The 10 Best Animated Movies by Sony, from GOAT to KPop Demon Hunters

While the first movie is arguably better, it technically wasn’t under the Sony Pictures Animation banner, so you’ll have to make do with The Angry Birds Movie 2. To be fair, though, this is a pretty fun sequel that does more than enough to warrant its existence, which is more than can be said for a lot of follow-ups these days.

It’s hard not to find the array of characters entertaining, which is largely down to the superb work of the voice cast. And this time, seeing the birds unite with their former enemies, the pigs, against a new foe, is a really interesting dynamic to build on the first film. It’s obviously a great pick for much younger viewers, but there’s enough to keep adults engaged, too. Check it out on Now TV Cinema, but make sure you watch the original film first.

I’ve honestly lost count of the number of times we’ve hit play on Hotel Transylvania in our house. We’ve got two young boys who love spooky things, monsters, and vampires, so this whole franchise is just absolute gold to them. And do you know what? Despite finding the films a bit annoying at first, they’ve really grown on me a lot.

The premise of a colony of ghouls and supernatural beings just trying to stay out of the way of humans and having this quirky getaway is a lot of fun in itself, but throw in Andy Samberg as the one human who breaches their sacred place, and you’ve got a film with a very infectious energy. While the second and third films in this series are definitely worth your time, it’s the first that is the real winner.

Speaking of a great premise, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs is so unique and fresh that even today it still feels like the kind of creative storytelling that would get your attention. To be fair, though, what do you expect when it’s Phil Lord and Christopher Miller at the helm? Those guys just know how to conjure up a playful, very clever little story, and they knocked it out of the park with this one.

If you like what they did with The Lego Movie, you’ll certainly be on board with the humour in this film. Plus, the animation is fantastic, too. If your kids love the idea of a world where food rains from the sky, head on over to Amazon Prime Video and check this out now.

The main criticism I can throw at The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! Is that the title is a pain in the backside to type out. Other than that, this is a movie that is so charming and genuinely hilarious that it’s hard to stay mad. I’m a sucker for anything by Aardman Animations, so this collaboration with Sony was always going to be a winner, but it’s genuinely a delightful little adventure film that has so much spirit and character.

Seeing a band of pretty useless pirates trying to prove they’re worthy of the Pirate of the Year award, with escalating calamity at every turn, is exactly the kind of silly humour I live for. It’s like putting Mr. Bean on a pirate ship… and now that’s something I would also like to see. Instead, settle for this lovely little film, which you can rent on Rakuten TV for £3.49 at the moment.

It’s never too early to think about the happiest time of the year, and if you don’t already have Arthur Christmas on your festive film schedule, sort that out. This may be one of the oldest films on this list, but it’s truly timeless. It’s a fairly original take on the Santa Claus story, with technology pushed aside as the big man’s father and his grandson embark on a frantic mission to complete Christmas after Saint Nick misses one gift on his delivery route.

Aardman is involved again, and there’s a brilliant British voice cast giving this animated treat a real vibrancy and cheeky charm. While this film has some excellent moments of physical comedy, there are also plenty of high-stakes, intense sequences that’ll thrill the little ones. It also packs a powerful, heartwarming message that encapsulates what Christmas is all about, so it’s perfect for all the family at that time of year.

Sony kicked off 2026 with a big win with the release of GOAT. From the moment me and my son saw the trailer, we were desperate to go and see this story of a goat who dreams of being a basketball star, with its dazzling animation and punchy narrative luring us in. I’m happy to report, GOAT did not disappoint. In fact, it was so good that my son cried when the film ended because he wanted to watch it again immediately. To be fair to him, I felt the same.

Is GOAT a little bit predictable? Sure, but that’s the beauty of these kinds of underdog stories. What really matters is the entertainment factor, and that’s through the roof with this one. Not only does it look amazing, but there’s a thumping soundtrack and magnificent character work that helps this flick rise above the tropes it leans on, and become a genuine all-timer.

As I mentioned at the start of this list, Sony owes a lot of its success in the animation department to the iconic wallcrawler and the popularity of Miles Morales. It actually feels crazy to have Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in fourth place here, but that says a lot about the quality of the very best Sony animated films. This sequel is pretty much flawless. The story is exciting and feels genuinely big, while the animation style is on another level.

There’s a good chance that, if Beyond the Spider-Verse can wrap this story up sufficiently, then my thoughts on Across the Spider-Verse will improve even further. And that’s all that holds this one back, really – it feels like half a movie, with that epic cliffhanger just needing to be resolved. You’ll have to rent this film from Apple TV, but £3.49 for one of the best animated movies of the 2020s is a bargain, really.

Spidey may be the king of Sony’s animation division, but KPop Demon Hunters might just have had the biggest cultural impact of them all. The fact it was released way back in June 2025 and remained one of the most popular titles on Netflix until midway through 2026 says it all. That’s not to mention the fact the songs dominated the music charts and even won an Oscar. And, it’s all absolutely deserved, too.

My kids love it. Me and my partner probably love it even more. The story, which is a stunning blend of romance, fantasy, and action, is absolutely captivating, while the animation style borrows from the same creative wheelhouse as the Spider-Verse movies. It’s genuinely one of the best films on Netflix right now, and it’s one that really does reward repeat viewings, too.

I’m a dad with children who just won’t stop growing, so the core concept of The Mitchells vs. the Machines being how families are always there for each other and how parents have to learn to give their kids a little freedom was bound to hit me right in the feels. This film has never quite brought me to tears, but it gets damn close!

It’s a story all about AI robots taking over the world, and one family fighting back, which allows for some top-drawer battle sequences. The dynamic animation on show here is so full of life, from the way the characters move to the colour palette, and it really does make these characters pop and feel so authentic, even though they’re cartoons. It helps that The Mitchells vs. the Machines is also side-splittingly funny, and it’s another easy win for any family looking for a pick for movie night. Hit play on Netflix now – you won’t regret it.

Sometimes, picking a really obvious film to come out on top in ranked lists like this feels a bit cliché. But, sometimes, it’s so obvious what the best film is that you just cannot ignore the pull. In the case of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, that’s absolutely true. I said Across the Spider-Verse was pretty much flawless, but its predecessor literally is a perfect movie, and it changed the whole animation game.

So many films have jumped on the bandwagon of this sketchy, jittery animation style since the mammoth success of Into the Spider-Verse, but it’s not just the visuals that make this movie a hit. Miles Morales is instantly a young hero we root for, while the ensemble of alternate Spideys around him bring heart and humour to the table in abundance. Throw in a genuinely intriguing plot involving Kingpin’s nefarious plot to rip apart the multiverse, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a modern classic that will stand the test of time. Unlike its sequel, this one is on Sky, so what are you waiting for?