Summary
Animation lends itself well to fantastical settings,which is why many filmmakers produce animated fantasy movies which sadly do not get as much love as they deserve.2024’s Oscar nominations and predictionsincluded a Best Animated Feature race betweenThe Boy and the HeronandSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, with audiences paying little attention to other nominees that were never going to win. Following the category’s inception at the beginning of the millennium, movie fans were treated to manyanimated movies in the 2000s that were forgotten.
Some of the most underrated animated fantasy movies were nominated for Oscars but were promptly forgottenwhen another won, most often Disney or Pixar but sometimes Studio Ghibli or DreamWorks. Other animated movies are produced and screened well outside of Hollywood’s narrow vision and are likely never considered by the Academy. Among theanimated movies deserving of Oscar nominations or winsare some true hidden gems that anyone with a taste for fantasy should see.
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Wizards
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Wizards is an animated post-apocalyptic science fiction fantasy film directed by Ralph Bakshi, released in 1977. The story is set in a future where magic has re-emerged after a nuclear war and follows the battle between two wizard brothers, one representing good and the other evil. Featuring voice talent such as Bob Holt and Jesse Welles, the film combines traditional animation with live-action footage and explores themes of technology versus nature.
Ralph Bakshi is an underappreciated animation wizard and the director behind 1978’s animatedThe Lord of the Rings. Coming out within a year of his Middle-earth adaptation wasWizards, which was possibly influenced by Bakshi working with the medievalist fantasy genre at the time.Wizardsfeatures a fascinating distortion of theLord of the Ringssetting,taking place in a post-apocalyptic world of magic and wizards where the main villain utilizes modern technology in his plans for domination.
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Wizards’animation is on par with the Disney movies coming out around the same time, if not better or at least more stimulating. The story itself draws upon some conventions of the fantasy genre and mythology but accomplishes some interesting feats with how the villain studies past conquests to construct his own campaign.Wizardsis an animated feature ahead of its time as far as how it blends genres,with solid animation foundational to the new fantasy story.
Kubo and the Two Strings
Kubo and the Two Strings is a stop-motion animation film from Laika that follows a young boy named Kubo who lives a quiet, normal life in a small shoreside village. His life is suddenly turned upside down when a spirit from the past visits him and re-ignites an age-old vendetta. Now on the warpath of various gods and creatures, Kubo must locate a legendary suit of armor worn by his late father.
Themes of family, destiny, and bravery come together in a story that does not have an unconditional happy ending but sees good triumph.
Kubo and the Two Strings’stop-motion animation is nothing short of completely gorgeousfrom start to finish. It illustrates the same school of thought behind stylized 3D animation: that looking realistic is not the point. It plays with colors, lighting, and choreography to spectacular effect. Meanwhile, the underlying story ofKubo and the Two Stringsis a classic and has some mildly predictable plot twists, but is entertaining nonetheless.
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Kubo is a young talented musician with a dark past and a complex legacy, striving to live up to his legendary samurai father as he fights his evil maternal family. Themes of family, destiny, and bravery come together in a story that does not have an unconditional happy ending but sees good triumph. The very title ofKubo and the Two Stringsalludes to its underlying premise.Kubo’sshamisenis a three-stringed instrument; he is one string with his parents are the other two,and together, they will use music to fight evil.
The Red Turtle (2016)
The Red Turtlewas nominated for Best Animated Feature the same year asKubo and the Two Strings,as well asMoana, whileZootopiawon the category. It is unlikely to be found on a list ofevery Studio Ghibli movie ranked, despite the company’s involvement in its production. The premise of it being a movie with no dialogue means that the animation must be vibrant and evocative to tell the story. It succeeds in this, showcasing a tale of strange and unexplained magic that relies more on emotional philosophy than logic.
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A man stranded on a remote island forms an unlikely connection with a hawksbill sea turtle,which has profound effects on the rest of his life. TheChicago TribunecallsThe Red Turtle “Cast Away meets Spirited Away,“and no description is better to convey the story’s soft magic and enduring bonds throughout a life of survival. Members of the family may depart on their own journeys, but the ways they affected each other remain.
Melancholy is the best word to describeThe Last Unicorn’sendingand overall tone; it is primarily about the loss of innocence that happens when the title character spends time as a human. Through this experience, she learns about love and grief, setting her apart from the rest of her kind when they do return. Characters includingSchmendrick, Molly Grue, and Prince Lir showcase different reflections of the Unicorn’s purityas they contemplate their own lives and humanity.
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There is a possible interpretation ofThe Last Unicornwhich emphasizes the cost of environmental exploitation and poaching, which may have driven unicorns from this world.The Unicorn is compelled to release other magical creatures from captivity,even potentially vicious ones. The whole thing is elevated by a luminous and fluid animation style where it seems like the Unicorn is glowing against the backdrop of her surroundings, illustrating exactly what she is to those who encounter her.
Tinker Bell
Tinker Bell is an animated fantasy film that explores the origin story of Tinker Bell, a beloved character from J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. Set in the magical world of Pixie Hollow, it focuses on Tinker Bell’s journey of self-discovery as she embraces her unique talent and learns about her purpose. Mae Whitman voices Tinker Bell, leading a cast that includes notable talents such as Kristin Chenoweth and Raven-Symoné.
Tinker Bell’s aesthetic is gentle and magical, bringing to life the mythos that surrounds the fairy who serves as one of Disney’s mascots. She is a symbol of childlike wonder and wishes upon stars (despite not being inclined to like the children in Peter Pan).Tinker Belldelves into the title character’s own trials and tribulations,showing her following through on her dreams in unexpected ways and learning to value herself.
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It is an origin story that doesn’t feel like merchandising bait but just an indulgent appreciation of the main character.Tinker Bellalso features a shockingly impressive cast: Mae Whitman voices Tinker Bell, while Kristin Chenoweth, Raven-Symoné, Lucy Liu, and America Ferrera play her group of fairy friends who all specialize in different elements.In the end, Tinker Bell’s ingenuity prevails(while her sometimes careless personality remains), allowing her to save Spring and visit the human world as she wishes.
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The Secret of Kellsmoves slower than other animated fantasy movies,dwelling on the intricate work of creating the Book of Kells and the leisurely pace of the main characters exploring the forest. The animation style is fascinating, with some traditional 2D cell animation but also segments that look like cut-outs against a watercolor backdrop. The ending is a dark one, but this is in service of the story’s main theme about art helping hope to live on through grief.
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The Secret of Kellsis the first in Cartoon Saloon’s trilogy of animated movies based on Irish folklore, also includingSong of the SeaandWolfwalkers. All three movies feature gorgeous animation, melancholic stories, and a variety of shocking beats that terrify and thrill.In general, Cartoon Saloon doesn’t get enough love; all three movies were nominated, but none took home an Oscar. However,The Secret of Kellsand its sister movies are still alluring and tell profound, relevant stories.
The Sea Beast
The Sea Beast is a classic drama film released in 1926 and adapted from the novel Moby Dick. The movie follows Captain Ahab, a man who seeks to hunt a mysterious white whale that eludes hunters at every attempt. The film captures Ahab’s obsession with the beast and how it consumes his life to a destructive degree.
The Sea Beasthas a dynamic and diverse seafaring cast and amazing energyfrom start to finish. Numerous subplots are set up within the first half hour: Jacob inheriting command of the Inevitable, Maisie stowing away on a mission to carry on her parents’ legacy, politics with the crown supporting the hunters of sea beasts, and hints at their being more to the monsters of the deep than the characters realize. On top of this, the action is well-planned, even if the animation is not the most impressive of the 2020s.
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There is a theme of comradery but also so many supporting characters who are interesting enough it’s a shame the movie can’t spend more time on them — Maisie is certainly a fan of everyone’s individual heroics. Jacob and Maisie’s interactions are great, while the other characters’ comments about it show an interesting awareness.The Sea Beastis highly enjoyable,tonally falling somewhere betweenPirates of the CaribbeanandMoana.
FernGully: The Last Rainforest
FernGully: The Last Rainforest is an animated film centered on the magical inhabitants of FernGully, a rainforest threatened by human destruction. Directed by Bill Kroyer, the story follows a fairy named Crysta who shrinks a human logger, Zak, bringing them face-to-face with the environmental consequences of deforestation. With a rich voice cast including Robin Williams, Tim Curry, and Samantha Mathis, the film combines ecological themes with a fantastical narrative.
FernGully is genuinely heartbreaking and terrifying, but will doubtlessly prompt the viewer to think about the world they live in.
FernGully: The Last Rainforestis a painfully vivid depiction of environmental destruction through the eyes of the fairies who live in FernGully, a rainforest being ravaged for its natural resources.The movie uses the whimsical figures of the fairies and a shadowy monster fueled by pollution called Hexxusto convey this core theme. It ends on a bittersweet note where the protagonists save their home, but much of the forest has still been lost in the struggle. It conveys the real tragedy behind constantly exploiting the planet for profit.
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Some softer notes permeate and complement the main story and themes. The protagonist Crysta must come into her own as a leader in her community, the human Zak is shrunken down to fairy-size and starts to see things from their perspective, andRobin Williams voices a clutzy bat who helps them along the way.FernGullyis genuinely heartbreaking and terrifying, but will doubtlessly prompt the viewer to think about the world they live in.
2The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl (2017)
A Different Kind Of Urban Fantasy Movie About An Unforgettable Night In Kyoto
The Night Is Short, Walk on Girlis arguably one of thebest anime movies not made by Studio Ghibli, with a surrealistic premise that can be confusing and demands a certain amount of blind faith.A college sophomore in Kyoto has a series of psychedelic experiences as she weaves her way through the city’s nightlife,while her lovelorn classmate ponders how to win her heart. The electric and colorful animation elevates fast-made friendships and ordinarily magical adventures.
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This movie captures a certain nightlife experience of enjoying all that a great city has to offer, while the protagonist returns to her new friends later on. Maybe no one she meets can be trusted, maybe she will never see them again, or maybe it will be something else.The Night Is Short, Walk on Girlhas an experimental narrative,but it can be very satisfying if one understands how strangely real it is.
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Nimona
Nimona is a film adaptation of ND Stevenson’s graphic novel of the same name. Chloë Grace Moretz voices the main character Nimona, a shapeshifter who is being hunted by a former knight named Ballister Blackheart (Riz Ahmed). But things become complicated when Blackheart realizes Nimona may actually be able to help him after he’s unjustly accused of a crime.
After an amazing cold open,Nimonalaunches into an action-packed adventure that derives some surprises from the atypical pacing and puts its fantastic main duo on the pedestal they deserve.Nimona and Ballister are a classic pairing of completely chaotic and hesitant to cause too much trouble,although some of the high points of the story are when they are harmoniously working together or goofing off. However, the real story is about cruelty directed towards outcasts and them supporting each other through it.
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As one of thebest animated movies of 2023,Nimonademonstrates its own kind of stylized 3D animation while drawing upon the precedent set by other recent movies. The character designs are all interesting blends of traits stereotypically associated with heroes and villains and subversive features that hint at their true nature, leaning into the story’s subverted fairy tale beats.Nimonawas possibly destined to be underratedduring a year when the newSpider-Verseand Ghibli movies were the frontrunners. However,Nimonaand other animated movies deserve as much love as the Oscar winners.
