The Smurfs, Belgium’s greatest import (aside from chocolate, waffles, and Jean-Claude Van Damme), are back with an all-animated adventure: The Lost Village! The blue boys and girl(s)’ quest to get from underneath the shadow of their dreadful live-action movie inspires this week’s gallery of 24 more fantastic little creatures from film and TV!
The Borrowers (1998, 73%)
The thieves are coming from inside the house!
The Secret World of Arietty (2012, 95%)
Also based on The Borrowers novel, produced by Studio Ghibli.
Futurama (1999-forever)
Delicious diminutive denizens, best paired with Szechuan McNugget sauce.
Star Trek (1966-69)
Kirk encountes a species that reproduces quicker than he.
Small Soldiers (1998, 48%)
Action figures destroy their mint-in-box value to wage war on each other.
The Gate (1987, 43%)
Always call your municipal board for buried wires or demonic hordes before digging in your backyard.
The Littles (1983-85)
Classic animated kid’s show based on the novel of the same name.
Spirited Away (2002, 97%)
Helpful coal spirits known as susuwatari.
Princess Mononoke (1999, 92%)
The kodama, who exist in great numbers when the forest is doing well.
The Mouse and the Motorcycle (1986)
Adaptation of the Beverly Cleary book that played semi-frequently during Saturday mornings.
Gulliver’s Travels (1939, 67%)
The kingdom of Lilliput, thrown into minor disarray when a human washes up on their shores.
A Bug’s Life (1998, 92%) Seven Samurai but for the toddler set.
Critters (1986, 53%)
These gnarly jamokes flee an asteroid prison and land on Earth to wreak havoc.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (2011, 58%)
But do be afraid of stabby things in the ash pit.
Trolls (2016, 74%)
Remember Trolls? They’re back. In kino form.
FernGully (1992, 71%)
Fairies and a bro banding together to keep their home from being cut and logged.
Stuart Little (1999, 66%)
Based on the beloved kid’s book by E.B. White.
Fraggle Rock (1983-87)
Different regions got different human wraparound segments, but generally the Fraggle Rock Muppets magically existed beneath floorboards
Ghoulies (1985, 0%)
An innocuous satanic ritual goes curiously wrong, summoning the wrath of diddly-demons.
Gremlins (1984, 85%)
Television sets, ocean swimming, gifts — there was nothing early Spielberg productions couldn’t turn into nightmares.
The Secret of NIMH (1982, 96%)
Director Don Bluth’s first directorial effort after escaping the colorized clutches of Disney was this epic of mice eking out survival.
The Rescuers (1977, 83%)
Before he left Disney, Bluth worked on another mouse-friendly project.
Rick & Morty (2013-present, 100%)
Multiverse upon multiverse living in Rick’s engine.
Toy Story (1995, 100%)
A subculture of toys in Pixar’s creative world.
