10 Underrated Fantasy Animated Movies That Don’t Get Enough Love

Summary

• Underrated animated fantasy movies often don’t receive the recognition they deserve at the Oscars.
• Movies like
  Wizards
  ,
  The Red Turtle
  , and
  FernGully
  offer deep themes and incredible animation.
• Nimona
  showcases a heartwarming story about facing cruelty, while
  The Night is Short, Walk on Girl
  has a satisfying experimental narrative.

Animation lends itself well to fantastical settings, which is why many filmmakers produce animated fantasy movies which sadly do not get as much love as they deserve. 2024’s Oscar nominations and predictions included a Best Animated Feature race between The Boy and the Heron and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, with audiences paying little attention to other nominees that were never going to win. Following the category’s inception at the beginning of the millennium, movie fans were treated to many animated movies in the 2000s that were forgotten.

Some of the most underrated animated fantasy movies were nominated for Oscars but were promptly forgotten when another won, most often Disney or Pixar but sometimes Studio Ghibli or DreamWorks. Other animated movies are produced and screened well outside of Hollywood’s narrow vision and are likely never considered by the Academy. Among the animated movies deserving of Oscar nominations or wins are some true hidden gems that anyone with a taste for fantasy should see.

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10 Wizards (1977)

Ralph Bakshi’s Gritty & Modernistic Answer To The Lord Of The Rings

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Wizards (1977) PG

Wizards is an animated post-apocalyptic science fiction fantasy film directed by Ralph Bakshi, released in 1977. The story is set in a future where magic has re-emerged after a nuclear war and follows the battle between two wizard brothers, one representing good and the other evil. Featuring voice talent such as Bob Holt and Jesse Welles, the film combines traditional animation with live-action footage and explores themes of technology versus nature.

Director Ralph Bakshi Release Date February 9, 1977 Writers Ralph Bakshi Cast Bob Holt , Jesse Welles , Richard Romanus , David Proval , Jim Connell , Steve Gravers , Barbara Sloane , Angelo Grisanti

Ralph Bakshi is an underappreciated animation wizard and the director behind 1978’s animated The Lord of the Rings. Coming out within a year of his Middle-earth adaptation was Wizards, which was possibly influenced by Bakshi working with the medievalist fantasy genre at the time. Wizards features a fascinating distortion of the Lord of the Rings setting, taking place in a post-apocalyptic world of magic and wizards where the main villain utilizes modern technology in his plans for domination.

Movie	Rotten Tomatoes score	Metacritic score	Audience score
Wizards	62%	N/A	69%

Wizards’ animation is on par with the Disney movies coming out around the same time, if not better or at least more stimulating. The story itself draws upon some conventions of the fantasy genre and mythology but accomplishes some interesting feats with how the villain studies past conquests to construct his own campaign. Wizards is an animated feature ahead of its time as far as how it blends genres, with solid animation foundational to the new fantasy story.

9 Kubo And The Two Strings (2016)

Kubo Leads A Valiant Charge For Stop-Motion In Modern Filmmaking

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Kubo and the Two Strings PG Where to Watch

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Kubo and the Two Strings is a stop-motion animation film from Laika that follows a young boy named Kubo who lives a quiet, normal life in a small shoreside village. His life is suddenly turned upside down when a spirit from the past visits him and re-ignites an age-old vendetta. Now on the warpath of various gods and creatures, Kubo must locate a legendary suit of armor worn by his late father.

Director Travis Knight Release Date August 19, 2016 Writers Marc Haimes , Chris Butler , Shannon Tindle Cast Charlize Theron , Art Parkinson , Minae Noji , Ralph Fiennes , Brenda Vaccaro , Rooney Mara , Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa , Alpha Takahashi , Matthew McConaughey , George Takei Runtime 101 Minutes

Themes of family, destiny, and bravery come together in a story that does not have an unconditional happy ending but sees good triumph.

Kubo and the Two Strings’ stop-motion animation is nothing short of completely gorgeous from start to finish. It illustrates the same school of thought behind stylized 3D animation: that looking realistic is not the point. It plays with colors, lighting, and choreography to spectacular effect. Meanwhile, the underlying story of Kubo and the Two Strings is a classic and has some mildly predictable plot twists, but is entertaining nonetheless.

Movie	Rotten Tomatoes score	Metacritic score	Audience score
Kubo and the Two Strings	97%	84%	86%

Kubo is a young talented musician with a dark past and a complex legacy, striving to live up to his legendary samurai father as he fights his evil maternal family. Themes of family, destiny, and bravery come together in a story that does not have an unconditional happy ending but sees good triumph. The very title of Kubo and the Two Strings alludes to its underlying premise. Kubo’s shamisen is a three-stringed instrument; he is one string with his parents are the other two, and together, they will use music to fight evil.

8 The Red Turtle (2016)

Studio Ghibli’s Forgotten, Magical Take On Cast Away

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The Red Turtle (2016) PG

The dialogue-less film follows the major life stages of a castaway on a deserted tropical island populated by turtles, crabs and birds.

Director Michael Dudok de Wit Release Date June 29, 2016 Writers Michael Dudok de Wit , Pascale Ferran Cast Emmanuel Garijo , Tom Hudson , Baptiste Goy , Axel Devillers , Barbara Beretta , Maud Brethenoux , Mickaël Dumoussaud , Elie Tertois Runtime 80 Minutes

The Red Turtle was nominated for Best Animated Feature the same year as Kubo and the Two Strings, as well as Moana, while Zootopia won the category. It is unlikely to be found on a list of every Studio Ghibli movie ranked, despite the company’s involvement in its production. The premise of it being a movie with no dialogue means that the animation must be vibrant and evocative to tell the story. It succeeds in this, showcasing a tale of strange and unexplained magic that relies more on emotional philosophy than logic.

Movie	Rotten Tomatoes score	Metacritic score	Audience score
The Red Turtle	91%	86%	82%

A man stranded on a remote island forms an unlikely connection with a hawksbill sea turtle, which has profound effects on the rest of his life. The Chicago Tribune calls The Red Turtle “Cast Away meets Spirited Away,” and no description is better to convey the story’s soft magic and enduring bonds throughout a life of survival. Members of the family may depart on their own journeys, but the ways they affected each other remain.

7 The Last Unicorn (1982)

A Heartbreaking Tale About A Unicorn On A Journey To Find Others Like Her

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Director Jules Bass , Arthur Rankin Jr. Release Date November 19, 1982 Writers Peter S. Beagle Cast Jeff Bridges , Mia Farrow , Angela Lansbury , Alan Arkin , Christopher Lee

Melancholy is the best word to describe The Last Unicorn’s ending and overall tone; it is primarily about the loss of innocence that happens when the title character spends time as a human. Through this experience, she learns about love and grief, setting her apart from the rest of her kind when they do return. Characters including Schmendrick, Molly Grue, and Prince Lir showcase different reflections of the Unicorn’s purity as they contemplate their own lives and humanity.

Movie	Rotten Tomatoes score	Metacritic score	Audience score
The Last Unicorn	77%	70%	86%

There is a possible interpretation of The Last Unicorn which emphasizes the cost of environmental exploitation and poaching, which may have driven unicorns from this world. The Unicorn is compelled to release other magical creatures from captivity, even potentially vicious ones. The whole thing is elevated by a luminous and fluid animation style where it seems like the Unicorn is glowing against the backdrop of her surroundings, illustrating exactly what she is to those who encounter her.

6 Tinker Bell (2008)

Tinker Bell’s Lovely & Heartwarming Adventure Away From Peter Pan

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Tinker Bell is an animated fantasy film that explores the origin story of Tinker Bell, a beloved character from J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan. Set in the magical world of Pixie Hollow, it focuses on Tinker Bell’s journey of self-discovery as she embraces her unique talent and learns about her purpose. Mae Whitman voices Tinker Bell, leading a cast that includes notable talents such as Kristin Chenoweth and Raven-Symoné.

Director Bradley Raymond Release Date October 28, 2008 Writers Jeffrey M. Howard , Bradley Raymond , J.M. Barrie Cast Mae Whitman , Kristin Chenoweth , Raven-Symone , Lucy Liu , America Ferrera , Jane Horrocks , Jesse McCartney , Jeff Bennett Runtime 78 Minutes

Tinker Bell’s aesthetic is gentle and magical, bringing to life the mythos that surrounds the fairy who serves as one of Disney’s mascots. She is a symbol of childlike wonder and wishes upon stars (despite not being inclined to like the children in Peter Pan). Tinker Bell delves into the title character’s own trials and tribulations, showing her following through on her dreams in unexpected ways and learning to value herself.

Movie	Rotten Tomatoes score	Metacritic score	Audience score
Tinker Bell	90%	N/A	73%

It is an origin story that doesn’t feel like merchandising bait but just an indulgent appreciation of the main character. Tinker Bell also features a shockingly impressive cast: Mae Whitman voices Tinker Bell, while Kristin Chenoweth, Raven-Symoné, Lucy Liu, and America Ferrera play her group of fairy friends who all specialize in different elements. In the end, Tinker Bell’s ingenuity prevails (while her sometimes careless personality remains), allowing her to save Spring and visit the human world as she wishes.

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5 The Secret Of Kells (2009)

Cartoon Saloon’s Flagship Movie Is Still Breathtaking

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Director Tomm Moore , Nora Twomey Release Date February 9, 2009 Cast Venise du Bois du Roy , Brendan Gleeson , Liam Hourican , Mick Lally , Michael McGrath , Evan McGuire Runtime 75 minutes

The Secret of Kells moves slower than other animated fantasy movies, dwelling on the intricate work of creating the Book of Kells and the leisurely pace of the main characters exploring the forest. The animation style is fascinating, with some traditional 2D cell animation but also segments that look like cut-outs against a watercolor backdrop. The ending is a dark one, but this is in service of the story’s main theme about art helping hope to live on through grief.

Movie	Rotten Tomatoes score	Metacritic score	Audience score
The Secret of Kells	90%	81%	85%

The Secret of Kells is the first in Cartoon Saloon’s trilogy of animated movies based on Irish folklore, also including Song of the Sea and Wolfwalkers. All three movies feature gorgeous animation, melancholic stories, and a variety of shocking beats that terrify and thrill. In general, Cartoon Saloon doesn’t get enough love; all three movies were nominated, but none took home an Oscar. However, The Secret of Kells and its sister movies are still alluring and tell profound, relevant stories.

4 The Sea Beast (2022)

Netflix’s Swashbuckling Adventure Is Filled With Fun Characters & Cute Moments

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The Sea Beast pg

The Sea Beast is a classic drama film released in 1926 and adapted from the novel Moby Dick. The movie follows Captain Ahab, a man who seeks to hunt a mysterious white whale that eludes hunters at every attempt. The film captures Ahab’s obsession with the beast and how it consumes his life to a destructive degree.

Director Chris Williams Release Date June 15, 2022 Cast Karl Urban Runtime 115minutes

The Sea Beast has a dynamic and diverse seafaring cast and amazing energy from start to finish. Numerous subplots are set up within the first half hour: Jacob inheriting command of the Inevitable, Maisie stowing away on a mission to carry on her parents’ legacy, politics with the crown supporting the hunters of sea beasts, and hints at their being more to the monsters of the deep than the characters realize. On top of this, the action is well-planned, even if the animation is not the most impressive of the 2020s.

Movie	Rotten Tomatoes score	Metacritic score	Audience score
See more : Who are Salt Bae Parents? Meet Faik Gokce and Fatma Gokce The Sea Beast	94%	74%	84%

There is a theme of comradery but also so many supporting characters who are interesting enough it’s a shame the movie can’t spend more time on them — Maisie is certainly a fan of everyone’s individual heroics. Jacob and Maisie’s interactions are great, while the other characters’ comments about it show an interesting awareness. The Sea Beast is highly enjoyable, tonally falling somewhere between Pirates of the Caribbean and Moana.

3 FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992)

FernGully Is The Environmentalist Movie Everyone Should See At Least Once

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FernGully: The Last Rainforest is an animated film centered on the magical inhabitants of FernGully, a rainforest threatened by human destruction. Directed by Bill Kroyer, the story follows a fairy named Crysta who shrinks a human logger, Zak, bringing them face-to-face with the environmental consequences of deforestation. With a rich voice cast including Robin Williams, Tim Curry, and Samantha Mathis, the film combines ecological themes with a fantastical narrative.

Director Bill Kroyer Release Date April 10, 1992 Cast Tim Curry , Samantha Mathis , Christian Slater , Jonathan Ward , Robin Williams Runtime 76 minutes Writers Jim Cox , Diana Young

FernGully is genuinely heartbreaking and terrifying, but will doubtlessly prompt the viewer to think about the world they live in.

FernGully: The Last Rainforest is a painfully vivid depiction of environmental destruction through the eyes of the fairies who live in FernGully, a rainforest being ravaged for its natural resources. The movie uses the whimsical figures of the fairies and a shadowy monster fueled by pollution called Hexxus to convey this core theme. It ends on a bittersweet note where the protagonists save their home, but much of the forest has still been lost in the struggle. It conveys the real tragedy behind constantly exploiting the planet for profit.

Movie	Rotten Tomatoes score	Metacritic score	Audience score
FernGully: The Last Rainforest	67%	67%	64%

Some softer notes permeate and complement the main story and themes. The protagonist Crysta must come into her own as a leader in her community, the human Zak is shrunken down to fairy-size and starts to see things from their perspective, and Robin Williams voices a clutzy bat who helps them along the way. FernGully is genuinely heartbreaking and terrifying, but will doubtlessly prompt the viewer to think about the world they live in.

2 The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl (2017)

A Different Kind Of Urban Fantasy Movie About An Unforgettable Night In Kyoto

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The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl is arguably one of the best anime movies not made by Studio Ghibli, with a surrealistic premise that can be confusing and demands a certain amount of blind faith. A college sophomore in Kyoto has a series of psychedelic experiences as she weaves her way through the city’s nightlife, while her lovelorn classmate ponders how to win her heart. The electric and colorful animation elevates fast-made friendships and ordinarily magical adventures.

Movie	Rotten Tomatoes score	Metacritic score	Audience score
The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl	90%	65%	87%

This movie captures a certain nightlife experience of enjoying all that a great city has to offer, while the protagonist returns to her new friends later on. Maybe no one she meets can be trusted, maybe she will never see them again, or maybe it will be something else. The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl has an experimental narrative, but it can be very satisfying if one understands how strangely real it is.

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1 Nimona (2023)

Nimona & Ballister’s Adventure Is All Heart, With Great Animation Along The Way

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Nimona PG Where to Watch

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Nimona is a film adaptation of ND Stevenson’s graphic novel of the same name. Chloë Grace Moretz voices the main character Nimona, a shapeshifter who is being hunted by a former knight named Ballister Blackheart (Riz Ahmed). But things become complicated when Blackheart realizes Nimona may actually be able to help him after he’s unjustly accused of a crime.

Director Nick Bruno , Troy Quane Release Date June 30, 2023 Cast Chloe Grace Moretz , Riz Ahmed , Frances Conroy , Lorraine Toussaint , Beck Bennett , RuPaul , Indya Moore , Julio Torres , Sarah Sherman , Eugene Lee Yang Runtime 101 Minutes Writers Robert L. Baird , Lloyd Taylor , Pamela Ribon , Nick Bruno , Troy Quane , Keith Bunin , Marc Haimes

After an amazing cold open, Nimona launches into an action-packed adventure that derives some surprises from the atypical pacing and puts its fantastic main duo on the pedestal they deserve. Nimona and Ballister are a classic pairing of completely chaotic and hesitant to cause too much trouble, although some of the high points of the story are when they are harmoniously working together or goofing off. However, the real story is about cruelty directed towards outcasts and them supporting each other through it.

Movie	Rotten Tomatoes score	Metacritic score	Audience score
Nimona	92%	75%	91%

As one of the best animated movies of 2023, Nimona demonstrates its own kind of stylized 3D animation while drawing upon the precedent set by other recent movies. The character designs are all interesting blends of traits stereotypically associated with heroes and villains and subversive features that hint at their true nature, leaning into the story’s subverted fairy tale beats. Nimona was possibly destined to be underrated during a year when the new Spider-Verse and Ghibli movies were the frontrunners. However, Nimona and other animated movies deserve as much love as the Oscar winners.

Source: Chicago Tribune

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