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There remains a bit of a stigma around animated films in the Western world, which is a shame, in all honesty. While a country like Japan has long ago realized that animation could be used to make great family films and great films aimed at older audiences, Hollywood hasn’t seemed to have caught on. Animated films that aren’t aimed at kids (or at least kid-friendly) seem rare from Western, English-speaking filmmakers.
Sure, studios like Pixar make fantastic films that kids and adults can enjoy in equal measure, but it’s worth pointing out how some films go further and are aimed exclusively at adult audiences. Whether it’s because they deal with mature themes or feature content that’s not kid-friendly, they all demonstrate how animation can (and should) be utilized to make great films for older audiences.
Updated on August 27, 2025, by Jeremy Urquhart:
It’s easy to see that adult animated movies are not going anywhere, as every year, more and more animated adult movies (and adult anime movies) are released. Those looking for the best animated movies for adults will be glad to know there’s no shortage of award-winning and unique films to choose from. Some may ultimately be okay for older kids or teenagers, but given the target audience isn’t kids, it’s clear that the following can be counted as some of the best adult animated movies.
20’Anomalisa' (2015)
Charlie Kaufmanis known for writing (and sometimes directing) challenging, sometimes depressing, but always interesting films that are nakedly honest about the human condition and the struggles of everyday life. In this regard, his first (and so far, only) foray into animation,Anomalisa, is no exception to the other films he’s written or made.
Stop-motion animation is used to tell the story of a lonely man who falls for a woman while staying in a strange hotel, all the while experiencing the other areas of his life collapsing around him. It’s a strange and sometimes even uncomfortable film that’s not for everyone (and definitely not for kids, who’d probably be a bit bored more than anything), but it has a great deal to offer for those willing to give it a shot.
Watch on Paramount+
19’Alice' (1988)
Image via First Run Features
Jan Švankmajeris a Czech filmmaker who specializes in combining stop-motion animation andsurreal humor and horror in his moviesto captivating effect. One of his most famous films is 1988’sAlice, which is an adaptation of the well-known story byLewis Carroll:Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
It might not sound unsettling or non-family-friendly on paper, but it’s a surreal and often nightmarish-looking movie, and it has some very unsettling stop-motion animation that it combines with live-action elements. Rather than using puppets for the animals, for example, some of them are “animated” taxidermic animals that move about in unnatural, even creepy ways. It might be a good trip for older viewers, but younger audiences might well find themselves too terrified.
18’The Wolf House' (2018)
The Wolf Houseis a disturbing and eerie animated horror film that, despite sometimes feeling like a super dark fairytale, is way too horrifying for children. A mix of stop-motion and hand-drawn images painted and animated on the walls of actual sets tells the story of a young woman on the run from a sinister cult that hides out in a strange house.
The presentation and feel ofThe Wolf Houseis really what makes it memorable and also really unsettling. It’s the kind of horror film that’s likely to unsettle most adults, making it one of the last movies you’d ever want to show a kid, animated or otherwise.
Watch on Tubi
17’Redline' (2009)
Anyone who assumesanimated action movies are automatically less excitingthan live-action action movies needs to giveRedlinea watch. It’s an anime film with a pretty simple premise that’s executed amazingly. In the future, car racing is done on an interplanetary scale and is much faster and way more dangerous than anything seen on Earth.
Amazingly, it was all done with hand-drawn animation, and the fluidity and detail are astonishing. It gives viewers the same visceral rush asMad Max: Fury Roadand is probably too loud and high-octane for most younger viewers.
16’Mind Game' (2004)
Movies don’t get much more bizarre or challengingthanMind Game, a Japanese animated film that takes viewers on a truly wild ride, from start to finish. It centers on a young man who has a crush on a young woman, then they both get entangled with the Yakuza, and then they both end up trapped inside a whale.
All along the way, the animation constantly changes and warps, with the film offering a surprising plot twist or piece of animation seemingly every minute or two. It’s quite relentless, but also captivating for those who can handle how much of a madcap journey it is, though some of the movie’s adult content and heavy themes ensure it’s best for older audiences only.
Watch on Prime Video
15’Paprika' (2006)
Paprikawas the last film directed by the late, greatSatoshi Kon, and whilePerfect Bluemight be his best-known and most influential,Paprikais arguably his best. It tells a surreal and dazzling story about a machine that allows therapists to see their patients' dreams and a young woman’s journey to recover it after it is stolen.
Paprikais a film that successfully utilizes animation to explore worlds and ideas that couldn’t be realized in live-action. Over 15 years since its release, nothing really compares to it, even ifInceptionuses a similar concept to craft an exciting blockbuster.Paprikais complex, overwhelming, and sometimes very dark, but in the right ways, making for a true animated masterpiece.
14’Loving Vincent' (2017)
Depicting the life story ofVincent van Goghin a unique manner,Loving Vincentis likely to be too strange and dark for younger viewers. Additionally, they might not be able to appreciate the film’s presentation, as this animated movie is made up entirely of oil paintings that were hand-painted - approximately 65,000 frames, all up.
It has some narrative shortcomings and isn’t exactly the most compelling film in the world, but its technical qualities make it worth seeking out. It’s like seeing countless paintings come to life and move around in a fashion that’s eerie and awe-inspiring, with the film as a whole working as a solid tribute to van Gogh’s art and legacy.
13’Waking Life' (2001)
Waking Lifeis an experimental adult animated film that thrusts viewers into a dream-like world full of fascinating people. Through the perspective of a man navigating this bizarre and constantly changing environment, the movie depicts intelligent conversations that delve into philosophical topics like free will, consciousness, and the nature of reality.
Fans who really enjoy the weird yet profound way it depicts insightful interactions between the main character and actual philosophers will know that it’s an unforgettable masterpiece. It’s bound to leave a lesson or at least a new idea for any adult who watches it, and, as amind-blowing existentialist movie, it’s just as relevant as ever today.
12’Isle of Dogs' (2018)
WithIsle of Dogs,Wes Andersonmade a stop-motion animated film that was a little more mature than his previousFantastic Mr. Fox, but not so adult that older kids couldn’t enjoy it. The story is set in a future Japan, and follows a group of outcast dogs helping a 12-year-old boy find his pet dog who’s gone missing.
It’s a nicely made film with a good sense of humor, and is typically engaging to look at from the visual side of things, as one would expect from a Wes Anderson movie. It gets sad and a little strange at points (as you’d also expect from a Wes Anderson movie), but remains consistently entertaining throughout.
Watch on Disney+
11’Tower' (2016)
On June 07, 2025, a high-profile mass shooting took place at the University of Texas, one of the first of its kind due to the high number of casualties.Towertells the story of what happened that day and how it impacted those who were attacked, using rotoscope animation to provide visuals that accompany the stories of the day’s survivors.
It’s a harrowing and tense documentary, and the animation works to visualize the day’s events in a way that makes them feel more real. It’s an incredibly gripping and memorable film, but due to the story and the subject matter, definitely not one that’s suitable for younger viewers.
