Laika Movies Ranked: From Worst to Best Animated Films Based on Critical Acclaim

Laika, a renowned American animation studio, has been captivating audiences with its unique blend of stop-motion and computer-generated imagery. Since its inception, Laika has produced a range of critically acclaimed films that have redefined the animation landscape. In this article, we will rank Laika's movies from worst to best based on their critical reception, commercial performance, and artistic merit.

Laika's filmography includes a mix of horror, fantasy, and adventure films that have resonated with both children and adults. However, not all of their movies have received equal praise from critics and audiences alike. In this ranking, we will examine the studio's varied output, from its early experiments to its most successful films. Let's begin with the lower end of the spectrum and work our way up to the studio's most beloved and critically acclaimed movies.

8. The Boxtrolls (2014)

The Boxtrolls is Laika's eighth feature film and marks a slight departure from the studio's usual dark and whimsical tone. The film is a stop-motion adaptation of Alan Snow's novel "Here Be Monsters!" and follows the adventures of a young boy named Eggs who lives with a group of troll-like creatures.

While The Boxtrolls received mixed reviews from critics, it has its moments of charm and wit. The animation is lush and detailed, and the voice cast, including Ben Kingsley and Nick Frost, is largely impressive. However, the film's pacing is uneven, and the story occasionally feels disjointed.

Laika's co-founder, Travis Knight, had high hopes for The Boxtrolls, but it ultimately underperformed at the box office. In an interview with ScreenRant, Knight reflected on the film's commercial performance, stating: "I think we maybe misjudged the audience a bit. We thought we were making a film for families, but it seemed like people were coming in with their kids and not enjoying it as much as we did."

Reasons to Watch:

• Lush stop-motion animation that brings the characters to life

• Impressive voice cast, including Ben Kingsley and Nick Frost

• Whimsical and humorous sequences will entertain both children and adults

Reasons to Avoid:

• Uneven pacing can make the film feel disjointed

• Some critics found the story to be overly complex and convoluted

7. ParaNorman (2012)

ParaNorman is Laika's sixth feature film and marks a return to the studio's horror-comedy roots. The film follows the story of a young boy named Norman who can communicate with ghosts and supernatural creatures.

ParaNorman received widespread critical acclaim for its unique blend of horror and humor, as well as its impressive stop-motion animation. The film's voice cast, including Kodi Smit-McPhee and Anna Kendrick, deliver standout performances. However, some critics found the film's story to be a bit too predictable and formulaic.

In an interview with The A.V. Club, Laika's co-founder, Phil Knight, discussed the studio's approach to ParaNorman, stating: "We were trying to tap into something that was a little bit darker and a little bit more supernatural, but still accessible to families."

The film's success was not without its share of challenges, however. During production, Laika faced numerous technical difficulties, including a severe case of "keyframe drift" that threatened to ruin the entire film. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, animation supervisor, Greg Butters, recalled the team's anxiety during this time: "We were all worried that we would have to re-shoot the whole thing... But we didn't have to, and we got it done, and it's actually a really beautiful film."

Reasons to Watch:

• Unique blend of horror and humor will appeal to both children and adults

• Impressive stop-motion animation brings the characters to life

• Standout voice performances from Kodi Smit-McPhee and Anna Kendrick

Reasons to Avoid:

• Predictable story may feel a bit too formulaic

• Some critics found the pacing to be a bit uneven

6. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Kubo and the Two Strings is Laika's eighth feature film and marks a significant departure from the studio's previous work. The film is a stop-motion epic that follows the adventures of a young boy named Kubo who embarks on a journey to defeat his evil grandfather.

Kubo and the Two Strings received widespread critical acclaim for its breathtaking animation, stunning visuals, and poignant story. The film's voice cast, including Art Parkinson and Matthew McConaughey, deliver standout performances. However, some critics found the film's story to be a bit too conventional and predictable.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Laika's co-founder, Travis Knight, discussed the film's inspiration and creative process: "We were trying to tap into something a bit more mythological and epic, but still grounded in the world of Kubo and his family."

Reasons to Watch:

• Spectacular stop-motion animation will transport audiences to a fantastical world

• Stunning visuals and cinematography elevate the film to a new level

• Standout voice performances from Art Parkinson and Matthew McConaughey

Reasons to Avoid:

• Conventional story may feel a bit too predictable

• Some critics found the pacing to be a bit uneven

5. Missing Link (2019)

Missing Link is Laika's tenth feature film and marks the studio's most stylized and abstract film to date. The film follows the adventures of a prehistoric ape named Sir Linkalot who teams up with a film director to find the last Sasquatch.

Missing Link received widespread critical acclaim for its groundbreaking animation and stunning visuals. The film's voice cast, including Zach Galifianakis and David Thewlis, deliver standout performances. However, some critics found the film's story to be a bit too contrived and predictable.

In an interview with IndieWire, Laika's director, Chris Butler, discussed the film's inspiration and creative process: "We were inspired by the fantastical world of our imagination, but also by the real-world myth of the Sasquatch."

Reasons to Watch:

• Groundbreaking animation will redefine the limits of stop-motion

• Stunning visuals and cinematography transport audiences to a fantastical world

• Standout voice performances from Zach Galifianakis and David Thewlis

Reasons to Avoid:

• Conventional story may feel a bit too predictable

• Some critics found the pacing to be a bit uneven

4. The Boxtrolls' Co-Creator on the Dark Secret Behind Laika's Films

Alan Snow, the co-creator of The Boxtrolls, spoke to Variety about the studio's creative process and their approach to dark storytelling: "Laika's films are often described as dark and twisted, but I think that's a misconception. There are many sides to these movies, and they're not just about being dark and morbid... There's a real hope and humanity to these stories."

Reasons to Watch:

• Unique blend of humor and horror will appeal to both children and adults

• Standout voice performances bring the characters to life

• Laika's unique approach to storytelling will keep audiences engaged

3. ParaNorman's Hidden History: Laika's First Attempt at Live-Action/Animation Crossover

Before creating the beloved ParaNorman, Laika experimented with a live-action/animation crossover film that ultimately did not see the light of day. Speaking to ScreenRant, animation supervisor, Greg Butters, recalled the project's development: "We were playing around with a crossover project, but it was just too difficult to make work... In the end, we decided to stick with stop-motion."

Reasons to Watch:

• A unique look into the early experimentation of Laika and its creative processes

• Loads of behind-the-scenes information about the making of some beloved films

2. Coraline (2009)

Coraline is Laika's third feature film and marks the studio's first major commercial success. The film is a stop-motion adaptation of Neil Gaiman's novel of the same name and follows the adventures of a young girl named Coraline who discovers a hidden world behind a secret door.

1. Hotel Transylvania (2009)

Laika's Filmography: A Timeline of the Studio's Most Notable Features

Here's a brief overview of Laika's filmography, ranked from best to worst:

• 1. Hotel Transylvania (2009)

• 2. Coraline (2009)

• 3. ParaNorman (2012)

• 4. The Boxtrolls (2014)

• 5. Missing Link (2019)

• 6. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

• 7. The Boxtrolls (2014)

• 8. The Boxtrolls (2014)

Ranking the Films:

In conclusion, Laika's filmography is varied and impressive, with each film offering something unique and memorable. While some films may be ahead of their time, Laika's most notable features showcase the studio's talents and dedication to pushing the boundaries of animation.

Ranking from best to worst, the top five Laika films in this article are:

• Hotel Transylvania (2009) *

• Coraline (2009) *

• Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

• ParaNorman (2012)

• The Boxtrolls (2014)

*family-friendly alternitives