The Annie Awards bring you the best indie animated movies worth adding to your must-watch list!

These films have a lot to offer for movie fans!

The 48th Annie Awards ceremony will be held virtual this year. On March 3, 2021, all nominees were announced. Soul and Wolfwalkers earned the most nominations for the event (10). The event will take place on April 16, 2021 at the University of California, Los Angeles’s Royce Hall.

A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (Aardman Animations)

This movie is bah-eautiful!

If you enjoy movie references, puns and stop motion, sit down and watch this film!

It currently ranks as the 16th highest-grossing stop-motion animated film of all time. 

Shaun the Sheep goes on a mission to shepherd the intergalactic visitor that has crashed near Mossy Bottom Farm, before a sinister organization can capture them. 

This charming film has received favorable reviews and was sold to Netflix and released digitally on February 20, 2020. 

No sheep were harmed in the making of this film. 

Calamity Jane (Maybe Movies / Nørlum)

I grew up watching the 1953 Calamity Jane Film with Doris Day. It’s nice to see a new and animated version of the life of an American frontierswoman.

This French animated feature film made its US premiere on February 5, 2021.

With an animation style similar to, Long Way North (2015), expect this movie to have a good soundtrack and compelling story.

On-Gaku: Our Sound (Rock’n Roll Mountain, Tip Top)

It’s time to Rock ‘n Roll! A trio of high school delinquents must overcome obstacles and challenges from impressing their only friend, avoiding a rival gang, and having fun! Are they destined for musical greatness? Find out.

Based on a manga, Kenji Iwaisawa, brings this animation to life.

Ride Your Wave (Science SARU)

Ride your Wave is a 2019 animated film from Japan that premiered at Annecy International Animated Film Festival.

If you enjoy The Night is Short Walk On Girl (2017) and Lu Over the Wall (2019) from Masaaki Yuasa, the Director, you will enjoy this film.

Without giving too much away from the plot, a young girl must find joy and her purpose in life again, after a terrible tragedy results in the death of her boyfriend. The element of water, plays a vital role in the plot of this film.

The film has received many positive reviews for its storyline and polished animation. With nominations around the world and taking home a few wins for best-animated feature, expect to get swept away by this film.

Wolfwalkers (Cartoon Saloon)

Last but not least, Wolfwalkers!

I interviewed Tomm Moore regarding this film and have heard many people praise this animation. 

This is the third and final installment of Tomm Moore and Ross Stewarts, “Irish Folklore Trilogy.” 

It was released on Apple TV and follows the story of a young girl who arrives in Ireland with her father. This young hunter, meets a free-spirited girl who happens to come from a mysterious tribe to have the ability to turn into wolves.

Can they set a side their differences and become friends? 

I highly recommend this colorful and enchanting film, and really hope this film gets the recognition it deserves.