It’s often hard for animated movies to compete with the big studios, and this means that a lot of hidden gems don’t get they recognition they deserve. Most people only watch animated movies from the big studios, but there’s a whole world of creative animated movies which take risks, just waiting to be discovered.
Many of thebest animated moviesare those which break the mold and forge their own identities. This may not grant them the mainstream success of Disney or Pixar, for example, but fans of animation will find a lot to love in these lesser-known greats. They prove that brilliant animated movies can come from all over the world, in a variety of artistic styles.
The Sea Beaststars Karl Urban as a brave sailor who battles leviathans alongside his crew, but he faces a different kind of challenge when he has to take care of a rambunctious young girl who stows away on the ship in search of adventure. It’s a touching story about found families and growing up, althoughThe Sea Beast’s action scenes provide most of the highlights.
The Sea Beast’s action scenes provide most of the highlights.
Despite what the title suggests, there are plenty of monsters lurking beneath the waves inThe Sea Beast.Whether on land or on water, the film is blessed with countless imaginative creature designs. This makes the world feel vibrant and the action feel unpredictable.A sequel toThe Sea Beastis currently in the works.
Every year produces a batch of new Christmas movies, most of which are forgotten about by the next time the holiday season rolls around.Klausis an exception, asit has the potential to become appointment viewingin millions of households every year as one of thebest Christmas moviesever, or one of the best Christmas animations at the least.
With a quirky, distinct style of animation that lends the film a picture-book quality,Klausis filled with creative delights in every corner of the frame. The story follows a bumbling postman who befriends a mysterious toymaker. It may not be revolutionary for a Christmas movie, but when it’s told with such heart it doesn’t have to be.
Ruben Brandt, Collectoris a patchwork of different artistic styles, with nods to the works of Picasso, Dalí, Warhol and many more revolutionary painters. The story follows an art therapist plagued by violent nightmares who assembles an eccentric team of criminals to steal the famous artworks which haunt his psyche.
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Ruben Brandt, Collectoris one of thebest heist moviesever, using the boundless creativity of its aesthetic style to directly impact the narrative. For a movie about the power of art to heal and change people, it practices what it preaches.Although it wears its influences with pride, it also has a profoundly original streak.
The Prince of Egyptwas one of DreamWorks' early hits before the studio settled on the 3-D animation style ofShrek, MadagascarandKung Fu Panda.Although it’s a different kind of animated movie, it’s one of the studio’s very best, and it deserves as much recognition as the big DreamWorks franchises.
The Prince of Egypttells the story of Moses, but this doesn’t mean that it appeals exclusively to Christian audiences. It’s a dramatic, fantasy-infused historical epic that can appeal to anyone, whether they approach the story as literal truth, metaphorical truth, or mere fiction.As an added bonus, it also has an outstanding star-studded ensemble cast.
Most ofStudio Ghibli’s best moviesenjoy huge international audiences, butThe Red Turtleis a different prospect altogether. It’s a co-production between Studio Ghibli and a number of independent French studios, which means it doesn’t quite fit with the likes ofSpirited AwayandMy Neighbor Totoro.It has a different art style, inspired by watercolors and rotoscoping.
The Red Turtleshouldn’t be judged in the same way that other Studio Ghiblit films are, and these comparisons could be one reason why it has struggled to get the love it deserves. When it’s assessed on its own merits, it becomes clear thatThe Red Turtleisan enchanting fantasy movie with an emphasis on visual storytelling.
Apollo 10 1/2may look like a child-friendly sci-fi adventure, but it’s actually a film that’s geared more towards adults.Richard Linklater’s moviesoften work with nostalgia, andApollo 10 1/2draws on his own childhood experiences to create a fast-paced story that links America’s fascination with the space race in the 1960s to its broader cultural landscape.
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Animation doesn’t intuitively seem like a good fit for movies based on true stories, but there are some interesting exceptions to this rule.
Apollo 10 1/2’s ending highlights its intelligent, heartwarming reflection on childhood. A lot of its references are designed to evoke a specific time and place, but the feelings are universal.Linklater has always been interested in rotoscope animation, andApollo 10 1/2makes great use of this style, creating a more colorful and fantastical version of reality.
Laika has been blazing a trail for a more inventive and varied approach to animation in recent years, eschewing the American industry standard of 3-D computer-generated animation.Missing Linksees the studio taking another courageous leap, leaving behind the horror genre for a comedy adventure instead.
Missing Linkwas a box office bomb for Laika, losing the studio over $100 million by some estimates, but this doesn’t reflect the quality of the movie. It’s a light, imaginative adventure that evokes an era of brave exploration, when people thought that anything was possible beyond the edges of the map. It’s also a quirky comedy of manners, with a sasquatch squeezing into a tweed suit and trying to blend in.
A Town Called Panicis a free-wheeling comedic romp made using thousands of small plastic toys. It has much more in common with the irreverent humor ofRobot ChickenthanToy Story,although it’s fair to say thatA Town Called Panichas no real equal in some regards.
A Town Called Panicspins a wonderfully nonsensical yarn, in which seemingly random events pile up on top of one another, fighting for attention.The lack of structure resembles the way that children tell stories when they play, but there’s a wry, mature undertone to a lot of the humor.
Sylvain Chomet’s first feature-length movie,The Triplets of Belleville,found plenty of international success, butThe Illusionistisn’t quite as popular. This is a shame, becauseThe Illusionistis another inventive and heartwarming story that showcases Chomet’s flair for visual comedy.
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These animated movies were way ahead of their time, and saw varying receptions, from instantly changing the industry to becoming cults years later.
The Illusionistis based on an unproduced script by Jacques Tati, and it’s clear to see his influence throughout the story. Of course, the main character bears a striking resemblance to Monsieur Hulot, but there are also several long takes, hilarious misunderstandings, and uplifting, universal truths that have Tati’s fingerprints on them.
I Lost My Bodywas always unlikely to reach a huge audience, simply because it’s such an unusual movie. Animated movies for adult audiences often struggle, especially one likeI Lost My Body,in which a severed hand traverses a hostile city to try and reach its owner.
I Lost My Bodyis a masterpiece of visual poetry.
I Lost My Bodyis a masterpiece of visual poetry, with poignant metaphors, emotional truths and plenty of thematic rhymes which tie the story of the hand to the flashbacks of its owner’s life.Although it’s earned great reviews from critics,I Lost My Bodydeserves a bigger audience.
