Film
A Close Shave
- Comedy
- Light-hearted
A Close Shave is a half-hour stop-motion gem where inventor Wallace falls for a wool-shop owner while his silent dog Gromit gets framed for sheep theft. It's endlessly inventive, visually gorgeous, and funny for both children and adults—that rare thing that doesn't condescend. Perfect if you love clever comedy, beautiful craft, or just want to feel good.
Should you watch it?
Watch it if you love slapstick built on tiny, lovingly handmade details, where a stop-motion kitchen can be as funny as any punchline and the gags land in quick succession.
Skip it if you want sprawling plots or emotional weight; at thirty minutes it is brisk, and its crime story is a neat little caper rather than anything weighty.
What it asks of you: Half an hour of close attention to small visual jokes, asking you to watch the background as much as the banter; it moves briskly yet rewards an unhurried eye.
Not sure? Find tonight's pick in a minute.
If you liked this
The Grand Budapest Hotel2014
Wes Anderson's meticulous stop-motion confection shares Wallace and Gromit's obsession with texture, detail, and absurdist machinery. A caper where every frame is a painting and every joke lands on multiple levels.
But The symmetrical, dollhouse aesthetic is deliberate and not for everyone. Some find Anderson's control suffocating rather than delightful.
Shaun the Sheep Movie2015
Another Aardman triumph: wordless slapstick with the same meticulous stop-motion craft and deeply British sense of humor. If you loved Gromit's silent comedy, you'll find it perfected here.
But The lack of dialogue means it relies entirely on visual gags—if that doesn't grab you early, there's nothing else to hold on to.
Chicken Run2000
Aardman at peak invention: a WWII-style escape caper with the studio's signature blend of slapstick, heart, and genuine excitement. The same team, same sensibility, same magic.
But It's broader and louder than A Close Shave. If you prefer quieter comedy and character-driven invention, this might feel overstuffed.
Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from A Close Shave
The wildcard
Something you would not have found on your own.
Creature Comforts1989
Made by the same team, it shares Wallace and Gromit's warmth and wit but takes a radically different approach to humor—silent slapstick versus genuine human voice filtered through surrealist comedy.
Aardman's Oscar-winning short: stop-motion animals in a zoo, but each one voices real interviews with ordinary people. It's hilarious, humane, and weirdly profound. Five minutes that contain an entire philosophy.
But It's a short film, not a feature, which means it ends just when you're settling in. Also, the humor is quieter than A Close Shave—it's observation, not slapstick.
More like this (6)
Mary and Max2009
A gorgeous, melancholy Australian stop-motion film about an unlikely friendship told through letters. It matches A Close Shave's craftsmanship and humor but adds real emotional weight and darkness.
But It's surprisingly bleak—depression, obesity, mental illness. The warmth doesn't erase the sadness, which can feel heavy for a film that looks so charming.
Fantastic Mr. Fox2009
Wes Anderson's stop-motion fable has Wallace's ingenuity and Gromit's silent slapstick energy. A heist film for people who love clever wordplay, unexpected tenderness, and animals solving problems.
But It's scattered across multiple heist subplots that don't always cohere. The whimsy can feel precious if you're not already on Anderson's wavelength.
Isle of Dogs2018
Anderson's second stop-motion feature. Visually stunning, funny, and stuffed with detail. The dog-centric premise and retro-futuristic Tokyo setting make it wildly inventive.
But It's less emotionally direct than his live-action work, and some find the style overwhelming. At 99 minutes, it can feel slight for its ambitions.
Coraline2009
Stop-motion craft at the highest level, but in service of genuine creepiness. Sharp dialogue, beautiful animation, and a real sense of danger that most family films don't attempt.
But It's a children's film that's genuinely scary. If you go in expecting whimsy, the buttons-for-eyes and body horror will feel jarring, not charming.
Robot & Frank2012
A touching sci-fi comedy about an aging widower and his home-care robot. Low-key, funny, beautifully observed, and genuinely moving without ever manipulating you.
But It's quiet and contemplative rather than clever. The humor is gentle; if you wanted Wallace's manic energy, this will feel deliberately paced.
The Boxtrolls2014
Stop-motion slapstick with real invention and heart. A story about found family, class struggle, and outsiders told through gorgeous visual gags and genuine warmth.
But The plot machinery is busy and sometimes murky. It tries to juggle tone—whimsy, darkness, comedy—and doesn't always balance them smoothly.
People
Cast
Peter SallisWallace (voice)
Anne ReidWendolene (voice)
Directing
- Nick ParkDirector
Production
- Colin RoseExecutive Producer
- David SproxtonExecutive Producer
- Peter LordExecutive Producer
- Carla ShelleyProducer
- Michael RoseProducer
- Peter ThorntonProduction Consultant
Recommended by
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, A Grand Day Out, Creature Comforts