An unlikely combination of DreamWorks Animation and offbeat screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, Netflix's original feature film "Orion and the Darkness" has been a surprising success with both audiences and critics The animated film has remained in Netflix's top 10 since its release and boasts an impressive 91% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes

This is a testament to how effectively director Sean Charmatz blends the neurotic angst and narrative tricks that Kaufman is known for with DreamWorks' accessible, family-friendly style The story of Orion (Jacob Tremblay), a boy with no self-confidence who befriends the Dark itself (Paul Walter Hauser), is hilarious and heartwarming, even as it examines the serious insecurities and fears that come with facing the unknown Here are five more films like "Orion and the Darkness" that mix entertainment and introspection

Although "Orion and the Dark" is a DreamWorks production, it is equally influenced by rival animation studio Pixar in its emotional depth and a story that personifies abstract concepts Pixar's "Monsters, Inc" is also about sinister childhood fears coming to life and seeking redemption and understanding rather than harsh rejection In this case, it is the monsters that the children imagine lurking in their closets and under their beds; they are simply harmless, industrious creatures trying to make a living

Billy Crystal and John Goodman voice the mild-mannered monsters who have been taught that children are dangerous enemies, only to discover that the opposite is true when they accidentally bring a child back into their world Like Orion and Dirk, monsters Mike and Sulley, and the little girl they name Boo, develop a friendship that transcends hurtful preconceptions

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Even before working with Charlie Kaufman, DreamWorks tackled heavy themes in unexpected places with the belated sequel to the "Shrek" series spin-off "Puss in Boots" While "The Last Wish" is still set in the series' warped fairy tale world, the emphasis is on examining the existential crisis faced by the title character, a masterful cat with a sword voiced by Antonio Banderas

Recklessly having nearly used up his nine lives, Puss is pursued by a dark, wolf-like figure who personifies death and seeks out the legendary Wishing Star to regain his life and escape the consequences of his actions The painterly animation and the soulful relationship between Puss and his past lover Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) give "The Last Wishing" an artistic sophistication while delivering fun action and goofy humor

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Intergenerational storytelling is a key element of "Orion and the Dark," a bedtime story told by the adult Orion to his skeptical daughter Hypatia There is a similar dynamic between grandfather (Peter Falk) and grandson (Fred Savage) in Rob Reiner's gentle, self-aware fairy tale

Just as Orion improvises and alters the story to suit Hypatia's suggestions, the grandfather promises to include only the "good parts" as he reads the story of Princess Buttercup (Robin Wright) and her lost love Westley (Cary Elwes) to his grandson Both films are excellent introductions to metafiction for young audiences, allowing them to discover the possibilities of cinema's playful reflection on its own creations

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Like Dirk, the title character of the Netflix original animated film "Nimona" is perceived as a villain, but is really just misunderstood based on ND Stevenson's popular graphic novel Based on ND Stevenson's popular graphic novel, the film is set in a world that combines science fiction futurism and medieval fantasy Nimona (Chloe Grace Moretz) is a teenage girl with shape-shifting powers who teams up with disgraced knight Barrister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) to help clear his name

Moretz plays Nimona with boundless energy and enthusiasm, and the animation is precise and expressive The story offers valuable lessons about tolerance without sacrificing Nimona's uniquely snarky sense of humor or softening her character She delights in causing chaos, but at heart, she just wants to connect with people who see her as she is

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Most kids aren't ready for an intensive dose of Charlie Kaufman weirdness, but adult fans of "Orion and Beyond Darkness" can follow this Kaufman classic, directed by Spike Jonze The level of metafiction is even heavier in this elaborate self-reflexive comedy, in which Nicolas Cage plays Kaufman Cage also plays Kaufman's fictional twin brother Donald, who interrupts Charlie's (the character) efforts to adapt Susan Orlean's nonfiction book "The Orchid Thief" for the screen

"The Orchid Thief" is a real book about a real person, but Kaufman mixes that fact with fiction, and a speculative version of Orlean (Meryl Streep) and the subject of her book, John Laroche (Chris Cooper) make them Kaufman and Jones provide a delightful and insightful commentary on the stresses of artistic creation, while simultaneously celebrating Orléans' work in the most irreverent way possible

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