Top 30 Animated Movies for Adults

Top 30 Animated Movies for Adults

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were counting down our picks for the greatest animated films for adults. Well be getting into spoilers for various movies, so consider this your warning.

#30: Predator: Killer of Killers (2025)

Not only does this animated anthology treat us to a catalog of interesting stories, but it also pretty much revives the Predator franchise from the ground up. Killer of Killers shows us three distinct tales of people trying to kill a Predator. The real kicker is that each story takes place in a different historical era, which means the possibilities for what can happen are endless. We see Predators go up against Vikings, samurai, fighter pilots, and never once does it lose our attention. Its incredibly gory, taking the violence that fans are used to seeing in this franchise to a completely different level through its animation. Its inventive, exciting, and absolutely brutal.

#29: 9 (2009)

Theres a lot about 9 thats unsettling, making it feel much more mature than youd expect. The story revolves around a sentient ragdoll who wakes up in a post-apocalyptic future where others like him are hunted by murderous machines. Theres not much else out there like this. The visuals are stunning, the atmosphere is moody, and the tone is bleak. 9 deals with intense subject matter and forces you to look at whos left standing after the end of the world. Its a haunting film. Sure, you can see it with your family, but you might want to sleep with a nightlight on after.

#28: Barefoot Gen (1983)

Its no secret that World War II deeply affected Japan, but seeing the crisis play out from the perspective of a young child makes the situation all the more terrifying. Barefoot Gen follows Gen Nakaoka, a young boy directly impacted by the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. The film expertly depicts the devastating effects of war. It goes into painstaking detail to show how much destruction the atomic bomb created and how it utterly destroyed Gens life. Its easy to look back at historical tragedies like numbers on a page, but this movie doesnt gloss over the pain. Barefoot Gen makes us see the consequences of war on everyday citizens and reminds us just how severe these historical events are.

#27: Fantastic Planet (1973)

The world of Ygam might seem like a wonderful place, but its got some real problems hidden underneath the surface. The planet is dominated by a species of giant blue aliens called the Draags, who keep humans (whom they call the Oms) as housepets. However, tensions escalate between the two when one of these humans starts to get smart. Fantastic Planet is jam-packed with all sorts of trippy visuals that make it one heck of a viewing experience. But it doesnt just have style, its got substance too. It shows us what rebellion looks like and how systematic oppression creates anger. The complex themes it explores and its depictions of violence make it clear that the movies not for the faint of heart.

#26: Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996)

When these two doofuses try to replace their stolen TV, they end up going on a wild journey where they accidentally become hitmen. This movie is an entertaining and star-studded adventure that makes sure to keep you laughing. Its not just all jokes, though. Its also a pretty good satire of America, which hasnt exactly gotten smarter since 1996. So, the film still holds up well now. Adult animation doesnt have to just be serious stories and gritty violence. It can be crude humor and over-the-top spectacles. Thats exactly what this cinematic Beavis and Butt-Head adventure is all about, although the film is smarter than it seems.

#25: Isle of Dogs (2018)

Wes Andersons distinguished cinematic flair has changed the landscape of movies, and not just live-action ones. His animated films like Isle of Dogs share his typical tone and usual quirks. The movies about a young boy who tries to find his dog after an entire group of them is sent to live in a place called Trash Island following the spread of a dangerous canine flu. Despite revolving around animals, this isnt exactly a family-friendly movie. It has loads of distinctly unsettling visuals and deals with some heavy stuff, such as prejudice and politics. The dogs are marginalized and isolated. Seeing that play out on the screen isnt easy. While the dogs may be cute, the situations they go through are ugly.

#24: Beowulf (2007)

Beowulf has a distinct visual style in the vein of Robert Zemeckis other motion-capture films. Unlike The Polar Express or A Christmas Carol, though, this animated film isnt for the whole family. Its a retelling of the classic Beowulf poem, covering the famed warriors battle to slay Grendel, as well as the aftermath of that journey. If youre into epic action, then this movie is perfect for you! Even if thats not quite your speed, dont worry, theres still plenty of juicy drama to keep you on the edge of your seat. In short, Beowulf not only adapts a famous piece of literature, but also changes things enough to keep things fresh.

#23: Its Such a Beautiful Day (2012)

Stick figures are works of art. Dont let anybody tell you otherwise! Speaking of stick figures, they're the focus of this Don Hertzfeldt movie. Its Such a Beautiful Day revolves around Bill, who navigates life amidst memory problems and other health issues. This is a very experimental project that plays around with its narrative and messes around with the tone. One moment could be funny while the next is a complete gutpunch. The film has garnered incredible critical acclaim. Its so popular that its widely considered one of the greatest movies in animation. Thats pretty high praise, but its well-deserved. This isnt just a quirky cartoon. Its a meditation on life and death, and a film thatll absolutely move you to tears.

#22: Pink Floyd The Wall (1982)

The Wall is a wild adaptation of Pink Floyds album of the same name. It largely tells the story of a rock star named Pink and his turbulent past. Though this technically has a mixture of both animation and live-action, the animated parts elevate the movie. The surreal musical drama is loaded with symbolism, namely with the wall itself. The trippy film essentially implies that its a barrier Pink used to shield himself from the world after the death of his father. The movie clearly has a lot to say. As a result, it can get pretty intense and bizarre for audiences. Behind all of the darkness and the absurdity is ultimately a story about someone trying to reconcile with themself.

#21: Persepolis (2007)

How do you maintain who you are when the culture around you is dangerously shifting into something else entirely? Thats a problem that Marjane Marji Satrapi had to figure out how to solve. Based on the acclaimed autobiographical comic book, Persepolis chronicles the life of a young girl growing up in the 1970s during the Iranian Revolution. Its a turbulent time where dynasties are toppled, political systems are changed, and families are radically affected. Marjis story is a deeply personal one. The movie does an exceptional job of portraying it. The cultural landscape changes, and as it does, so does she. Coming-of-age stories are hardly anything new. However, seeing Marji grow up in Iran during this challenging time is a truly eye-opening experience.

#20: The Animatrix (2003)

Being PG-13, one might assume this anthology is more restrained than the live-action Matrix films. Yet, The Animatrix contains some of the most graphic imagery in the franchise, especially The Second Renaissance Part I where heads are as smashable as pumpkins. As gritty and intense as the imagery is, The Animatrix is nothing short of visually stimulating, covering a range of genres and styles. The film isnt style over substance, however. Where some segments are heavy on worldbuilding, others tell smaller-scale, more personal stories. Either way, you can expect them to emphasize the ideas and philosophies this series is known for. We dont think its a hot take to say its the second-best Matrix movie after the original.

#19: The Plague Dogs (1982)

Director Martin Rosen is best known for Watership Down, which predated the PG-13 rating and has thus scarred children for generations. Rosens next adaptation of a Richard Adams novel, The Plague Dogs, would retroactively be rated PG-13, but even that feels lenient. This harrowing story follows two dogs who escape from a torture chamber posing as a research lab. While Snitter and Rowf were subjected to unspeakable cruelty, nature isnt much more forgiving. To survive, the animals must become well, animals. Considering how the white-coats treated them, we may be the real animals. Even with several scenes cut from the U.S. release, Plague Dogs is uncompromisingly bloody and brutal, but also thought-provoking in its portrayal of how the animal world views the human world.

#18: Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters (2007)

This big-screen version of the hit Adult Swim show sets a tone with its title alone. Even then, few couldve anticipated the opening when the Lets All Go to the Lobby snacks are bombarded by a heavy metal band, who proclaim that even if you walk out, your moneys theirs now. That said, we could imagine some adults heading for the exit, specifically those who werent raised on this brand of irreverent humor. For those well-acquainted with the Aqua Teens, Mooninites, Plutonians, and Carl, this feature is a laugh riot that raises the stakes while undermining the plot at every turn. As for kids, lets just say they might not be ready for this material or the substances some adults will bring into the theater.

#17: When the Wind Blows (1986)

Jimmy T. Murakamis film adaptation of Raymond Briggss graphic novel might not seem strictly adult-oriented at first glance. The film invites the viewer in with a cozy style that blends hand-drawn and stop-motion techniques, almost calling a popup book to mind. Jim and Hilda Bloggs are delightful central characters, even when theyre talking about the prospects of a nuclear holocaust. By the second act, though, this nuclear attack is no longer theoretical. Jim and Hilda carry us through the hardships with their optimism and love for each other, leading us to believe the worst is behind them. Alas, this is only the beginning. When the Wind Blows is a descent from denial to acceptance as we powerlessly watch a married couple succumb to fallout.

#16: Heavy Metal (1981)

For anyone who thinks animation is just for kids, Heavy Metal is a rite of passage. Thats not to say Heavy Metal isnt an immature film. It is with over-the-top violence and gratuitous nudity for the sake of gratuitous nudity. For anyone who was ever a rebellious teenager, though, few films better encapsulate our wildest daydreams. Capturing the spirit of the magazine that inspired it, this anthology is an 80s time capsule with the highest of high fantasy, the punkiest of steampunk, and a rock n roll sound. Its a product of the time, but thats why Heavy Metal has endured. Over four decades later, it still serves as a gateway to adult animation and an inspiration for modern anthologies like Love, Death & Robots.

#15: Ghost in the Shell (1995)

Speaking of gateways, Ghost in the Shell was an entry point for many in terms of anime and adult animation. At the time, Japanese animation was gaining a reputation for being more violent and sexualized than what most Westerners were used to. Even a fair deal of kid-friendly anime had to be censored for those sensitive North Americans. Ghost in the Shell was introduced to the U.S. with a hard R rating, keeping its kinetic violence and sex-positive portrayal of the female form intact. While this made the film not suitable for children, its meditation on humanity, technology, and identity made Ghost in the Shell adult. It not only ushered in a new age of more adult animation, but smarter sci-fi films as well.

#14: $9.99 (2008)

From the stunning establishing shot, director Tatia Rosenthal immerses us in a stop-motion world thats so simple yet so layered. A couple of bucks can only take you so far in this world. At the same time, opening your wallet can make all the difference. For less than ten bucks, you may even learn the meaning of life. At least thats what an ad reads. $9.99 doesnt spell out the meaning of life or even the movies meaning. Through a series of interlocking stories, however, we experience life at its most mundane and its most surreal. In short, the film is about life itself and the best things in life are free. Of course, a ticket is worth the price of admission.

#13: American Pop (1981)

Ralph Bakshi is synonymous with adult animation, and American Pop is among his most mature films. When we say, mature, were not talking about sex, drugs, and violence, although all three are present here. American Pop may be Bakshis most thematically mature film, chronicling the lives of a Russian-Jewish immigrant family across four generations. Accompanied by a banger soundtrack, we not only experience the evolution of music throughout the decades, but also this familys pursuit of the American dream. In addition to the past and present, you can argue that American Pop looks to the future. Six months after its debut, MTV launched, giving birth to the music video generation. American Pop has the essence of an epic music video backed by a timeless story.

#12: Waking Life (2001)

Primarily known for live-action, Richard Linklater has helmed several rotoscoped films aimed at older audiences. A Scanner Darkly gained a passionate cult following, but many consider Waking Life to be his masterpiece. In animation circles, rotoscoping is divisive with some writing it off as glorified tracing. While live-action footage was shot first, the visuals were still digitally drawn frame by frame with the artists adding a surreal touch. However you categorize it, we cant think of a better method to tell a story that blends reality, dreams, and everything in between. The film transports you to another plane of consciousness where even if you dont understand every image or conversation, the experience is as engrossing as a dream you dont want to wake up from.

#11: Mary and Max (2009)

Director Adam Elliots work is perhaps best summed up as whimsically bleak. This unusual marriage of tones is on full display in Elliots Mary and Max. The films limited color palette reflects the themes of depression, isolation, and other facets of mental health. While few would describe it as a feel-good movie, theres an abundance of charm to be unearthed, from the offbeat character designs to Elliots quirky screenplay. Wed say that its bittersweet, but the film is never 100% bitter or sweet. It is ultimately life-affirming, though, demonstrating the importance of friendship, no matter how unlikely. Although the relationship between the titular pen pals can seem inappropriate (one being much older than the other), it stems from a place of sincerity.

#10: Waltz with Bashir (2008)

Ari Folmans film is unlike any war documentary weve ever seen before. We arent merely saying that because its animated, although this does help to distinguish it. What stands out about Waltz with Bashir is its subject matter. The film revolves around the 1982 Lebanon War, as well as the Sabra and Shatila massacre. Yet, its more about memories. When you think about it, thats what every documentary essentially is - a reflection on past events. Some people have photographic memories. In Folmans case, some memories are clear, others are distorted, and a select few might be forever erased by trauma. While the animators hauntingly recreate Folmans living nightmares, this is one of the most psychological war documentaries, presenting PTSD through a whole new lens.

#9: I Lost My Body (2019)

I Lost My Body is about separation in more ways than one. After interacting with a woman over an intercom, Naoufel becomes determined to meet her properly, although his methods are questionable. Naoufel grows more detached after losing his hand in a freak accident. If you think that sounds morbid, the hand develops a mind of its own, determined to find its way back to Naoufel. What ensues is right out of a survival movie with an urban playground proving every bit as deadly as the wild. While some may cringe and faint at the sight of the hand, we surprisingly come to care for the severed body part as an individual. Whats lost cant always be found, but it can forge a new path.

#8: I Married a Strange Person! (1997)

A strange film by a strange person, and we mean that as the highest of compliments to director Bill Plympton. This indie animated film was only produced for $250,000, but it overflows with Plymptons signature twisted humor and style. We use the word twisted for a variety of reasons, namely because Plympton has a knack for animating transformations. His skills are perfectly suited for a story about a man who can change people and objects with the power of his mind, although he cant always control what pops into his head. This puts a strain on his marriage with reality itself also potentially in jeopardy. For those unfamiliar with Plymptons work, I Married a Strange Person! is a gateway down his demented rabbit hole.

#7: Perfect Blue (1997)

With films like Millennium Actress and Paprika, the late Satoshi Kon left the audience constantly wondering whats real and whats a dream. This theme traces back to his feature-length debut, Perfect Blue, one of the most disturbing animated films weve ever watched. As shocking as the imagery is, thats only part of what makes this thriller so unsettling. Centered on a young celebrity being stalked, the terror stems just as much from what we dont see. As the protagonist begins to question her sanity, were left with a query sure to make anyones skin crawl: would you rather be the target of a malevolent outsider or a victim of an inescapable enemy within? Its a question most are afraid to even ask.

#6: Sausage Party (2016)

We like to think that at least one absent-minded parent put on Sausage Party for their kid, assuming it was a Pixar movie, and left the room. Then later over a hotdog dinner, the kid said, Mommy and/or Daddy, Im not sure Im comfortable putting my frank inside a bun anymore. If you think that sounds explicit, then you arent prepared for this films unfiltered glory. Seth Rogen and company set out to make a CG-animated film that appeared family-oriented on the surface, but in reality, was strictly for the adult crowd. As unapologetically lowbrow as Sausage Party is, its also a clever satire - not just of other CG animated films - but religion as well. We guess you call this the anti-VeggieTales.

#5: Anomalisa (2015)

For a film with full-frontal puppets, Anomalisa is much deeper than you may expect. Sex, nudity, and profanity mightve earned it an R-rating, but thats not purely why Anomalisa isnt aimed at kids. Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnsons film depicts a midlife crisis in a way that only stop-motion can convey. Protagonist Michael Stone works as a motivational speaker, despite being overcome with loneliness and self-loathing. As everyone else in Michaels orbit blends in with one another, the ordinary Lisa stands out. Lisa seems like an anomaly, although at the end of the day, this chance encounter is an anomaly that cant be sustained. This portrait of middle-aged life is grim, but being a Charlie Kaufman production, its awe-inspiring even at its most depressing.

#4: Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

Studio Ghibli makes movies for everyone, but some lean more adult than others. Any older Ghibli fan will tell you Grave of the Fireflies makes Princess Mononoke look like My Neighbor Totoro. Ironically, Totoro and Fireflies were released in Japan as a double feature. Although both center on young siblings, one awakens your inner child while the other forces the viewer to grow up. Sadly, Seita and Setsuko cant grow up. Were not giving too much away, as the film is upfront about where the story will end. That doesnt make the experience any less devastating. While there is a light at the end of the tunnel, you can only rewatch Isao Takahatas film so many times. Yet, it sticks with you forever.

#3: Fritz the Cat (1972)

To give you an idea of where animation was in the 70s, the decade kicked off with Disneys The Aristocats. Two years later, Ralph Bakshi gave us a very different film about another cat: Fritz the Cat, based on cartoonist R. Crumbs creation. While the definition of adult animation has evolved over time, Fritz was a turning point, being the first American animated feature to be rated X. So, even with a parent, no kid was getting in the theater. Although the film is best remembered for an infamous bathtub scene, Fritz was perhaps even more influential with its topical commentary and how its dialogue captured youth culture at the time. It set a tone for everything that followed, including Bakshis next feature, Heavy Traffic.

#2: South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999)

Parents have been against South Park since its earliest episodes, which honestly feel tame compared to later ones. Art imitated life with this feature, which sees parents literally go to war over profanity while turning a blind eye to the bloodshed theyre exposing their children to. Even more than 20 years after its release, Bigger, Longer & Uncut still holds multiple milestones, including the Guinness World Record for Most Swearing in an Animated Movie. Like the show that inspired it, theres much more to the film than foul language. Trey Parker and Matt Stone take on censorship with their signature wit, infectious songs, and an attitude that doesnt care who gets offended. Its not suitable for children but maybe they should sneak into the theater anyway.

#1: Akira (1988)

Akira wasnt the first adult animated feature. In North America, though, animations perception can essentially be divided into two eras: before and after Akira. For many, Katsuhiro Otomos magnum opus was an eye-opener, revealing just how gritty yet profound the medium can be. The imagery ranges from gorgeous to grotesque, and youd be surprised by how often the two cross over. For years, when someone said, adult animation, Akira was the film that immediately came to mind. The market is more saturated now, but no film has managed to top its cultural impact. Akira showed Westerners a whole realm of animation waiting to be discovered and expanded upon. Just as Tetsuo transcends humanity, Akira took animation to the next step in evolution.

Are there any other classics in adult animation that we missed? Let us know in the comments!