These days, it’s rare to see a major animated movie that features professional voice actors in its cast rather than A-list Hollywood talent. The likes of Matt Mercer, Laura Bailey, or Yuri Lowenthal may be celebrities in the world of video games and anime, but audiences are unlikely to hear them featured prominently in a Disney or DreamWorks production.
This trend has its share of controversy over the years, especially in the most egregious cases of stunt casting. Just look at the backlash to Chris Pratt portraying Mario in next year’sThe Super Mario Bros. Movie. However, that doesn’t mean that famous screen actors have no place in animation. As proof of this, here are just a few noteworthy cases of celebrity voice actors delivering standoutperformances in animated movies.
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Robin Williams as Genie (Aladdin)
The late, great Robin Williams’ turn asAladdin’s Genie of the Lamp is one of the first major instances of a celebrity appearance in an animated film. And to this day, it remains one of the most iconic performances in the history of animated cinema. Williams fills the Genie with such effortless charisma that it’s practically impossible not to find him endearing. His rapid-fire quips and seemingly infinite pop culture references would likely come across as grating with a lesser performer in the role. But with Robin Williams, it just works.
Not only is the Genie a perfect showcase of Williams’ comedic talent, he also belts out the film’s biggest showstopper, the irresistibly catchy “Friend Like Me.” And as if that wasn’t enough, he evennails the emotional beats— the scene where Aladdin finally sets Genie free from the Lamp still tugs at the heartstrings to this day. Williams famously refused to reprise the role in spin-off projects after Disney used his voice in the film’s marketing and merchandise against his wishes. However, he’d eventually give the Genie one last go in 1996’s direct-to-video sequelAladdin and the King of Thieves. With all his endlessly quotable charm, it’s no surprise that Genie is still such an enduring Disney icon all these years later.
Tom Hanks as Woody (Toy Story)
Pixar is no stranger to casting live action stars in its lead roles either, from John Goodman and Billy Crystal inMonsters, Inc.to Jamie Foxx inSoul. However, there’s no better candidate for this list than the original Pixar hero — Sheriff Woody ofToy Storyfame, voiced by Tom Hanks. Famous for his roles in films likeForrest Gump,Saving Private Ryan, andCast Away, Hanks’ performance brings Woody to life with a striking level of nuance. He’s both a confident leader and an anxious mess, a jealous rival and a kindhearted friend.
But while Hanks is the obvious highlight of the film, special mention must be made of the rest of the series’ star-studded cast. From Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear and Wallace Shawn as Rex to Joan Cusack as Jessie and Kelsey Grammer as Stinky Pete,every actor in the seriesis perfectly suited for their role. TheToy Storyfilms are still regarded as some of Pixar’s best work, and with a cast like that, it’s not hard to see why.
Jack Black as Po (Kung Fu Panda)
There are plenty of DreamWorks characters who could have ended up on this list — Mike Myers’ Shrek, Will Ferrell’s Megamind, and Jay Baruchel’s Hiccup fromHow to Train Your Dragon, to name just a handful. But ultimately, the crown goes to the rock n’ roll comedy legend Jack Black for his performance as Po, protagonist of theKung Fu Pandaseries. Like Dewey Finn fromSchool of Rock, the character of Po plays to Black’s strengths as a performer. He’s a goofy, melodramatic dork on the surface, buthis outward persona hidesboth a self-doubting insecurity and a sincere warmth.
Not only is Po just as entertaining as one would expect from a showman like Black, he’s also a deceptively layered character. The later films explore Po in even further depth, allowing Black to show off his surprisingly potent skills as a dramatic actor. When a performance manages to stand out even alongside the likes of Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, and J.K. Simmons, that’s when you know you’ve got something special. Thanks to Jack Black, Po is lovable and compelling in equal measure. It’s no wonder that fans are so excited to hear his take on Bowserin that upcoming Mario movie.
Will Arnett as Batman (The Lego Movie)
Before he lent his trademark baritone to the title character of Netflix’sBoJack Horseman, Will Arnett appeared as the Caped Crusader himself in 2014’sThe Lego Movie. In a time when the Dark Knight was darker than ever on the big screen, Arnett’s parodic take on the character turned him into a self-aggrandizing man-child, not unlike his portrayal of Gob Bluth inArrested Development. Arnett’s Batman proved to be so popular that he soon earned his own spin-off film, 2017’sThe Lego Batman Movie. Having the lead role allows Arnett to truly show off his range, capturing both the comedic and heartfelt sides of this more lighthearted Batman. He’s no Kevin Conroy, but Arnett still deserves credit for portrayinga surprisingly compelling Bruce Waynewhile doing a silly voice the whole time.
The Entire Cast of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Having an ensemble as strong asSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verseis a rarity for any movie, let alone an animated one with a cast full of live action stars. From Shamiek Moore (Dope) capturing the earnest teenage awkwardness of Miles Morales to Jake Johnson (New Girl,Jurassic World) bringing the world-weary Peter B. Parker to life, all the film’s leads knock their roles out of the park. Mahershala Ali (Moonlight,Luke Cage) is charismatic, menacing, and tragic in equal measure as the Prowler, while Liev Schreiber (Ray Donovan,The French Dispatch) makes an entertainingbig bad as the Kingpin.
The supporting cast is equally stellar, from Brian Tyree Henry as Miles’ father to John Mulaney as theLooney Tunes-inspired Spider-Ham. And of course, there’s the incomparable Nicolas Cage as Spider-Man Noir. Even minor characters like Aunt May, Mary Jane Watson, and the original Spider-Man are voiced by the likes of Lily Tomlin, Zoë Kravitz, and Chris Pine. However, special mention must be made of Hailee Steinfeld (True Grit,Bumblebee), who makes Spider-Gwen feel equally authentic as both a confident, coolheaded superhero and a nervous, vulnerable teenager. And considering her more recent performance asVi in Netflix’sArcane,Steinfeld has proven that she’s just as much of a powerhouse performer in animation as she is in live action. But ultimately,Into the Spider-Verseis full of so many amazingly-acted roles that it’s impossible to single out just one.
