Laika is a stop-motion animation studio that brings unique style to their films. Each movie they have created has been whimsical, captivating, and extremely entertaining. They’re also always furthering the technology and techniques used in their animation. 

They’re a gem of a movie studio that consistently pushes out masterpieces, so let’s take a look at how each of their feature-length projects stack up against each other, from weakest to strongest. Keep in mind that each of these movies are especially great even if they are ranked low on the list.

5) Missing Link

Missing Link , which follows the globe-trotting journey of Mr. Link and Lionel Frost to find what remains of Mr. Link’s species, is easily the funniest movie in Laika’s library. It also has the most seamless stop-motion animation probably ever captured in a film. That being said, it lacks the level of whimsey and creativity that the rest of their movies are chock full of. The plot, while tons of fun, does ultimately follow the traditional and somewhat cliché road trip movie formula. It’s definitely an entertaining watch, but Missing Link is missing a certain oomph that Laika is known for.

4) The Boxtrolls

The Boxtrolls is an incredibly creative movie filled with clever ideas. It has some humorous moments, tons of heart, and brilliantly-approached commentary on social class issues. It’s overall quite charming. Unfortunately, it never fully commits to the same level of emotion that the other Laika films do. As a result, it doesn’t feel quite as mature. It’s a fun and delightful adventure, but it could have gone further with the heartfelt moments instead of backing away whenever one arose. 

3) ParaNorman

ParaNorman is a must-watch during the Halloween season. The zombies, ghosts, and witches all make it extra spooky. Unfortunately, zombies, ghosts, and witches have already all been done time and time again, which is one of the few things keeping this excellent movie from being ranked higher on this list. That, and some of the major characters don’t get the screen time they really need. Otherwise, it’s genuinely heartfelt, relatable, funny, suspenseful, and thought-provoking. It also features important representation, as well as truly showcasing what it feels like to be looked at as an outsider.

2) Coraline

Coraline has become an absolute classic. This twisted tale follows the story of a young girl who finds a hidden door to a fantasy version of her life. It’s like a darker, more unique take on Alice in Wonderland. It’s especially imaginative and balances creepiness with creativity. It perfectly captures the feeling of being a kid in an unfamiliar place and having no one listen to you while also being fantastical. It pushed stop-motion animation over the edge when it was first released. Elements of the movie feel like watching a dream. Coraline is a truly unforgettable experience that is worth going back to time and time again.

1) Kubo and the Two Strings

Kubo and the Two Strings is easily one of the greatest stop-motion movies of all time, and is the second to be nominated for the Best Visual Effects Oscar (with The Nightmare Before Christmas being the first). This fantasy adventure focuses on a young boy who wields a magical instrument embarking on a quest with colorful characters to defeat his mother’s evil twin sisters and his power-hungry grandfather, the Moon King. It’s incredibly emotional as the themes deal with grief, generational trauma, and moving on past hardships. The action is suspenseful, the characters are memorable, and the visuals are stunning. 

What’s most impressive about it is that it blended various animation styles together to create something visually unique from anything that came before it. Ranking the Laika movies is tough since they’re all genuinely fantastic, but it’s hard to deny that Kubo and the Two Strings stands out just a tiny bit more than the rest of the masterpieces.

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