Definition: Anthropomorphism is the attributing of human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities, such as animals, plants, or inanimate objects. It is a common literary device used in myths, fables, and storytelling, where animals or objects are often portrayed as having human-like qualities, such as the ability to speak, think, and make decisions. In film, it’s especially prominent in animation.
Here is the history, with examples, including the development of anthropomorphic entities in film—from early animation to CGI and live-action movies.
The Earliest Examples of Anthropomorphic Characters in Film
The journey of anthropomorphism in film began in the silent film era, when filmmakers, perhaps limited by technology but not by imagination, used costumes and practical effects to create anthropomorphic characters.
One of the earliest examples is the 1907 film The Teddy Bears, in which actors in bear suits mimicked human behavior, much to the delight and horror of contemporary audiences.
One of the earliest animated instances was in Winsor McCay’s 1914 Gertie the Dinosaur, which showcased a dinosaur that exhibited human-like emotions and behaviors.
The 1920s and 1930s
The introduction of sound and color to film in the late 1920s and 1930s gave anthropomorphic characters a new dimension. This is true for both animation and live-action movies.
Walt Disney revolutionized anthropomorphism with Mickey Mouse, who first appeared in Steamboat Willie in 1928. It also introduced the sync between movement and music, known as Mickey Mousing.
With his human-like qualities, Mickey quickly became a cultural icon, setting a foundation for the future of animated characters.
This period saw the creation of a multitude of beloved anthropomorphic characters in films such as the first full-length feature animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937), which featured human-like animals and trees alongside the dwarfs, who themselves displayed distinct human personalities.
Disney’s knack for giving animals human traits can be seen as a clever ploy to skirt the uncanny valley—making characters relatable without making them uncomfortably realistic.
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Examples from Live Action Movies
Anthropomorphism was also seen in live-action movies; The Wizard of Oz (1939) featured anthropomorphic characters like the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man, who displayed human emotions and dilemmas.
Mid-20th Century
The mid-20th century saw continued innovative use of anthropomorphism in film, particularly through the work of companies like Disney and Warner Bros.
Characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and other Looney Tunes stars were not just animals acting like humans; they often reflected societal attitudes and featured in plots that involved complex human-like scenarios and emotions.
Again, parallel with animation, anthropomorphism continued in live-action movies as well.
In Harvey (1950), a man befriends a giant, invisible rabbit, and in The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957), everyday creatures and objects appear menacing and human-like because the protagonist’s perspective changes.
The latter movie is also a good example of how assigning anthropomorphic characteristics to animals leads to depicting them as human adversaries. This can lead to horror—as in the scene above, where a spider becomes much more menacing due to its size.
1950s-1980s: Expansion and Experimentation
Post-1950s, filmmakers began experimenting with different genres and new technologies.
Movies like Charlotte’s Web (1973) and Watership Down (1978) explored more serious themes through anthropomorphic animals, showing that such portrayals could go beyond simple comedic characters and address complex issues like mortality and freedom.
This era saw significant advancements in special effects technology.
Films like Planet of the Apes (1968) used makeup and prosthetics to create highly believable non-human characters capable of complex human-like emotions and societies. The anthropomorphized apes in these films allowed for a critique of human society, war, and racism.
Later, we also get horror and sci-fi family films such as Alien (1979), in which the Xenomorph exhibits human intelligence, and Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977), in which characters like C-3PO and Chewbacca show anthropomorphic traits.
Finally, I want to mention Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), which mixed live-action movies with the hand-drawn animated Roger Rabbit (and other animals) and even human-like cartoon characters like Betty Boop and Jessica Rabbit.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a good indicator of what will become possible with CGI’s advent. Still, I love what they were able to achieve with hand-animated characters and clever practical effects in the 1980s.
1990s-2000s: The Age of Blockbusters and CGI
The latter half of the 20th century and the early 21st century saw the rise of feature-length animated films and CGI live-action blockbusters that heavily utilized anthropomorphism.
Films like The Lion King (1994), Finding Nemo (2003), Ratatouille (2007), and Zootopia (2016) explored more complex themes such as leadership, identity, prejudice, and societal structure through anthropomorphic animals. These films often aim at children and adults, embedding messages about human nature and society in their narratives.
The advent of CGI also revolutionized anthropomorphism in live-action blockbusters. Jurassic Park (1993) brought dinosaurs to life with unprecedented realism, exploring themes of ethics in science and human hubris. The Men in Black series began in 1997. It uses a mix of practical effects and CGI to create a myriad of alien creatures with distinct personalities, humorously exploring cultural and social differences.
2010s-Present: Contemporary Examples
In recent years, CGI and advances in animation technology have allowed for even more detailed and human-like characteristics in non-human characters.
Movies like Avatar (2009), The Shape of Water (2017) and CGI versions of popular Disney classics such as The Lion King (2019) and Aladdin (2019) show anthropomorphic characters (e.g., the monkey Abu, the parrot Iago and the genie in Aladdin).
Also, comedy sci-fi films like those from the Marvel Cinematic Universe introduced characters like Rocket Raccoon and Groot, anthropomorphic beings with deep character arcs. These films used CGI and voice performances to create relatable non-human characters.
Another favorite comedy of mine is TED (2012), which introduces us to a very human-like teddy bear that embodies many politically incorrect human traits.
TED is a good reminder of how comedy and anthropomorphism can be used to mirror human behavior.
Psychological Appeal
Anthropomorphism is observed in everyday life, such as when we attribute human feelings to pets or technology (like cars or computers). Anthropomorphism can help us relate to or understand complex concepts by making them more familiar or accessible through human characteristics.
From a psychological standpoint, anthropomorphism in film taps into the human tendency to empathize. Viewers can connect emotionally and intellectually with these characters by seeing human characteristics in non-human entities.
Films like Finding Nemo (2003) exemplify this, where fish and other sea creatures exhibit human emotions such as love, fear, and the pursuit of happiness. This broadens the appeal of these characters and enhances the thematic depth of the films.
Anthropomorphism and Humor
There’s something humorous about assigning human traits to objects and animals. It allows us to distill human traits, view them in a new light, and reflect on our understanding of what it means to be human.
Again, Finding Nemo is a good example. The character Bruce the Shark tries to suppress his predatory instincts to make friends under the sea, providing comic relief through the incongruity of his gentle personality juxtaposed with his fierce appearance.
This clever use of anthropomorphism not only tickles the funny bone but also adds layers to the character beyond the typical predator stereotype.
Summing Up
Anthropomorphism is the act of attributing human traits to non-human entities. It has been a cornerstone in film and animation since the early 20th-century cartoons like Felix the Cat. Disney popularized it and made it mainstream with Mickey Mouse in 1928.
Parallel, anthropomorphism in live-action films has evolved from simple costumes and practical effects to sophisticated CGI and performance capture technologies.
Over the decades, anthropomorphism evolved with technological advancements, leading to more nuanced characters in films like Zootopia and Toy Story and blending live-action and animation with movies like Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Jurassic Park and diverse genres such as horror and comedy.
Anthropomorphism allows us to reflect on what it is to be human through relatable yet fantastical characters that embody human emotions and social issues. This has made anthropomorphic characters enduringly appealing and relevant across different film eras.
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