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Movies are mostly enjoyed with real-life actors in live-action productions, but animation has become a leading medium in film and television, with projects such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Invincible becoming mainstream media. However, among animations exists a sub-genre or medium called claymation and stop-motion, which painstakingly creates a film using clay or miniature figures one movement at a time.
These films have always had their charm, but they are getting more recognition after the release of Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. That is why this list will rank the 10 best claymation/stop-motion films based on writing, critical acclaim, fan opinion, animation, figures, popularity, and how iconic they are. (Even though the list technically says ‘claymation,’ it will include both claymation and stop-motion pictures.)
10
‘Isle of Dogs’ (2018)
Wes Anderson is an iconic director with a distinct style that imbues every film of his with a certain charm that fans can’t help but adore. However, he also has a couple of renowned stop-motion films, including Isle of Dogs. When dogs bring a disease into the human world, they are all sent to a remote trash island, where one young boy travels to in hopes of finding his pet and, in turn, finds a cure.
Whether fans like its unique sense of style, its gorgeous animation, or its funny and engaging plot, Isle of Dogs is a fantastic movie that utilizes the best of stop-motion. With remarkable worldbuilding and set design, fans feel like they are in this strange trash island that has molded these eccentric and endearing characters, which drive the plot forward.
9
‘Chicken Run’ (2000)
Aardman is by far the most renowned studio for delivering claymation projects, and one of their best projects is the classic film Chicken Run. A group of chickens lives a doomed life inside a chicken coop, waiting to be turned into chicken pie. But when a brave American rooster shows up, they are inspired to take action and break out of this nightmarish location.
Fans can be sure that any Aardman project will be a good one, but Chicken Run is one of their best, featuring a classic story and timeless animation that has made it a staple of the genre. It is fun, hilarious, captivating, wholesome, and iconic, delivering a standout film that has become one of the best prison break movies ever. The sequel follows up with great success, but it doesn’t match the brilliance of the first one.
8
‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio’ (2022)
Classic stories can be told over and over again with new iterations and still seem fresh, and Guillermo del Toro is a master of this, as fans can’t wait for his version of Frankenstein. However, he also dipped his toes into claymation, creating Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. It follows the classic tale with its original dark tone, as Pinocchio (Gregory Mann) and his father seek a safe haven in fascist Italy.
While most renditions of this film opt for a more family-friendly approach, Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio doesn’t hold back, featuring everything dark from the original to create a depressing movie. The political story is a significant focus and addresses the heavy topics of the original, but the film’s visually stunning set pieces and clay creations are by far the standout elements, creating a stellar masterpiece that is beautiful to look at.
7
‘Corpse Bride’ (2005)
Claymation and stop-motion are ingrained in Halloween and spooky plots thanks to Tim Burton, and one of the best that features these aspects is Corpse Bride. While practicing his vows in a cemetery, Victor (Johnny Depp) accidentally ends up in the land of the dead and commits to a dead bride (Helena Bonham Carter). He must now escape the land of the dead before his other wife marries an evil man.
Fans have become obsessed with Burton’s style of films, as his claymation and stop-motion pictures are a staple of his career and the genre. Corpse Bride is spooky, dark, funny, silly, and completely engrossing, telling an incredible story with expressive animations and gorgeous figures. As Corpse Bride celebrates its 20th anniversary, now is the perfect time to rewatch this enchanting masterpiece.
6
‘Mad God’ (2022)
Most of the films on this list are well-known, but Mad God is perhaps the least popular of the bunch, and it proves to be one of the best and most original. A mysterious figure known only as the Assassin wears a trench coat and a gas mask, delving into a dark and decrepit pit full of monsters, unimaginable horrors, and cruel fates.
Mad God took around 30 years to make, proving the unmatched dedication of Phil Tippett and his crew to deliver a long-awaited masterpiece. Utilizing a mix of animation techniques, this film stands out from other stop-motion projects, presenting a visual feast through live-action sequences, magnificent sets, remarkable characters, and intricate animation, with materials such as slime and mulch to create its bleak atmosphere.
5
‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ (2016)
Kubo and the Two Strings follows the titular protagonist as he goes on a journey with his companions, Monkey (Charlize Theron) and Beetle (Matthew McConaughey), after accidentally summoning a past spirit. He must battle gods and monsters in order to save his captured family while uncovering a hidden legacy that involves him, his destiny, and his family history.
Like most of the films on this list, Kubo and the Two Strings is a gorgeous piece of fiction, but it stands out among even the greatest, arguably being the most visually appealing stop-motion film. The cinematography, figures, sets, and filming process are outstanding, creating a cinematic experience through these figures. Kubo and the Two Strings is also emotional, vibrant, and charming, resulting in an unforgettable stop-motion movie.
4
‘Coraline’ (2009)
Now that this list has made the top four, each entry will be a critically acclaimed masterpiece that fans know very well, starting off with the iconic Coraline. Moving into a new, spooky home, the eponymous protagonist discovers a peculiar portal that leads her into a parallel dimension that closely resembles her own. However, when her alternate family tries to keep her there, she must find a way to escape.
Not enough praise can be sung about Coraline, which is a cult classic and one of the most popular claymation films. Its haunting atmosphere traumatized and captivated children at the same time, drawing them into this creepy world with plenty of detail and theories to be explored. This engrossing film pushed the bounds of claymation and hooked a generation of fans in the meantime.
3
‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ (1993)
Following one Henry Selick masterpiece is another Henry Selick masterpiece, this time with The Nightmare Before Christmas. Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon) is growing tired of his annual Halloween shtick, but once he discovers a doorway to other holidays, he decides he should be the one spreading Christmas cheer around the world, only to realize it isn’t so simple.
As a claymation movie, musical, Christmas movie, and Halloween movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas excels in almost every category, becoming a staple of each genre, which is what made it one of the most impressive and essential claymation projects. It popularized the genre and established the connection between claymation and Halloween, creating one of the best dark animated films of all time.
2
‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’ (2009)
Wes Anderson earns another entry on this list with arguably his best film, Fantastic Mr. Fox. After living in luxury for 12 years, Mr. Fox (George Clooney) gives in to his animal instincts, causing danger for his family after the farmers force him out and into the underground. Now, he must use his natural craftiness to survive the harsh new landscape and quell his animalistic urges.
Anderson’s diaroma-esque shots perfectly translate to stop-motion, and his quaint style is felt through the subtle cinematography and miniature figures. The result is a fantastic movie nominated for multiple Academy Awards, proving that stop-motion can be critically acclaimed and award-winning. Fantastic Mr. Fox is a charming expression of stop-motion that propels the genre forward.
1
‘Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit’ (2005)
As previously mentioned, Aardman is a legendary studio whose next work will be a Pokémon claymation film. While that has potential, their best project is easily Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. With the harvest festival soon approaching, the duo creates an invention to stop those pesky rabbits from eating everyone’s prized vegetables. However, a more sinister creature emerges that may ruin everything.
Claymation can deliver profound stories with significant meaning, but the genre is also ingrained in family fun, featuring funny characters, wholesome moments, and endearing animation. That is precisely what The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is. This film is a definitive claymation experience, perfect for any age due to its timeless animation and classic plot, making it the best Wallace & Gromit project ever.
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