Hayao Miyazaki’s Castle in the Sky. Image ©1986 Studio Ghibli
Here’s a directory of the top steampunk (or steampunk-related) animated films, based primarily on user ratings from the Internet Movie Database (IMDb).
Some of these films are exclusive to specific streaming services, whereas others move between services. See our monthly streaming guides for updates.
Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) — Another Studio Ghibli/Hayao Miyazaki classic, set in a world with magic and early 20th century technology. It streams on Max in the U.S. and Netflix in other countries.
IMDb score: 8.2/10.
Castle in the Sky (1986) — This animated film by Hayao Miyazaki was a major influence on steampunk and dieselpunk. It streams on Max in the U.S. and Netflix in other countries.
IMDb score: 8/10.
Coraline (2009) — This stop-motion animation film was adapted from a dark fantasy/horror novella by Neil Gaiman.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 91% (critics); 74% (audience). IMDb score: 7.8/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride (2005) — A stop-motion animated musical fantasy set in the Victorian era. It features the voices of Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson, Tracey Ullman, Albert Finney, and Christopher Lee. Danny Elfman composed the soundtrack in addition to voicing Bonejangles, the singing skeleton.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 84% (critics); 77% (audience). IMDb score: 7.4/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
April and the Extraordinary World (2015) — This French film is set in an alternate-history 1941 where technological progress has slowed due to the mysterious disappearance of scientists.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 97% (critics); 77% (audience). IMDb score: 7.2/10.
Links: Website | Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Treasure Planet (2002) — An animated sci-fi/steampunk retelling of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. It streams on Disney+.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 69% (critics); 72% (audience). IMDb score: 7.2/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) — An animated sci-fi film, set in 1914, about a search for the legendary underwater city. It streams on Disney+.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 49% (critics); 55% (audience). IMDb score: 6.9/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart (2013) — A French animated musical fantasy, set in Victorian times, about a boy with a mechanical heart.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 83% (critics); 67% (audience). IMDb score: 6.9/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Steamboy (2004) — This Japanese animated film is now considered a steampunk classic. It’s set in an alternate version of 19th century Europe with advanced steam-powered technology.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 61% (critics); 68% (audience). IMDb score: 6.8/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
Batman: Gotham by Gaslight (2018) — This animated film reimagines Batman in a Victorian-era Gotham City. Loosely based on a graphic novel by Brian Augustyn and Mike Mignola, it pits the superhero against Jack the Ripper. Bruce Greenwood voices Batman and his alter ego Bruce Wayne.
Rotten Tomatoes scores: 75% (critics); 68% (audience). IMDb score: 6.7/10.
Links: Wikipedia | IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes
