Last updated March 2024
On the hunt for sensationally awesome Best Animation Movies 2012 ? See our compilation of 30 marvelous, universally beloved Best Animation Movies 2012 handpicked for your viewing pleasure. Critically celebrated by revered IMDB reviewers and widely adored by our own legion of savvy users, these world-class titles simply have no equal. Lend fellow viewers a hand by voting up the titles you feel are keepers. We appreciate your stellar contributions showcasing the finest entertainment available!
It's Such a Beautiful Day (2012)
Plot Summary:
Bill struggles to put together his shattered psyche, in this new feature film version of Don Hertzfeldt's animated short film trilogy
Duration: 62 min
IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: surrealism, illness, mental health, mental illness, dark humor, nightmare, hospital, divorced parents, narration, death, loneliness, depression, destiny, life & death, existentialism, introspection, obsession, art, imagination, self discovery, direction and purpose, hopes, trippy, conversation, love
Wolf Children (2012)
Plot Summary:
After her werewolf lover unexpectedly dies in an accident, a woman must find a way to raise the son and daughter that she had with him. However, their inheritance of their father's traits prove to be a challenge for her
Duration: 117 min
IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
IMDB Votes: 48000
Genere: Animation, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: Japan
Plot tags: werewolf, childhood, parents and children, children, single mother, wolf, female werewolf, death of father, supernatural, family relations, wilderness, school, friendship, breast feeding, social relations, human becomes animal, furry, transformation, love, self discovery, heartwarming, nature, coming of age, brother sister relationship, mother daughter relationship
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 (2012)
Plot Summary:
Batman has not been seen for ten years. A new breed of criminal ravages Gotham City, forcing 55-year-old Bruce Wayne back into the cape and cowl. But, does he still have what it takes to fight crime in a new era?
Duration: 76 min
IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
IMDB Votes: 62000
Genere: Animation, Action, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: batman, superhero, vigilantism, comic book, revenge, good versus evil, gang, heroic mission, mortal combat, undercover, rivalry, comeback, middle aged, fighting crime, master villain, distopia, violent, villain, psychiatrist, fight, violence, murder, brutality, chase, blood
Ernest & Celestine (2012)
Plot Summary:
Celestine is a little mouse trying to avoid a dental career; Ernest is a big bear craving an artistic outlet. When Celestine meets Ernest, they overcome their natural enmity by forging a life of crime together
Duration: 80 min
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: France, Belgium, Luxembourg
Plot tags: prejudice, friendship, mouse, bear, anthropomorphic animal, goodhearted, unlikely friendships, odd couple, supportive friend, racial prejudice, friends, animal, fighting the system, animal life, showdown, stop motion, european, anthropomorphism, coping, society, social problems, problem solving, ethnic conflict, social relations, cartoon mouse
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc II - The Battle for Doldrey (2012)
Plot Summary:
The Band of the Hawk participates in the Midland war campaign. On the bloody battlefield, they conquer decisive victories that lead them to Doldrey, an old fortress that will decide the outcome of the war
Duration: 95 min
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Country: Japan
Plot tags: battles, danger, one against many, vengeance, good versus evil, rivalry, imaginary, female warrior, heroes, escapades, demon, military, supernatural, master warrior, uninhibited rivalry, curses spells and rituals, fight, king, violence, female nudity, torture, warrior, memory, duel, desperation
Wreck-It Ralph (2012)
Plot Summary:
Wreck-It Ralph is the 9-foot-tall, 643-pound villain of an arcade video game named Fix-It Felix Jr., in which the game's titular hero fixes buildings that Ralph destroys. Wanting to prove he can be a good guy and not just a villain, Ralph escapes his game and lands in Hero's Duty, a first-person shooter where he helps the game's hero battle against alien invaders. He later enters Sugar Rush, a kart racing game set on tracks made of candies, cookies and other sweets. There, Ralph meets Vanellope von Schweetz who has learned that her game is faced with a dire threat that could affect the entire arcade, and one that Ralph may have inadvertently started
Duration: 101 min
IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
IMDB Votes: 450000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: USA, Japan
Plot tags: imaginary, obsessive quest, friendship, prejudice, hacker, disguise, master of disguise, medal, heroes, chases and races, danger, villain, superhero, good versus evil, outcast, heroism, lifestyle change, giant, journey, misfit, wedding, party, jealousy, courage, escapades
Berserk: The Golden Age Arc I - The Egg of the King (2012)
Plot Summary:
Guts, an immensely strong sword-for-hire, has little direction in his life, simply fighting one battle after the next. However, this all changes suddenly when he meets and is bested by Griffith, a beautiful and charismatic young man who leads the Band of the Hawk mercenary army. After Guts joins the Band and the relationship between the two men begins to blossom, Casca, the tough, lone swordswoman in the Band of the Hawk, struggles to accept Guts and the influence he has on the world around her. While the two men begin to fight together, Griffith continues to rise to power, all seemingly in order to reach his mysterious, prophesied goals. What lengths will Guts and Griffith go to in order to reach these goals, and where will fate take the two men?
Duration: 76 min
IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Country: Japan
Plot tags: battles, heroes, supernatural, supernatural ability, vengeance, good versus evil, shape shifting, military, danger, imaginary, uninhibited rivalry, curses spells and rituals, medieval, friendship, superhero, mature, vigilante, gore, sword and sorcery, androgyny, demon, sorcery, master warrior, escapades, rivalry
Justice League: Doom (2012)
Plot Summary:
An adaptation of Mark Waid's "Tower of Babel" story from the JLA comic. Vandal Savage steals confidential files Batman has compiled on the members of the Justice League, and learns all their weaknesses
Duration: 75 min
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
IMDB Votes: 36000
Genere: Animation, Action, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: justice league, superhero, batman, superhero team, superman, heroes, green lantern, transformation, good versus evil, superpower, save the world, justice, vigilantism, vigilante, comic book, alien, uninhibited rivalry, escapades, rivalry, danger, deathtrap, weakness, mistrust, secret hideout, master villain
Rise of the Guardians (2012)
Plot Summary:
When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world
Duration: 97 min
IMDB Rating: 7.2/10
IMDB Votes: 189000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, India
Plot tags: holiday, christmas, childhood, good versus evil, belief, friendship, fairy, protector, heroic mission, santa claus, imaginary, legends and myths, heroes, save the world, children, danger, dream, unlikely partners, talking animal, allies, youth, magic, mythology, creativity, transformation
Brave (2012)
Plot Summary:
Brave is set in the mystical Scottish Highlands, where Mérida is the princess of a kingdom ruled by King Fergus and Queen Elinor. An unruly daughter and an accomplished archer, Mérida one day defies a sacred custom of the land and inadvertently brings turmoil to the kingdom. In an attempt to set things right, Mérida seeks out an eccentric old Wise Woman and is granted an ill-fated wish. Also figuring into Mérida’s quest — and serving as comic relief — are the kingdom’s three lords: the enormous Lord MacGuffin, the surly Lord Macintosh, and the disagreeable Lord Dingwall
Duration: 93 min
IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
IMDB Votes: 434000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Mystery
Country: USA, Japan
Plot tags: princess, witch, coming of age, mother daughter relationship, bravery, happy ending, bear, heroine, female protagonist, rebellious daughter, archery, archer, father daughter relationship, feminism, woods, queen, domineering mother, transformation, good versus evil, disney princess, medieval, redhead, strong female lead, kingdom, courage
Secret of the Wings (2012)
Plot Summary:
Tinkerbell wanders into the forbidden Winter woods and meets Periwinkle. Together they learn the secret of their wings and try to unite the warm fairies and the winter fairies to help Pixie Hollow
Duration: 75 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Animation, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA, India
Plot tags: fairy, magic, imaginary kingdom, magical, winter, imaginary, friendship, secret, woods, friends, escapades, tinkerbell, peter pan, love, courage, curiosity, female protagonist, snow, teenager, supernatural, beast, insect, fantasy world, 007, disney princess
Superman vs. The Elite (2012)
Plot Summary:
The Man of Steel finds himself outshone by a new team of ruthless superheroes who hold his idealism in contempt
Duration: 76 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Animation, Action, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Plot tags: superhero, superman, justice, superhero team, lone hero, good versus evil, comic book, superpower, anti hero, heroes, escapades, danger, imaginary, female warrior, superhuman, teleportation, moral dilemma, robot, revenge, fantasy world, prison escape, violence, brutality, vigilante, manipulation
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Plot Summary:
Welcome to Hotel Transylvania, Dracula's lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up and no humans are allowed. One special weekend, Dracula has invited all his best friends to celebrate his beloved daughter Mavis's 118th birthday. For Dracula catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem but the party really starts when one ordinary guy stumbles into the hotel and changes everything!
Duration: 91 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 275000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Horror, Romance
Country: USA, Canada
Plot tags: vampire, hotel, monster, dracula, creature, father daughter relationship, mummy, love and romance, supernatural, supernatural romance, magic, werewolf, frankenstein, witch, female vampire, single father, bigfoot, zombie, good versus evil, magical creature, invisible man, love, teenage love, parents and children, frankenstein's monster
ParaNorman (2012)
Plot Summary:
In the town of Blithe Hollow, Norman Babcock is a boy who can speak to the dead, but no one besides his eccentric new friend, Neil, believes his ability is real. One day, Norman's estranged eccentric uncle tells him of an important annual ritual he must take up to protect the town from an curse cast by a witch it condemned centuries ago. Eventually, Norman decides to cooperate, but things don't go according to plan. Now, a magic storm of the witch threatens Blithe Hollow as the accursed dead rise. Together with unexpected new companions, Norman struggles to save his town, only to discover the horrific truth of the curse. With that insight, Norman must resolve the crisis for good as only he can
Duration: 92 min
IMDB Rating: 7.0/10
IMDB Votes: 109000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Mystery
Country: USA, UK
Plot tags: stop motion, zombie, ghost, halloween, small town, supernatural ability, supernatural, witch, stereotypes, heroes, friends, misfit, best friend, escapades, danger, social misfits, imaginary, disorder, stupidity, paranormal activity, family relations, curses spells and rituals, dark humor, lgbt, fear
Frankenweenie (2012)
Plot Summary:
When a car hits young Victor's pet dog Sparky, Victor decides to bring him back to life the only way he knows how. But when the bolt-necked "monster" wreaks havoc and terror in the hearts of Victor's neighbors, he has to convince them that Sparky's still the good, loyal friend he was
Duration: 87 min
IMDB Rating: 6.9/10
IMDB Votes: 116000
Genere: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Family, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: USA, UK
Plot tags: dog, stop motion, frankenstein, supernatural, life & death, mad scientist, experiment, macabre, afterlife, loss of loved one, reincarnation, animal, monster, halloween, pets, animal death, death of dog, creature, love, suburbs, back from the dead, friends, life, death, science
Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo (2012)
Plot Summary:
14 years after third impact, Ikari Shinji awakens to a world he does not remember. He hasn't aged. Much of Earth is laid in ruins, Nerv has been dismantled, and people who he once protected have turned against him. Befriending the enigmatic Nagisa Kaworu, Shinji continues the fight against the angels and realizes the fighting is far from over, even when it could be against his former allies. The characters' struggles continue amidst the battles against the angels and each other, spiraling down to what could inevitably be the end of the world. The film was retitled "Evangelion: 3.33" for its DVD/Blu-Ray release
Duration: 96 min
IMDB Rating: 6.9/10
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Animation, Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan
Plot tags: androids and robots, homosexual subtext, loneliness, father son relationship, character study, save the world, imaginary, dystopian future, life is a bitch, escapades, society, danger, young heroes, worldwide chaos, depression, twists and turns, giant, space and aliens, robot, high school, superhero, distopia, fight, college, giant monster
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)
Plot Summary:
Animal pals Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria are still trying to make it back to New York's Central Park Zoo. They are forced to take a detour to Europe to find the penguins and chimps who broke the bank at a Monte Carlo casino. When French animal-control officer Capitaine Chantel DuBois picks up their scent, Alex and company are forced to hide out in a traveling circus
Duration: 95 min
IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
IMDB Votes: 194000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Country: USA, India
Plot tags: circus, penguins, zebra, getting home, talking animal, animal, friendship, villain, fantasy world, unlikely friendships, giraffe, silly humor, chase, creativity, jungle, hippopotamus, runaway, anthropomorphic animal, lion, escapades, dimwit, disorder, friends, animal life, uptight character
The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! (2012)
Plot Summary:
The luxuriantly bearded Pirate Captain is a boundlessly enthusiastic, if somewhat less-than-successful, terror of the High Seas. With a rag-tag crew at his side, and seemingly blind to the impossible odds stacked against him, the Captain has one dream: to beat his bitter rivals Black Bellamy and Cutlass Liz to the much coveted Pirate of the Year Award. It’s a quest that takes our heroes from the shores of exotic Blood Island to the foggy streets of Victorian London. Along the way they battle a diabolical queen and team up with a haplessly smitten young scientist, but never lose sight of what a pirate loves best: adventure!
Duration: 88 min
IMDB Rating: 6.7/10
IMDB Votes: 51000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Country: UK, USA
Plot tags: pirate, stop motion, mentor, rivalry, twists and turns, treasure hunt, greed, friendship, creativity, rescue, queen victoria, pirate ship, ship, betrayal, competition, crime gone awry, sailing, imagination, self discovery, monkey, love, civil war, sword, parents, renaissance
Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012)
Plot Summary:
Manny, Diego, and Sid embark upon another adventure after their continent is set adrift. Using an iceberg as a ship, they encounter sea creatures and battle pirates as they explore a new world
Duration: 88 min
IMDB Rating: 6.5/10
IMDB Votes: 221000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Country: USA, UK, Canada
Plot tags: animal life, iceberg, parents and children, danger, unlikely partners, pirate, natural disaster, talking animal, fantasy world, friendship, children, friends, getting home, escapades, disorder, hopes, animal, vengeance, family bonds, mammoth, overprotective father, partner, uptight character, dimwit, father daughter relationship
The Lorax (2012)
Plot Summary:
A 12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world
Duration: 86 min
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
IMDB Votes: 127000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Musical
Country: USA, France
Plot tags: environmental, ecology, childhood, friendship, environment, deforestation, environmentalism, talking animal, greed, chase, heroes, society, small town life, kids and family, obsessive quest, justice, tree, meme, love, walled city, young heroes, magical, holiday, adventurer, consciousness
Resident Evil: Damnation (2012)
Plot Summary:
U.S. federal agent Leon S. Kennedy sneaks into the "East Slavic Republic" to verify rumors that Bio-Organic Weapons (BOWs) are being used in the country's civil war, which the U.S. and Russia are making preparations to jointly intervene in. Right after his infiltration, the U.S. government orders him to leave immediately. Determined to uncover the truth, Leon ignores the order and enters the battlefield to end the chain of tragedies caused by the BOWs
Duration: 100 min
IMDB Rating: 6.4/10
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Animation, Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Country: Japan
Plot tags: zombie, infection, transformation, infected, virus, resident evil, video game, monster, lone hero, cyborgs, deadly creature, genetic mutation, fight, fantasy world, brutality, chase, life & death, good versus evil, crime gone awry, fight scenes, apocalypse, dystopian future, mind control, survival horror, deadly virus
Starship Troopers: Invasion (2012)
Plot Summary:
A distant Federation outpost Fort Casey comes under attack by bugs. The team on the fast attack ship Alesia is assigned to help the Starship John A. Warden stationed in Fort Casey evacuate along with the survivors and bring military intelligence safely back to Earth. Carl Jenkins, now ministry of Paranormal Warfare, takes the starship on a clandestine mission before its rendezvous with the Alesia and goes missing in the nebula. Now, the battle-hardened troopers are charged with a rescue mission that may lead to a much more sinister consequence than they ever could have imagined
Duration: 89 min
IMDB Rating: 5.8/10
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Animation, Action, Sci-Fi
Country: Japan, USA
Plot tags: creature, military, alien, space wars, alien invasion, insect, heroes, danger, human versus alien, outer space, friendship, infantry, distant planet, monster, distopia, space opera, future war, space travel, mad scientist, soldier, daring rescue, space and aliens, space, psychic, brutality
Escape from Planet Earth (2012)
Plot Summary:
Astronaut Scorch Supernova finds himself caught in a trap when he responds to an SOS from a notoriously dangerous alien planet
Duration: 89 min
IMDB Rating: 5.8/10
IMDB Votes: 27000
Genere: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Sci-Fi
Country: USA, Canada
Plot tags: alien, alien invasion, mad scientist, planet, mysterious planet, rescue, space program, monster, good versus evil, heroes, space wars, family relations, trap, escapades, deathtrap, disorder, silly humor, intergalactic, danger, daring rescue, space and aliens, super weapon, prison, evil alien, prison escape
Foodfight! (2012)
Plot Summary:
Dex, a superdog sleuth, is the law of the land when the world's most recognized brands take on the forces of evil and the devilish Brand X
Duration: 91 min
IMDB Rating: 1.3/10
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Family, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Plot tags: food, supermarket, partner, misfit, escapades, rivalry, disorder, femme fatale, pun, fight, bomb squad, stupid kid, disappearance, marriage proposal, gay stereotype, innuendo, store, cooking and food, anti hero, love, robot, airplane, singing, club, city