January 10, 2024
If you’re on the hunt for a quick escape to worlds fantastical, comedic, or hauntingly dark, we’ve curated a list of 14 animated short films available to stream right this second. From the magical realms alive in dollhouses post-sundown to futuristic messages hidden in the cosmos, each film promises a uniquely captivating experience. Trust us, these underappreciated gems on Reveel are short in length but colossal in creativity and charm.
In a small Bosnian village, hidden amongst steep mountain cliffs, throughout the centuries, the ritual of the Great Dragon summoning takes place every spring. The Great Dragon is the village guardian. As the time goes by, the ritual gradually changes and loses its strength. The village is no longer hidden. This animated short film offers a poignant portrayal of belief, tradition, and inevitable change, setting it apart as a fascinating gem worth discovering.
Watch Aždaja / The Dragon on Reveel
Embrace a tale steeped in grim dark humor and macabre reality with “The Backwater Gospel.” It plunges viewers into a town cursed by the regular visits of an Undertaker, creating a charged atmosphere amplified by award-winning animation. This masterpiece from the acclaimed Animation Workshop paints a story in hues of both black humor and dread, concluding in an act that will leave you in contemplative silence.
Watch The Backwater Gospel on Reveel
Ever wonder who lives in your dollhouse once the lights turn off? The Lingers Home explores precisely that – through the enchanting medium of stop motion animation. The plot meanders through the magical life that ensues in the fairy-sized abode once the darkness descends. With beautifully crafted visuals and an evocative narrative, this short film imbues viewers with a delightful sense of wonder and childlike enchantment.
Watch The Lingers Home on Reveel
Embarking on a cosmic voyage, “Laniakea” takes the viewer into distant future, where superluminal travel has become the reality. As the world eagerly searches for signs of extraterrestrial beings, a lonesome man stumbles upon a cryptic message hidden deep within a space monolith. Be prepared to be pulled into an otherworldly mystery in this short film, as the man explores the breathing edifice, pondering where its inhabitants could have gone.
Take a leap of faith—literally—and pirouette into the charming world of “White Nightingale”. Join the wide-eyed and ever-optimistic Faith as she leaves her hometown for the city of lights—Paris—to train at a prestigious dance academy. Pursuing her dreams of becoming the lead in the next grand ballet production, she quickly realizes the terrain is tougher than she had imagined. Juggling financial woes, a part-time job, physical exhaustion, and family difficulties, every day becomes a dance of its own.
Watch White Nightingale on Reveel
In a world where nature’s voice is silenced, will anyone listen to her plea? “Roots” might be a short animation, but it packs a powerful punch. One moment you’re witnessing the peaceful life of a tree spirit in his serene forest home, the next he’s forced to leave, due to the relentless chopping of his beloved trees. Artful and elegantly conceived, this short film masterfully explores the often-overlooked impacts of deforestation.
Triggering an unexpected journey from a simple drawing found in an antique shop, The Blissful Accidental Death encapsulates a haunting symphony of reality and imagination. Woven from personal research, this short film unravels a secret love story, held in secrecy for 80 long years. There’s no real narrative here but a collection of interpreted images of the painter’s life, framed by the tantalizing mystery of the drawing. Its unique cinematography, which mimics a POV approach, further adds a deeply personal touch to the entire experience.
Watch The Blissful Accidental Death on Reveel
Set in a vaguely future dystopia, Glitch Noir is a captivating animated short that revolves around a nameless protagonist maneuvering through the deep crevices of global politics. In a world where warfare has been automated and multinational corporations find plausible deniability in their weapon sales, the protagonist embarks on a haunting search to find a client’s missing son.
Crippingly tragic yet wholesomely heartwarming, this story revolves around a father’s final brave act to protect his nine-month-old son from a wolf attack. However, fate intervenes when another wolf adopts the orphaned child, adding a beautiful twist to the narrative.
This enchanting tale follows a whimsical wizard on a quest like no other. During his solitary sojourn, he stumbles upon a sentient tree within the hushed tranquility of an enchanted forest. This sudden encounter, silent by human standards, unfolds to be a melodrama between the kindly wizard and the sentient tree. As their narratives intertwine, they teach each other – and us – the beauty of friendship and the power of nature.
Watch The Wizard in the Woods on Reveel
Mourning Murder is a gripping short film that uses the event of a crow’s funeral to render an emotionally captivating narrative. Revolving around a group of crows that come together to mourn the loss of their fallen companion, this one-minute film is a near perfect blend of stark animation and profound storytelling.
Watch Mourning Murder on Reveel
Why wish for riches when you can rob witches? ‘How To Rob A Witch’ is an imaginative mini-adventure, packaged as an animated short film about a crafty duo, a brother and sister, who concoct a daring plan to pilfer a witch’s riches. What makes their target all the more fascinating is that these riches lie hidden beneath a wishing well deep in an enchanting woodland.
Watch How to Rob a Witch on Reveel
Animated by Sapphire Sandalo, Something Scary invites you into a world filled with spine-chilling tales. Drawn from personal encounters, urban legends, and folklore, this web series sends tingles down your spine, keeping you on the edge of your seat, one spooky tale at a time. The captivating narration by Sapphire herself adds another layer of thrill to the stories.
Watch Something Scary on Reveel
Here, in a fantastical world, dragon’s blood holds the transcendent power to cure all ailments — and our brave protagonist embarks on a daring journey to secure this magic potion for his ailing mother. Part adventure, part heroic fantasy, this animated short captures the essence of courage and resilience in its fun narrative.
What if we are alone in the universe? This question is at the core of the short film Laniakea. Originally created as a college project by Dima Taran, the film went on to take on a life of its own when it found an audience online with nearly 800,000 views in one year. The beautifully […]
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Sometimes the best stories aren’t the longest, they are the shortest. Short films have perfected the art of telling a captivating story in just a few minutes and animated shorts are some of the most enjoyable short film experiences. Animated short films can take us to new worlds full of human creativity or they can […]
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Most, if not all, children had night terrors growing up. Some would hide under the covers. Others would yell for their parents. Kid-version Jason Ragosta, screenwriter and director, decided to make a deal with his monsters where he would bring them to life through drawing and in exchange they would protect him. Years later, Jason […]
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“There’s always a Filipino somewhere” is a well-known fact, and it’s true even in streaming platforms. Of course we have some right here in Reveel. From the adrenaline-infused streets of Manila to the sun-kissed beaches of Maui, Filipinos offer up their kaleidoscope of stories that resonate with emotional depth, unexpected thrills, and quirky humor. Ready […]
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Superman has been a career-defining role for many actors, dating back to Christopher Reeve’s iconic portrayal. Now, David Corenswet steps into the cape as the latest actor to embody the Man of Steel. But wait, who’s this David guy? Where on Earth (or beyond) did he come from? Get ready because we’re about to take […]
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Are you in the mood for a chillingly good time but not quite ready to dive under the covers at the slightest creak of a floorboard? Then you’re in luck! Our carefully curated selection keeps the thrill without sending the chills down your spine. Prepare to enter the realm of suspense and psychological twists with […]
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Phantom of the Opera meets K-pop? Now that’s a mash-up we didn’t know we needed! “Phantom: The Musical” is coming onto the scene, giving the classic tale a fresh story. This adaptation combines the opera with cinematic elements to create a distinct experience. To better understand this unique production, we reached out to Eddie Aronoff, […]
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In the heart of Los Angeles, where cultures collide and dreams are forged, a young Asian American director is leaving an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape. Hon Hoang, a Vietnamese American artist armed with a psychology degree from UCLA, wields his camera like a poet’s pen, capturing the profound depths of the human experience […]
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Family has a lot of different meanings. It can transcend blood and forge a bond through commitment along with choice. Kenneth R. Frank, a writer and director, delves into this profound concept through his feature film, Family Obligations. With a desire to explore the intricacies of familial obligations, he invites us on a journey of […]
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Oh man, remember that little dude from Life of Pi? The one stranded on that lifeboat with the tiger? Well, let me tell you, that kid is all grown up now and still as talented (if not more!) as he was then. Suraj Sharma, the former child star, is now in his 30s. Let’s catch […]
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