‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’; ‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio’; ‘The Sea Beast’. PHOTO: There’s no limit to what the imagination can dream up — and with animation, there’s no limit to what filmmakers can accomplish on screen. From stealing the moon, to exploring the sea, to traveling through time, the medium is one of pure potential. Visually gripping, with art rendered in 2-D, 3-D, motion graphics, or stop motion, animation is for all ages. And Netflix has curated an impressive collection, including comedies, cartoons, and a few of the platform’s original features. Here are our picks for the best animated movies streaming on the site as of July 2024, including Nimona, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and some underrated classics

The Angry Birds Movie (2016)

‘The Angry Birds Movie’ (2016). COLUMBIA PICTURES/COURTESY EVERETT COLLECTION
While it may be damning with faint praise to give credit to The Angry Birds Movie for not being a total disaster…it really could’ve been much worse. Based on the wildly popular app of the same name, the film follows Red (voiced by Jason Sudeikis), a talking bird who comes to suspect that his island’s new pig inhabitants have malicious intent. Your mileage may vary depending on your tolerance for punny/juvenile humor, but as EW’s review notes, the film “delivers a mildly diverting mix of winky meta-jokes and moral lessons, cannily aimed at both the next generation of tiny consumers and their more sophisticated parents.” —Kevin Jacobsen

           Where to watch The Angry Birds Movie: Netflix

          EW grade: B (read the review)

          Director: Clay Kaytis and Fergal Reilly

          Cast: Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Kate McKinnon, Sean Penn, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Bill Hader, Peter Dinklage

Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood (2022)

Stanley, voiced by Milo Coy, heads to the moon in ‘Apollo 10 1/2’. NETFLIX

Richard Linklater returned to rotoscope animation following Waking Life (2001) and A Scanner Darkly (2006), with this nostalgic trip back to the summer of ’69. Young Stanley is an imaginative young boy whose investment in the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon causes him to fantasize about being onboard the history-making spaceship. Jack Black voices the adult version of Stanley, looking back on his childhood memories with fondness. Fans of Linklater’s Oscar-nominated film Boyhood (2014) will find the director working in familiar territory here, exploring the coming-of-age process with a wistful eye. The dreamlike film earned widespread acclaim from critics, praising its dreamlike atmosphere and vivid animation. —K.J.

Where to watch Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood: Netflix

Director: Richard Linklater

Cast: Jack Black, Milo Coy, Glen Powell, Zachary Levi

Related content: The films of Richard Linklater, ranked

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Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017)

Captain Underpants (Ed Helms) in ‘Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie’. 20TH CENTURY FOX/COURTESY EVERETT COLLECTION

The wildly popular Captain Underpants book series has kept kids entertained since 1997, but it wasn’t until 20 years later that the tighty-whities-clad hero made it to the big screen. The First Epic Movie centers on George and Harold, fourth-grader best friends who create the Captain Underpants comic book and hypnotize their strict principal into becoming the superhero — who doesn’t actually have superpowers. Kid-friendly without being too mind-numbing to their parents, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie has “charm to spare,” praises EW’s critic, noting it works “mostly because it never tries to be more or less than what it is.” It also spawned a series on Netflix, The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants, which ran from 2018 to 2020. —K.J.

Where to watch Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie: Netflix

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Director: David Soren

Cast: Kevin Hart, Ed Helms, Nick Kroll, Thomas Middleditch, Jordan Peele, Kristen Schaal

Related content: Kevin Hart creates wacky superhero in Captain Underpants movie trailer

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)

Puppets dance in ‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio’. NETFLIX

Codirectors Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson transport the classic story of Pinocchio to World War II-era Italy in this meticulously crafted stop-motion animated film. Following the death of his young son, carpenter Geppetto cuts down a tree and carves a wooden boy, who is subsequently brought to life and dubbed Pinocchio. As the boy ventures to the outside world, he is met with dark forces that attempt to use and corrupt him, all against the backdrop of Benito Mussolini’s reign as leader of Fascist Italy. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is a darker take on the tale compared to the well-known Disney adaptation (which also received a far-inferior live-action remake in 2022). From the fraught setting to the detailed creature designs, del Toro and Gustafson create a distinct world while providing valuable life lessons to viewers of all ages. The film became the first Netflix production to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. —K.J.

Where to watch Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio: Netflix

Directors: Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson

Cast: Ewan McGregor, David Bradley, Gregory Mann, Burn Gorman, Ron Perlman, John Turturro, Finn Wolfhard, Cate Blanchett, Tim Blake Nelson, Christoph Waltz, Tilda Swinton

Related content: Guillermo del Toro explains why his Pinocchio has so much fascism in it

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I Lost My Body (2019)

‘I Lost My Body’. NETFLIX

A severed hand goes on a perilous journey to reunite with its owner in this French animated drama. When we’re not following the hand’s quest, we get to know its owner, Naoufel, who accidentally caused his parents’ death and now lives with his uncle in Paris. Working as a pizza delivery driver, Naoufel is also hopelessly infatuated with Gabrielle, a librarian. We ultimately come to learn the series of events that led Naoufel’s hand to be severed. I Lost My Body was a huge critical success when it was released in 2019, winning a prize at the Cannes Film Festival and earning an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature. Its eccentric story combined with its striking 2-D animation make for an unforgettable experience. —K.J.

Where to watch I Lost My Body: Netflix

Director: Jérémy Clapin

Cast: Hakim Faris, Victoire du Bois, Patrick d’Assumçao

Related content: The Little Prince: EW review

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Klaus (2019)

‘Klaus’. NETFLIX

Regardless of whether or not ’tis the season, Klaus is a Santa Claus origin story that’s enjoyable any time of the year. Starring J.K. Simmons as the film’s eponymous hero, Klaus tells the tale of a widowed Norwegian lumberman who is recruited by the town’s new postman Jesper (Jason Schwartzman) to make toys for him to deliver in an effort to prove his father, the postmaster general, wrong. But, when Klaus’ toys begin to cheer up the children of Smeerensburg — a town whose inhabitants are perpetually engaged in a feud between two familial clans — Jesper and Klaus must step out of their comfort zones to help save the town from itself. Klaus isn’t just another feel-good film; it’s also a film that looks great. Employing unique technology to transform 2-D animation into what looks like 3-D, the film is well-deserving of its Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature (the first of Netflix’s original animated features to receive that distinction). —Ilana Gordon

Where to watch Klaus: Netflix

Director: Sergio Pablos

Cast: Jason Schwartzman, J.K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Will Sasso, Neda Margrethe Labba, Sergio Pablos, Norm Macdonald, Joan Cusack

Related content: J.K. Simmons reveals he was a mall Santa before starring in Netflix’s Klaus

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The LEGO Movie (2014)

Emmet (center; voice of Chris Pratt) in ‘The LEGO Movie’.WARNER BROS. PICTURES/COURTESY EVERETT

A movie based on LEGO bricks could’ve been a soulless cash grab, but this vibrant animated film is instead an imaginative adventure comedy about finding one’s purpose. Set in the LEGO universe, Emmet (Chris Pratt) is an eager construction worker whose simple life is disrupted upon discovering a “Piece of Resistance,” an item that would help prevent an evil businessman from gluing their world together. “It may be a helter-skelter kiddie adventure built out of plastic toy components,” writes EW’s critic, “but it’s fast and original, it’s conceptually audacious, it’s visually astonishing, and it’s 10 times more clever and smart and funny than it needed to be.” —K.J.

Where to watch The LEGO Movie: Netflix

EW grade: A (read the review)

Directors: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller

Cast: Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Morgan Freeman

Related content: Chris Pratt covers ‘Everything Is Awesome’ as Parks and Recreation‘s Andy Dwyer

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Leo (2023)

Squirtle the Turtle and Leo in ‘Leo’.COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Produced by Adam Sandler’s company Happy Madison, this playful comedy centers on a 74-year-old tuatara named Leo (voiced by Sandler). Serving as a class pet over several decades, Leo panics upon learning his lifespan may be coming to an end. Multiple students bring him home during the school year, with Leo imparting his decades of wisdom upon them to help with each of their individual needs. Perfectly attuned to today’s anxiety-riddled youth, Leo is a well-observed charmer about how everyone is going through something. —K.J.

Where to watch Leo: Netflix

Directors: Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, David Wachtenheim

Cast: Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander

Related content: The 11 best Adam Sandler movies

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The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)

‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’. SONY PICTURES ANIMATION

Every family has problems, but the Mitchell family has big problems — robot apocalypse-type problems. In this animated comedy, a dysfunctional family’s already messy road trip is thrown into further chaos when robots attempt to take over the world. As the only people left to fight them off, it’s up to the Mitchells (voiced by Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, and director Mike Rianda) to take out the machines and save humanity. But, to do that, they’ll have to ensure their family’s connection to each other is stronger than their connection to their phones and iPads. In an ironic twist, The Mitchells vs. the Machines — whose message warns of the dangers of relying too much on technology — employs both hand-drawn and CGI animation to create its visuals. —I.G.

Where to watch The Mitchells vs. the Machines: Netflix

Director: Mike Rianda

Cast: Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Mike Rianda, Eric André, Olivia Colman

Related content: Danny McBride takes on technology in The Mitchells vs. The Machines and real life

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Nimona (2023)

Nimona (voice of Chloë Grace Moretz) in ‘Nimona’. NETFLIX

Blending medieval folklore and futuristic fantasy, this high-spirited, Oscar-nominated adaptation of the 2015 graphic novel is more timely now than ever. Chloë Grace Moretz gives voice to Nimona, a mischievous shapeshifter who comes to the aid of Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed), a knight who has since been ostracized by the kingdom due to his background as a commoner. Naturally, Nimona has her own history with being outcast, and the pair unravel a conspiracy that resulted in the queen’s death. Featuring a powerful queer allegory, both Nimona and Ballister try to overcome prejudice from their community while forging a bond due to their circumstances. As EW’s critic writes, “The story admiringly delves into how such monsters are in fact created by a society that refuses to accept their differences.” —K.J.

Where to watch Nimona: Netflix

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Directors: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane

Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Riz Ahmed, Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy, Lorraine Toussaint, Beck Bennett, RuPaul, Indya Moore, Julio Torres, Sarah Sherman

Related content: The Nimona cast on the film’s long journey (and learning to make ostrich noises)

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Orion and the Dark (2024)

Dark and Orion in ‘Orion and the Dark’.DREAMWORKS ANIMATION

Based on the 2014 children’s book of the same name by Emma Yarlett, Orion and the Dark is an inventive exploration of what it means to face your fears. Adapted by surrealist extraordinaire Charlie Kaufman, the film follows 11-year-old Orion (Jacob Tremblay), who suffers from debilitating fears. One night, the power goes out, and the personification of the dark (Paul Walter Hauser) arrives to take him on a journey that will help quell his anxieties. Along the way, he meets other personified nighttime beings such as Sleep and Unexpected Noises, coming to understand their functions. As the film goes on, however (and as adult viewers have come to expect from Kaufman), it becomes clear that there are many layers to this story. Beneath the colorful animation and lively voice performances, Orion and the Dark offers a thought-provoking message for all ages. —K.J.

Where to watch Orion and the Dark: Netflix

Director: Sean Charmatz

Cast: Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser, Colin Hanks, Angela Bassett, Ike Barinholtz, Natasia Demetriou, Golda Rosheuvel, Nat Faxon, Aparna Nancherla, Carla Gugino

Related content: A meta-ranking of Charlie Kaufman’s filmography

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Over the Moon (2020)

‘Over the Moon’. NETFLIX

Netflix’s original animated feature, Over the Moon is one of the platform’s most stunning visual works of art. Directed by Oscar-winner Glen Keane (the Disney animator behind The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast), this vibrant film tells the story of Fei Fei (Cathy Ang), a young Chinese girl mourning the death of her mother. A passionate scientist, Fei Fei finds solace in a story her parents told her about Chang’e (Phillipa Soo) — a goddess who lives on the moon — and decides to build a rocket ship so she can visit her. A vibrant exploration of Chinese culture, grief, and believing in the face of adversity, the film features gorgeous animated sequences, memorable songs, and the voices of John Cho, Ken Jeong, and Sandra Oh. An ambitious feature lovingly crafted by a pedigreed production team, Over the Moon is a family film that will haunt you long after the credits have rolled. —I.G.

Where to watch Over the Moon: Netflix

Director: Glen Keane

Cast: Cathy Ang, Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong, John Cho, Ruthie Ann Miles, Margaret Cho, Sandra Oh

Related content: With Over the Moon, a Disney legend directs his first movie

Rango (2011)

Rango (Johnny Depp) and Beans (Isla Fisher) in ‘Rango’.EVERETT

There’s a new sheriff in town, and his name is Rango. Gore Verbinski’s first — and, thus far, only — venture into animation has more in common with the spaghetti Westerns of yesteryear than your average animated film. Johnny Depp voices the title character, a chameleon who comes upon a desert town and is soon appointed to law enforcement. As the town suffers through a brutal drought, Rango is tasked with investigating what happened to their water supply, stumbling into trouble along the way. Rango evokes familiar imagery for Western fans, with homages to classics such as A Fistful of Dollars (1964) and Once Upon a Time in the West (1968). The climax of the film takes direct inspiration from 1952’s High Noon. While adults may appreciate the film’s sly humor more than kids, EW’s critic writes, “there’s no denying the intrigue in its combination of the good, the bad, and the ugly.” (Yes. Rango tips a cowboy hat to that 1966 classic, too.) —K.J.

Where to watch Rango: Netflix

EW grade: B (read the review)

Director: Gore Verbinski

Cast: Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Abigail Breslin, Ned Beatty, Alfred Molina, Bill Nighy, Harry Dean Stanton, Ray Winstone, Timothy Olyphant

Related content: Johnny Depp’s Rango: Its top six riffs on classic movies

The Sea Beast (2022)

‘The Sea Beast’. NETFLIX

A brave orphan girl named Maisie stows away aboard a ship of sea monster hunters in The Sea Beast, helmed by Big Hero 6′s co-director Chris Williams. The sailors are renowned for their hunting abilities, though their status is threatened by their society’s admiral, who wishes to replace them. They go out on one last hunt to track down a powerful sea beast called the Red Bluster, but, as Maisie soon discovers, the creatures may not have the kind of malicious intent for which they’ve come to be known. With dazzling colors, fast-paced thrills, and classical storytelling, it’s easy to see why The Sea Beast became Netflix’s most watched animated original film as of October 2022, according to the streamer. The film also earned a Best Animated Feature nomination at the Oscars, following a wave of critical praise. —K.J.

Where to watch The Sea Beast: Netflix

Director: Chris Williams

Cast: Karl Urban, Zaris-Angel Hator, Jared Harris, Marianne Jean-Baptiste

Related content: New Aquaman photos get up close with armored sea beasts

Shrek (2001)

Donkey, Shrek, Princess Fiona, and Lord Farquaard in ‘Shrek’.DREAMWORKS/COURTESY EVERETT

One of the defining animated films of the 21st century, Shrek is also one of the most rewatchable of the modern era. Shrek follows the titular grumpy ogre (voiced by Mike Myers) as he goes on a journey to request the dastardly Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) to remove the fairy tale creatures that have invaded his swamp. He soon meets and falls in love with Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz), who happens to be concealing a surprising secret about her identity. Crass, clever, and unexpectedly moving, Shrek is a fun inversion of classic fairy tales that became a full-on media franchise, but we always favor the nostalgia of the original. —K.J.

Where to watch Shrek: Netflix

EW grade: A (read the review)

Directors: Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson

Cast: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow, Vincent Cassel, Conrad Vernon

Related content: Eddie Murphy would bring back Donkey for potential Shrek 5: ‘I’d do it in 2 seconds’

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

Miles Morales in ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’. SONY PICTURES ANIMATION

Following up on the massive success of the Oscar-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) was a huge responsibility, but this dazzling sequel was well worth the five-year wait. Across the Spider-Verse finds Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) adjusting to the struggles of life as Spider-Man, while Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) deals with the unique situation of her father hunting down her alter ego, Spider-Woman, not knowing she’s her. Both heroes soon join a team looking to defeat a particularly slippery villain known as the Spot (Jason Schwartzman), who is quickly traveling through the multiverse on a path of destruction. Featuring even more eye-popping visuals than its predecessor, Across the Spider-Verse is an animation geek’s dream, As EW’s critic describes, “Gwen’s homeworld is painted almost entirely with the neon pinks and greens of the Spider-Gwen comics she hails from, while Spider-Punk (Daniel Kaluuya) ripples with the loud fonts and cut-up collages of 1970s anarchist zines.” —K.J.

Where to watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse: Netflix

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Directors: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson

Cast: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Jason Schwartzman, Oscar Isaac, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Vélez, Jake Johnson, Issa Rae, Daniel Kaluuya, Mahershala Ali

Related content: Across the Spider-Verse producer says live-action Miles Morales is in the works

The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)

Mario and Luigi of ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’.NINTENDO; ILLUMINATION ENTERTAINMENT/UNIVERSAL PICTURES

If it weren’t for a little event called Barbenheimer, the smashing success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie would have been the box office story of 2023. Grossing a whopping $1.36 billion worldwide, this animated adaptation of the iconic Nintendo video game empire provides an origin story for Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day), a pair of brothers with a plumbing business who find their lives turned upside down after a pipe transports them to a colorful fantasy land. There, they attempt to ward off the villainous Bowser (Jack Black) as he vies for the love of Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), who, at least in this adaptation, is far from a damsel in distress. As EW’s critic sums it up, “It’s all quite fun, with a good sense of humor and a consistent computer-animated aesthetic — plus, at 90 minutes including credits, it’s short, sweet, and over before anything can get annoying.” —K.J.

Where to watch The Super Mario Bros. Movie: Netflix

EW grade: B– (read the review)

Directors: Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic

Cast: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen, Fred Armisen

Related content: Super Mario movie producer defends non-Italian Chris Pratt’s Mario voice against angry Italians

Trolls (2016)

‘Trolls’. DREAMWORKS ANIMATION

DreamWorks brought the colorful world of Trolls to life in this 2016 jukebox musical. Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake voice Princess Poppy and Branch, respectively, a pair of trolls who fight to save their community from the predatory Bergens. Along the way, we get a bevy of pop-flavored musical performances of such classics as “I’m Coming Out,” “True Colors,” and “September.” Timberlake also co-penned and performed the original song “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” which won a Grammy and earned an Oscar nomination. At a time when films based on previously established brands were commonplace, Trolls exceeded expectations with its sweet and earnest storytelling. While not for the cynically minded, the film resonated with families upon its release in 2016, spawning TV specials, animated series, and two feature film sequels, 2020’s Trolls World Tour and 2023’s Trolls Band Together. —K.J.

Where to watch Trolls: Netflix

EW grade: B+ (read the review)

Director: Mike Mitchell

Cast: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Zooey Deschanel, Russell Brand, James Corden, Gwen Stefani

Related content: Trolls: How Justin Timberlake, Miyazaki inspired the directors

Vivo (2021)

‘Vivo’. SONY PICTURES ANIMATION

Viva la Vivo! Lin-Manuel Miranda partnered with Netflix for this computer-animated original that starts in Havana and ends in Miami, with stops in Key West and the Everglades along the way. Underscored by Latin beats, propelled by a fast-moving story, and even featuring some rapping, Vivo is a buoyant celebration of Caribbean culture. Miranda stars as Vivo, a kinkajou living in Havana as one half of a street-performing act. When his partner Andrés (voiced by Juan de Marcos González) passes away, Vivo resolves to deliver a song Andrés wrote for his long lost love Marta (Gloria Estefan), who is about to perform her retirement show in Miami. Aided by Andrés’ great-niece Gabi (Ynairaly Simo), Vivo hits all the wrong notes in his quest to keep love alive, but his journey is a delight to watch. Musically, Vivo combines mambo, hip-hop, and EDM, and, while it’s not Miranda’s best-known work, earworms like “My Own Drum” are sure to lodge themselves deep into your subconscious. —I.G.

Where to watch Vivo: Netflix

EW grade: B (read the review)

Director: Kirk DeMicco

Cast: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Zoe Saldaña, Juan de Marcos, Brian Tyree Henry, Michael Rooker, Nicole Byer, Ynairaly Simo, Gloria Estefan

Related content: Best of the Decade: Lin-Manuel Miranda on making history with Hamilton

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A Whisker Away (2020)

‘A Whisker Away’ (2020). NETFLIX

Who among us hasn’t pretended to be something we’re not, to attract the attention of a crush? In the 2020 Japanese anime film A Whisker Away, a middle-school girl named Miyo struggles with unrequited love as she yearns for her classmate, Kento, who continues to reject her romantic advances. Upon receiving a magical mask capable of turning her into a cat, Miyo is able to spend time with Kento without fear of rejection — but it’s a risky proposition, as one day, the transformation could become permanent. The film’s Japanese title, which literally translates to Wanting to Cry, I Pretend to be a Cat, tells you all you need to know about the simplicity and heart of the narrative. Packed with sumptuous visuals and a universally relatable core, this winsome coming-of-age story is intended for teens and young adults, but is also a must-see for anime enthusiasts, magical realism fans, and those looking to have their faith in love renewed. —I.G.

Directors: Junichi Sato and Tomotaka Shibayama

Cast: Mirai Shida, Natsuki Hanae, Hiroaki Ogi