Best Animated Movies 2013

As I look back on the past year there were some really great animated movies released in 2013. Of course, Disney and Pixar made a great showing and had very popular 2013 animated movies, along with the likes of Dreamworks.

There were a number of popular sequels that not only made me laugh but also made me want to cry too. And left me desperate to watch the previous movie again, to relive the action.

I've always loved cartoons and animated movies aren't just for kids. I really appreciate how they are able to cover a whole range of emotions and make you feel attached to the characters. Even with some of the completely new movies that came out in 2013, it was easy to become attached to some of the cutest characters ever seen.

Here's the details of the movies that I liked most in this category in 2013. I hope you enjoy these films as much as I do.

Update: You can check out the new animated movies 2015 list too!

The Most Eagerly Awaited Animated Movie of 2013

At the beginning of 2013 I was stoked to hear about Mike and Sully returning in Monsters University. I really hoped they'd be able to bring the same kind of heartfelt story as they did in the first movie, but most of all, I hoped that it wouldn't be a disappointment.

Thankfully, Pixar made all the right choices!

Finding out how Mike and Sulley became Scarer's was really cool. It wasn't just about their academics, but was a really cool way to look at their past and how it shaped their lives. We saw how they became friends too, even though there were barriers to start with.

However, it's not all fun for these Monsters. There are important lessons that the movie also gets across such as how it doesn't pay to cheat, but also you can do anything you put your mind to.

It's a very moving and emotional movie that's not only great for kids but lots of fun for the whole family to enjoy.

Most Popular Animated Movie of 2013

The Minions returned in the Summer of 2013 and they brought their usual antics with them, along with a new flavor of Minion.

Gru is his usual grumpy self but is trying to adjust to life without being a criminal so he can support his little girls. However, when a secret formula is stolen that could destroy the world, Gru is called in by a secret spy organization to help find the said potion. Gru goes undercover with a female operative in a mall and this is when things get even funnier.

Moreover, the Minions seem to be disappearing as if abducted by aliens. Although they themselves don't seem to be that worried. That is until they figure out why they're being abducted in the first place!

Great fun for all the family. Not only funny but also really cute and heartwarming at times.

Despicable Me 2 was the highest grossing animated movie of 2013 and it's easy to see why.

Cutest Animated Character of 2013!

Dreamworks released a new animated movie in 2013 called the Croods.

I have to say it's not really the best name they probably could have came up with, and it kinda gives you an imagine that is kinda off-putting. However, this was instantly one of my favorite animated movies of the year when I watched it.

The Croods are a lovable cave dwelling family set in caveman times. There's the overprotective father, the curious daughter, the cute baby of the family, the silly son who lacks any kind of logic and the funny grandmother.

Grug is the provider for the family, and his mother-in-law is the bane of his life. When the family home is destroyed, they find themselves on a journey to find a new safe haven. While on this adventure, they meet Guy and the cutest pet you could imagine, called Belt.

There are lots of hilarious moments, including the invention of shoes.

In the end, the story is about the family unit and how important we are to one another, with a few cute pets (that are more like best friends) thrown into the mix. By the end of the movie, I was desperate to get myself a Belt toy and I know lots of kids have been begging for one too!

If you or your kids loved Ice Age then they'll love The Croods too.

A Classic Returns!

Parents and Grandparents will all be familiar with Dorothy and the Land of Oz. However, there were questions that we never got the answer to in the original movie and that's because there are other books in the Oz series.

Oz The Great and Powerful is a prequel to the story of Dorothy. This time, we find out all the details of how the Wizard came to be in Oz, which is how he knew how to return Dorothy and Toto to Kansas.

But there's more to the story than that! We also find out how the Wicked Witches came to be. How heartbreak can lead to making the wrong decisions when you let your emotions rule you.

And how if you stick together and believe in yourself and your friends you can make magic!

It's full of adventure and is set in the same world as the original movie. The animations are yet again amazing in the world of Oz and there are lots of new creatures and characters to meet.

Disney's Christmas Animated Movie 2013

For those that love their traditional Disney movies and Winter, then you'll love Frozen.

This time, Disney have taken the classic Hans Christian Anderson novel of the Snow Queen and transformed it into Frozen.

They have played around with the normal Princess formula. This time, the eldest Princess has magical abilities to control the Winter landscape. However, when an accident happens and her younger sister is hurt because of her abilities she begins to withdraw from the world. It's easier for Elsa to hide her emotions in order to control her powers.

Anna becomes desperate to be loved after the death of her parents and the isolation she suffers in the palace.

Elsa finds it impossible to hide her powers and becomes an outcast. Anna goes to find her sister and finds herself travelling with a young man named Hans.

Normally, Disney Princesses need a man to save them, but in this animated adventure the sisters have the answers to all their problems.

And meet Olaf, the super cute and sweet animated Snow Man that Anna creates from her magic.

Is this Snowman really cute and funny!

The song featured in this animated movies 2013 trailer is The Lightning Strike by Snow Patrol.

Imagine a world where everything is slow paced and nothing exciting happens.

Well that's the world that Turbo the snail lives in. He dreams of being a Nascar driver.

After a freak accident he gets a chance to live his dreams just like the rat in Ratatouille. Instead of a mouse wanting to be a chef, you have a snail who wants to be a racing driver.

Escape From Planet Earth is a hilarious way of looking at what would happen if an alien came to Earth. He'd be captured and taken to Area 51 and would have to try his best to escape. And that's what happens in Escape From Planet Earth. Except, this alien can't escape and his geeky side kick has to come up with a plan to rescue him.

Add in lots of other funny aliens being help captive in Area 51 and you have a lot of blue people trying to get home.

Hear the voices of Jessica Alba, Sarah Jessica Parker, Brendan Fraser, Jane Lynch, and James Gandolfini.

An Animated Adventure in Paris

Ever wanted to go to Paris in France? Well the Smurfs did!

When Gargamel decides to create his own Smurfs to defeat the actual Smurfs he suddenly realizes he's missing a key component to make his Naughties into Smurfs.

What could this missing component be? Well it's Smurfette!

While Gargamel entices her over to the dark side the Smurfs must rescue her before she turns evil forever.

Disney had a number of movies out in this category in 2013.

One of the most popular with younger kids was Planes. The attraction of talking Planes, each with their own unique personalities was a big draw for kids all over the world.

This 2013 animated movie was about Dusty, a plane with a fear of heights, who has to face his fears in order to try to stand up for small planes everywhere.

This movie was really fun and a great example of a David and Goliath type story.