10 Shows & Movies Like Over the Garden Wall

Description: A dark fantasy epic with intricate world-building and puppetry, exploring themes of balance and harmony. The film's otherworldly aesthetic and mythic storytelling create a deeply immersive experience.

Fact: All characters are puppets—no humans appear in the film. The Skeksis' voices were created by slowing down recordings of the actors' voices and mixing them with animal sounds.

Description: A darkly whimsical tale that explores themes of identity and belonging through a fantastical, gothic lens. The musical elements and intricate stop-motion animation contribute to its timeless, eerie charm.

Fact: Originally pitched as a poem by Tim Burton in 198The film's production involved over 227 puppets and 400 heads for Jack Skellington alone.

Description: A fantastical journey that combines live-action and stop-motion animation, exploring themes of resilience and imagination. The story's mix of whimsy and darker undertones creates a unique narrative balance.

Fact: The peach itself was a 10-foot-tall animatronic prop. The film was produced by Tim Burton and directed by Henry Selick, who also directed The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Description: Features a young protagonist navigating a mysterious, otherworldly realm that initially seems enchanting but hides darker secrets. The stop-motion animation and eerie atmosphere create a visually striking and thematically layered experience.

Fact: The first stop-motion film to be shot in 3D. Neil Gaiman, the author of the original novel, initially thought the story might be too frightening for children.

Description: Combines folklore and mythology with a visually stunning, hand-drawn art style. The story's exploration of bravery, imagination, and the supernatural resonates with a similar sense of wonder and danger.

Fact: The film was in production for nearly a decade. It was inspired by the real Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript housed in Trinity College Dublin.

Description: A quirky, visually inventive story about misunderstood creatures and societal prejudice. The film's mix of humor, heart, and a slightly macabre aesthetic creates a distinctive tone.

Fact: The animators used over 20,000 handmade props. The character Eggs was voiced by Isaac Hempstead Wright, who also played Bran Stark in Game of Thrones.

Description: Blends whimsical fantasy with deep, sometimes dark themes, creating a surreal and emotionally rich world. The show's unique art style and episodic yet interconnected storytelling mirror a similar balance of humor and melancholy.

Fact: Originally conceived as a short film for Nickelodeon's Random! Cartoons. The Land of Ooo is set in a post-apocalyptic Earth, hinted at through subtle background details.

Description: Mixes supernatural elements with heartfelt storytelling, focusing on a misunderstood protagonist who sees the world differently. The film's blend of humor, horror, and emotional depth creates a unique tone.

Fact: The first stop-motion film to use a 3D color printer for facial animation. The town of Blithe Hollow is based on real New England locations.

Description: A beautifully animated film steeped in Celtic mythology, blending magical realism with emotional storytelling. The protagonist's journey through a mystical world mirrors themes of family, loss, and discovery.

Fact: The animation was hand-drawn, with each frame painted digitally to mimic traditional watercolor. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

Description: A visually stunning adventure that weaves folklore with a deeply personal story of family and memory. The film's blend of action, emotion, and artistry creates a rich, immersive experience.

Fact: The largest stop-motion puppet ever created was the 16-foot-tall Skeleton Demon. The film was the first Laika production to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects.