Five animated movies of 2015 that connected with children and adults alike

The year 2015 was all about films that were determined to change the way people watch movies. While Bollywood came up with films like 'Piku' and 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha', which tackled the set fabric of the society, Hollywood films like 'Carol' and 'Suffragette' backed the change in the social fabric with a little visit in past.

Amidst all the serious drama we saw this year, there were several light hearted, fantasy dramas that filled our hearts with joy and hope. Animated films of 2015 tried to break the notion of being more than 'children's films' and were quite successful. With the message of tackling problems with courage, little fun and friendship, these 3D fantasy adventures made us take a look inside us and recall the spark we had before giving up completely into the realities of the world.

As the year comes to an end we take a look at five animated movies that talked about virtues and problems that crossed the age bar of 14+:

Inside Out

Remember the time when everything and everyone around you was not going the way you planned? When you were too scared to try new things and coming out of your emotional comfort zone was a herculean task? Well, this is not just the thing teenagers feels while growing up, this the the life of nearly every other grown up too. People who are now well-settled in life, find change just as scary as Riley. The way Riley reacted to her changing emotions and situations, is the way we react when forced out of our daily set routine. Just like Riley, we also need happiness and hope to take over our minds and be the leader. We need excitement, joy and curiosity to govern us, so that the learning never stops. 'Inside Out' was the film that taught us about our emotions, no real world movie could have.

Minions

Are you too afraid to find the right way to lead your life? Do you contemplate a lot before going out in the world to face a crisis situation? Well in 2015, Kevin, Stuart and Bob taught us to be there for one another and face the challenges ahead to find the right leader. It taught us to listen to our hearts and think before blindly following the 'said' leader.

Sometimes the greatest of minds are cloaked with layer of inhibition and unawareness, all we need is a push to turn the tables and win the game. No matter how old you are, 'Minions' teaches you to be with your family (in their case -thousands of other minions), follow the right leader and not be afraid of overdoing ourselves because in the 'giant' always wins the game.

Hotel Transylvania 2

Moving from the father-daughter drama, the second part of Transylvania series was more about acceptance and letting things be. While the kids watched it as something supernatural loving their owns and blobby, for the grownups it was about dealing with things which are not in their hands. Just like Dennis in the film, there are certain things in life which do not function in the way we expect them to, however this doesn't mean they are wrong. Sometimes it's good to have a misfit in the troop of regular and cherish their faults. Sometimes it's their faults that teach us values that were long forgotten.

The Good Dinosaur

Now this movie of 2015 made everyone in the theatre wipe their tears, irrespective of age. The adventures of Arlo from confined world of family love and security to the big bad world of unseen dangers and unlikely friendship defined life for every grown up. While, for children it was about the courage of Arlo, for the older ones it was about facing their upturned events of life on your own.

While family love is great and gives you comfort of secured home after every disappointment, it is only after you leave that world that you realise how to live your life surviving all the hurdles and accepting the beauty of it. Just like the film, in life you don't just get your mark, "you have to earn it."

The Peanuts Movie

Now, calling it just a 'children's film' would be incorrect. Chales M Schulz comic strip in 3D is a must watch for every 'Peanuts' fan, and the fan base is as old as 65- 70 now. The enthusiasm and willingness of Charlie Brown supported by his loyal friend Snoopy, life lessons from intelligent Linus, group critic Lucy, carefree Peppermint Patty and her assistant Mercie- all these characters are real life inspirations and not some made up for children caricatures.

We all have a Charlie Brown inside of us, the part of us we declare a loser without realising the full potential. All we need is a person/ friend like Snoopy who would go out of his way to make us look deeply within ourselves.

Also, we all need to find that 'special motivation' to carry on with our dreams. Let your imagination run wild, because it's only when you let your dreams run wild, you achieve them in reality. Charlie Brown and Snoopy: The Peanuts Movie' appeals to every Peanuts fan, it motivates them and inspire them to imagine big, irrespective of age.

So here was our favourite animated films of 2015, that connected with the audience irrespective of age and motivated them to dream and take up big things in life because in the world of animation 'bigger is better'- be it the inspiration, mission or the character.