Stop motion (also known as stop frame) is an animation technique to make a physically manipulated object appear to move on its own. The object is moved in small increments between individually photographed frames, creating the illusion of movement when the series of frames is played as a continuous sequence. So with The Boxtrolls hitting theaters this weekend and as it is a stop-motion animation film, I thought it would be appropriate to give you my top 10 favorite stop-motion animation films of all-time. So without further ado...
10. ParaNorman
I'm a sucker for kids film and zombies, so when you combine the two I'm probably going to love the movie. a small town comes under siege by zombies. Who can it call? Only misunderstood local boy Norman (voiced by Kodi Smit-McPhee), who is able to speak with the dead. In addition to the zombies, he'll have to take on ghosts, witches and, worst, of all, grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse. But this young ghoul whisperer may find his paranormal activities pushed to their otherworldly limits. ParaNorman was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Film and it has a rating of 87% on rottentomatoes.com.
9. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
I love Christmas films and this is one I always watch. The story chronicles the experiences of Rudolph (voiced by Billie Mae Richards), a youthful reindeer buck who possesses an unusual luminous red nose. Harassed mercilessly and excluded by his peers because of this trait, Rudolph manages to prove himself one Christmas Eve after Santa Claus (voiced by Stan Francis) catches sight of Rudolph's nose and asks Rudolph to lead his sleigh for the evening. Rudolph agrees, and is finally treated better by his fellow reindeer for his heroism. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has a ratign of 92% on rottentomatoes.com.
8. Coraline
The film is amazing, but it really freaked me out. Coraline Jones (voiced by Dakota Fanning) is a girl of 11 who is feisty, curious, and adventurous beyond her years. She and her parents have just relocated from Michigan to Oregon. Missing her friends and finding her parents (voiced by Teri Hatcher and John Hodgman) to be distracted by their work, Coraline tries to find some excitement in her new environment. Coraline seriously doubts that her new home can provide anything truly intriguing to her, but it does; she uncovers a secret door in the house. Walking through the door and then venturing through an eerie passageway, she discovers an alternate version of her life and existence. Coraline was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Film and it has a rating of 90% on rottentomatoes.com.
7. Frankenweenie
This film is so touching and heartfelt. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor (voiced by Charlie Tahan) harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life-with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor's fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new "leash on life" can be monstrous. Frankenweenie was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Film and it has a rating of 87% on rottentomatoes.com.
6. Fantastic Mr. Fox
This film is hilarious and the voice cast is just simply amazing. Mr. and Mrs. Fox (voiced by George Clooney and Meryl Streep) live an idyllic home life with their son Ash (voiced by Jason Schwartzman) and visiting young nephew Kristopherson (voiced by Eric Anderson). But after 12 years, the bucolic existence proves too much for Mr Fox's wild animal instincts. Soon he slips back into his old ways as a sneaky chicken thief and in doing so, endangers not only his beloved family, but the whole animal community. Trapped underground and with not enough food to go around, the animals band together to fight against the evil Farmers -- Boggis, Bunce and Bean (voiced by Robin Hurlstone, Hugo Guinness and Helen McCrory respectively) who are determined to capture the audacious, fantastic Mr. Fox at any cost. Fantastic Mr. Fox was nominated for Best Animated Film and Best Original score and it has a rating of 92% on rottentomatoes.com.
5. Corpse Bride
This film is amazing and it is one of Tim Burton's best to date. Victor (voiced by Johnny Depp) lives in a small European village in the 19th century, where he is pledged to marry Victoria (voiced by Emily Watson), a partnership arranged by their parents. The two only meet the day before their scheduled nuptials, and Victor performs disastrously in the wedding rehearsal. Later that evening, while he is walking through the woods and hopelessly practicing his vows, he puts Victoria's wedding band on what looks like a branch. Victor quickly discovers this was a big mistake; as it happens, he has put the ring on the skeletal finger of the enchanted Corpse Bride (voiced by Helena Bonham Carter), who then whisks him off to a dark and mysterious netherworld where they are now married. Victor is frightened in the land of the dead, and even realizes that he has fallen in love with his true fiancée, Victoria, so he searches for a way back to his own world. Corpse Bride was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Film and it has a rating of 83% on rottentomatoes.com.
4. James and the Giant Peach
I loved this movie so much that my mom refuses to watch it anymore. James (played and voiced by Paul Terry) is orphaned by the death of his parents and forced to live with two cruel, repulsive aunts (played Miriam Margolyes and Joanna Lumley). The visit of a mysterious stranger provides a means of escape, however, through a magic bag of "crocodile tongues" that bring about the appearance of the giant peach. The curious James soon winds up inside the fruit, at which point his body changes, and the film switches to a combination of stop-motion and digital animation. The new James meets up with a group of talking, oversized insects, including a vampish spider (voiced by Susan Sarandon), a sarcastic centipede (voiced by Richard Dreyfuss), and a matronly ladybug (voiced by Jane Leeves). These creatures become his traveling companions when the peach rolls into the Atlantic Ocean, and James and his new friends must brave a variety of dangers to reach the shore. James and the Giant Peach was nominated for Best Original Score and it has a rating of 93% on rottentomatoes.com.
3.The Nightmare Before Christmas
Like I said before I love Christman and I also love Halloween and this film mixes both together very well. The film follows the misadventures of Jack Skellington (voiced by Chris Sarandon), Halloweentown's beloved pumpkin king, who has become bored with the same annual routine of frightening people in the "real world." When Jack accidentally stumbles on Christmastown, all bright colors and warm spirits, he gets a new lease on life - he plots to bring Christmas under his control by kidnapping Santa Claus and taking over the role. But Jack soon discovers even the best-laid plans of mice and skeleton men can go seriously awry. The Nightmare Before Christmas was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and it has a rating of 96% on rottentomatoes.com.
2. Chicken Run
This was one of my favorite film as a a kid that I ruined the VHS tape (remember those things). The story follows the turbulent romance between Rocky the Rooster (voiced by Mel Gibson) and Ginger the chicken (voiced by Julia Sawalha), both of whom yearn for freedom and are planning a daring "prisoner of war" style escape. Both chickens are tired of being repressed and know they face an eventual certain death, so in planning their escape, they rally with their fellow chickens. Chicken Run has a rating of 97% on rottentomatoes.com.
1. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
I loved the half-hour short between these two and the feature film was just as amazing. It's 'vege-mania' in Wallace (voiced by Peter Sallis) and Gromit's neighborhood, and our two enterprising chums are cashing in with their humane pest-control outfit, "Anti-Pesto." With only days to go before the annual Giant Vegetable Competition, business is booming, but Wallace & Gromit are finding out that running a "humane" pest control outfit has its drawbacks as their West Wallaby Street home fills to the brim with captive rabbits. Suddenly, a huge, mysterious, veg-ravaging "beast" begins attacking the town's sacred vegetable plots at night, and the competition hostess, Lady Tottington (voiced by Helena Bonham Carter), commissions Anti-Pesto to catch it and save the day. Lying in wait, however, is Lady Tottington's snobby suitor, Victor Quartermaine (voiced by Ralph Fiennes), who'd rather shoot the beast and secure the position of local hero -- not to mention Lady Tottington's hand in marriage. With the fate of the competition in the balance, Lady Tottington is eventually forced to allow Victor to hunt down the vegetable chomping marauder. Little does she know that Victor's real intent could have dire consequences for her and our two heroes. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were- Rabbit was nominated for and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Film and it has a rating of 95% on rottentomatoes.com
10. ParaNorman
I'm a sucker for kids film and zombies, so when you combine the two I'm probably going to love the movie. a small town comes under siege by zombies. Who can it call? Only misunderstood local boy Norman (voiced by Kodi Smit-McPhee), who is able to speak with the dead. In addition to the zombies, he'll have to take on ghosts, witches and, worst, of all, grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse. But this young ghoul whisperer may find his paranormal activities pushed to their otherworldly limits. ParaNorman was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Film and it has a rating of 87% on rottentomatoes.com.
9. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
I love Christmas films and this is one I always watch. The story chronicles the experiences of Rudolph (voiced by Billie Mae Richards), a youthful reindeer buck who possesses an unusual luminous red nose. Harassed mercilessly and excluded by his peers because of this trait, Rudolph manages to prove himself one Christmas Eve after Santa Claus (voiced by Stan Francis) catches sight of Rudolph's nose and asks Rudolph to lead his sleigh for the evening. Rudolph agrees, and is finally treated better by his fellow reindeer for his heroism. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer has a ratign of 92% on rottentomatoes.com.
8. Coraline
The film is amazing, but it really freaked me out. Coraline Jones (voiced by Dakota Fanning) is a girl of 11 who is feisty, curious, and adventurous beyond her years. She and her parents have just relocated from Michigan to Oregon. Missing her friends and finding her parents (voiced by Teri Hatcher and John Hodgman) to be distracted by their work, Coraline tries to find some excitement in her new environment. Coraline seriously doubts that her new home can provide anything truly intriguing to her, but it does; she uncovers a secret door in the house. Walking through the door and then venturing through an eerie passageway, she discovers an alternate version of her life and existence. Coraline was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Film and it has a rating of 90% on rottentomatoes.com.
7. Frankenweenie
This film is so touching and heartfelt. After unexpectedly losing his beloved dog Sparky, young Victor (voiced by Charlie Tahan) harnesses the power of science to bring his best friend back to life-with just a few minor adjustments. He tries to hide his home-sewn creation, but when Sparky gets out, Victor's fellow students, teachers and the entire town all learn that getting a new "leash on life" can be monstrous. Frankenweenie was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Film and it has a rating of 87% on rottentomatoes.com.
6. Fantastic Mr. Fox
This film is hilarious and the voice cast is just simply amazing. Mr. and Mrs. Fox (voiced by George Clooney and Meryl Streep) live an idyllic home life with their son Ash (voiced by Jason Schwartzman) and visiting young nephew Kristopherson (voiced by Eric Anderson). But after 12 years, the bucolic existence proves too much for Mr Fox's wild animal instincts. Soon he slips back into his old ways as a sneaky chicken thief and in doing so, endangers not only his beloved family, but the whole animal community. Trapped underground and with not enough food to go around, the animals band together to fight against the evil Farmers -- Boggis, Bunce and Bean (voiced by Robin Hurlstone, Hugo Guinness and Helen McCrory respectively) who are determined to capture the audacious, fantastic Mr. Fox at any cost. Fantastic Mr. Fox was nominated for Best Animated Film and Best Original score and it has a rating of 92% on rottentomatoes.com.
5. Corpse Bride
This film is amazing and it is one of Tim Burton's best to date. Victor (voiced by Johnny Depp) lives in a small European village in the 19th century, where he is pledged to marry Victoria (voiced by Emily Watson), a partnership arranged by their parents. The two only meet the day before their scheduled nuptials, and Victor performs disastrously in the wedding rehearsal. Later that evening, while he is walking through the woods and hopelessly practicing his vows, he puts Victoria's wedding band on what looks like a branch. Victor quickly discovers this was a big mistake; as it happens, he has put the ring on the skeletal finger of the enchanted Corpse Bride (voiced by Helena Bonham Carter), who then whisks him off to a dark and mysterious netherworld where they are now married. Victor is frightened in the land of the dead, and even realizes that he has fallen in love with his true fiancée, Victoria, so he searches for a way back to his own world. Corpse Bride was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Film and it has a rating of 83% on rottentomatoes.com.
4. James and the Giant Peach
I loved this movie so much that my mom refuses to watch it anymore. James (played and voiced by Paul Terry) is orphaned by the death of his parents and forced to live with two cruel, repulsive aunts (played Miriam Margolyes and Joanna Lumley). The visit of a mysterious stranger provides a means of escape, however, through a magic bag of "crocodile tongues" that bring about the appearance of the giant peach. The curious James soon winds up inside the fruit, at which point his body changes, and the film switches to a combination of stop-motion and digital animation. The new James meets up with a group of talking, oversized insects, including a vampish spider (voiced by Susan Sarandon), a sarcastic centipede (voiced by Richard Dreyfuss), and a matronly ladybug (voiced by Jane Leeves). These creatures become his traveling companions when the peach rolls into the Atlantic Ocean, and James and his new friends must brave a variety of dangers to reach the shore. James and the Giant Peach was nominated for Best Original Score and it has a rating of 93% on rottentomatoes.com.
3.The Nightmare Before Christmas
Like I said before I love Christman and I also love Halloween and this film mixes both together very well. The film follows the misadventures of Jack Skellington (voiced by Chris Sarandon), Halloweentown's beloved pumpkin king, who has become bored with the same annual routine of frightening people in the "real world." When Jack accidentally stumbles on Christmastown, all bright colors and warm spirits, he gets a new lease on life - he plots to bring Christmas under his control by kidnapping Santa Claus and taking over the role. But Jack soon discovers even the best-laid plans of mice and skeleton men can go seriously awry. The Nightmare Before Christmas was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and it has a rating of 96% on rottentomatoes.com.
2. Chicken Run
This was one of my favorite film as a a kid that I ruined the VHS tape (remember those things). The story follows the turbulent romance between Rocky the Rooster (voiced by Mel Gibson) and Ginger the chicken (voiced by Julia Sawalha), both of whom yearn for freedom and are planning a daring "prisoner of war" style escape. Both chickens are tired of being repressed and know they face an eventual certain death, so in planning their escape, they rally with their fellow chickens. Chicken Run has a rating of 97% on rottentomatoes.com.
1. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
I loved the half-hour short between these two and the feature film was just as amazing. It's 'vege-mania' in Wallace (voiced by Peter Sallis) and Gromit's neighborhood, and our two enterprising chums are cashing in with their humane pest-control outfit, "Anti-Pesto." With only days to go before the annual Giant Vegetable Competition, business is booming, but Wallace & Gromit are finding out that running a "humane" pest control outfit has its drawbacks as their West Wallaby Street home fills to the brim with captive rabbits. Suddenly, a huge, mysterious, veg-ravaging "beast" begins attacking the town's sacred vegetable plots at night, and the competition hostess, Lady Tottington (voiced by Helena Bonham Carter), commissions Anti-Pesto to catch it and save the day. Lying in wait, however, is Lady Tottington's snobby suitor, Victor Quartermaine (voiced by Ralph Fiennes), who'd rather shoot the beast and secure the position of local hero -- not to mention Lady Tottington's hand in marriage. With the fate of the competition in the balance, Lady Tottington is eventually forced to allow Victor to hunt down the vegetable chomping marauder. Little does she know that Victor's real intent could have dire consequences for her and our two heroes. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were- Rabbit was nominated for and won the Academy Award for Best Animated Film and it has a rating of 95% on rottentomatoes.com
So ladies and gentlemen what are some of you favorite stop-motion animation films, are you excited for The Boxtrolls and what do you think of my list? Let me know in the comments section below and let your voice be heard.
Jonah Sparks
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