The 31 Most Visually Beautiful Scenes In Animated Movies, Ever

“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

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

—eloisegf2

“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 along side it, the whole scene conjures feelings of both hope and hopelessness. The glimpse of the underwater world is beautiful.”

—murraystephen27

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

—yougotterotter

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

—a4c1ecdbc6

“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

“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

“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.”

—lyriqturner

“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

“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

“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

“Her luminous dress, the ghostly dancers — so beautiful.”

—yougotterotter

“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

“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.”

—ellie0williams

“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.”

—ashleym92

“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

“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

“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 touched 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

“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.”

—lunalovegoodisincredible

“The animation is gorgeous, the music is luscious, and it’s extra fun with Altivo mouthing ‘El Dorado’ with the humans.”

—llin422

“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

“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

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

—rebeccae4d5d5802c

“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

“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

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

—lizbellie

“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

“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

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

“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

“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