The motion picture as a means of maintaining the popular traditions in contemporary Brazil discusses the extent to which popular theme with in animations may contribute to the persistence of traditional practices in contemporary society. This paper aims to clarify this question. For this reason, we make a trip back in time to the early twentieth century to show the trajectory of Brazilian animation and its relationship with national symbols, culminating in the current growth momentum, the beginning of the XXI century. To prove the significant strengthening of the sector and the large production of films with popular themes, we cut the period from 1998 to 2012 of Anima Mundi animation festival, to analyze the increase in animations themed folk in Brazil. The impact of this new form of presentation of traditional practices in Brazilian society was studied through the observation of the new generations. Conducting field work with students of municipal schools of Rio de Janeiro and using as support the animated series I swear I saw, which presents the Brazilian mythology, we have established a dialogue with young people and realized that animations with popular themes contribute to the formation and maintenance of this imaginary traditions. But they are not alone, family and school are important elements for maintaining those practices in today s society.