Top 7 Oldest Cartoons In The World

The world of animation has a rich and vibrant history, with its origins dating back to the late 19th century. The oldest cartoons stand as a testament to the creative ingenuity of their creators, who pioneered the art of bringing drawings to life through motion. 

These early animations, born from rudimentary techniques and a profound curiosity, laid the foundation for an entire industry that has since evolved into a global phenomenon. Most of us had a happy childhood from watching cartoons back when we were little.

ADVERT

From flickering drawings on paper to the mesmerizing digital spectacles of today, the journey of the oldest cartoons is a fascinating voyage through time, culture, and the inexhaustible human desire to tell stories in ever more captivating ways.

7. The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926)

Credit: Wikipedia

Created by German filmmaker Lotte Reiniger in 1926, The Adventures of Prince Achmed known to be a silent cartoon is widely regarded as one of the earliest surviving animated feature films in cinema history.

The entire cartoon was crafted entirely using silhouette animation, a painstaking process that involved manipulating intricate cutouts against illuminated backgrounds to create the illusion of movement.

The narrative follows Prince Achmed as he embarks on a journey to rescue Princess Pari Banu from the clutches of an evil sorcerer. Along the way, he encounters a host of fantastical creatures, including a flying horse and a powerful witch.

The film weaves together elements of fantasy, adventure, and magic, drawing inspiration from various stories from "One Thousand and One Nights."

6. Alice’s Wonderland (1923)

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Alice's Wonderland refers to a silent black-and-white short film created by Walt Disney and his partner Ub Iwerks in 1923. This cartoon is notable for being one of Walt Disney's earliest ventures into animation, preceding the creation of Mickey Mouse by a few years.

The film starts with a live-action sequence where a young girl named Virginia Davis interacts with an animated cat named Julius. The cartoon features Alice exploring an animated wonderland filled with imaginative and surreal scenarios. 

While it takes inspiration from Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," it also incorporates original elements and unique character designs. On top of that, this cartoon was included as an extra feature within the Special "Un-Anniversary Edition" release of Alice in Wonderland.

5. Feline Follies (1919)

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Feline Follies is a short black-and-white animated film created by Pat Sullivan and Otto Messmer. It was released in 1919 and is considered one of the earliest Felix the Cat cartoons.

In the cartoon, the character of Felix the Cat is introduced as a mischievous and resourceful feline with a knack for getting himself into humorous and imaginative situations. The cartoon employs simple animation techniques of the time.

ADVERT

From 1919 to 1921, the initial 25 cartoons were screened in cinemas and distributed by Paramount Pictures. In the first pair of cartoons, namely "Feline Follies" and "The Musical Mews," the character of Felix was referred to as Master Tom.

4. Gertie the Dinosaur (1914)

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Released in 1914, Gerties the Dinosaur is one of the earliest examples of character animation and storytelling in the medium. The cartoon features McCay himself interacting with an animated dinosaur named Gertie in a live-action/animation hybrid format.

In "Gertie the Dinosaur," Winsor McCay's character commands Gertie through a series of tricks and commands. Gertie responds with various antics, showing a blend of both endearing and humorous behavior.

Its significance within the history of animation is underscored by its remarkable preservation status, making it the most well-maintained among McCay's films. A copy of the film is carefully preserved in the U.S. Library of Congress Film Registry.

3. How a Mosquito Operates (1912)

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

How a Mosquito Operates is a silent animated short film created by Winsor McCay, a pioneer in the field of animation. Released in 1912, this short film is notable for its early exploration of character animation, humor, and attention to detail.

The cartoon revolves around the humorous premise of portraying the inner workings of a mosquito's anatomy and behavior. Through a combination of hand-drawn animation and stop-motion techniques, McCay skillfully creates a narrative that balances scientific observation with humor.

By skillfully blending hand-drawn animation with stop-motion techniques, McCay crafts a narrative that adeptly harmonizes scientific observation and humor.

2. Little Nemo (1911)

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Little Nemo refers to several adaptations of the classic comic strip "Little Nemo in Slumberland" created by Winsor McCay. The comic strip originated in the early 20th century and was known for its imaginative and surreal exploration of dreams and fantasy. 

The strip follows the adventures of a young boy named Nemo as he journeys through a whimsical dream world called Slumberland. This adaptation aimed to capture the essence of McCay's original comic strip, delving into the fantastical and imaginative world of Nemo's dreams.

ADVERT

Premiered in 1911, the film saw McCay personally hand-coloring every individual frame, initially in black and white, to prepare for subsequent presentations.

1. Fantasmagorie (1908)

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The oldest cartoon in the world, "Fantasmagorie," is a pioneering and innovative animated short film created by Émile Cohl, a French caricaturist and animator. Released in 1908, "Fantasmagorie" is one of the earliest examples of animated cinema.

The film is a mere two minutes long and is composed of around 700 drawings that Cohl meticulously created by hand. The film lacks a traditional narrative, instead focusing on visual experimentation and whimsical sequences that flow seamlessly into one another.

Émile Cohl's animation technique involved drawing directly onto film stock, frame by frame, which required a tremendous amount of dedication and patience.

Source:

• AnakUI

Also read: Top 5 Oldest Board Games In The World