17 talented Russian cartoons for which you are not ashamed

Full-length Russian cartoons

1. Star dogs: Belka and Strelka

• Russia, 2010.
• Comedy, adventure.
• Duration: 88 minutes.
• IMDb: 5.1.
• "KinoPoisk": 6.0.

The 1950s are the heyday of Soviet cosmonautics. The circus dog Belka and the mongrel Strelka are together at a training center in Baikonur, where the dogs are trained before flying into space.

If we evaluate Belka and Strelka in terms of animation quality, our cartoon is incomparably weaker than Western ones - for example, in the same year, How to Train Your Dragon and the third part of Toy Story were released. But on the other hand, his characters are funny and bright, and the topic of mastering space disclosed in a rather extraordinary way.

2. Fire-flint

• Russia, 2020.
• Fantasy, comedy, adventure.
• Duration: 92 minutes.
• IMDb: 5.8.
• "KinoPoisk": 7.3.

Poor Potter dreams of building a city fountain. He finds a magical Flame, which turns him into a rich but cruel man. The evil witch, to whom the artifact belonged before, wants to deal with the Potter and get her treasure back. In a difficult moment, the hero comes to the aid of his girlfriend - a girl named Ogonyok.

Animators studio "Up" (by the way, went bankrupt after the release of "Ogniv") created one of the most beautiful and bright domestic cartoons. But at the same time, the work can hardly be called balanced: it has too many unnecessary characters that do not affect the plot, as well as unnecessary scenes that distract the viewer.

3. Barboskins in the country

• Russia, 2020.
• Comedy, adventure.
• Duration: 86 minutes.
• IMDb: 5.9.
• "KinoPoisk": 7.7.

The Barboskin family is going to spend the summer outside the city. There, everyone finds something to their liking - except for the Kid, because no one wants to play Indians with him. And then a couple of hooligan cats appear on the horizon, who first conquer the Kid with their kindness. In fact, they want to unnoticeably drive the Barboskins out of their dacha.

The history of the animated series "Barboskins" began in 2011, but the full meter on it was released relatively recently. The original show combined an interesting plot, good humor and instructive moments, and in the version for the big screen, good three-dimensional animation was added to all these advantages.

But the cartoon is unlikely to be of interest to adult viewers: after all, it was created specifically for children.

4. Ivan Tsarevich and the Grey Wolf

• Russia, 2011.
• Fantasy, comedy, adventure.
• Duration: 86 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.3.
• "KinoPoisk": 6.6.

To marry Vasilisa the Wise, Ivan Tsarevich needs to complete a number of difficult tasks. A cunning and quick-witted Gray Wolf comes to the rescue of the guy. Together they will meet with Baba Yaga, Koshchei the Immortal, Serpent Gorynych and other unusual creatures. Meanwhile, Vasilisa is in mortal danger.

The original Russian fairy tale with the same title was gloomy, even cruel: it all started with the fact that the predator ate the horse belonging to the hero, and the prince himself was then killed by his brothers. However, the version of "The Mill" has practically nothing in common with the classic plot, so there is no need to worry about the psyche of the smallest spectators. The cartoon was not without jokes, playing on modernity and intended for adults.

“Ivan Tsarevich and the Gray Wolf” was generally well received. He was praised for high-quality animation, but scolded for an inventive plot and characters that resemble slightly modified heroes from the heroes franchise. After the successful first cartoon, three sequels were released, but they no longer received good reviews.

5. Ugly duck

• Russia, 2010.
• Social parable, musical.
• Duration: 75 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.6.
• "KinoPoisk": 6.2.

An unusual duckling hatches in the poultry yard. The rest of the birds are not happy with the newcomer and call him a freak. But he eventually grows into a beautiful swan.

The talented animator Harry Bardeen (The Flying Ship, The Gray Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood) has never done full-length projects before. His "The Ugly Duckling" makes you think about spiritual beauty and ugliness, tolerance and xenophobia. To emphasize the difference between the characters, Bardeen used unusual visual techniques: for example, he made a duckling plasticine, and all other poultry - covered with feathers.

But it is worth keeping in mind that the cartoon, although talented, is still very dark. And children can only show it from a certain age.

6. Little Longnose

• Russia, 2003.
• Musical, fantasy.
• Duration: 82 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.8.
• "KinoPoisk": 7.3.

Because of his kindness, the boy Jacob is captured by the insidious witch. For the fact that the hero did not want to serve her, she turns him into an ugly nosed dwarf. Jacob manages to escape, but the problem is that during his stay in the witch's castle seven years have passed, and even his own mother does not recognize the guy in his new guise.

The script is based on two fairy tales by the German writer Wilhelm Hauff - "Dwarf Nose" and "Little Muck". Visually, the picture is very beautiful thanks to the use of classic hand-drawn animation with thin outlines.

If you do not know that this is the work of Russian animators from the "Melnitsa", it can be mistaken for the work of a foreign studio. And some viewers still think it's a Disney cartoon.

7. Prince Vladimir

• Russia, 2004.
• Fantasy, action, drama, thriller.
• Duration: 78 minutes.
• IMDb: 6.9.
• "KinoPoisk": 7.2.

The action takes place during the reign of Prince Vladimir, the Red Sun. According to the plot, the orphan Aleksha accidentally overhears the negotiations between the Pechenezh Khan Kurei and the sorcerer Krivzha. To get rid of the witness, the conspirators sell the boy into slavery. But he, by chance, falls into Constantinople, and in his hands is the fate of the whole Rus.

The creators (this time the studio "Solnechny Dom-DM") decided to tell a serious and adult story about how Christianity appeared in Russia. However, they only partially succeeded. The animation in the cartoon is really high quality, especially since they have been working on it for seven years. But the image of Prince Vladimir is far from historical and strongly romanticized.

8. Alyosha Popovich and Tugarin the Serpent

• Russia, 2004.
• Comedy, adventure, fantasy, melodrama.
• Duration: 79 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.2.
• "KinoPoisk": 7.7.

Ancient Rostov is attacked by a detachment of nomadic warriors led by Tugarin the Serpent. They demand an exorbitant tribute from the inhabitants. Alyosha Popovich, a strong but stupid hero, comes to the rescue. However, his plan turns out to be a complete failure, and the enemies leave with the money. Now Alyosha needs to return the savings to the people and his reputation to himself.

This time the Melnitsa studio decided to go the other way. Konstantin Bronzit suggested taking traditional Russian epics and fairy tales as a basis, but modernizing them a little. And the only character slightly reminiscent of Western animation was the talking horse Guy Julius Caesar with the habits of a Donkey from "Shrek".

This approach worked: the "Melnitsa" really turned out to be an excellent cartoon, equally interesting for children and adults. In the wake of the success of the first picture, the studio released individual stories of other famous knights - Dobrynya Nikitich and Ilya Muromets.

At first, films about heroes were not related to each other, but then a crossover followed, in which the heroes resisted the charms of the insidious Shamakhan queen. And after that, the conveyor of sequels could no longer be stopped.

9. Dunno on the Moon

• Russia, 1997.
• Musical, fantasy, comedy, adventure.
• Duration: 151 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.3.
• "KinoPoisk": 7.9.

The action begins in a city of short men - little men the size of a finger. Cheerful and idler Dunno finds a stone that turns out to be a meteorite. Local scientist Znayka comes up with the idea of ​​using the unusual properties of the find to obtain artificial weightlessness. Together with mechanics Cinch and Shpuntik, he builds a rocket for flight to the moon.

Dunno, too, should be among the astronauts, but because of his disgusting behavior, he is removed from the flight. Then the hero sneaks aboard in secret. But in the end, together with Donut - another poor fellow who is not allowed into space - they themselves, unwillingly, fly away alone.

Having landed on the moon, the friends accidentally split up and find out that short people also live on the moon. But the morals in this society are far from being as harmless as those to which they are accustomed on Earth.

The original fairy tale novel by Nikolai Nosov was published in the 1960s and was a satire on Western society. But by the time the cartoon based on the book was released, the Soviet Union had already collapsed. And the animated "Dunno on the Moon" ironically perfectly reflected the realities of capitalism that prevailed in post-Soviet society.

Although, in general, the cartoon turned out to be harmless and funny, nevertheless rather gloomy topics are raised in it: the merging of the state and capital, financial pyramids, total unemployment. And this despite the fact that the picture did not reflect even a third of what happened in the original source.

Russian animated series

1. Fixies

• Russia, 2010 - present.
• Comedy, adventure.
• Duration: 3 seasons.
• IMDb: 6.2.
• "KinoPoisk": 6.9.

Tiny fixies live inside the home appliances. They take care of devices, but prefer to hide from human eyes. The only one who knows about the existence of heroes is the boy Dim Dimych.

The Fixies are based on one of the best books by Eduard Uspensky - The Warranty Men. The show turned out to be one of the few successful domestic animation franchises. It has come all the way from the short clips in Good Night, Babes! to a whole series and two full-length films and gained a huge fan base.

2. Three cats

• Russia, 2015 - present.
• Comedy, adventure.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 6.8.
• "KinoPoisk": 6.8.

Kittens Korzhik, Kompot and Karamelka grow up in a wonderful family. But like any children, they often find themselves in new situations for themselves. Fantasy and unobtrusive parenting advice helps the heroes to understand what to do.

Surprisingly cute Russian-made animated series. Simple, but eye-catching animation, memorable musical tune - why not a great option for the smallest viewers? Moreover, "Three Cats" (though only the first season) even bought for the show Netflix.

The beauty of Three Cats is that they will suit absolutely all parents: those who want to instill in their children traditional values, and those who want to show them a more modern view of the world.

3. Be-be-bears

• Russia, 2015 - present.
• Comedy, adventure.
• Duration: 1 season.
• IMDb: 7.3.
• "KinoPoisk": 6.2.

The series tells about the friendship of two bear cubs - Kesha and Tuchka. The first loves gadgets and technology. And the second, more thoughtful and calm, seeks first of all to take care of nature. But such different views of the world do not prevent friends at the end of each episode from finding the perfect solution to the next problem that suits everyone.

Another kind educational cartoon, this time invented studio "Parovoz". The story about the adventures of bears was also bought by Netflix at one time, although for some reason this cartoon is not available to Russian viewers of the video service.

Like Three Cats, Be-be-bears is an absolutely children's animated series. But even adults who will watch it with the kids will be interested in watching the cute characters and the development of their characters.

4. Masha and the Bear

• Russia, 2009 - present.
• Comedy, adventure.
• Duration: 5 seasons.
• IMDb: 7.5.
• "KinoPoisk": 7.2.

The restless little girl Masha always gets stuck in history. And the big sensible Bear, who looks after her, tries to educate her ward, but without much success.

The future international hit was invented by Oleg Kuzovkov, animator of the Pilot studio, which presented the world with Koloboks. Children love Masha for its humor, built on gags and buffoonery, and charming heroes. And adults are pleased with funny references to literature and cinema. In addition, each episode has a simple but important moral.

5. Smeshariki

• Russia, 2003 - present.
• Comedy, adventure.
• Duration: 2 seasons.
• IMDb: 7.7.
• "KinoPoisk": 7.3.

Krosh, Hedgehog, Nyusha, Barash, Losyash, Sovunya, Kar-Karych, Kopatych and Pin are very different, but they get along well with each other. In each episode, smeshariki find themselves in funny situations or together solve ordinary everyday problems.

The cartoon started in 2003 as an educational project for children, but has gradually turned into a real cultural phenomenon. The further, the more "matured" the characters' characters and the themes raised in the series.

So the heroes overthrew patriarchy, coped with panic attacks and even overcame an existential crisis. Not to mention the fact that in "Smeshariki" there are many visual quotes and references that children are unlikely to understand.

Short Russian cartoons

1. Toilet Story - Love Story

• Russia, 2006.
• Melodrama, comedy.
• Duration: 10 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.1.
• "KinoPoisk": 7.7.

A public restroom worker dreams of love. She begins to find flowers everywhere from an unknown admirer, but she just cannot understand who it could be. It turns out that all this time, happiness was literally waiting for her behind the wall.

The name of the director Konstantin Bronzit has practically become synonymous with high-quality Russian animation. After all, it was during the period of his work in the "Mill" that the studio flourished.

Against the background of the commercial "Alyosha Popovich" (which was also staged by Bronzit), "Toilet Story" seems quite unpretentious. But it was this simplicity that captivated the audience. The work even made it into the list of Oscar nominees, although it still did not receive the main prize.

2. We cannot live without space

• Russia, 2014.
• Comedy, drama.
• Duration: 15 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.6.
• "KinoPoisk": 7.8.

Two childhood friends dream of becoming astronauts. They successfully undergo training, but one is sent in flight, and the other is left in reserve. The launch ends in disaster, and the surviving comrade closes in on himself.

Another work by Bronzit and another Oscar nomination. A short, but tearfully touching film about friendship and death has won many awards at festivals of author's animation around the world. It immediately recognizes the corporate identity of the author of "Toilet Story", but this time simplicity and comedic tone are combined with tragedy.

3. The Old Man and the Sea

The Old Man and the Sea

• Russia, Canada, Japan, 1999.
• Drama, adventure.
• Duration: 20 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.1.
• "KinoPoisk": 8.1.

Fisherman Santiago is already old and more and more often returns home without a catch. In desperation, he decides to go far out to sea and try his luck there. At first, the hero is lucky, and a giant fish comes across in his net. But he is too weak to drag her into the boat. And the prey, not wanting to part with life, pulls the old man farther and farther into the ocean.

Few know about the talent of Alexander Petrov, a student of Yuri Norstein, and this is very insulting. The author creates his cartoons using the technique of drawing on glass, which is sometimes called revived painting. This method is so rare and complex that, in addition to our animator, only a few people in the world own it.

Petrov's works were several times included in the number of nominees for "Oscar"- so far he remains the only Russian director who has been nominated for this prestigious award four times. For the sake of creating a short film based on the story by Ernest Hemingway, the master worked for several years in Canada and even traveled to Cuba for inspiration.

As a result, "The Old Man and the Sea" won an Oscar statuette, but on behalf of Canada, not Russia. After all, the academicians had to take into account that in the artist's homeland there was simply no money to finance his work.