The 2000s was a big year for animated films. With Pixar exploding with popularity and success, the industry began making movies in the new computer-animated style. The decade also saw other studios stepping up to challenge Disney’s winning success in animated filmmaking.
These new changes produced some great animated films from the era as well as those that fell short. As with all genres, some films that were unsuccessful deserved more while some big hits didn’t deserve their success. Here are some underrated and overrated animated films from the 2000s.
Underrated: Chicken Run (2000)
While many audiences were eagerly anticipating the next animated films from Pixar and DreamWorks, they may have missed some gems like Chicken Run. The film was a stop-motion animated adventure about a group of chickens on a farm planning their escape.
Chicken Run was a critical and financial success when it was released but seems to have faded from memory in subsequent years. That is a real shame as the hilarious and exciting film holds up much better than a lot of its contemporaries.
Overrated: Madagascar (2005)
DreamWorks started a huge animated franchise with the first Madagascar film. The movie brought together an all-star voice cast including Ben Stiller and Chris Rock in this tale of a group of zoo animals who get more than they bargained for when they escape to the real wildlife of Africa.
There are certainly great elements of this film that work very well, especially the hilarious penguins. However, Madagascar is also an example of the downside of animated films at the time, that packed in famous voices and pop culture references without having much interesting to say.
Underrated: Monsters, Inc. (2001)
It’s hard to consider a Pixar movie to be underrated, but Monsters, Inc. certainly fit that category. The film is set in the world of monsters, and follows best friends Mike and Sully as they deal with a young human child who has wandered into their world.
The film does everything that Pixar movies do best: it sets up an interesting world, it’s filled with great humor, and it is genuinely moving. However, it’s rare to see Monsters, Inc. on a list of best Pixar movies, even though it deserves a top spot.
Overrated: Up (2009)
Among the Pixar movies that are often included in a top ten list is Up. The adventure film follows a cranky and lonely old man who uses balloons to relocate his beloved house to a strange hidden part of the world while accidentally bringing a local Wilderness Explorer scout along with him.
It is undeniable that the opening montage of Up is one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking sequences in film history, and for that the film deserves credit. But the movie that follows never comes close to living up to those first few minutes with its somewhat dull adventure story.
Underrated: Bee Movie (2007)
Jerry Seinfeld is not someone one might expect to be making an animated movie, but it makes sense once you’ve seen Bee Movie. Seinfeld voices Barry, a newly graduated bee who, after visiting the human world, decides to sue humans for stealing their honey.
The movie was met with a tepid response upon its release and has failed to get much attention since. However, the weird and funny comedy is perfect for anyone who enjoys Seinfeld’s famous brand of observational humor. It’s like a long animated episode of Seinfeld.
Overrated: Cars (2006)
Pixar decided to explore another new world by focusing on the lives of automobiles in Cars. The movie is the story of Lightning McQueen, a hotshot racecar who finds himself stranded in a small town and learns a thing or two about humility.
Cars and ToyStory are the only Pixar films to have two sequels. It’s safe to say the former is nowhere near the same level as the latter. The world of these vehicles is not that compelling, and the story lacks the spark usually seen in these movies.
Underrated: Treasure Planet (2002)
Disney has always loved adapting classic stories into films for new generations to enjoy. In 2002, they tackled Robert Louise Stevenson’s Treasure Island with a futuristic update. Treasure Planet centers on a young man who finds a map to a legendary treasure.
The ambitious project was a rare failure at the box office for Disney and received a mixed reaction from critics. However, this is an adventure film that deserves a second chance as the dazzling visuals and exciting story make for a very fun ride.
Overrated: The Polar Express (2004)
Visionary filmmaker Robert Zemeckis teamed with Tom Hanks, who had worked with him on Forrest Gump and Cast Away for an animated holiday adventure. The Polar Express follows a young boy who travels onboard a magic train on the way to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.
The film has gone on to become a Christmas classic for many people, but it doesn’t live up to many of the season’s best films. The motion-capture animation was far from perfect at this point, and the result is a movie that somehow manages to make Tom Hanks look creepy.
Underrated: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Wes Anderson decided to try his hand at the animated genre with Fantastic Mr. Fox. This stop-motion film stars George Clooney as a fox who struggles with his responsibilities as a family man and his desire for a life of danger.
Anderson’s unique style and dry sense of humor fit surprisingly well into this style of film. Though met with some acclaim, it seems to be forgotten among the auteur’s other work. But it is a moving and funny adventure that deserves to be seen.
Overrated: Ice Age (2002)
Another franchise was kicked off for DreamWorks with the first Ice Age movie. The film follows a group of prehistoric animals living in the Ice Age-era who work together to return a human child to its parents.
Despite becoming a massive hit and inspiring several sequels, the film is pretty flat family-friendly fare. Its humor is hit-or-miss, the animation does not hold upon rewatch, and it doesn’t help that the franchise far outstayed its welcome.
