Five Animated Movies on Netflix to Stream

KPop Demon Hunters debuted on Netflix in June 2025, and audiences embraced it immediately. The movie received hundreds of millions of views and made its way into theaters, which is a rare feat for a Netflix Original starting on the streaming platform. The phenomenon grew so large that retail companies are still releasing merchandise like Lego sets and video games based on the property.

The songs are catchy and the movie is funny and action-packed. However, while everyone is still excited about KPop Demon Hunters, other animated movies on Netflix deserve attention. Some films stood the test of time, others brought fresh ideas to longstanding fandoms, and several straight-to-Netflix releases made a quieter splash while remaining superior.

Viewers experiencing fatigue from KPop Demon Hunter mania can skip past it on Netflix and watch these five animated films instead.

5 The Mitchells vs. the Machines

KPop Demon Hunters and The Mitchells vs. the Machines share several similarities. Both animated films were produced by Sony Pictures Animation and released directly onto Netflix. The Mitchells vs. the Machines reached over 50 million views on the platform within its first month, falling short of the mega-hit status of KPop Demon Hunters, but it remained one of the biggest streaming releases during the pandemic.

Written and directed by Mike Rianda, the movie follows the dysfunctional Mitchell family on a road trip to drop off Katie Mitchell (Abbi Jacobson) at college. During the drive, a robot apocalypse hits, and a megalomaniacal AI system abducts everyone on Earth except the Mitchells.

The Mitchells vs. the Machines delivers solid laughs and a unique art style blending 3D and 2D elements. Its greatest strength lies in its personal feel and realistic characters. The relatable family dynamics were adapted almost verbatim from Rianda’s actual family, which the filmmaker discussed with Polygon for its fifth anniversary.

4 The Willoughbys

The first viewing of The Willoughbys might suggest a connection to a Roald Dahl story. This dark comedy geared toward children follows four peculiar children whose parents are neglectful and abusive to the point that the kids plan a deadly vacation to eliminate them. The movie is not based on a work by Dahl, but rather on a book by Lois Lowry, the Newbery Medal-winning author of The Giver and other novels.

The Willoughbys retains a Roald Dahl sensibility. Director Kris Pearn blends childlike whimsy with a level of dark humor that feels too mature for children, yet he executes it with a silly, artful touch that keeps the tone light. Although the movie targets a young audience, it offers genuine entertainment for any age and deserves a wider viewership.

3 Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie

Among iterations of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the 2018 animated series Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles proved divisive. It generated a devoted fanbase alongside online criticism from traditional TMNT fans. Supporters praised the high-quality animation and fast, witty writing, while detractors disliked departures from established lore, such as an altered origin story and changes to the family dynamic where Master Splinter (Eric Bauza) acts somewhat difficult, Raphael (Omar Miller) leads the team, and Leonardo (Ben Schwartz) serves as a smartass quipster.

When Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie arrived on Netflix in 2022, many traditional fans who disliked the series won over by the film. The story takes place in a future where a brain-like alien race called the Krang has conquered Earth. Commander Leonardo sends the young soldier Casey Jones (Haley Joel Osment) back to the early 2020s to prevent the invasion. Casey then inspires the younger, smartass Leo to embrace his inner leader and stop the Krang.

The film depicts Leonardo becoming Leonardo, earning appreciation from a broad cross-section of TMNT fans as a must-watch entry.

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

The famous man and dog duo returned in Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, which premiered on the BBC in December 2024 before arriving on Netflix in January 2025. As the first new Wallace and Gromit movie in nearly 20 years, it delivered a fresh story, stunning animation, and the return of Feathers McGraw, the iconic villainous penguin. Aardman leadership hinted at future adventures, but no official confirmation exists for the next outing. Reaching for Vengeance Most Fowl offers a solid option for a cozy viewing night.

1 Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

While KPop Demon Hunters won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film at the Oscars in 2026, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse won the same award in a year featuring much tighter competition.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse follows Miles Morales, who inherits the Spider-Man mantle following the death of Peter Parker after being bitten by a radioactive spider. His early days as Spider-Man turn interdimensional when Kingpin causes a multiversal rip, pulling other spider-powered heroes into his home dimension.

The movie is celebrated for breakthrough animation that honored comic book art. It also features a strong cast, an engaging story that launched a trilogy, and a soundtrack that rivals KPop Demon Hunters.

Source: Polygon