Offbeat Animated Movies

Not all animated movies are created equal. Some are big mainstream hits, while others are quirky, unusual, or just plain offbeat. If you're looking to discover a kids' animated movie that's a little out of the ordinary, you're in the right place -- check out our favorites! For more great picks, try our Studio Ghibli and Best Anime Movies lists.

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MOVIE

Ape Star

age 5+

Quirky animated adoption tale has positive role models.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)

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MOVIE

Ernest & Celestine

age 6+

Touching animated story celebrates unlikely friendships.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2014)

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Ernest & Celestine: A bear and a mouse swing on a rope through a city

MOVIE

Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia

age 6+

Charming sequel about friendship, art has occasional peril.

In Theaters (Release Year: 2023)

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MOVIE

Moomins and the Winter Wonderland

age 6+

Nordic Christmas tale has brief moments of mild threat.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2017)

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MOVIE

Yellow Submarine

age 6+

Beatles classic with great animation, music.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1968)

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MOVIE

Chicken Run

age 7+

Charming animated escape tale has some peril, scares.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2000)

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MOVIE

Fantastic Mr. Fox

age 7+

Offbeat family adventure may charm adults more than kids.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2009)

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MOVIE

Felix and the Hidden Treasure

age 7+

Fun sea and sci-fi adventure has threat and mild violence.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)

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MOVIE

The Garfield Movie

age 7+

Legendary cat's animated adventure has peril, lots of ads.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2024)

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MOVIE

James and the Giant Peach

age 7+

Fabulous adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic book.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1996)

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MOVIE

The Nightmare Before Christmas

age 7+

Tim Burton holiday magic, with a touch of scariness.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1993)

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MOVIE

Song of the Sea

age 7+

Beautiful Irish tale explores myths, sibling relationship.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2014)

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MOVIE

Strike

age 7+

Stop-motion comedy is a gold mine of heart and hilarity.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2020)

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MOVIE

Wallace & Gromit

age 7+

Witty Claymation shorts with whole-family appeal.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1990)

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MOVIE

10 Lives

age 8+

Warm, funny animation has themes of death, toilet humor.

In Theaters (Release Year: 2024)

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MOVIE

Arlo the Alligator Boy

age 8+

Sweet, goofy animated adventure has some peril, stereotypes.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)

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MOVIE

Howl's Moving Castle

age 8+

Charming Miyazaki fairy tale with surreal villains.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2005)

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Leo: Leo the lizard looks out through terrarium glass.

MOVIE

Leo

age 8+

Tender animated musical has mild innuendo, language.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)

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MOVIE

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

age 8+

Sweet, poignant mockumentary goes small to make big points.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2022)

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MOVIE

A Monster in Paris

age 8+

French monster movie encourages looking past the surface.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2013)

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