15 Animated Films That Are Definitely Not for Children

When someone isn’t used to watching animated films, they might consider that they’re all simply meant for children. And as anyone that watches them can tell you, that is not always the case. We’re not talking about children’s movies that can be enjoyed by adults, rather about animated movies that shouldn’t be watched by children at all.

This goes beyond the method of storytelling and more into the themes and maturity that they handle within their runtime. These are the animated movies that, although they aren’t live action, they’re definitely not for children.

Heavy Metal

Drawing inspiration from late 1960s psychedelic rock, this iconic anthology film delivers a thick, monumental sound. It pairs distorted guitars and extended solos with intense, mature sci-fi visuals that are entirely meant for older crowds.

Perfect Blue

This animated psychological thriller proves the medium can handle terrifying subject matter. It explores deeply mature themes and violent situations, crafting a haunting experience that was always intended for older crowds rather than children.

Ghost in the Shell

Based on the famous 1989 manga, this 1995 cyberpunk classic follows Public Security Section 9 in the mid-21st century. The complex military science fiction themes and philosophical questions make it a heavy watch for younger crowds.

A Scanner Darkly

Using a distinct rotoscope animation style, this visually striking film deals with an undercover narcotics cop who becomes an addict. The heavy themes of substance abuse and paranoia easily keep this off the family watch list.

The Plague Dogs

Released in 1982, this adult animated adventure drama pushed boundaries as a non-family-oriented project. It tackled such intense, mature themes of survival and animal testing that it eventually required a PG-13 rating for its heavy content.

Mary and Max

While this stop-motion drama might look charming, it tackles incredibly heavy topics. It explores themes of abandonment, profound depression, loneliness, autism, and severe anxiety, making it an emotionally crushing experience not meant for young children.

Waltz with Bashir

This anti-war animated documentary earned a hard R rating for its harrowing depiction of the 1982 Lebanon War. It unflinchingly shows the psychological damage and physical tragedies of combat, making it a distinctly mature historical record.

Fantastic Planet

The 1973 sci-fi classic uses a bizarre, surreal art style to allegorically address real-world issues. It portrays giant aliens keeping humans as pets, leading to a strange and sometimes unsettling fight for freedom.

The Triplets of Belleville

Released in 2003, this unique French comedy-drama relies almost entirely on visual storytelling and song rather than dialogue. Its eccentric character designs and somewhat melancholic, surreal atmosphere cater to an older crowd looking for artistic cinema.

Grave of the Fireflies

Directed by Isao Takahata in 1988, this Japanese animated war film is notoriously heartbreaking. It follows two young siblings struggling to survive during World War II, delivering an emotional devastation that is far too heavy for kids.

Batman: The Killing Joke

Adapting the famous 1988 graphic novel, this film dives into a deeply disturbing origin story for the Joker. The intensely dark themes and violent situations make this a far cry from the typical superhero morning cartoons.

The Animatrix

Produced by the Wachowskis in 2003, this science fiction anthology expands on a famous dystopian universe. The mature themes and complex existential dread found in these animated shorts were specifically crafted for an older demographic.

I Lost My Body

This 2019 French fantasy drama tells the highly unusual story of a severed hand trying to find its way back to its owner. The melancholic tone and complex emotional journey make it a strictly mature experience.

Loving Vincent

Released in 2017, this experimental historical drama made history as the first fully painted animated feature film. The stunning visuals explore the final days of a troubled artist, focusing on historical mysteries rather than youthful entertainment.

Waking Life

This 2001 surrealist drama uses a dreamlike animation style to explore deep philosophical questions. Instead of a traditional plot, it features heavy conversations about existence, free will, and consciousness that require a patient audience.