8 Animated Movies & Series on Netflix That Are Essential Viewing

8 Animated Movies & Series on Netflix That Are Essential Viewing

Despite what the Oscars may have said about it, animation is for a far wider audience than just children, and there are plenty of series and movies on Netflix that everyone can enjoy.

Whether you’re about to head into a long weekend with the family or are looking for a nice warm hug of a movie, here are a few of our favourite animated movies and TV series on Netflix.

The Best Animated Movies and Series On Netflix

The Sea Beast

netflix animated movies
Image: Netflix

Netflix’s most successful animated film to date is The Sea Beast, a delightful action-adventure film featuring the voice talent of Karl Urban, Jared Harris, Dan Stevens and more.

The story is set in a world of heroic monster hunters. After a young girl stows away on board a legendary hunter’s ship they embark on an epic journey to make history.

Watch it here.


Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

netflix animated cyberpunk
Image: Netflix

Video game adaptations have been on a roll lately, and no matter what reservations you may have about Cyberpunk 2077 as a game, it makes for a great animated series.

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is set in Night City, the same setting as the video game, and follows a talented street kid who, after losing everything, becomes an edgerunner – a high-tech black market mercenary.

Watch it here.


The LEGO Movie

netflix animated movies
Image: Warner Bros/Netflix

If you haven’t experienced a constant loop of ‘Everything is Awesome’ in your head for hours on end it’s time to rectify that mistake and watch The Lego Movie.

Earworms aside, the movie is a smart, funny and beautifully animated adaptation of the popular brick construction toys. It follows Emmett, an average individual who is said to be “the special” and the one who can save the city from the evil ways of Lord Business.

Watch it here.


The Mitchells vs. The Machines

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The Mitchells vs The Machines – Best Animated Movies on Netflix (Image: Netflix)

The Mitchells vs The Machines sends the dysfunctional Mitchell family on the road trip of their lives as they attempt to get their daughter Katie to college, only to be interrupted by a swarm of AI robots taking over the world.

The Mitchells vs The Machines may have missed out on the Academy Award but it’s won plenty of other accolades and for good reason — this movie slaps. It has an epic voice cast, an incredible art style and can easily make you cry tears of laughter one minute to tears of emotion in the next. What did you really expect from the makers of The LEGO Movie?

Watch The Mitchells vs. The Machines here.


Arcane

arcane best tv shows 2021
Arcane – Best Animated Series on Netflix (Image: Netflix)

Arcane is one of the best animated series to ever grace our screens and it has multiple Annie Awards to prove it.

If you’re turned off by the idea of this being a League of Legends video game adaptation, don’t be, non-LOL fans can easily enjoy this. The series follows the origins of two main League of Legends champions, Jinx and Vi, who grow up as sisters in the oppressive underground land of Zaun which is constantly forgotten by the luxurious Piltover.

Arcane dives into the intriguing mechanics behind this divided nation as well as the bond between sisters to tell one of the most heartwrenching and beautifully animated stories you’ll find on screen. It’ll be a while before we get a resolution to that season 1 cliffhanger but the wait will no doubt be worth it.

Watch Arcane here.


Big Mouth

big mouth animated netflix
Big Mouth – Best Netflix Animated TV Shows (Image: Netflix)

Dealing with puberty sucks and Big Mouth brings that whole experience to life in such a hilarious and cringe way you can’t help but sympathise with teenagers today (plus feel nostalgic for your own teen years).

Nick Kroll and Andrew Goldberg bring this edgy animated comedy series to life which isn’t afraid to dive into the touchy subjects of adolescence like sexual awakenings and all those physical changes. Not to mention it feels relevant for teens today who have to deal with all the added influences of social media and the internet.

Watch Big Mouth here.


Love, Death & Robots

love death robots animated series netflix
Love, Death & Robots – Best Netflix Animated TV Shows (Image: Netflix)

A lot of the best animations are shorts and Netflix’s animated series Love, Death & Robots takes full advantage of the medium. The anthology series of short animations spans the genres of sci-fi, fantasy and horror with all different takes on the ideas of robots and their impact.

You’ll go through a whirlwind journey of different animation styles and genres with everything from tyrannous yoghurt to gladiator robot beasts on offer. If one short isn’t for you, try the next one — there’s something for everyone.

Check out Love, Death & Robots here.


BoJack Horseman

bojack horseman netflix animation
BoJack Horseman – Best Netflix Animated TV Shows (Image: Netflix)

BoJack Horseman was one of Netflix’s earliest originals and it helped put the streaming services on the map. The adult animation takes a darkly comedic look at Hollywood where BoJack Horseman is a washed-up sitcom star attempting to make a comeback.

Featuring the voice talent of Will Arnett, Alison Brie, Aaron Paul and more, BoJack Horseman is one of those animated series that will go down in history as one of the best.

Watch it here.


As you can see Netflix has more than enough animation that will please anyone and everyone. If you’re looking for some other great titles on Netflix check out our favourite thrillers or the best titles as ranked by Rotten Tomatoes.


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