Huluhas an impressive library of movies and TV shows, but Western animated films are not the streaming service’s specialty. Not only is the collection not particularly expansive, but it also lacks much in the way of big names.
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That said, Hulu doesn’t leave animation fans completely out in the cold, and there are enough great movies on the service to keep someone entertained for a while. Hulu also has a very strong collection of animated TV shows, includingFuturama,Regular Show,Animaniacs, andDanny Phantom. For anyone looking to enjoy some cartoon goodness, these are thebest animated movies on Huluat the moment.
Note:Anime films have been left out as the focus is on Western animation. However,Trigun: Badlands Rumbleand especiallyAkiraare great.
Shrek & Shrek 2
Easily the most famous animated movies on Hulu,ShrekandShrek 2established DreamWorks as a powerhouse of the film industry, one that could rival Disney on occasion. Soaked in fairy tale whimsy and a willingness to mock typical “happily ever after” storylines,Shrekturns these classic narratives on their heads, striking comedy gold in the process.
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Shrek 2is arguably the stronger of the two movies since it relies a bit less on random and gross-out humor than its predecessor, although both flicks are a delight. They very much feel like early 2000s films, which ispart of their charm.
Shaun The Sheep Movie
AWallace and Gromitspin-off,Shaun the Sheep Movieis one of those films that isshockinglyfantastic. While familiarity with the property will elevate someone’s experience, the movie is very newcomer-friendly. Moving at a blistering pace and featuring top-notch stop motion,Shaun the Sheep Movieis funny, refreshingly straightforward, endearing, and rewatchable.
Children will love this film, while adults might find themselves enjoying the ride more than they anticipated.Shaun the Sheep Movieis simply fun.
Joseph: King Of Dreams
The Prince of Egyptis, unfortunately, not on Hulu, but its direct-to-video prequel is available on the streaming service.Joseph: King of Dreamsis another biblical tale, one that follows the story from the Book of Genesis quite faithfully.
Due to being a direct-to-video production,Joseph: King of Dreamscan’t match the majesty ofThe Prince of Egypt. Its emotional beats do not quite hit as hard as the theatrical production, however,Joseph: King of Dreamsis a solid film in its own right. It is far better than most direct-to-video animated sequels or prequels.
A Boy Named Charlie Brown (1969) & Snoopy Come Home! (1972)
ThePeanutsmoviesare generally reliable, and Hulu has arguably the best two films based on the comic strip.A Boy Named Charlie Brownwas the first feature to bring the downtrodden child to the big screen, and it holds up brilliantly after all these years. Its themes, message, and animation are all timeless.
Snoopy Come Home!has a slightly more adventurous tone and is far funnier than its predecessor. While they are quite different in many ways, these two films work splendidly as a double-feature.
Happy Feet (2006)
George Miller has quite an eclectic filmography. When not delivering some of the mostthrilling chase sequencesever put to film or crafting an unexpectedly grim sequel to a movie about a pig, George Miller dabbled in animation with theHappy Feetseries.
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Happy Feettells the story of Mumble, an emperor penguin who can’t sing but is quite the tap dancer. Boasting smooth animation and a packed roster of voice actors,Happy Feetis an easy watch. The sequel is also on Hulu, although it doesn’t reach the same heights as the first movie.
The Congress (2013)
Blending live-action and animated sequences,The Congresstakes viewers on quite the bizarre trip. Set in an alternate reality ruled by Miramount Studios, Robin Wright – as a version of herself who is considered a bad actress – sells her image rights so her computer-animated doppelganger can be used in films. Things get weirder from there.
Set over the span of decades,The Congressis a confounding but captivating film, one featuring an incredible performance by Wright. It doesn’t hit a bullseye every time, but it always goes for broke.
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs
Sure, this film’s title might be incredibly silly, but the world could use some non-sense every once in a while.Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballsis about a scientist who creates a machine that turns water into food. Naturally, he loses control of the gadget, causing food to rain down from the sky like a culinary twist on a biblical plague.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballstakes its over-the-top premise and runs with it, combining its hijinks with likable characters and a solid sense of humor.
The Croods 2: A New Age (2020)
The Croods 2took a long-time to materialize, originally announced close to the release of its 2013 predecessor. The final product isn’t anything to write home about, however, the sequel succeeds in delivering an agreeable adventure with family-friendly laughs and a good heart.
The Croods 2is the type of movie a parent can throw in for their children that they can also enjoy, even if it won’t leave too long-lasting of an impression.
