When Animation Gets Surprisingly Grown-Up — 5 Animated Films That Go Deeper Than You’d Expect
Each of these stayed with me long after watching.
In the last couple of decades, animation has steadily outgrown the label of 'just for kids'. While family audiences remain central, more and more animated films are choosing to explore complex, often deeply human themes — from memory and grief to self-worth, love, and legacy.
Even now, when CGI can show almost anything, animation still holds its own — and often feels more personal. Maybe it’s because many of us first discovered stories through it. That early connection never quite fades.
Below are five films that have stayed with me — some from childhood, others more recent. Each one left something behind: a mood, a tear, a kind of quiet clarity.
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