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Animated Horror: The Overlooked Genre Fusion

Animated horror film Coraline // Credit: Laika

Despite horror’s huge range one subsection still doesn’t seem to get enough attention, animated horror.

Today we will look at why animated horror is so overlooked. Before analysing why it can work incredibly well when done right. Then finally we will recommend some great animated horror for you to watch.

They’re For Children

Generally, there are three reasons why animated horror isn’t as popular in its presence or profile as its other genre counterparts. Firstly animation has a long-standing association with children’s stories. While animation has been telling darker and adult stories for years, see Ralph Bakshi’s work, Mary and Max etc. those works are overall a minority. Thus audiences still see animated horror as out of place.

Secondly, horror is often regarded as a quick and cheap genre in terms of what the films take to make. Given how much time and money animated projects can take to complete it’s easy to see why horror productions don’t really gravitate towards animated stories.

Lastly, with animation having less firm real-world grounding due to it inherently being more artificial in its content it can be harder for viewers to see themselves in these animated worlds and therefore be scared.

A Darker Side

That said animated horror can still be incredibly effective when done right. The medium has its own ways of creating a feeling of unease. Such as through the clash of images associated with child-friendly narratives against horrific imagery. Animation also has ability to frequently fall into the uncanny valley, creating something that whether through facial or body movements can create audience discomfort thanks to it being both close to reality and unreal.

Additionally, animated horror allows for scope that would not necessarily be achievable in live-action. With animation able to create whole new worlds and potential for different and interesting horrific imagery the medium is rich with possibilities for horror stories.

And with less inherent relatability due to its artificial content animated horrors also work very hard to get us invested through writing, atmosphere, sound design and more, ensuring that at least animated horror always tries something new to keep our attention.

Otherworldly Animation

Here are just a few must-watch animated horror films everyone should seek out:

Watership Down (1978) and Plague Dogs (1982)

These “children’s” animal films adapted from Richard Adams’ books aren’t classified directly as horror, but the stories of a rabbit colony trying to find a new home away from predators aiming to kill them at every turn and two dogs escaping an animal testing facility before being hunted across the country by humans have an unrelenting threatening air to them. They also feature horrific imagery. Like a dog tearing a rabbit open and a dog accidentally shooting someone. If that doesn’t make these films horror, what does?

Plague Dogs is definitely not for the faint of heart // Credit: MGM/UA
Plague Dogs is definitely not for the faint of heart // Credit: MGM/UA

Alice (1988)

Jan Svankmajer’s live-action, stop-motion hybrid adaptation of Alice in Wonderland is perhaps the most frightening version ever. With creations like the terrifying taxidermied White Rabbit, wind-up March Hare and many skeletal creatures, you truly fear for Alice’s safety.

If you see a white rabbit holding scissors, run as fast as you can // Credit: Film 4 International
If you see a white rabbit holding scissors, run as fast as you can // Credit: Film 4 International

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) and Coraline (2009)

Henry Selick’s work is the gold standard for stop-motion children’s horror. Whether it be Nightmare’s imaginative Halloween monster world or Coraline‘s unnerving world of the Other Mother Selick consistently creates spooky stories with a sense of childhood wonder and playfulness that keeps watchers of all ages engaged through all the nightmare fuel.

Two of animated horror's best works, Coraline (left) and The Nightmare Before Christmas (Right) // Credit: Laika and Touchstone Pictures
Two of animated horror’s best works, Coraline (left) and The Nightmare Before Christmas (Right) // Credit: Laika and Touchstone Pictures

Perfect Blue (1997)

Satoshi Kon’s suspenseful masterpiece follows a pop idol turned actress as disturbing things start happening around her. All linking back to a fan unhappy about her career change. Though this idea could easily work in live-action the initially cute anime style of the pop group creates an affective clash as its story becomes increasingly darker and more surreal.

The light pop idol image clashes with the dark subject matter of Perfect Blue // Credit: Madhouse
The light pop idol image clashes with the dark subject matter of Perfect Blue // Credit: Madhouse

Mad God (2021)

In a post-apocalyptic landscape, we see grotesque creations, unending ruins and death all around. Is there a point to all of the suffering here? You’ll have to watch to find out. Mad God is a hard but rewarding watch full of unforgettable stop-motion terror.

Dare you look upon the horror of Mad God? // Credit: Shudder
Dare you look upon the horror of Mad God? // Credit: Shudder

Beyond these recommendations, we hope to see more attention to animated horror. The medium has so much to give and we barely seem to have scratched the surface of the horrific possibilities.

Also Read: Cartoons For Adults: The Rise of Adult Animation

Posted by
Josh Greally

Writer and filmmaker. I have a masters in directing film and television and have written film reviews for several smaller sites in the past. Films are my life, but I also enjoy writing, reading, listening to music and debating.