Animated Movies That Are Anything But Family-Friendly

When we think of animated movies, there’s a good chance that most of us picture something fun for all the family. Still, it turns out that some directors have other things in mind as they bring some of the darker stories to life. Want something a little outside of the box for your evening viewing?

The animated movies that are anything but family-friendly could be just the thing some of us need to spice things up every now and then. From pushing the boundaries to bringing stories to life we have never seen and everything in between, there are so many ways that animated films could be just the thing we need.

Grave of the Fireflies shows us what happens after war

With so many movies about war, we might think we have seen them all by now. Still, the animated war movie ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ shows us the darker side of it all as the harrowing and heartbreaking scenes tell the tale of what happens after the war has hit. The 1988 Isao Takahata movie is set in Japan and focuses on the lives of two young siblings. The stories about the adult characters are enough, but seeing two children struggle to survive has people struggling to tear themselves away from the screen. Still, being so dark makes ‘Grave of the Fireflies’ a tough one to watch twice.

The Last Unicorn tells a tale filled with regret

Ever wondered what happened to unicorns? That’s where the animated movie ‘The Last Unicorn comes in. The lead character wants to know what happened to others of her kind and meets a host of humans who all help her along the journey. Although she initially changes into a woman to escape being detected, the unicorn ultimately falls in love. Still, transforming back into a unicorn at the end of the movie does nothing but leave ‘The Last Unicorn’ with an immortal reign of regret. The dark messages make it an animated movie that’s anything but family-friendly, but one that’s so beautiful to watch.

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio tells the darker side of the story

Let’s face it; Pinocchio is already a dark story, but Guillermo del Toro’s take on it all gives an even darker twist to it all. The movie takes place in the war and doesn’t shy away from any of the darkness that comes with the event. Pinocchio is forced to learn about the world he was dragged into and loses his life plenty of times along the way. The twist? Being immortal means the lead character is forced to say goodbye to everyone he loves as he learns that being resurrected isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be.

The Plague Dogs follows two dogs as they escape a research facility

If you’re an animal lover, you might want to think twice before watching ‘The Plague Dogs.’ After all, it’s far from fun for the family, as Martin Rosen - the same director behind the animated movie ‘Watership Down’ - tells the tale of two dogs as they try to escape for their lives from a cruel animal research facility. Expect terrifying moments and disturbing images that might mean you need to watch ‘The Plague Dogs’ from behind the couch. While it might leave no one with a dry eye, it’s a story that’s incredibly well brought to life.

When the Wind Blows tells the tale of the UK after nuclear fallout

Plenty have tried to tell stories about a nuclear disaster. Still, few have done it in the way the animated movie ‘When the Wind Blows’ does. The fictional story takes place in the UK during the mid-1980s and follows what might happen if the country was hit with nuclear weapons. Here, an elderly couple who are initially oblivious to what’s going on outside their home takes center stage. The emotional scenes as they learn what’s going on, teamed with the uplifting story of their unquestionable love, are enough to leave plenty of people crying along to the final scenes.

Animal Farm is filled with deep undertones throughout

Plenty of literature students might have read ‘Animal Farm’ once or twice in their studies, with George Orwell bringing an unforgettable tale to life. The novel was adapted into a movie in 1954 and added even more layers to the dark story, with the CIA actually helping to fund the production. More animals lose their lives after the farm animals try to work in harmony, only for the pigs to become the ones who write the rules and enforce them in any way they can. It’s a dark story, but ‘Animal Farm’ is a classic for a reason.

The animated movies that are anything but family-friendly go to show just how dark some stories can really be. While they might not be something to settle down with the kids, they are more than enough to get us talking and wondering about the world around us.