The idea that animated movies are solely for children has long since been eschewed, and kids and adults alike indulge in some animated cinema as much as live action pictures. Animation has given audiences everything from heartwarming tales of love, stories of courage, sweet narratives about being honorable and honest, and even a new take on historical events that have rocked the world in the past.
From the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, to the Islamic revolution in Iran, and the ancient Egyptian queen Cleopatra — there are brilliant animated movies about different eras all around the globe, and some are a must-watch for history buffs.
Persepolis (2007)
Highly acclaimed and based on the graphic novel of the same name, Persepolis traces the journey of a young Iranian girl, Marji, as she navigates her life during the tumultuous Islamic Revolution in Iran, which led to the overthrow of the Pahlavi Dynasty.
The perspective offered is that of a woman who could be punished for just wearing lipstick in those times, carrying on with life and paving her own path in troubled times. As the new regime imposes strict laws against alcohol, and women's modesty, Marji watches her loved ones get executed but finds solace in secret soirees where banned activities are enjoyed by the survivors.
Asterix And Cleopatra (1968)
A lighthearted take on the Egyptian civilization and their leader, Asterix and Cleopatra finds the titular character with his faithful sidekick Obelix in ancient Egypt, where the Queen of the Nile and Julius Caesar have made a bet, with Caesar wagering that she cannot build a castle for herself in three months.
Thus, Asterix sets out to help Cleopatra build her new summer home. With the help of a magic potion, Asterix comes to her rescue, but Julius Caesar and an angry architect won't get left behind, and they plot against Cleopatra and her minions to foil their plans.
Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero (2018)
This star-studded animation features the voices of Logan Lerman, Helena Bonham Carter, and Gérard Depardieu. Heartwarming and wholesome, it's based on the true story of s stray dog who wandered into a camo of soldiers, stayed and learnt their ways, becoming one of the most decorated dogs in the history of America.
Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero is set in the volatile battlefields of the First World War, so history lovers get a great glimpse into a slice of the past through a true, beautiful story.
The Wind Rises (2013)
The fictionalized biography of Jiro Horikoshi who designed a number of planes, including the Mitsubishi A5M fighter aircraft and its successor, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero which were used by Japan during the Second World War.
One of the highest grossing Japanese film, the Studio Ghibli movie doesn't pass the Bechdel test, but it does capture well Jiro's journey in making planes, his regret at their usage for something as destructive as war, and his romance with his ill wife Naoko.
American Pop (1981)
An animated movie that is neither Disney nor Studio Ghibli, American Pop is a unique animated movie which follows the generational gift of music of one 19th century Russian family, but also tells with it the history of American music.
Apart from covering the eras of pre-jazz, rhythm and blues, 1950s rock 'n' roll, drug-infused psychedelia, punk rock, finally ending with the onset of New Wave in the early 1980s, American Pop also depicts other historical events like the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1911, where Zalmie's mother died in the movie.
Barefoot Gen (1983)
The atomic bombing of Hiroshima by America remains one of the most devastating events in history, and cinema has covered it widely. Barefoot Gen also delves into the event, set towards the end of the second World War in Japan.
Gen's father is of the unpopular opinion that the war will carry on endlessly, which results in their family being ostracized by everyone in society, including tradespeople who provide food and clothing. As their supplies run dry, they also have to deal with the reality of the atomic bomb being dropped on the city.
America: The Motion Picture (2021)
A parody of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the American Revolution, America: The Motion Picture stars Channing Tatum, Olivia Munn, and Andy Samberg, amongst others.
The funny spin to George Washington and goofy mishmash of riffs on prominent historical figures is good for a lighthearted and slapstick take on history. Rains of tea, chain saws, and beer fights are scattered liberally through the film, so audiences shouldn't expect historical accuracy from the Netflix movie.
In This Corner of the World (2016)
For history buffs who want to see the beauty of pre-war Hiroshima and Kure which was lost to the atomic bombings, this movie is for you. Set between the 1930s and 40s, about ten years before the bombing, Suzu marries Shusaku and becomes a navy wife.
As the war makes life difficult, Suzu needs to keep up with food shortages due to rationing, air raids, and even a change in attire (kimonos) to keep them evacuation-friendly for women. This movie is highly acclaimed and one of the best animated movies of the 2010s.
Where Is Anne Frank (2021)
A new-age perspective on Anne Frank's iconic diary and her life, this 2021 movie features not Anna, but Kitty as the protagonist. Kitty was Anne's imaginary friend to whom she wrote her letters to.
Meant for a younger audience, Kitty from the diary comes to life and figures out what happened in the Holocaust, and also delved deep into other related matters of human rights and refugees in a heartwarming manner.
Giovanni's Island (2014)
The story of two siblings, Junpei and Kanta on the island of Shikotan starts just a few weeks before the end of the Second World War. Their island gets taken over by soldiers of the Soviet Union, thus leading to Russian occupation in their homes, schools, and spots of socializing.
At school, Junpei becomes friends with the Russian Tanya and other kids, while the adults try to sneak rations to keep surviving and to keep their families alive. The movie has time jumps and tragic deaths, but tells a touching historical story about World War II and one isolated island in it.