Young at Heart
Animated movies have imparted important messages, shocked audiences with artwork, and won numerous Oscars. To think these films are just for kids is foolish at best, especially when millions of adults absolutely cherish these top picks.
1. The Lion King
The Lion King tells a very important story and is set in themes of legacy, identity, and grief. Not to mention, it draws heavy inspiration from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, emphasizing its literary significance. Of course, the charming 2D animation and the expressive soundtrack make it all the better.
2. Spirited Away
Considered one of the most imaginative and beautiful works put out by Japan’s Studio Ghibli, this story follows a young girl trapped in a bathhouse run by spirits. As she searches for a way to reunite with her parents, the story explores coming-of-age and self-discovery.
3. Toy Story
The original Toy Story was released in 1995 and explored a question we’ve all probably wondered about as kids: if toys have lives of their own. Through the use of groundbreaking CGI at the time, Toy Story wowed audiences with its visuals and story, using clever humor to appeal to multiple generations.
4. Up
Up merges the perspective of an older adult and a young child, showcasing how openness to the world and overcoming grief are integral to living a full life. With stylish animation and a warm soundtrack, this story follows an elderly widower as he fulfills his dream to reach South America.
5. Spirit
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron was released in 2002 and is an important history lesson for people of all ages. With barely any dialogue, this movie instead uses stunning animation and a stellar soundtrack to showcase the effect of American expansion on nature and natives.
6. Wall-E
Wall-E paints a devastating picture of our future and offers social commentary on environmental decay and consumerism. It does so while using clever animations and innovative thinking, showcasing to humanity the consequences of their own hubris.
7. Shrek
Meanwhile, Shrek answers a more simple question, tackling tropes on beauty standards and true love. It subverts typical fairytale expectations and lets the monster become the hero, showcasing to both kids and adults the importance of intentions.
8. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Whether you prefer to watch this movie on Christmas or on Halloween, it stands out for its innovative use of stop-motion animation. One of the most ambitious works in the medium, it has an aesthetic entirely of its own and uses music and existential themes to tell a story about a Pumpkin King taking over Christmas.
9. The Incredibles
Despite being a story about a family of superheroes, The Incredibles is better suited to adults than kids. This is because it comes from the perspective of an adult, a retired hero who's undergoing a midlife crisis. The themes the story explores are very common to most people suffering from societal expectations and identity issues.
10. The Iron Giant
The Iron Giant merges traditional 2D animation with CGI-enhanced effects and serves as an allegory for the Cold War. Its antiwar message resonates with both children and adults, and it uses American nostalgia to showcase the importance of sacrifice and understanding.
11. Coraline
Many kids find Coraline too spooky, but the adults are able to pick on themes of identity and neglect that younger audiences might miss. Additionally, the use of stop-motion animation and the unsettling color palette make it a visual experience unlike anything else.
12. Finding Nemo
Finding Nemo remains one of the most innovative and adored CGI films of our time. Using inventive underwater animation, this story really resonates with parents who might feel anxiety about letting their kids go. Following a clownfish as he tries to rescue his son, it’s clear why adults love this movie.
13. Prince of Egypt
Many people think The Prince of Egypt is underrated, as it takes a Bible story and pushes it to an epic scope through incredible music and cinematic visuals. It pursues themes of faith and freedom, and only an adult is able to fully grasp the more mature notions of identity and religion.
14. Akira
Returning to the world of Japanese animation, Akira explores the life of a teen living in a dystopian Tokyo as he harnesses new psychic powers. The animation is hand-drawn and super detailed, making it quite the visual treat. Additionally, the themes of body horror and cyberpunk sci-fi are better suited to adult watchers.
15. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Many of today’s adults grew up with Spider-Man comics, so of course this superhero journey is a welcome sight for many moviegoers. It confronts expectations of who Spider-Man is and what society expects of him and mixes multi-style animation to define itself as an innovative piece of visual art.
16. Princess Mononoke
Released in 1997, this Japanese animation followed a warrior caught between a forest god and an industrial city. It essentially raises questions about urbanization and environmental degradation and uses incredible hand-drawn animations to explore mature themes of moral ambiguity.
17. Ratatouille
It’s easy for kids to enjoy Ratatouille—after all, the warm palette and detailed CGI are a welcome sight. But it’s adults that are able to fully harness the story’s message about losing ambition and overcoming imposter syndrome.
18. Howl’s Moving Castle
Another Japanese animation, Howl’s Moving Castle stands out for its dreamy visual direction and fantasy setting. It follows a young girl who is cursed with old age and must find a wizard in a moving castle to save her. In doing so, the story explores themes of aging, war, and personal transformation.
19. The Last Unicorn
As the name indicates, this 1982 classic follows a unicorn as she discovers she is the last of her kind. Despite its childish story, the animation is anything but. It is clearly meant for adults, as its art is akin to storybooks and it uses intense visual representations to create a haunting atmosphere that lingers.
20. The Road to El Dorado
The Road to El Dorado has a lot of heart, as two con artists accidentally find the legendary city of gold and pretend to be gods to control the locals. What makes it perfect for adults is the fact that it’s full of mature humor that will go over most kids’ heads. Regardless, the story is really something to behold.
