Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama
Actor: Adam Elliot, Barry Humphries, Bethany Whitmore, Bill Murphy, Carolyn Shakespeare-Allen, Christopher Massey, Eric Bana, Henry Karjalainen, Ian 'Molly' Meldrum, Ian Meldrum, John Flaus, Julie Forsyth, Michael Ienna, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Renée Geyer, Renée Geyer, Toni Collette
Director: Adam Elliot
Putting the inherent eeriness of stop motion animation to perfect use, Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson's Anomalisa create a legitimately disturbing experience of a man's paranoid delusions, as he tries desperately to make a real human connection while perceiving everyone around him as the same person. It's that (unfortunately) rare animated film that understands that this medium can tell complex, even terrifying, stories for grown-ups while respecting their intelligence. And it's still gorgeously put together, with seamless movements from the character puppets and evocative lighting and cinematography that puts the film firmly in the uncanny valley. It's a tougher watch than it looks, but the depth of feeling it captures is nothing short of totally human.
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Drama, Romance
Actor: David Thewlis, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tom Noonan
Director: Charlie Kaufman, Duke Johnson
Two storylines take place in this Parisian animation: one of a Moroccan immigrant who works as a pizza delivery guy, and the other of his hand, somehow no longer part of his body, but also going on a trip around Paris.
The hand storyline is not gory by the way, except for one or two very quick scenes. Mostly, this is a film about loneliness and not being able to find your way back, both as an immigrant who misses how they were raised and as a hand who misses its body.
Sporting some of the most beautiful animation work this year, this movie premiered at Cannes where it became the first-ever animated film (and Netflix film) to win the Nespresso Grand Prize.
Genre: Animation
Actor: Alia Shawkat, Dev Patel, George Wendt, Hakim Faris, Jérémy Clapin, Jérémy Clapin, Patrick d'Assumçao, Patrick d'Assumçao, Patrick d'Assumcao, Victoire Du Bois
Director: Jérémy Clapin, Jérémy Clapin
Set in the Monsterverse—the same shared universe that King Kong, Godzilla, and their respective films inhabit—Skull Island follows a group of shipwrecked travelers who find themselves stranded on the mysterious titular island, which they soon find out is home to a variety of prehistoric creatures, including the mighty Kong.
Skull Island, the series, delivers wholesome relationships and touching character growth in the face of imminent danger, while also offering exciting action scenes, eye-popping visuals, and amusing jokes that are well-served by voice acting. It's an easy, fun watch that is sure to appeal to fans of the Monsterverse, as well as fans of animated adventure series.
Genre: Action & Adventure, Animation, Family, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Actor: Benjamin Bratt, Betty Gilpin, Darren Barnet, Mae Whitman, Nicolas Cantu
“World-building” doesn’t quite capture what Scavengers Reign does — the sheer imagination on display in just the first three episodes of this 12-part adult animation sci-fi could fill multiple universes. From the get-go, we’re immersed in a truly strange new world, one in which panda-like creatures with telepathic abilities control humans, fungi merge with motherboards, and plant-animal hybrids crackle with electricity. All this trippiness is rendered in a 2D animation style that appropriately draws on the fantastical art of Moebius (who in turn influenced Studio Ghibli).
Flashbacks and hallucinations gradually unravel the mystery of just how the crew of the Demeter and their robot assistant Levi (Alia Shawkat) ended up here — a grounding plot thread that keeps things from totally spinning out into mind-bendingly surreal territory. Not just an exercise in stretching creativity in bold new directions, then, but a gripping mystery laying bare the terrifying limitlessness of the cosmos.
Genre: Animation, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Actor: Alia Shawkat, Bob Stephenson, Sunita Mani, Ted Travelstead, Wunmi Mosaku
This 1994 animated gem from Studio Ghibli is one of their many environmentally-conscious works. In a world of shape-shifting animals and environmental conservation, Pom Poko beautifully combines folklore, humor, and social commentary to tell a tale of raccoons fighting to save their forest home from human encroachment. The animation is stunning, showcasing Ghibli's signature attention to detail and vibrant visuals. But it's the heartfelt story and lovable characters that really steal the show. Although it is slow-paced, Pom Poko is a thought-provoking and entertaining film that will make you laugh, cry, and appreciate the wonders of nature.
Genre: Adventure, Animation, Drama, Fantasy
Actor: Akira Fukuzawa, Akira Kamiya, Beichou Katsura, Bunshi Katsura, Gannosuke Ashiya, Kobuhei Hayashiya, Kokondei Shinchou, Kosan Yanagiya, Makoto Nonomura, Megumi Hayashibara, Nijiko Kiyokawa, Norihei Miki, Osamu Kato, Shigeru Izumiya, Shincho Kokontei, Shozo Hayashiya, Takehiro Murata, Yorie Yamashita, Yumi Ichihara, Yuriko Ishida
Director: Isao Takahata
A beautiful enigma from start to finish, Angel's Egg follows a young girl carrying a large egg through a desolate, post-apocalyptic world. She meets a young boy who helps her on her journey, and together they search for answers about the egg and the world they inhabit. Filled with religious symbolism, it teeters between a story about the creation of the universe and a meditation on the nature of faith and belief. From director Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell), this largely wordless film relies on its surreal and enigmatic dark visuals and atmosphere to tell its story. Heavy with silence and shadows, this disturbingly stunning film is up for interpretation.
Genre: Animation, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
Actor: Jinpachi Nezu, Keiichi Noda, Mako Hyodo, Mako Hyoudou
Director: Mamoru Oshii
Seamlessly blending supernatural folklore and crime noir, the Filipino anime-influenced adaptation of Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo's award-winning graphic novels offers a fresh and culturally rich take on the supernatural detective genre. Set in Manila, the show follows the fearless detective Alexandra Trese who is tasked with protecting the balance between humanity and the Underworld. From investigating a haunted train to quelling the fight for power between rival aswang clans, Trese and police captain Guerrero's cases unlock this rich urban world. As Trese gets closer to discovering the powerful perpetrator of various crimes (and how intertwined humans and the Underworld really are), the show's dark and enchanting Filipino mythology expands. The series masterfully combines elements of horror, mystery, and action, never treating the mythology as a gimmick, creating a unique animated entry from the Philippines.
Genre: Animation, Crime, Mystery, Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Actor: Carlos Alazraqui, Eric Bauza, Jon Jon Briones, Matthew Yang King, Shay Mitchell, Steve Blum
Based on Nathan Pyle’s famed webcomics of the same name, Strange Planets is a blunt and offbeat series that encapsulates the magic of Pyle's internet-famous relatable aliens. It uses a sitcom format (complete with recurring characters) to play on the absurdity of these human-like aliens and their human-like problems. With well-delivered jokes, crisp animation, and simple storylines, Strange Planets doesn't overcomplicate its premise, making it an easy, enjoyable watch. Although the writing and scenarios aren't entirely original—outside of Pyle's signature descriptive alien diction, that is—the wholesome, no-brainer vibe is a welcome change in pace for adult animation. Pyle's original work brought humor to the mundanity of everyday living, and the show (co-created with TV veteran Dan Harmon) doesn't disappoint.
Genre: Animation, Comedy
Actor: Danny Pudi, Demi Adejuyigbe, Hannah Einbinder, Lori Tan Chinn, Tunde Adebimpe
Fans of Dan Harmon, the brain behind beloved shows like Community and Rick and Morty, will notice his signature touch in Krapopolis. The jokes are thought-provoking, the characters are lovably flawed, and most importantly, the premise is bonkers—but if you’re used to Harmon’s world, perhaps not bonkers enough. Maybe this is because of its 20-minute runtime, but Krapopolis feels more restrained than Harmon’s usual work, which revels in the bizarre. It also moves too fast to be appreciated, so you’ll need to spend more time and episodes with the characters to fully appreciate them. But if you’re coming into Krapopolis with no knowledge of Harmon’s previous work, then the show can actually be as fun and lighthearted as any good raunchy adult cartoon.
Genre: Animation, Comedy
Actor: Duncan Trussell, Hannah Waddingham, Matt Berry, Pam Murphy, Richard Ayoade
In its two-episode premiere, Praise Petey uses a lot of straightforward dialogue, on-the-nose jokes, and visual gags that work in its favor as "it girl" Petey becomes more acquainted with her inherited cult. Everything still feels at arm's length for Petey even though we, the audience, are aware of the nefarious activities behind the scenes. Although it's slated as a comedy, Praise Petey doesn't land any real LOL moments and would benefit from leaning into its mystery elements more, given that a "city girl" spontaneously running a cult is funny on its own. Visually, it is as simple as adult animation can get, and one can only hope that the substance (with a tonal shift) can last the entire first season.
Genre: Animation, Comedy
Actor: Amy Hill, Annie Murphy, Christine Baranski, John Cho, Kiersey Clemons, Stephen Root
In the sea of adult animation, Captain Fall floats in on a crime-packed cruise ship under the charge of the most unqualified man, Jonathan Fall. Although there are unsavory characters, the show never goes into the childish crass humor employed by many of its contemporaries. It also doesn't shy away from grotesque violence and pokes fun at the dangerous and exploitative things rich people willingly pay for. It's not all cynical though, as we mostly follow an earnest captain who just wants his parents' love. Captain Fall is a watchable crime-comedy that balances out its cartoonish parts with the impending countdown to expose this crime ring.
Genre: Animation, Comedy
Actor: Adam Devine, Alejandro Edda, Anthony Carrigan, Christopher Meloni, Jason Ritter