1. "The Triplets of Belleville" (2003)
Now, here's a quirky one for you! Picture this: old-school French charm mixed with contemporary zest.
Our elderly protagonist, Madame Souza, gets a workout chasing after her kidnapped grandson, Champion, a professional cyclist. Peculiar, right? Her only allies? The once-famous Triplets of Belleville, and, of course, her loyal pooch.
It's a musical romp through the underbelly of a jazzy, gangster-ridden Belleville. No dialogue, but who needs words when the animation is this expressive? An Oscar nod, and yet it's an unsung gem. C'est la vie!
2. "Tokyo Godfathers" (2003)
Dive into the bustling streets of Tokyo. Not in spring, not in cherry blossom season, but cold, harsh winter. Amidst the neon lights, three homeless friends find an abandoned baby. Coincidence? Fate? The trio – a runaway, an alcoholic, and a trans woman – embark on a journey to find the child's parents.
Mysteries unfurl, but not the crime kind. It's the human kind. Satoshi Kon, a name not as mainstream as Miyazaki, but, boy, does he weave a tale. It's heartwarming, but not sugary sweet. Just right.
3. "Millennium Actress" (2001)
Speaking of Satoshi Kon, here's another brushstroke of his genius. This isn't your regular biopic, folks. We follow the illustrious film career of actress Chiyoko Fujiwara. But hold your horses, it's not just a playback.
Reality, memories, and cinema intertwine. As she chases a mysterious man through historical epochs on screen, one can't help but wonder: Is love the ultimate plot? The layers, folks, the layers. Underrated? Definitely. Worth the watch? Every second of it.
4. "Mary and Max" (2009
Claymation, anyone? Dive into the pen-pal relationship between Mary, a lonely Aussie girl, and Max, an obese New Yorker with Asperger's. The medium? Letters. The subjects? Everything from chocolate to the meaning of life. Their bond spans two decades and oceans.
The animation is earthy, muted, but don't be fooled. The story is as vivid as they come. It's touching, it's raw, and it tugs at the heartstrings without being melodramatic. A delightful end to the 2000s, if you ask me.
5. "Waltz with Bashir" (2008)
Set your sights on a unique Israeli film, if you will. Director Ari Folman digs into his past, trying to recall his time during the Lebanon War.
It's not your typical kids' animated fare. It's haunting, it's mature, it's real. The graphics? Stylized, dreamy, almost like an animated documentary. Can animation handle war, trauma, and memory? This film answers with a resounding, "Yes".
6. "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" (2006)
Time-travel? Check. High school drama? Double check. Makoto discovers she can leap through time (surprise, surprise). At first, she fixes trivial things, but soon, consequences catch up.
Think "Groundhog Day" meets teenage angst. The animation is fluid, the narrative's fresh, and the time leaps? Always unpredictable. A lesson in actions and repercussions, wrapped in a beautifully animated package.
7. "9" (2009)
Post-apocalyptic worlds, anyone? Our protagonist, 9, isn't a rugged hero. He's a small, sentient ragdoll. Humanity's gone, machines rule, and 9 and his kin are on a quest for survival.
Dark? Absolutely. Tim Burton produced, so expect the unexpected. The visuals are a feast, and the storyline, while familiar to some, is rendered unique through its pint-sized heroes. The end of the world never looked so intriguing.
8. "Nocturna" (2007)
Every child's wondered: Who turns on the night? The answer? The inhabitants of Nocturna. Our young protagonist, Tim, scared of the dark, finds himself in Nocturna, a world where night's mysteries come alive. Cats oversee sleep, stars are carefully arranged, and hair is... a means of transport?
A Spanish treat for the senses, "Nocturna" is a dreamy dive into the world of the night. Overlooked by many, but a visual splendor for those in the know.
9. "Persepolis" (2007)
From Iran with love and a dash of revolution. Marjane Satrapi chronicles her life during and after the Iranian Revolution in this stark black-and-white animation.
It's not just politics, but the journey of a rebellious spirit. As she grapples with identity, both in Iran and in Europe, the narrative dances between humor and heartbreak. A poignant reminder that animation isn't just for kids, it's a medium for tales as vast as the world itself.
10. "Sita Sings the Blues" (2008)
Ever thought of mixing ancient mythology with 1920s jazz? Neither did I, but thank the animation gods someone did! Enter: "Sita Sings the Blues." Based on the Indian epic, Ramayana, it traces the story of Sita, the wife of Prince Rama, focusing on her trials, her love, and, you guessed it, the blues.
The animation flits between different styles, each narrating a different aspect of the tale. One minute you're immersed in traditional shadow puppetry, and the next, you're grooving to a jazzy number sung by Annette Hanshaw, a real-life jazz singer from the 1920s.