9. Despicable Me
Between Steve Carrell's amazing accent and the adorable message of family and love, Despicable Me is not just for kids. And honestly, watching this movie as an adult really doesn't make Gru's behavior all that mean because I'm pretty sure we've all had days like his.
8. The Princess and the Frog
If you ever need the motivation to get your homework done or survive finals week, just watch Tiana bust her butt day in and day out just to move one inch closer to her dream, and be so positive through it all. Not to mention, the music in this movie is something I'd listen to on a regular basis, so that's an added bonus.
7. Tarzan
I don't know if any of you have watched Tarzan recently, but it wasn't until I watched it as an adult that this movie is pretty scary. I mean, *spoiler alert* the bad guy accidentally hangs himself in the tree vines, like that is pretty scarring. But overall, the message of a gorilla mother accepting Tarzan because their both the same on the inside is a message that I think all adults really need to learn.
6. Anastasia
While Anastasia isn't as well known, there is finally a princess movie where the relationship isn't all rainbows and butterflies. Anastasia and Dmitri argue, fight and tease each other relentlessly before finally realizing they're meant to be. Plus, it is (very loosely) based on the real story of Russian Duchess Anastasia Romanov, so maybe this animated movie will spark some curiosity to research the real mystery of Anastasia.
5. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
If you need a movie to inspire you, forget the helpless princesses waiting for a man and instead check out Esmeralda from Hunchback of Notre Dame. This gypsy woman befriends the deformed bell ringer, Quasimoto, in the famous Notre Dame Cathedral and is not afraid to fight for the outcasts. Can you say girl power?
4. Ratatouille
Any animated movie that can make me hungry is a great movie in my book. Not only does this movie secretly break down barriers with the common phrase, "anyone can cook," it also is just an awesome movie about friendship and food.
3. Mulan
This movie has always been a classic, challenging cultural norms left and right with a young girl saving the entire Chinese dynasty. I don't care what age you are, if this movie doesn't give you goosebumps then I don't think we can be friends.
2. Up![]()
Besides being a total tearjerker, Up is an amazing movie for all ages because everyone can be inspired by the spirit of adventure. This movie had it all: love, heartbreak, adventure, friendship, and dogs. What more could you ask for in a film, animated or otherwise?
1. The Lorax
Easily one of my favorite movies of all time, the Lorax did Dr. Seuss justice. The satire and lessons jam-packed into this movie may go over the younger generation's head, but act as a call to action for the older folks watching this movie. If you haven't seen this, get ready for an eye-opening truth bomb of what the future could be like if we don't start caring for our environment. Its no surprise that Dr. Seuss was a genius, but this movie made sure that his message was not lost.
