The best animated movies to test your home theater system

Animation plays a vital role in the film industry, exploring rich visual worlds and ambitious narratives. Through a wide variety of styles and techniques, it constantly pushes the boundaries of the imagination while offering remarkable visual and audio precision. This expressiveness makes it an excellent medium for testing the capabilities of a television or home theater system in terms of both picture and sound.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse follows Miles Morales as he plunges back into the heart of the multiverse after reuniting with Gwen Stacy. There, he discovers a society of Spider-Heroes tasked with maintaining the balance between dimensions. Faced with a new threat and strict rules that challenge his own conception of what it means to be a hero, Miles must make a pivotal choice between his destiny and his personal values.

This film features a variety of graphic styles, shifting visual worlds from scene to scene, which serves as an excellent test for color accuracy, contrast retention, and display fluidity. The fast-paced action sequences are packed with details that can reveal the limitations of video processing. Regarding audio, the soundtrack makes heavy use of spatial effects, with sounds moving rapidly from one speaker to another—perfect for gauging the precision and consistency of the surround sound field.

• Audio: Dolby Atmos (TrueHD)
• Video: HDR10, Dolby Vision
• IMDb rating: 8.5/10
• Allociné rating: 4.4/5

The Boy and the Heron (2023)

The Boy and the Heron tells the story of Mahito, a child haunted by the death of his mother during the war. After moving to the countryside with his father, he encounters a mysterious heron who leads him into a strange world that lies between dream and reality. This journey of self-discovery leads him to confront his grief, question the meaning of life, and find his place in a world in perpetual flux.

Traditional animation, rich in detail and color, puts the system’s ability to handle soft tones and subtle transitions to the test. Hand-drawn landscapes and variations in lighting test color accuracy and image depth. As for audio, orchestral music and natural ambient sounds take full advantage of the dynamic range, with quiet passages contrasting with more intense moments that reveal the precision and balance of your audio system.

• Audio: Dolby Atmos (TrueHD)
• Video: HDR10
• IMDb rating: 7.3/10
• Allociné rating: 3.8/5

Mars Express (2023)

Mars Express is set in the near future, where humans and androids coexist under strict laws. The plot follows a private detective and her android partner tasked with finding a missing student on Mars. Their investigation leads them into the heart of a conspiracy involving artificial intelligence, political manipulation, and a challenge to the limits imposed on artificial consciousness.

This film blends 2D animation with 3D elements in a distinctly futuristic style, featuring scenes with stark contrast and deep blacks that put HDR capabilities and visibility in dark areas to the test. The neon-saturated urban environments and space sequences test the display’s ability to handle intense colors and point light sources. Sound-wise, the cyberpunk atmosphere is conveyed through an immersive electronic soundtrack and precise effects that move throughout the soundstage, making it ideal for testing channel separation and clarity.

• Audio: DTS-HD MA 5.1
• IMDb rating: 7.5/10
• Allociné rating: 4.1/5

Super Mario Bros. The Movie (2023)

Super Mario Bros. The Movie follows Mario and Luigi, two plumbers from Brooklyn who are transported into a fantastical universe filled with colorful kingdoms. Separated from his brother, Mario embarks on a perilous adventure to find him and thwart the plans of Bowser, a tyrant determined to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom. With the help of Princess Peach and new allies, he discovers the courage and confidence he needs to become a true hero.

The animation is brimming with saturated colors and rapid movement, perfect for assessing the image’s vividness and stability. The dynamic transitions between worlds, along with the rich visual details, put the screen’s ability to maintain sharpness during fast-paced action to the test. On the audio front, the soundtrack reimagines iconic themes with an energetic mix, complemented by punchy sound effects that make full use of the subwoofer and surround sound, providing an excellent test of precision and power.

• Audio: Dolby Atmos (TrueHD)
• Video: HDR10
• IMDb rating: 7/10
• Allociné rating: 4/5

Dragon Ball Super: Broly (2018)

Dragon Ball Super: Broly traces the origins of the legendary Saiyan Broly, who was exiled as a child to a hostile planet. Years later, his encounter with Goku and Vegeta sparks an extremely intense battle, fueled by anger and revenge. The film explores the fate of the Saiyans, the consequences of the past, and the line between uncontrolled power and the quest for identity.

The spectacular battles feature a succession of explosions, visual impacts, and waves of brightly colored energy—perfect for testing color saturation and the stability of intense hues. Rapid camera movements and lighting effects also put the image’s fluidity and sharpness to the test. The audio mix emphasizes the bass with powerful beats and resonant impacts, while voices and effects move precisely through the surround sound field—ideal for testing spatialization and dynamics.

• Audio: DTS-HD MA 5.1
• IMDb rating: 7.7/10
• Allociné rating: 3.7/5

Coco (2017)

Coco tells the story of Miguel, a young boy passionate about music who comes from a family that has banned music for several generations. During the Day of the Dead, he accidentally finds himself transported to the world of the dead, where he sets out in search of his ancestors. This journey allows him to discover the truth about his family history and to understand the importance of memory, passing down traditions, and the bonds between generations.

The sequences set in the realm of the dead offer a profusion of vivid colors and glowing details, perfect for testing HDR performance and contrast accuracy. The textures of the sets and the visual richness of the backgrounds put sharpness and depth of field to the test. The soundtrack blends traditional Mexican instruments and vocals, with dynamics that range from intimate moments to festive scenes—ideal for testing vocal reproduction, instrumental clarity, and the system’s overall balance.

• Audio: Dolby Atmos (TrueHD)
• Video: HDR10
• IMDb rating: 8.4/10
• Allociné rating: 4.5/5

Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Kubo and the Two Strings follows Kubo, a young boy with a mysterious power that allows him to bring his origami to life through music. After unwittingly awakening forces from the past, he sets out on a quest for a legendary suit of armor to confront an enemy linked to his family history. This journey of self-discovery leads him to uncover the truth about his origins, the weight of memories, and the power of storytelling as a legacy.

Created using stop-motion animation, this film features extremely detailed textures and a subtle interplay of light and shadow that allow viewers to assess the display’s precision and the depth of blacks. Nighttime or dimly lit sequences test readability in dark areas, while action scenes offer fluid, detail-rich movement. The soundtrack blends percussion, strings, and magical sound effects, creating a wide dynamic range that challenges both the power and the finesse of the audio system.

• Audio: Dolby Atmos (TrueHD)
• Video: HDR10, Dolby Vision
• IMDb rating: 7.7/10
• Allociné rating: 4.2/5

Dragons (2010)

How to Train Your Dragon takes place in the Viking village of Berk, where humans and dragons are locked in a never-ending war. Harold, a frail but resourceful young boy, befriends a wounded dragon whom he names Toothless, challenging all of his people’s beliefs. Through this unexpected relationship, he discovers that another path is possible and tries to reconcile two worlds that are polar opposites.

The flight scenes over vast landscapes offer a wide range of colors and brightness levels, making them ideal for assessing how the system handles wide dynamic ranges and the precision of color gradients. The textures of the scales, clouds, and water place high demands on image definition. On the audio front, the roar of the dragons, the flapping of their wings, and the epic orchestral music flow seamlessly between the speakers, providing an excellent test of spatial imaging and audio coherence.

• Audio: Dolby Atmos (TrueHD)
• Video: HDR10
• IMDb rating: 8.1/10
• Allociné rating: 4.3/5

Coraline (2009)

Coraline follows a curious young girl who discovers a secret door in her new home, leading to a seemingly perfect parallel world. Behind this alluring reality lurks a sinister entity that seeks to trap her there forever. As she confronts her fears, Coraline must show courage and maturity to save her family and find her way back to the real world.

The stop-motion animation alternates between colorful and dark scenes with intense contrasts, allowing you to test color accuracy and the depth of blacks. The meticulous details in the sets and textures put the display’s sharpness and precision to the test. Regarding audio, the soundscape features subtle sounds and immersive effects that move through the surround sound field—perfect for evaluating the accuracy of sound placement and your system’s ability to create an enveloping atmosphere.

• Audio: Dolby Atmos (TrueHD)
• Video: HDR10, Dolby Vision
• IMDb rating: 7.8/10
• Allociné rating: 3.9/5

Kung Fu Panda (2008)

Kung Fu Panda tells the story of Po, a clumsy panda with a passion for kung fu, who is mistakenly chosen as the Dragon Warrior, destined to protect the Valley of Peace. Despite his lack of experience and the masters’ skepticism, he must face the formidable Tai Lung. Through training and perseverance, Po discovers that true strength lies as much in self-confidence as in mastering the martial arts.

The choreographed fight scenes combine slow-motion and fast-motion sequences, making them ideal for testing the fluidity and responsiveness of the image. The vivid colors and bold contrast of the Asian settings allow you to assess color accuracy and detail precision. On the audio side, the soundtrack features traditional instruments, dynamic percussion, and perfectly synchronized impact effects, which put the audio system’s dynamics, clarity, and spatial imaging to the test.

• Audio: Dolby Atmos (TrueHD)
• IMDb rating: 7.6/10
• Allociné rating: 3.9/5

Wall-E (2008)

Wall-E is set in a future where Earth, abandoned by humans, has become uninhabitable. Wall-E, a small, solitary robot tasked with compacting trash, leads a routine existence until the arrival of EVE, a probe sent to determine whether the planet can once again support life. Their encounter sets off an adventure that takes them into space and challenges the human way of life, all while celebrating curiosity, love, and responsibility toward the planet.

The opening scenes, which are almost entirely dialogue-free, showcase the subtlety of ambient sounds and the precision of specific sound effects, which is a perfect way to test the sensitivity and clarity of your audio system. The vast space landscapes and detailed views of a ruined Earth will put your system’s contrast handling and depth to the test. The more dynamic scenes, particularly the space chases, also allow you to evaluate the power and coherence of the surround sound mix.

• Audio: DTS Digital Surround | DTS-HD MA 5.1
• IMDb rating: 8.4/10
• Allociné rating: 4.4/5

Azur and Asmar (2006)

Azur and Asmar tells the story of two boys raised together by a nurse—one the son of a lord, the other a commoner. Separated by circumstances, they reunite years later on a shared quest to free the Djinn-fairy. Their adventure, blending Eastern folktales with a journey of self-discovery, explores themes of tolerance, seeing others through a different lens, and overcoming prejudice.

The graphic style, featuring solid blocks of bold, contrasting colors, allows you to assess color accuracy and the stability of saturated hues. Scenes rich in patterns and details put the display’s sharpness and precision to the test, especially during panning shots. The soundtrack with its Eastern influences blends with varied dialogue and ambient sounds, providing an interesting test of vocal clarity and the balance between music and sound effects.

• Audio: DTS-HD MA 5.1
• IMDb rating: 7.4/10
• Allociné rating: 4/5

The Incredibles (2004)

The Incredibles centers on a family forced to live in obscurity after superheroes were officially banned. Bob Parr, a former hero nostalgic for his past glory, accepts a secret mission that will quickly put his entire family in danger. The film explores the balance between private life and responsibilities, as well as the importance of teamwork in the face of a threat that exceeds individual capabilities.

The action scenes combine explosions, chases, and rapid cuts, which put the smoothness and stability of the image to the test. The vivid hues of the costumes and environments let you check the accuracy of color reproduction. Sound-wise, the mix takes full advantage of the surround sound field with effects that move rapidly between speakers, while the orchestral music builds tension and tests the system’s overall dynamics.

• Audio: DTS-HD MA 5.1
• IMDb rating: 8/10
• Allociné rating: 4.1/5

Finding Nemo (2003)

Finding Nemo follows Marlin, an anxious clownfish who’ll do anything to find his son Nemo, who was captured by humans after venturing too far from the reef. Accompanied by Dory, a companion who is as endearing as she is scatterbrained, he crosses the ocean and faces numerous dangers. This coming-of-age journey explores the fear of loss, the lesson of letting go, and the trust needed to allow those we love to grow.

Underwater scenes offer a wide range of blues and greens, making them ideal for testing color accuracy and the display’s ability to render subtle gradients. The effects of light filtering through the water put the display’s HDR accuracy and its ability to reproduce soft contrasts to the test. In terms of sound, the film makes use of numerous directional effects and underwater ambient sounds, allowing you to assess the spatialization and richness of detail in the audio mix.

• Audio: Dolby Atmos (TrueHD)
• IMDb rating: 8.2/10
• Allociné rating: 4.2/5

Paprika (2006)

Paprika is set in the near future, where an experimental device allows doctors to enter patients’ dreams to treat psychological disorders. When this technology is stolen, the boundaries between dreams and reality begin to break down, causing uncontrollable chaos. Through her dream alter ego, psychiatrist Paprika attempts to restore balance by confronting human desires, fears, and the unconscious mind.

Visually, the film alternates between realistic sequences and dreamlike scenes with vibrant colors, making it ideal for testing color richness and contrast handling. The smooth visual transitions and image distortions put the display’s precision and stability to the test. On the audio side, Susumu Hirasawa’s soundtrack blends vocals, electronic sounds, and spatialized effects, providing an excellent test of tonal balance, clarity of detail, and overall immersion.

• Audio: Dolby Atmos (TrueHD)
• Video: HDR10, Dolby Vision
• IMDb rating: 7.7/10
• Allociné rating: 3.8/5

Perfect Blue (1997)

Perfect Blue follows Mima, a young Japanese pop idol who decides to make a radical career change to become an actress. Faced with a public image she can’t control and an obsessive fan, she gradually sees the line between reality and illusion blur. The film explores the loss of identity, media pressure, and the psychological toll of fame.

The animation plays on stark contrasts between bright scenes and darker sequences, allowing you to test the depth of blacks and the precision of shadows. Camera movements and rapid shot changes put the display’s sharpness and responsiveness to the test. The soundscape alternates between heavy silence and rising tension, supported by precise sound effects—ideal for evaluating your system’s ability to handle dynamic variations and reproduce the atmosphere realistically.

• Audio: DTS-HD MA 5.1
• IMDb rating: 8/10
• Allociné rating: 3.9/5

Akira (1988)

Akira is set in a post-apocalyptic Tokyo plagued by violence and political instability. The story follows Kaneda and his friend Tetsuo, whose uncontrollable psychic powers set in motion a secret military project with catastrophic consequences. The film explores the abuse of power, the fear of destruction, and the loss of control in the face of forces beyond human understanding.

The animation, which was exceptionally detailed for its time, is full of nighttime cityscapes that put the depth of blacks and visibility in dark areas to the test. The intense action sequences, featuring explosions and dynamic lighting effects, test the system’s contrast handling and the fluidity of motion. The soundtrack blends tribal percussion, choral vocals, and immersive effects, providing an ideal environment for evaluating the dynamics, spatial imaging, and power of the home theater system.

• Audio: DTS-HD MA 5.1
• Video: HDR10 (on re-releases)
• IMDb rating: 8/10
• Allociné rating: 4.1/5

Whether spectacular, poetic, or experimental, these animated films showcase the full visual and auditory richness of the genre. Their stylistic and technical variety makes them invaluable tools for evaluating the quality of audiovisual equipment. Beyond being mere tests, they serve above all as a reminder of just how powerful a medium animation can be—capable of both captivating audiences and putting even the best home theater systems to the test.