Animation is a form of filmmaking that is often related to second-tier status, something just for kids. This is by both the organisations giving out the awards and also by the very guilds that are meant to be promoting their member’s work. However, they are not second-tier films, and in many ways, it is the animated films that are pushing the frontiers of filmmaking and what is possible, and they should be championed for the work that they do.     

Animated films can be hand-drawn, stop/clay motion, computer-generated, it does not matter, but all of them show amazing techniques of hundreds of artists that bring the work to life.

So without further ado, these are the animated films that showed us the glory of animation in 2020. Be warned that there may be some slight spoilers ahead for the films in question. Also, click on the banners to go to the full reviews of each of the films 

Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna

A finally goodbye to some old friends                

Directed by – Tomohisa Taguchi
Screenplay by – Akatsuki Yamatoya

Onward

A fun story that reveals a real heart  

Directed by – Dan Scanlon
Story by – Dan Scanlon, Jason Headley & Keith Bunin
Screenplay by – Dan Scanlon, Jason Headley & Keith Bunin

Sol Levante

An experimental short film full of vibrancy and colour  

Directed by – Akira Saitoh & Hisashi Ezura

The Croods: A New Age

A film full of stunning visuals and fascinating action

Directed by – Joel Crawford
Story by – Kirk DeMicco & Chris Sanders
Screenplay by – Dan Hageman, Kevin Hageman, Paul Fisher & Bob Logan

Soul

A beautiful animation looking at the beyond in all its 3D and 2D glory

Directed by – Pete Docter
Written by – Pete Docter, Mike Jones & Kemp Powers

And the Winner is!!!!! – Digimon Adventure: Last Evolution Kizuna

To be honest, when I looked at the films that were coming out in 2020, I did not foresee this being even in the ballpark of the win. This was a film that explored the longing to reconnect with a past that has to be let go. It was a final goodbye to characters that we have watched for decades with a story that gave that closure justice. A true gem in the trashfire that was 2020.                  

By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Twitter Here, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.

What are your favourite cinematic moments from 2020?, let us know what you thought in the comments below, feel free to share this review on any of the social medias and you can follow us Here. Check out all our past reviews and articles Here, and have a happy day. 

Credits – All images used were created by the respective studio and artists of each film