Top 10 Best Voice Acting Performances in 2000s Movies
#10: Daveigh Chase as Lilo Pelekai
“Lilo & Stitch” franchise (2002-)
If you were that kid who always marched the beat of their own drum, you probably related hard to Lilo. She could be messy, moody, and impulsive, but she was also loyal, loving, and immensely devoted to her loved ones. That’s a lot for a young actress to relay, but Daveigh Chase does so impeccably in the 2002 flick, and in many of the franchise’s subsequent projects. She effortlessly captures what makes Lilo a real and complex individual while still making us laugh and melting our hearts. And what about her companion Stitch, voiced by none other than Chris Sanders? We don’t need to understand every word Stitch said to crack up at his goofiness or be moved by his vulnerability.
#9: Patton Oswalt as Remy
“Ratatouille” (2007)
It might sound like a lot asking audiences to get behind a rat with a penchant for the culinary world. But when they're empathetically voiced by comedian and actor Patton Oswalt, it’s easy to forget that a rodent in the kitchen is a serious health code violation. "Ratatouille" is your classic fish out of water (or rat out of burrow) story. Oswalt's fervor and resolve make us both root for Remy and identify with him. The actor also digs deep into the character's thoughts and feelings in a way that humanizes him and makes any of us who've felt like we've had to fight the tide feel seen. Casting Oswalt in the role was a recipe for success.
#8: Kenneth Branagh as Miguel & Kevin Kline as Tulio
“The Road to El Dorado” (2000)
“The Road to El Dorado” is one of the most underrated animated movies of the ‘00s. However, we don’t think it would be the cult classic that it is today if it wasn’t for its two leading stars. Kevin Kline and Kenneth Branagh play a couple of loquacious con artists who discover the mythical lost “City of Gold” and are mistaken for gods. The duo had their recording sessions together, allowing them to build a genuine rapport and even adlib some of the dialogue. The polar opposite characters bring out the best in each other. And the fun, humor, and natural chemistry they shared behind the scenes can be felt throughout the movie. They sure struck gold with this casting!
#7: Anika Noni Rose as Tiana
“The Princess and the Frog” (2009)
In 2009, Disney presented a more modern twist on the classic princess storyline. And Anika Noni Rose paved the way for a new generation of heroines with a ribbeting, sorry, that’s riveting, voice-acting performance. Tiana goes through quite a transformation throughout the story (literally and emotionally), but Rose never loses sight of who the character is at heart. Fiercely independent, driven, and passionate: those qualities shine through every line she delivers and every lyric she sings. The actress leaves a crowning legacy, delivers a masterclass in voice acting, and gives audiences a protagonist they can see themselves in. Anika Noni Rose in the role really is a dream come true, and one we'll never frog-et.
#6: Jack Black as Po
“Kung Fu Panda” (2008)
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Whether you know him from “School of Rock,” “The Holiday,” or as one half of rock duo Tenacious D, you know that a big part of Jack Black’s charm is his full-energy physical comedy. Well, it turns out that he also channels that level of animation into, well, animation. According to the actor, his first venture into voice acting was somewhat inspired by his previous live-action roles. Indeed, Black masterfully embodies the excitable klutzy underdog (underpanda?) Po, who has big dreams and an even bigger heart. He goes all out, delivering plenty of laughs and panda-monium, but gives us a softer side to the character too. Black bears his heart, soul, and more for this performance, and it’s iconic.
#5: Brad Bird as Edna Mode
“The Incredibles” (2004)
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If you’re looking for an effortlessly cool voice-acting performance, look no further than Samuel L. Jackson’s Frozone. But if you’re after one that’s “Fabulous Dahling,” we need to talk about Brad Bird’s Edna Mode. Edna is a sassy, wild fashion designer specializing in super suits who livens up every moment she’s on our screens. Bird, who’s also the film’s writer and director, reportedly stepped into the role when they couldn’t find anyone else to do her justice. We know we couldn’t imagine anyone else nailing Edna’s dry wit and bluntness quite as spectacularly. Edna quickly became a stand-out character and won Bird an Annie Award for Voice Acting in a Feature Production. That’s fabulous, indeed!
#4: Ellen DeGeneres as Dory
“Finding Nemo” (2003)
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Yes, this 2003 film is titled “Finding Nemo,” but we sure are glad it helped us find Dory. Voiced by Ellen DeGeneres, this adorable blue tang won us over with her naivety, rose-tinted goggles, and an ever-present reminder to “just keep swimming.” DeGeneres is well known for her comedy; indeed, her sitcom role reportedly helped shape the character and even contributed to her casting. But this part allowed the actress to dive deeper and show audiences the warmth, heart, and emotion she could bring to a performance. We were instantly reeled in by Dory’s sincerity, humor, and all-around likeability. Plus, thanks to her, there’s at least one address we can all recite at the drop of a hat.
#3: Billy Crystal as Mike Wazowski
“Monsters, Inc.” (2001)
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Billy Crystal once called Mike Wazowski his “favorite character [he’s] ever played.” This endearing one-eyed green monster is an upbeat go-getter who never lets life knock him down. Crystal brings his comedic A-game and throws all his energy behind the character’s larger-than-life personality and quick-fire wit. Similarly to “The Road to El Dorado”’s Kenneth Branagh and Kevin Kline, Crystal and John Goodman, who voiced Sulley, worked together during the recording process. Indeed, Goodman’s portrayal perfectly balances Crystal’s excitable and jumpy Mike. That isn’t to say that the little guy is one-dimensional either; Crystal gives us glimpses of his tender side too. Still, he makes us roar with laughter so often that he could fill enough laugh canisters to last Monstropolis a lifetime.
#2: Eartha Kitt as Yzma
“The Emperor's New Groove” franchise (2000-)
Disney’s given us some iconic villains over the years. But fewer are more fabulously extra or as hilarious as Yzma. And according to the documentary “The Sweatbox, " much of that came down to legendary performer Eartha Kitt finding her groove in the recording studio. Apparently the actress would really perform while recording lines, adding a layer of physicality that was incorporated back into her animated counterpart. Her passion also translates through her dialogue and helps create a villain that we kinda want to root for. We also love how they juxtaposed the character with sweet goofball Kronk for a henchman, voiced hilariously by Patrick Warburton. Every moment they're on our screen is.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Tom Hanks as Various, “The Polar Express” (2004)
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Hugh Jackman as Roddy, “Flushed Away” (2006)
This Triple Threat Tickled Our Funny Bones with This GRATifying Performance
Jerry Seinfeld as Barry B. Benson, “Bee Movie” (2007)
A Comedy & Improv Extraordinaire, Seinfeld Is the Bee’s Knees!
Cree Summer as Kida, “Atlantis” franchise (2001-)
Summer’s Powerful Character Is Iconic
Sacha Baron Cohen as King Julien XIII, “Madagascar” franchise (2005-)
This Kooky Character Still Reigns Over Our Hearts
#1: Eddie Murphy as Donkey
“Shrek” franchise (2001-)
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The “Shrek” franchise has a pretty stacked cast. From Mike Myers in the titular role to Antonio Banderas joining as Puss in Boots in the sequel, we could easily name-drop from here to Far Far Away. But there’s perhaps no animated character that defined the decade better than Eddie Murphy’s Donkey. Murphy’s comedic talents showcase the creature’s big personality and magnetic charisma. And with so many hilarious quips, we were rolling down the aisles long after the movie ended. But the actor also brings depth to the role that challenges our perception of comic relief sidekicks. Murphy became the first voice actor nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. And he might just be behind our great love of waffles.
