While the 2009 animated sci-fi 9 might be under the radar, it’s a must-see for anyone who loves the style and themes of Tim Burton. 16 years after its theatrical release, 9 is still one of the most overlooked animated films of that year. The film is adapted from Shane Acker’s own short film of the same name. Unlike the short film it’s based on, which had no dialogue, this version incorporates spoken lines as a key way to advance the plot. The impressive cast of 9 is headlined by Elijah Wood, who voices the central character as he journeys through a post-apocalyptic world.

Few major Hollywood directors can claim a style as distinctly their own as Tim Burton’s, and the director played a significant role in bringing 9 to fruition. As a result, 9 has become one of the films people mistakenly think Tim Burton directed, yet the movie does bear the hallmarks of Burton’s signature spooky style. Upon seeing the original short film, Burton was immediately drawn to the project and wanted to be involved in the full feature. Despite its humble origins, 9 achieves an ambitious level of animated storytelling and is definitely worth your time at a brief hour and 19-minute runtime.

9 Is A Perfect Movie For Tim Burton Fans

9 Perfectly Encapsulates Tim Burton’s Signature Style

Although it appears to be targeted towards a younger audience, the movie 9 possesses a surprisingly dark and frightening narrative, a characteristic that is not unfamiliar to those familiar with Tim Burton’s work. The short film focuses on a post-apocalyptic world and the rag doll identified as “9,” after the machines, having eradicated all organic life, now lie dormant. Christopher Plummer, John C. Reilly, and Jennifer Connelly lend their impressive voices to the main characters. The film doesn’t shy away from some truly dark and unsettling sequences, which you will undoubtedly appreciate more if you enjoy these aspects of Burton’s previous films.

Although his involvement was minimal, 9 is the ideal short movie for any fan of Tim Burton. At 79 minutes, the film offers an interesting viewing experience packed with sci-fi elements. 9 is Shane Acker’s directorial debut, with Burton serving as one of the four producers for the film. Burton was heavily involved with the production of 9 and his contribution was used to bring the rag doll characters to life. The animation style clearly shows his influence, yet it maintains its own distinct character. To some extent, you can see a resemblance in the dark and gritty tone to Burton’s earlier Frankenweenie.

Why 9 Didn’t Get More Appreciation In 2009

9 Was Among Too Much Compeтιтion During Its 2009 Release

9 was released in theaters in September 2009 to mixed reviews from critics. Despite this, the feature received $48.4 million on its debut, which is quite respectable given the £30 million budget. The failure to target a specific audience proved to be a significant hurdle for 9, eventually impacting its box office success. As a result, the promotional efforts were inadequate and didn’t generate enough awareness or interest. The 2009 animated film landscape was crowded with successful releases like Coraline or Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, which ultimately meant that 9 was overshadowed by its compeтιтion and received little attention.

The mixed reception certainly didn’t help 9 either, and prevented many audiences from going to the theater to watch the movie after critics questioned its execution. Despite not being widely recognized in 2009, 9 garnered numerous award nominations and secured several wins — including the Student Academy Award for Animation. While initially overlooked, in 2025, 9 now ranks among IMDb’s list of popular animated releases of 2009. This ambitious animated sci-fi short deserves greater appreciation for its interesting story and visually satisfying execution. Even with limited streaming availability that requires purchase or rentals, this hour-long watch is definitely worthwhile.