The first animated movie I saw was the original Lion King. I remember howling through bits of the movie. The first animated movie I saw in the hall was Toy Story and I was sold! I am not big on movies anymore. The only genres of movies I watch are – horror and animated. While good horror movies are hard to come by but there are so many amazing animated movies. A lot of people think that animated movies are for kids but I beg to differ. Most animated movies have an underlying theme that can also be appreciated as an adult. So which are my favourite animated movies? Read on!

ENCANTO

After seeing countless posts about the movie on social media, I finally watched it a month back and I fell in love. I don’t know why but I could relate SO much with Mirabel and her struggles. I am not exaggerating when I say that I howled throughout the movie (I may have been PMSing). The movie revolves around the Madrigal family that has special powers that are gifted to them by a candle. Each family member has a different kind of power – all but one, Mirabel, who wasn’t given any powers. While her parents try to make her feel included, Mirabel often feels excluded from the family more so because of her grandmother’s disappointment. The story revolved around her trying to prove her worth and saving her family.

Themes that adults will relate with: find yourself, understanding your self-worth, disappointing family

KUNG FU PANDA

I have done a whole post on why Happy Panda keeps rewatching Kung Fu Panda. This has to be one of my favoritest movies of all time. Po, a big fat panda who runs a noodle shop with his dad, is accidentally chosen as the dragon warrior. The movie revolves around his struggles and his journey to becoming the dragon warrior.

Themes that adults will relate with: Finding your path, following your passions, believing in yourself and that physical appearance can be deceiving

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

Another animated series that I absolutely love! When I couldn’t convince any friends to go watch the last part of the movie series with me, I went to see it alone and howled through the last 15 minutes. The movie revolves around Hiccup who is the son of the chieftan of a Viking village. The villagers have been at war with dragons forever. But Hiccup befriends a dragon he injured and discovers that there is more to the dragons than what his clan knows. The story revolves around his adventures with his dragon, Toothless.

Themes that adults will relate with: Questioning traditions, breaking stereotypes, taking the road less travelled

BRAVE

This movie is so underrated. This was one of the first few Disney movies that started the whole princess/girl saves the day storyline. I relate so much with Merida, the protagonist. She’s wild with crazy hair like me. She is tomboy-ish and breaks gender role traditions by picking up archery and horse riding. Shes so badass! The story revolves around her trying to get out of an arranged marriage that her mother sets up and the adventures that follow.

Themes that adults will relate with: Breaking gender stereotypes, changing traditions, doing old things in a new way

UP

If you have any emotions in you, then this movie is bound to make your heart swell. The story revolves around a widower, Carl, who goes off on an adventure in his flying house to fulfill his wife’s bucket list dream. I cried SO much while watching this movie.

Themes that adults will relate with: Having a bucket list, life coming in the way of doing the bucket list items, losing a loved one, loneliness

And…

• FINDING NEMO & FINDING DORY
• HOTEL TRANSYLVANNIA
• ZOOTOPIA
• FROZEN
• RATATOUILLE

I love animated movies and I love how despite targeting kids, they usually have a deeper meaning that adults can relate with too. Do you like animated movies? Share your favourites!

If you haven’t already, check out my other recent posts –

• Things I Haven’t Been Liking About Myself This Year
• February 2023: Reads & Update
• Working Title
• Why Am I Scared?
• January 2023: Monthly Book Reads and Reviews