10 Best Animated Movies for Adults to Watch in 2025

IMDb Rating: 7.9/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 93%

We start our list with Fantastic Mr. Fox, directed by Wes Anderson. This stop-motion movie is based on a book by Roald Dahl. The story follows Mr. Fox who lives a quiet life with his family. But he cannot resist going back to his old ways of stealing food from three mean farmers. When the farmers fight back, Mr. Fox must use all his clever tricks to save his family and friends. The movie shows beautiful details in every scene and has a witty sense of humor that adults will love.

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 96%

Persepolis tells the true story of Marjane Satrapi, a young girl growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. The movie is drawn in simple black and white animation, but the story is very powerful. We see Marjane's life change as her country goes through difficult times. She faces challenges as a teenager trying to find her place in a changing world. The film shows how political events affect ordinary people's daily lives and dreams.

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 91%

Akira takes place in Neo-Tokyo in the year 2019, after a terrible explosion destroyed the old city. The story follows Kaneda, a teenage motorcycle gang leader, and his friend Tetsuo. When Tetsuo gains powerful psychic abilities after an accident, he becomes dangerous and out of control. Kaneda must try to save his friend and stop him from destroying the city. This cyberpunk movie has amazing hand-drawn animation and explores themes of power, friendship, and the cost of progress.

IMDb Rating: 8.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100%

This is one of Studio Ghibli's best works of all time. Grave of the Fireflies tells the sad story of two children, Seita and Setsuko, trying to survive in Japan during World War II. After their mother dies in an air raid, the brother and sister must find food and shelter on their own. The movie shows the harsh reality of war through the eyes of innocent children. While the story is heartbreaking, the animation is beautiful and the message about family love is very moving.

IMDb Rating: 7.3/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 87%

Homer Simpson accidentally pollutes the lake in Springfield, causing the government to put a giant dome over the entire town. The Simpson family must escape and find a way to save their neighbors and friends. The movie brings all the humor and characters that fans love from the TV show to the big screen. It has clever jokes, funny situations, and the heart that has made The Simpsons popular for many years. Even people who don't watch the show regularly can enjoy this adventure.

IMDb Rating: 8.3/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 93%

Another Studio Ghibli masterpiece, Princess Mononoke is an epic tale set in ancient Japan. Prince Ashitaka gets cursed while fighting a demon and must travel to find a cure. He discovers a war between humans who want to cut down the forest and the animal gods who protect it. In the middle is San, a girl raised by wolves who fights to save nature. The movie explores the difficult balance between human progress and protecting the environment. The animation is breathtaking and the story asks big questions about how we should live.

IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 96%

Mary and Max tells the touching story of an unlikely friendship between a lonely eight-year-old girl in Australia and a middle-aged man with autism in New York. They write letters to each other for many years, sharing their thoughts and feelings about life. Made with clay animation, the movie deals with serious topics like mental health, loneliness, and finding connection with others. The film shows that friendship can happen between any two people, no matter how different they are or how far apart they live.

IMDb Rating: 7.2/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 92%

Anomalisa is a unique movie about Michael, a man who feels disconnected from the world around him. To him, everyone looks and sounds the same, until he meets Lisa, a woman who seems different and special. The movie is made with puppets and explores themes of loneliness, depression, and what makes us human. Director Charlie Kaufman creates a strange but realistic world that shows how some people feel isolated even when surrounded by others. It's a deep movie that makes you think about human connection.

IMDb Rating: 7.6/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 81%

If you want something thought-provoking, Waking Life is perfect. The movie follows a young man who may or may not be dreaming as he has conversations with different people about life, dreams, and reality. The animation style is unique - real actors were filmed first, then artists drew over the footage to create a dreamlike effect. Each scene explores big philosophical questions about existence, consciousness, and what it means to be alive. The movie feels like a series of interesting discussions that will make you think long after it ends.

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 97%

Waltz with Bashir is a powerful documentary about war and memory. Director Ari Folman tries to remember his experiences as a young soldier in the Lebanon War in 1982. He interviews his old friends who served with him, and their stories are brought to life through beautiful and sometimes disturbing animation. The movie shows how war affects people's minds and how memory can be unclear and painful. It's a serious film that uses animation to tell a very real and important story about the cost of conflict.