If you are a fan of colorful stories, you should definitely take a look at this list of animated short movies. Bright and inspiring, they will put a smile on your face and cheer you up, while some of them may even make you think about eternal values.
Minuscule
- Rating IMDB – 8.3
- Genre: Animation, comedy
- Production: France / 2006
- Directed by: Thomas Szabo, Helen Giraud, Thomas Monti
- Cast: Jean Giraud, Russell Sam, Eric Cruz, Woody Maxid
The world of insects presented in this series is very similar to ours. Each character has a unique personality, be it a hardworking bee, a restless ladybug, an aristocratic butterfly, a phlegmatic spider, or any of other insects. They communicate like people, help each other, quarrel, and get into all sorts of trouble.
Their relationships are quite complicated partly because they are living in a world where gangs of criminal-minded red ants scurry about, and villainous wasps flying at the speed of sound can appear in the air at any moment.
Partly Cloudy
- Rating IMDB – 8.1
- Genre: Animation, short film, fantasy, comedy, family
- US production / 2009
- Directed by: Peter Sohn
- Starring: Toni Fucile, Laurie Richardson
This is one of the funniest animated shorts from Pixar. It tells the story of the relationship between the stork Peck and a wayward cloud named Gus. It turns out that clouds create children in the sky, and not only human babies, but also cubs of various animals. Meanwhile, the storks’ job is to deliver newborns to their parents on Earth. Each stork has its own cloud, and Peck was very unlucky to team up with very peculiar Gus.
This animated short was shown in cinema theatres before the feature film Up.
The Short Story of a Fox and a Mouse
- IMDB rating – 6.3
- Genre: Animation, short film
- Production: France / 2015
- Directed by: Camille Che, Hugo Jean, Juliette Jourdan
Within the amazing world, created by the animators of the French ESMA school, even the most incredible story can take place. It would seem that the fox and the mouse should be eternal enemies. At the beginning of the movie, a red-furred hunter, indeed, pursues his eared prey. But then something unexpected happens. What can unite creatures that have always seen each other as foes? Is it even possible for a fox and a mouse to be friends?
The visual effects of this movie are done exceptionally beautiful, and characters’ movements and emotions are truly mesmerizing.
Czarny Punkt
- Genre: Animation, short film
- Production: Poland / 2011
- Directed by: Zbigniew Lenard
This is a Polish-made animated short directed by Zbigniew Lenard. It managed to condense the whole range of emotions that ordinary earthworms are capable of in just a minute and a half. They, as it turned out, are not so primitive creatures.
One day, three charming pink worms stop chewing, rise above the ground and see a huge world, or rather, a highway with cars speeding by. Soon a fourth worm joins them. Unfortunately, it chose a wrong time to show up.
Feast
- Rating IMDB – 8.2
- Genre: Animation, short film, drama, melodrama, comedy, family
- US production / 2014
- Director: Patrick Osborne
- Cast: Katie Lowes, Tommy Snyder, Stephen Apostolina, Kirk Bailey, Ben Bledsoe, David Cowgill, Terry Douglas, Fuscia, Jackie Gonno, Brandon Scott
This is the story about a cute dog made by Disney and rightfully sitting at the top of the best animated shorts. A homeless puppy spends his life in a constant starving until it is adopted by a kind man whose house is choke-full of food.
But even delicious food in all its variety cannot replace the warmth of a real feeling. The dog understands this very well. But can people understand it? Sooner or later, they will, especially since the puppy is ready to help them and push them to the most important step in their lives.
In 2015, Feast received the Oscar as the Best Animated Short Film.
Dustin
- IMDB rating – 6.8
- Genre: Animation, short film
- Production: Germany / 2015
- Directed by: Christina Yager
This is a short animated movie an adorable pug and his fellow adventure-seeking vacuum cleaner named Dustin. Of course, such different creatures have to spend a lot of time together to begin understand each other.
The appearance of a strange machine in the house took a curious pug by surprise. At first, the cleaning robot behaves like an ordinary machine, which confuses the dog. The vacuum cleaner consistently and inexorably sweeps off the floor all the goodies that the pug has its eye on. Does this robot have any real feelings?
The Old Man and the Sea
- Rating IMDB – 8.0
- Genre: Animation, short film, drama, adventure
- Production: Russia, Canada, Japan / 1999
- Director: Alexander Petrov
- Cast: Gordon Pinsent, Kevin Duhany, Yoji Matsuda, Rentaro Mikuni
The Old Man and the Sea is based on the novel by Ernest Hemingway and tells the story of friendship between an elderly fisherman and a village boy. A strong fisherman, being used to coping with difficulties and hard work, is unable to withstand the harsh course of time.
He feels his strength being slowly taken away by the impending old age. He considers the absence of a catch as evidence – there was no fish in his net for several weeks. The old man decides to go as far into the sea as possible and not return until he has a good catch. Will the luck finally be on his side?
This animated short has won several awards, including an Oscar in 2000.
Presto
Rating IMDB – 8.3
Genre: Animation, short film, fantasy, comedy, family
US production / 2008
Directed by: Doug Sweetland
Starring: Doug Sweetland
The plot of Presto revolves around a funny game of cat and mouse, where Alec the rabbit plays the role of a cat, and his owner, the magician Presto, is forced to become a mouse. It all begins quite ordinary: the magician prepares for the act with the surprising appearance of a rabbit from a top hat. The problem is that Presto has already had dinner while the rabbit is still hungry.
Alec’s revenge will be terrible, and by the end of the movie, the magician will be thoroughly battered. But such cute characters surely deserve a happy ending.
In 2008, this animated short was shown in cinemas before the feature film WALL-E.
Johnny Express
- Rating IMDB – 7.7
- Genre: Animation, short film, comedy, fantasy
- Production: South Korea / 2014
- Director: Woo Kyung-min
This is a South Korean humorous short film about a courier named Johnny and all the intergalactic troubles he gets involved in. His job is simple – to deliver parcels and letters to different planets around the vast galaxy. Johnny is extremely lazy and almost always trying to take a nap.
Johnny arrives on one of the planets in his list only to find out it to be quite unpredictable, despite its small size. The nap-loving courier quickly gets into trouble.
Day & Night
- Rating IMDB – 8.0
- Genre: Animation, short film, fantasy, comedy, family
- US production / 2010
- Directed by: Teddy Newton
- Starring: Munir Lati, Wayne Dyer
This short movie really stands out of the rest thanks to its unique concept and brilliant execution. The story follows two characters, Day and Night. Both are hand drawn and animated in 2D, while there are immense 3D-worlds inside each of them.
The simultaneous existence of day and night in a limited area is impossible in the real world. But in this animated movie, the laws of physics suddenly disappear giving Day and Night the opportunity to get to know each other and experience amazing moments together.
Lifted
- Rating IMDB – 7.8
- Genre: Animation, short film, science fiction, comedy, family
- US production / 2006
- Director: Gary Rydstrom
- Starring: Sheb Wooley
This animated short from Pixar will surely find its way into the hearts to every student of our galaxy. The plot of Lifted revolves around difficulties of education shown in a familiar way.
Perhaps, every student once had impenetrable humanoid mentor, like the one in Lifted. The protagonist of this story is a young alien with a difficult task – he has to pass the kidnapping test. It’s a tricky job, given the myriad of levers on the remote about the size of a football field. Fortunately, the soon to be kidnapped farmer is a heavy sleeper.
The short film was Gary Rydstrom’s directorial debut and became an Oscar nomination project.
Oktapodi
Rating IMDB – 7.2
Genre: Animation, short film, comedy
Production: France / 2007
Directed by: Julien Bocabeye, Francois-Xavier Chaniou, Olivier Delabarre
If love is real, nothing can separate two beings. Even if creatures in question are two small octopuses. They swam in the sea, enjoying the warm water and each other’s company, when suddenly the restaurant chef dared to separate them.
But it all didn’t pan out as chef planned. Octopuses are ready to demolish everything in their way to be together again.
Oktapodi immediately grabs our attention with its dynamics, bright colors, pleasant music and the emotionality of the main characters.
Lucas the Spider
- IMDB rating – 8.4
- Genre: Animation, short film, family
- US production / 2017
- Directed by: Merli-Anne Ridley, Denise Oliver, Paul H. Brown
- Cast: Simon Webster, Antonina Buttrick, Evie Luizell, Kaya Oz, Christian Campbell, Ethan McIver-Wright, Mackenzie Cornelius, Nia Lz, Dorothy Galanelli
This is a series of very short movies following some scenes from the life of a baby spider. It is a cute furry ball that childishly looks at the world with two pairs of eyes. It communicates with the outside world just as naively as one could think.
The spider is voiced by the animator’s nephew named Lucas. The main character got its name after this boy.
The series started with a short film made by animator Joshua Slice who posted it on social networks and other online-platforms. The cute spider immediately became a massive hit, and the video gained a lot of views.
Lucas the Spider fans are convinced that this series can help one get rid of arachnophobia.
The Little Matchgirl
- Rating IMDB – 7.8
- Genre: Animation, short film, fantasy, drama, family
- US production / 2006
- Directed by: Roger Allers
This animated movie is based on the tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen. The short but touching story follows a little homeless girl unsuccessfully trying to sell matches to passers-by. The big city is shrouded in snow, as the New Year approaches. Passers-by hurry about their business, wrapping themselves in fur coats and coats. Some of them are already preparing for the upcoming holiday, buying gifts.
A family with children came out of the toy store, holding gift boxes and smiling to each other. The little girl has none of it except memories of her beloved grandmother and a box of matches that no one wants to buy.
Piper
- Rating IMDB – 8.3
- Genre: Animation, short film, family
- US production / 2016
- Directed by: Alan Barillaro
- Starring: Quoc Hai
Have you ever wondered how sandpipers living near the seashore hunt for food? They look for it in the sand. The secret is that delicious shells can be found in the sand as the wave leaves the shore. When the wave comes back, the birds run away from it together. And this process goes on and on until they are no longer hungry.
A baby sandpiper was born recently, and for some time she has no trouble getting food as she is being fed by her mother. But one day, her mother takes her from a cozy nest to the shore so she can learn how to hunt for food herself. The kid has to overcome her fears and be smart in order to catch something delicious.
For the Birds
- Rating IMDB – 8.0
- Genre: Animation, short film, comedy, family
- US production / 2000
- Directed by: Ralph Eggleston
- Starring: Ralph Eggleston
It is a bright animated short from Pixar about birds sitting on a wire. They are small, mischievous and quarrelsome, but funny at the same time. One day, their routine gatherings are interrupted by the unexpected appearance of a large bird. It flies in seemingly out of nowhere, moves awkwardly, and looks naive and enthusiastic.
The bird is friendly, and it cannot wait to get acquainted with a flock of grumpy folk. The little birds clearly do appreciate a new neighbor. Funny facial expressions and behavior of the characters clearly inspired by some human features are done truly well in this animated movie.
The ChubbChubbs!
Rating IMDB – 7.3
Genre: Animation, short film, science fiction, fantasy, comedy, family
US production / 2002
Director: Eric Armstrong
Cast: Brad Simonsen, Mortonette Jenkins, Jeff Wolverton, Peter Lee, Rick Zeff, Dustin Adair, Eric Armstrong, Jacob Bautler, Mary Biondo, Samit Das
The events of this movie take place on a distant planet, in some sketchy bar full of alien creatures of all shapes and sizes. But the main character is a mere janitor practically invisible for others. Daydreaming, he gets into serious trouble and ends up outside the bar and out of the job even without severance pay.
It seems that he has the natural talent for finding troubles. However, his peace-loving and positive attitude help him not only stay intact, but also rise to fame.
The Monk and the Monkey
- Rating IMDB – 6.4
- Genre: Animation, short film
- US production / 2010
- Directed by: Brendan Carroll, Shant Ergenyan, Francesco Giroldini
Young Ragu dreams of becoming a monk. He just needs to pass the test to make his dream come true. The mentor sends the boy on a journey to the North Mountain, where Ragu is tasked to collect the sacred fruits from the ancient tree growing there.
The boy starts collecting the fruits, but a little monkey intervenes creating unexpected problems for young Ragu. This is a well-crafted story about finding a right solution for dilemmas in one’s life and discovering a value in every challenge.
The Lost Thing
- Rating IMDB – 7.3
- Genre: Animation, short film, science fiction, fantasy, drama
- Production: Australia, UK / 2010
- Budget: A$ 500,000
- Directed by: Andrew Ruemann, Sean Tan
- Starring: Tim Minchin
The story takes place in the post-apocalyptic Australia. A boy named Sean spends his days looking for bottle caps for his collection. One day he finds himself on the beach, where he discovers a strange creature. It is a combination of a huge tank and a live crab or octopus. The creature does not show aggression, on the contrary, the boy manages to make friends with him. Sean becomes curious about what it is and where it came from.
In 2011, The Lost Thing got an Oscar and received five more awards at international film festivals.
Paperman
- Rating IMDB – 8.2
- Genre: Animation, short film, melodrama, comedy, family
- US production / 2012
- Directed by: John Kars
- Cast: John Carse, Kari Wahlgren, Jack Goldenberg, Jeff Turley
Director John Kahrs described this story as an “urban fairytale”. Kahrs got the idea for the movie on his way to work when he caught himself thinking: “It would be great if the chance meetings of two people meant to be together grew into something bigger. After all, so often people just meet eyes and go on about their business”. The director decided that a little magic and a couple of dozen paper planes would help two strangers to find each other.
Extinguished
- Rating IMDB – 6.5
- Genre: Animation, short film, melodrama
- US production / 2017
- Directed by: Ashley Anderson, Jacob Mann
It is a light and positive love story. Even if the fire in the heart has gone out, you should not give up on yourself. Embers can flare up again, as happened with the character of this film. Extinguished is filled with kind and comical episodes that can surely bring a smile to anyone’s face. The flame of love is so real that it really burns the main hero more than once.
However, he manages to make the fire energy work for him. The power of love will help him overcome any distances and obstacles. Meeting a charming blue-haired neighbor is definitely worth it.
Lava
- Rating IMDB – 7.2
- Genre: Animation, short film, musical, fantasy, melodrama, family, music
- US production / 2014
- Directed by: James Ford Murphy
- Cast: Napua Makua, Cuana Torres Kahele
Volcanoes are not only beautiful, like living creatures, they are also capable of falling in love. A volcano named Uku watches the creatures in love and craves mutual feelings. But years and decades pass, and his soulmate is still not there. The volcano has almost cooled down and sings a song of love for the last time.
Uku does not even suspect that the near underwater volcano named Lele hears his singing. Of course, true love will overcome all obstacles, and the impossible will become possible.
Director James Murphy conceived the idea of creating a musical short about unusual volcanic feelings while on his honeymoon in the Hawaiian Islands.
Patisserie
- Genre: Animation, short film
- Production: Poland / 2018
- Directed by: Edward Kurchevsky
It is a Polish short film about the power of an ordinary smile. Everyone loves sweets, and the seller of the candy store is very lucky to see smiling customers every day. His happiness become so immense that he literally grows a little bit bigger every time he sees a content client.
But not everyone is ready to give him a smile, even in exchange for sweets. One day, a grumpy guy appears in the shop, and happiness disappears from there entirely. It seems, there is only one thing to be done now – to make this grumpy guy feel the power of a smile.
La Luna
Rating IMDB – 7.9
Genre: Animation, short film, fantasy, drama, family
US production / 2011
Directed by: Enrico Casarosa
Starring: Tony Fucile, Phil Sheridan
It is a surreal short movie about a little boy who goes on a midnight boat trip with his father and grandfather. It all starts ordinary – the family gets into a boat called La Luna. An ordinary wooden boat, an ordinary sea around, ordinary family squabbles between father and grandfather.
The boy quietly observing everything around him, but he is a little worried about the nature of this trip. What will they do? If fishing, then why did father pack a long ladder?
Inner Workings
- Rating IMDB – 7.7
- Genre: Animation, short, fantasy, comedy, adventure, family
- US production / 2016
- Directed by: Leonardo Matsuda
- Cast: Tucker Gilmour, Raymond S. Percy
It is a funny story reminiscent of the famous Inside Out movie. The plot of Inner Workings centers around the struggle between the rational and the sensual in man. It follows an office clerk who has everything scheduled to the minute. The brain is a strict boss in his body controlling the function of all organs, as it should be, according to the laws of biology.
The brain restlessly monitors danger signals and gives appropriate instructions to the body. But one day, a failure occurs in this perfect system. Will the organs find a way to agree with each other? And what’s going to happen to the poor clerk?
The Controller
- IMDB rating – 5.8
- Genre: Animation, short film, action, comedy, adventure
- US production / 2016
- Directed by: Kang Ho, Yang Ye, Bob Yong
- Cast: Jim McCampbell, Joey Thompson
It is an illuminative story with a clear message: the computer games are not always bad, and they are even better if parents play them with their children. However, the mother from this movie has not reached that conclusion yet. She is only concerned about whether her little son has sorted a mess in his room. She hastily enters the living room, armed with a mop and cleaning product.
Soon she will find out that there are more important things in life than the dust on the controller left by her son in front of the screen. Fortunately, the boy did not leave the room for long, otherwise it would be terrible to imagine the fate of his mother.
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore
- Rating IMDB – 7.9
- Genre: Animation, short, drama, adventure, family
- US production / 2011
- Directed by: William Joyce, Brandon Oldenburg
The main characters of this animated movie are books that somehow became alive. Morris Lessmore, who is soon going to be their guardian, now sits on his balcony among piles of books. Being a writer, Morris is busy with important work writing something thoughtfully in his notebook.
And then a hurricane hits, blowing away TV-sets, furniture and even Morris himself. But most importantly, it lows off all the letters from his notebook. This is what upsets a young man the most when the wind dies down. But then something truly magical occurs.
The cartoon has received numerous awards, including an Oscar in 2012.
Spellbound
- IMDB rating – 6.1
- Genre: Animation, short film, fantasy
- US production / 2016
- Directed by: Ying Wu, Lizzia Xu
The two sisters don’t look alike at all. One is cheerful, having everything in her life as she plans, while the shelves in her room are full of awards and medals. Her name is Sunny and she’s used to being first in everything.
But the younger sister is not happy at all, because she is one of those kids who are called losers. Instead of awards, there are boring rows of books on the shelves, and a desk drawer full of consolation prizes. The girl seems to hate her sister. Who knew that her anger would take on a real and very scary form?
Last Shot
- IMDB rating – 6.4
- Genre: Animation, short film, family
- US production / 2016
- Directed by: Emilia Widodo
This is a story about a girl who loves to take photos and never parts with her camera. She is having fun, the sun is shining, and the pictures made today should turn out to be extremely successful. But one wrong move and the camera falls to the ground. The lens cracks, the springs fall out of the camera.
The girl understands that it would never be repaired. With tears in her eyes, she approaches the trash can to say goodbye to her friend. But she underestimates the power of friendship when even the most extraordinary miracle becomes possible.
Knitcromancer
- IMDB rating – 6.6
- Genre: Animation, short film
- US production / 2019
- Directed by: Allison Rossi, Becky Seamans, Ida Zhu
The story of this animated short follows a grandmother who loves her teenage grandson so much that she unconditionally forgives him for indifference. She also loves to knit. But she had no idea that the woolen kitten she knitted earlier would suddenly come to life and bring hundreds of the same kittens with it.
Meanwhile, her grandson lies on the couch and plays games on his phone, not paying attention to his grandmother. She brought him cookies, but he did not even look at her and, of course, did not notice how upset she looked. But the knitted kitten definitely noticed this.
