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Best Animated Movies Set In Africa

Best Animated Movies Set In Africa

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Makers of cartoons and animated films don’t need to travel to exotic locations to shoot their movies. The bonus of animation is that it can all be done from the editing room, but some film makers have picked beautiful settings throughout Africa. From Egypt to Madagascar and everything in between, the following are among the best animated movies set in Africa, and are definitely worth a watch.

Sources: IMDB.com, Wikipedia.org, Channel24.co.za, HollywoodReporter.com, CNN.com

StudioBriefing.net
StudioBriefing.net

Madagascar

A lion, zebra, giraffe, and hippo escape from a New York City zoo and end up first in a Kenyan wildlife reserve, and later in this movie’s namesake, Madagascar. Hilarious antics ensue, songs are sung, and inter-species friendships are formed. What’s not to love?

IMPAwards.com
IMPAwards.com

The Lion of Judah

You don’t normally think of Easter as a dangerous holiday, but it most definitely can be if you’re a barnyard animal that normally gets sacrificially slaughtered for the holiday. This time, a lamb, pig, horse, rat, rooster, cow, and donkey roam through Northern Africa and the Middle East in an attempt to avoid the altar, with some religious lessons seamlessly woven in.

FilmRaps.Blogspot.com
FilmRaps.Blogspot.com

Zambezia

It’s got Samuel L. Jackson. What else do you need to know? If you really need more, it’s about a spunky falcon named Kai and is set in the glorious Victoria Falls. It’s also a primo example of awesome South African 3D animation.

NFVF.co.za
NFVF.co.za

Khumba

If you’re a zebra with only half his stripes, it’s likely the rest of your herd will blame you for the drought. Making sense in the way that only cartoon films can, Khumba the zebra is teamed up with some other animals (following a theme here) to explore South Africa’s Great Karoo and earn his stripes.

GWThomas.org
GWThomas.org

Tarzan

Tarzan never quite states exactly where it’s set beyond “the coasts of Africa,” but given the number of gorillas, it’s likely to be somewhere around Uganda or Tanzania. Either way, “Me Tarzan, you Jane,” and Phil Collins singing, “You’ll Be in My Heart,” never gets old.

WeBlog.LiberatorMagazine.com
WeBlog.LiberatorMagazine.com

Kirikou and the Sorceress

Set in West Africa and drawing from traditional folk tales, “Kirikou and the Sorceress” follows the life of a hero — a little boy named Kirikou who outwits a sorceress to save his family and friends. Also, he’s magic. Also, it’s one of the few films on this list not about animals. Double points for that!

IMDB.com
IMDB.com

Prince of Egypt

It’s the story of Moses with a baller soundtrack and some serious backstory. Historically accurate? Most likely not. Awesomely entertaining? Most definitely.

IMDB.com
IMDB.com

Jock the Hero Dog/Jock of the Bushveld

Set in colonial South Africa, a man and his lovable and spirited dog come of age together, while Jock cruises around meeting new creatures in the wild. Cue snazzy music, and you’ve got a winner.

LionKing.org
LionKing.org

The Lion King

Arguably the greatest Disney movie ever created (haters gonna hate, but we all know it’s true), “The Lion King” is just perfection — if you can look beyond the fact that Rafiki’s “Asante sana, squash banana” makes absolutely no sense. Just listen to “Hakuna Matata” one more time and all is right with the world.

Disney.Wikia.com
Disney.Wikia.com

I know it’s cheating but…

The Lion King 1 1/2. The Lion King 2. Madagascar 2. Madagascar 3. Sorry, I ran out.