We’ve been viewing animated movies for almost a century. In the modern period, animation has advanced to the point that it appears almost dreamlike. Anime not only interests children and teenagers but even adults who have been viewing such movies since their childhood eagerly await new additions to their favorite franchises, such as Toy Story.
Young kids nowadays have no idea how fantastic anime from the 1980s and 1990s was. With the variety of new anime accessible these days, it’s occasionally good to kick back and watch some old classics. Here is a list of the best anime movies in Canada made before the 2000s.
Pink Floyd: The Wall (1982)
Cast: Bob Geldof, Christine Hargreaves, James Laurenson Director: Alan Parker Writer: Roger Waters IMDB Rating: 8.0/10
Pink Floyd: The Wall centers around the character Pink, who is described as a wounded soul who got crazy and insane after seeing numerous heartbreaking episodes in his life. It also reveals that Pink, who idolized his father, lost him in a battle, leaving him alone and separated from everyone.
The basis of this film is his estrangement from his father, how terribly he was affected by it, and what causes him to reminisce about his lonely youth. And when he chooses to give the world a chance, he discovers while on tour that his wife at home is cheating on him. Also watch best anime on VRV Canada
Toy Story (1995)
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles Director: John Lasseter Writer: John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton IMDB Rating: 8.3/10
Toy Story is about the hidden truth of toys when no one is looking. Woody, a good-hearted cowboy doll belonging to a little boy called Andy, feels his place as Andy’s favorite toy challenged when his mother buys him a Buzz Lightyear action figure.
Worse, the conceited Buzz believes he is a real spaceman on a quest to return to his home planet. When Andy’s family relocates, Woody and Buzz must flee the hands of deranged neighbor Sid Phillips and reconnect with their son. Toy Story is still considered one of the best-animated movies today, even if it came before the year 2000.
Toy Story 2 (1999)
Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack Director: John Lasseter, Ash Brannon, Lee Unkrich Writer: John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Ash Brannon IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
When Andy goes off to summer camp and the toys are left to their own devices in “Toy Story 2,” the fun and adventure continue. Woody is unintentionally thrown in a yard sale while at summer camp.
Al, a thieving toy collector, notices him and steals the toy from the yard. While Woody is meeting new toys like Jessie, the cowgirl, Stinky Pete the prospector, and Bullseye the horse, Buzz Lightyear and the other toys venture out into the real world to locate him.
The Lion King (1994)
Cast: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones Director: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff Writer: Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts, Linda Woolverton IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
The Lion King tells the narrative of a youngster, his father, and his cruel uncle. Simba, a young lion and the son of the King of the Jungle Mufasa, idolizes his father and wishes to carry on his father’s heritage but is stopped by Mufasa’s brother.
Scar, who murders Mufasa, assumes the throne of King, and Simba, who blames him for his father’s death, flees the jungle. Simba subsequently meets Timon and Pumba, adopts their “Hakuna Matata” way of life, and returns to his jungle with their assistance to recover the crown that was rightly his.
People born before the 2000s still love the Lion King so much that another animated live-action version was created in 2019.
Princess Mononoke (1997)
Cast: Yôji Matsuda, Yuriko Ishida, Yûko Tanaka Director: Hayoa Miyazaki Writer: Hayoa Miyazaki, Neil Gaiman IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Princess Mononoke is about a teenage warrior named Ashitaka who, while defending his town from demons, falls victim to a dreadful curse. This movie goes on to explain how he traveled to the forests of the West to save his life and met Lady Eboshi and her devoted clan, who are now at war with a valiant woman named Princess Mononoke.
As he continues to reside there, it will be interesting to see how Ashitaka attempts to reconcile the problems between the two and how both Lady Eboshi and Princess misinterpret Ashitaka for siding with the enemy. Do you want to know whether or not Ashitaka clears his name?
Aladdin (1992)
Cast: Scott Weigner, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin Director: Ron Clements, John Musker Writers: Ron Clements, John Musker, Ted Elliot IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
This movie is about Aladdin, a poor youngster who lives in an Arabian city. How he meets Princess Jasmine, the daughter of the Sultan of the land, and falls madly in love with her.
When the Sultan’s advisor, Jafar, learns of this, he imprisons Aladdin, but Aladdin has no idea that he has special access to the Sultan’s treasures, where he finds a Lamp and sees a genie coming out of it. The movie also centers around Aladdin’s wishes and the greed that stems from them. This animated movie was one of the best works done by Robin Williams.
The Little Mermaid (1989)
Cast: Jodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Rene Auberjonois Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker Writers: Ron Clements, John Musker, Hans Christian Andersen IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
This is the story of Ariel, the youngest daughter of King Triton, who is unsatisfied with her existence at sea. She yearns to be with the people above the surface and is frequently embroiled in discussions with her father over those “barbaric fish-eaters.”
She travels to meet with Ursula, the Sea Witch, in order to make a bargain, but Ursula has grander intentions for this mermaid and her father. What are you waiting for? The Little Mermaid is still regarded as one of the best anime movies before the 2000s, so what are you waiting for?
Hercules (1997)
Cast: Tate Donovan, Susan Egan, James Woods Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker Writers: Ron Clements, John Musker, Don McEnery IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
This movie is about Hercules, the son of the Greek God Zeus, who is transformed into a half-god, half-mortal by the malevolent Hades, God of the Underworld, who plots to dethrone Zeus. Hercules is reared on Earth and retains his god-like power, but when he discovers his eternal origin, Zeus informs him that he must become a genuine hero in order to return to Mount Olympus.
With the assistance of his companion Pegasus and his personal trainer, Phil the Satyr, Hercules becomes a great hero. Hercules fights monsters, Hades, and the Titans, but it is his self-sacrifice to save his love Meg that distinguishes him as a great hero.
Mulan (1998)
Cast: Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong Directors: Tony Bancroft, Barry Cook Writers: Robert D. San Souci, Rita Hsiao, Chris Sanders IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
Mulan, a young Chinese maiden, hears that her feeble and crippled father is going to be summoned up into the army to battle the invading Huns. Knowing that he would not be able to withstand the rigors of battle in his current state, she chooses to disguise herself and enlist in his place.
Her ancestors, unbeknownst to her, are aware of this, and to prevent it, they summon a little disgraced dragon named Mushu to accompany her in order to compel her to forsake her plan.
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
Cast: Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson, Jesse Corti Directors: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise Writers: Linda Woolverton, Brenda Chapman, Chris Sanders IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
An enchantress curses a young prince named Adam to remain a beast unless he can learn to love someone and win their love in return. Meanwhile, he meets and falls in love with a professional French maiden named Belle. Belle the maiden comes to admire her captor and falls in love with him with the help of the castle’s enchanted staff.
However, back in the hamlet, the unscrupulous hunter Gaston has his own intentions for Belle. As far as animated movies go, Beauty and the Beast can be listed as some of the best-animated movies before the year 2000. A live-action movie was even made, starring Emma Watson!
Conclusion
All of the movies mentioned above are among the highest-ranked on IMDb, and with their fantastic story lineup, casting, and direction, they are still in the hearts of audiences. It is laudable that the animated movies made before 2000 with less technology than today had brilliant visuals that have captivated audiences till today.
Finish with this list? Try to check our detailed blog on some of the best thriller movies in Canada to watch.