'Balto' and 7 Other Best Animated Movies Based on Real Events, Ranked by IMDb
Animation can tell serious – and sometimes heart-wrenching – stories as well as live-action cinema.
Although animation is typically associated with fairy tales, fantasy, and worlds inhabited by talking animals, there are often stories based on actual events behind the vibrant visuals and stylized artwork.
When viewed through the lens of animation, real-life events take on new depth, becoming more accessible to young viewers while remaining poignant for adults.
8. 'Balto', 1995
IMDb Score: 7.1/10
Balto is a half-dog, half-wolf who lives as an outcast in Alaska. The locals view him with suspicion, yet he is the one who will save the children from diphtheria. A blizzard causes the sled team carrying the life-saving medicine to go missing.
Only Balto and a few loyal friends can find the team and deliver the medicine to those who need it.
Surprisingly, this dog's story is based on real events. The real Balto was not an outcast half-wolf but a sled-pulling husky. However, he did deliver precious medicine to the town of Nome.
7. 'Anastasia', 1997
IMDb Score: 7.2/10
After selling his soul to the devil, Rasputin curses the tsar and Russia. Soon, revolution engulfs the country, and the ruler's entire family perishes. Princess Anastasia is the only one to survive – she loses her memory and tries to remember her past years later.
In reality, events unfolded quite differently, and supernatural forces played no part in the October Revolution. Nevertheless, the plot is based on real historical figures and the widespread myth that Princess Anastasia escaped.
6. 'The Illusionist', 2010
IMDb Score: 7.4/10
An illusionist lives and performs in Scotland. Alice is a fan of his shows and believes he is a real wizard. She follows him and begins helping with his daily chores, unaware of the complexities of the illusionist's life.
Jacques Tati was the actor who wrote the screenplay for this animated film. Tati did not live to bring the project to the screen himself – he had originally sent the story to his daughter in a letter.
He imbued the main character with his own traits and details from his life. The character grapples with a world where his art is becoming obsolete while his stage persona contrasts sharply with his true self.
5. 'The Secret of Kells', 2009
IMDb Score: 7.5/10
In the 9th century, the Irish abbey of Kells suffered from Viking raids, prompting the monks to build a high wall. One day, Aidan arrived with a magnificent book from a sacked monastery.
Brendan, a young boy living at the abbey, was tasked with completing the work.
Tomm Moore, the director of Song of the Sea and Wolfwalkers, frequently draws upon Irish history and mythology in his work. In his debut animated movie, Moore tells the story of the creation of the Book of Kells, one of the most beautiful medieval manuscripts to survive to the present day.
4. 'Ethel & Ernest', 2016
IMDb Score: 7.7/10
Set in 1920s London, the story follows milkman Ernest and maid Ethel. Despite their different outlooks on life, the two fall in love and start a family. The couple lives through World War II with their child and eventually watches their son grow up and strike out on his own.
This animated movie is rather quiet and understated as it focuses on an ordinary married couple.
In 1998, artist Raymond Briggs created a graphic novel based on his parents' lives, striving to capture the love and mutual understanding they shared. In 2016, Roger Mainwood released an adaptation of this heartwarming story.
3. 'The Wind Rises', 2013
IMDb Score: 7.8/10
Jiro Horikoshi dreamed of becoming a pilot, but his poor eyesight got in the way. Inspired by Caproni, an engineer who appeared to him in dreams, the boy pursued a career as an aircraft designer.
During his studies, Jiro saves a girl named Nahoko from an earthquake and falls in love with her. However, when they meet again, she reveals that she is gravely ill.
Renowned filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki retells the life story of aircraft designer Jiro Horikoshi, incorporating details from Tatsuo Hori's autobiography, The Wind Rises. Furthermore, Miyazaki infused the story with his own childhood dreams of becoming a pilot.
2. 'Loving Vincent', 2017
IMDb Score: 7.8/10
The postmaster finds a letter from the recently deceased Vincent van Gogh that was never sent to his brother, Theo. The postmaster tasks his son, Armand, with delivering the message. However, Armand finds that the intended recipient has also passed away.
The young man interviews people who knew van Gogh and learns a great deal about the renowned artist.
The movie immediately captivates viewers with its unique visual style. All the landscapes were hand-painted to create an immersive experience that places viewers inside van Gogh's artwork and the plot faithfully recreates the artist's final days.
1. 'Grave of the Fireflies', 1988
IMDb Score: 8.5/10
In 1945, the home of 14-year-old Seita and his 5-year-old sister, Setsuko, burns down during the bombing of the city of Kobe, and their mother perishes in the fire. Initially, the kids live with their aunt, but they eventually run away. Seita must now find food for himself and his sister.
Studio Ghibli and director Isao Takahata produced one of the most poignant and powerful anti-war animated films. Grave of the Fireflies is based on the book of the same name by Akiyuki Nosaka, who partially recounted his own life story in it.
He lived through the war as a child, his stepfather went missing, and his sister died from malnutrition.
