Before he directed such Pixar hits as The Incredibles and Ratatouille, Brad Bird made his cinematic debut with The Iron Giant. A commercial misfire on release, the film has gained a huge cult following, thanks to its deft balancing of warmth, humour and weighty themes, telling the story of a young boy who becomes friends with a giant alien robot and how this friendship could change the world as we know it.

Steeped in atomic-era nostalgia (it is set in '50s Maine), the film nevertheless feels oddly prescient, acting as a critique of the proliferation of nuclear weapons. It benefits greatly from a terrific cast, including the likes of John Mahoney, Christopher McDonald, Jennifer Aniston and, in an early role, Vin Diesel. By the film's final moments you may find yourself shedding a tear for the narrative's heartbreaking turns. The Iron Giant really is one of the best animated films of the past few decades.