Non-Disney 2D Animated Films

[Pink_Nymphetamine]

It seemed strange to me that there wasn't a thread about this already.
We all know that Disney Studies always excelled from its classic animated movies, most of them great pieces of traditional animation. But we all know that the Disney Movies aren't everything that exists.

Do you have any particular favorite 2D movie you'd like to share to this thread? Which one(s)? Why?

I'd love to start with a 'recent' movie I bought months ago.
"Persepolis". A french movie written and directed by Marjane Satrapi, like an autobiographic film about her youth during Iranian Revolution. Right, the film isn't exactly for kids, since it contains some adult themes and a bit of violence. The animation itself might not look impressive at first (since most of it it's on black-and-white), but it's a beautiful work and I tell you it's totally worth your time.

Another film worth of telling, "Anastasia".
According to me, this was the last great film of Don Bluth. I still have the VHS somewhere hidden inside my treasure chest, with love. Now an grown-up, finding out the historical inaccuracies they don't keep me from enjoying this wonderful film. The story, the characters, the music and the beautiful animation, they're all totally worth the time.

Other films I'd like to mention...

—All Dogs Go to Heaven

—The Secret of NIMH

—Road to El Dorado

—The Prince of Egypt

 

[Will Graham]

The Prince of Egypt was pretty good, we watched it in primary school once but I didn't realise it wasn't Disney. Apparently the Brave little Toaster was by Disney, I was gonna mention that

All Dogs go to Heaven was pretty excellent I must say

 

[charliepanayi]

Well obviously there's a lot of Studio Ghibli's output, especially the brilliant My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away, which I love.

As for the US-side of things, I have to single out The Iron Giant. Brad Bird has confirmed what a genius he is at Pixar but this was an early sign of what he could do in animation. Really sweet story, and very moving by the end. It doesn't get nearly as much attention as it deserves.

 

[Starships]

Cats Don't dance ! Don't know if you've heard of it, because it's extremely underrated.

The animation is really good for it's age, and the characters are just so lively and full of energy. The songs are kind of plain though, but apart from that, it's worth so much more attention. It just has a more realistic don't give up motto, instead of Disney's you'll get your dream within a day with a magical wand, no issues. I'm not a Disney hater, but it's nice to show kids some more reality, than just hiding the real world from them. Plus the main character, the orange cat in the picture above is just so loveable and likeable. He's a true positive dreamer.

Plus everybody knows that Cats are the best animals in the world, right ?

 

[Tyler Breeze]

Charlotte's Web was some old 2D movie that I actually still have on DVD. I consider it one of my favorite movies ever honestly. The cheesy-ness of it makes it feel extra special to me. I admit I cried at the end. Just like with the book. I just can't help it. There was also a Jack & The Beanstalk movie that I have that I thought was really good.

 

[The Welsh Paddy]

The Iron Giant is fantastic. As is All Dogs Go To Heaven. Another one I remember fondly from my childhood is The Land Before Time. The first one; not those shoddy sequels.

 

[Shaissa]

oh Sheesh how come no one has said Balto yet????

Also Cats Don't Dance was amazing!

Also the Secret of NIMH (the first one not that shitty second one)

The Road to El Dorado!

I liked the First American Tale

Land Before Time, before Disney murdered it.

 

[The Welsh Paddy]

I really liked both An American Tale films. I should also add the majority of the Batman animated features. In particular, Mask of The Phantasm. To this day I still prefer that over any Batman film, animated or no.

 

[Shaissa]

Oh yeah two more movies I liked were Rover Dangerfield and Tom and Jerry: the movie. Not sure why those two I liked so much, they weren't that great or anything, I just really liked them very much.

I don't think Space Jam counts, but if that one does count throw that on my list...

Really there are so many great non-disney animated 2D movies, it was just Disney knew how to distribute them way better than most other companies at the time.

 

[Rydia]

The Secret of Nimh was always one of my favorite movies. Haven't seen it in years though. I also like the first Land Before Time. It still makes me cry.