15 Animated Movies You Won’t Believe Exist

15. Waking Life

Waking Life follows a young man as he drifts through deep conversations on dreams, consciousness, and the meaning of life. Its gentle rotoscoped animation creates a surreal, dreamlike world that invites you to question what is real. | © Fox Searchlight Pictures

14. Waltz with Bashir

Waltz with Bashir is an animated documentary that revisits the horrors of war through a deeply personal journey of lost memories. By blending realistic scenes with surreal, dreamlike visuals, the film powerfully captures the confusion and trauma of conflict. | © Sony Pictures Classics

13. A Scanner Darkly

A Scanner Darkly is a rotoscope-animated adaptation of a novel that throws viewers into a dystopian future where a dangerous drug has upended society and blurred the line between reality and illusion. With a unique animation style that layers art over live footage, the film explores deep themes of paranoia and addiction. | © Warner Independent Pictures

12. Belladonna of Sadness

Belladonna of Sadness is a psychedelic Japanese animated film that tells the story of a woman who makes a pact with the devil after being assaulted by a local lord. With surreal images inspired by 1970s psychedelia, the film weaves a tragic tale of power, corruption, and female strength. | © Kadokawa Daiei Studio

11. Fantastic Planet

Fantastic Planet is an animated movie that takes viewers to a strange alien world where giant blue beings keep small human-like creatures as pets. The cutout animation and eerie soundtrack create a haunting atmosphere, telling a simple yet powerful story of oppression, rebellion, and the strength of the human spirit. | © Argos Films

10. The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya is a visually stunning adaptation of a classic Japanese legend, brought to life with an animation style that resembles traditional paintings. The film follows a mysterious princess found in a bamboo stalk, whose journey from humble beginnings to a bittersweet destiny captures the fleeting nature of life. | © Toho

9. Loving Vincent

Loving Vincent is a biographical drama about the life and mysterious death of Vincent van Gogh, told entirely through beautiful animated oil paintings. With vibrant colors and swirling brushstrokes, this film mixes art with a detective story to reveal the passion and mystery behind his final days. | © Altitude Film Distribution

8. Perfect Blue

Perfect Blue follows a pop singer who ventures into acting, only to find herself caught in a world where reality and illusion merge in unsettling ways. With eerie animation and unexpected twists, this film draws you into a dark maze of fame, fear, and a loss of identity. | © Madhouse

7. Paprika

Paprika is a Japanese animated film that invites you into a world where dreams and reality blend in surprising ways. The film’s exploration of the power of dreams and the subconscious mind has made it a landmark in the world of anime, influencing numerous other works. | © Sony Pictures Classics

6. The Plague Dogs

The Plague Dogs is a dark animated film that follows two dogs who break free from a research facility and face the brutal challenges of the wild. Its realistic portrayal of animal suffering and a grim narrative make it one of the most haunting animated stories ever told. | © MGM

5. Alice

Alice is a dark, surreal take on the classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, combining live-action with stop-motion to craft a twisted, nightmarish Wonderland. Ghostlike visuals and unsettling characters invite you to explore a haunting world where childhood wonder collides with the depths of the subconscious. | © First Run Features

4. Anomalisa

Anomalisa is a stop-motion film that uses a unique style to explore deep feelings of loneliness and the search for meaning. It follows a self-help author who sees everyone as the same until he meets a woman who breaks his routine, offering a strangely touching and thought-provoking experience. | © Paramount Pictures

3. Yellow Submarine

Yellow Submarine is a wild, animated musical adventure inspired by The Beatles that whisks you away on a colorful journey to save Pepperland from the Blue Meanies. With bold, kaleidoscopic visuals and an experimental soundtrack, this film offers a one-of-a-kind, surreal experience. | © United Artists

2. Fantastic Mr. Fox

Fantastic Mr. Fox is a stop-motion film that combines the director’s signature quirky style with a charmingly offbeat tale. Based on Roald Dahl’s book, the movie follows a clever fox on a series of hilarious, unexpected adventures that break away from typical animated stories. | © 20th Century Fox

1. Watership Down

Watership Down may seem like a typical animated movie about rabbits, but it soon turns into a dark and intense journey about survival. With realistic animation and raw scenes that show harsh sides of nature, this film offers an unexpectedly deep exploration of freedom and life in the wild. | © Cinema International Corporation