Best Animated Movies About Love (That Are Not Disney)

About this gallery:

For this list, we’re diving into the best animated movies that, in one way or another, revolve around love. And since Disney already has a monopoly on romance with its endless parade of princesses, we decided to leave Disney films out of this one – just to give the other love stories a chance to shine.

Think we missed an essential romantic animated movie? Call us out in the comments and let us know! We’re always ready to add more heartwarming (or heartbreaking) love stories to the mix!

Whisper of the Heart (1995)

Ah, young love and self-discovery, wrapped in a cozy, dreamlike Studio Ghibli package. Whisper of the Heart isn’t just about romance – it’s about ambition, passion, and finding one’s purpose. Shizuku, a book-loving dreamer, crosses paths with Seiji, a boy who wants to be a violin maker (because, of course, that’s the most Ghibli-esque dream ever). As they challenge and inspire each other, their connection grows, proving that love isn’t just about butterflies – it’s about wanting to become the best version of yourself. Bonus points for that iconic, charmingly off-key cover of "Take Me Home, Country Roads." If this film doesn’t make you want to chase your dreams (or at least pick up a book), you might just be a robot. | © Studio Ghibli

Anastasia (1997)

If Disney has princess movies, Anastasia is its cool, artsy cousin with historical trauma and a catchy villain song. This film takes the legend of the lost Russian princess and turns it into a dazzling, romantic adventure full of witty banter, gorgeous animation, and an unexpected Broadway-level soundtrack. Anastasia (or Anya, if you’re casual) and conman-with-a-heart-of-gold Dimitri don’t exactly start off swooning over each other – because what’s a good romance without some sarcastic back-and-forth? But as they fake their way through royal lessons, sparks fly, proving that love can be found in the most unexpected places... like while scamming aristocrats. Oh, and Rasputin? Pure nightmare fuel, but we love him for it. | © 20th Century Fox Animation

Shrek (2001)

Ah yes, the anti-fairytale that somehow became the most beloved love story of a generation. Shrek is a romantic comedy for those of us who prefer our happily-ever-afters with a side of fart jokes and onions. At first, our beloved green grump just wants to be left alone in his swamp, but fate (and a loudmouth donkey) has other plans. Enter Fiona, a princess who defies every fairytale trope in the book – because, shocker, she’s also an ogre! Their love story is all about self-acceptance, proving that beauty isn’t about looking like a standard-issue fairytale princess, but about embracing your weirdness. If you don’t get misty-eyed during that final Hallelujah montage, check your heart – because this ogre-powered romance is the real deal. | © DreamWorks Animation

Corpse Bride (2005)

Love doesn’t get more complicated than accidentally marrying a ghost bride, does it? Corpse Bride is Tim Burton at his gothic best, spinning a love story that’s equal parts darkly enchanting and heartbreakingly sweet. Poor Victor, our nervous, well-meaning protagonist, fumbles his way into the afterlife and meets Emily, a once-betrayed bride with a tragic backstory. While he technically has a living fiancée waiting for him, the chemistry between Victor and Emily is undeniable, making this love triangle deliciously bittersweet. With its stunning stop-motion animation, hauntingly beautiful score, and themes of love, sacrifice, and moving on, this film is both a spooky delight and a poetic ode to love beyond the grave. | © Tim Burton Productions / Laika

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)

Time-travel shenanigans and teen romance? Yes, please. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time follows Makoto, a high school girl who accidentally gains the ability to literally leap through time – because who wouldn’t want to redo their most awkward moments? What starts as a fun superpower quickly turns into something more emotional, as Makoto realizes that some things – like love – can’t be undone, no matter how many times you rewind. With stunning animation, a deeply emotional story, and an ending that leaves you staring at the screen in existential crisis, this film proves that love, like time, doesn’t always wait for us to figure things out. A perfect watch if you enjoy bittersweet romances with a splash of sci-fi magic. | © Madhouse

5 Centimeters per Second (2007)

If you’ve ever had a long-distance crush that made your heart ache, 5 Centimeters per Second will feel like a personal attack. Makoto Shinkai takes love and heartbreak, wraps it in breathtakingly beautiful animation, and then slowly crushes your soul in the most poetic way possible. The story follows Takaki and Akari, two childhood friends who drift apart over the years, despite their deep connection. The film is split into three chapters, each one more emotionally devastating than the last. It’s a slow burn, filled with stunningly detailed skies, melancholic train rides, and enough emotional gut punches to leave you staring at the ceiling in existential despair. A must-watch if you enjoy crying over animated cherry blossoms. | © CoMix Wave Films

Río (2011)

A tropical love story with a splash of adventure, Río is proof that romance can take flight – literally. The film follows Blu, a domesticated macaw who’s never learned to fly, and Jewel, a fiercely independent wild bird. Their forced partnership (because humans just love playing matchmaking with endangered species) quickly turns into a chaotic escape adventure across the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro. The romance? Equal parts bickering, hilarious, and heartwarming. The soundtrack, filled with lively Brazilian beats, adds even more charm to this feathered love story. Who knew watching two birds argue could be so entertaining? | © Blue Sky Studios

Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart (2013)

This movie is what happens when steampunk aesthetics, gothic romance, and a Tim Burton-esque art style have a beautifully tragic love child. Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart is not your typical romance – it’s a poetic, surreal fairy tale where the main character, Jack, has a literal cuckoo clock for a heart (which sounds cool until you realize it might kill him if he falls in love). Naturally, he falls head over heels for a mysterious singer named Miss Acacia, leading to a whirlwind adventure filled with dreamlike visuals, heartbreak, and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack. It’s artsy, it’s tragic, and it’s the perfect pick for those who like their love stories with a touch of darkness. | © EuropaCorp

The Garden of Words (2013)

Imagine falling in love in the middle of a rainy day, where every raindrop feels like poetry. That’s The Garden of Words – a story about an unlikely romance between a high school student and an older woman he meets in a lush, rainy Tokyo park. It’s a quiet, introspective film, less about grand love declarations and more about fleeting moments, longing, and unspoken emotions. Every frame is a work of art, with rain that looks more beautiful than real life (seriously, how does Makoto Shinkai do it?). It’s a short but deeply emotional experience that makes you want to sit by a window and just feel. | © CoMix Wave Films

The Book of Life (2014)

A love story with a Día de los Muertos twist, The Book of Life is a visually stunning, culturally rich adventure that takes romance beyond the grave. At its heart, it’s a love triangle – Manolo, a gentle-hearted musician, and Joaquín, a boastful soldier, both vying for the love of the spirited María. But when Manolo literally dies (don’t worry, it’s temporary… sort of), he must journey through the Land of the Remembered to prove his love. With eye-popping animation inspired by Mexican folk art, a killer soundtrack, and a love story that’s as fun as it is heartfelt, this film is a vibrant celebration of love, family, and the power of remembering those who came before us. | © Reel FX Animation Studios

Your Name (2016)

Makoto Shinkai took the classic "star-crossed lovers" trope and added a mind-bending, time-traveling, body-swapping twist. Your Name follows Taki and Mitsuha, two teenagers who mysteriously wake up in each other’s bodies at random. Cue hilarious (and sometimes awkward) moments, but as their connection deepens, the story shifts into something far more emotional than your average rom-com. With breathtaking visuals, a rollercoaster of emotions, and a plot twist that will leave you gasping, this film isn’t just a love story – it’s an experience. And if the Radwimps soundtrack doesn’t get stuck in your head for weeks, did you even really watch it? | © CoMix Wave Films

The Red Turtle (2016)

No dialogue? No problem. The Red Turtle tells a deeply moving love story using only visuals, music, and raw emotion. It follows a man stranded on a deserted island who, after a series of failed escape attempts, encounters a mysterious red turtle. What happens next? Let’s just say things take a surreal, mythical turn. The film is a meditative, slow-burn reflection on love, survival, and the cycle of life. It’s less about grand romance and more about connection – between people, nature, and fate itself. It’s quiet, it’s stunning, and it somehow manages to say more without words than most movies do with two hours of dialogue. | © Studio Ghibli / Wild Bunch

The Night is Short, Walk on Girl (2017)

Have you ever had a night so wild that it felt like a dream? The Night is Short, Walk on Girl captures that energy in an absolute fever dream of an anime. The film follows an unnamed girl (simply called “The Girl with Black Hair”) on a fantastical, booze-fueled adventure through Kyoto. Meanwhile, her hopelessly smitten upperclassman is desperately trying to orchestrate a chance encounter with her – except fate keeps throwing them into increasingly ridiculous situations. It’s weird, whimsical, and packed with absurd characters, yet underneath all the surreal chaos, there’s a surprisingly heartfelt romance. Think of it as a rom-com on speed, wrapped in Masaaki Yuasa’s signature wild animation style. | © Science SARU

I Want to Eat Your Pancreas (2018)

Okay, before you panic, no, this isn’t a horror movie. It’s actually a devastatingly beautiful romance with a title that really throws people off. I Want to Eat Your Pancreas follows a quiet, introverted boy who discovers that his bubbly, energetic classmate, Sakura, has a terminal illness. She ropes him into spending time with her, and what starts as an unlikely friendship blossoms into something much deeper. This movie does not hold back on the emotional punches, so be warned – by the time the credits roll, you’ll be sobbing into your popcorn. It’s a touching reminder to live life fully and love without regrets, even when time is short. | © Studio VOLN

Cropped Maquia When the Promised Flower Blooms

Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms (2018)

If you love a romance that also wrecks your emotions on a deep, existential level, Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms is for you. Directed by Mari Okada, this film blends fantasy, love, and motherhood into one heart-wrenching journey. Maquia belongs to a race of ageless beings, but when war tears her world apart, she ends up raising an orphaned human boy, Ariel. What starts as a mother-son bond evolves into a complex story about time, loss, and love that transcends generations. The animation is stunning, the music will have you in tears, and the emotional weight? Let’s just say you should keep the tissues nearby. | © P.A. Works

I Lost My Body (2019)

Ever wondered what it would be like to experience love from the perspective of a severed hand? No? Well, I Lost My Body does it anyway, and somehow, it’s one of the most poetic and heartbreaking animated films in recent years. This French masterpiece follows Naoufel, a young man dealing with grief and longing, while his own detached hand embarks on an eerie yet beautiful journey to reunite with him. Sounds weird? It absolutely is – but in the best way. The film blends love, fate, and loss in a way that lingers long after the credits roll. Plus, the animation is so gorgeously atmospheric that even a lonely hand crawling through Paris feels like art. | © Xilam Animation

Ride Your Wave (2019)

Ah, young love, surfing, and… ghost boyfriends? Ride Your Wave starts off as a bright, breezy romance between Hinako, a free-spirited surfer, and Minato, her firefighter boyfriend who is too perfect for this world. And that’s exactly the problem – he tragically dies early on, leaving Hinako devastated. But surprise! Minato comes back… as a water spirit. That’s right, every time Hinako sings their song (cue adorable yet emotionally devastating theme music), Minato appears in nearby water – whether it’s a bathtub or a freaking coffee cup. It’s sweet, quirky, and painfully touching, proving that love can transcend even the deepest ocean. Just maybe keep some tissues nearby. | © Science SARU

Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop (2020)

First crushes are already nerve-wracking, but what if you’re a socially anxious haiku-writing boy falling for a bubbly influencer girl with braces? Words Bubble Up Like Soda Pop is the ultimate summer love story, dripping in vibrant colors and youthful energy. Cherry (the shy poet) and Smile (the cheerful livestreamer) meet by chance and form an unlikely connection despite their insecurities. The film is visually stunning, filled with soft pastels and warm aesthetics that feel like stepping into a sun-drenched memory. It’s a love story that reminds us that words – whether spoken, written, or texted – have the power to bring people together, even when you don’t quite know what to say. | © Signal.MD / Sublimation

Wish Dragon (2021)

Imagine Aladdin, but instead of a blue genie, you get a sarcastic pink dragon voiced by John Cho. Wish Dragon takes the classic “be careful what you wish for” tale and gives it a modern, Chinese twist. Din, a hardworking college student, stumbles upon a magical teapot housing Long, a wish-granting dragon who’s way over being trapped in a bottle. Din’s ultimate wish? To reconnect with his childhood best friend, who’s now an unreachable socialite. What follows is a hilarious, heartwarming adventure about love, friendship, and realizing that sometimes, the thing you think you need isn’t what truly matters. Also, the dragon is ridiculously charming. | © Sony Pictures Animation / Base FX

Entergalactic (2022)

What happens when you mix Kid Cudi’s music, New York City vibes, and a gorgeous animated love story? You get Entergalactic, a visually stunning, vibey-as-heck film that feels like a moving painting. Jabari, a rising street artist, is all about his career – until he meets his effortlessly cool neighbor, Meadow. Their romance unfolds with the kind of effortless, late-night-ride energy that makes you believe love is written in the stars. The film oozes style, with a unique animation style that looks straight out of a comic book (think Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse but even smoother). Add in an incredible soundtrack and an emotionally real story, and you’ve got a modern love story that’s as artistic as it is heartfelt. | © Netflix Animation