As we approach 2025 and the end of the 21st century’s first quarter, we wanted to look back to see which actors, actresses, directors, and movies have stood the test of time. With that in mind, for the rest of the year, the Bitesize Top Five will be giving a consensus view on what we think are the Bests of everything since 2000. We are only looking at work released since January 1, 2000, so don’t get mad because your favourites of the 90s didn’t make it.
As always, each writer ranks his or her top 15 in the category. Those lists are then weighted on a reverse point system. After all the points are tallied up, the entries with the most total points make up the Bitesize Top Five.
5. MONSTERS, INC.
In my opinion, Monsters, Inc. is still one of the best animated films to date. It's a delightful film that is full of heart, humor, and imagination. The animation in the film is outstanding and inventive, and the characters are all completely unique, possessing remarkable personalities and development. With its well-developed main characters, Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) and James P. Sullivan, aka "Sulley" (John Goodman), its creative and fascinating world-building, and endearing plot, Monsters, Inc. raises the bar when it comes to creativity. It also leaves viewers with a powerful message: do not be scared to face your fears. - Paige
4. SHREK
It really is surprising that Shrek made it out of the development stage. You have an animated film centered around an ugly ogre who burps and farts his way through life alongside a codependent donkey, and they're voiced by comedians known for Austin Powers and Raw respectively. That said, they caught lightning in a bottle because this movie works on all fronts. There are jokes for all ages, nostalgia from the inclusion of fairytale characters, and surprisingly great world building. Although the sequels aren't quite as flawless, people are still clamoring for more. Shrek (Mike Myers) and Donkey (Eddie Murphy) have become two of the most iconic animated characters ever, and they did it without the banner of Disney or Pixar. Pretty impressive. - Nick
3. TOY STORY 3
If you wanna talk about a film that set the standard for what an animated movie can be, look no further than Toy Story 3. The third animated film in history to receive a Best Picture nomination, Toy Story 3 is the best of the historic franchise, and a movie that only seems to be more respected as time goes on. As fun as the adventure is, Toy Story 3 is exceptional because of its mature approach to moving on and allowing your loved ones to go on without you, and it does it in ways that never fail to get tears out of my eyes. I can keep going, but at this rate, there's not much new I can say about this movie. It's just perfect. - Adriano
2. THE INCREDIBLES
Although we may be getting the true live-action version in the next couple of years, the perfect Fantastic Four movie has already been released. The Incredibles is not only one of the best animated movies of the century, but also one of the best superhero movies ever made. From its docu-style opening to its intelligently self-aware script to the absolutely top-notch voice acting (did you know that director Brad Bird voiced your favorite superhero costume designer Edna Mode?!?), every hilarious, heartfelt, and action-packed moment of this fantastic film gives each member of the Parr family…and every side character, to be honest…a chance to shine both together and individually. Vibrant animation, great characters, dynamic pacing, and superb action all come together to make me never get tired of asking “WHERE’S. MY. SUPER SUIT!?!” - Amarú
1. SPIDER-MAN: INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE
Full disclosure, I’ve kinda grown out of liking animated movies. It’s not that there aren’t good ones out there, but more the fact that there are just a lot of lazy ones, which makes it hard to separate the wheat from the chaff. With that said, when one breaks through for me, it really breaks through, and no such animated movie has broken through in the way that the Spider-Verse movies have. They are near perfect on every level, delivering poignancy, heart, action, metaness, relatability, humor, terrific vocal performances, countless Easter Eggs, banging soundtracks, and groundbreaking animation for everyone from the youngest and most optimistic superhero fan to old surly cynics like myself. Not only has this franchise delivered two of the best animated movies this century, both Into the Spider-Verse and Across the Spider-Verse are two of the best overall movies of the last 25 years, full stop. - Quentin
HONORABLE MENTIONS
INSIDE OUT
FINDING NEMO
RATATOUILLE
THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES
GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S PINOCCHIO