The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926)★ 8.2/10

The 1999 restoration by the German Film Museum revived a 66-minute version that is widely regarded as the first full-length animated feature in cinema history. Directed by Lotte Reiniger, the first female animation pioneer, this silhouette animation premiered in 1926—over a decade before Disney’s first feature film—and its roots in shadow puppetry mark it as a groundbreaking achievement.

It’s astonishing to think this animation dates back to the 1920s, especially since the symphonic score syncs so beautifully with the narrative. The sequence where the prince is peeking at the queen bathing has a melody that's simply sublime. The intricate paper-cut visuals, especially the architecture and elaborate costumes, showcase exquisite craftsmanship.