Greatest Animated Music Videos

Animated music videos are more than just eye candy—they’re imaginative portals that elevate a song from just audio to a full-blown experience. When done right, animation can transcend the boundaries of genre, era, and budget, turning a simple track into an iconic visual story. Some music videos have gone on to become legendary not just for the tunes they represent, but for the art styles, themes, and innovations they brought to the screen.

Let’s dive into the animated music videos that raised the bar and shaped the way we experience music in motion.

Why Animated Music Videos Hit Different

Animated music videos have a unique charm. Unlike live-action videos, animation offers total creative control. You’re not bound by gravity, physics, or reality. If you want your characters to float through surreal dreamscapes, shapeshift, or exist in alternate timelines, animation makes it happen.

Here’s why these videos strike a chord:

• Freedom of Expression
  Artists can portray abstract or surreal concepts without constraint. Animation makes even the most far-out metaphors feel natural.
• Timeless Visuals
  Many animated videos age like fine wine. Styles like hand-drawn 2D, rotoscoping, or even early 3D tend to carry a nostalgic or timeless aesthetic.
• Cross-Genre Flexibility
  Whether it’s rock, hip-hop, electronic, or indie pop, animation finds its footing. It doesn’t cater to a specific genre—it enhances them all.
• Budget Friendly with Big Impact
  Compared to filming live action with sets, actors, and travel, some animated projects can be produced with smaller teams and budgets but yield unforgettable results.
• Cult Following and Rewatch Value
  Because of their layered visuals and deeper symbolism, animated music videos often gain cult status and encourage multiple viewings.

Iconic Animated Music Videos That Left a Mark

The history of animated music videos is stacked with creativity and innovation. Here’s a list of those that didn’t just accompany songs—they redefined them.

• “Take On Me” by a-ha
  A blend of pencil-sketch animation and live-action made this 1985 hit unforgettable. The rotoscoping technique helped blend fantasy and reality in a romantic escape story that still holds up decades later.
• “Clint Eastwood” by Gorillaz
  Gorillaz practically redefined the animated band. With Jamie Hewlett’s visual direction, the video mixed dubby beats and hip-hop verses with eerie, zombie-infested visuals that still give off that cool-yet-creepy vibe.
• “Do I Wanna Know?” by Arctic Monkeys
  Using minimalist black-and-white visuals and sound wave animations that morph into various figures, this video amplified the song’s moody, hypnotic rhythm.
• “Heartless” by Kanye West
  Influenced by Ralph Bakshi’s work and anime, this video combines rotoscoping with bold color palettes to portray loneliness and heartbreak in a visually poetic way.
• “Feel Good Inc.” by Gorillaz
  A staple of early 2000s animation, this one blends cyberpunk, dystopian aesthetics with satirical social commentary. The floating windmill island alone became an instant visual trademark.
• “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits
  Early 3D animation at its most charmingly awkward. The crude yet pioneering visuals helped the video become a ’80s pop culture relic.
• “Breaking the Habit” by Linkin Park
  Stylized anime-like visuals directed by Kazuto Nakazawa depict themes of inner struggle, addiction, and emotional turmoil with gritty artistry.
• “Paranoid Android” by Radiohead
  Surreal, dark, and borderline disturbing at times, this animated video matches the erratic, genre-blending song with oddball characters and metaphysical symbolism.
• “Leave Me Alone” by Michael Jackson
  A satirical, animated take on media frenzy and Jackson’s life. With amusement park rides, tabloid headlines, and quirky visuals, this one was ahead of its time.
• “Love, Death & Robots Soundtrack Singles”
  While not a traditional music video, the animated shorts tied to the show’s soundtrack mirror the artistry of animated videos. Each episode feels like a visual representation of music—short, sharp, and deep.

Underground Gems and Modern Favorites

Not all animated music videos get the spotlight, but these deserve a nod for creativity, emotion, and originality.

• “Shelter” by Porter Robinson & Madeon
  A heart-wrenching animated short produced by A-1 Pictures, it tells the story of a girl living in a simulated world while her real-world reality unravels. Emotional and gorgeously animated.
• “Ghost of You” by Mimi Page
  Dark, haunting, and surreal animation gives this dreamy track a melancholic beauty that resonates deeply.
• “Me!Me!Me!” by TeddyLoid ft. daoko
  Not exactly safe for work, but definitely unforgettable. It’s a sensory overload of color, techno beats, and adult themes told in a psychedelic anime style.
• “Black Light Dinner Party – Gold Chain”
  With pixel art animation reminiscent of retro video games, it delivers nostalgia with an emotional core.
• “Fantasy” by DyE
  Creepy and captivating, this animated short blends coming-of-age themes with disturbing body horror. It’s a strange but powerful match to the track’s dreamy sound.
• “Wanderlust” by Björk
  A stop-motion and 3D hybrid experience that brings Icelandic surrealism to life, staying true to Björk’s consistently otherworldly aesthetic.
• “King and Cross” by Ásgeir
  The animation style feels like a watercolor dream—soft, mysterious, and atmospheric.
• “Feel Something” by Armin van Buuren
  Combines fantasy environments and surreal character designs to reflect the euphoric nature of trance music.
• “Light & Day” by The Polyphonic Spree
  Stop-motion meets arts-and-crafts aesthetic in this cheerful, kaleidoscopic creation.

Noteworthy Styles and Studios in Animated Music Videos

Many of these videos aren’t just driven by musicians—they rely heavily on the visual imagination of studios and directors.

Here’s a quick comparison of animation styles and notable studios behind some iconic animated music videos:

FAQs About Animated Music Videos

What was the first animated music video?
It’s tough to say definitively, but Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” (1975) used rudimentary effects that bordered on animation. However, true animated storytelling became more prominent in the early ’80s and ’90s.

Are animated videos cheaper to produce than live action?
Sometimes. While animation can be budget-friendly, high-quality animation (especially 3D or hand-drawn) can become very expensive depending on complexity and duration.

Why do artists choose animation for music videos?
Animation allows for more creative freedom. It’s ideal for abstract concepts, fantasy themes, or when artists want to craft a visual identity without physically appearing in the video.

Do animated bands actually perform live?
Yes—Gorillaz is a prime example. They often blend animation with live musicianship using holograms or massive LED displays during concerts.

Can indie artists use animation effectively?
Absolutely. Many indie musicians collaborate with animation students or freelancers to create budget-friendly yet impactful videos. Platforms like YouTube and Vimeo are treasure troves for these.

Is animation better for storytelling in music videos?
For abstract, surreal, or deeply emotional themes, animation often outperforms live-action storytelling due to its flexibility and ability to visualize inner emotions or metaphors.

Are animated music videos making a comeback?
They never really left, but with the rise of short-form video platforms and digital tools, more artists are exploring animated formats for storytelling and viral engagement.

Wrapping It Up: The Power of Animation in Music

Animated music videos are where sound meets surrealism. They can be wild, weird, whimsical—or painfully raw and real. What makes them timeless is their ability to go places live-action simply can’t. Whether it’s the emotional punch of “Shelter,” the genre-bending brilliance of “Feel Good Inc.,” or the retro charm of “Take On Me,” these videos prove that the art of animation is more than a stylistic choice—it’s a storytelling powerhouse.

In a world where visuals matter just as much as vocals, animated music videos continue to evolve, surprise, and inspire. They aren’t just add-ons to a track—they’re a full-on experience. So the next time a song catches your ear, don’t just stream it—look it up. You might be one click away from an animated masterpiece.