Explore the world of dragons! This entry, How to Train Your Dragon: Legends, encompasses various short films and specials set within the beloved universe of Hiccup and Toothless, often bridging the gap between the main feature films or expanding upon specific aspects of the characters' lives and Viking world. While not a feature film itself, these shorts are key for fans, offering charming vignettes, exploring holidays like Snoggletog, or introducing new dragon species and adventures. They maintain the high quality of animation and heartwarming tone established by the main movies, providing delightful extra content for enthusiasts of the franchise.

Everything is Awesome! The Lego Movie is a surprisingly clever and incredibly creative animated film that uses CG animation to mimic the look of stop-motion with real Lego bricks. The story follows an ordinary Lego minifigure who is mistakenly identified as the key to saving the world. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the film is packed with rapid-fire jokes, pop culture references, and a genuinely heartfelt message about creativity and individuality. The visual style is unique and constantly inventive, making even the most mundane objects look exciting when built from Lego.

Skadoosh! DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda is a hilarious and action-packed story about a clumsy panda named Po who dreams of becoming a martial arts master. The film blends stunning animation inspired by traditional Chinese art with comedic timing and exciting fight sequences. Jack Black provides the voice of Po, bringing his signature energy to the role. The film pays homage to classic martial arts films while also being accessible and funny for all ages. Its success launched a popular franchise of sequels and TV shows, proving the lasting appeal of its underdog story.

Anyone can cook! Pixar's Ratatouille takes us to the culinary world of Paris, following a rat named Remy with an extraordinary sense of taste and smell who dreams of becoming a chef. The animation of food and kitchen environments is incredibly detailed and mouth-watering. Brad Bird took over directing duties early in production. Famous chefs and food critics were consulted to ensure the accuracy of the kitchen scenes and cooking techniques. The film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and is celebrated for its sophisticated humor, charming characters, and beautiful depiction of Parisian life.

See the line where the sky meets the sea? It calls me! Disney's Moana is a beautifully animated musical adventure inspired by Polynesian mythology. The film tells the story of a young woman chosen by the ocean to restore a mystical relic and save her island. Auli'i Cravalho voiced Moana and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson voiced the demigod Maui. The music, co-written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa'i, and Mark Mancina, is incredibly catchy and blends traditional Polynesian sounds with Broadway influences. Extensive research was done throughout the Pacific Islands to ensure cultural accuracy and respect in the storytelling and visuals.

No capes! Pixar's The Incredibles brought the superhero genre to animation with style, wit, and incredible action sequences. The film follows a family of superheroes forced into suburban anonymity who get a chance to embrace their powers again. Director Brad Bird, who also voiced Edna Mode, previously directed The Iron Giant. The film was influenced by comic books and spy films of the 1960s. Creating the characters' hair and clothing in CG was a significant technical challenge at the time. It was a massive success, winning the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and solidifying Pixar's versatility across genres.

Meet the little voices inside your head! Pixar's Inside Out takes a uniquely abstract and brilliant concept – exploring the emotions personified inside the mind of a young girl – and turns it into a heartfelt and imaginative story. The film introduces us to Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust, who navigate Riley's life from Headquarters. The scientific and psychological concepts were researched with the help of psychologists. The design of the abstract thought sequence is particularly clever and visually inventive. It's a film that not only entertains but also offers profound insights into human emotions and the importance of sadness, proving that it's okay not to be okay all the time.

Anyone can be anything! Disney's Zootopia is not just a clever buddy-cop comedy set in a world populated by anthropomorphic animals; it's also a surprisingly insightful allegory about prejudice, bias, and chasing your dreams. The world-building is incredibly detailed, with distinct districts designed to accommodate animals of all sizes and species. The film features stellar voice performances from Ginnifer Goodwin as Judy Hopps and Jason Bateman as Nick Wilde, whose chemistry drives the narrative. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and was praised for its timely social commentary wrapped in an entertaining and visually rich package.

Un Poco Loco! Pixar's Coco is a stunningly beautiful and deeply moving exploration of family, memory, and the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos). The film was praised for its cultural authenticity and respectful portrayal of Mexican traditions, achieved through extensive research and consultation with cultural experts. The music is absolutely central to the story, with original songs that are both catchy and emotionally resonant. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for "Remember Me." The visual depiction of the Land of the Dead is one of the most imaginative and detailed worlds Pixar has ever created.

Get out of my swamp! Shrek was a game-changer for DreamWorks Animation and the animated film landscape in general. It playfully subverted classic fairy tale tropes with a healthy dose of irreverent humor and pop culture references. The voice cast, including Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, brought incredible energy to their roles. Did you know that Chris Farley was originally cast as Shrek and had recorded most of the dialogue before his passing? Mike Myers took over and famously decided to use a Scottish accent, which became iconic. The film's massive success led to a successful franchise and solidified DreamWorks as a major player in animation.

Just keep swimming! Finding Nemo took audiences on a breathtaking underwater adventure, showcasing Pixar's ever-evolving animation technology to create a stunningly realistic ocean environment. The story of an overprotective clownfish searching for his son captured hearts globally. Ellen DeGeneres's performance as Dory is widely celebrated and provided much of the film's humor and heart; her character's short-term memory loss was handled with sensitivity and comedic timing. The film won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature and was a massive box office success, proving that Pixar could create compelling stories outside of the toy box. It truly makes you appreciate the wonders of the ocean!

Hakuna Matata! The Lion King stands as a crown jewel of the Disney Renaissance, captivating audiences with its epic story, breathtaking hand-drawn animation, and a powerful soundtrack by Elton John and Tim Rice, with score by Hans Zimmer. The film's narrative drew inspiration from Shakespeare's Hamlet and biblical stories. Many of the animal behaviors depicted were studied from real animals brought into the animation studio. It remains one of Disney's most critically acclaimed and highest-grossing animated films, spawning a massive franchise including a long-running Broadway show that is still incredibly popular worldwide. The emotional depth and timeless themes resonate across generations.

Prepare to infinity and beyond! Pixar's groundbreaking debut feature film, Toy Story, wasn't just a technical marvel as the first feature-length computer-animated movie; it redefined animation forever. The film features the incredible vocal talents of Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, a duo whose initial rivalry and eventual friendship form the heart of the story. Did you know that Billy Crystal was originally offered the role of Buzz Lightyear but turned it down? He later regretted it and voiced Mike Wazowski in Monsters, Inc. The film's success paved the way for Pixar to become the animation powerhouse it is today, proving that CG animation could tell deeply emotional and complex stories.