There are plenty of great animated movies waiting to be discovered for those who want something different from the mainstream. While many of the biggest and best animated movies come from major studios like Disney, DreamWorks and Studio Ghibli, the art form’s accessibility means that there’s also a thriving independent scene, with filmmakers from all over the world pushing the boundaries of animation.

Many of the most interesting animated movies come from smaller studios, unburdened by expectations and free to creatively experiment. The 21st century has seen a boom in these types of studios, as new technologies have destroyed many of the traditional barriers to animation. Now, good storytelling is all that’s needed for a lesser-known animated movie to leave a mark on the world.

10

The Thief & The Cobbler (1993)

The Thief And The Cobbler’s Troubled Production Created A Masterpiece

The Thief and the Cobbler was originally released in 1993, and its poor box office numbers underline the suggestion that many people saw it as a cheap rip-off of Disney’s Aladdin. In fact, Richard Williams had been working on The Thief and the Cobbler for decades, long before Aladdin was ever made. The film underwent a notoriously troubled production which has only added to its legend, with Williams eventually being fired from the project.

The Thief and the Cobbler was re-released in 1995 with some tweaks, and this second version was also a box office failure. The movie has only gained a substantial following since a newer cut has been made available, and it’s a must-watch for animation enthusiasts. It quickly becomes evident that the hasty comparisons to Aladdin are completely unfounded, since The Thief and the Cobbler is a singular work of art.

9

Mary & Max (2009)

Adam Elliot’s First Feature Is A Hilarious But Devastating Movie

Australian animator Adam Elliot was already an Oscar-winner by the time he embarked on his first feature-length film, and Mary and Max was worth the wait. The story follows the relationship of two unlikely pen pals, a young girl from rural Australia and a middle-aged man with Asperger syndrome from New York City. Toni Collette and Philip Seymour Hoffman play the тιтular characters.

Mary and Max is filled with uproarious dark comedy, as the two characters bond over their shared misery and their failure to understand the world around them. This humor doesn’t stop Mary and Max from delivering an emotional gut punch when it wants to, however. Elliott is one of the Oscar nominees for 2025 with his movie Memoir of a Snail, another animated gem that deserves a much larger audience.

8

Cryptozoo (2021)

One Of The Most Original Animations Of Recent Years

Cryptozoo is one of a recent crop of unique animated movies proving that the medium still has room to grow and explore, and that audience’s perceptions of animation shouldn’t be shaped by the big studios alone. Cryptozoo uses an interesting patchwork of different art forms, including pencil sketches, paper collage and watercolors. The result is a visual feast that remains impossible to predict.

Cryptozoo‘s story is just as vibrant and eclectic as its visual style, as a group of zookeepers collaborate to hunt down a strange creature known as a Baku, a dream-eater from Japanese mythology. Apropos of this concept, Cryptozoo often feels like watching a dream, and not just because of the overstimulating and otherworldly animation. Fortunately, it stays grounded for long enough to deliver some surprisingly relatable truths.

7

The Illusionist (2010)

Sylvain Chomet Takes Inspiration From A French Comedy Icon

Many people will recognize the art style of The Illusionist, since it’s similar to Sylvain Chomet’s previous movie, The Triplets of Belleville. For whatever reason, The Illusionist hasn’t quite reached the same international audience, although it’s just as charming and creative. The story is adapted from an original screenplay by French comedy legend Jacques Tati, and the whole movie is packed with his Monsieur Hulot style of physical buffoonery.

The Illusionist is frequently hilarious, but it’s also the kind of movie that gets the most out of its smaller jokes. Every light chuckle helps endear the characters and the charming world of The Illusionist to the audience, meaning that the movie conveys a seemingly effortless vitality. Its landscapes are often gorgeous, teeming with intelligent details that are just begging for further exploration.

6

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl (2017)

Animation Allows The Story To Slip Into A Dream

Masaaki Yuasa has always been a prolific manga artist, but he also has a few popular anime movies, showing that he can master both media. The Night is Short, Walk On Girl is a charming comedy about a university student who embarks on a wild night out, drinking and partying her way across Kyoto as she bumps into a revolving cast of eccentric characters, including supernatural beings.

The Night is Short, Walk On Girl benefits greatly from its loose structure, as the young woman bounces from one interaction to the next, propelled primarily by whatever whim strikes her in the moment. Throughout the evening, she repeatedly crosses paths with a fellow student who struggles to find the opportunity and the courage to confess his romantic feelings for her. The meandering story is true to life, as is their quirky romance, even though Yuasa frequently ventures into the bizarre.

5

Marcel The Shell With Shoes On (2021)

A24’s Cute Comedy Is An Uplifting Gem

There are a lot of great A24 movies which have given the studio a firm fan base, but Marcel the Shell With Shoes On is still an underrated gem. Based on a series of web shorts, Marcel the Shell With Shoes On stars a tiny shell looking for his family with the help of a documentary filmmaker. Marcel and the documentarian develop a quirky bond which goes much deeper than it first appears.

Marcel the Shell With Shoes On has the kind of premise that could easily become twee and lifeless, but its earnestness makes it hard to dislike. It ends up being a joyous revelation each time the one-inch-tall shell reveals a new contraption that helps him navigate the house. Marcel the Shell With Shoes On is far more than just its cute comedy, however, as it also has a lot to say about grief and healing.

4

The Secret Of Kells (2009)

Tomm Moore’s Irish Folklore Trilogy Deserves More Love

The Secret of Kells is the first movie in Tomm Moore’s Irish folklore trilogy, preceding Song of the Sea and Wolfwalkers. All three movies received Oscar nominations for Best Animated Feature, although none won. Despite their critical success, the three movies still deserve a much bigger audience, since their intelligent storytelling and creative art style are both unlike most mainstream animated movies.

The Secret of Kells is steeped in Irish mythology, with several creatures and characters all coming together in one story. Primarily, the movie is about the creation of the Book of Kells, a religious illustrated manuscript from the 8th or 9th century. The Secret of Kells is a beautiful introduction to Irish folklore, conveying a lot of information while holding the story and the characters in the highest regard.

3

Ernest & Celestine (2012)

The Comic Book Adaptation Is Filled With Physical Humor

Comic books are a well-respected art form in Belgium, the country which created The Smurfs, Tintin and Lucky Luke. Ernest & Celestine brings a popular series of Belgian children’s comics to the big-screen, and the adaptation has become even more popular than its source material. Ernest and Celestine are the names of a bear and a mouse who strike up an unlikely friendship and soon find themselves on the run from the law.

The English-language voice cast of Ernest & Celestine features some big names, such as Forest Whitaker, Paul Giamatti and Lauren Bacall in her final film role. The dub is, thankfully, lively and energetic without ever feeling out of step with the animation. A sequel, тιтled Ernest & Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia, was released in 2022 to equally positive reviews. Both movies are good options for children who might want something different from what the major American studios have to offer.

2

Flee (2021)

Flee Is A Rare Animated Documentary

There aren’t too many animated movies based on true stories, but animation proves to be the perfect medium for Flee, a story that blends documentary with dramatic pᴀssages to tell the story of a man who left his home in Afghanistan to seek asylum in Denmark. The man is given an alias, and the layer of animation helps conceal his true idenтιтy, since he still fears persecution from his government back home if his secret ever gets out.

Flee uses animation to tell a full story without compromising the safety of its subject, but it also has plenty of artistic flourishes to highlight the humanitarian tragedy. The broader political strokes are always seen through the lens of personal stories, as Flee takes an unflinching look at the realities of the refugee experience. It’s a powerful movie that goes to places that animated movies so rarely have the scope for.

1

Ruben Brandt, Collector (2018)

The Animated Heist Thriller Is A Love-Letter To Art

Ruben Brandt, Collector is about an art therapist who conspires with his patients to steal the famous paintings which haunt his dreams. Naturally, it’s packed full of references to famous artworks. The cubist faces of many of the characters evoke Pablo Picᴀsso’s portraits, but there are also allusions to artists as varied as Andy Warhol, Vincent van Gogh and Sandro Botticelli. The film is a treasure trove for art enthusiasts.

In keeping with its focus on art, Ruben Brandt, Collector offers deep and detailed artistry throughout, with each corner of its canvas teeming with unexpected creative choices. The story is worthy of this beautiful craft, with a mix of trippy dream logic, crime tropes and intoxicating romance, all coming together to create a singular work of art that needs to be seen to be believed.