Spirited Away (2001)

Hayao Miyazaki’s hand-drawn fantasy plunges a girl into a bathhouse for gods, crafting a world where every creature—from the soot sprites to the faceless spirit—pulses with wonder and menace. It’s a coming-of-age story that never explains its magic, trusting the audience to feel the loss, greed, and growth. The only animated film on the list, and it earns its spot by being more emotionally complex than 99% of live-action cinema.