Typically, animated movies are renowned for whisking viewers away on fantastical adventures to places where the world is defined purely by the creators’ imaginations. From whimsical fairytales to morbid horrors, animation has provided a form of escapism to audiences for over a hundred years.
But animated films needn’t all be fairytales and magic—some of the most powerful and moving animated films are rooted in true stories. These films take real-life events and historical moments and bring them to life with visual creativity. By combining a splash of artistic freedom with factual storytelling, these animated films offer a unique lens on reality, making history feel personal, emotional, and unforgettable.
10
‘Balto’ (1995)
Featuring the voices of Kevin Bacon, Bridget Fonda, Phil Collins, and Bob Hoskins, and produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblimation animation studio, Balto is a heartwarming adventure about a heroic husky named Balto. It follows his perilous mission as he leads a sled team through treacherous conditions to deliver medicine to sick children.
‘Balto’ Has His Own Statue of Honor in Central Park
Balto was, in fact, the name of a real husky who led a team of sled dogs driven by Gunnar Kaasen on the final leg of the 1925 serum run to Nome. As a result of his mighty efforts, a number of children were saved when medicine was successfully delivered to the remote city of Nome, Alaska, to combat an outbreak of diphtheria.
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9
‘Persepolis’ (2007)
- Release Date
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June 27, 2007
- Runtime
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95 minutes
- Director
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Vincent Paronnaud, Marjane Satrapi
Persepolis is an animated feature film based on Marjane Satrapi’s autobiographical graphic novel of the same name. With Satrapi co-writing and directing the movie alongside Vincent Paronnaud, it delivers a deeply personal and unflinching look at life as a young girl growing up during the Iranian Revolution.
‘Persepolis’ Is a Deeply Personal Piece of Work
Presented in black and white, Persepolis was showered with praise and accolades, with many commending it for its raw authenticity—managing to be both harrowing yet blissfully optimistic and full of heart.
8
‘Waltz with Bashir’ (2008)
- Release Date
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June 12, 2008
- Runtime
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90 Minutes
- Director
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Ari Folman
- Writers
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Ari Folman
Written and directed by Ari Folman, Waltz with Bashir is based on his own experience serving as an Israeli soldier during the 1982 Lebanon War and the Sabra and Shatila massacre. Presented as a documentary, it received widespread acclaim for its harrowing anti-war message and its willingness to address important issues head-on.
‘Waltz with Bashir’ Is Visually Astounding
Waltz with Bashir was not only praised for its hard-hitting subject matter but also for its impressive visual style, which used stylized cutout animation to create a dreamlike, haunting atmosphere that blurs the lines between memory, trauma, and reality.
7
‘The Wind Rises’ (2013)
Based on his 2009 manga of the same name, The Wind Rises is a historical drama that focuses on the life of Japanese aeronautical engineer Jiro Horikoshi. Starting with his time at the University of Tokyo in 1923 and concluding with the first test flight of the infamous warplane, the Mitsubishi Ka-14, The Wind Rises is a beautifully animated story of ambition and sacrifice that also explores the moral complexities of creating warplanes during times of conflict.
‘The Wind Rises’ Takes a Few Creative Liberties
While the crux of the story is rooted firmly in history, a few creative liberties were taken to make for an even more compelling narrative, including a fictional romantic subplot. Despite these moments of fiction, Horikoshi’s contributions to aviation are never overshadowed, making for an educational, entertaining, and poignant viewing experience.
6
‘Anastasia’ (1997)
Directed by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman, Anastasia is based on the legend of Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia. It follows a young, orphaned girl named Anya as she embarks on an epic journey to discover her true identity. She eventually realizes she is, in fact, the lost Romanov princess. The movie was praised for its stunning animation, catchy songs, and strong voice performances from its stellar cast, including Christopher Lloyd, Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Kirsten Dunst, and Angela Lansbury.
‘Anastasia’ Is a Fantastical Adventure Loosely Based on Real-Life Events
While the core of the story is inspired by real historical events, it has been greatly embellished over time and transformed into a piece of folklore, with elements of magic and fantasy added. Don Bluth’s Anastasia leans heavily into these fantastical elements, resulting in a fun-filled, family-friendly fairy tale full of magic, wonder, and heart.
5
‘Piece by Piece’ (2024)
Pharrell Williams stands among the most successful and instantly recognizable names in music today. From his production work with the likes of Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, and Kendrick Lamar, to chart-topping solo hits and an illustrious career with his band N.E.R.D, it makes sense that the public would be eager to learn the story behind his success. Piece by Piece, an animated documentary, tells that story—and does so through beautifully animated LEGO pieces and characters.
LEGO Is Used as a Metaphor for Pharrell’s Creative Process
LEGO is built from the ground up, ‘piece by piece,’ allowing for limitless creativity and reinvention—mirroring Pharrell’s artistic journey. It’s a colorful, vibrant adventure that’s beautifully brought to life in the film, capturing the essence of his story in a way that’s as playful, innovative, and unexpected as Pharrell himself.
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4
‘Pocahontas’ (1995)
Disney’s beloved Pocahontas follows the story of a Native American girl who falls in love with a settler named John Smith, who has come with his troops to colonize the New World. As tensions rise between the natives and colonizers, Smith and Pocahontas must work together to keep the peace.
Disney Romanticizes a Rather Grim Story
While there is definitely evidence of a young Native woman named Pocahontas who crossed paths with an English settler named John Smith, there is also evidence that their relationship may not have been the sweet, fairytale love story painted in Disney’s classic. It is widely believed that Pocahontas was only about 11 years old at the time, and historical accounts suggest she was kidnapped and forced to convert to Christianity.
3
‘Ethel & Ernest’ (2016)
- Release Date
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October 15, 2016
- Runtime
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94 minutes
- Writers
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Roger Mainwood
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Brenda Blethyn
Ethel Briggs (voice)
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Luke Treadaway
Raymond Briggs (voice)
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Roger Allam
Middle Aged Doctor (voice)
Ethel & Ernest is a beautifully crafted, hand-drawn animation that chronicles the life of the titular British couple, from their meeting in the 1920s right through to their deaths in the 1970s. During our time spent with the couple, we experience their ups and downs and watch their relationship grow stronger as they navigate the Great Depression, World War II, childbirth, and other pivotal moments in their life together.
‘Ethel & Ernest’ Received Universal Acclaim
Ethel & Ernest not only serves as a poignant character study of enduring love but also as a historical drama covering one of Britain’s most tumultuous periods. Lovingly crafted using 67,680 hand-drawn individual frames, it’s an incredible artistic feat that feels warm, gentle, and quietly powerful.
2
‘Charlotte’ (2022)
Charlotte is an animated biographical drama film about German painter Charlotte Salomon, inspired by her autobiographical painting series Life? or Theatre? Set during the rise of Nazism, it follows her artistic journey as she navigates increasing persecution.
Charlotte’s Story Is an Important One to Tell
Steeped in tragedy, Charlotte’s story is a heartfelt account of resilience and the horrors of prejudice. The film brings her paintings to life, powerfully conveying her struggle to maintain creativity and identity amid escalating oppression. It was widely praised for shedding light on an often overlooked figure in the world of art—one with an important and unforgettable story to tell.
1
‘The Inventor’ (2023)
Based on the intriguing life of Leonardo da Vinci and his ambitious creations, The Inventor is a fascinating story brought to life in a charming and visually spectacular manner. Stephen Fry brings a certain whimsical charm to da Vinci in an otherwise poignant tale of ambition and the pursuit of knowledge.
The Animation Style Mirrors Da Vinci’s Own Artwork
While the plot may seem somewhat meandering, it is more than made up for by the movie’s gorgeous animation style, which beautifully mirrors Leonardo da Vinci’s own. It captures the intricate details, flowing lines, and the boundless curiosity that defined his sketches and paintings—bringing his genius to life in animated form.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
