Top 10 Best Animated Movies for Adults

1. Introduction

Nowadays, adults can also enjoy watching an animated film. Many animated films today are aimed squarely at their adult audience. These flicks tend to be deeper, darker, and more concerned with adult themes. This article ranks the best ten animated features aimed squarely at adults. These films, from comedies to dramas, will keep adult viewers interested and entertained.

1.1. Why animated movies are not just for kids

Cartoons are commonly considered kid-friendly and family-friendly because of their focus on cartoon characters. However, in recent years, adults have shown a lot of interest in watching animated films. Animated films have proven to be a hit with audiences of all ages thanks to its engaging plots, beautiful animation, and believable characters. In fact, many animated films are made with an eye toward an older demographic in mind, with sophisticated and complicated subject matter. So, why are cartoons appropriate for audiences of all ages? Permit me to zoom in a bit closer.

1.2. Growing popularity of animated movies among adults

Nowadays, adults can also enjoy watching animated films. They’ve become incredibly popular amongst mature audiences in recent years. The evolution of animation techniques has resulted in works that are both technically impressive and aesthetically pleasing, making them suitable for audiences of all ages. Many animated films aimed squarely at adult audiences have been produced in response to this trend. These films typically include more complicated plots, characters, and ideas. You won’t regret watching any of these top 10 finest animated movies for adults.

1.3. Benefits of watching animated movies as an adult

Although animated films are typically associated with children, adults might also gain from viewing them. For one, watching an animated film may be a fun way to take a break from reality and enter a fantasy one. They may also evoke warm feelings of nostalgia by bringing back pleasant associations from one’s youth. Not only may adults learn valuable lessons from watching animated films, but many of them also feature adult-friendly plots and themes. In sum, grownups should feel no guilt for watching cartoons with their kids.

1.4. Criteria for selecting the best animated movies for adults

Many people, incorrectly, assume that only children may enjoy animated films. However, several animated films aimed squarely at adults have built up devoted fan bases throughout the years. These films appeal to an older demographic because of their sophisticated storytelling and eye-popping visuals. But how do you choose the finest animated films for grownups when there are so many to choose from? Here, we’ll go through some of the things you should look for in an adult-friendly animated film.

1.5. Overview of the best animated movies for adults

Despite the common perception that animated films are only appropriate for younger audiences, there are many excellent examples that disprove this. In reality, there are a number of animated features that are aimed squarely at adults and are definitely not kid-friendly. These films typically include more nuanced and complicated characters and plots that call for a more mature viewer. This article will discuss the top 10 animated films for adults that every animation buff should see.

2. The Best Animated Movies for Adults

Nowadays, adults can also enjoy watching animated films. Some of the best animated films are made specifically for older audiences. These films have the potential to be equally as engaging and thought-provoking as their live-action counterparts. The following list ranks the top 10 animated films for adults.

2.1. 1. Spirited Away (2001)

The 2001 animated film Spirited Away received widespread acclaim and is a must-see for mature audiences. Chihiro, a young girl, is the protagonist of this picture. She gets lost in a magical world inhabited by witches, spirits, and bizarre creatures. The plot is brilliantly written, and the animation is stunning. Spirited Away is an animated masterpiece that will take you on an emotional roller coaster.

2.2. 2. Persepolis (2007)

The French animated film Persepolis (2007) is based on Marjane Satrapi’s autobiographical graphic novel of the same name. A young girl’s childhood in Iran during the Islamic Revolution is shown in this film. The novel follows Marjane as she faces the difficulties of growing up while also adapting to the political and social shifts occurring in her nation. The film deftly combines comedic and dramatic elements, offering a fresh take on the historical events that shaped Iran. The animation in Persepolis is stunning, and the tale is so well told that it is often regarded as one of the best in the adult animation genre.

2.3. 3. The Triplets of Belleville (2003)

In the French animated feature The Triplets of Belleville, an elderly woman named Madame Souza sets out on a mission to save her grandson Champion, a cyclist who has been kidnapped by the French mafia while competing in the Tour de France. Madame Souza, accompanied by her trusty dog Bruno and the eponymous singing triplets, crosses the ocean to the city of Belleville, where she must use her wits and resources to rescue Champion. The film’s distinct animation style, which blends hand-drawn animation with CGI, and its endearing and eccentric characters have earned it widespread acclaim. If you enjoy unique and beautiful animation, The Triplets of Belleville is a must-watch.

2.4. 4. Waltz with Bashir (2008)

The Israeli animated docudrama Waltz with Bashir (2008) was directed by Ari Folman. In this video, veteran of the 1982 Lebanon War Folman (Folman) attempts to recall his experiences in the war for the first time. The film’s animation approach is novel in that it combines traditional animation with interviews in a documentary format. The film was praised for its original tale and its moving examination of pain and memory. If you’re at all serious in animation as an art form, you need to watch Waltz with Bashir.

2.5. 5. The Illusionist (2010)

This stunningly animated film depicts the story of an aged illusionist who is fighting to keep up with a world that has moved on without him. The film takes place in the 1950s, and it follows an illusionist as he makes his way from Paris to Scotland by playing in local venues. He picks up a little girl along the way who shares his belief in magic and becomes his apprentice. This film offers a profound reflection on the passage of time, the shifting nature of popular culture, and the ability of fantasy to take us away from our everyday lives.

3. Honorable Mentions

There are numerous notable additions to the list of the top 10 best animated films for adults. The film “The Iron Giant” tells the touching story of a small kid who makes friends with a gigantic alien robot. The rabbits in “Watership Down” are the protagonists of a grim and dramatic tale about their struggle for survival. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Iranian Revolution, ‘Persepolis’ is an unforgettable coming-of-age tale. The Secret of Kells is an aesthetically pleasing story about a boy’s journey through a magical wood. Last but not least, ‘The Triplets of Belleville’ is a lovely and offbeat picture about a grandmother who sets out to save her cyclist grandchildren from the mafia. Although they didn’t make the top 10, fans of adult animation should check out these movies instead.

3.1. 1. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Wartime Japan is the setting for the emotionally affecting 1988 film Grave of the Fireflies. The story follows Seita and Setsuko, two siblings who are forced to flee their bombed-out homeland. This film examines how children, in particular, are affected by war and how far they will go to stay alive. Beautifully rendered scenes that effectively convey the actors’ feelings make for breathtaking animation. Grave of the Fireflies is a tough watch, but it is also a potent reminder of the tragedies of war and the strength of the human spirit.

3.2. 2. Anomalisa (2015)

Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson co-directed the 2015 stop-motion animation feature Anomalisa. In the film, protagonist Michael Stone is a customer service professional who, until he meets Lisa, thinks everyone around him looks and sounds the same. The video explores concepts of loneliness, self-discovery, and the need for interpersonal connection. Anomalisa’s impressive animation, nuanced characters, and deep storyline won widespread recognition.

3.3. 3. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Wes Anderson helmed the stop-motion animated feature Fantastic Mr. Fox. The film is based on the classic children’s novel by Roald Dahl, and stars George Clooney as Mr. Fox, who together with his family must outwit three avaricious farmers. Anyone who enjoys Wes Anderson’s previous films should definitely check this one out as well. Fantastic Mr. Fox is a film that succeeds equally well for both children and adults, despite its target demographic.

3.4. 4. The Red Turtle (2016)

The Red Turtle is a stunning and introspective animated short about a guy who finds himself alone on an island and forms an unlikely friendship with a mysterious red turtle. The film’s themes of isolation, nature, and the cycle of life are conveyed solely through breathtaking imagery and a somber soundscape. Studio Ghibli and director Michael Dudok de Wit have created a masterpiece with The Red Turtle.

3.5. 5. A Silent Voice (2016)

The Japanese animated film A Silent Voice (2016) addresses difficult topics like bullying, disability, and suicide. The protagonist, Shoya Ishida, is a young boy who tormented a deaf girl named Shoko Nishimiya when they were both in elementary school. After some time has passed, he tries to atone for his sins. The film’s story is so moving and meaningful that it sticks with viewers long after the end credits have played.