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Animated Cult Classics of the '80s (and Just Beyond)
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items A collection of bold, surreal, and iconic animated films that defined a generation. They may be cartoons, but most of these are definitely not for kids. Most of these movies are available to watch, for free, on platforms like Tubi, Pluto or even Yout...
Sections
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Fantasy & Swordplay
Sci-Fi & Cyberdreams
Dark & Unsettling
Fantasy & Swordplay
These hand-drawn animated classics are gritty epics and magic-fueled odysseys, where barbarians roam and sorcerers scheme.
Post-apocalyptic animation mixing magic, propaganda, and World War vibes. Psychedelic and prophetic.
Wizards (1977)
Ralph Bakshi’s rotoscoped adaptation that inspired later fantasy aesthetics, warts and all.
The Lord of the Rings (1978)
This animated fantasy film, from the creators of The Last Unicorn, is another tale of magic and science coexisting in a fragile balance. It's an underrated animated classic with deep lore and a cerebral take on fantasy tropes.
The Flight of Dragons (1982)
Haunting, beautiful, and melancholic; a high-fantasy gem with a standout soundtrack. Based off the book of the same name.
The Last Unicorn (1982)
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Frank Frazetta’s barbarian world brought to life in rotoscope glory by Ralph Bakshi. This story takes place after the destruction of the city of Fire Keep by the unspeakable Ice Lord. Voluptuous maidens, evil crones, barbarians and a hero to kill the...
Fire and Ice (1983)
One of Disney’s darkest animated films, featuring a zombie army and a terrifying villain. This grim story is rated PG.
The Black Cauldron (1985)
Sci-Fi & Cyberdreams
Futurism, space battles, and mind-bending stories. These films weren’t just ahead of their time, they still feel like tomorrow.
A metal-fueled anthology of violence, sex, and space opera. A cult institution. I was WAY too young when I watched this.
Heavy Metal (1981)
Post-punk glam meets dystopia. Features voice and music work from Debbie Harry (Blondie) and Lou Reed.
Rock And Rule (1983)
While technically early '90s, its dark, surrealist tone belongs spiritually to this list. Avante-garde and known for its sometimes unsettling art style, Hollywood has tried to adapt this to live-action and failed. Horribly.
Aeon Flux (1991-1995)
A sci-fi/fantasy hybrid can be described as Star Wars with more grit and wild animation.
Starchaser: The Legend of Orin (1985)
Dark & Unsettling
These aren't your Saturday morning cartoons. Expect psychological depth, moral ambiguity, and scenes that linger and haunt.
Allegorical and harrowing, this rabbit tale is more war film than fairy tale. I've never cried so hard to “Bright Eyes”.
Watership Down (1978)
An elderly British couple faces nuclear fallout. Gentle and devastating, mixing live action with animation.
Watch When the Wind Blows (1987)
Available to watch for free on Tubi, this 1954 animation based on the George Orwell book of the same name may not be a cult classic, but it's certainly a dark and unsettling one.
Animal Farm (1954)
Available to watch for free on Tubi, this animation is from the makers of Watership Down, and manages to be even bleaker. Introspective and painful, this one follows two dogs who escape from an animal testing lab. Based off the book of the same name.
The Plague Dogs (1982)