Love, Death & Robots has deep roots in this forgotten animated cult classic movie

The series Love, Death & Robots came out in 2019, demonstrating to the world that animated storytelling could be wild, adult, and experimental. Uniquely combining sci-fi chills, dark humor, and impressive animation styles, the series felt both fresh yet also oddly familiar.

As it turns out, the look has some major roots further back in the realm of animated storytelling - the heralded 1981 animated cult film Heavy Metal. Created by filmmakers who once pitched a remake, Love, Death & Robots carries forward the daring spirit and anthology format of its predecessor.

Directed by Tim Miller and executive produced by David Fincher, the journey started with a remake of Heavy Metal to try and reclaim the excitement and magic of a truly adult animated film. Throughout years of development failure, it ultimately became Love, Death & Robots.

While choosing to drop the Heavy Metal label, they retain the anthology format. Miller said:

"I pitched HEAVY METAL to Netflix (before Love Death + Robots)"

He showed his intent to create a narrative based on that springboard. This breakthrough gave rise to an adult animation series that both continues and evolves the bold legacy of that cult classic.

Keep reading to learn more about the series and the inspiration behind it.

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The wild animation movie that started it all

Heavy Metal was a bold and unusual animated movie that came out in 1981. Instead of one long story, it had nine short stories, all connected by a glowing green orb called the Loc-Nar, which acted as a narrator and symbol of evil.

The stories were set in strange sci-fi or fantasy worlds, filled with action, violence, and mature themes. At a time when animation was mostly for kids, Heavy Metal stood out for being unapologetically made for adults.

What also made the film unique was how it was made. Different animation studios from around the world worked on each segment, so every story looked different. Some were colorful and dream-like, others dark and gritty. Rock and metal songs were used in the background, giving the film a rebellious, edgy feel.

Even though it didn’t become a huge hit when it first came out, Heavy Metal developed a strong fan following over time and became a cult classic. Its style and attitude inspired many other creators, especially in adult animation, comic books, and even music videos.

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From cult film to streaming hit – The Love, Death & Robots connection

Even though Love, Death & Robots doesn’t carry the Heavy Metal name, it clearly carries the same creative DNA. Like Heavy Metal, each volume of the series is a collection of short, standalone stories. These range across genres like science fiction, horror, fantasy, dark comedy, and even emotional drama.

What also makes the series stand out is its variety of animation styles. Some episodes are done in high-end CGI, others in 2D or stop-motion, showing off a wide range of visual creativity, just like the film did back in 1981.

The connection isn’t accidental. Tim Miller, the creator of Love, Death & Robots, originally pitched a reboot of Heavy Metal to Netflix. But because the budget was too high for a full movie, the idea evolved into a short-form series instead.

Even though the name changed, the core idea stayed the same. Miller himself has openly said the series was inspired by his love for the original movie. Fans on Reddit have also pointed this out, saying the show feels like a modern version of Heavy Metal with its variety of stories and styles.

Critics also agree that most people don’t realize this show came from a failed revival. Love, Death & Robots has taken that cult classic format and modernized it, with sharper animation, fresh ideas, and more current themes, while still honoring the rebellious and creative spirit that made the film iconic.

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