Animated Movies from Around the World
2 min read
Animation is made all around the world, and each country brings its own style and stories.
Japan
Studio Ghibli is famous for gentle, hand-drawn films such as My Neighbor Totoro and Kiki’s Delivery Service. Japan has a rich tradition of animation, known as anime, with many different styles.
United Kingdom
Aardman in Bristol is known for stop-motion films such as Wallace and Gromit and Chicken Run, which are full of British humor.
Ireland
Cartoon Saloon draws on Irish folklore. The Secret of Kells (2009) and Song of the Sea (2014) are known for their beautiful, storybook artwork.
France
French animation includes Kirikou and the Sorceress (1998), inspired by West African folk tales, and Ernest & Celestine (2012), a gentle story about an unlikely friendship between a bear and a mouse.
United States
American studios helped create some of the best-known animated films in history, from hand-drawn classics to modern computer animation.
More Places to Explore
- Brazil: Boy and the World (2013) uses colorful, hand-drawn art to tell a story without conventional dialogue.
- The Netherlands and France: The Red Turtle (2016), a wordless film made with Studio Ghibli’s involvement, was nominated for an Academy Award.
- Canada: The National Film Board of Canada has produced inventive short animations for decades.
- France: The Annecy International Animation Film Festival is one of the world’s most important gatherings for animation.
Watch With a Map
Keep a world map or globe nearby. After each film, find the country on the map, and add a sticker or a pin. Over a few months, your family will build a picture of how many places make stories worth watching.
Festivals and Libraries
Many libraries lend films from other countries, and some towns hold children’s film festivals. These are a good, low-cost way to discover animation you might not find on the usual streaming menus.
Why Watch Films From Other Countries?
- They introduce new stories, traditions, and art styles.
- They show how people elsewhere see the world.
- Subtitled films help children practice reading.
Tips
Start with an English-language version if your children are young, and try subtitles when they’re ready. Afterwards, find the country on a map.
