Movies
Seven animated films like Trolls Band Together for your watchlist
Mumbai: Animated content holds a special place in our hearts. Whether it’s the timeless charm of classic cartoons or the magic of iconic movies like The Lion King and The Jungle Book, our love for animations endures. Even today, we find joy in immersing ourselves in animated worlds, using them as a delightful escape. These films not only captivate us with visually stunning aesthetics and heartwarming storylines, but they also provide a therapeutic way to unwind after a long day. While the old classics maintain their charm, contemporary animations dazzle us with glorious vibrancy and hyper-realistic artistry. The new DreamWorks Animation film, ‘Trolls Band Together’, promises all the above and much more. If you are looking for endless relaxing entertainment, here are the top seven films worthy of a captivating movie marathon as per IMDb ratings.
1. Spider-man: Across The Spider Verse (8.7/10)
Kicking off our list is the visually stunning and critically acclaimed ‘Spider-man: Across The Spider Verse’. The film’s kaleidoscopic visuals and groundbreaking animation techniques make it a standout in the genre. Miles Morales’ adventure through multiple dimensions not only captivates with its superhero spectacle but also serves as a testament to the power of storytelling in animation.
2. Spirited Away (8.6/10)
Next up is the timeless masterpiece from Studio Ghibli, ‘Spirited Away’. Directed by the legendary Hayao Miyazaki, this film whisks viewers away to a magical world filled with spirits, witches, and unforgettable characters. Even after almost two decades since its release, the film continues to be one of the most widely watched animated films and remains a testament to the brilliance of Japanese animation.
3. A Grave of Fireflies (8.5/10)
Yet another iconic Studio Ghibli film in this list, ‘A Grave of Fireflies’ is a poignant exploration of the human spirit amid the ravages of war. This gem of a cinema combines hauntingly beautiful animation with a narrative that tugs at the heartstrings, true testament to the emotional depth that cinema can achieve.
4. Coco (8.4/10)
The Disney Pixar film ‘Coco’ is a captivating and heartfelt celebration of Mexican culture. Centered around the festival ‘Day of Dead’ or ‘Día de Muertos’, the film’s richly detailed animation, coupled with its powerful exploration of family and legacy, makes it a standout in the world of animated cinema. Get ready to explore the vibrant and enthralling Land of the Dead with our protagonist Miguel.
5. Your Name (8.4/10)
While not a Studio Ghibli film, the Japanese animated movie ‘Your Name’ took the world by a storm during its release. It is a breathtaking anime that transcends the boundaries of time and space. This emotionally charged film not only captivates with its magnificent visuals but also delves into the intricacies of love and destiny. Truly a tale that leaves an indelible mark on the soul.
6. Up (8.3/10)
‘Up’ is a Pixar classic that takes audiences on a whimsical adventure. Beyond its colorful animation and memorable characters, the film’s opening sequence is a masterclass in storytelling, evoking a rollercoaster of emotions. The film is widely enjoyed by old and young alike for its wholesome narrative of a marital bond. Prepare for an uplifting journey that defies gravity with Up.
7. Trolls Band Together (6/10)
‘Trolls Band Together’ generated quite a buzz even before its release and the audience is loving it. With a humorous plot, intriguing characters and brilliantly vibrant animation, the film promises a harmonious blend of music, humor, and entertainment. Since its release this weekend, the film has already received good ratings on IMDb and is expected to go higher. One could say, it’s the one to watch out for on the charts.
Did we get you excited for some animated masterpieces? Lucky for you, Trolls Band Together is playing on the big screens. Grab your tickets to watch the film at your nearest PVR INOX theaters!
Hindi
GUEST COLUMN: Why film libraries & IPs are the new engines of growth
Unlocking value through catalogue strength and IP synergy
MUMBAI:In a media landscape defined by fragmentation, platform proliferation, and ever-evolving audience behavior, the economics of filmmaking are undergoing a fundamental shift. No longer confined to box office performance, a film’s true value is now measured across an extended lifecycle that spans digital platforms, syndication networks, and global markets. As content consumption becomes increasingly non-linear and algorithm-driven, film libraries and intellectual properties (IPs) are emerging as strategic assets, capable of delivering sustained, long-term returns. For Mohan Gopinath, head – bollywood business at Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd., this transformation signals a decisive move from hit-driven models to portfolio-led value creation. In this piece, Gopinath explores how legacy content, when intelligently repurposed and distributed, can unlock recurring revenue streams, why the interplay between catalogue and original IP is critical, and how media companies can build resilient, future-ready entertainment businesses.
For all these years, we thought that a film is successful if it performs well in theatres. There are opening weekend numbers, box office milestones, and distribution footprints that gave a good picture of how the movie has done commercially and also tell us about its cultural impact. However, there are multiple platforms today, always-on content ecosystem, which has caused a shift. Today, the theatrical performance is not the culmination of a film’s journey but merely the beginning of a much longer and more dynamic lifecycle.
Film libraries today are emerging as high-value, constantly evolving assets that deliver sustained returns well beyond initial release cycles. This becomes a point of great advantage for legacy content owners with diverse catalogues, to shape long-term business outcomes.
According to FICCI-EY, the media and entertainment industry of India achieved a valuation of Rs 2.78 trillion in 2025 which is expected to reach Rs 3.3 trillion by 2028 through a compound annual growth rate of approximately 7 per cent and digital media will bring in more than Rs 1 trillion to become the biggest sector which generates about 36 per cent of overall market revenues.
This shift is the expansion of distribution endpoints. We know how satellite television was once the primary secondary window but today, it coexists with YouTube, OTT platforms, Connected TV, and FAST channels. Each of these platforms caters to distinct audience demographics and consumption behaviors, helping content owners to obtain more value from the same asset across multiple formats.
For instance, films that had great reruns, now find continuous engagement across digital platforms. On YouTube, classic Hindi cinema continues to attract significant viewership, reaching audiences across generations and geographies with remarkable consistency. At Shemaroo Entertainment, this is reflected in our film library shaped over decades as part of a long association with Indian entertainment. From classics such as Amar Akbar Anthony to much-loved entertainers like Jab We Met, Welcome, Dhamaal, Phir Hera Pheri, Dhol, Golmaal, and Bhagam Bhag, many of these titles continue finding new audiences while retaining their place in popular memory. Their enduring appeal reflects how culturally resonant stories can continue creating value over time. Similarly, FAST channels have created curated, always-on environments where catalogue content can continue to thrive through star-led and genre-based programming.
This multi-platform approach has very well transformed films into long-tail IP assets which are capable of generating recurring revenue across advertising, subscription, and syndication models.
The evolution of audience behavior is equally important. Nowadays, it’s more important to find what’s more relative than what’s recent as viewers are more influenced by mood, memories, and algorithmic suggestions than by release schedules. Even if a movie was released decades ago, it can trend alongside a newly released movie, if surfaced in the right context. Thoughtful packaging, whether through festival-based playlists, actor-driven collections, or genre clusters, allows catalogue content to remain dynamic and continuously discoverable. Shemaroo Entertainment has built extensive film libraries over decades and its focus has mostly been on recontextualizing content for the consumption of newer environments. This process doesn’t just include digitization and restoration, but also re-packaging of films as per platforms.
Syndication itself has evolved into a key growth driver. In perspective, when looking at the domestic market, curated content packages continue to find strong demand across broadcast and digital platforms. Meanwhile, in the international market, especially in markets like Middle East, North America and Southeast Asia, the appetite for Indian content is opening up new monetization avenues. Here, the ability to package and position catalogue content effectively becomes as important as the content itself.
Importantly, the need to re-package catalogue content does not diminish the role of new content. In fact, originals and fresh IP are essential to sustaining the long-term value of a film library because they act as discovery engines that bring audiences into the ecosystem, while catalogue content drives depth, retention, and repeat engagement.
This interplay between the “new” and the “known” is what defines a robust content strategy today. While new films generate spikes in consumption, catalogue titles offer familiarity and comfort. These are factors that are increasingly valuable in an era of content abundance and decision fatigue. This is also shaping our strategy, drawing value from both a deep catalogue assets and a growing focus on original IPs to strengthen long-term audience engagement and build more predictable revenue streams.
There is growing recognition that long-term value in entertainment will be shaped not only by how intelligently existing content continues to live, travel and find relevance, but also by how consistently new stories are created to renew that ecosystem. In that sense, film libraries and original IP are not parallel bets, but reinforcing engines of growth. For media companies, the opportunity lies in making these two forces work together, because that is increasingly where more resilient and predictable businesses are being shaped.
Note: The views expressed in this article are solely the author’s and do not necessarily reflect our own.
