Offbeat Animated Movies

Last updated: January 9, 2026

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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Ape Star Poster Image

MOVIE

Ape Star

age 5+

Quirky animated adoption tale has positive role models.

August 24, 2021 2021 PG (75 minutes)

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Ernest & Celestine Poster Image

MOVIE

Ernest & Celestine

age 6+

Touching animated story celebrates unlikely friendships.

February 28, 2014 2014 PG (80 minutes)

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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.

September 1, 2023 2023 NR (80 minutes)

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Flow movie poster: A black cat sits in front of a Tibetan landscape

MOVIE

Flow

age 6+

Superb animated "cat-astrophe" has animals in peril.

November 22, 2024 2024 PG (84 minutes)

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Inventors movie poster: the word written in orange font

MOVIE

Inventors

age 6+

Stop-motion animation is packed with positive messages.

September 27, 2024 2024 NR (76 minutes)

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Moomins and the Winter Wonderland Poster Image

MOVIE

Moomins and the Winter Wonderland

age 6+

Nordic Christmas tale has brief moments of mild threat.

December 15, 2017 2017 NR (82 minutes)

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Yellow Submarine Poster Image

MOVIE

Yellow Submarine

age 6+

Beatles classic with great animation, music.

November 13, 1968 1968 G (90 minutes)

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Chicken Run Poster Image

MOVIE

Chicken Run

age 7+

Charming animated escape tale has some peril, scares.

June 23, 2000 2000 G (84 minutes)

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Fantastic Mr. Fox Poster Image

MOVIE

Fantastic Mr. Fox

age 7+

Offbeat family adventure may charm adults more than kids.

November 13, 2009 2009 PG (90 minutes)

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Felix and the Hidden Treasure Poster Image

MOVIE

Felix and the Hidden Treasure

age 7+

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

June 25, 2021 2021 PG (85 minutes)

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James and the Giant Peach Poster Image

MOVIE

James and the Giant Peach

age 7+

Fabulous adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic book.

January 1, 1996 1996 PG (79 minutes)

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Song of the Sea Poster Image

MOVIE

Song of the Sea

age 7+

Beautiful Irish tale explores myths, sibling relationship.

December 19, 2014 2014 PG (93 minutes)

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Strike Poster Image

MOVIE

Strike

age 7+

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

April 7, 2020 2020 NR (100 minutes)

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The Garfield Movie: Garfield lies on his side; Odie stands behind him

MOVIE

The Garfield Movie

age 7+

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

May 24, 2024 2024 PG (101 minutes)

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The Nightmare Before Christmas Movie Poster: Jack Skellington stands atop a curly cliff in front of a full moon, with jack o' lanterns below

MOVIE

The Nightmare Before Christmas

age 7+

Tim Burton holiday magic, with a touch of scariness.

October 29, 1993 1993 PG (76 minutes)

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Wallace & Gromit Poster Image

MOVIE

Wallace & Gromit

age 7+

Witty Claymation shorts with whole-family appeal.

March 8, 1990 1990 NR (85 minutes)

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Wallace & Gromit — Vengeance Most Fowl movie poster: Wallace, a "smart" gnome, and Gromit all holding coffee mugs

MOVIE

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

age 7+

Charming stop-motion animation with comic slapstick action.

December 18, 2024 2024 PG (79 minutes)

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10 Lives movie poster: A large gray and white cat is shown stuck in the number zero

MOVIE

10 Lives

age 8+

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

January 20, 2024 2024 NR (88 minutes)

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A Monster in Paris Poster Image

MOVIE

A Monster in Paris

age 8+

French monster movie encourages looking past the surface.

April 16, 2013 2013 PG (90 minutes)

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Arco movie poster: Arco flies with a rainbow suit on his body

MOVIE

Arco

age 8+

Hopeful animated buddy adventure has peril, mild scares.

November 14, 2025 2025 PG (79 minutes)

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