Animated Movies That Are Definitely Not For Kids

Animation has long been associated with younger audiences but the medium is equally capable of exploring mature themes and graphic content. Filmmakers around the world utilize diverse artistic styles to tell stories involving political strife, psychological trauma, and visceral action. These productions often feature complex narratives that challenge the perception of what animated storytelling can achieve. The following films are specifically designed for adult viewers who appreciate sophisticated and intense cinematic experiences.

‘Akira’ (1988)

In a futuristic Neo Tokyo a secret military project transforms a member of a biker gang into a powerful telekinetic. This psychic individual becomes a threat to the city as his abilities grow beyond his control. The film features intense body horror and explores themes of social unrest and government corruption. It is widely credited with bringing Japanese animation to a global adult audience.

‘Perfect Blue’ (1997)

A retired pop idol transitions into acting only to find her reality blurring with her fiction. She is haunted by a stalker and the pressure of her new career leads to a psychological breakdown. The movie explores themes of identity and fame through graphic imagery and complex editing. It remains a hallmark of psychological thrillers in the medium of animation.

‘Grave of the Fireflies’ (1988)

Two siblings struggle to survive in Japan during the final months of World War II. They face extreme poverty and starvation as the world around them falls into ruin. This story focuses on the devastating impact of war on innocent civilians rather than military conflict. It is known for its emotional weight and unflinching depiction of human suffering.

‘Sausage Party’ (2016)

Anthropomorphic grocery store items discover the horrifying truth about what happens to food after it is purchased. They embark on a quest to escape their fate and warn others in the supermarket. The film relies on raunchy humor and heavy profanity to subvert the tropes of family friendly animation. It features mature themes regarding religion and existentialism through a comedic lens.

‘Waltz with Bashir’ (2008)

A filmmaker interviews old friends and colleagues to recover his lost memories of the 1982 Lebanon War. The documentary style animation depicts the psychological scars left on soldiers and civilians alike. It culminates in a powerful realization about a specific massacre that occurred during the conflict. The visual style uses a unique color palette to represent the hazy nature of memory.

‘Anomalisa’ (2015)

A lonely customer service expert experiences everyone in the world as having the same voice and face. His life changes when he meets a unique woman during a business trip at a hotel. The stop motion film uses realistic character designs to explore deep feelings of isolation and connection. It includes a candid depiction of intimacy that is rarely seen in animated projects.

‘South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut’ (1999)

Four young boys in a small mountain town sneak into an adult rated movie and start a war between the United States and Canada. The musical satire critiques censorship and parenting while using excessive foul language. It features a subplot involving a romantic relationship between Satan and Saddam Hussein in Hell. The film holds a record for the most profanity used in an animated feature.

‘Heavy Metal’ (1981)

A glowing green orb from outer space tells a series of dark and fantastical stories to a young girl. These vignettes span across different genres including science fiction and sword and sorcery. The anthology is known for its graphic violence and psychedelic visual sequences. It features a rock soundtrack that complements the adult oriented nature of the segments.

‘A Scanner Darkly’ (2006)

An undercover police officer in a near future society becomes addicted to a dangerous new drug. He slowly loses his identity while monitoring his own friends for criminal activity. The film uses rotoscope animation to create a shifting and unstable visual aesthetic that matches the protagonist’s mental state. It serves as a commentary on the war on drugs and the loss of privacy.

‘Ghost in the Shell’ (1995)

A cyborg policewoman hunts a mysterious hacker known as the Puppet Master through a futuristic cityscape. She questions her own humanity and the nature of consciousness as she delves deeper into the case. The film explores philosophical questions about technology and the soul within a highly detailed world. It influenced many live action science fiction films that followed in the next decades.

‘Fritz the Cat’ (1972)

A fast talking cat travels through New York City and encounters various subcultures during the late 1960s. He engages in hedonistic behavior and becomes involved in radical political movements. This was the first animated feature to receive an X rating in the United States. It captures the counterculture era with a cynical and satirical perspective.

‘Mad God’ (2021)

An assassin descends into a subterranean world filled with grotesque monsters and industrial decay. The stop motion film features no dialogue and relies entirely on visual storytelling and atmosphere. It depicts a hellish landscape where biological and mechanical horrors are part of daily life. The project took several decades to complete and showcases intricate craftsmanship.

‘The Wolf House’ (2018)

A young woman escapes a religious colony in Chile and takes refuge in a house in the woods. The walls and furniture around her constantly shift and change as if they are alive. The stop motion animation uses life sized figures and painting on walls to create a claustrophobic atmosphere. It is inspired by the real history of a specific colony and the trauma associated with it.

‘Cryptozoo’ (2021)

Zookeepers try to capture a dream eating creature while debating whether such mythical beings should be displayed or kept hidden. The film features a psychedelic art style and intense sequences of violence between humans and cryptids. It examines the conflict between idealistic conservation and corporate exploitation. The mature narrative uses fantasy elements to critique modern societal structures.

‘Beavis and Butt-Head Do America’ (1996)

Two dim witted teenagers travel across the country to find their stolen television set. They unwittingly become involved in a high level government conspiracy involving a biological weapon. The comedy retains the crude humor and social satire found in the original television series. It uses a simplistic animation style to tell a story driven by the ignorance of the protagonists.

‘Paprika’ (2006)

A therapist uses a machine to enter the dreams of her patients to help them with their psychological issues. When the device is stolen the boundary between the dream world and reality begins to collapse. The film features surreal and often disturbing imagery as different dreams merge together. It explores the depths of the human subconscious and the dangers of unregulated technology.

‘It’s Such a Beautiful Day’ (2012)

A man named Bill struggles with his fading memory and a mysterious mental illness. The film uses minimalist stick figure animation combined with live action footage and abstract visuals. It follows his daily life as he experiences increasingly surreal hallucinations and existential dread. The narrative offers a profound look at the fragility of human existence and the nature of mortality.

‘Persepolis’ (2007)

A young girl grows up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution and the subsequent war with Iraq. She navigates the changing political landscape while trying to maintain her own identity and freedom. The film uses a stark black and white art style to represent the protagonist’s memories and experiences. It provides a personal perspective on major historical events through the eyes of a maturing woman.

‘Mary and Max’ (2009)

A lonely girl in Australia and an obese man with Asperger syndrome in New York City become pen pals over many years. Their letters cover topics ranging from mental health and addiction to the meaning of friendship. The stop motion animation uses a muted color palette to reflect the often somber lives of the characters. It balances dark humor with a deeply moving portrayal of human connection.

‘The Spine of Night’ (2021)

Various characters fight against an ancient and dark magic that threatens to consume their world. The rotoscoped fantasy film features extreme gore and a bleak worldview across multiple generations. It pays homage to the adult fantasy animation of the 1980s while telling an original story of cosmic horror. The narrative focuses on the corruption of power and the endurance of knowledge.

‘America: The Motion Picture’ (2021)

A chainsaw wielding George Washington teams up with a beer loving Sam Adams to fight the British in a revisionist history. The film is a hyper violent parody that mocks American stereotypes and historical figures. It features vulgar humor and over the top action sequences throughout its runtime. The story intentionally distorts history for comedic and satirical purposes.

‘Justice League Dark: Apokolips War’ (2020)

The heroes of Earth suffer a devastating defeat at the hands of Darkseid and must regroup to stage a final desperate counterattack. This film serves as a conclusion to a long running animated universe and features the deaths of many iconic characters. It is noted for its high levels of violence and bleak tone compared to standard superhero fare. The stakes are portrayed with a sense of finality and grim realism.

‘Batman: The Killing Joke’ (2016)

The Joker escapes from Arkham Asylum and targets Commissioner Gordon to prove that one bad day can drive anyone insane. This adaptation of the famous graphic novel includes a prologue focusing on the relationship between Batman and Batgirl. It features dark psychological themes and a notorious scene of violence involving Barbara Gordon. The film explores the twisted bond between the hero and his arch nemesis.

‘In This Corner of the World’ (2016)

A young woman moves to a new city to marry and start a life during the escalation of World War II. She tries to maintain a sense of normalcy despite the increasing hardships of rationing and air raids. The story provides a detailed look at the daily lives of Japanese civilians leading up to the atomic bombings. It combines beautiful hand drawn art with a devastatingly realistic narrative of survival.

‘Barefoot Gen’ (1983)

A young boy survives the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and tries to help his family in the aftermath. The film contains a graphic and terrifying sequence depicting the immediate effects of the blast on the city’s inhabitants. It serves as a powerful anti war statement based on the real life experiences of the original author. The narrative focuses on the resilience of the human spirit amidst unimaginable destruction.

‘Belladonna of Sadness’ (1973)

A peasant woman makes a deal with a devilish spirit after being victimized by a local lord. The film uses experimental watercolor animation that often resembles a series of moving paintings. It contains heavy sexual themes and explores the empowerment of a marginalized character through dark means. This avant garde project is a significant piece of adult animation history.

‘Urotsukidōji: Legend of the Overfiend’ (1989)

A demonic entity seeks a human host to bring about the rebirth of a powerful god and the end of the world. This film is notorious for its extreme graphic content including gore and sexual violence. It established many of the darker tropes found in certain niche genres of Japanese animation. The story blends dark fantasy with apocalyptic horror in a way that is intended only for mature viewers.

‘Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust’ (2000)

A half human vampire hunter is hired to rescue a woman who has been kidnapped by a powerful vampire lord. He competes against a rival group of bounty hunters while traveling through a post apocalyptic landscape. The film features high quality animation and stylized character designs from a renowned illustrator. It focuses on action and Gothic horror themes with an adult tone.

‘Ninja Scroll’ (1993)

A mercenary swordsman is forced to battle a group of supernatural warriors who are plotting to overthrow the government. He teams up with a female ninja to survive a series of deadly encounters. The film is famous for its fast paced action and creative character designs. It contains significant amounts of violence and mature themes throughout the journey.

‘Wicked City’ (1987)

A secret peace treaty between the human world and a demon dimension is threatened by a group of radicals. Two agents from opposite sides must protect a diplomat who is key to the agreement. The movie features grotesque transformations and dark urban environments. It is a quintessential example of the adult horror and science fiction boom in 1980s animation.

‘I Lost My Body’ (2019)

A severed hand escapes from a laboratory and travels across Paris to reunite with its body. As the hand navigates the city it remembers its past life and the events leading up to the accident. The film uses a unique perspective to tell a story about grief and fate. It combines an unconventional premise with a grounded and emotional human narrative.

‘Wrinkles’ (2011)

An elderly man is moved into a care facility by his family after his Alzheimer disease begins to progress. He befriends his roommate and learns to navigate the daily routines and challenges of aging. The story treats the subject of mental decline with dignity and honesty. It uses simple animation to highlight the emotional realities of the characters.

‘Chico & Rita’ (2010)

A talented pianist and a beautiful singer fall in love in 1940s Havana and pursue their dreams in the world of jazz. Their relationship spans decades and continents as they face various professional and personal obstacles. The film features a vibrant soundtrack and explores the history of Latin jazz. It includes adult situations and a realistic look at the complexities of a long term romance.

‘The Congress’ (2013)

An aging actress agrees to have her digital likeness scanned so a studio can use her in movies forever. Years later she enters a world where people can transform into animated versions of themselves through chemicals. The film blends live action with surreal animation to critique the entertainment industry and the loss of individual identity. It presents a dystopian vision of a future ruled by corporate fantasy.

‘Another Day of Life’ (2018)

A journalist travels to Angola in 1975 to cover the outbreak of a civil war as the country gains independence. The film combines traditional animation with documentary footage and interviews to tell a true story. It captures the chaos and moral ambiguity of being a witness to a violent conflict. The narrative focuses on the personal toll that reporting from war zones takes on individuals.

‘My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea’ (2016)

A group of high school students must escape their building after it literally falls off a cliff and into the ocean. The film uses a lo fi art style that resembles a high schooler’s notebook sketches. It combines disaster movie tropes with a coming of age story and sharp social commentary. The dialogue and humor are aimed at an older audience familiar with teen drama cliches.

‘Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles’ (2018)

Filmmaker Luis Buñuel travels to a remote and impoverished region of Spain to shoot a documentary. The story explores his creative process and the moral dilemmas he faces while capturing the harsh reality of the locals. It uses dream sequences to visualize his internal thoughts and surrealist inspirations. The film serves as a biographical look at a significant figure in cinema history.

‘Ruben Brandt, Collector’ (2018)

A psychotherapist is haunted by nightmares featuring famous paintings and decides to steal them to find relief. He recruits four of his patients to form a high tech gang of art thieves. The film features a unique visual style where characters look like cubist or surrealist art. It is a fast paced heist movie filled with references to classic cinema and art history.

‘MFKZ’ (2017)

A young man living in a dystopian city starts seeing strange shadows and discovers he has hidden powers. He is pursued by mysterious government agents and must uncover the truth about his origins to survive. The film blends urban street culture with science fiction and alien conspiracies. It features stylized violence and a gritty atmosphere throughout the high energy plot.

‘Felidae’ (1994)

A domestic cat moves into a new neighborhood and investigates a series of gruesome murders committed against other cats. He uncovers a dark conspiracy involving genetic experimentation and a cult of feline supremacists. The film features graphic violence and disturbing imagery that is unusual for a story about pets. It is a dark mystery that uses its animal characters to explore mature themes.

‘When the Wind Blows’ (1986)

An elderly British couple tries to survive a nuclear attack by following government issued survival pamphlets. They remain optimistic and polite even as they begin to suffer from radiation poisoning. The film contrasts their simple domestic life with the horrific reality of a global catastrophe. It serves as a chilling and poignant critique of nuclear warfare and government inadequacy.

‘Mars Express’ (2023)

A private investigator and her android partner are hired to track down a missing student in a high tech colony on Mars. They uncover a conspiracy involving artificial intelligence and the future of human robot relations. The film features a sleek and detailed visual style that supports its complex noir narrative. It explores contemporary themes of technology and ethics through a mature science fiction lens.

‘Mind Game’ (2004)

A young man dies in a violent encounter and meets God before being given a second chance at life. He embarks on a surreal journey that involves being swallowed by a giant whale and escaping a group of gangsters. The film uses multiple animation styles and experimental techniques to represent the protagonist’s changing perspective. It is an energetic exploration of fate and the drive to live life to the fullest.

‘The Peasants’ (2023)

A young woman in a late 19th century Polish village is forced to marry a wealthy widower despite her love for his son. The story follows the changing seasons and the rigid social structures that govern the lives of the villagers. The film was created by oil painting every frame in the style of classic realist painters. It explores themes of desire and societal oppression with a sophisticated and mature tone.

‘Birdboy: The Forgotten Children’ (2015)

A group of teenagers tries to escape a post apocalyptic island while dealing with their own personal demons. The story follows a bird boy who is haunted by darkness and a girl who dreams of a better life elsewhere. The film features cute character designs that contrast sharply with the grim and often violent world they inhabit. It explores themes of addiction and social collapse in a unique and haunting way.

‘The Old Man Movie’ (2019)

Three children are sent to live with their grandfather for the summer but accidentally release his prized cow. They must find the animal before its unmilked udder explodes and causes a rural catastrophe. The stop motion film features gross out humor and absurd situations that are strictly for adults. It is a chaotic and surreal comedy from Estonia that uses animation to achieve extreme visual gags.

‘Unicorn Wars’ (2022)

A group of teddy bears undergoes military training to fight a war against unicorns in a magical forest. The story follows two brothers with a deep rivalry as they head into a brutal and bloody conflict. Despite the colorful and cute art style the film is filled with extreme violence and dark psychological themes. It serves as a disturbing allegory for religious zealotry and the nature of evil.

Share your favorite adult animated films and tell us which ones shocked you the most in the comments.