Top ‘toons showdown bracket

Where animated classics collide in a March Madness-style bracket

I’Aria Blackmon, Ania Gwarda and Maddie Lane • Mar 31, 2025

Just as Andy had to leave Buzz and Woody behind, maybe someday we’ll have to say goodbye to our favorite animated movies, too.

But today is not that day—because it’s March Madness, and instead of filling out brackets with basketball teams we barely know, we’re diving headfirst into a tournament that actually matters: the ultimate showdown of 21st-century animated kids’ movies.

In honor of hitting the 25-year mark of the century, we’ve split the field into four stacked regions. The House of Mouse brings the Disney magic (and a few tearjerkers), Core Memories showcases Pixar’s emotional gut-punches and tech wizardry, Inventive and Irreverent covers DreamWorks’ chaotic hits and Misfit Madness rounds things out with everything from “Ice Age” to “Minions”—the underdog studios that made big noise.

For us, childhood’s end may be coming, but for now? We rank. We vote. We rewatch “Shrek” unironically.

Let the madness begin.

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About the Contributors

I’Aria Blackmon, Staff Writer

I’Aria Blackmon is a sophomore at Normal Community High School and is involved in track. This is her first year working on the Inkspot, she is a staff writer. On the weekend, I enjoy talking to my friends and going out. My favorite movie is Netflix’s “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” My all-time dream is to travel around the world.

Ania Gwarda, Staff Writer

Ania is a senior at Normal Community High School and she is on the varsity cheer team and is involved in the choir program. This is her first year working with the Inkspot as a staff writer. On the weekends I enjoy spending time with friends and watching movies. My biggest pet peeve is rude people. A phrase I live by is everything happens for a reason.

Maddie Lane, Staff Writer

Maddie is a junior at Normal Community High School; she is on the girls lacrosse team and is involved in the choir program. This is her first year working with the Inkspot as a staff writer. On the weekend, I enjoy spending time with friends. My all-time dream is to travel the world. My biggest pet peeves are stopping in the middle of hallways and rude people.