When we see animation, it’s second nature to assume children are the target audience, but that’s not always the case.
Animation has been used for decades to tell gritty, raunchy, and real stories to grown-ups in unique and innovative ways. If you’re an adult that still believes cartoons are only for kids, I implore you to give the following works a chance to change your mind.
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Okay, so maybe don’t start out with this one unless you feel like sobbing. Studio Ghibli is a frontrunner when it comes to beautiful animation and powerful stories.
This story follows two siblings struggling to survive during WWII, so prepare to feel your heart being torn from your chest. Buy tissues in bulk ahead of time, trust me.
Fritz the Cat (1972)
This politically charged, explicit toon earned its place as the first ever X-rated animated film in the U.S. Following the chaotic life of Fritz, there are heavy adult themes of drug use and violence that are shocking to see performed by such cute animated animals.
It’s definitely not for kids, but it should absolutely be checked out!
A Scanner Darkly (2006)
Using rotoscope animation for the entire film, A Scanner Darkly really has a special feel to it.
The stylization, coupled with the story of an undercover narcotics cop turned addict, meshes flawlessly. The choice to animate rather than release it as a regular film made an otherwise forgettable movie stand out amongst the crowd.
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The House (2022)
This anthology masterpiece flew way under the radar for most. Three stories are told in three chapters all taking place in the same home.
I’m a sucker for stop animation and have a huge appreciation for the time and effort it takes to create beautiful works like this. Mixing physiological drama and horror, it makes for a truly engaging watch!
Fantastic Planet (1973)
Allegories can be beautiful, and Fantastic Planet is proof of that. It brings real world issues to light without an ounce of pretentiousness and frames them in a way anyone can understand.
Giant aliens, humans as pets and pests, and the eventual fight for freedom are all wound up in this wonderfully bizarre work of art.
Paprika (2006)
Set in the near future, this visually stunning world is home to Dr. Atsuko Chiba. While leading a team working with a device that allows users to view people’s dreams, she begins using it illegally to help her psychiatric patients under the codename Paprika.
Many people believe Paprika was the inspiration behind Inception as there are striking similarities, but it’s never been confirmed.
Junk Head (2021)
If you like Tool’s music videos, you’ll love Junk Head. Taking place in a distant future world where humans live longer but lose their fertility, they are nearly extinct by population decline.
A cyborg protagonist begins his exploration into an underground world, uncovering twisted and disturbing life. This film took an astounding seven years to complete and has a sequel set to release later this year.
Cryptozoo (2021)
Are you interested in a psychedelic trip to a zoo that exploits cryptids like griffins, the Kraken, and the last known Pegasus? Look no further than Cryptozoo.
If cryptids were discovered, this is exactly the direction things would go in the real world, which makes this a very entertaining watch.
Anomalisa (2015)
This might be the most normal of the bunch, but you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at it. It’s another stop motion film featuring puppets partially created by 3-D printing.
It tells a simple story about a man unhappy in his life who finds a temporary fix in infidelity. The unique animation definitely elevates the story and makes it far more interesting than you’d think.
The Wolf House (2018)
This deeply unsettling and grotesque looking stop animation film tells the story of a girl who flees her colony to hide from a wolf in an abandoned home in the woods.
The house is occupied by two pigs, but after a while, the house and everything in it transform to match the girl’s feelings. She wrestles with her emotions over the course of the film and brings us along for the terrifying ride.
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Kayla is a creative force at Outrun Gaming, where she handles image editing with a dash of flair. When she’s not leveling up content, she’s hanging with her family, binging movies, booting up video games, or getting lost in art. With a knack for making people laugh, Kayla brings her playful energy to everything she does, mixing fun with creativity at every turn.
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