1. The Lego Movie
The Lego Movie is a shining example of what CGI-animated films can and should be. Its stop-motion-inspired style, which utilizes CGI to generate photorealistic LEGO bricks, gives each LEGO piece a texture that invites viewers to reach out and build something, brick by brick. Using LEGO bricks’ endless possibilities, this film highlights the importance of staying creative and authentic amid a conformist, corporate-controlled world. By celebrating creativity and diversity in a way that inspires children and adults alike, The Lego Movie has cemented its place as one of the best animated films of the 2010s.
Emmet, a seemingly ordinary construction worker in a world made entirely out of LEGO, falls into a pile of rubble and discovers a mysterious, glowing object. Unbeknownst to him, this object will catapult him into a world of mighty wizards, power-hungry businessmen, and a prophecy that marks him as “The Special.” Despite the fantastical elements, a quintessentially human message grounds this film: everyone is special in their own way. However, the message alone is not what makes this film special, but the way it is delivered—through rapid-fire humor, a wonderfully outlandish setting, and a script that blends absurdity with heart. The LEGO Movie resonated with me as a child and continues to move me as a teenager.
2. The Lego Batman Movie
I had a hard time choosing the top spot. Although the original LEGO movie came out on top, The Lego Batman movie is a standout in its own right. With bold visuals and razor-sharp jokes like the OG, this film settles in its new DC Comics franchise while also poking fun at the generic superhero movie. Take, for example, Batman’s cartoonishly intense brooding. Machismo, mystery, and the weight of existence are traits that defined Batman in the original movies. But in The Lego Batman Movie, his familiar gravitas has become the butt of a fond joke, a playful jab between friends. This shift proves that, despite Batman’s numerous iterations, new perspectives on the character continue to emerge.
The LEGO Batman movie follows Batman’s struggle to keep his identity a secret as he tries to stop the evil Joker (per usual), all while mentoring an orphan named Dick Grayson, who eventually becomes Robin. The LEGO Batman movie uses both its “LEGO” and “Batman” components to explore a whole new Batman. The film’s LEGO setting offers limitless possibilities, expanding the boundless, ever-changing LEGO multiverse with unexpected cameos from franchises like Harry Potter and The Wizard of Oz. At the same time, this film uses its LEGO world to explore a deeper, more vulnerable side to Batman that touches on loneliness and fear of connection. The Lego Batman Movie offers a new kind of LEGO movie, one that works both as a LEGO and a Batman film
3. Piece by Piece
The newest edition to this list, Piece by Piece, is also the most contemporary. Walking into this film, I didn’t really know what to expect. For the longest time, I had associated the LEGO movie franchise with action-packed adventure and the perennial fight between good and evil. This film, however, could not be any more different. Piece by Piece is a LEGO music movie biopic that recounts the life of Pharrell Williams. LEGO movies are known for taking advantage of their distinct LEGO animation style to exercise full creative control. Piece by Piece is no different. In fact, this film is a reminder of the magic of LEGO: the pure joy, the distinct individuality, the sense of wonder. By the time the credits rolled, it was undeniable – I had fallen back in love with LEGO again.
Piece by Piece retells the story of Pharell Williams’ life, from his childhood in a Virginia Beach apartment complex to his rise to stardom. Pharrell is no doubt an interesting subject, but the film’s real triumph is its sheer creativity. The music scenes, in particular, stood out as fully realized examples of LEGO’s creative potential. In the “Drop it Like it’s Hot” scene, a studio bends to the minds of Pharrell and his collaborators — beats come into life as vibrantly colored LEGO bricks, a product of Pharrell’s synesthesia, and the ordinary smoke-filled studio morphs into a stage reminiscent of 90’s music festivals decked out with earthshaking boom boxes and seizure-including stage lights. In this LEGO world, anything goes. Though this movie may not have the same oomph as the top two entries on this list, Piece by Piece is still a stunning example of LEGO’s true capabilities.
4. The Lego Ninjago Movie
Maybe it’s the nostalgia speaking, but this film is awesome. I mean, the formula is tight: ninjas, elemental powers, an “Ultimate Weapon,” father-son issues – the whole works. The problem with it though, is that it’s more of a LEGO movie than a Ninjago movie. For this ranking, that might sound perfect (it’s a LEGO ranking, after all), but Ninjago’s success relies on the team dynamic between each character. Kai’s hot-headedness, Jay’s sensitivity, Zane’s technicality, Lloyd’s naïveté, Cole’s composure, and Nya’s quietude — each character carries their own weight on the team, working together to help each other grow. However, in this installment, those elements seem to be either missing or underdeveloped.
The Lego Ninjago Movie follows Lloyd and his fellow teenage ninjas, Kai, Cole, Nya, Jay, and Zane, who must work together to defend against the invading Garmadon, an evil warlord who just happens to be Lloyd’s father. Though action-packed, this film works better as a LEGO film than a Ninjago one. The heart of Ninjago lies in its developed characters and complex relationships, largely absent here. Lloyd’s complex relationship with his father, a cornerstone of the series, is reduced to simple gags like mispronouncing Lloyd’s name as “L-loyd.” And the rest of the characters come off as one-dimensional caricatures, sacrificing development for cheap laughs, making it clear that this movie cannot do six characters justice in its 100-minute run time. While the humor and visual flair are sometimes engaging, these elements often fail to compensate for the almost non-existent emotional weight and character development, marking a drop off from the other entries in this list..
5. Lego Movie 2: The Second Part
Ok, can I be honest: I forgot this film existed. Not to say that this film is bad – no LEGO movie is outright bad – but this film is just so much more forgettable than all of the other LEGO films. When rewatching this film recently, I found myself constantly disappointed. “Another musical scene, really?”, “Not this trope again…” Despite its shortcomings, however, The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part maintains a funny and witty script with a charming, though sometimes uneven, story about teamwork and growing up.
The story follows Emmet and Lucy trying to save their friends from an invasion from the Diplo universe while navigating the challenges of growing up and evolving relationships. This new invasion plunges their LEGO world into chaos, transforming the ever-familiar and charming Bricksburg into a Mad Max-style post-apocalyptic wasteland. This desert of rubble and debris contrasts with the glittery, surreal landscapes of the Systar System, bringing some much-needed variety to the LEGO world. The tone and style expected from LEGO films also shift, with experimental musical sequences that, while occasionally excessive, add a needed light-heartedness. .. For example, Take the “Super Cool” musical number that parodies 80s action movie tropes with positive, upbeat energy. At the center of it all, however, is Lucy and Emmet’s relationship. Against the backdrop of the invasion, Lucy embraces cynicism while Emmet embraces optimism. By the end of the film, they embrace nuance – Emmet learns to value his optimism, while Lucy discovers the value of staying positive. Though it is the most forgettable and rough-around-the-edges LEGO movie, it nonetheless will offer a good 100 minutes of worthwhile entertainment.
