Are you into animated films and feel the best ones often go unnoticed? If you’re hunting for underappreciated movies, you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up underrated animated films that promise to bring joy to your movie nights.
1. The Secret of NIMH (1982)
“The Secret of NIMH” is about Mrs. Brisby, a widowed mouse, who faces the crucial task of moving her family from their field home before the start of the tilling season. The task is complicated by the illness of her son, making the move impossible.
In search of help, she turns to the local rats that have become highly intelligent after undergoing scientific experiments. She unexpectedly receives a promising gift from the elder rat, Nicodemus. However, Mrs. Brisby’s mission to save her family is at risk as she gets tangled in the internal conflicts of the rat community.
2. The Iron Giant (1999)
“The Iron Giant” is a movie made by Brad Bird. It’s an animated film that shows how strong friendship can be, even when times are tense. In the movie, a boy named Hogarth finds a huge robot from space.
Even though nobody knows where the robot comes from, Hogarth and the robot become good friends. However, things get tricky between them as the government agent vows to destroy the robot, seeing it as a threat.
3. The Prince of Egypt (1998)
“The Prince of Egypt” film is based on the Book of Exodus and focuses on Moses. Moses, an Egyptian prince, learns he’s Jewish and that his real family and people are in slavery.
He decides it is his mission to free them, facing obstacles along the way. Determined to lead his people to freedom, Moses miraculously parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape and leaving the Egyptian army defeated.
4. The Triplets of Belleville (2003)
“The Triplets of Belleville” tells the story of Madame Souza, who ends up in a strange situation when her grandson, a racer, is abducted. With her faithful dog Bruno beside her, she sets off to find and save her grandson.
She meets three aging stage performers who become unexpected helpers during her journey. Together, they follow the trail of Champion’s kidnappers and use their clever minds to outwit the criminals.
5. Persepolis (2007)
“Persepolis” tells the life of Marjane Satrapi, a girl growing up in Iran during rough changes in the 70s and 80s. As a young rebel fond of punk music, she witnesses her family’s struggles against the oppressive regime and the horrors of the Iran/Iraq war.
Amidst personal and political chaos, she leaves Iran searching for freedom in Europe. Despite all the hardships and struggles, Marjane’s story proves the power of education and the heartbreaking effects of war.
6. Song of the Sea (2014)
“Song of the Sea” is about Ben, a 10-year-old boy from Ireland, who finds out his quiet sister Saoirse is a selkie, a mythical creature capable of transforming from human to seal.
Ben is upset with her because he thinks their mom disappeared because she was born. They go on an adventure to use Saoirse’s special powers to help free trapped fairies from the goddess Macha.
7. Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
“Kubo and the Two Strings” follows the journey of Kubo, a young boy with a unique three-stringed instrument called a shamisen. The movie is all about him discovering secrets about his family.
His journey is full of meetings with magical creatures and tough challenges. Still, through these challenges, Kubo learns invaluable lessons about the strength of kinship and his unique powers.
8. The Breadwinner (2017)
“The Breadwinner” (2017) tells the moving story of a brave 11-year-old Afghan girl, Parvana. Her life takes a drastic turn when her father is unjustly detained. She pretends she’s a boy by cutting her hair and changing her clothes to provide for her household. Parvana goes on a grand quest to find her father and reunite her family.
9. Ernest & Celestine (2012)
“Ernest & Celestine” is a charming French-Belgian animated film. The movie defies societal norms through the unlikely friendship between a mouse and a bear.
The story beautifully depicts their bond, emphasizing the strength of their connection against societal expectations. With delightful animation and endearing characters, the film explores themes of friendship and acceptance.
10. A Cat in Paris (2010)
“A Cat in Paris” (2010) is about a smart cat named Dino who has two lives: being a pet of a little girl named Zoé by day and helping a thief at night. Things get wild when Zoé ends up in a risky situation with bad guys, and Dino’s secret nightlife becomes key to the action that follows.
11. April and the Extraordinary World (2015)
“April and the Extraordinary World” (2015) takes place in an unusual, steam-powered world filled with incredible gadgets, influenced by the creations and imagination of comic artist Jacques Tardi. The narrative centers on April, a dedicated young researcher continuing her great-grandfather’s important work.
While doing this, she’s also searching for her family, who have mysteriously disappeared.
12. Mary and Max (2009)
“Mary and Max” unveils a heartfelt film between a lonely girl from Australia and an obese, autistic man in New York. A treasure among stop-motion movies, it presents a true and moving storyline.
The enduring pen-pal relationship they share over the years becomes their sanctuary, bridging their solitary worlds.
13. Waltz with Bashir (2008)
“Waltz with Bashir” (2008) is about an Israeli filmmaker who tries to uncover his lost memories from the 1982 Lebanon War.
Through the interviews with his former comrades and others who experienced the war, he pieces together to fill in the gaps of his own past. While doing that, he’s confronted with dreadful events of the war, including a tragic massacre.
14. The Illusionist (2010)
“The Illusionist” is an animated movie about an older magician trying to find his place in a world that’s moving on to rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s. His outdated act takes him from one run-down Scottish bar to the next until he runs into Alice, a young girl who is convinced that he has magical powers.
15. My Life as a Zucchini (2016)
“My Life as a Zucchini” is a Swiss-French stop-motion film about a young boy named Zucchini who finds himself in an orphanage after the tragic death of his alcoholic mother.
Adjusting to his new life, Zucchini learns about friendship, love, and trust as he bonds with his other orphans. Despite the sadness they’ve experienced, the children grow, find happiness, and learn the true meaning of family.
16. Rock-a-Doodle (1991)
“Rock-a-Doodle” is an animated musical comedy that reimagines Edmond Rostand’s comedy “Chantecler.” In the film, a young boy named Edmond is transformed into a kitten after encountering a group of animated animals led by Chanticleer, a rooster. Now a kitten, Edmond embarks on a journey to find Chanticleer and bring him back to save the farm from flooding.
17. A Silent Voice (2016)
“A Silent Voice” is a Japanese anime film from 2016 that explores bullying, repentance, and forgiveness. The story revolves around Shoya Ishida, bullying Shoko Nishimiya, a deaf girl who was forced to transfer to another due to the continued harassment she received from Shoya.
Years pass, the two meet again, and Shoya can’t help but feel guilty about what he has done in the past and sets out to make amends. However, this is easier said than done.
18. The Red Turtle (2016)
“The Red Turtle,” co-produced by Studio Ghibli, is a dialogue-free animated film that explores the life cycle through the story of a man stranded on a deserted island. His encounters with a mysterious red turtle shape the course of his life.
The film’s simplicity, beauty, and absence of dialogue create a unique experience. Through visually stunning storytelling, “The Red Turtle” leaves a lasting impact, highlighting the cycle of life and the connection between humans and nature.
19. Boy and the World (2013)
“Boy and the World” is a heartwarming animated film from Brazil about the adventure of Cuca, a young boy who leaves his peaceful village to bring his father back, who departs to the city.
His trip brought him to a whole new world, the city. His simple, handmade village life clashed sharply with the mechanized, busy city life.
20. The Book of Life (2014)
“The Book of Life” revives the rich cultural celebration of the Day of the Dead through the journey of Manolo, a young man torn between fulfilling family expectations and following his heart.
In his adventure, Manolo travels through magical lands, including the breathtaking realms of the Remembered and the Forgotten. He must confront his deepest fears and overcome incredible challenges to reunite with his true love and defend his village.