Movies like Candy Candy: The Call of the Spring (1978)
The best movies like Candy Candy: The Call of the Spring (1978) are Strings (2004), Naruto OVA 12: The Day Naruto Became Hokage (2016) and Mai Mai Miracle (2009). If Candy Candy: The Call of the Spring 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 ratedMy Little Pony: The Movie (2017)7.3/10 from 440 votes
- NewestSnoopy Presents: There's No Place Like Home, Snoopy (2026)Released 2026
- In JapaneseNaruto OVA 12: The Day Naruto Became Hokage (2016)Also in Japanese
Strings (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 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 thisMai 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 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 thisWhere Is Anne Frank (2021)
The film follows the journey of Kitty, the imaginary friend to whom Anne Frank dedicated her diary. A fiery teenager, Kitty wakes up in the near future in Anne Frank's house in Amsterdam and embarks on a journey to find Anne, who she believes is still alive, in today's Europe. While the young girl is shocked by the modern world, she also comes across Anne's legacy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisScarlet (2025)
After failing to avenge her father's murder, Princess Scarlet, wakes up in the "Land of the Dead." In this world filled with madness, if she does not achieve her revenge against her nemesis and reach the "No End Place," she will become "Void" and cease to exist. Can Scarlet find a way to live at the end of her endless journey?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBuddha 2: The Endless Journey (2014)
2500 years ago, in India, Siddhartha was born as a prince of the Shakya clan, but he gives up his position as a prince to see the world. He meets a strange boy named Assaji, who can predict the future, a monk with only one eye and Depa. Siddhartha continues traveling. Siddhartha is overwhelmed by the sufferings he witnesses around him. Meanwhile, Prince Ruri of Kosara begins his attack on the Shakya clan. Second Buddha movie from Tezuka Productions.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Worth the HypeMovies 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 thisFranz Kafka's a Country Doctor (2007)
A hapless country doctor describes with breathless urgency a night-time summons to attend a young patient. Events soon take on a surreal aspect as "unearthly horses" transport him instantaneously to the bedside. The doctor, preoccupied with personal distractions and grievances against those he is employed to care for, fails to find what is revealed to be a vile, fatal wound. He is humiliated by the villagers, who are "always expecting the impossible from the doctor," and doomed to an endless return trip, losing everything.
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 thisSnoopy Presents: There's No Place Like Home, Snoopy (2026)
When Snoopy's beloved doghouse goes missing, he tries to track it down, and learns what makes a house feel like home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisPokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened (2013)
A group of five Genesect have invaded the big city and pose a threat to the supply of electricity, which attracts the attention of the legendary Pokémon Mewtwo. Satoshi, Pikachu and his friends must come to the rescue when the powerful leader, a red Genesect, faces Mewtwo.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMy Little Pony: The Movie (2017)
A new dark force threatens Ponyville, and the Mane 6 – Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity – embark on an unforgettable journey beyond Equestria where they meet new friends and exciting challenges on a quest to use the magic of friendship and save their home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies 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 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 thisDragons: Rescue Riders: Secrets of the Songwing (2020)
When a musical dragon with a beautiful voice hypnotizes the dragons and people of Huttsgalor, the Rescue Riders have to find a way to break the spell.
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 thisMio in the Land of Faraway (1987)
Under the watch of his unkind realtives, lonely Bosse's luck is changed when he is sent to the land where his real father is the King. In that country, he sets out on a quest, together with his new friend, to destroy the evil Knight Kato.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 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 this
Like Candy Candy: The Call of the Spring and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Candy Candy: The Call of the Spring?
The closest matches to Candy Candy: The Call of the Spring are Strings (2004), Naruto OVA 12: The Day Naruto Became Hokage (2016) and Mai Mai Miracle (2009). Below are 17 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Candy Candy: The Call of the Spring?
Start with Strings (2004), the closest match to Candy Candy: The Call of the Spring.
What is the highest-rated movie like Candy Candy: The Call of the Spring?
My Little Pony: The Movie (2017), rated 7.3/10 by 440 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Candy Candy: The Call of the Spring?
Snoopy Presents: There's No Place Like Home, Snoopy (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Candy Candy: The Call of the Spring?
Yes: Naruto OVA 12: The Day Naruto Became Hokage (2016), Mai Mai Miracle (2009) and Scarlet (2025).
How are movies similar to Candy Candy: The Call of the Spring chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Candy Candy: The Call of the Spring, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.