An animated window system (10) may include a projection surface (12) configured to display at least one image to a viewer on a viewer side of the projection surface (12), wherein the projection surface (12) comprises a tinted material. The animated window system (10) may also include a projector (30) spaced apart from the projection surface (12), wherein the projector is configured to project the at least one image onto a rear side (28) of the projection surface (12), the rear side (28) opposing the viewer side (26) and a controller (40) comprising a memory (62) and a processor (64), wherein the controller (40) is configured to provide the at least one image to the projector (30) to be projected onto the projection surface (12).