From Hans Christian Andersen’s Thumbelina to Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels and beyond, the public fascination with “little people” has transformed into the multitude of stories, which often juxtaposed the wider, often harsher world with these people’s smallness and vulnerability. Equally, many films followed suit, and below are seven films, from thought-provoking animations to experimental oldies, that played with this intriguing scenario.

I. Fantastic Planet (1973)

This French animation is one of the best to depict the curious world of miniature people and their relationship with the wider world. It strikes at the core of human condition, sending out a message on freedom, power, rebellion and the importance of knowledge. Based on Stefan Wul’s 1957 science-fiction novel Oms en série, it tells the allegorical story of blue-skinned race of giants, Draags, who keep as pets the miniature race of Oms on planet Ygam. The film is notable for its “psychedelics”-inspired art design completed by animator René Laloux (The Masters of Time), and writer and illustrator Roland Topor (The Tenant), and is also the winner of the 1973 Cannes Special Prize.

II. The Devil-Doll (1936)

Futuristic, unbelievable technology is disastrously misused in this film from Tod Browning (Dracula (1931), Freaks (1932)). A scientist (Henry Walthall) creates a way to shrink people and animals, and thinks it would solve Earth’s overpopulation. However, when his pal Paul Lavond (Lionel Barrymore), who has escaped prison with him, takes over his business after the scientist’s death, he thinks the technology would also be the solution to take revenge on the people who unjustly sent him to prison in the first place. Paul teams up with scientist’s widow Malita (Rafaela Ottiano) and the unexpected starts happening. Some amazing acting elevates a shaky premise, which, nevertheless, intrigues (and horrifies!).

III. Downsizing (2017)

Not everything “works” in this Alexander Payne’s 2017 sci-fi film, but when the story focuses on the world of miniature people (rather than on some environmental or migratory issues), it definitely is awe-inspiring and memorable. The story is about the emergence of the new “downsizing” procedure in the future whereby people can decide to become just four inches’ tall. Not only they can then live in comfort and become rich, but they can also contribute to the environment by making their carbon and other footprint virtually non-existent. It is a fun film that works best when it tells of the incredible procedure and the lives of tiny people. The star ensemble, comprising of Matt Damon, Christoph Waltz and Kristen Wiig, also does a wonderful job.

IV. The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)

Based on book The Borrowers by Mary Norton, Hiromasa Yonebayashi’s The Secret World of Arriety (screenplay also by Hayao Miyazaki) is a lovely film that, like Studio Ghibli’s My Neighbour Totoro and The Red Turtle, emphasises tender friendship and our interaction with nature. Arietty is a tiny girl living within the walls of one family home with her parents. The family “borrows” food and goods from the humans, and when human boy Shawn (Sho) “discovers” the tiny inhabitants, an unexpected friendship blossoms.

V. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989)

The 1980s comedies were (and are) in the league of their own. Most of them toyed with either the supernatural (Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice) or the unbelievable (Trading Places, Big) to wonderful results. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is just one example of the 1980s infatuation with sci-fi fun, and is about the accidental “shrinkage” of Wayne Szalinski’s kids by his own experimental device which he thought was a failure. Unbeknown to the father, his kids are now some 1/4-inch tall and must find a way to let the dad know of the dangerous situation. The special effects are good, and even if the film does not reach the heights of a truly great film, it is still one wondrous entertainment.

VI. The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)

When one man (Scott (Grant Williams)) entered a strange-looking fog while out on a boat, he later discovered that he is getting rapidly smaller in size. He is making headlines around the world, but it seems there is no cure. As he tries to make sense of his situation, he also realises that his size means a very dangerous predicament. The film, based on Richard Matheson’s 1956 novel, does its best with the limited special effects available to it at the time, and is particularly convincing in those scenes where Scott is in the “state of nature”, fighting for his survival. Just as other films on this list, the sci-fi concept alone makes this film very curious, and it does have its moments of disbelief and suspense.

ViI. Ferngully:The Last Rainforest (1992)

This animation has the “whole package”: adventure, friendship, romance, fun and a moving environmental message, and it does not come from Disney. The story centres on Crysta, a fairy in living in Australian rainforest who unexpectedly makes friends with a human shrunk to her size. That human is Zac, a logger hired to cut down trees. Meanwhile, Crysta’s home is threated by malevolent polluting entity – Hexxus. Zac and Crysta come from different worlds and abide by different principles, but they have to unite to stop the evil. The voices are provided by such big 1990s stars as Robin Williams, Tim Curry, Samantha Mathis and Christian Slater, though Ferngully is a bit on a cartoonish side, it is still a great, memorable film thanks to its moving story, memorable characters and strong environmental stance.