Movies like Ma Ma Hu Hu (2021)
The best movies like Ma Ma Hu Hu (2021) are Lupin the Third: Dead or Alive (1996), Arlo the Alligator Boy (2021) and Origin: Spirits of the Past (2006). If Ma Ma Hu Hu hooked you with its animation, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedMind Game (2004)7.5/10 from 355 votes
- NewestCosmic Princess Kaguya! (2026)Released 2026
- In JapaneseLupin the Third: Dead or Alive (1996)Also in Japanese
Lupin the Third: Dead or Alive (1996)
When Lupin heads to the kingdom of Zufu to pilfer its treasure, he incurs the wrath of its psychotic ruler General Headhunter, who places a dead-or-alive bounty on his head.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisArlo the Alligator Boy (2021)
Upon learning that he is from New York City, a wide-eyed boy, who is half human and half alligator, decides to leave his sheltered life in the swamp and search for his long lost father. A musical adventure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOrigin: Spirits of the Past (2006)
It is 300 years into the future. Earth's environment had been devastated by mankind's own foolish plans and humankind is beleaguered by the sentient forests which they have awoken. The world balance is tipped when a young boy named Agito stumbles across a machine that glowed in a strange blue hue inside a forbidden sanctuary.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJungle Emperor Leo (1997)
Tezuka Osamu's most famous work "Jungle Emperor Leo" has been made into an animated version a number of times. In this theater version, Tezuka Osamu was able for the first time to depict the theme that "All life is equal" through Leo's self-sacrifice.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBarbie: Big City, Big Dreams (2021)
Barbie meets another Barbie Roberts, forming a close friendship, nicknaming each other Malibu and Brooklyn when they both attend the Handlers, Performing Art School in NYC, over the summer, competing for a spot at the spotlight solo.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCrayon Shinchan the Movie: Action Kamen VS Leotard Devil (1993)
Everyone's favorite TV superhero Action Mask shows up in Kasukabe, and he's trying to get something from Shin-chan -- but what could it be?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisVivo (2021)
A music-loving kinkajou named Vivo embarks on the journey of a lifetime to fulfill his destiny and deliver a love song for an old friend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Furious Five (2008)
Ordered to teach a martial arts class of rambunctious bunny kittens, Po tells stories of each of the Furious Five's pasts.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBarbie as the Island Princess (2007)
Young Rosella is saved by a few kind animals after a shipwreck. Now called Ro, she learns to talk to animals. One day, she saves the life of a prince and returns to civilisation to discover her past.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWinnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day (1968)
Winnie the Pooh and his friends experience high winds, heavy rains, and a flood in Hundred Acre Wood.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCrayon Shinchan the Movie: Dangerous Honeymoon -The Lost Daddy- (2019)
Hiroshi and Misae have never been to a honeymoon trip to a foreign country. One day, Misae discovered an inexpensive and family-friendly holiday package to Australia and the Nohara family decided to make it their first honeymoon vacation. Hiroshi gets kidnapped upon arrival to Australia, leaving Shinnosuke, Misae and others on a dangerous journey. It turns out that Hiroshi is the key to a secret treasure. The remaining members of the Nohara Family must rescue Hiroshi, while a mysterious masked man and treasure hunters from all over the world are after him. The struggle is among three different groups in this action-filled treasure hunting adventure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSing: Thriller (2024)
Buster Moon dreams up a star-studded spectacle set to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" in this animated short featuring characters from the hit "Sing" films.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCosmic Princess Kaguya! (2026)
Iroha's life gets knocked off its orbit when Kaguya, a carefree runaway from the Moon, moves in and convinces her to perform in a virtual world together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMind Game (2004)
Nishi is a loser who has a crush on his childhood girlfriend. After an encounter with the Japanese mafia, he journeys to heaven and back, and ends up trapped in an even more unlikely place.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLava (2015)
Inspired by the isolated beauty of tropical islands and the explosive allure of ocean volcanoes, Lava is a musical love story that takes place over millions of years.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDoraemon the Movie: Nobita's Little Star Wars 2021 (2022)
During summer vacation Nobita picks up a small rocket containing Papi, a palm-sized alien president escaping rebels on his home planet Pirika.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMelody Time (1948)
In the grand tradition of Disney's great musical classics, Melody Time features seven timeless stories, each enhanced with high-spirited music and unforgettable characters. You'll be sure to tap your toes and clap your hands in this witty feast for the eyes and ears.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters (2011)
Po and the Furious Five uncover the legend of three of kung fu's greatest heroes: Master Thundering Rhino, Master Storming Ox, and Master Croc.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBarbie and the Diamond Castle (2008)
Liana and Alexa are best friends who share everything, including their love of singing. Upon meeting a girl inside a mirror, the duo embark on a journey that will put their friendship to the ultimate test.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Tidal Zone: SpongeBob Universe Special (2023)
GrandPat travels through alternate dimensions and timelines to get home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMy Milk Cup Cow (2014)
The father tells his daughter Nunu a lie that there is a cow in her milk cup. She believes it and drinks up milk, but there isn't any cow. Her father tells her a variety of lies, which Nunu finds increasingly difficult to believe.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Every Flower (2018)
Her, not only her, they are all the only children in the family, Typical underachiever, they often escape away from their broken family r ，Humbling every day with others young people like her in Internet cafes . when she finally plans to go home, she only to find that her family had moved away… ….She became one of them.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
West Lake Fish (2008)
The emperor's southern tour, where the place is full of hospitality, needless to say, local food attractions need to taste the tour. West Lake Moonlight Night, quiet and distant, the emperor sat in the boat and tasted the famous West Lake vinegar cooked by famous chefs. Even though the taste of the world's famous dishes, the emperor is still attracted to the delicious taste of this dish, for a time completely disregard the image, big. The so-called music is very sad, and the bones of the fish are stuck in the throat, and the pain is unbearable. The chef tried his best, and it was hard to see the results. He was also raised by the emperor who was angry and angry. At this time, the calm prime minister is coming out...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
The Hog’s Dice Legend of Saint Egg (2018)
n order to sell arms, radish provokes a war between eggs and apples. Everyone is a businessman, just to do business, not want to break the balance of the galaxy... Pig, innocent is pulled down the altar...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
New Art (2017)
A writer shares an apartment with another painter and musician, but they never talk to each other, nor do they visit each other in the bedrooms. One day, the writer suddenly decides to visit the painter in his bedroom and initiate cooperation between them. Later, when they get stuck with their work, the musician joins them, which signals the emergence of a new form of art...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
On My Planet (2014)
“On my planet” is a short love story. The concept is that everyone owns a little planet. The main character of my story is little boy called blue who owns a big blue planet but lives a very lonely and boring life. Until one day he found out an orange planet where a little girl lives on it , however it would only come every 72 years. This is the story about how he use every methods to attracts the girl’s attention and how he mange to pursuit his love.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
The Abyss (2019)
My inspiration is from the novel Us, which was written by Yevgeny Zamyatin, a Russian writer. In this world, no one has his/her own name except a code. Human beings are divided into several levels. Different levels were assigned to different types of work. The “Fountain” is both the source of energy and the landmark landscape in this city. There are many tall towers like diving platforms near the fountain. People can get closed to the “fountain” here. This city is always crowded and dark. D-503 lives a regular life here every day…
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Desire Line (2018)
"Desire Line" was originally an architect's term for paths made by people when walking across open grassland, what these lines represent are the shortest or most easily navigated routes between an origin and destination. The film uses this idea in the context of how an artificial intelligence might work: the AI generates optimal solutions to user problems as a form of desire line calculation. The film aims to interrogate the increasingly controversial role of Artificial Intelligence by visualising a statement from a bot about its experience on a Valentine's Day in the near future.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Starry Sky (TBA)
A shy boy, who was not good at communicating with others, saw a shining fish in a stream one day and took it home. Since then, his life has changed. The lonely little boy was getting vivacious because of the little fish. But suddenly one morning when he got up, the fish disappeared...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Pundusina (2018)
Adapted from the online comics Pundusina, the story shows Macao's typical family values and ways of family members getting along with each other, through narrations of the daily life and interesting anecdotes of the Si's, the protagonist, for viewers to learn about the social aspect of this intriguing city.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Ma Ma Hu Hu?
The closest matches to Ma Ma Hu Hu are Lupin the Third: Dead or Alive (1996), Arlo the Alligator Boy (2021) and Origin: Spirits of the Past (2006). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Ma Ma Hu Hu?
Start with Lupin the Third: Dead or Alive (1996), the closest match to Ma Ma Hu Hu.
What is the highest-rated movie like Ma Ma Hu Hu?
Mind Game (2004), rated 7.5/10 by 355 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Ma Ma Hu Hu?
Cosmic Princess Kaguya! (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Ma Ma Hu Hu?
Yes: Lupin the Third: Dead or Alive (1996), Origin: Spirits of the Past (2006) and Jungle Emperor Leo (1997).
How are movies similar to Ma Ma Hu Hu chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Ma Ma Hu Hu, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.