“ParaNorman” and “Frankenweenie” are the latest stop-motion animated films to hit theaters. Stop-motion uses claymation and puppetry to create a unique animated look very different from anything Disney or Pixar can create. No matter how advanced animation techniques become, stop-motion will always remain. Here are several of the best stop-motion films, animation and live-action, throughout the years and from all over the world that used stop-motion to its fullest potential.
‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” is a not a movie, but a one-hour TV special. So what? It is probably the most famous stop-motion animation in the history of film. It is on the list because it is the best stop-motion animation of all time. No argument.
‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’
Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” made stop-motion famous and has since become a cult favorite holiday film for both Halloween and Christmas. Many felt that stop-motion was outdated thanks to computer animation, but Tim Burton proved everyone wrong. The film showed the world that stop-motion, mixed with today’s technology, could create more of a wow factor than computer animation. One notable scene is Oogie Boogie’s Song with the black-light coloring. It is creepy beautiful.
‘Coraline’
“Coraline” is what happens when 3D is done right. “Coraline” was one of the few films to begin the 3D craze, and since, no film has done 3D as well as “Coraline.” It worked so well because of the stop-motion. The stop-motion of “Coraline” was even better than “The Nightmare Before Christmas” thanks to even newer technology. The colors are bright, the flowers glowed, and the 3D made everything pop. Both “Paranorman” and “Frankenweenie” are 3D and stop-motion. “Frankenweenie” is black-and-white, though, eliminating the bright colors that made “Coraline” so beautiful.
‘Alice’
This Czech version of “Alice in Wonderland” uses stop-motion for all of the Wonderland characters, but everything else is live-action. Like “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and “Coraline,” “Alice” uses stop-motion to create a creepy effect. There is just something disturbing about a puppet rabbit with few facial expressions running amok on screen. “Alice” is not a children’s version of the beloved tale. It is dark and very weird. It is a must see for fans of Tim Burton.
‘Clash of the Titans’
The original 1981 “Clash of the Titans” used stop-motion for the monsters. At that time, the graphics were amazing and wowed moviegoers and critics. The film is a cult favorite to this day. Then, unfortunately, a remake came around using CGI and unnecessary 3D and ruined everything. The newer “Clash of the Titans” did not go over well with critics and mythology fans. This is proof that stop-motion still holds up today over CGI. Did the graphics look better in the remake? Of course, but the original told the story better and made the monsters as realistic as possible for that time.
‘Toys in the Attic’
Toys in the Attic” is a Czech film that resembles “Toy Story,” except with stop-motion. Toys that live in the attic come to life when nobody is around. The stop-motion makes the toys look very real. Especially since the filmmakers used puppets, which are toys, to make the stop-motion animation. The film really does bring toys to life.
‘Wind in the Willows’
The stop-motion “Wind in the Willows” was a precursor to a TV series. It is an adorable adaptation of an often adapted children’s book. It is easily one of the best versions, thanks to the stop-motion animation. Watch the short film and then watch the TV series. The TV series also uses stop-motion for all the characters.
