Movies like A Star So Close and Distant (2021)
The best movies like A Star So Close and Distant (2021) are Mai Mai Miracle (2009), Naruto OVA 12: The Day Naruto Became Hokage (2016) and Pear Cider and Cigarettes (2016). If A Star So Close and Distant hooked you with its animation and drama, these 20 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks
- Highest ratedFar from the Tree (2021)8.1/10 from 395 votes
- NewestThe Imaginary (2023)Released 2023
- In JapaneseMai Mai Miracle (2009)Also in Japanese
Mai Mai Miracle (2009)
Inspired by her grandfather's stories, young Shinko embarks on wild flights of fancy about the history of the little town she lives in. But dreams can't fend off the realities of growing up.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNaruto OVA 12: The Day Naruto Became Hokage (2016)
Depicts the day that Naruto Uzumaki became the 7th Hokage.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPear Cider and Cigarettes (2016)
The brutally honest story of Robert's turbulent relationship with a self-destructive, yet charismatic friend from childhood, who cries out for help from a military hospital in China and sets Rob on a wild ride to get him home to Vancouver.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStrings (2004)
The story of Prince Hal who sets out to avenge his dead father against the city's rivals, the Zeriths, little knowing it was his wicked uncle Nezo who is the real killer, with his own designs on the throne.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFinal Fantasy VII: Last Order (2005)
After the destruction of Nibelheim at the hands of Sephiroth, Zack and Cloud are on the run from Shinra Inc. As they make their way back to Midgar, they recall the horrible events that happened at Nibelheim, as well as fight for survival against Shinra.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPokémon the Movie: Black - Victini and Reshiram (2011)
The Kingdom of the People of the Earth once ruled over the land, but now all that remains is the Sword of the Earth. in the city of Eindoak. Satoshi, Iris, and Dent arrive in Eindoak during a harvest festival's Pokémon Tournament and meet the legendary Pokémon Victini who wishes to share its powers of victory to someone. Elsewhere in the city, a descendant of the People of the Earth named Dred Grangil has arrived who seeks to revive the kingdom's power with the Sword of the Earth, bringing them back into power over the land, and Satoshi and his friends must stop him before he destroys the land along with Victini.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPokémon the Movie: White - Victini and Zekrom (2011)
The Kingdom of the People of the Earth once ruled over the land, but now all that remains is the Sword of the Earth. in the city of Eindoak. Satoshi, Iris, and Dent arrive in Eindoak during a harvest festival's Pokémon Tournament and meet the legendary Pokémon Victini who wishes to share its powers of victory to someone. Elsewhere in the city, a descendant of the People of the Earth named Dred Grangil has arrived who seeks to revive the kingdom's power with the Sword of the Earth, bringing them back into power over the land, and Satoshi and his friends must stop him before he destroys the land along with Victini.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWaking Life (2001)
Waking Life is about a young man in a persistent lucid dream-like state. The film follows its protagonist as he initially observes and later participates in philosophical discussions that weave together issues like reality, free will, our relationships with others, and the meaning of life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Imaginary (2023)
Amanda and her imaginary friend Rudger go on thrilling make-believe adventures. But when Rudger finds himself alone, he faces a mysterious threat.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNapping Princess (2017)
Japan, 2020, a few days before the opening of the Tokyo Olympics. Although she should be studying for her final exams, Kokone, a schoolgirl who lives in a small town with her widowed father, a mysterious and talented mechanic, falls asleep often, anywhere, anytime, entering, over and over, a dream-world where a squad of fantastic motorized contraptions fights against magic, a world close to reality where she will find out the keys of her true past.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDoraemon: Nobita and the Steel Troops (1986)
Doraemon and Nobita decide to build a perfect toy robot. However, their creation turns out to be a little more uncanny than an object of appreciation and wonder.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDoraemon the Movie: Nobita's Sky Utopia (2023)
Doraemon, Nobita and his friends go to find Utopia, a perfect land in the sky where everyone lives with happiness, using an airship having a time warp function.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDoraemon: Nobita's Dorabian Nights (1991)
Shizuka ends up in the fantasy world of the 'Arabian Nights' story. However, Doraemon, Nobita, Suneo, and Jyaian must find her from the imaginary Middle East and bring her back to the real life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPAW Patrol: Jet to the Rescue (2020)
A royal relative steals a gem with the power to make things fly, the Paw Patrol takes to the skies to stop him and save Barkingburg.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDoraemon: Nobita and the Winged Braves (2001)
Doraemon and his friends have to rescue the people of Birdopia from the wrongdoing of vengeful former bird troopers before they unleash a wicked ancient dragon.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice (2012)
Ash and his two friends Iris and Cilan help a Keldeo battle against a powerful Dragon-type Pokémon named Kyurem its his test to become a Sacred Swordsman.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisK: Missing Kings (2014)
The "Academy Island Incident" in which four "kings" cross paths... Since then, Silver Clansmen Kuroh Yatogami and Neko have been searching for their master, Shiro. Without finding any clues to Shiro's whereabouts, the two became disheartened. However, one day, they see HOMRA members Rikio Kamamoto and Anna Kushina being chased by someone.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Tale of the White Serpent (1958)
As a young boy, Xu-Xian is forced to free his pet, a small snake. Unbeknownst to him, the snake is actually a young snake goddess named Bai-Niang and she is in love with him. Many years later, when they are both adults, the princess is magically transformed into a human and sets out to find her love. But the local wizard believes her to be a vampire, and banishes Xu-Xian from the village in order to save him. Xu-Xian's pet pandas Panda and Mimi set out to save him and bring him, in the process becoming leaders of an animal gang.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisInuyasha the Movie 2: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass (2002)
With their most formidable foe vanquished, Inuyasha and his comrades begin returning to their everyday lives. But their peace is fleeting as another adversary emerges: Kaguya, the self-proclaimed princess from the Moon of Legend, hatches a plot to plunge the world into an eternal night of the full moon. Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, Sango and Shippou must reunite to confront the new menace.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFar from the Tree (2021)
On an idyllic beach in the Pacific Northwest, curiosity gets the better of a young raccoon whose frustrated parent attempts to keep them both safe.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like A Star So Close and Distant?
The closest matches to A Star So Close and Distant are Mai Mai Miracle (2009), Naruto OVA 12: The Day Naruto Became Hokage (2016) and Pear Cider and Cigarettes (2016). Below are 17 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after A Star So Close and Distant?
Start with Mai Mai Miracle (2009), the closest match to A Star So Close and Distant.
What is the highest-rated movie like A Star So Close and Distant?
Far from the Tree (2021), rated 8.1/10 by 395 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like A Star So Close and Distant?
The Imaginary (2023) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like A Star So Close and Distant?
Yes: Mai Mai Miracle (2009), Naruto OVA 12: The Day Naruto Became Hokage (2016) and Final Fantasy VII: Last Order (2005).
How are movies similar to A Star So Close and Distant chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside A Star So Close and Distant, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.



















