A list of the best stop motion movies ever made! From The Nightmare Before Christmas to Shaun the Sheep, here are our favorites.
Top 10 Best Stop Motion Movies Ever
With rapidly evolving technology, continually shifting audience demographics, and the seemingly unstoppable rise of CGI all making it increasingly difficult for traditional forms of animation to cut through, it’s genuinely heartening that something as decidedly old-fashioned as stop motion has not only survived in the current climate, but positively thrived.
While it may appear simplistic on the surface, especially when compared to the shiny, cutting-edge stylings of the Pixars and the Disneys of this world, beneath this unrefined façade, stop motion is among the most complex forms of animation going.
Painfully intricate and unbelievably time consuming, stop motion truly is a labor of love for anyone brave enough to attempt it, requiring a dedication and a heightened level of artistry that goes well beyond other animated forms.
As such, there really is no bad time to throw a little love stop motion’s way, and with the Netflix release of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio almost upon us, the chance to celebrate this inimitable brand of animation, and to champion its finest examples, couldn’t possibly be passed up.
So, here we go then folks. This is your top 10 best stop motion movies ever…
10. Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015)
An unabashed ode to silent cinema, by its very nature, Shaun the Sheep Movie puts the focus squarely on its visuals, doing so in such a unique and gloriously joyous way, you have no choice but to tip your hat to the unwavering handle Aardman Animations have on their craft.
Without a word spoken, Aardman harness the spirit of Chaplin and Keaton in a Wallace & Gromit spin-off that blends wonderfully inventive gags and visual storytelling with a charming, breezy plot that will delight young and old alike.
9. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
It’s no secret that Kubo and the Two Strings was a huge financial disappointment for its studio, Laika, however, despite bombing at the box office, the film gained overwhelmingly positive reviews, going on to be only the second ever stop-motion feature to receive an Oscar nomination for Visual Effects.
And with good reason too, because the film was, and remains, absolutely stunning. After numerous highly praised efforts, Laika pulled out all the stops with Kubo, crafting an awe-inspiring, breath-taking tale that’s among the most visually impressive animations ever, stop motion or otherwise.
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8. Mad God (2022)
Less a conventional movie and more an unrelenting, nightmarish stream of consciousness, Mad God is unlike any stop-motion there’s ever been (or likely ever will be).
The ultimate passion project, Mad God had been in the works for the best part of 30 years, as visual effects legend Phil Tippet pours his (dark) heart and soul into a beautifully disturbing fever dream of hellish imagery that’s both a vivid visual treat and one of the bleakest dystopian visions you’ll ever come across. Suffice to say, this one’s not for the kids.
7. Chicken Run (2000)
While Aardman had already made quite the name for itself with several critically acclaimed shorts, the British animation studio really cemented itself as the preeminent purveyor of stop-motion with Chicken Run.
Filled deep with humor, technically spectacular action, and surprisingly profound themes, Chicken Run is an absolute winner, which, even 23 years after its release, remains one of the most beloved – and profitable – stop motion films of all time.
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6. Mary and Max (2009)
As another fine example of the unique emotional potential of stop-motion, Mary and Max is both harrowing and beautiful in equal measure.
Backed by a wonderful voice cast that includes the incomparable tones of the late, great Philip Seymour Hoffman, Mary and Max tells the deeply affecting story of a shy Australian girl building a pen-pal relationship with an autistic American man, following the ups and downs of their affecting long-distance friendship.
Balancing quirky humor and a serious emotional gut punch, the film covers a whole host of issues from depression and anxiety to trauma and friendship, proving that stop motion’s ability to connect with its audience on an almost profound level truly is unrivalled.
5. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
Not just the first (and, to date, only) big screen outing for Aardman Animations’ iconic duo, but the very first stop-motion to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Film, Curse of the Were-Rabbit is quite the trailblazer.
As ever with Aardman, the film is both gorgeously crafted and sublimely silly, perfectly capturing the essence of what made Wallace and Gromit such a beloved small screen pairing, while taking their lovable stop-motion shenanigans to a whole new level.
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4. My Life as a Courgette/Zucchini (2016)
While it may look innocent enough, don’t let this fool you. My Life as a Courgette (or Zucchini for my American friends) is far more mature than your average animation.
The charming, candid style, melancholy score, and dark-yet-innocent tone all combine for an amiable, refreshingly honest take on childhood trauma, joy, fear, and loneliness.
In utilizing a stop-motion technique that fits its story perfectly, director Claude Barras and co-writer Céline Sciamma craft a somber, heart-warming beauty, and while it may sometimes feel slight in stature, like it’s protagonist, My Life as a Courgette is huge in heart.
3. Coraline (2009)
As the unsung hero of the medium, stop-motion owes much of its success to Henry Selick. After his ground-breaking achievements on The Nightmare Before Christmas and James and the Giant Peach, it was his partnership with the newly-formed Laika on Coraline that his legendary stop-motion status would be solidified.
Undeniably dark, but with plenty of heart and a distinctive, playful spirit, Coraline’s off-kilter approach will be pure nightmare fuel for young’uns, however, for those that like their stop-motion creepy and with an ingeniously eccentric edge, this is the one for you.
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2. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)
In true Guillermo del Toro style, the director makes his animation debut with a dark, immaculately crafted, frequently disturbing retelling of the classic fairy-tale that’s among his finest work to date.
Magical yet mortifying, Disney this Pinocchio is not, as del Toro transports the story to 1930s Fascist Italy for a heart-warming, heart-breaking rumination on love, life, and loss that’s sure to be one of this year’s Academy Awards front runners.
1. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
A true stop-motion icon, The Nightmare Before Christmas has spent the best part of 30 years amassing quite the cult following.
A perennial favorite of goths and emos worldwide, the Henry Selick-directed, Tim Burton-produced film is a true one-of-a-kind stop-motion experience that combines visually-dazzling animation and infinitely catchy songs to pitch perfect perfection.
Is it a Christmas film? Is it a Halloween one? Who really cares? Put simply, The Nightmare Before Christmas is the best stop motion movie ever.
NEXT: All Guillermo del Toro Movies Ranked
