9

When a small, stitched figure called 9 wakes in a silent, ruined world, he confronts the absence of people and the threat of roaming machines. He stumbles on a hidden community of similar numbered fabric creations that survive by staying out of sight. Though the others have settled into routines and cautious rules, 9's curiosity and persistence challenge their complacency. He pushes the group toward risk, arguing that curiosity and cooperation offer better chances than hiding. His questions also reveal faint clues about how the world fell apart, and that knowledge becomes central to whatever choices they make next, and wonder.

Directed by Shane Acker, the 2009 feature expanded his 2005 animated short into a full screenplay by Pamela Pettler, and features voice performances by Elijah Wood, Christopher Plummer, Martin Landau, John C. Reilly and Crispin Glover, and practical effects work.

The movie had modest box office returns, attracting a niche audience in theaters before building further interest on home video and streaming platforms. It later reached more viewers on DVD and streaming, where its visuals encouraged repeat viewings and discussion.

The film's bleak, tactile aesthetic and clockwork monster designs stood out, earning a cult following among animation fans who liked its mature tone and dark fairy tale mood, and it inspired conversations about handcrafted visual effects and production design. Design blogs and artists discussed its handmade look and techniques widely.

Critical response was mixed, with many reviewers admiring the visuals and the voice cast but pointing to a thin plot and underdeveloped characters. Viewers rated it around 6.9 out of 10, and critics highlighted themes of survival, memory and communal bonds. The voice work was often singled out for quality.