The way we make and even watch films has changed dramatically in the past 25 years, but a new project from The New York Times and The Upshot seeks to determine which films have held up through this period of radical shifts in the cinema landscape? More than 500 directors, actors and other Hollywood notables submitted ballots to help determine a list of The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century.
Of course, animation fans know there have been many artistic and entertaining triumphs in our corner of the global cinema scene in the last quarter century. This list ranks just four (entirely deserving) animated features. Highest on the list is Spirited Away from the legendary Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, followed by three beloved films from Pixar Animation Studios.
Here’s how the animated titles fared:
Spirited Away (Studio Ghibli) directed by Hayao Miyazaki, 2001/02 – No. 9
- Accolades: Japan Academy Film Prize for Best Film, Tokyo Anime Awards for Animation of the Year and Best Director, Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, Annie Awards for Best Animated Feature and Directing an Animated Feature, BAFTA nomination for Best Film Not in the English Language
- Voted for by John Turturro, who commented, “It’s a film for any child who’s lost their parents in a department store or large crowd. It’s that pit in your stomach. It’s one of my daughter’s favorite films. There’s a lot of things you have to watch when you’re a parent, and it’s really interesting to discover something with them at the same time.”
WALL-E (Pixar) directed by Andrew Stanton, 2008 – No. 34
- Accolades: Academy Award for Best Animated Feature (plus five nominations), seven Annie Award nominations, BAFTA for Best Animated Film (plus two nominations), BAFTA Children’s Award for Best Feature Film, Golden Globe for Best Animated Film (plus one nomination)
- Voted for by Nathan Lane
Up (Pixar) directed by Pete Docter, 2009 – No. 50
- Accolades: Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score (plus three nominations, including Best Picture), BAFTAs for Best Animated Film and Best Film Music (plus two nominations), Annie Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Direction in a Feature (plus six nominations), Golden Globes for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Score
- Voted for by Mike Birbiglia
Ratatouille (Pixar) directed by Brad Bird, 2007 – No. 73
- Accolades: Academy Award for Best Animated Feature (plus four nominations), Golden Globe for Best Animated Feature, BAFTA for Best Animated Feature, 13 Annie Award nominations
You can see the full list and voter ballots at NYTimes.com.
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