I’m Surprised That Two Of My Favorite 2025 Movies Were Animated, And There Are Four More That Nearly Made The List

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As 2025 draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on the past year of movies. Looking back at the 100 films I watched, certain trends have become clear. I was particularly surprised by how many of my favorite movies turned out to be animated.

I don’t consider myself a big animation enthusiast, especially since my kids are getting older and I’ve probably seen enough Minions to last a lifetime! I appreciate any movie – animated or not – that’s clever and fun, so I was really surprised that two of my favorite films this year turned out to be animated: KPop Demon Hunters and Love Me. Let’s talk about those, and some other standout animated movies from 2025.

KPop Demon Hunters

This movie, available on Netflix, was easily the best surprise I’ve had all year. I’ve mentioned before that I wasn’t into K-pop or fantasy, but I put on KPop Demon Hunters simply to share in my daughter’s enjoyment of the music. I quickly became a fan, and it turns out many others did too! Beyond the catchy music, the movie delivers a really strong message about accepting yourself.

The movie and its music have been huge hits, even playing in theaters with sing-along showings – my daughters and I saw it twice! Six months after it came out, KPop Demon Hunters is still consistently in Netflix’s Top 10. It’s no surprise a sequel is planned, and fans are already speculating about what will happen with Huntr/x, though we’ll have a long wait – it’s currently scheduled for release in 2029.

Love Me

Though it’s the only film on this list not specifically for kids, Love Me still offers a valuable lesson about how social media affects relationships and growing up. The story is set long after humans are gone, and centers around a weather buoy named Me (voiced by Kristen Stewart) who connects with a satellite called Iam (voiced by Steven Yeun). Iam was left orbiting Earth to make contact with any new life that might appear.

What really struck me about this film is how the central couple tries to build their relationship. They’re basing everything on what they see from this influencer couple, Deja and Liam – played by the same actors, actually – and at first, it’s kind of funny. But it quickly becomes clear that trying to copy someone else’s ‘perfect’ romance is…well, it gets complicated, especially when one of them, Liam, starts to feel trapped by the routine.

Although it didn’t do well in cinemas, I highly recommend watching Love Me on Paramount+. I found it to be a genuinely touching, sad, and insightful film. While its commentary on social media isn’t groundbreaking, it’s still a valuable message. What really stood out was how creatively and uniquely the story shows the changes in both the world and the lives of Me and Iam, using different types of animation and computer-generated imagery.

Zootopia 2

It’s no surprise the highly anticipated Zootopia sequel was fantastic! The movie was packed with clever puns – I’m already planning a rewatch to find even more – and the chemistry between Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde is just amazing. I even got a little teary-eyed when they both confessed how important the other one is to them, and again when Nick (Jason Bateman) shared the film’s central message.

If we simply talk and try to understand each other, we might realize our differences aren’t important. In fact, what makes each of us unique could actually make us stronger together.

The idea that being different isn’t the same as being bad isn’t a new one, but it’s still a really important message.

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

You can always count on Wallace and Gromit to deliver! Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl was a clear contender for this list, having earned a BAFTA for Best Animated Film and nominations for an Oscar and Golden Globe. However, awards aren’t the only thing that matters.

The stop-motion animation in Vengeance Most Fowl is fantastic, the characters are delightful, and it’s genuinely funny. The story also offers a good reminder about not becoming too dependent on technology. You can watch it now on Netflix.

The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie

I have to admit, I was surprised to see a Looney Tunes movie without Bugs Bunny! As a longtime Space Jam fan, I guess I expected him to be there. But honestly, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig totally carried The Day the Earth Blew Up. I was worried the new movie wouldn’t live up to the fun of the classic cartoons I loved as a kid, but those worries were quickly put to rest. It was a blast!

The sci-fi movie, about aliens who love chewing gum, was hilariously absurd and unexpectedly touching, sparking a lot of laughter. It’s available to watch with an HBO Max subscription.

Elio

It’s unclear why the movie Elio didn’t perform well in theaters. Perhaps audiences weren’t interested in an original story when so many sequels and established franchises are available. It’s also possible that families were waiting for it to become available on Disney+ instead of paying for a theater trip. Despite this, Elio received generally positive reviews, earning 3.5 out of 5 stars from TopMob, and was well-received by both critics and viewers.

I’ll admit, a movie about a lonely orphan who wants aliens to take him – because he feels unloved – usually isn’t my kind of film. But surprisingly, it’s not as depressing as it sounds!

Even if you’re not into the story, the animation is beautiful and worth seeing. The movie is also very creative in showing a boy’s journey to find his place in the world. Plus, it offers a good reminder for parents to support their children with love and acceptance, even when things are tough or they don’t fully understand their choices.

I don’t usually gravitate towards animated films – I’ve seen enough bad ones as a parent – but this year proved there are still talented filmmakers creating smart, meaningful movies for kids, with lessons that are valuable for adults too.

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2025-12-27 22:14