Finding Nemo, Akira,Toy Story 3, Spirited Away, A Nightmare Before Christmas..

Fish are friends, not food. Look, most of the time there are a hundred or so reasons to utterly reject stunt voice casting. Celebrities showing up in animated films, just doing their own voices and putting regular, more-talented, voice-actors out of work is cringe-worthy. But there are a few occasions when the celebrity voices they get actually help shape the film itself and turn it into something dazzling and great. Albert Brooks and Ellen DeGeneres become our ultimate road trip duo in Nemo and managed to make us laugh all the way through what is ultimately a dark tale.

Nemo was, essentially, Taken for kids. As we've seen in tons of other animated tales about the animal kingdom, it's a jungle out there! Or in this case, an ocean. Pixar created an underwater world so beautiful and vast that we actually couldn't imagine how Marlin would ever find Nemo, but the film's message, which could be found somewhere between "remaining cautious" and "embracing ambition," was a strong enough current to carry us through.

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There are a few prerequisite viewings before one can label themselves an anime fan. Akira most certainly numbers on that list. Easily one of the best movies ever to come out of Japan, Akira remains a showcase for the true potential of hand-drawn animation. Rarely has an animated world ever felt more substantial and believable.

From epic chase scenes and explosions to the subtle way a chain link fence bends under a person's weight, Akira is lovingly and lavishly detailed. The story offers plenty to keep the mind occupied, with a futuristic vision of Tokyo, rival biker gangs, and heady explorations of power and responsibility. This legendary anime has it all.

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Leave it to Pixar to make the best threequel ever.

The story of Andy moving on to college, leaving Woody and Buzz and the gang dealing with a great, understated villain in Lots-O'-Huggin' Bear at the new daycare center home, is the most fun of the Toy Story films. It works as a drama, a comedy and an action film – a trifecta of storytelling that live-action Hollywood should take pointers from. So many moments – character moments, mind you – crossover into "great" or "perfect" status, and the last fifteen minutes are some of the strongest work the studio has ever done. (A quiet moment of holding hands in the face of horror? Andy's final decision? Big. Fat. Tears.)

The movie is pure wonder wrapped in joy. Anyone who slings anti-praise its way (*gauntlet slaps Armond White*) is some kind of wrong person.

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Together, Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli are practically the Walt Disney Pictures of Japan. Nearly everything Miyazaki puts out is revered by casual audiences and animation junkies alike. And while so many Miyazaki films deserve high praise, Spirited Away is easily the best of them all.

The premise is simple – a young girl named Chichiro embarks on a journey through a fantastical realm to save her parents. That premise is fodder for varied and imaginative characters, bedazzling visuals, a rousing musical score, and a charming tale about love, determination, and growing up. As a complete package, Spirited Away is the cream of the Studio Ghibli crop.

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Released in 1993, Tim Burton's Nightmare has so far stood the test of time, with multiple theatrical re-releases (including a 3D version), several DVD special editions, CD soundtracks and so much merchandise you can't walk into a Hot Topic store without spotting the face of Jack Skellington on everything from belt buckles to cologne.

A hero to emo and goth teens everywhere, Jack, the Pumpkin King of Halloweentown, has grown bored with the confines of his holiday and wants to show the world an improved version of Christmas. In the end, he discovers the value in being true to himself and finds love with a devoted rag doll named Sally.

Though Burton's name appears above the title (and the idea sprung from his imagination), underrated director Henry Selick should get at least some of the credit for this stop-motion masterpiece. The charming character designs, innovative animation and Danny Elfman's haunting musical score should take the rest.