1. The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)
This pair are possibly my favourite duo in films, and it's shocking to think that there are only 4 shorts and one feature film and yet these are such recognisable and well loved characters. Going from 20-something shorts to a nearly 90 minute picture must have been difficult but this film maintains the charm and nuances that make the Wallace and Gromit films so enjoyable. The film is hilarious, with a vegetable eating bunny on the loose, and the secondary characters, voiced by fantastic actors, add to the film and support W & G well. Also, how they make hairless, clay bunnies cute is beyond me but they manage it. Watch this film and then go and check out A Grand Day Out because the difference between the quality is phenomenal.
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
This is one of the greatest animations ever but my love of Wallace and Gromit triumphed, although I'm sure this film would have topped a, lot of other people's lists. This is such a wonderfully dark animation and the oddity of everything makes it extra beautiful to watch. It's so interesting to think that it follows most of the basic Disney principles, a love story, songs, discovery of magic, and yet it is much a step away from the familiar formula as well. A lot of people have mentioned that they can't decide when toy watch this film, Christmas or Halloween? Personally, I would recommend watching it any time, any day, but if you want to watch it as a holiday film, pick both Christmas and Halloween.
3. Mary and Max (2009)
Similar style to Nightmare Before Christmas because of the use of monochrome colour a and a dark diversion from traditional animation methods, but this film is a lot darker. Mary and Max follows two troubled characters who find each other, however they can't help each other to their fullest extent because Mary is in Australia and Max is in America. It's an odd mixture of cute, endearing but then also sad, heart-breaking. If you're less of a fan of children films but still want to watch an animation (for whatever reason) this is the one for you. The director/writer hasn't done much else, which is a bit sad, but hopefully more will be coming from him.
4. Chicken Run (2004)
Such a weird film, but so good because it is very aware and accepting of its own oddness. It's also similar to Lion King where they take a familiar classic idea (Hamlet/The Great Escape) and apply it to animals....the natural progression where I hope all films will get to in the end. It's another weird one where there are featherless chickens (like the hairless bunnies) but they are still believable and kind of cute. It's genuinely funny but unfortunately there are some moments that are meant to be dramatic and they fall a little flat due to the general tone of the film (I'm thinking especially of a bit where there is dramatic rain but it looks so odd on the smooth chickens). I never thought that I would be rooting so intensely for a chicken, but you do when watching Chicken Run.
5. James and the Giant Peach (1996)
A hybrid of live action and animation which blew my mind when I first saw this. It's my least favourite style of animation, because it's reminiscent of Nightmare but has a more creepy/spikey feel to it. The plot also wanders around, the scene in the sea with pirate skeletons is particularly useless although enjoyable. Joanna Lumley and Miriam Margolyes as the aunts are wonderful and satisfyingly horrible and terrifying. There are a lot of flaws in this film, but it is still incredibly good and worth watching (but if you don't want to then just read the book).
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