Film Studies Class for High School Animation

Incorporating animated films into a high school TV and film history class provides students with an understanding of various animation techniques, storytelling styles, and cultural impacts from around the world. Here’s a curated list of essential animated movies produced from 1980-2020, along with reasons for their inclusion, including international films. Each movie review includes parental guidance information. And hey, not every movie has to be shown in full. Sometimes just a scene or two can have the same impact on students without sitting through the whole movie.

Before sharing any of these movies with students, you should always have a discussion with administration and families, especially for films with an R rating. It is important to be upfront and honest with students, families, and admin about your intentions. Additionally, it is important to talk with staff about any of these movies possibly being part of their curriculum. You may be able to consolidate the audience and have single showing times instead of students watching the same version of Mel Gibson’s Hamlet 3 different times in one school year. (Yes, this really happened to me in high school.) Good luck and be creative.

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Animated Classics

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

• Rating: G
• Reason: As the first full-length animated feature film, Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a milestone in animation history. Its innovative use of color, sound, and storytelling set the standard for future animated films. The film’s impact on both the animation industry and popular culture makes it an essential study for understanding the evolution of the genre.
• Parental Guidance: Contains some scenes that might be scary for very young children, such as the transformation of the Queen and the forest sequence. Suitable for all ages with guidance on these intense scenes.

Fantasia (1940)

• Rating: G
• Reason: Fantasia is a groundbreaking animated film that combines classical music with innovative animation techniques. Each segment of the film presents a different visual interpretation of classical music pieces, offering a unique viewing experience that explores the relationship between music and animation. It’s crucial for understanding experimental animation and the use of animation to convey abstract concepts.
• Parental Guidance: Contains some sequences that might be intense for younger viewers, such as “Night on Bald Mountain.” Suitable for all ages with guidance on these sequences.

Pinocchio (1940)

• Rating: G
• Reason: Disney’s Pinocchio is celebrated for its detailed animation, complex characters, and moral themes. The film’s craftsmanship, including its groundbreaking use of the multiplane camera, makes it a significant study in the development of animation techniques. Its timeless story and emotional depth continue to resonate with audiences.
• Parental Guidance: Contains some scenes that might be frightening for young children, such as the transformation into donkeys and the encounter with Monstro the whale. Suitable for all ages with guidance on these scenes.

Cinderella (1950)

• Rating: G
• Reason: Cinderella is a classic Disney film that exemplifies the studio’s storytelling and animation style during the mid-20th century. The film’s memorable characters, beautiful animation, and enchanting music have made it a beloved classic. It’s important for understanding Disney’s influence on animation and popular culture.
• Parental Guidance: Suitable for all ages with no significant content concerns.

Yellow Submarine (1968)

• Rating: G
• Reason: Yellow Submarine is a British animated film inspired by the music of The Beatles. Its psychedelic animation style and imaginative storytelling set it apart from traditional animated films of its time. The film’s cultural impact and unique visual style make it an essential study for exploring the diversity of animation techniques and the integration of music and animation.
• Parental Guidance: Contains some sequences with surreal and abstract imagery that might be confusing for younger viewers. Suitable for all ages with guidance on these sequences.

Flight of Dragons (1982)

• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Reason: This fantasy film, blending medieval lore and science fiction, is unique for its imaginative storytelling and animation style, making it a notable piece for studying fantasy in animation.
• Parental Guidance: Contains some intense and scary scenes. Suitable for older children with guidance on fantasy elements and mild peril.

The Black Cauldron (1985)

• Rating: PG
• Reason: This dark fantasy adventure by Disney, though less known, is significant for its ambitious animation and darker tone, making it a unique entry in Disney’s catalog.
• Parental Guidance: Contains dark and intense scenes that might be scary for younger children. Suitable for older children with guidance on dark themes.

Animated Modern Classics

The Lion King (1994)

• Rating: G
• Reason: Disney’s animated classic combines stunning animation, memorable music, and universal themes of family and destiny. It’s a must-watch for understanding the impact of animated films on popular culture.
• Parental Guidance: Contains some scenes that might be emotionally intense for young children. Suitable for all ages with guidance on emotional scenes.

Beauty and the Beast (1991)

• Rating: G
• Reason: Disney’s tale as old as time is celebrated for its beautiful animation, memorable songs, and timeless story. It’s significant for its historical context as the first animated film to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.
• Parental Guidance: Suitable for all ages with no significant content concerns.

Frozen (2013)

• Rating: PG
• Reason: Disney’s animated musical became a cultural phenomenon with its memorable songs, strong female characters, and themes of love and self-acceptance. It’s great for exploring modern animation and its impact on popular culture.
• Parental Guidance: Contains some action sequences and thematic elements. Suitable for all ages with guidance on emotional scenes.

Pixar, Illumination, Dreamworks, and Sony

The Incredibles (2004)

• Rating: PG
• Reason: Pixar’s superhero family film combines action, humor, and heart, offering lessons in character development and narrative structure. It’s important for understanding the evolution of superhero films in animation.
• Parental Guidance: Contains some sequences of action and peril. Suitable for all ages with guidance on action scenes.

Finding Nemo (2003)

• Rating: G
• Reason: Pixar’s underwater adventure is celebrated for its stunning animation, engaging story, and themes of family and perseverance. It’s essential for exploring character design and the use of animation to create immersive worlds.
• Parental Guidance: Suitable for all ages with no significant content concerns.

Shrek (2001)

• Rating: PG
• Reason: DreamWorks’ fairy tale parody combines humor, heart, and a unique animation style. It’s significant for its role in shaping modern animated films and its impact on the genre.
• Parental Guidance: Contains some crude humor and mild language. Suitable for all ages with guidance on humor and language.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

• Rating: PG
• Reason: This animated film offers a fresh take on the superhero genre with its unique animation style, diverse characters, and compelling story. It’s important for discussions on diversity in animation and innovative storytelling.
• Parental Guidance: Contains some sequences of animated action and thematic elements. Suitable for young audiences with guidance on action and themes.

Studio Ghibli

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

• Rating: G
• Reason: Hayao Miyazaki’s film from Studio Ghibli is a beloved classic known for its enchanting story, beautiful animation, and gentle exploration of themes such as family and nature. It’s essential for understanding Japanese animation.
• Parental Guidance: Suitable for all ages with no significant content concerns.

Spirited Away (2001)

• Rating: PG
• Reason: Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning film is renowned for its imaginative story, stunning animation, and deep themes of identity and growth. It’s crucial for discussions on international animation and cultural storytelling.
• Parental Guidance: Contains some scenes that may be intense for younger viewers. Suitable for older children and teens with guidance on complex themes.

Grave of the Fireflies (1988)

• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Reason: Isao Takahata’s Studio Ghibli film is a poignant and haunting portrayal of the impact of war on two siblings. It’s essential for discussions on the use of animation to convey serious and emotional narratives.
• Parental Guidance: Contains intense and emotional themes related to war and loss. Suitable for mature audiences with guidance on historical context.

Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

• Rating: G
• Reason: Hayao Miyazaki’s charming film about a young witch finding her place in the world is beloved for its heartwarming story and beautiful animation. It’s essential for understanding coming-of-age themes in animation.
• Parental Guidance: Suitable for all ages with no significant content concerns.

Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

• Rating: PG
• Reason: Hayao Miyazaki’s visually stunning film combines fantasy, adventure, and romance, with themes of war and self-discovery. It’s important for exploring complex narratives and visual artistry in animation.
• Parental Guidance: Contains some scenes of peril and thematic elements. Suitable for all ages with guidance on intense scenes and complex themes.

International Animation

Persepolis (2007)

• Rating: PG-13
• Reason: Marjane Satrapi’s animated adaptation of her autobiographical graphic novel explores themes of identity, culture, and political upheaval in Iran. It’s significant for its unique animation style and cultural perspective.
• Parental Guidance: Contains mature themes and language. Suitable for older teens with guidance on cultural and political context.

The Secret of Kells (2009)

• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Reason: This Irish animated film combines folklore and history with a unique visual style inspired by illuminated manuscripts. It’s important for exploring non-traditional animation techniques and storytelling.
• Parental Guidance: Contains some scenes of peril and thematic elements. Suitable for all ages with guidance on historical and cultural context.

The Triplets of Belleville (2003)

• Rating: PG-13
• Reason: Sylvain Chomet’s French animated film is celebrated for its unique animation style, minimal dialogue, and quirky story. It’s significant for discussions on the use of visual storytelling in animation.
• Parental Guidance: Contains some suggestive content and thematic elements. Suitable for older children and teens with guidance on mature themes.

These animated films offer a diverse look at the evolution of animation from 1980 to 2020, showcasing a variety of techniques, storytelling styles, and cultural perspectives. They serve as critical tools for teaching high school students about the history and impact of animation in modern cinema.

To see other movie and book recommendations and a list of resources, read more here.