The realm of animation may be rather wide. The format may expose viewers’ minds to fresh viewpoints in a variety of inventive ways with films that cover adventure, romance, slice-of-life drama, and everything in between. That is why it is past time to pay tribute to these underrated 3D animation movies.
Creators from all over the world have resorted to animation to convey their tales, resulting in some of cinema’s most acclaimed masterpieces. And, as the industry develops new techniques and technology, even more unique and important stories may be delivered to audiences all over the world. Even with the critical praise that many animated films enjoy, much slip through the cracks.
Some are from major studios, while others are from indie directors. But, regardless of their origins, these films should be viewed not merely as entertainment for tiny children but as important works of art that people should see of all ages. So, let’s look at some underappreciated or underrated 3D animation feature movies that demand your attention.
7 Most Underrated 3D Animation Movies:
1. Frozen
- Director: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
- Cast: Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Josh Gad
- IMDb Ratings: 7.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 90%
- Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video
About Frozen:
An American 3D computer-animated musical fantasy-comedy film released by Walt Disney Pictures in 2013, it was produced by Walt Disney Animation Studios. As part of the Walt Disney Animated Classics series, this is the 53rd animated feature.
It is mostly about a brave princess who embarks on a trip with a jagged iceman, his trusty reindeer, and a foolish snowman to locate her estranged sister, whose icy abilities have mistakenly locked their country in perpetual winter.
Review of Frozen:
Princess Elsa, a type of snow queen,’ can produce snow. Everything she touches freezes. A terrible incident convinces her that she is cursed. She withdraws from the world, ashamed and heartbroken, and declares herself an exile. Anna, Elsa’s clumsy and exuberant younger sister, is kept in the dark about Elsa’s secret until their country suffers the consequences.
Some individuals are worth melting for, says Olaf, the snowman in the film. Similarly, certain love tales are worth freezing for, even if you dislike snow! So do not pass up this enchanting voyage of love and self-discovery.
2. Despicable Me
- Director: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud
- Cast: Steve Carell, Pierre Coffin, Trey Parker
- IMDb Ratings: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 80%
- Where To Watch: Netflix
About Despicable Me:
It is a 2010 animation, comedy, criminal fiction, and family film directed by Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud. When a criminal genius exploits a trio of orphan girls as players in a huge plot, he discovers that their devotion fundamentally changes him for the better.
“Despicable Me” begins with the premise that villains are frequently more interesting than heroes and then goes on to construct a villain named Gru, who freeze-dries people in line at Cafes and bursts children’s balloons.
Despicable Me Review:
Making a villain the star of an animated comedy is risky, but the creators bring in three adorable kids to set things right. Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier), and Agnes are their names (Elsie Fisher). Gru discovers them in his local friendly institution, which is headed by the shady Miss Hattie (Kristen Wiig).
He plans to keep them in his house until his lunar plot is ready to hatch, then uses them to penetrate Vector’s house by deception — for example, pretending to sell cookies. Then, as the night follows the day, the orphans will work their little girl magic on Gru, eventually forcing the admission that, after all, the enormous lug has a heart.
3. Happy Feet
- Director: George Miller
- Cast: Robin Williams, Elijah Wood, Brittany Murphy
- IMDb Ratings: 6.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 76%
- Where To Watch: Amazon Prime Video
About Happy Feet:
Happy Feet is a 2006 Australian-American software musical family film. George Miller directed, produced, and co-wrote it. The Sydney-based visual effects and animation firm Animal Logic for Warner Bros, Village Roadshow Pictures, and Kingdom Feature Productions created it.
This film earned largely good reviews from reviewers and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, a first for Warner Bros.
Happy Feet Review:
Happy Feet also won a BAFTA for Best Animated Film. It is the story of a baby emperor penguin who lives in Antarctica. Like others of his type, he has to be able to sing to attract a mate, but he has a poor voice and instead attracts a female with his exceptional aptitude for tap dancing.
4. Ice Age
- Director: Chris Wedge
- Cast: Jack Black, Ray Romano, Chris Wedge
- IMDb Ratings: 7.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 77%
- Where To Watch: Disney+
About Ice Age:
This other animated comedic adventure film directed by Carlos Saldanha and Chris Wedge with a scenario by Michael J. Wilson was released in 2002. Blue Sky Studios produced the film, which 20th Century Fox released. Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Chris Wedge, and Denis Leary lend their voices to the film.
It was also nominated for a best-animated picture at the 75th Academy Awards. The film is set during the ice age when animals begin migrating south to avoid the harsh winters.
Ice Age Review:
The terrain is believable without being realistic, the color palette is beautiful, and the character movements include subtle twists, jiggles, hesitations, and hops that add individuality. And the creatures develop as individuals.
This is due to the performers’ artwork, language, and voice-over work; the filmmakers have all worked together to truly perceive and appreciate these figures, which are not “animated creatures” but as quirky and unique as human actors and more captivating than most.
5. WALL E
- Director: Andrew Stanton
- Cast: Ben Burtt, Andrew Stanton, Elissa Knight
- IMDb Ratings: 8.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 95%
- Where To Watch: Disney+
About WALL E:
This list includes another Pixar film. WALL-E combines three elements: a thrilling and fascinating animation, a sci-fi story, and a visually spectacular film. The film tells the narrative of a robot that has turned into garbage and recounts how he turns the entire world’s rubbish into little cubes until he falls in love.
With its captivating moments, the film transcends all linguistic borders. This film, like Finding Nemo, has much to offer and can be appreciated by both children and adults.
WALL E Review:
The film has a fantastic visual style. Like so many Pixar animated pictures, it employs a color palette that is bright and joyful but not overpowering and a tad realistic. The art technique is Comic Book Cool, as mastered in hilarious comics rather than superhero books: everything has a stylish twist to give it flare. And a lot of care must have gone into the creation of WALL-E, for whom I have a strange fondness.
6. Bambi
- Director: Clyde Geronimi, David Hand, Samuel Armstrong
- Cast: Donnie Dunagan, Sterling Holloway, Peter Behen
- IMDb Ratings: 7.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 91%
- Where To Watch: Disney movie+
About Bambi:
Bambi hasn’t lost its allure after more than 70 years. It undoubtedly ranks among the best films that demonstrate what animation can achieve on the big screen. This animated film leaves an indelible impression on viewers’ minds. In its most basic form, the film presents various everyday events.
Bambi is a notable example that demonstrates how animation can express such intense emotions. Bambi is a story about how innocence is shattered when a hunter shoots down his mother. When Bambi begs for his mother, we are treated to one of the most unforgettable cinematic experiences.
Bambi Review:
Inspired by the book “Bambi, A Life in the Woods,” Walt Disney was able to create a simple yet deep film about the life of forest animals. He gave them identities and voices but never overdid it. Much of ‘Bambi‘ is devoid of conversation, allowing the animation and the soundscape to wash over us.
‘Bambi,’ like most of the older Disney animated films, is just 70 minutes long. There isn’t much adornment going on here. Just a story of a young deer overcoming the challenges of surviving in the wilderness.
Sure, it has all the obligatory charming Disney characters and even an elderly owl for humorous relief, but ‘Bambi‘ still packs an emotional hit today. The tale is so simple and basic that it’s easy to see why it’s considered an animated classic.
7. Coco
- Director: Adrian Molina, Lee Unkrich
- Cast: Anthony Gonzalez, Benjamin Bratt, Jaime Camell
- IMDb Ratings: 8.4/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 97%
- Where To Watch: Disney+
About Coco:
The fact that this is Pixar’s first animated film with an all nonwhite cast (obviously excluding Pixar’s lucky charm John Ratzenberger) adds to the excitement. Coco was billed as the film that would bring Pixar back from the brink of extinction. The film focuses on non-American culture, specifically on the themes of memory and mortality.
The voice actors did an excellent job, and the film perfectly demonstrates the significance of culture and family in the most difficult and bad conditions. The film will leave you in tears, and if you don’t cry in the last 15 minutes, you could be a Demon!
Coco Review:
It commemorates the return of the dead to earth so that they can enjoy the fruits and flowers of this world through ceremony, theater, and ritual. Cemeteries are transformed into carnival-like environments as people dress up in costumes and sell goods at picnics over the graves of relatives.
Ancestors are often guided home in cemeteries by trails of marigold petals created by relatives. This movie is solely about that ritual.
