” due to how she knows their secret identities. After the battle ends, Bruce says something along the lines of “children will grow up thinking that heroes look like this!” referring to himself and his friend putting aside their differences to save the world once again.
This movie makes us think about the importance of teaching our youth who the true hero(es) of the story universe are. If someone needs help, then let’t them come to you! Don’t just sit there watching TV or browsing the internet while others struggle for answers.
If anything, The Lego Movie should motivate older generations to put away their gadgets and enjoy some quality time with nature or with friends.
Despicable Me 3
Many people agree that one of the best animated movies is Pixar’s The Incredibles 2! It was released in June, so it got left out of this list. But now we have to include it because it came out earlier this year!
The movie follows the family members of super hero billionaire Tony Stark (played by Robert Downey Jr.). They are all motivated individuals who work together as a team to protect the world from threats just like the Avengers!
Overall, how well did The Incredibles 2 do? It made over $1 billion at the box office! That makes it not only one of the highest grossing films of all time, but also one of the most successful superhero movies ever.
It’s very rare for an action comedy to win such praise, especially one with strong characters and dramatic plotlines. People really connected with the characters and their journey towards acceptance and happiness.
Spider-Man: Homecoming
In May, Sony released its tenth entry into their ever expanding Spider-Man franchise with Spider-Man: Homecoming. The movie hit theaters across the world and was received very well by most audiences. If you have never seen a Spider-Man film before then start off with this one!
Spider-Man: Homecoming follows New York high school student Peter Parker (Tom Holland), who finds his life turned upside down when he is given an opportunity to attend Midtown High School’s exclusive science program for gifted students.
He soon meets Tony Stark - billionaire inventor of the Iron Man armor that has become famous throughout the globe. After some initial skepticism, Peter agrees to join Iron Man’s advanced technology research team at RDX Incorporated.
While working on the project, Peter discovers that his new friend is actually Iron Man himself! This changes everything as now not only does he have a mentor but also someone he can hang out with during lunch breaks and after work.
It is here where we are introduced to Vulture - an old enemy of Tony's that has been rebuilt using his tech and equipment. He slowly forms a bond with Peter which eventually leads to him learning about his past secrets.
This story arc focuses heavily on fatherhood and how Tony helps develop Peter as a person while also teaching him things like what it takes to be successful. It also explores themes such as greed, selflessness, and the balance between the two.