Haven’t gotten your fill of dark academia yet? Well, here are a few animated movies that can send you directly into the aesthetic.
Dark academia is an aesthetic that focuses on the shadowy, moodier side of the pursuit of knowledge.
The aesthetic often carries a solemn tone, with themes of self-discovery, as well as a general wistfulness for the past and a subtle indifference to the present. There is often a grim or gothic edge to dark academia pieces, but, as the name would suggest, schooling is involved or higher education/learning in general – the work resides somewhere in the realm of academia. Classic literature is often involved, or referenced, but art, philosophy, architecture, or poetry are common to include as well.
Wendell & Wild
Think Key and Peele – but make it animated.
Synopsis
Five years after her parent’s accidental death, Kat arrives back in her hometown of Rust Bank and is enrolled in a Catholic school through a program meant to help juvenile delinquents. She’s angry at the world, at herself, and also just happens to be a Hell Maiden? When two demons figure out who Kat is, they trick her into a deal that’ll help them escape the Underworld so long as they can bring her parents back to life.
Dark Academia Ranking – 4/5
Visually, Wendell & Wild fits the dark academia aesthetic well. Kat’s longing for the past and the movie’s themes of self-discovery are also very in line with the aesthetic. However, although schooling is involved, it’s there more to provide a setting, and classic works aren’t mentioned often.
Frankenweenie
Some of the most creepy animated transformations ever.
Synopsis
When Victor Frankenstein’s beloved dog Sparky dies, he finds a way to bring his best friend back to life. Unfortunately, this knowledge spreads and after his classmates try and reanimate their dead animals, they become monsters who threaten the town.
Dark Academia Ranking – 5/5
Reference to classic literature? Check. Schooling or learning involved? Yep. A solemn tone with a character who can’t stop looking at the past? Nailed it (literally). Gothic/dark visuals? It was made by Tim Burton, so… duh.
Belle
SEVERELY underrated.
Synopsis
After the tragic death of her mother, high schooler Suzu feels lost and like she can’t connect with the world anymore. But, after her friend tells her to try out the virtual world of ‘U,’ Suzu realizes that, through her virtual avatar named Bell (later named Belle), she can finally sing again. Belle becomes a worldwide sensation, but after her concert is crashed by a mysterious avatar called the Beast, she goes on a journey to learn more about him, running into more dire circumstances than she would have ever imagined.
Dark Academia Ranking – 4/5
Belle is an interesting case for dark academia because the visuals don’t often feel gothic or somber (outside of the Beast’s castle), but the story itself fits in very well with the aesthetic. The movie is all about learning how to find your voice again, and helping others do the same. A classic work is referred to (Le Belle et la Bete), and music and art are shown and heard constantly. Additionally, the main character is a student who has to use what she’s learned to help a friend in danger. The story is also VERY dark at times, but since the visuals aren’t – it gets four out of five.
The Addams Family
Snap. Snap.
Synopsis
The Addams family are preparing for their relatives to visit their mansion, but their mansion stands in the way of a local woman’s dream to sell the ‘perfect’ neighborhood.
Dark Academia Ranking – 2.5/5
If dark academia is mentioned, then the Addams Family needs to be involved. Truly, the aesthetic fits the Wednesday TV show much more than the animated movie, but either way, the work is included. The Addams family loves knowledge and learning (in their own way), and definitely focus on the more shadowy aspects of life – which is reflected in the visuals around them. However, the story itself, as well as the visuals and tone for the rest of the town and people, don’t fit the aesthetic as well. It’s also just not a very good movie.
Empire of Corpses
Prepare to be horrified.
Synopsis
In the 18th century, Victor Frankenstein figured out how to reanimate corpses. Now, in the 19th century, reanimated corpses are the main source of labor in Britain. Medical student John Watson is searching for ways to illegally bring back his friend, but wants to reanimate his friend’s soul as well as their body. This leads him on a journey to find the lost secrets of Victor Frankenstein. However, this journey uncovers more than he bargained for once he meets the mysterious creature called ‘The One.’
Dark Academia Ranking – 5/5
It has everything (themes, visuals, tone, plot lines, references, etc), and frankly, it’s maybe too much. It even features the clothes that fans of the dark academia aesthetic like to dress in.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio
Yet another Pinocchio that you want to strangle.
Synopsis
This retelling of Pinocchio takes a darker turn as fascism takes hold of Italy and Pinocchio dies multiple times, confronting death herself and having to come to terms with what it really means to live, and to love.
Dark Academia Ranking – 2/5
This is an interesting choice because ‘academia’ is a clear requirement of the aesthetic. Pinocchio is supposed to go to school and be a student, but he gets sidetracked. However, he is later taken to a military training camp, and he certainly does learn a few things there, so overall this movie does count, but its ranking is low. Otherwise, the visuals, tone, and themes are all there.
Mary and Max
*continues crying*
Synopsis
Mary is a lonely, bullied Australian student who decides to write to a random stranger in a phone book in a desperate search to find a friend. Her letter goes to Max, an autistic middle-aged man from New York who has social anxiety. The two become pen pals and over the years, their lives go through major highs and lows. Throughout it all, the two have no idea how much they both rely on their letters.
Dark Academia Ranking – 3.5/5
This movie… is a lot. The dark (gloomy at times) visuals and tone fall in line with the more hard-core side of the dark academia aesthetic. Additionally, both characters learn a lot about the world and themselves, hitting the themes of the aesthetic, and Mary IS a student. Philosophy is also discussed, although pursuit of academics and references to literary works aren’t included as much.
Paranorman
Why is this sad zombie movie so damn enjoyable?
Synopsis
Norman is the school weirdo. Why? He can talk to ghosts, and won’t lie about it. The town doesn’t appreciate Norman and his gifts, but they soon change their tune after an old witch’s curse causes zombies to rise and terrorize the town.
Dark Academia Ranking – 3/5
Norman is pretty settled in who he is and doesn’t have as much to discover about himself, but the people around him do go through that journey after they are forced to rely on Norman and his gifts. So thematically, meh, it works well enough. But it’s mainly the visuals and tone of this movie that have earned it a spot on this list.
A Silent Voice
Apologies matter.
Synopsis
Suicidal teen Shoya decides that he needs to right his wrongs before ending his life. This includes apologizing to Shoko, a deaf former classmate who he used to bully until she was forced to leave the school. When he meets Shoko again after years apart, he and Shoko are both forced to confront their pasts and come to a better understanding of how what happened in their youth has continued to affect them. Misunderstandings and misfortune run rampant, but their sincerity keeps them from falling apart.
Dark Academia Ranking – 3/5
Similarly to Belle, this movie qualifies more for the plot line, somber tone and themes, but takes a hit from the bright visuals and cherry blossoms. Additionally, the story revolves around students and takes place in school, but the story focuses more on learning about humanity rather than ‘academia’ itself, and doesn’t include some of the stronger dark academia focuses like classic literature, art, and more.
Persepolis
This really happened.
Synopsis
This autobiographical film follows Marjane Satrapi and her journey from the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the Iran-Iraq War, being sent away for schooling in Europe, back to Iran where she tries to come to terms with her past and present self, and then back to Europe where she feels surrounded by memories.
Dark Academia Ranking – 3/5
It’s hard to take a true story like this and winnow it down to a mere aesthetic, but hey, that’s what we’re here for. A solemn tone and visuals, themes revolving around identity, looking at the past with longing nostalgia and at the present with little joy – that’s all here. The academia part is more of the problem, as yes, she’s a student in some parts of the story, but the plot revolves more around learning about herself rather than the pursuit of knowledge itself.
Honorable Mentions
These animated movies were close contenders, but have qualities that kept them out of the final lineup.
The Iron Giant
When an alien robot crashes into the forest of his small American town, young Hogarth befriends him and tries to keep him safe from people that would find him to be a threat. Unfortunately, the robot does have a hidden (even to himself) militaristic side and a few accidents lead them to a conflict with the army.
Why Is This An Honorable Mention?
Visually this movie fits within the aesthetic comfortably, but even though Hogarth IS a student, the piece doesn’t really sit within the realm of academia. The themes and tones also don’t quite fit the aesthetic as well as they should (although the picture above will try and convince you otherwise).
Barefoot Gen
World War II has had a huge impact on the Japanese people, and Gen Nakaoka is no different. Although Hiroshima has been mainly saved from the air raids, malnutrition and fear is still rampant. However, during a seemingly normal school day, the atomic bomb is dropped, and although Gen survives, few others do. And truly, what comes next is an even harder trial for Gen to live through.
Why Is This An Honorable Mention?
The bright and rounded visuals of this movie don’t quite match the dark academia aesthetic. Not even when the bomb drops. It’s important to keep in mind that ‘dark academia visuals’ refers to a darker color palette being used, or perhaps the sharp, moody way people are drawn, or even the clothes they wear. It DOESN’T mean gore and horror (although it can include that), just because it’s a ‘dark’ aesthetic. Additionally, although this movie (clearly) has a grim tone, and Gen is technically a student, it’s not really within the realm of academia.
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