The Lego Movie (2014)

The Lego Movie is a 2014 American computer-animated comedy produced by Warner Animation Group, directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. The film follows Emmet Brickowski, voiced by Chris Pratt, an ordinary, instruction-following Lego minifigure who is mistakenly identified as "The Special" — the prophesied hero destined to stop the villainous Lord Business, voiced by Will Ferrell, from using a superweapon called the Kragle to permanently glue the Lego universe together. Joined by the rebel Wyldstyle voiced by Elizabeth Banks, the wizard Vitruvius voiced by Morgan Freeman, and Batman voiced by Will Arnett, Emmet must discover his inner creativity to save the world.

The Lego Movie was a genuine surprise — what could have been a cynical 90-minute toy commercial was instead one of the most inventive, funny, and emotionally resonant animated films of its decade. Lord and Miller's screenplay was a sophisticated meditation on creativity versus conformity, corporate control versus imagination, and the relationship between play and meaning. The film's climactic live-action reveal — showing that the entire story is a child's imagination playing out a conflict with his father — was a devastatingly effective emotional twist. "Everything Is Awesome" became an irresistibly catchy anthem.

The Lego Movie earned $468 million worldwide.