7 Must-See Stop Motion Films

Hi Sangnila friends! We’ve mentioned previously about stop motion, an animation technique that uses objects and photographed frames. In this article, we’re gonna try to convince you to watch some of the best stop motion films ever. Everything on this list is a must see, so gear up and let’s go!

Rank 7: Anomalisa (2015)

Said to be “the most human movie which doesn’t star a single human”, this profound film was directed by Charlie Kaufman with co-director Duke Johnson. It’s the first R-rated animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. The heart of the story is simple. It tells of a jaded motivational speaker who falls in love with a completely ordinary woman who brings him joy.

Rank 6: James and the Giant Peach (1996)

This one is a children’s classic based on the book of the same name by Roald Dahl. Acquired by Disney, the film makers were at first unsure of how to realize Roald Dahl’s “dark and bizarre” story to screen. They eventually agreed on an all stop motion production to fit the budget. With the rollicking soundtrack, James and the Giant Peach has since been nominated for numerous awards.

Rank 5: Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

A critically acclaimed film by the stop motion studio Laika, it centers around the Japanese boy Kubo, who only has one eye and wields a magical shamisen (a Japanese stringed instrument). An epic adventure follows as Kubo aims to find his father’s lost armor and defeat the Moon King.

Rank 4: Coraline (2009)

The fantasy horror tale of a girl who discovers a parallel world too good to be true is based on Neil Gaiman’s novella of the same title. Adapted by a master of stop motion, Henry Selick, in collaboration with Laika studio, Coraline grossed $124 million worldwide, making it the 3rd highest grossing stop motion film of all time.

Rank 3: Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

Wallace & Gromit is a comedy series consisting of four short films, one feature length film (The Curse of the Were-Rabbit), and numerous spin-offs for TV adaptation. Wallace is a good-natured but eccentric Brit, and Gromit is his anthropomorphic, highly intelligent dog. This franchise has received numerous awards, including five British Academy Film Awards, three Academy Film Awards, and a Peabody Award. The Wallace and Gromit characters is also impactful in charity, supporting children’s hospices and hospitals across the UK.

Rank 2: Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)

Based on another Roald Dahl book, this charming film was directed by none other than the quirky and beloved Wes Anderson. This comedy follows Mr. Fox, who is trying to outsmart a group of farmers who are in turn trying to kill him and his family. With George Clooney voicing Mr. Fox and Meryl Streep voicing Mrs. Fox, this film is not to be missed.

Rank 1: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Is it a Christmas movie? Or is it a horror Halloween movie? Aha. Whatever it is, the Nightmare Before Christmas is a beloved stop motion classic by Tim Burton and Henry Selick. Jack Skellington, the “Halloween King” who tries to take over Christmas has set the standard for all stop motion films after it.

Which of these have you seen? What are some fo your favorite stop motion films?