22 Best Animated Movies on Hulu: Family Nights Made Easy

1. How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

• Voices: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Gerard Butler
• Director: Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois
• Studio: DreamWorks Animation
• Rating: PG

Hiccup and Toothless ignite a friendship that reshapes an entire village’s view of fear and courage. The film blends soaring flight sequences with quiet beats about empathy and invention. John Powell’s music turns sky into emotion, giving every glide a heartbeat. Character comedy keeps the adventure warm enough for little viewers yet witty enough for grown‑ups. Viking textures and dragon designs make the world feel tactile and inviting. Its message about understanding the “other” lands without lecturing. Rewatches reveal new gags and visual details tucked into the corners. As one of the animated movies on Hulu, it’s a perfect tone‑setter for an all‑ages night.

2. How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

• Voices: Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, America Ferrera
• Director: Dean DeBlois
• Studio: DreamWorks Animation
• Rating: PG

The sequel grows with its audience, widening the map and deepening stakes. Family themes evolve into leadership, legacy, and loss handled with surprising grace. Flight choreography reaches new scale without losing clarity. Designs for Alpha dragons and icy set pieces keep the palette fresh. The humor stays buoyant while the drama earns its weight. Small character gestures—glances, hesitations—carry as much story as dialogue. It’s the rare middle chapter that feels complete on its own terms. As one of the animated movies on Hulu, it pairs perfectly with the first for a weekend double bill.

3. How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019)

• Voices: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Gerard Butler
• Director: Tim Johnson
• Studio: DreamWorks Animation
• Rating: TV‑PG

This holiday special reunites Berk’s families to celebrate dragon lore with pageantry and mischief. The shorter runtime keeps the storytelling nimble and kid‑friendly. Gags land fast, and the seasonal framing adds sparkle without sugar overload. Visual callbacks reward fans of the trilogy while welcoming newcomers. The production still finds room for tender Toothless‑Light Fury beats. It’s ideal filler between bigger adventures in a family queue. The craft may be compact, but the sentiment rings clear. Count it among animated movies on Hulu that deliver festive warmth on demand.

4. Rio (2011)

• Voices: Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Jemaine Clement
• Director: Carlos Saldanha
• Studio: Blue Sky Studios
• Rating: G

Color bursts from every frame as Blu discovers life beyond his comfy cage. Musical set pieces energize the city’s rhythm and carnival spirit. The comedy leans playful without losing sincerity. Side characters add texture without crowding the leads. Flight beats become character growth, not just spectacle. Themes of belonging and bravery stay front and center. The visuals pop on living‑room screens, keeping younger viewers engaged. It’s a sunny pick within animated movies on Hulu when you want bright vibes.

5. The Book of Life (2014)

• Voices: Diego Luna, Zoë Saldaña, Channing Tatum
• Director: Jorge R. Gutiérrez
• Studio: Reel FX / 20th Century
• Rating: PG

Day of the Dead imagery becomes a living tapestry of color and craft. The carved‑wood character look gives the film a timeless storybook feel. Music threads culture and plot together with generosity. Humor stays spry even as the narrative tackles love, duty, and memory. The afterlife design is joyous, not dour, inviting conversation after credits. Visual density rewards pausing and rewatching on big and small screens. It plays well for multigenerational groups with varied tastes. As one of the animated movies on Hulu, it’s a standout for cultural richness.

6. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

• Voices: George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Jason Schwartzman
• Director: Wes Anderson
• Studio: American Empirical / Searchlight
• Rating: PG

Anderson’s stop‑motion caper crackles with handmade charm and sly wit. The miniature sets invite you to lean in and notice the fibers and seams. Dialogue ping‑pongs with dry timing that lands for adults and older kids. The heist structure keeps pace lively without losing warmth. Needle‑drops and sound design add texture to each fox‑led getaway. Themes of family, habit, and “being yourself” arrive with gentle bite. It’s endlessly quotable and quietly cozy. File it under animated movies on Hulu that feel like autumn in a box.

7. Robot Dreams (2023)

• Voices: (Minimal dialogue; music‑driven storytelling)
• Director: Pablo Berger
• Studio: Arcadia / Biscuits
• Rating: PG‑13

This word‑light, emotion‑heavy tale lets image and music do the talking. Friendship blooms, fades, and lingers in memory without easy answers. The New York backdrop feels intimate rather than postcard‑perfect. Visual motifs repeat like melodies, building quiet crescendos. Kids grasp the surface story; adults feel the ache beneath. Its gentle pacing invites conversation afterward. Rewatches uncover small grace notes in composition and rhythm. Among animated movies on Hulu, it’s the artsy palate cleanser that still hugs.

8. Mary and Max (2009)

• Voices: Toni Collette, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Barry Humphries
• Director: Adam Elliot
• Studio: Melodrama Pictures
• Rating: Not Rated / Mature themes

Claymation meets pen‑pal tenderness in a story about loneliness and connection. The sepia‑and‑gray palette highlights tiny bursts of color and hope. Humor skews dry and compassionate, never cruel. Performances carry warmth without sanding down rough edges. It opens space to discuss neurodiversity and mental health with care. Visuals favor tactile detail that reads beautifully at home. It’s a great pick for older kids and parents ready for deeper themes. Count it in animated movies on Hulu that linger after lights out.

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9. Ice Age (2002)

• Voices: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary
• Director: Chris Wedge
• Studio: Blue Sky Studios
• Rating: PG

Prehistoric buddies trek across frozen vistas with slapstick heart. Scrat’s antics punctuate set pieces without derailing story. The found‑family arc lands as warmly today as it did on release. Visual gags scale well from tablet to TV. Jokes chase action beats so younger kids never drift. The film’s soft lessons about teamwork come wrapped in laughs. It remains easy to rewatch without fatigue. A foundational entry among animated movies on Hulu for classic comfort.

10. Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006)

• Voices: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Queen Latifah
• Director: Carlos Saldanha
• Studio: Blue Sky Studios
• Rating: PG

The herd returns as rising waters force new choices and new jokes. Ellie’s introduction expands the family dynamic smartly. Action set pieces lean bigger while staying readable for kids. Water effects and lush greens shift the series’ look. Character banter keeps the tone light even when stakes rise. Themes of belonging and identity are handled with a wink. The rhythm is brisk and friendly to short attention spans. It’s a cheerful sequel within animated movies on Hulu.

11. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)

• Voices: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary
• Director: Carlos Saldanha
• Studio: Blue Sky Studios
• Rating: PG

A subterranean world introduces dinosaurs and the scene‑stealing Buck. Color temp flips to jungle vibrancy without losing series DNA. Set pieces invent new ways to chase, slide, and scramble. The comedy stays elastic, landing for multiple ages. Found‑family themes keep the heart steady under spectacle. Visuals hold up crisply on modern screens. It’s comfort food with a pulpy twist. Another easy add to animated movies on Hulu when you want breezy fun.

12. Ice Age: The Great Egg‑Scapade (2016)

• Voices: Taraji P. Henson, Seth Green, Blake Anderson
• Director: Ricardo Curtis
• Format: Holiday special
• Rating: TV‑G

This seasonal caper turns an egg rescue into the first “egg hunt.” The shorter format favors swift jokes and bright staging. It’s perfect between homework and bedtime snacking. Returning characters deliver familiar rhythms with new punchlines. The production design stays cuddly and colorful. Younger viewers can follow every beat without stress. Parents get enough quips to smile through. A snackable entry among animated movies on Hulu for spring or anytime.

13. Robots (2005)

• Voices: Ewan McGregor, Robin Williams, Halle Berry
• Director: Chris Wedge, Carlos Saldanha
• Studio: Blue Sky Studios
• Rating: PG

Shiny gearwork and slapstick momentum power this under‑sung adventure. Robin Williams’ riffing adds joyous chaos in all the right doses. Visual puns stack up like dominoes for eagle‑eyed viewers. The class‑versus‑corporate theme plays light but clear. City‑of‑gears production design still feels inventive. Pace and color keep kids engaged without sugar rush. It’s spirited without getting noisy. Keep it in your animated movies on Hulu queue for humor and heart.

14. Megamind (2010)

• Voices: Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill
• Director: Tom McGrath
• Studio: DreamWorks Animation
• Rating: PG

What happens after the villain wins is the movie’s delicious question. The script flips superhero tropes with fizzy confidence. Ferrell’s line readings stay quotable from first watch to tenth. Action is readable and never overstays a gag. Metro City’s blue‑and‑chrome palette pops on any screen. Themes about purpose and reinvention sneak in between laughs. It works equally well for solo rewatches and group nights. A witty fixture among animated movies on Hulu.

15. Steven Universe: The Movie (2019)

• Voices: Zach Callison, Estelle, Michaela Dietz
• Director: Rebecca Sugar, Joseph Johnston, Kat Morris
• Studio: Cartoon Network
• Rating: TV‑PG

This musical sequel distills years of character growth into catchy new numbers. The songs work as plot engines, not just interludes. Visual metaphors bloom out of color and transformation. It balances generosity for newcomers with love letters to longtime fans. Emotional beats land gently but firmly. The animation plays beautifully on living‑room setups. Kids grab the surface joy while adults catch deeper resonances. It absolutely belongs in animated movies on Hulu for music lovers.

16. Justice League: Doom (2012)

• Voices: Kevin Conroy, Tim Daly, Susan Eisenberg
• Director: Lauren Montgomery
• Universe: DC Animated
• Rating: PG‑13

Batman’s contingency plans come back to bite the team in pulpy fashion. The premise snaps the heroes into problem‑solving mode fast. Action geography stays crisp even with a big roster. Fan‑favorite voices bring welcome continuity. It’s a gateway to DC animated films on Hulu without heavy homework. Humor peeks through the tension at the right moments. The plot moves like a comic‑book page turner. A punchy pick inside animated movies on Hulu for older kids and teens.

17. Justice League: Warworld (2023)

• Voices: Jensen Ackles, Darren Criss, Stana Katic
• Director: Jeff Wamester
• Universe: DC Animated
• Rating: R (older‑teen friendly with guidance)

Anthology structure drops heroes into pulp‑world sandboxes. Western grit, sword‑and‑sorcery, and sci‑fi arenas rotate without whiplash. The art style evolves per chapter while keeping a unified spine. Stakes feel immediate even when continuity twists. It’s a stylish sampler for genre‑hungry viewers. Parents can gauge segments based on age comfort. The finale ties threads with satisfying snap. Chalk it up under animated movies on Hulu when you want variety.

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18. Superman: Unbound (2013)

• Voices: Matt Bomer, Stana Katic, John Noble
• Director: James Tucker
• Universe: DC Animated
• Rating: PG‑13

Brainiac’s bottled‑city menace gives Superman a clean, character‑first crisis. The film balances investigative Clark with full‑tilt heroics. Action sequences stay legible and brisk. John Noble’s Brainiac adds cool menace without bombast. The Daily Planet thread keeps humanity in the frame. It’s tight, contained, and rewatchable. Newer fans can jump in cold and follow fine. A steady entry among animated movies on Hulu for superhero nights.

19. Superman: Red Son (2020)

• Voices: Jason Isaacs, Amy Acker, Diedrich Bader
• Director: Sam Liu
• Universe: DC Animated
• Rating: PG‑13

An Elseworlds twist asks what changes if Superman lands in the USSR. The result is political allegory wrapped in punchy set pieces. Stylized propaganda aesthetics sharpen the concept. The Justice League reshapes around the premise logically. It invites older kids to ask big “what if” questions. The narrative remains contained and clear. Visually, it reads cleanly on a weeknight watch. It stands tall among animated movies on Hulu for alternate‑history intrigue.

20. Reign of the Supermen (2019)

• Voices: Jerry O’Connell, Rebecca Romijn, Rainn Wilson
• Director: Sam Liu
• Universe: DC Animated
• Rating: PG‑13

The “who will replace Superman” mystery drives a lively ensemble. Multiple new heroes keep momentum and speculation high. Set pieces escalate without turning muddy. Character designs differentiate intentions at a glance. It pairs well with its companion story yet plays fine alone. Humor and heart prevent the stakes from feeling dour. Older kids will enjoy the puzzle‑box setup. Another dependable slot in animated movies on Hulu.

21. Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2020)

• Voices: Darren Criss, Zachary Quinto, Alexandra Daddario
• Director: Chris Palmer
• Universe: DC Animated
• Rating: PG‑13

An early‑career Clark gets a stylish modern refresh. The animation aesthetic favors bold shapes and crisp motion. Parasite and Lobo inject monster‑movie and road‑movie energy. The story keeps Lois central, not just a bystander. Training‑wheels heroism evolves into confident problem solving. It’s straightforward without feeling thin. Families can watch in any order with other DC entries here. A clean on‑ramp inside animated movies on Hulu.

22. Predator: Killer of Killers (2025)

• Voices: Lindsay LaVanchy, Louis Ozawa, Michael Biehn
• Directors: Dan Trachtenberg, Joshua Wassung
• Format: Animated anthology feature
• Rating: R (intense sci‑fi violence)

This anthology drops the Predator across eras—Viking coasts, feudal Japan, and WWII skies. Each chapter embraces a distinct visual grammar and tempo. Action choreography stays readable despite ferocity. The concept lets franchise newcomers sample lore without homework. Creative kills aside, it’s about humans measuring up under impossible odds. The animation medium frees the camera for stylish, kinetic staging. Older teens and parents can tag‑team this one after bedtime for littles. It’s a high‑octane closer among animated movies on Hulu when you crave sci‑fi edge.