The Book of Life is a 2014 animated film from animator Jorge R. Gutierrez, known for his distinctive animation style seen in his Nickelodeon show El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera. It tells the tale of suave bullfighter Manolo Sanchez, who aims to be a musician. However, on Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead), he was pulled into the afterlife by a curse.
The film was a modest success, with viewers praising its elaborate animation, colorful performances and musical numbers. For those who love the Guillermo del Toro production, here are 10 other movies to check out.
Epic (2013)
Based on the book by William Joyce, Epic is a 2013 animated film from Ice Age creators Blue Sky Studios. It centers on a teenage girl named M.K. (Amanda Seyfried), who discovers a minuscule world that is populated by tiny soldiers known as the Leaf Men. However, she gets caught up in their war against goblin-like creatures called Boggans.
While the film may have the standard clichéd plot of a human entering a new world, it succeeds in its animation that makes its forest setting look grand and immersive.
Cats Don’t Dance (1997)
An obscure and belittled classic, Cats Don’t Dance from the Warner Bros. Family Entertainment label. This feline-centered animated film focuses on a singing-and-dancing cat named Danny, who dreams of becoming a star in Hollywood. However, he meets many obstacles from other animals, who have the same ambition as him.
It was not successful in its theatrical release, but it received a cult following from its home release. With catchy songs, charming characters and colorful animation at its disposal, this film will easily entertain its audience, both young and old.
Rise Of The Guardians (2012)
Another product from William Joyce’s bibliography, Rise of the Guardians answers the question of what it would be like if childhood icons, like Santa, The Tooth Fairy, The Easter Bunny and The Sandman, unite to stop evil. That is exactly the plot of this film, with the added recruitment of forgotten figure Jack Frost, who learns to be better to his subordinates.
This DreamWorks Animation film succeeded in capturing the grand scale and childlike wonder of its premise, even if the story is predictable. While it was deemed a box-office disappointment, it got an afterlife as a cult favorite.
Coraline (2009)
The first stop-motion animated film entry on this list, Coraline is based on Neil Gaiman’s novella about the titular girl (Dakota Fanning) discovering a parallel world from her own home, which gives her more comfort than her real-world home. However, she soon discovers a sinister secret that is behind this realm.
Coraline makes innovative use of its motion-capture animation to craft its creepy aesthetics. And its exploration of childlike contentment is deeply profound. And the end result is an eerie children’s fantasy that still has heart and charm to spare.
Spirited Away (2002)
Speaking of girls traveling to a supernatural realm, this is where Spirited Away comes in. This Studio Ghibli masterpiece chronicles the journey of a girl named Chihiro, who is inadvertently transported to the world of the Kami (spirits) and must work in a bathhouse to save her parents and get back to the physical world.
Much like The Book of Life in that it features a beautiful spiritual journey, Spirited Away offers intricate world-building, sweeping animation and stunning scenery. Hayao Miyazaki truly crafted a timeless anime that everyone should see.
How To Train Your Dragon (2010)
How to Train Your Dragon is one of the most prolific animated franchises that dominated the last decade. This saga, about the friendship between a scrawny Viking and a dark dragon of a rare breed, touched the hearts of audiences with its grand spectacle, amazing animation, intense storylines and subtle themes.
Admirers of The Book of Life can start from the first film to get the same taste of world immersion that they crave. But, at its heart, are the interactions between Hiccup and Toothless that changed their Viking customs.
Rio (2011)
Half of The Book of Life is a sweet love story between the willing Manolo and the feisty Maria. Avid fans of that movie can find the same chemistry between the blue macaw leads, Blu and Jewel, in the Rio movies. The two movies center on their relationship over the backdrop of Rio de Janeiro.
The first entry primarily involves Blu discovering that he and Jewel are two of the last Spix’s macaw. Their meeting in Rio de Janeiro goes awry when they are taken captive by poachers.
The Princess And The Frog (2009)
Another animated movie with a core romance, The Princess and the Frog is one of the last hand-drawn animated films that Disney created, yet the first Disney animated film to feature an African-American Disney princess. At its core is the interaction between the hardworking Tiana and the self-absorbed Prince Naveen.
This Disney animated picture hearkens back to the classics of past Disney extravaganzas, with its gorgeous animation, catchy songs and lively characters. While it may not pay off as much as its predecessors, it is an underrated gem that is worth digging into.
Corpse Bride (2005)
Back to stop-motion animation, Tim Burton loves the medium so much that one of the first peak moments of his career was producing the masterpiece The Nightmare Before Christmas. He finally directed his first animated effort with Corpse Bride. It tells the accidental love story of groom-to-be Victor (Johnny Depp) and deceased Emily (Helena Bonham Carter).
Corpse Bride was a great outlet for Burton’s idiosyncrasies in a stop-motion effort. The end result is a flurry of macabre charm and clever storytelling that offers a different side of Burton.
Coco (2017)
Finally, a list about The Book of Life would not be possible without its identical Dia de Muertos cousin: Coco. This Pixar masterpiece explores Mexican mythology further, with its elaborate depiction of family “ofrendas” (offerings) and the Land of the Dead, presenting them in a heartwarming story about the importance of family, love and music.
The tale of Miguel rediscovering his family roots and finding his spirit for music touched the hearts of family audiences everywhere. Decorated with spectacular Pixar animation, hummable music and existential themes, Coco is genuinely life-changing.
