10 animated films that look cute but are very heavy

When we think of animated films, our minds usually make a direct connection to beloved, colorful characters, enchanting plots, and a world full of joy – not to mention the fact that the format is often associated with children’s content. The truth, however, is that animation is also cinema.

Animation offers directors, screenwriters and storytellers another means to convey the full spectrum of human emotions and channel their feelings. While many believe that animation brings fantasies to life, it also essentially serves as a means of telling stories that reflect how plural reality and fiction can be.

10 animations with cute photographs, but a heavy plot

There are several animated films that, despite looking cute, deal with difficult subjects and complex themes, address society and illustrate topics that are rarely discussed. Even with impeccable cinematography and happy moments, the plot of the films listed below remain imprinted in our memory as heavy, sad or dark.

1. In Search of the Magic Valley (1988)

Posted on IMDB As one of the animations that everyone should watch before they die, “Finding Magical Valley” is considered an animation classic. The film, directed by Don Bluth, follows the journey of an orphaned Brontosaurus and his friends as they try to return to their families.

In addition to a sense of humor and adventure, the plot deals with brutally dark dangers and challenges such as hunger, scarcity, and devastating natural events. The story, full of tenderness, also presents themes of prejudice and mourning, managing to move even the coldest spectator.

2. Pinocchio (2022)

This adaptation of Pinocchio, created by the brilliant mind of Guillermo del Toro, is perhaps one of the darkest animated films ever produced. The modern version of the classic delves into human brutality. After the death of his son, driven by guilt and depression, Geppetto builds a wooden doll which is then brought back to life by a fairy.

Set at different points in the two world wars, a rather innocent but enthusiastic Pinocchio embarks on an adventure trying to find a place to belong in fascist Italy.

In addition to not shying away from the violence of both wars, the film also shows Pinocchio dying and resurrecting multiple times. Despite the relatively happy ending, the film shows Pinocchio living alone, having buried all his friends and family.

3. House of Monsters (2006)

It is true that, despite being a horror film for children, “The Monster House” managed to traumatize adults too. Produced by Robert Zemeckis and Steven Spielberg, the plot follows three children who, after a prank gone wrong, discover that the scary house across the street is, in fact, alive.

What seemed to be just another fun adventure film develops into a devastating story of love and complicity, interrupted by a prejudice capable of turning bullying into tragedy, pain and anger.

4. The Hound and the Fox (1981)

The animated “The Hound and the Fox” is an important exception to the typical Disney formula, as it does not have the idealized happy ending. This film follows the story of a fox cub raised by a loving widow on a farm. He befriends an equally curious puppy, and viewers follow them as the two grow up together.

The central theme of this animation is friendship, but instead of showing a sense of community and acceptance of our natural differences, it shows how love and shared past experiences are not enough to keep friends together, especially when outside influences cause one to hate the other for no good reason.

The film ends with the feeling that nothing will ever change and the characters long for the innocence of youth.

5. Chicken Run (2000)

In their first animated feature, the team behind the Wallace and Gromit films have created an at times hilarious story about a chicken trapped on a farm in the English countryside’s yearning for freedom.

However, in the film directed by Peter Lord and Nick Park, there are some touching images that seem to reference the Holocaust and concentration camps. Besides the constant vigilance, perhaps the most impressive aspect of all is Mrs. Tweedy’s treatment of the chickens.

At the beginning of the film, chickens are only killed when they are “no longer useful” and stop laying eggs. However, in an attempt to earn more money, Mrs Tweedy buys a chicken pot pie making machine and her oven is what some would call a “last resort”. Suddenly the story is no longer just about trapping chickens for their precious eggs, but rather about eliminating them entirely.

6. The Long Journey (1978)

At first glance, Martin Rosen’s adaptation of Richard Adams’ book may seem like fun for the whole family. “The Long Journey” follows a young rabbit who dreams that his land will be destroyed, so he convinces some friends to go on a journey to find a new home. During this journey, however, they face many threats.

The art style highlights already disturbing events, such as the bloody war zone and the rat graveyard. Despite being rated “not recommended for children under 12 without parental guidance,” the story is full of blood and even contains cannibalism, which is certainly enough to make adults cringe.

7. The Iron Giant (1999)

To the uninitiated, “The Iron Giant” seems like any other story about an unlikely friendship. Based on the 1968 novel of the same name written by Ted Hughes, this science fiction film tackles complex themes such as fear, prejudice and the burden of being different in a world bent on destroying what it cannot understand.

This animated classic, co-written and directed by Brad Bird, tells the story of the title character, who crash-lands on planet Earth in the 1950s, during the Cold War. It is found by the young Hogarth, who soon realizes that the enormous and intimidating alien creature is, in fact, gentle and vulnerable. The boy then forms a bond of friendship with the robot and does everything possible to protect it.

8. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

This Studio Ghibli film tackles narrative in a devastating way, conveying how children suffer the consequences of war in a way that they themselves cannot understand.

Based on a story by World War II survivor Akiyuki Nosaka, “Grave of the Fireflies” shows the impact of the air raids through the suffering of siblings Setsuko and Seita. With their mother dead and their father away defending the country, the children must fend for themselves and try to survive on what they can find.

9. Persepolis (2007)

Based on the graphic novel of the same name by Marjane Satrapi, “Persepolis” is the semi-autobiographical story of Marjane growing up in Iran and navigating her complex relationship with her home country.

The film, directed by Vincent Paronnaud and Satrapi herself, begins when Marji, at the age of nine, witnesses the Iranian revolution of 1978. This revolution does not bring the change desired by the protagonist’s family, but rather brings anxiety about the arrival of a fundamentalist regime in power, while inspiring young Marji to begin a life of rebellion.

In “Persepolis,” Marji’s subversiveness brings her into conflict after conflict with the harsh laws of the Iranian government. When her parents send her to boarding school in Austria, the young girl soon discovers that the Western world is not what she dreamed of.

10. Princess Mononoke (1997)

Another Studio Ghibli classic, “Princess Mononoke” is a film about the conflict between forest spirits and the mining colony of Tataraba. The story follows Ashitaka, a prince and warrior from an endangered tribe, who travels to the forest after being cursed by a boar god.

Along the way he meets San, a young girl who fights to protect the forest, and Lady Eboshi, the chief of Tataraba. Ashitaka is forced to find a middle ground between the two ambivalent forces as the conflict only worsens.

The work addresses issues that remain current through a broad commentary on modernization and its effects on the environment. The film not only shows intense deforestation, but also shows violence between humans leading to devastating deaths.

The next 10 Animated Movies That Look Cute, But Are Very Heavy appeared first on Olhar Digital.

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Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.