Connoisseur movies are life, yet animated movies hold a tale of hidden gems that are not discovered by many because of being termed as ‘low-brow’ or ‘childlike.’ We’d like to present a list of monumental animated movies that are not connoisseur-esque, yet they offer an irresistible charm and warmth.
Elemental
Have you ever wondered whether the two opposites, water and fire, can exist together? Well, they can, and in such a beautiful oddity that’ll make some doubt human relationships in general. “Elemental,” an original feature film from Disney and Pixar, is set in Element City, where people of fire, water, land, and air coexist. The narrative presents Ember, a feisty, tough, and quick-witted young woman whose friendship with Wade—a pleasant, sentimental, go-with-the-flow guy—challenges her worldview. This movie can tug at your heartstrings, whether you’re a five-year-old or fifty.
Belle (Mamoru Hosoda)
There are some movies you wish you could forget and see again. This turned out to be the one. Suzu is a typical high school girl from a small rural hamlet who is bashful. She has only existed as a shadow of her former self for years. However, she retreats into her online image as Belle, a stunning and well-liked singer, when she enters “U,” a vast virtual fantasy world. One day, a horrific creature, pursued by vigilantes, interrupts her concert. As their pursuit intensifies, Suzu sets out on an epic and poignant adventure to discover who this enigmatic “beast” is and to uncover what she can be in a world where anyone can be. It captures the audience and doesn’t let go until the threads of fate have been interlinked.
Isle of Dogs
An animated masterpiece helmed by Wes Anderson. Twelve-year-old Atari sets off alone in a small Junior-Turbo Prop. It flies across the river in pursuit of his bodyguard dog, Spots, after an executive order banishes all of Megasaki City’s canine pets to a massive landfill known as Trash Island. There, he sets off on an epic journey that will determine the fate and future of the entire Prefecture with the help of a pack of newly discovered canined companions. Even the director and his friends add appealing deadpan comedy to their made-up universe.
Wolf Children
Hana, a college student, falls in love with a “wolf man” and the two of them have two children, Ame and Yuki, who are half-human and half-wolf. The father is brutally slain during a hunt, bringing a sudden end to the pleasant but modest life of the young family. After finding it difficult to raise her kids in the bustling city, Hana bravely chooses to relocate to a run-down rural house in the hopes that her kids would take their own route to fulfilment, regardless of whether it be “human” or “wolf.” It skillfully depicts each character’s point of view and the conclusion, rather than passing judgment on them based on their own needs and aspirations. A lovely movie that could have a variety of life-long resonances.
K-pop Demon Hunters
Rumi, Mira, and Zoey are revered K-pop stars, but they don a different avatar altogether to face their demons and a band of demons that is set to destroy the earth. But the boy band in question is brimming with irresistible men, cruel and vile in their approach. It offers dazzling visuals, engaging characters, and catchy tracks. While praised for its animation and music, some feel the story is predictable. There’s a strong demand for sequels or deeper exploration of the plot. Emotional themes resonate well, making it a standout for many viewers despite minor criticisms. Turn to Netflix to see how this war pans out. Will there be redemption or death?
Tokyo Godfathers
Three homeless people make up a makeshift family on the streets of Tokyo: middle-aged drunkard Gin, teenage fugitive Miyuki, and erstwhile drag queen Hana. On Christmas Eve, they find an abandoned newborn infant in a trash can while searching the trash for food. With only a few clues regarding the baby’s identity, the three misfits scour Tokyo’s streets for help in returning it to its parents. Satoshi Kon weaves his magic, as absurdity and warmth co-exist in the universe he creates.
When Marnie was There
Anna Sasaki encounters an enigmatic blonde girl whom she can see while exploring a long-abandoned villa. The marsh comes to life, the countryside brims with solitude, and the warmth of Marnie’s and Anna’s relationship leaves u in tears. Instead of being sexualised, the female characters radiate strength, mystery, and an enigma to make their individual spaces fulfilling. Marnie teaches Anna what it feels like to be ‘loved,’ this underrated masterpiece reinforces the idea of how undervalued some Ghilbi movies really are.
Zootopia 2
This list seems incomplete without the mention of an upcoming sequel that raced (including Flash, the sloth) our hearts alike. When a mystery reptile appears in Zootopia and upends the mammal metropolis, detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find themselves following its winding path. Judy and Nick must go undercover in unanticipated new areas of town to solve the case, which puts their blossoming relationship under scrutiny like never before. Reptiles are here!! This is your sign to go to your nearest theatre to experience an ‘experience’ like never before.
The Adventures of Tintin
Young reporter Tintin purchases a miniature of an ancient ship known as the Unicorn while shopping at an outdoor market with his devoted dog, Snowy. Tintin declines to sell the model to a dubious figure named Sakharine and then to an American named Barnaby. The young man learns that the ship has a clue to a buried treasure, but before he can find it, Tintin is abducted and turned over to the inebriated Capt. Haddock. Tintin is beloved, and this animated film is not the one to disappoint. Adventure-packed, with thrills and spills, will leave the audience biting their nails in exhilaration.
The Call of the Wild
A semi-animation with hints of live-action, with real actors featuring in its wake. In the 1890s, Buck, a loving dog, is abruptly removed from his California home and relocated to the exotic Alaskan Yukon, upending his happy domestic life. Buck embarks on a once-in-a-lifetime journey as the newest member of a mail-delivery dog sled squad, ultimately discovering his true calling in life.
