The 31 Most Visually Beautiful Scenes In Animated Movies, Ever

Moving works of art, with occasional superheroes or animal sidekicks.

Recently we asked members of the BuzzFeed Community what they think the most beautiful scene in an animated movie is. Here are some of the most visually stunning answers!

1. The Maleficent dragon fight in Sleeping Beauty:

Disney

"People are *ahem* sleeping on Sleeping Beauty. The Maleficent dragon fight scenes are gorgeous. The end scene where she's fighting Phillip is stunning, especially with the green flames, the brambles, etc."

—TKGM

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

2. The "Show Yourself" sequence in Frozen 2:

Disney

"The colors, the water, the transformation, the details of the memories in the glacier — it was visually stunning and so well executed."

—eloisegf2

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

3. The parting of the Red Sea in The Prince of Egypt:

DreamWorks

"While the entire film is an animation masterpiece (one could even argue the best animated film ever), my favorite scene from The Prince of Egypt is the parting of the Red Sea. Along with the score that plays alongside it, the whole scene conjures feelings of both hope and hopelessness. The glimpse of the underwater world is beautiful."

—murraystephen27

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

4. And the burning-bush scene, also in Prince of Egypt:

DreamWorks

"I'm not religious, but I can appreciate the amazing beauty of the glowing blue flames. The whole film's animation is gorgeous."

—yougotterotter

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

5. The train scene in Spirited Away:

Sutdio Ghibli

"Spirited Away has several beautiful scenes, but the train scene is probably the most stunning."

—a4c1ecdbc6

Here's the full scene:

vimeo.com

6. The ocean chase in Ponyo:

buzzfeed.com

"The ocean chase sequence in Ponyo is endlessly rewatchable. The magic of the ocean is displayed perfectly through the constant shift between waves and fish, always full of joy. Seeing as each frame was hand drawn, the immense detail of the waves that spill over every second of film, seemingly alive, solidifies the scene as a masterpiece."

—hailieb3

Here's the full scene:

View on enhanced page

dailymotion.com

7. "So This Is Love" from Cinderella:

Disney

"Everything about the scene from the music to the movements to the scenery is perfection! The colors are absolutely magical, and the entire scene was designed by a woman: Mary Blair! She’s so overlooked when it comes to the older movies, but she’s so important, and more people should know about her. Her artwork is amazing!"

—thatstheteasis1011

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

8. "Friends on the Other Side" in The Princess and the Frog:

Disney

"In Princess and The Frog, when Dr. Facilier is singing 'Friends on the Other Side' and he says, 'I hope you’re satisfied.' It gives me chills with all of the psychedelic colors."

—Lyriq Turner

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

9. The "Poor Jack" sequence in The Nightmare Before Christmas:

Disney

"It's more a snippet in a scene than a whole scene: in The Nightmare Before Christmas after Jack crashes in the graveyard and is singing about how things went so wrong, when he sits up in the arms of the angel statue and his head covers the angel's so perfectly that it looks like the wings are Jack's. I've watched that movie literally hundreds of times and still get chills at that shot."

—carlyd13

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

10. The creation of Riley's core memories in Inside Out:

Disney / Pixar

"The whole movie is one big aesthetic, but the colors really shine and pop when the ball moves through a space that was completely dark that turns into vibrant colors with gears and memories!"

—jdclem630

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

11. The "What's Up Danger" sequence in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse:

Sony

"The animation, the frenetic pace, along with 'What's Up Danger' in the background — it is just spine-tinglingly brilliant every time I watch it."

—katies482ced1c2

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

12. "Once Upon a December" in Anastasia:

Fox

"Her luminous dress, the ghostly dancers — so beautiful."

—yougotterotter

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

13. The ocean choosing Moana at the beginning of Moana:

Disney

"I love the scene in Moana when she's a little toddler and the sea first chooses her. The animation and the color used to create the ocean are just so incredibly breathtaking."

—jennie1986

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

14. Bioluminescent Tamatoa, also in Moana:

Disney

"The scene in Moana during the song 'Shiny' where Tamatoa (the giant crab) turns from his original color to luminous pink/luminous blue. It puts me in awe every time."

—ellie ?

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

15. Moana confronting Te Ka, from (you guessed it) Moana:

Disney

"All of Moana is stunning, but the best has to be at the end, when the ocean parts for Moana to return Te Fiti's heart. Breathtaking visuals, plus a touching and powerful moment."

—_a_mills

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

16. The visuals during "God Help the Outcasts" in The Hunchback of Notre Dame:

Disney

"The scene from The Hunchback of Notre Dame where Esmeralda is walking through the cathedral and looks up at the stained glass window is just simply stunning! Stained glass in person is (to me) one of the most beautiful things, and they capture it perfectly."

—victoriaannb2

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

17. The storm scene in Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'hoole:

Warner Bros.

"I don't think a lot of people know this one because the movie is very obscure, but the scene in Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'hoole where Soren flies through the storm in slow motion is stunning. The water, lightning, even the texture on his feathers, is just beautiful to watch."

—Femkat

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

18. The bullfight scene in The Book of Life:

20th Century Fox

"Without a doubt, for me it’s the scene in Book of the Dead when Manolo has to defeat the bull so that he can return to the land of the living. He is expected to fight the bull, to kill him. Instead he sings the most beautiful song, apologizing to the bull for all of the others that have died before him and asks for his forgiveness. He walks closer and closer to the bull, slowly singing, and when he gets right up to this huge creature, he gently touches him, turning him into what look like a million flower petals. This is how he 'defeats' the bull and is able to go be with his living family. I cried the first time I watched it with my children, and it takes my breath away every time I’ve seen it since."

—Tattoomama

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

19. The train scene in Zootopia:

Disney

"The scene in Zootopia when Judy is in the train and watching all the amazing places zooming past her. Amazing, so detailed, and gives you the feeling of a big, bustling city."

—Luna

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

20. When Miguel and Tulio arrive at El Dorado in The Road to El Dorado:

DreamWorks

"The animation is gorgeous, the music is luscious, and it's extra fun with Altivo mouthing 'El Dorado' with the humans."

—llin422

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

21. Howl's bedroom in Howl's Moving Castle:

Studio Ghibli

"The sheer amount of detail is insane! And it's all hand drawn. The closer you look, the more there is — little trinkets and gizmos and details in every pixel of that scene!"

—ceril3

22. Ego eating the ratatouille in Ratatouille:

Disney / Pixar

"The scene where Remy eats the strawberry and cheese, or the shot of Ego slicing that perfect plate of a ratatouille. It’s beautiful to watch and so realistic."

—chelseabyrne95

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

23. When Carl and Russell land among the tepuis in Up:

Disney / Pixar

"The clouds when Carl and Russell first arrive in Venezuela. The way they move around the mountains is so stunning and very close to how real clouds would move."

—rebeccae4d5d5802c

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

24. When Tetsuo creates his arm in Akira:

Toho

"In Akira when Tetsuo makes himself an arm out of wires and stuff. Intense. Especially since it's hand drawn. That whole movie is *chefs kiss*."

—kzich84

25. "I See the Light" from Tangled:

Disney

"Rapunzel has been my favorite Disney princess for as long as I can remember. The first time I watched the boat scene in Tangled, I thought it was the prettiest thing I'd ever seen in my life. The glow of the lanterns reflecting off of the water and the night sky, mixed with the thousands of lanterns, makes it the most enchanting scene (and the most romantic, too)."

—disneyfanohana

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

26. Miguel crossing the marigold bridge in Coco:

Disney / Pixar

"The flowers on the bridge are so beautiful and realistic. Also, the shot of the buildings in the afterlife is wonderful."

—lizbellie

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

27. The space dancing scene in WALL-E:

Disney / Pixar

"The use of the fire extinguisher to help WALL-E move is genius. Then, when they kiss, WALL-E's reaction — so adorable! And exactly what you would expect from a person in love."

—r4b4b20f2b

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

28. The arrival at the Hidden World in How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World:

DreamWorks

"It is so visually stunning, with beautiful animation and graphics, making the Hidden World appear 'bioluminescent.' It is truly jaw-dropping and always gives me goosebumps."

—clairesabol

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

29. When Elastigirl discovers Screenslaver's lair in Incredibles 2:

Disney / Pixar

"Incredibles 2 did some amazing stuff visually (that fight using the portals!), but the scene where Elastigirl first fights Screenslaver is so stunning. The claustrophobia of it, along with the flashing lights, makes it all so tense and scary."

—Andy Golder

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

30. The comet scene in Your Name:

Toho

"The beautiful animation and music make the plot twist even more shocking. You’re so entranced by the beauty of it all — just like the characters were — that you realize what happens a little too late. It’s my absolute favorite movie because of that specific scene."

—Milkteapapi

31. The ballroom scene in Beauty and the Beast:

Disney

"The sweeping shots are gorgeous, and the architecture details of the ceiling are especially incredible. That scene alone brought so much to the movie."

—monikap6

Here's the full scene:

youtube.com

Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.