If you're like me and constantly on the lookout for fresh, funny, or touching animated shorts, you'll understand the struggle of finding good online sources. Short animations are cool because they blend creativity into bite-sized chunks, perfect for a quick watch, yet memorable and inspiring. Recently, I set off on a quest for the best sites offering quality animated shorts. Let me share what I've found!
My Main Guide to the Best Websites for Animated Shorts
1. Vimeo – The Creator’s Hub
Vimeo was my first pick, and I'm truly glad it was. It offers a rich treasure trove of animated shorts made by independent creators. Unlike YouTube, Vimeo is more focused on artistic, polished content. You'll find beautiful, award-winning animations here that tell moving stories, clever funny sketches, and experimental visuals. It feels less commercial and more artsy.
A cool feature is curated staff picks – Vimeo handpicks the best animations each month, which makes it incredibly easy to stumble across hidden gems without endless searching. Trust me, it's fantastic when you're short on time but want quality.
2. Short of The Week – Daily Dose of Imagination
I stumbled upon this site a while ago, and I keep returning for more. Short of The Week shares beautifully crafted animated shorts every single day. Their variety is incredible—comedy, drama, fantasy, sci-fi, you name it. Each animation is introduced by a short description explaining the concept, which I find helpful to get a taste before watching.
One of my favorite discoveries was the animation "One Small Step," about a young girl's journey to achieve her astronaut dreams. It was heartwarming, visually stunning, and left me teary-eyed. Definitely worth checking out!
3. Cartoon Brew – Your Animation News & Shorts Portal
If you're looking for more than just shorts, Cartoon Brew is kind of my "go-to place" for animation industry news, artist interviews, and reviews. But the highlight for me is undoubtedly their animated shorts collection. They regularly feature student projects and professional animations, giving exposure to talented creators.
I once discovered a brilliant animation here called "Hair Love," bringing a touching message about self-love and chasing dreams. Cartoon Brew also keeps me informed with the latest trending animations, perfect for people who want to be updated about the animation industry.
4. YouTube – Popular but Need Smart Searching
Everyone knows YouTube, right? But digging out great shorts from YouTube can be a challenge in itself. Without smart searching, you quickly end up lost in countless amateur videos. Let me give you a pro-tip: Stick to specific, trustworthy channels like CGMeetup, Animated Short Films.net, and TheCGBros.
Animated shorts by Pixar or Oscar-nominated animations can often be found here officially. I recently found a beautiful short "Bao" by Pixar. It's adorably weird and heartfelt—a must-watch, trust me!
5. Animation World Network (AWN) – Animation Lover’s Paradise
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AWN is the spot where industry veterans and animation newcomers meet, providing news, insights, and tons of animated shorts. Its vast library features incredibly diverse, globally varied animations. It's helpful if you enjoy animation beyond mainstream Hollywood style and enjoy indie or global talents.
One gem I discovered here was "Borrowed Time," a visually breathtaking Western-style animated short that dealt with complex emotional narratives. AWN is packed with incredible quality, and sometimes I find myself spending hours immersed in their rich, unique animation content.
6. Instagram and TikTok – The Surprising Platforms
Yes, I was also surprised to add Instagram and TikTok here but hear me out. Social media platforms are quickly becoming exciting spaces for talented, creative animators. While animations here are shorter, usually under a minute, and perfectly tailored for scrolling habits, these mini-animations often become viral hits.
On Instagram, channels like @animationmentor and @shortoftheweek post handy clips. TikTok also has tons of talented animators uploading concise, clever animations that inspire you and amuse you all at once. It’s light and suitable when you need a quick mood booster.
Quick Tips to Enjoy Watching Animated Shorts
- Create Your Own Collections: Bookmark or save shorts you enjoy for quick future access.
- Follow Your Favorite Creators: This way, you're always up-to-date with the content you love.
- Explore Regularly: Animation is rapidly evolving. Checking out new platforms and daily curated sites consistently reveals hidden gems.
- Support Creators: Likes, shares, and comments encourage creators to make even better animations.
Conclusion
Finding animated shorts online can be overwhelming with numerous streaming services and social platforms around. Using my favorite websites like Vimeo, Short of The Week, Cartoon Brew, trustworthy YouTube channels, AWN, and even social media turns my animation hunting into a joyful, inspiring adventure. Hopefully, my insights can also help you find your perfect source of quick visuals and creative storytelling.
So go ahead, start exploring, and enjoy the unmatched creative magic of animated short films—happy watching!