Animation Beyond Time: Films That Made a Lasting Impact

Related Movies:
Related Movies:
Related Movies:
Movie Title: The Smurfs (2011)
Plot Summary:
The Smurfs is a live-action/CGI-animated film based on the classic comic series created by Peyo. The movie brings the beloved blue characters from the animated series into the real world. The plot centers around Papa Smurf (voiced by Jonathan Winters), Smurfette (voiced by Katy Perry), Clumsy Smurf (voiced by Anton Yelchin), and the rest of the Smurfs, who are suddenly transported from their magical village in the forest to New York City by the evil wizard Gargamel (played by Hank Azaria).
Gargamel, who has been after the Smurfs for years, follows them into the human world to capture them and use their magical essence to become more powerful. The Smurfs, trying to escape Gargamel, find refuge in the home of a couple, Patrick (Neil Patrick Harris) and Grace Winslow (Jayma Mays). While the Smurfs try to find a way back to their village, Patrick and Grace, with the help of their pet cat Vince, must work together to protect the Smurfs from Gargamel’s evil schemes.
As the Smurfs and their new human friends bond, they also have to stop Gargamel from causing further chaos in the human world. The film blends humor, adventure, and magical elements, with the Smurfs bringing their signature charm and quirky personalities to the big screen.
Movie Title: The Boss Baby (2017)
Plot Summary:
The Boss Baby is an animated comedy film directed by Tom McGrath and produced by DreamWorks Animation. The story follows a young boy named Tim Templeton (voiced by Miles Bakshi), who is living a happy and peaceful life with his parents, until a new member of the family arrives — Baby Boss (voiced by Alec Baldwin).
Baby Boss, unlike any other baby, arrives in a suit, briefcase, and a deep, business-like attitude. He speaks like an adult, has a corporate agenda, and quickly becomes the center of attention in the family, much to Tim’s frustration. Baby Boss is actually an undercover agent working for a company called Baby Corp, which sends babies on secret missions to ensure that adults continue to prioritize love for their babies over their love for puppies.
As Tim struggles with the arrival of his new sibling, he discovers that Baby Boss is on a mission to stop the rise of a new puppy company, Puppy Co., which threatens to take away all the attention babies receive from their human parents. Tim and Baby Boss, after a rocky start, team up to thwart Puppy Co.’s plans, leading to a hilarious and heartwarming series of events.
Through their wild adventure, Tim learns the value of family and the importance of sibling relationships. Meanwhile, Baby Boss begins to soften and realize that there are more important things than corporate success, like love and belonging.
Movie Title: The Emoji Movie (2017)
Plot Summary:
The Emoji Movie is a computer-animated comedy film directed by Tony Leondis, set in the digital world of Textopolis, a city inside a smartphone where emojis live. The film focuses on Gene (voiced by T.J. Miller), a “meh” emoji who, unlike the other emojis, can express more than just the neutral emotion. Gene is struggling to fit in with the other emojis, who are all designed to express just one emotion. His parents, particularly his mother, are disappointed with his inability to conform and express only “meh.”
In a bid to fit in and prove his worth, Gene embarks on an adventure to find the “code” that will allow him to become a perfect “meh” emoji. Along the way, he is joined by his best friend Hi-5 (voiced by James Corden) and Jailbreak (voiced by Anna Faris), a rebellious emoji who wants to break free from the constraints of the emoji world.
As Gene navigates various apps within the phone, he learns about the importance of individuality and embracing who you are. Alongside his new friends, Gene must save Textopolis from a virus that threatens to wipe out the entire digital world. The journey is full of colorful app-world settings, funny moments, and uplifting messages about acceptance and self-expression.
The Emoji Movie is lighthearted and aimed primarily at a younger audience, filled with humor, technology-based gags, and references to popular apps and internet culture. While the film received mixed reviews, with some criticizing its plot and concept, it became a commercial success, particularly among families and fans of digital media.
Movie Title: The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019)
Plot Summary:
The Angry Birds Movie 2 is a computer-animated comedy film that continues the adventures of the colorful characters from the Angry Birds game franchise. The film picks up after the events of the first movie, where the birds and pigs have finally made peace after their long-standing rivalry.
However, their fragile truce is threatened when an icy villain named Zeta (voiced by Leslie Jones), the leader of the eagle island, begins launching dangerous ice balls at both the bird and pig islands, threatening the entire region. Zeta has become disgruntled by the isolation of her island and wants to take over both the bird and pig lands to make them her new home.
To prevent disaster, Red (voiced by Jason Sudeikis), Chuck (voiced by Josh Gad), and Bomb (voiced by Danny McBride), along with Leonard the pig (voiced by Bill Hader) and his team, form an unlikely alliance with Zeta’s former henchman, Gail (voiced by Rachel Bloom), to stop her from destroying their homes.
The group embarks on a thrilling mission to save their islands and overcome their past animosities. Along the way, they confront their personal issues, learn to work together, and use their unique abilities to take on the powerful new enemy. As the birds and pigs join forces, they discover that despite their differences, they must come together to save the day.
The film is filled with humor, action, and colorful characters, featuring slapstick comedy, emotional moments, and themes of teamwork and friendship.
TV Show: SpongeBob SquarePants (1999–present)
Plot Summary:
SpongeBob SquarePants is an animated television series created by marine science educator Stephen Hillenburg. The show follows the adventures of SpongeBob SquarePants (voiced by Tom Kenny), a cheerful, optimistic, and hardworking sea sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea in the underwater city of Bikini Bottom. SpongeBob works as a fry cook at the Krusty Krab, a fast-food restaurant owned by the grumpy and miserly Mr. Krabs (voiced by Clancy Brown).
SpongeBob’s best friend is Patrick Star (voiced by Bill Fagerbakke), a dimwitted but good-natured starfish. He also has a close friend in Squidward Tentacles (voiced by Rodger Bumpass), his sarcastic and disgruntled co-worker who plays the clarinet and often finds himself annoyed by SpongeBob’s exuberant personality. Sandy Cheeks (voiced by Carolyn Lawrence), a squirrel from Texas, is also one of SpongeBob’s friends, often providing scientific solutions to their underwater problems.
The series is known for its surreal, slapstick humor, colorful characters, and occasional absurd situations. Episodes often revolve around SpongeBob’s misadventures, his quests to be the best fry cook, his interactions with his friends, and his efforts to impress his boss. Through its quirky, optimistic tone and memorable characters, SpongeBob SquarePants has become a cultural phenomenon, entertaining both children and adults.
Movie Title: The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
Plot Summary:
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) is an animated film based on the iconic video game series by Nintendo. The movie is produced by Illumination Entertainment, known for movies like Despicable Me and Minions, and features a star-studded voice cast. The film follows Mario (voiced by Chris Pratt) as he embarks on an adventure to rescue his brother Luigi (voiced by Charlie Day) from the clutches of the villainous Bowser (voiced by Jack Black), the King of the Koopas.
The movie begins with Mario and Luigi, two plumbers from Brooklyn, who find themselves unexpectedly transported to the Mushroom Kingdom after a mysterious warp pipe appears. Once in the kingdom, they meet Princess Peach (voiced by Anya Taylor-Joy), who is determined to stop Bowser, who has plans to conquer the kingdom and possibly the entire world. With Peach’s guidance, Mario sets off on a daring journey through various colorful and dangerous realms, including the iconic Rainbow Road and the Koopa Kingdom, to save his brother and stop Bowser from taking over.
As Mario and Peach team up to face off against Bowser’s forces, Luigi ends up getting captured, leading Mario to become the unlikely hero, proving that with bravery and teamwork, even the most unlikely individuals can overcome great challenges.
The film is filled with references to classic Super Mario Bros. games, including power-ups, familiar characters, and iconic settings like Mushroom Kingdom, Bowser’s Castle, and Yoshi’s Island. It captures the essence of the games with a mix of humor, action, and heart, appealing to both fans of the games and newcomers to the franchise.
Movie Title: Toy Story (1995)
Plot Summary:
Toy Story is a groundbreaking animated film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by John Lasseter, it was the first full-length feature film to be created entirely with computer-generated animation, marking a revolutionary moment in the history of animation.
The story is set in a world where toys come to life when their owners are not around. The main character is Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), a cowboy doll and the favorite toy of a young boy named Andy. Woody enjoys a position of leadership among Andy’s toys and is content in his world. However, everything changes when Andy receives a new toy for his birthday: Buzz Lightyear (voiced by Tim Allen), a space ranger action figure who believes he is a real space explorer, not a toy. Buzz’s arrival shakes up Woody’s role as Andy’s favorite toy and causes a rivalry between the two.
As Woody and Buzz struggle for Andy’s attention, an unfortunate accident leads to both toys being lost outside the house. Together, they must navigate the dangerous world outside and try to find their way back to Andy before he moves to a new house. Along the way, Woody learns to appreciate Buzz’s abilities, and Buzz comes to realize that he is, indeed, just a toy. They both learn about friendship, loyalty, and teamwork, eventually uniting to face their fears and return home.
Movie Title: Luca (2021)
Plot Summary:
Luca is a heartwarming animated film produced by Pixar Animation Studios and released by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Enrico Casarosa, the movie tells the story of Luca Paguro (voiced by Jacob Tremblay), a young sea monster who lives off the coast of Italy in the beautiful and vibrant town of Portorosso. Luca is curious and eager to explore the human world, but he has been taught to fear humans by his overprotective parents. They believe that humans are dangerous and that sea monsters should never leave the ocean.
One day, Luca meets another sea monster named Alberto Scorfano (voiced by Jack Dylan Grazer), who is living on land and has a very different perspective. Alberto introduces Luca to the joys of living above the sea, including riding a Vespa, eating gelato, and experiencing the freedom of the human world. The two friends decide to explore the human town of Portorosso, where they pose as human boys — they transform into regular humans when out of the water — and try to live a normal life without revealing their true identities.
While in Portorosso, Luca and Alberto meet Giulia Marcovaldo (voiced by Emma Berman), a spirited girl who loves to compete in the town’s annual triathlon. The trio forms a close friendship and enters the race to win a Vespa, their shared dream. However, they must keep their secret identity as sea monsters hidden, as the townspeople are fearful of sea creatures. Throughout their journey, Luca learns valuable lessons about friendship, courage, and self-acceptance. He also learns that being true to oneself is far more important than living in fear of what others may think.
Movie Title: Bigfoot Family (2020)
Plot Summary:
Bigfoot Family is an animated adventure-comedy film and the sequel to Son of Bigfoot (2017). Directed by Ben Stassen and Jeremie Degruson, the film follows the adventures of Adam, the son of Bigfoot, who discovers the importance of family and the value of protecting nature.
In Bigfoot Family, Adam’s father, Bigfoot (voiced by Kirk Thornton), becomes a global sensation after he is revealed to the world, known as the elusive and legendary creature. However, Bigfoot soon finds himself in danger when a corporate company, Apex Corporation, plans to destroy a nature reserve that is vital to preserving the environment. In a bid to stop the corporation’s destructive plans, Bigfoot decides to go undercover and use his celebrity status to expose the company’s evil intentions.
Meanwhile, Adam, feeling that his family is in trouble and that his father is in danger, embarks on his own adventure. With his friends, including his loyal dog, Wilbur, and a group of forest animals, Adam sets out to find his father and stop the corporation before it’s too late. The story focuses on Adam’s growth as he learns to be brave, stand up for what’s right, and understand the power of family.
The movie is filled with heartwarming moments, thrilling action sequences, and comedic situations. It also explores environmental themes, with a message about the importance of protecting nature and fighting against corporate greed.