It’s easy for adults to dismiss animated movies as meaningless fluff. After all, aren’t they made for kids? 

While they may appear simple, most animated movies have a story to tell – important ones. They often have life lessons that are meaningful for children but its impact doesn’t stop there. Even when animated movies are viewed through the eyes of an older audience, their life lessons still send an important message to adults. 

Animation studios often take great care to tell a story that’s relatable to both children and adults. Everyone enjoys a good story. Whether it’s movies, television shows or even advertisements, good storytelling is essential. 

Even within the sunny shores of Singapore, production studios like this Singapore corporate video production company also place great emphasis on storytelling. 

Curious about what stories these animated movies tell? Here are 5 life lessons you can learn from these animated movies!

1. Shrek – Stay True To Yourself 

“After a while you learn to ignore the names people call you and just trust who you are.” 

A movie about a green ogre may not sound like much but Shrek is iconic in its own right. It’s incredibly hilarious, with plenty of cheeky adult jokes that will fly past children. Beneath the lighthearted comedy, it has plenty of lessons scattered throughout the film. 

Ultimately, Shrek is all about self-love and acceptance. That’s right, for an animated movie made in 2001, it was way ahead of its time. While it sounds like common sense, loving yourself is something most adults still struggle with. Similarly, Shrek struggles with it too. 

Ostracised by others for his ugly appearance, Shrek pretends to be unbothered but their hostility deeply affects him. Throughout the Shrek movies, there were multiple instances where Shrek felt insecure about his looks and personality. In fact, Shrek 2 was about his transformation into a handsome man in an effort to please his wife, Princess Fiona. 

However, at the end of the day, Shrek comes to realise that the people around him have always loved him for his authentic self and he grows to accept himself for who he is. If an ogre can do it, you can too!

2. Coco – Family Lives On In Your Memories 

“Remember me, though I have to say goodbye. Remember me, don’t let it make you cry.”

Set in Mexico during the day of the dead, Coco is anything but lifeless. Coco is a beautiful story about family and how love persists –  even after death. 

This animated movie follows Miguel, an aspiring musician who ends up in the land of the dead after a series of mishaps. He bumps into Hector, a mysterious ghost whom he befriends. As the story unfolds, a decades-old mystery is revealed as well as a heartfelt lesson on love and memory. 

Coco shows its audiences that death isn’t the end. By keeping the memories of your loved ones alive, they will stay with you even after they are long gone. If you have ever lost someone in your life, you will find solace in this movie. 

3. Howl’s Moving Castle – Go Beyond Your Comfort Zone

“They say the best blaze burns brightest when circumstances are at their worst.” 

Howl’s Moving Castle is for all the hopeless romantics. With its picturesque frames and pastel colours, Howl’s Moving Castle looks like an animated fairytale. However, the damsel in distress is notably absent because she is very much capable of saving herself. 

In Howl’s Moving Castle, our heroine, Sophie starts off as a timid girl who resigns herself to working in her father’s hat shop even though that’s not what she really wants. After being cursed by a witch, Sophie goes on a quest to break the curse. 

Along her journey, she’s faced with new challenges and adapts to them. As she overcomes her obstacles, she grows into a feisty heroine. This remarkable change would not have been possible if Sophie had stayed in her hat shop. If she hadn’t set on her quest, she might have never known her potential and capabilities. 

Howl’s Moving Castle shows us that we should never settle for the familiar if it doesn’t fulfil us. Go beyond your comfort zone and seek to discover your true passions and prowess. 

4. Ratatouille – No Dream Is Crazy Enough 

“Anyone can cook, but only the fearless can be great.”

Ratatouille is about achieving the impossible. The movie follows Remy, a rat who dreams of becoming a chef. It sounds like a crazy idea and everyone around Remy says so. 

What’s most admirable about Remy is his persistence and determination to achieve his goals. While he was often scoffed at, he was never deterred. Once Remy set his mind to cooking as a chef, he simply got his hands dirty (metaphorically, he’s a chef after all) and worked. 

Despite his tiny frame, Remy had an indomitable spirit that matched his lofty aspirations. It doesn’t matter if you’re not a fan of cooking, anyone will feel inspired by Remy’s sheer willpower. 

No matter how crazy your dream might seem, Ratatouille shows you that no dream is crazy enough. 

5. Inside Out – Embrace Your Emotions 

“They came to help… because of sadness.”

We’re often taught that happiness is the best emotion. When we think of a perfect life, we probably think of one that’s filled with endless joy. However, Inside Out begs to differ. 

Taking place inside the mind of 11-year-old Riley, Inside Out showcases her five core emotions. They are Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust personified. The leader of the group, Joy has spent her whole life protecting Riley from Sadness, ensuring that Riley stays a happy child. 

However, Sadness gets more uncontrollable as puberty hits Riley. Whilst Joy continues blocking Sadness’s advances, she only makes things worse. After many twists and turns, Joy finally realises that Sadness is essential to Riley’s wellbeing. Inside Out shows you that all your emotions are valid. Instead of avoiding them, embrace them. After all, they’ll follow you throughout your life. 

And that’s 5 life lessons you can learn from watching animated movies. See? It’s not just for kids. Sounds like it’s time to catch up on these movies with your kids, happy watching! 

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