Uncover the 7 must-watch adult animated films—from war tragedies to whimsical stop-motion—that redefine animation. Expand your perspective on what animation can be.
Animation is no longer just for kids. An increasing number of animated works feature profound storylines or philosophical themes that only adults can fully appreciate. This article highlights 7 classic and modern animated films that are a must-watch for adults.
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
IMDb Rating: 8.5/10
Release Date: April 16, 1988
Genre: Animation, War, Drama
Runtime: 89 minutes
Country: Japan
Director: Isao Takahata
Starring: Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Yoshiko Shinohara, Akemi Yamaguchi, …
Notable Awards: Press Award for Outstanding Film, one of the greatest animated films of all time—a “masterpiece” by Studio Ghibli
Streaming Link: Netflix
The film follows siblings Seita and Setsuko as they struggle to survive in the final days of World War II in Japan. After a devastating bombing, the siblings lose their mother and must fend for themselves in a war-torn nation. This heart-wrenching tale highlights the brutality of war, emphasizing loneliness, starvation, and death.
Love, Death + Robots
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10
Release Date: March 15, 2019
Genre: Animation, Sci-Fi, Horror
Runtime: 10 episodes
Country: USA
Directors: Tim Miller, David Fincher
Starring: TBA
Notable Awards: Emmy for Outstanding Short-Form Animated Program
Streaming Link: Netflix
This anthology series features standalone episodes, each with a unique animation style and story. The episodes revolve around the themes of love, death, and robots, intertwined with violence, sexuality, sci-fi, and profound philosophy. The series explores pressing modern societal issues through a unique lens.
Metropia (2009)
IMDb Rating: 6.2/10
Release Date: November 26, 2009
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama
Runtime: 86 minutes
Country: Sweden
Director: Tarik Saleh
Starring: Vincent Gallo, Alexander Skarsgård, Juliette Lewis
Notable Awards: TBA
Streaming Link: TBA
Set in Europe in 2024, where oil has run out and power is controlled by corporations, protagonist Roger discovers a voice in his head. His attempts to remove it lead him to uncover a sinister conspiracy by those in power. The film stands out with its unique cut-out animation style and cold gray tones, creating a sense of gloom and claustrophobia.
Watership Down (1978)
IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Release Date: October 19, 1978
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Drama
Runtime: 91 minutes
Country: UK
Director: Martin Rosen
Starring: John Hurt, Richard Briers, Michael Graham Cox
Notable Awards: TBA
Streaming Link: Netflix
Despite being an animated film about rabbits, its content is extremely violent and dark, making it unsuitable for children. The film follows a group of rabbits forced to leave their home due to threats. On their journey to find a new home, they face dangers from nature, humans, and their own kind. It’s a profound allegory about freedom, survival, and politics.
Beowulf (2007)
IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
Release Date: November 16, 2007
Genre: Animation, Action, Fantasy
Runtime: 115 minutes
Country: USA
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie
Notable Awards: TBA
Streaming Link: Netflix
Based on the famous Old English epic, the film tells the story of the hero Beowulf, who helps King Hrothgar fight the monster Grendel. Though animated, the film uses performance-capture technology to create detailed, lifelike yet fantastical visuals, featuring scenes of violence, nudity, and themes of desire and betrayal, making it unsuitable for younger audiences.
Coraline (2009)
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Release Date: February 6, 2009
Genre: Animation, Horror, Fantasy
Runtime: 100 minutes
Country: USA
Director: Henry Selick
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders
Notable Awards: TBA
Streaming Link: Netflix
Young Coraline moves into a new house and discovers a door leading to a parallel world. There, she meets her “Other Parents,” who are perfect versions of her real parents but with button eyes. This world quickly turns into a terrifying nightmare. The film features heavy psychological horror and disturbing imagery, suitable for adults and teenagers.
Loving Vincent (2017)
Release Date: September 22, 2017
Genre: Animation, Art
Runtime: 94 minutes
Country: Poland, UK
Directors: Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman
Starring: Robert Gulaczyk, Douglas Booth, Saoirse Ronan
Notable Awards: European Film Award for Best Animated Feature
Streaming Link: TBA
Loving Vincent tells the story of the life and mysterious death of the renowned painter Vincent van Gogh, entirely through oil paintings, with 65,000 hand-painted frames by 125 artists. The film is not just an exploration of the artist’s soul but also an artistic experience for adults, blending beauty with tragedy, inner conflict, and the cost of creativity.
Adult animation opens up a different world where animation is not just bright colors for children but a profound reflection of life, humanity, aspirations, sorrow, and hope. If you’re seeking “distinctive works for growth,” let these films accompany you, offering moments of reflection and lasting memories.
