15 Great Animated Movies That Aren’t From Disney or Studio Ghibli

Given the immense popularity and success of Disney and Studio Ghibli animated films, it can be hard to see something new that doesn’t come from one of the two studios. As great as the films from both companies are, the variety gives audiences stories they might otherwise miss.

Whether these films are adaptations of beloved characters from books and comics, or original stories from the minds of the film’s creators, there are many narratives that benefit from being told through animation.

Updated on May 16, 2022 by Stacy Rook: As streaming services like Disney+ push studio films to new levels of availability, and Hayao Miyazaki is currently working on How Do You Live, the latest Studio Ghibli story, animated films from other studios, is worth remembering. , which can bring new perspectives to life in a wide range of animation styles.

The Lego Movie (2014)

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the LEGO movie Display the wonder of a child’s imagination as they follow a vast world of Lego characters, including protagonist Emmett; A simple man who becomes part of a resistance effort to fight the intrigues of the sinister Lord Business.

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Although the film is primarily animated, it also includes some major live-action scenes, which frame the story in a new light and help reinforce the story’s message. the LEGO movie It was particularly praised for its humor and music, which helped to emulate the narrative of the children playing at its heart.

Mary and the Witch Flower (2017)

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Mary and the Witch’s Flower Studio Ponok’s debut. It shares many visual similarities with the Studio Ghibli films, due in part to the fact that it was produced largely by former Ghibli employees, including Studio Ponoque founder Yoshiki Nishimura.

The film tells the story of protagonist Mary Smith, a young English woman who, after going home, discovers a type of mysterious flower known as a fly-by-night, which gives its bearer the power of a witch. could, but only for one evening. The story is an astonishing piece of animation that completely transports the viewer into its own world.

sing (2016)

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Produced by Illumination Entertainment, sing follows a group of anthropomorphic animals who take part in a singing competition designed by the owner of a local theater to prevent his establishment from closing.

a musical comedy, sing Brings together its inspiring ensemble of characters from different backgrounds. It features a variety of pop songs performed by the artists, who are excited to bring smiles on the faces of the audience.

Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train (2020)

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direct sequel to the first season of slayer of demons animated, Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train Launched in 2020 to astronomical success, thanks to its jaw-dropping animation and strong character moments.

While the film is not the only one from the anime, it is a fictionalized story that follows protagonist Tanjiro Kamado as he travels with his sister Nezuko and her allies, hunting down enemies while Nezuko suffers her monstrous misery. Finds a way to cure.

Wolf Walker (2020)

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irish folklore drawing, wolf walker Tells the story of two young women, the hunter-in-training Robin and the mysterious Mebh, who is part of a clan that is said to be able to transform into wolves at night.

Robin and her hunter-gatherer father travel to Mebh’s homeland with orders to annihilate the wolves, but when the girls meet, they befriend and begin a search of their own. The film’s distinctive imagery and cohesive themes help enrich its magical setting and story.

Michelle Vs. Machines (2021)

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Produced by Sony Pictures Animation and using the same animation techniques they previously developed Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, The Michels vs The Machines Tells the story of the Michel family, who while driving across the country are caught in a robot apocalypse and eventually become humanity’s only hope.

Packed with great jokes, complicated family dynamics, and LGBTQ+ representation, all presented in incredibly detailed style. The Michels vs The MachinesThe relatable moments are one of the reasons this story is worth revisiting, with new details that stand out with every viewing.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (2006)

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Conceived by Yasukataka Tsutsui as a loose sequel to the 1967 novel of the same name, girl jumping in time follows Makoto Kono, a high school student who acquires the ability to jump through time, and discover how this newfound power and responsibility affects his life and relationships.

The story is heartwarming with moments of both comedy and drama, and it is truly uplifting to see the evolution of the likes of Makoto throughout the film. The film’s visuals also contributed to winning the Japan Academy Award for Animation of the Year in 2007.

Peanuts Movie (2015)

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Published in some countries under the title Snoopy and Charlie Brown: A Peanuts Movie2015 peanut movie Customizes the characters Suffering Comic strip in a movie that manages to be both nostalgic and refreshing.

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Following the adventures of Charlie Brown after a red-haired girl comes to town, the film is a fun and faithful adaptation. With a memorable soundtrack and new introductions to the main characters, this is an animated film that can be enjoyed by anyone, even if the audience is not familiar with it. Suffering,

Your Name (2016)

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fantasy romance Your name It went on to become one of the highest-grossing traditionally animated films of all time and became a worldwide hit. It tells the story of two high school students, a boy living in Tokyo and a girl in rural Japan, who suddenly change bodies for no reason.

The pair naturally want to understand what’s going on, and as they investigate, they develop an affection for each other that tells the film’s narrative. best anime movies like Your name Share the cool yet powerful spirit of the film for a rewarding viewing experience.

How to Train Your Dragon (2010)

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DreamWorks Animation how to Train Your Dragon The Viking centers on the teenager Hichki, who aspires to become a dragon slayer according to the tradition of his clan. Instead, when he captures a dragon, he forms a bond with the creature and names it Toothless. The film follows the couple’s friendship and its complications.

Featuring some of the best animated sequels ever, lauded for their wit and emotional depth how to Train Your Dragon The series features distinctive characters and memorable depictions of dragons. The film was also nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards.

Wolf Children (2012)

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Studio Chizu’s first release, and is considered one of director Mamoru Hosoda’s best films, wolf baby Tells the story of a young woman, Hana, and her relationship with a werewolf. After her death, she must raise her two half-human, half-werewolf children alone.

A film that focuses on the love between a mother and her children, the story also explores the ideas of identity Hana has to raise children who are part of a culture she does not share, While going through the journey of finding a place. Related with

Anastasia (1997)

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A film that looks at an alternate version of Russian history, the title character anastasia It was inspired by the idea that the historical figure, Grand Duchess Anastasia, may have escaped execution by her family. In the film, Anastasia experiences amnesia and tries to find out who she is.

anastasia It also tells the story of the heroine’s romance with former palace worker Dimitri, and features memorable songs including “Journey to the Past” and “Once Upon a December”. Ultimately, these factors together make up anastasia An animated musical that deserves more recognition.

Claus (2019)

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A Netflix Original Christmas Movie, klaus follows a postman named Jesper, who is sent by his father to the far northern city of Smerensberg, where he finds two family clans at war with each other. Looking for other people’s letters to send, Jesper bumps into Klaus, a lone lumberjack and toymaker.

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Featuring a distinctive hand-drawn animation style and a fresh look at Santa’s origins, klaus It is a heartwarming film that stands on its own merits apart from being a Christmas film, avoiding the many abusive traditions such films often succumb to.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009)

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a science fiction comedy Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Flint tells the story of Lockwood, a young man who aspires to be an inventor. Although his experiments often fail, Flint manages to create a machine that can turn water into food. This later becomes overloaded, and the film follows Flint’s journey to rectify this mistake.

Along with his trusty pet monkey Steve and weather intern Sam, Flint’s misadventures made for a creative and hilarious film, with great voices from his cast. Its success led to a sequel as well as an animated television series on Cartoon Network.

The Little Prince (2015)

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Adaptation of the classic French novel of the same name, Little Princess There is a film that uses stop motion and computer animation to great effect. It follows a girl in a new town who is told the story of The Little Prince by her neighbor and later decides to go in search of him.

Little Princess Refers to its source material in a satisfactory manner and treats its large subjects with sensitivity, delivering them in an easy-to-digest manner that is suitable for audiences of all ages.

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