14 Best Animated Short Films That You Can Watch Right Now

If you’re on the hunt for a quick escape to worlds fantastical, comedic, or hauntingly dark, we’ve curated a list of 14 animated short films available to stream right this second. From the magical realms alive in dollhouses post-sundown to futuristic messages hidden in the cosmos, each film promises a uniquely captivating experience. Trust us, these underappreciated gems on Reveel are short in length but colossal in creativity and charm.

14. Aždaja / The Dragon

In a small Bosnian village, hidden amongst steep mountain cliffs, throughout the centuries, the ritual of the Great Dragon summoning takes place every spring. The Great Dragon is the village guardian. As the time goes by, the ritual gradually changes and loses its strength. The village is no longer hidden. This animated short film offers a poignant portrayal of belief, tradition, and inevitable change, setting it apart as a fascinating gem worth discovering.

Watch Aždaja / The Dragon on Reveel

13. The Backwater Gospel

Embrace a tale steeped in grim dark humor and macabre reality with “The Backwater Gospel.” It plunges viewers into a town cursed by the regular visits of an Undertaker, creating a charged atmosphere amplified by award-winning animation. This masterpiece from the acclaimed Animation Workshop paints a story in hues of both black humor and dread, concluding in an act that will leave you in contemplative silence.

Watch The Backwater Gospel on Reveel

12. The Lingers Home

Ever wonder who lives in your dollhouse once the lights turn off? The Lingers Home explores precisely that – through the enchanting medium of stop motion animation. The plot meanders through the magical life that ensues in the fairy-sized abode once the darkness descends. With beautifully crafted visuals and an evocative narrative, this short film imbues viewers with a delightful sense of wonder and childlike enchantment.

Watch The Lingers Home on Reveel

11. Laniakea

Embarking on a cosmic voyage, “Laniakea” takes the viewer into distant future, where superluminal travel has become the reality. As the world eagerly searches for signs of extraterrestrial beings, a lonesome man stumbles upon a cryptic message hidden deep within a space monolith. Be prepared to be pulled into an otherworldly mystery in this short film, as the man explores the breathing edifice, pondering where its inhabitants could have gone.

Watch Laniakea on Reveel

10. White Nightingale

Take a leap of faith—literally—and pirouette into the charming world of “White Nightingale”. Join the wide-eyed and ever-optimistic Faith as she leaves her hometown for the city of lights—Paris—to train at a prestigious dance academy. Pursuing her dreams of becoming the lead in the next grand ballet production, she quickly realizes the terrain is tougher than she had imagined. Juggling financial woes, a part-time job, physical exhaustion, and family difficulties, every day becomes a dance of its own.

Watch White Nightingale on Reveel

9. Roots

In a world where nature’s voice is silenced, will anyone listen to her plea? “Roots” might be a short animation, but it packs a powerful punch. One moment you’re witnessing the peaceful life of a tree spirit in his serene forest home, the next he’s forced to leave, due to the relentless chopping of his beloved trees. Artful and elegantly conceived, this short film masterfully explores the often-overlooked impacts of deforestation.

Watch Roots on Reveel

8. The Blissful Accidental Death

Triggering an unexpected journey from a simple drawing found in an antique shop, The Blissful Accidental Death encapsulates a haunting symphony of reality and imagination. Woven from personal research, this short film unravels a secret love story, held in secrecy for 80 long years. There’s no real narrative here but a collection of interpreted images of the painter’s life, framed by the tantalizing mystery of the drawing. Its unique cinematography, which mimics a POV approach, further adds a deeply personal touch to the entire experience.

Watch The Blissful Accidental Death on Reveel

7. Glitch Noir

Set in a vaguely future dystopia, Glitch Noir is a captivating animated short that revolves around a nameless protagonist maneuvering through the deep crevices of global politics. In a world where warfare has been automated and multinational corporations find plausible deniability in their weapon sales, the protagonist embarks on a haunting search to find a client’s missing son.

Watch Glitch Noir on Reveel

6. Wolf’s Child

Crippingly tragic yet wholesomely heartwarming, this story revolves around a father’s final brave act to protect his nine-month-old son from a wolf attack. However, fate intervenes when another wolf adopts the orphaned child, adding a beautiful twist to the narrative.

Watch Wolf’s Child on Reveel

5. The Wizard in the Woods

This enchanting tale follows a whimsical wizard on a quest like no other. During his solitary sojourn, he stumbles upon a sentient tree within the hushed tranquility of an enchanted forest. This sudden encounter, silent by human standards, unfolds to be a melodrama between the kindly wizard and the sentient tree. As their narratives intertwine, they teach each other – and us – the beauty of friendship and the power of nature.

Watch The Wizard in the Woods on Reveel

4. Mourning Murder

Mourning Murder is a gripping short film that uses the event of a crow’s funeral to render an emotionally captivating narrative. Revolving around a group of crows that come together to mourn the loss of their fallen companion, this one-minute film is a near perfect blend of stark animation and profound storytelling.

Watch Mourning Murder on Reveel

3. How To Rob A Witch

Why wish for riches when you can rob witches? ‘How To Rob A Witch’ is an imaginative mini-adventure, packaged as an animated short film about a crafty duo, a brother and sister, who concoct a daring plan to pilfer a witch’s riches. What makes their target all the more fascinating is that these riches lie hidden beneath a wishing well deep in an enchanting woodland.

Watch How to Rob a Witch on Reveel

2. Something Scary

Animated by Sapphire Sandalo, Something Scary invites you into a world filled with spine-chilling tales. Drawn from personal encounters, urban legends, and folklore, this web series sends tingles down your spine, keeping you on the edge of your seat, one spooky tale at a time. The captivating narration by Sapphire herself adds another layer of thrill to the stories.

Watch Something Scary on Reveel

1. Dragon Blood

Here, in a fantastical world, dragon’s blood holds the transcendent power to cure all ailments — and our brave protagonist embarks on a daring journey to secure this magic potion for his ailing mother. Part adventure, part heroic fantasy, this animated short captures the essence of courage and resilience in its fun narrative.

Watch Dragon Blood on Reveel