Animated films are the new rave in town. Usually, anything animated is considered more suited for children but, over time, several films and TV series have proven this notion incorrect. In fact, there is a lot of animation coming up that is exclusively adult-centric (and REALLY not recommended for children). Although the idea of telling a story through animation is widely used by children’s cartoon creators, several shows have taken up various pressing issues to get across powerful messages to an adult audience. While other shows like American Dad, South Park, Family Guy focus more on adult humour. Here is a list of top 10 such adult-themed animated films released in 2016. Some of these were first released in parts or featured in film festivals last year so, pardon me.
Tower
Tower is a documentary film which is based on the mass shooting which took place at the University of Texas, Austin back in 1966. This film, directed by Keith Maitland, recounts the horror of August 1 when Charles Whitman killed 16 people as he climbed to the rooftop and opened fire at the crowd below.
Sausage Party
No, it’s not what you have in mind but, Sausage Party does focus on adult comedy. The film is a spoof of Pixar/Disney films and revolves around a sausage who embarks upon a journey that would not involve being eaten by someone. This Greg Tiernan film stars James Franco, Salma Hayek, Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, Paul Rudd, and Michael Cera.
Loving Vincent
Loving Vincent is a one-of-a-kind fully painted animated film. Based on the story of Vincent Van Gogh, the film has been directed and written by Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman. All of the movie’s 65,000 frames have been painted right on a canvas with the help of 115 painters, who have tried to recreate Van Gogh’s painting style.
Nerdland
An adult animated comedy, tells the tale of two best friends, both struggling with their careers. Desperate to climb the success ladder, they look for ways to instantaneous fame. The film stars the voices of Paul Rudd, Kate Micucci, Mike Judge, Patton Oswalt, and Hannibal Buress.
Inner Workings
A production of Walt Disney Animation Studios, Inner Workings is a short film that released alongside Disney’s Moana. The film is not that mature in itself but is one that adults can possibly relate to the most. It is centred around a character named Paul, who gets trapped in the monotony of a routined life once his Brain takes away the control of his Heart.
Borrowed Time
Another short film, Borrowed Time is a Pixar production that is as dark as it can be. It outlines the life of an old Sheriff as he recalls his youth and learns to deal with regrets. The film featured at several film festivals until it was finally made available online by Pixar this year.
“Borrowed Time” Teaser from Borrowed Time on Vimeo.
When Black Birds Fly
Although it doesn’t state that it is meant for adults, nothing about When Black Birds Fly screams “suitable for children” really; not the art form, not the plot, nothing. The horror film is based in Heaven where people live “freely” inside a walled region under the rule of Caine. They are constrained to make contact with one specific person known as “The Evil One”. After the town gets increasingly populated with black birds all of a sudden, a young boy ends up meeting The Evil One who reveals that Caine has been keeping a secret from everyone.
The Girl Without Hands
This one is a French drama film based on the Grimm Brothers fairy tale of the same name. Although it is a fairy tale with a happy ending and everything, it tells the tale of a young girl whose father deals with the devil with her life. In spite of the deal, the devil fails to take her since the girl is pure. The devil then forces the father to chop her hands off following which, the girl without hands sets out into the world herself.
The Red Turtle
Co-produced by Studio Ghibli and Wild Bunch, The Red Turtle is a beautiful tale of a man stranded on an island. As he repeatedly tries to escape, an unseen animal keeps him back. The animal is found to be a red turtle who is further revealed to be someone else altogether. The film has no dialogue and was written by Michaël Dudok de Wit and Pascale Ferran.
Life, Animated
Life, Animated is a coming-of-age drama film based on the life of a young man named Owen Suskind, who was unable to speak as a child. Suskind’s family ends up discovering to communicate with the child through Disney films. Based on a true account, Life, Animated outlines Suskind’s life as he comes into his own and becomes an independent person.
