4) Zootopia
Disney and animation are so inextricably linked that it’s no surprise when one of the studio’s releases hits a home run (e.g., this year’s Moana). However, even in an era that many have deemed the second Disney Renaissance, what no one expected from Zootopia is just how sharp and intelligent a social commentary it would feature.
Set in a world of anthropomorphic animals, the film – led by Ginnifer Goodwin’s headstrong rabbit cop Judy Hopps – features all the imagination and humor one would associate with recent Disney efforts like Wreck-It Ralph and Big Hero 6. However, amidst the sloth jokes and animal puns lies a story with something very powerful to say about prejudice and discrimination.
Directors Byron Howard and Rich Moore (as well as co-director Jared Bush) create an allegorical tale here that feels more relevant than 90 percent of Hollywood blockbusters released this year. The fact that Zootopia managed to send such a valuable sentiment to audiences the world over is a miraculous feat, one that’s only heartened further by the film’s $1 billion box office gross.