Animation Greatness: Sony’s Journey

When you think of animation powerhouses, names like Pixar, Disney, and Studio Ghibli pop into your brain faster than a cartoon character in a chase scene. But hidden just a smidgen further down the list is Sony Pictures Animation (SPA). They’ve had their fair share of flops (hello, Peter Rabbit and The Emoji Movie), but recently they’ve been surprising us all. It seems, along with pizza and TikTok dances, they’ve figured out how to bring the fun!

10. Vivo (2021)

Ever seen Moana? Well, grab your Pina Colada because Lin-Manuel Miranda is back with Vivo! Directed by Kirk DeMicco, this flick follows a cute kinkajou on a high-stakes song delivery mission across the globe. And while Miranda’s songs have got some serious bop potential, the overall package feels like it got lost in the mail somewhere. But hey, at least it’s not another emoji flick, right?

9. Wish Dragon (2021)

Here’s a gem buried in Netflix’s content jungle: Wish Dragon. With stunning visuals, this story wraps magic around the life of a college dude on a quest to reconnect with his childhood crush. Just call it Aladdin meets The Hangover. It’s got some visual splendor that’s hard to ignore, but it does follow the “been-there-done-that” path a little too closely.

8. GOAT (2026)

Next on the list, we’re diving into the wacky world of GOAT, where basketball is played by animated animals. Our hero, a young goat named Will, stumbles into fame after a hilarious stunt. It’s all fun and games until the clichés start rolling in like an overzealous referee. But hey, it’s still a step above some of their earlier misadventures, so we give it a handshake.

7. The Pirates: Band of Misfits (2012)

Ahoy, mateys! The Pirates: Band of Misfits sets sail on a quest too silly to ignore. Aardman’s quirky humor meshes with SPA in this charming effort, telling the tales of some not-so-brilliant pirates. With delightful voice talent aboard, this film might not be legendary, but it sure is a breezy time with a few good laughs along the way!

6. Hotel Transylvania (2012)

Welcome to Hotel Transylvania, where monsters check in but… well, they don’t check out! This film is like a blast from the past, starring a vampire dad running a monster resort. While the concept sounds like a foggy night out, it ended up being a comedic gem thanks to genius animator Genndy Tartakovsky. Who knew animated hotel management could be so entertaining?

5. The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)

In a world overtaken by robotic chaos, we meet the Mitchells, a family whose trip to college transforms into a hilarious face-off against a robot uprising. Directed by Mike Rianda, this film serves up some heartwarming moments and a wonky animation style. If you ever wondered what your family would do during a robot apocalypse, this one’ll crack you up!

4. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (2009)

Time to feast on nostalgia with Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. This flick takes a simple book and hurls it into a wild food-filled adventure that’ll make any foodie drool. With a stellar cast and clever humor, this film manages to tick all the right boxes for both kids and adults alike, proving that sometimes, food falling from the sky isn’t the worst predicament.

3. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

You thought the first Spider-Verse was a fluke? Well, buckle up, because Across the Spider-Verse swings in with even bigger surprises and a kaleidoscope of art styles! Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy are back for a wild ride as they tackle new enemies while dodging the woes of multiverse life. It’s got major emotional stakes, but be ready for a cliffhanger that’ll leave you hanging!

2. KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

Get ready to turn up the volume with KPop Demon Hunters. This quirky film is a delightful mix of catchy tunes and supernatural shenanigans, as our heroine Rumi juggles her pop star ambitions while battling demons (because why not?). With hilarious comedy and catchy beats, this one blends humor and horror like a pro—we can’t get enough!

1. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Last but definitely not least, we have the headliner, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. It’s a game changer that brought a fresh twist on our beloved web-slinger. With Miles Morales stealing the spotlight and multiple Spider-people swinging through, this film turned the superhero genre upside down with heartfelt storytelling and jaw-dropping animation that made us laugh, cry, and cheer!