Movies like Island Joke (1990)
The best movies like Island Joke (1990) are The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000), Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023) and Moana (2016). If Island Joke hooked you with its animation and comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe Great Dictator (1940)8.3/10 from 3,872 votes
- NewestMoana (2026)Released 2026
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000)
Set several years after the first film, Ariel and Prince Eric are happily married with a daughter, Melody. In order to protect Melody from the Sea Witch, Morgana, they have not told her about her mermaid heritage. Melody is curious and ventures into the sea, where she meets new friends. But will she become a pawn in Morgana's quest to take control of the ocean from King Triton?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRuby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023)
Ruby Gillman, a sweet and awkward high school student, discovers she's a direct descendant of the warrior kraken queens. The kraken are sworn to protect the oceans of the world against the vain, power-hungry mermaids. Destined to inherit the throne from her commanding grandmother, Ruby must use her newfound powers to protect those she loves most.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMoana (2016)
In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by Maui reaches an impetuous Chieftain's daughter's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out the demigod to set things right.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTugboat Mickey (1940)
Mickey is performing routine maintenance on his tugboat (with interference from a pelican) when a call comes on the radio that there's a sinking ship needing assistance. Sadly, Mickey's crew consists of Donald and Goofy, so getting underway to help is not easy. Goofy has to fight a boiler's door to get it stoked with coal (and when he succeeds, he overfills it) and Donald gets tangled up in the machinery. Not to mention that nobody casts off, so they drag half the dock along with them. The overworked boiler soon explodes.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPopeye the Sailor (1933)
Popeye and Bluto fight for the love of Olive Oyl in their debut short, featuring Betty Boop.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDonald's Dog Laundry (1940)
With a rubber bone as a lure, Donald Duck tries to entice Pluto to try his mechanical dog washer. When the bone gives Pluto trouble, Donald tries a toy cat as a lure only to unexpectedly fall into the washer himself, get scrubbed and then hung out on the line to dry.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! (2012)
The enthusiastic Pirate Captain, along with his rag-tag crew, sets out to beat his bitter rivals. The chaotic adventure takes them from exotic shores to Victorian London, and from a haplessly smitten scientist to a diabolical queen.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGone Fishing (2017)
On Motunui, Maui tries to catch a fish with his magical fishhook, only to be comically foiled by the ocean.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Sea Beast (2022)
When a young girl stows away on the ship of a legendary sea monster hunter, they launch an epic journey into uncharted waters — and make history to boot.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBarbie: Mermaid Power (2022)
Barbie 'Brooklyn' Roberts, Barbie 'Malibu' Roberts, and sisters Skipper, Stacie, and Chelsea go on an underwater adventure as they transform into mermaids to help save the world of Pacifica.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Thirteenth Year (1999)
A teen learns that his birth mother is a mermaid after he begins to grow fins and slimy scales on his thirteenth birthday.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBarbie in A Mermaid Tale 2 (2012)
Merliah Summers, a mermaid from Oceana, travels to Australia for a surfing competition. But when she learns that the evil Eris is planning to take over her kingdom, she must stop her at any cost.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNim's Island (2008)
A young girl inhabits an isolated island with her scientist father and communicates with a reclusive author of the novel she's reading.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisBarbie: Dolphin Magic (2017)
Barbie and her sisters take off on another exciting, global adventure to visit their friend Ken at his summer internship at a beautiful and exotic coral reef.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPirates (1986)
Captain Red runs a hardy pirate ship with the able assistance of Frog, a dashing young French sailor. One day Capt. Red is captured and taken aboard a Spanish galleon, but thanks to his inventiveness, he raises the crew to mutiny, takes over the ship, and kidnaps the niece of the governor of Maracaibo. The question is, can he keep this pace up?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Gods Must Be Crazy II (1989)
Xixo is back again. This time, his children accidentally stow away on a fast-moving poachers' truck, unable to get off, and Xixo sets out to rescue them. Along the way, he encounters a couple of soldiers trying to capture each other and a pilot and passenger of a small plane, who are each having a few problems of their own.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBeat the Devil (1953)
A group of con artists stake their claim on a bogus uranium mine.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBarbie (2023)
Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures (2010)
Born on a Baja, California beach in 1959, new hatchling Sammy races across the beach to the ocean while avoiding being caught by seagulls and crabs. Thus begins Sammy's incredible fifty-year ocean journey where he overcomes obstacles, both natural and man-made, while trying to fulfill his dream of travelling around the world. Along the way he meets his best friend, a fellow turtle named Ray, and never forgets about Shelly, a turtle he saved that first day on the beach and the one he's always loved.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMoana (2026)
Teenage Moana answers the Ocean's call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with infamous demigod Maui on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJust the Worst Time (2024)
The Devil stalks the streets of a metropolis at night making his classic Faustian bargain to unsuspecting victims - The only catch is he is unable to close a single deal... Until he comes across a man with a US flag pin who helps him develop his business acumen.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
The Great Dictator (1940)
Dictator Adenoid Hynkel tries to expand his empire while a poor Jewish barber tries to avoid persecution from Hynkel's regime.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisSpaceballs (1987)
When the nefarious Dark Helmet hatches a plan to snatch Princess Vespa and steal her planet's air, space-bum-for-hire Lone Starr and his clueless sidekick fly to the rescue. Along the way, they meet Yogurt, who puts Lone Starr wise to the power of "The Schwartz." Can he master it in time to save the day?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChoque de Cultura: A Série (2025)
The biggest names in alternative transportation reunite years after the show ended. Rogerinho is now a psychic. Renan got rich. Julinho has a death sentence hanging over him, and Maurílio created the first script.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Office Space (1999)
A depressed white-collar worker tries hypnotherapy, only to find himself in a perpetual state of devil-may-care bliss that prompts him to start living by his own rules, and hatch a hapless attempt to embezzle money from his soul-killing employers.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNot Okay (2022)
An ambitious young woman, desperate for followers and fame, fakes a trip to Paris to up her social media presence. When a terrifying incident takes place in the real world and becomes part of her imaginary trip, her white lie becomes a moral quandary that offers her all the attention she’s wanted.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe American Society of Magical Negroes (2024)
A young man, Aren, is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to a cause of utmost importance: making white people’s lives easier.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Last Director (2017)
After a series of mysterious studio firings, George Lucas tracks down the evil forces trying to ruin his beloved franchise's fate.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
The Anti-Exorcist (TBA)
A gender-divergent demon fights for liberation, clashing with a Catholic priest.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Hamlet 2 (2008)
Failed actor-turned-worse-high-school-drama-teacher Dana Marschz rallies his Tucson students as he conceives and stages a politically incorrect musical sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Island Joke?
The closest matches to Island Joke are The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000), Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023) and Moana (2016). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Island Joke?
Start with The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea (2000), the closest match to Island Joke.
What is the highest-rated movie like Island Joke?
The Great Dictator (1940), rated 8.3/10 by 3,872 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Island Joke?
Moana (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there German movies like Island Joke?
The closest matches are in other languages.
How are movies similar to Island Joke chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Island Joke, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.