12 Great Animated Movies Like Strange World You Should Watch

The realm of animated feature films has been dominated for decades by names like Disney, Pixar, DreamWorks, and Illumination. It can be tough for an outsider studio to break into that loaded stratosphere, but when the talent and artistic vision is there, it's possible. Irish studio Cartoon Saloon has built a name for itself in recent years as a fierce contender to the big names of the genre, and 2020's "Wolfwalkers" may be their best film to date.

Set in Ireland in the middle of the 17th century, "Wolfwalkers" follows the daughter of a man tasked with hunting and killing wolves around the town of Kilkenny. A journey into the forests surrounding the town reveals some magical surprises, however, setting our young heroine on a journey of discovery that's as emotionally mature as it is visually captivating. Led by spectacular vocal performances from Sean Bean and Honor Kneafsey, it's a film that's truly transportive. Cartoon Saloon embraces both Irish history and folklore to bring the story to life, and the result is a fantasy tale that feels both grounded and ethereal at the same time.

The film's unique animation style should be enough to warrant a watch on its own — a far cry from the CGI sameness that's dominated most recent big-budget animated features. However, there's a lot more to see here than just pretty pictures. "Wolfwalkers" is effective because it treats its characters and story with real respect, and a healthy helping of true movie magic.