No Inside Out 2: 5 Lesser-Known Animations With 90% and Higher RT Scores Released in 2024
Disney and Pixar had a lot to compete with this year.
While Disney Studios tries to cope with another crisis of ideas, the world of animation is not standing still and is releasing original works.
1. Four Souls of Coyote, 2024
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
Sitting by the fire on the top of the sacred mountain, an old man tells the story of the creation of the world. It all begins with the Old Man Creator and his assistant, Duck, molding land out of a piece of clay.
After that, the creator invents a variety of animals, and they all coexist peacefully. But when he, tired from his labors, lies down to rest, he accidentally creates the cunning and greedy Coyote in his sleep.
Here the idyll on earth comes to an end and creation gets out of control, because Coyote wants meat and is ready to resort to any trick to fill his belly. First, he steals a piece of magic clay from the old man and, in an attempt to make something edible, he shapes people.
2. Flow, 2024
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%
In a world where there are no more people, a black cat walks alone. Once upon a time, he had an owner – a sculptor who was crazy about cats and filled all the neighborhoods with sculptures. The cat spends the night in his home, but one day he has to leave his cozy nest because of a big flood.
To escape the water, the cat jumps into a passing boat in which a capybara is already wandering. With nowhere to go, the cat resigns itself to the strange surroundings.
Along the way, other animals join them: a lemur, an injured bird, and a cheerful retriever. In the confined space of the boat, this team is forced to adapt to each other.
3. Robot Dreams, 2024
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
In the 1980s, a lonely New York Dog gets a personal Robot. It turns out to be a great friend, and they have a fun summer. At the end of the season, they go to the beach, but after swimming, it suddenly turns out that the Robot is rusty and can't move.
The beach animals have already gone home and there is no one to help, so the upset Dog plans to return the next day to take the friend home. However, it turns out that the season is over, the beach is closed and will not open until June 1st next year.
The Dog runs around to various authorities to get into the closed area, but nothing helps. It turns out that the robot will have to spend the whole winter on the beach.
4. Mars Express, 2024
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
In the 23rd century, humans have long lived side by side with androids of various generations and configurations. Some hardware even considers itself human, but is kept in check by the laws of robotics.
The new round of progress hasn't made people happier: they are still lonely, selfish and have problems with communication.
Private investigator Aline Ruby and her android partner Carlos Rivera investigate the disappearance of student Jun Chou on Mars. It is known that the girl was attacked by a robot while working in the lab. Chou then disappeared and her roommate was found dead.
5. Memoir of a Snail, 2024
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 94%
Australia, 1970s. Grace and her brother Gilbert were born into a very poor family. Their mother died in childbirth, and their father, a drunk, could not care for them. The twins have their own little joys that brighten their lives: Grace collects snails, and Gilbert consoles himself with pyromania.
After their father's death, the children are separated and sent to different foster homes. The girl ends up with a nice family in Canberra, the boy with religious fanatics.
They dream of being reunited one day, but the years pass and nothing changes in their lives. Grace is increasingly covered in snails, and Gilbert endlessly sticks labels on apples.