Before the colors were introduced in cinema, it was all about black and white color only and today we will discuss about some of the greatest black & white animated movies. At that time, Disney made many short films that are called the greatest of all time. Now this industry of animation has reached the next level with the introduction of colors and also with advancements in technology; new innovations like 3 dimensions have given a new dimension and height to the cinema.
As we know that black and white has been a classic way but now a day, ventures that are making animated movies are coming up with the idea that to give a vintage look or style to their animation, they use the same technique as before. So, some of the greatest black and white animated movies are as follows:
10 Greatest Black & White Animated Movies:
1. Momotaro, Sacred Sailors (1945)
- Director: Mitsuyo Seo
- Release date: 12 April 1945
- IMDb rating: 5.6/10
About Momotaro, Sacred Sailors:
This movie is the first animated movie from Japan that was released. This movie is all drama about the friendship of 2 and also the bravery they have shown during the era of World War 2. This has impacted many in USSR and the USA.
It has been noticed that this movie was particularly made for children to show the meaning of patriotism. Overall, this is a beautiful movie to watch and is inspiring as well. They also joined the army and fought with the Dutch East India Company as they were ruling over their island, and they wanted to make them run from there.
2. Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space (2002)
- Director: Kentaro Nemoto
- Release date: 19 October 2002
- IMDb rating: 6.3/10
About Tamala 2010: A Punk Cat in Space:
This Japanese animated film is shot in both color and also black and white. It is also in both 2D and 3D. This movie is also known that it may divide the viewers into two halves as it is based on the theme, which may have different perspectives.
Tamala is the major character in this film. She is designed in a way that children address her as hello kitty, but she is contrary to her representation. She is harsh and a bat-mouth cat.
Tamala grows up in a future that is dystopian and is generally remarked as hyper-capitalist as we know that companies are always concerned about their working and their product being sold out even if the economy is not good. Soon Tamala realizes that she herself is a modified version. By looking, one will say that this movie is a simple story, but it is more than that, with a ride full of philosophy.
3. Princess Iron Fan (1941)
- Director: Wan Guchan, Wan Laiming
- Release date: 19 November 1941
- IMDb rating: 6.3/10
About Princess Iron Fan:
It is a movie that came up when the second world war was going on. This movie is a Chinese animated film that is the first ever Chinese movie to be released.
By reading the title, we get to know that story is about a princess. She lives in a village, and she makes a sacrifice. But one day, there comes a Magical monkey who goes and challenges her.
The director of this film has raised and set another level of the animated film by making this incredible Chinese animated film. It was completed in more than 3 years, and more than 200 artists were required.
4. The New Gulliver (1935)
- Director: Aleksandr Ptushko
- Cast: Vladimir Konstantinovich Konstantinov (Gulliver), Ivan Yudin, Shaolin Santiago
- Release date: 25 March 1935
- IMDb rating: 6.5/10
About The New Gulliver:
This is the kind of movie that has an epic storyline. This movie is the opposite of motion animations. It is almost similar to the genre of King Kong, which is a Hollywood movie.
Gulliver’s travel somewhat inspires it. Here the story is about a boy who reads the story of Gulliver’s travel and imagines himself in the land of Lilliput. He faces reality when he faces exploitation.
5. Frankenweenie (2012)
- Director: Tim Burton
- Cast: Catherine O’Hara, Martin Short, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan, Atticus Shaffer, Winona Ryder
- Release date: 20 September 2012
- IMDb rating: 7.7/10
About Frankenweenie:
This is a horror and comedy kind of movie. Frankenweenie is one of the talked movies from black and white. This was made as a tribute and is a short movie.
The story revolves around a school that is basically focused on scientific methods. A student of that school tries to bring his dead dog back to life. This brings a very haunting scene in the entire city as all the sleeping people are awake and create chaos.
6. Invention for Destruction (1958)
- Director: Karel Zeman
- Cast: Lubor Tokoš, Arnošt Navrátil, Miloslav Holub
- Release date: 1958
- IMDb rating: 7.5/10
About Invention for Destruction:
It is also a science fiction which is quite similar to the previous movie mentioned. Here is a scientist working on a device he is making. But unfortunately, a pirate takes away the device for his use.
It is based on a novel, and the writer is popular for such imaginary sci-fi. This is a great movie with great illustrations that look quite interesting in the big cinema.
7. The Tale of the Fox (1937)
- Director: Irene Starevich, Ladislas Starevich
- Cast: Claude Dauphin, Romain Bouquet, Laine, Sylvain Itkine, Léon Larive
- Release date: 10 April 1937
- IMDb rating: 7.7/10
About The Tale of the Fox:
This movie is a Russian stop-motion movie. It is from the start of the 20th century. Here the fox mentioned its name is Reynard. It’s a red fox and is a king of Europe from medieval times. The king lion wants this fox as he has been accused of tricking in his kingdom.
8. Persepolis (2007)
- Director: Marjane Satrapi, Winshluss
- Cast: Chiara Mastroianni, Catherine Deneuve
- Release date: 20 June 2008
- IMDb rating: 8/10
About Persepolis:
This movie is based on the autobiographical graphic novel. The name of the novel is the same as the movie. It is a story from the Iranian revolution. The film has a story that shows Iran and Iraq war and the trauma given to the families that have witnessed this war.
Though it is written in many languages but has also been banned from many other countries like Thailand, Lebanon, and Iran itself too.
9. Mary & Max (2009)
- Director: Adam Elliot
- Cast: Toni Collette, Philip Seymour, Hoffman, Eric Bana, Benthany Witmore
- Release date: 9 April 2009
- IMDb rating: 8.1/10
About Mary & Max:
This movie is considered as one of the most emotional movies of the 2000s decade. The film story revolves around a girl who is very socially awkward. There is also an older man who is a very lonely and kind of depressed person. They both unknowingly become best buddies.
They both share an adorable bond, and they send letters to each other, which is very emotional, and share their experiences by writing letters.
10. It’s Such a Beautiful Day (2012)
- Director: Don Hertzfeldt
- Cast: Don Hertzfeldt and Sara Cushman
- Release date: 24 August 2012
- IMDb rating: 8.2/10
About It’s Such a Beautiful Day:
This movie was an experimental animated movie with some dark comedy. It’s Such a Beautiful Day is a masterpiece by Don Hertzfeldt. He is also known for many other films that he has directed. This film is not only one but has been further divided into 3 different chapters.
The main focus of this film is on a figure which is like a stick and is from some kind of neurological disease. His name is Bill. He tries his best to make his life all happy and wants to find a purpose in his life. When he meets new people, he questions his own purpose in front of their problems.
This movie didn’t get that much attention as compared to other movies that were released in the same year. But this movie was a unique combination of humor and some philosophical interactions that we can clearly see between the characters.
