My Animated Childhood: Seven Horror-Filled Animated Films That Shaped My Love for the Genre
As a child growing up in the 1980s, my local video store was my sanctuary. I would spend hours browsing the aisles, captivated by the colorful and imaginative VHS covers that lined the shelves. Among the many films I rented, seven animated features left an indelible impression on my young mind. These films contained distinct horror elements that frightened and fascinated me, making them memorable and shaping my love for the genre. This blog post will take you on a nostalgic journey through these seven animated films that defined my childhood and fueled my passion for horror.
1. Rock & Rule (1983)
The first film on this list is the Canadian cult classic, “Rock & Rule.” This animated feature, produced by Nelvana, tells the story of a post-apocalyptic world where anthropomorphic animals have replaced humans as the dominant species. The film follows a rock band called “Angel and the Rats” as they try to stop the villainous Mok, an evil music mogul who seeks to unleash a demonic force using the perfect musical note.
The horror elements in “Rock & Rule” stem from its darker tone and more mature themes than typical animated films. The apocalyptic setting, demonic forces, and sinister antagonist gave the movie a chilling atmosphere that scared and enthralled me. The unique visual style, heavily influenced by underground comics and the punk rock aesthetic of the 80s, only added to the film’s captivating allure.
2. Heavy Metal (1981)
Another animated film that greatly impacted my childhood was the Canadian-American anthology film, “Heavy Metal.” Based on the same name’s science fiction and fantasy magazine, the movie features a collection of short animated stories connected by the narrative of a glowing green orb known as the “Loc-Nar.”
The horror aspects of “Heavy Metal” come from the eroticism, violence, and dark humor that pervades the various stories. The film’s mix of science fiction, fantasy, and horror created an unsettling and otherworldly atmosphere that terrified and mesmerized me. The iconic rock and heavy metal soundtrack only added to the film’s memorable, darkly enchanting ambiance.
3. The Black Cauldron (1985)
Disney’s “The Black Cauldron” stands out among the studio’s animated features due to its darker and more mature themes. Based on the first two books in the “Chronicles of Prydain” series by Lloyd Alexander, the film follows Taran, a young assistant pig-keeper, who embarks on a quest to destroy the Black Cauldron before the evil Horned King can use it to raise an army of undead warriors.
The horror elements in “The Black Cauldron” are evident in its macabre visuals, menacing villain, and the undead army known as the Cauldron Born. As a child, these elements scared me, but they also ignited my imagination and drew me into the film’s rich fantasy world. The movie’s groundbreaking animation techniques, including CGI and the APT process, contributed to the film’s lasting impact on my young mind.
4. Wizards (1977)
Ralph Bakshi’s “Wizards” is a post-apocalyptic animated fantasy film set in a world divided between the realms of magic and technology. The story follows two brothers, Avatar and Blackwolf, who are wizards representing the forces of good and evil, respectively. Avatar must stop Blackwolf, who seeks to conquer the world using his army of mutants and demons powered by ancient Nazi propaganda films.
The horror elements in “Wizards” stem from the film’s bleak, post-apocalyptic setting and the unsettling juxtaposition of magic, technology, and Nazi imagery. These aspects created an eerie and disturbing atmosphere that both frightened and intrigued me as a child. Bakshi’s unique visual style combined hand-drawn animation with rotoscoping further contributed to the film’s surreal and haunting aesthetic.
5. The Lord of the Rings (1978)
Another Ralph Bakshi film that significantly impacted my childhood was his animated adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy novel, “The Lord of the Rings.” The movie covers the story’s first half, following the young hobbit Frodo Baggins and the Fellowship of the Ring on their quest to destroy the powerful One Ring.
The horror elements in Bakshi’s “The Lord of the Rings” can be found in the dark, foreboding atmosphere and the menacing creatures that inhabit Middle-earth, such as the Ringwraiths and the monstrous Balrog. The film’s unique visual style, which utilized rotoscoping, created a sense of unease and otherworldliness that both scared and captivated me. Bakshi’s ambitious attempt to adapt Tolkien’s complex epic to the screen left a lasting impression on my young imagination.
6. The Twelve Tasks of Asterix (1976)
“The Twelve Tasks of Asterix” is a French animated film based on the popular Asterix comic book series created by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. In this original story, Julius Caesar challenges Asterix and Obelix to complete twelve seemingly impossible tasks, inspired by the Twelve Labors of Hercules, to prove the Gauls’ divine nature.
While not primarily a horror film, “The Twelve Tasks of Asterix” contains several segments with horror elements that both frightened and enthralled me as a child. For example, navigating through the “Cave of the Beast” or enduring the nightmarish bureaucratic maze of “The Place That Sends You Mad” showcased the film’s darker, more unsettling side. The movie’s mix of satire, parody, and slapstick comedy, combined with its engaging animation, made it an unforgettable part of my childhood.
7. Fire and Ice (1983)
The final film on this list is “Fire and Ice,” another Ralph Bakshi collaboration, this time with legendary fantasy artist Frank Frazetta. Set in a prehistoric fantasy world, the film follows Larn, a survivor of a village destroyed by an expanding ice empire. He sets out to save Princess Teegra from the malevolent sorcerer Nekron.
The horror elements in “Fire and Ice” come from its brutal, barbaric world, filled with monstrous creatures and savage warriors. The film’s distinctive visual style, influenced by Frazetta’s iconic artwork, created an immersive and terrifying atmosphere that captivated me as a child. The movie’s combination of traditional cel animation and rotoscoping added to its unique, darkly enchanting charm.
These seven animated films from my childhood were one of my many gateways into the world of horror. The distinct horror elements in each film scared but also entranced me, making them memorable. Now, decades later, I can finally completely appreciate the artistry, innovation, and storytelling that made these films so captivating.
I hope this nostalgic journey through my animated childhood has brought back memories for those who experienced these films as I did.
Herm
On my fifth birthday a relative gifted me a black box filled with old horror, war, and superhero comics. On that day, my journey through the Weird began, and The Longbox of Darkness was born. Four decades of voracious reading later, and here we are.
