Image Credit: Netflix/DreamWorks/SPA
Netflix has a huge selection of amazing animated movies. From original features to licensed flicks, features within the medium have been among the most-watched programs on the streamer in the first half of the year. There are plenty of old-time gems for adults, popcorn flicks for family movie night, or generally entertaining background noises to enjoy with your kids or whoever you’re babysitting. No matter what you’re into, there’s an animated feature fix in the Netflix library for you.
To help you decide what to watch next, we looked at the seventh Netflix Engagement Report, which covers all viewers from January 2026 through the end of June. It shows you which animated movies were the most popular in the group. This includes cumulative viewership numbers, which show which animated films were among the top performers on the platform during the first half of the year.
Note that licensed titles are constantly moving from domestic and international libraries, so we won’t include their addition dates.
This is your go-to resource for the most popular animated movies available on Netflix. You can also see all the data from Netflix’s Engagement Report here:
1. cloudy
First added to Netflix: 1 May 2026
Juno Temple and Michael B. The Netflix body-switching fantasy comedy starring Jordan replaced it at the number one spot against other animated fare with over 130,800,000 views. cloudy Tells the story of two rival species who switch bodies through a magical flower. Now they must understand each other’s struggles in their quest to return to normalcy. One of the biggest hits of the first half of the year, the film is officially on its way to making it to Netflix’s most watched list of all time.
2. kpop demon hunter
First added to Netflix: 20 June 2025
The two-time Oscar winner remains up, up, up as number two in the Netflix phenomenon rankings. This is still their moment. right behind cloudy With 400,000 views, k-pop demon hunter The rest of the animated flicks show how it was done, done, done with 130,800,000. A year after its release, the film about a K-pop girl group facing off against a hot damn boy band remains golden among the rest of the Netflix library. It looks like whenever these engagement reports drop, the film will remain one of Netflix’s biggest hits, already topping Netflix’s all-time most watched list by a considerable margin.
3. madagascar
Of all the licensed films, 53,400,000 viewers still prefer DreamWorks Animation’s 2005 smash hit “Move It, Move It.” It may be a major letdown, but the first of three thrilling adventures of Alex, Marty, Gloria, and the mailman (and don’t forget those robbery-loving penguins) has become the leading licensed film on Netflix so far this year. madagascar In it, four animals from the Central Park Zoo accidentally end up on Africa’s smallest island and try to find their way back home.
4. Goat
First added to Netflix: On May 14, 2026 in the US, a few weeks later elsewhere
2026 animal-oriented animal sports comedy starring stranger things‘Caleb McLaughlin is making waves among the viewers by garnering 42,500,000 views. goat It may be late to the game, but already this triumphant genre film about a GOAT turning professional and roaring with his favorite team is heart-warming. Sony is still making buckets with its pay-one Netflix window.
5. Despicable Me 3
out of all despicable me Films, the third installment ranks among the five highest-grossing animated films with 37,000,000 views. In despicable me 3Gru, expelled from the Anti-Villain League, meets his long-lost twin brother Dru and considers returning to villainy. Meanwhile, the Minions get separated from Gru and his attempts at hilariousness land him in jail.
6. Despicable Me 4
most recent mainline despicable me The 2024 entry crash-landed a bit lower in third, but remains one of the top 10 animated films consumers have watched on the service this year, with 35,900,000 views. In despicable me 4Gru and his family are placed under witness protection when his enemy breaks out of prison and hunts him down for revenge. All the while, he tries to impress his evil newborn son, Gru Jr. Meanwhile, the Minions become AVL employees and transform into superheroes: the Mega Minions.
7. In your dreams
Added to Netflix: 14 November 2025
With over 33,000,000 views so far, this 2025 Netflix original family fantasy film is truly something to dream about. in your dreams A charming story about two siblings who set out on a journey to find the Sandman during his sleep, hoping he will grant their wish that their parents would not kick them from their childhood home, or worse.
8. Super Mario Bros. Movie
Three years after its release, the first cinematic rendition of gaming’s iconic Plumbing Brothers remains a power-up among animated films, racking up 30,500,000 views so far this year. super mario bros movieBased on Nintendo’s iconic video game series, Mario and Luigi are transported to the Mushroom Kingdom, and with the help of Princess Peach, Toad, and Donkey Kong, they must stop Koopa King Bowser from taking over the world.
9. Despicable Me 2
Second despicable me The movie has been viewed 25,600,000 times on Netflix, so kids will still be addicted to hearing the Purple Minions and Pharrell’s “Happy.” despicable Me 2 sees Gru enter his secret agent era as he is recruited by the Anti-Villain League and is paired with a quirky agent named Lucy, whom he eventually catches feelings for.
10. The Boss Baby
In tenth place is none other than DreamWorks’ Alec Baldwin-led 2017 comedy, with 25,300,000 views. The Boss Baby Revolves around a boy who helps his walking, talking and cutely dressed secret agent baby brother in a battle for the affection of adults between puppies and children. The extended Netflix engagement report spanning the entire 3-year period shows that The Boss Baby is the second most watched title over this entire period. kpop demon hunter.
Looking for more? Here are the feature films from the rest of the list! 11-20
- shrek – 24,300,000 – DreamWorks’ prolific fairy tale satire that taught the world that monsters have layers.
- the grinch (2018) – 24,300,000 – Colorful CG-animated 2018 based on the beloved Dr. Seuss story about the Hare Curmudgeon, who hated Christmas and then stole it.
- Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation – 23,400,000 – Leaving the hotel, the Drake Pack sets out on a summer cruise adventure.
- trolls – 23,000,000 – A cheerful princess and a grumpy troll attempt to save their friends from the hungry Bergens in DreamWorks’ lively musical comedy.
- return to outback – 23,000,000 – In search of freedom, a group of Australia’s most dangerous animals escape their zoo enclosure.
- despicable me – 21,800,000 – Gru and the Minions’ iconic debut as a villain whose plans to steal the moon are derailed when he unexpectedly adopts three orphan girls who change his heart.
- Minions: The Rise of Gru – 21,500,000 – Minions cause chaos as twelve-year-old Gru pursues his quest to become the world’s greatest supervillain in this ’70s prequel.
- migration – 20,900,000 – This high-flying adventure comedy follows a family of mallards on their epic journey from their tranquil pond to tropical Jamaica for a family vacation.
- shrek 2 – 20,400,000 – Shrek, Fiona and Donkey travel to the Far Far Away Kingdom to meet their in-laws in this terrifying sequel to the 2001 blockbuster.
- The Croods: A New Age – 19,800,000 — the Croods The sequel features a hilarious clash of cultures as the caveman family meets the Bettermans, a sophisticated and evolved family.
