Animated movies are making a huge comeback at the moment. Ne Zha 2 just broke records and became the highest grossing animated film ever made in the span of two months. The Spider-Verse series has highlighted the raw potential of the animation industry. And the hype around Shrek 5 is slowly building by the day.

With all this animation hype going on I want to take a moment and look back at the animation classics that shaped my generation. The forgotten gems of the genre that stood the test of time and still hold up today. I’ll be focusing on the titles that, despite their quality, might not be as well remembered. So strap in as we take a trip down memory lane.

Treasure Planet

Released by Disney in 2002, Treasure Planet is one of those rare movies that can move grown adults to tears. Yet it never got the recognition it deserved back in the day. Partly due to an underwhelming advertising campaign. Partly because of some odd creative decisions in the third act. But despite all that it still remains one of the best forgotten gem movies of the early 2000s.

The movie is a sci-fi retelling of the classic Treasure Island story. The pirate ships navigate through the depths of space. A diverse range of aliens makes up the cast. All of this combines together to create a world that is dripping with atmosphere.

The creators wanted to give the whole movie a unique feel. Focusing on the idea of moving the camera around within the animated world. But this did mean that the movie took over four years to be produced.

Treasure Planet’s strength sits firmly in the father and son dynamic that forms between Jim Hawkins and John Silver. The trials and tribulations faced by Jim are relatable to anyone who has grown up without a father figure in their lives. And the performances given by the cast help drive how the emotional beats. The movie was one of the first to blend 2D and 3D animation together seamlessly. Making it stand out visually from other movies of the decade.

Over The Hedge

Released in 2006 by Dreamworks, Over The Hedge follows the adventures of a group of animals living in a small forest that has become enclosed in a suburban landscape. The film is a parody of classic heist movies, with the focus being on the animals trying to steal food from the unsuspecting population of the town.

The exploits of the animals soon put them in the crosshairs of a particularly savage pest control expert who begins installing a wide range of advanced defence systems. On the surface the movie might seem like a simple comedic romp. But it goes far deeper than that.

The movie plays heavily on the idea of a found family. And all the benefits and pains that come with that. The musical score is used masterfully. The tracks by Ben Folds serve to amplify the more emotional scenes. While the story doesn’t push the boundaries much in terms of ideas, the dialogue and emotional pacing serves to raise this movie above similar films of the era.

A Goofy Movie

Goofy has always been one of the most lovable Disney characters. The idiotic friend of Mickey who is always getting himself into wacky situations. So when A Goofy Movie was released in 1995 no one was expecting to be taken on such an emotional rollercoaster.

The movie was based on the TV show Goof Troop, which was an animated sitcom following the adventures of Goofy and his son, Max. But A Goofy Movie diverts in a few key regards. While it still maintains the wacky physical comedy that had become a staple of the show, the movie touches on more mature themes. Such as the issues faced by parents as their children grow up and eventually stop needing them as much.

What really hits home about this movie is how artfully the emotional beats are presented. It isn’t always easy to take a wacky character like Goofy and give them emotional depth. It takes a level of writing finesse that is far too uncommon in the industry. Yet A Very Goofy Movie pulls it off in the most beautiful way.