10 Movies & Shows Like Checkered Ninja

Description: This animated film blends martial arts action with humor and heart, featuring a protagonist who must rise to the occasion despite initial doubts. The story explores themes of self-discovery, mentorship, and heroism in a vibrant, stylized world.

Fact: The film's animation style was inspired by traditional Chinese art and watercolor paintings. It was the first DreamWorks Animation film to feature a predominantly Asian voice cast.

Description: A stop-motion fantasy about misunderstood creatures and a boy who bridges two worlds. The film explores themes of prejudice, identity, and acceptance through its quirky characters and detailed world-building.

Fact: The production used over 20,000 handmade props and 52 different puppets for the main character. The animators studied movements of insects and animals to create the Boxtrolls' unique locomotion.

Description: This coming-of-age story follows a young protagonist who forms an unlikely bond with a creature feared by his community. The film explores themes of understanding differences, courage, and challenging societal norms.

Fact: The flight sequences were inspired by director Dean DeBlois's experiences flying in small planes. Toothless's design was based on a combination of cats, dogs, and horses.

Description: A reboot of the classic franchise, this movie features teenage heroes trained in ninjutsu who must protect their city. It balances action, humor, and themes of brotherhood and responsibility.

Fact: The turtles' designs were created using motion capture technology, with each turtle having distinct facial features and body types. The film includes numerous Easter eggs referencing the original comics and cartoons.

Description: A fantasy adventure where mythical heroes team up to protect childhood innocence. The film combines action with deep emotional themes about belief, identity, and the power of teamwork.

Fact: The character designs were based on their respective holiday themes, with Jack Frost's appearance inspired by frost patterns on windows. The film was adapted from William Joyce's book series 'The Guardians of Childhood'.

Description: A stop-motion animated film about a boy who can communicate with ghosts and must save his town from a centuries-old curse. It blends supernatural elements with themes of bullying, acceptance, and courage.

Fact: The film was the first stop-motion feature to use a 3D color printer for facial animation. It features over 31,000 individual faces for the characters. The zombie designs were inspired by classic horror films.

Description: This film combines high-tech action with emotional depth, focusing on a young protagonist who teams up with an unconventional group of heroes. The story highlights themes of loss, friendship, and using technology for good.

Fact: Baymax, the inflatable healthcare robot, was inspired by real-life soft robotics research. The fictional city of San Fransokyo is a blend of San Francisco and Tokyo architecture.

Description: A mix of action, comedy, and coming-of-age themes, this movie follows a young hero who must embrace his destiny with the help of a quirky mentor. The visual style is colorful and dynamic, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and personal growth.

Fact: The film is based on the popular Lego Ninjago toy line and TV series. It features a unique blend of CGI animation designed to mimic stop-motion Lego brick movements.

Description: This groundbreaking animated film follows a young hero learning to embrace his powers with guidance from alternate versions of himself. The visual style combines comic book aesthetics with innovative animation techniques.

Fact: The film's animation required up to 140 animators, a record for Sony Pictures Animation. It was the first animated film to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature not produced by Disney or Pixar.

Description: A chaotic family road trip turns into a mission to save the world in this visually inventive film. It mixes humor with heartfelt moments about family bonds and embracing individuality.

Fact: The animation style blends CGI with hand-drawn elements to create a unique, energetic look. Originally titled 'Connected', the film was acquired by Netflix during production.