10 Best Disney Animated Movies in the Last 10 Years, According to Rotten Tomatoes
Disney has long been synonymous with magical storytelling, unforgettable characters, and breathtaking animation. Over the past decade, the studio has continued to push creative boundaries, blending traditional animation techniques with cutting-edge technology to produce movies that resonate with audiences of all ages. From heartwarming tales of friendship to epic adventures set in fantastical worlds, Disney’s recent animated offerings have managed to capture both critical acclaim and box office success.
In the fast-paced world of animation, few studios maintain the consistent level of quality and innovation that Disney has demonstrated. By combining visually stunning artistry with compelling narratives and memorable music, Disney continues to set the standard for what modern animated movies can achieve. Rotten Tomatoes-approved critics have had much to say about the movies from the last 10 years. These scores highlight where critics think the current state of animated projects are, and where the studio is going.
10
‘Wish’ (2023)
Tomatometer Score: 48%
Wish is a musical set in the Kingdom of Rosas, where the benevolent-seeming King Magnifico (Chris Pine) grants wishes while secretly keeping tight control over them to maintain his power. Asha (Ariana DeBose), a hopeful and determined teenager, discovers the truth about Magnifico’s manipulation and makes a heartfelt plea to the stars for help. In response, a celestial star literally comes to life and joins her in inspiring the kingdom’s people.
Wish had so much unrealized potential, which makes it a deeply frustrating watch. Even if it doesn’t quite live up to that, it’s worth mentioning as one of the most notable Disney animated movies of the last decade. The movie’s mid-range Rotten Tomatoes score makes sense because it represents the overall consensus that, while the movie has lots of ambition, it’s ultimately a divisive project that didn’t quite land for everyone.
9
‘Moana 2’ (2024)
Tomatometer Score: 60%
Moana 2 picks up three years after the original adventure. Moana (Auli’i Cravalho), now recognized as the master navigator of the island of Motunui, answers a spiritual call from her ancestors, who warn her that her people are under threat from the powerful storm god, Nalo. Moana assembles a varied crew made up of old friends and new allies who set sail to find the legendary island Motufetu that was sunk by an ancient curse.
Moana 2‘s Tomatometer score highlights its status as a solid but ultimately unforgettable Disney Animation project. While sequels to classics like Moana are often quite successful at the box office, it makes sense that critics would note that these stories don’t always live up to the originals. Moana 2 succeeds in continuing the story of characters who obviously made an impact on audiences. The movie works as an enjoyable family adventure even if it doesn’t quite have all the charm of its predecessor.
8
‘Strange World’ (2022)
Tomatometer Score: 72%
Strange World introduces the Clade family, who journey into a mysterious subterranean world filled with bizarre creatures and surreal landscapes. The story centers on Searcher Clade (Jake Gyllenhaal), who wants a quiet farming life, and his father Jaeger (Dennis Quaid), a legendary explorer obsessed with discovery. When their homeland’s energy source begins to fail, Searcher is drawn back into an expedition that forces him to confront his strained relationship with his dad.
Strange World is good enough to be fresh on the Tomatometer even if it isn’t quite strong enough to be a breakout success. It’s one of Disney’s most notable animated projects of the last decade because it’s visually rich and focuses on a deeply relatable protagonist who’s easy to love. Additionally, Strange World stands out because it explores meaningful themes like environmental responsibility, the importance of empathy, and the challenges of intergenerational relationships which are relatable to viewers of all ages.
7
‘Frozen II’ (2019)
Tomatometer Score: 77%
Frozen II follows sisters Elsa (Idina Menzel) and Anna (Kristen Bell) as they journey beyond Arendelle to uncover the origins of Elsa’s magical powers and the truth behind a long-buried conflict between their kingdom and the enchanted forest of the Northuldra people. When a mysterious voice calls to Elsa and elemental forces unsettle Arendelle, the sisters, along with Kristoff (Jonathan Groff), Olaf (Josh Gad), and Sven (Groff), venture into the unknown.
Frozen II‘s Tomatometer score reflects the fact that this movie is generally well-liked, but less narratively strong than the original Frozen. This being said, Frozen II is one of the best Disney animated movies of the decade because of its visuals, music, and exploration of emotional and complex themes. This is the kind of movie critics admire for its artistry but critique for its execution, making the mid-to-high 70s an entirely fitting place for Frozen II to land.
6
‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ (2018)
Tomatometer Score: 88%
Ralph Breaks the Internet follows best friends Ralph (John C. Reilly) and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) as they leave the familiar world of their arcade to venture into the vast, chaotic realm of the Internet in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope’s game, Sugar Rush. Once online, they encounter a dizzying array of websites, algorithms, viral trends, and new characters, most notably Shank (Gal Gadot), a tough street racer whom Vanellope admires, and Yesss (Taraji P. Henson), the algorithm behind a popular video platform.
Ralph Breaks the Internet stands out as one of Disney’s best animated movies of the last 10 years since it effectively reminds viewers why these characters have been so charming since first being introduced. This movie is a continuation of the first one’s strengths, and critics generally value sequels that maintain depth rather than those that simply rehash familiar story beats. This is another example of a Disney animated project that has something for all ages.
5
‘Encanto’ (2021)
Tomatometer Score: 92%
Encanto follows the Madrigal family, who live in a magical house in a vibrant Colombian village. Each family member has a unique magical gift, except for Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz), who appears ordinary. When the magic of their house starts to fade, Mirabel discovers that she might be the key to saving it and her family. Along the way, she learns about the pressures of living up to expectations, the hidden struggles of her loved ones, and the importance of embracing each person’s true self.
Encanto is so brilliant because it’s both a charming fantastical story about magic, and a heartfelt portrayal of real-life family dynamics. The movie establishes itself as one of Disney’s best animated movies of the last 10 years, since it celebrates Colombian culture through music, setting, and traditions. This kind of authenticity often boosts critical acclaim. It’s clear from Encanto‘s close-to-perfect Tomatometer score reflects the fact that it’s destined to be considered a Disney animated classic.
4
‘Raya and the Last Dragon’ (2021)
Tomatometer Score: 93%
Raya and the Last Dragon is an animated adventure set in the fantasy land of Kumandra, where humans and dragons once lived in harmony. When an evil force called the Druun threatens the land, the dragons sacrifice themselves to save humanity, leaving only one dragon, Sisu (Awkwafina), alive. Years later, Raya (Kelly Marie Tran), a skilled warrior, embarks on a quest to find Sisu and unite the fractured tribes to stop the Druun and restore peace.
Raya and the Last Dragon’s high Tomatometer score makes sense because it’s one of Disney’s most unique animated features of the last decade. This is another example of a Disney animated movie that focuses on authentic cultural representation since it draws inspiration from Southeast Asian cultures and incorporates this into the story itself. Raya is also one of the most complex and determined protagonists Disney has ever introduced, which makes the movie one of Disney’s best.
3
‘Zootopia 2’ (2025)
Tomatometer Score: 93%
In Zootopia 2, the city of Zootopia faces a new threat when a mysterious reptile newcomer, Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan), arrives, which stirs up fear and chaos. Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) are sent undercover across new, unfamiliar districts of the city to uncover the truth behind the snake’s motives. Their partnership is pushed to the limit as they do their best to work together despite their differences while trying to solve the case.
Zootopia 2 is another example of an animated Disney sequel that’s been well-received because it tells a compelling new story with beloved characters. The movie builds on the original’s world with a fresh, intricate mystery and high-stakes action. Like the first Zootopia, the sequel addresses issues such as prejudice, fear of “the other,” trust, and social responsibility. This score shows that Zootopia 2 successfully expands its universe, balances humor with social commentary, and delivers strong animation and storytelling.
2
‘Moana’ (2016)
Tomatometer Score: 95%
Moana follows the adventurous daughter of a Polynesian island chief who feels an irresistible call to the ocean. When her island begins to suffer from a mysterious blight, Moana learns that the demigod Maui (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) accidentally caused the trouble by stealing the heart of the goddess Te Fiti. Defying her father’s warnings, she sets sail on a daring journey to find Maui, restore the heart, and save her people.
Moana is a fresh, self-driven Disney story whose hero’s motivations aren’t tied to romance but to responsibility and self-discovery, which makes it one of the best animated Disney movies of the last 10 years. The movie blends an engaging hero’s journey with themes of identity, courage, and connection to heritage, giving it both heart and narrative clarity. Moana‘s Tomatometer score makes it clear that critics nearly universally consider this movie one of Disney’s best.
1
‘Zootopia’ (2016)
Tomatometer Score: 98%
Zootopia follows Judy Hopps, an optimistic rabbit who becomes the first of her kind to join the city’s police force. Determined to prove herself, she teams up with a sly fox con artist named Nick Wilde to solve a mysterious case involving predators suddenly going “savage.” As they uncover a conspiracy that threatens to divide the diverse animal metropolis, Judy and Nick learn to challenge their own prejudices and rely on each other.
Zootopia‘s practically perfect Tomatometer score cements the movie’s status as not only one of the best animated Disney movies of the last decade, but of all time. Zootopia functions both as a fun buddy-cop adventure and as a thoughtful allegory about prejudice, stereotyping, and social power dynamics. Its ability to balance humor with meaningful commentary makes it notable. Because Zootopia delivers entertainment and social relevance with exceptional craftsmanship, it makes sense that critics would rate it so high.
