The Incredibles (2004)

The Incredibles (2004) is the greatest superhero family drama ever made, earning $631 million worldwide on a $92 million budget—a 6.8x return that outperforms many of its live-action rivals. Brad Bird spun a tale of mediocrity, exceptionalism, and midlife crisis that gives it surprising depth for a family film, while Pixar’s animation delivers elastic fight choreography that rivals #9 Akira’s kinetic battles. Its rendering of superspeed and elastic limbs used one million more polygons than the average CGI character at the time, and the Parr family’s emotional arc is cheaper than the typical blockbuster’s spectacle yet richer in resonance.