friday flicks – five non-disney animated movies to watch

If you were to ask us, we reckon that the most underrated film genre is animation. There are heaps of animated flicks that have become some of the most beloved movies ever made, yet they've been unrightfully coined as 'just for kids' (which is some major BS). 

The animation industry has also been dealt a pretty crap hand lately, so there's no better time than now for us to highlight some of our favourite animated flicks – all of which belonging to non-Disney studios. 

WOLFWALKERS There's just something so cool about Irish folklore, and this 2020 beauty showcases the very same mystical dreaminess that has managed to capture our fascination since the dawn of time. Wolfwalkers follows the budding friendship between main characters Robyn and Mebh in 1650s Ireland, amidst British takeover and mass culling of wild wolves. After Mebh accidentally bites Robyn – thus turning into a 'wolfwalker' and being able to shift into a wolf – the two work together in order to rescue and find Mebh's mother and evading Robyn's father. It's a movie that's so dang easy on the eyes you'll find yourself mesmerised, but the story itself is also incredibly sweet (and it doesn't hurt that Sean Bean happens to play Robyn's surprisingly-hunky dad) so give it a watch why don't ya?

ROBOT DREAMS Moving back into an era a lot more recognisable to us comes this 2023 flick, which is set in New York City in 1984. The movie, which has no dialogue, has a lot to say about the power of friendship (yes we know how cheesy that sounds) and we can guarantee you'll need a fresh stack of tissues in order to get through this one. Plus, it also happens to feature one of the best bangers of all time multiple times throughout its run: "September" by Earth, Wind and Fire. That alone should be enough persuasion to give this one a watch. 

PERSEPOLIS Badarse lady Marjane Satrapi is resonsible for this masterpiece, since she co-directed this flick based on her graphic novel of the same name, which is inspired by her real life. If we haven't stated it enough already, Marjane is one of the coolest people alive today. Persepolis is an animated biopic featuring a depiction of Marjane throughout stages of her life, from growing up in Iran during and following the aftermath of the 1979 revolution to her later life working in Paris – and it's bloody brilliant. But don't just take our word for it, check it out for yourself. 

THE TALE OF THE PRINCESS KAGUYA You really thought we'd have a list of non-Disney animated flicks and not include something from Studio Ghibli!? We could write a ten-page dissertation on each of the iconic Japanese studio's work, but we thought we'd spare you all the trouble and instead highlight an underrated beaut: The Tale of the Princess Kaguya. What you might notice first off is that, well, it doesn't really look like a classic Ghibli movie, but don't let that steer you off-course – you're in for a treat. Rest assured that it still has all the esoteric wackiness one would come to expect in a Ghibli movie, as well as the emotional experience you're destined to undertake. 

GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S PINOCCHIO Thousands upon thousands of cinema-loving folk have already gushed heaps about how good this stop-motion fantasy is, but just spare us a few moments while we do the same (yes, it really is that good). Directed by (if you couldn't guess) legendary and monster-loving Mexican director, Guillermo Del Toro, this modern retelling on a beloved classic recontextualises the story of "Pinocchio" within the landscape of WWII in Mussolini's Italy, without skimping out on the fantastical flair we've come to love about Guillermo's style. Plus, Cate Blanchett supplies the "oohs oohs" and "eee eee" sounds of a circus monkey. So, what else do we need to tell you?

We hope you enjoyed our list of non-Disney animated films. While we have you, why not check out our list of weird and wacky movies to watch?