2023 Animated Movies __top__ May 2026

Hayao Miyazaki supposedly "retired" again, only to return with a Studio Ghibli masterpiece. This film is weird, philosophical, and deeply personal. Don’t go in expecting Spirited Away 2.0. Go in expecting a dreamlike meditation on grief, legacy, and fantasy worlds. It won the Oscar for a reason: it’s a reminder that animation can be serious literature.

Let’s break down the animated movies that defined 2023—the box office giants, the underrated gems, and the ones that pushed the visual envelope. 2023 animated movies

If you think animation is just for kids, 2023 came along and proved you spectacularly wrong. From hyper-stylized superhero epics to tear-jerking original stories, this year was a banner one for the medium. While the box office saw its ups and downs, the sheer artistry on display was undeniable. Hayao Miyazaki supposedly "retired" again, only to return