This little gem flew under the radar for many people, but it’s the most solid coming-of-age that’s come out in a while. The stop motion animation lends an intimacy to each scene and a closeness to the hardships and tenderness on display that is hard to capture even in live action. Its melancholy story is endearing in all the right ways, partly because it deals with a younger age group than most other films of its ilk and partly because it simultaneously doesn’t shy away from either how grim life can really be or how heroic the mundane actions of good people can be.

Closest comparison: It’s like Stand By Me by way of Wallace and Grommit.

Setting: Coming of Age
Plot: Coming of Age
Tone: Drama