Movies like The Brightest Star (2023)
The best movies like The Brightest Star (2023) are The Gruffalo's Child (2011), Orion and the Dark (2024) and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1979). If The Brightest Star hooked you with its animation, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedSwapped (2026)8.8/10 from 2,298 votes
- Newestcocoon - One Summer of Girlhood (2026)Released 2026
The Gruffalo's Child (2011)
A follow up to the 2009 animated feature and adapted from the childrens' book by Julia Donaldson and Alex Scheffler. The Gruffalo's child explores the deep dark wood in search of the big bad mouse and meets the Snake, Owl and Fox in the process. She eventually finds the mouse, who manages to outwit her like the Gruffalo before!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOrion and the Dark (2024)
A boy with an active imagination faces his fears on an unforgettable journey through the night with his new friend: a giant, smiling creature named Dark.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1979)
Four children pass through a mystic portal in a wardrobe and discover the magical kingdom of Narnia, a land of talking animals and mythical creatures. There, an evil witch's spell has cast the land into eternal winter. Fearing that an ancient prophecy is coming to fruition, and that the children are Narnia's rightful rulers, the White Witch tricks their youngest brother into betraying his family, enacting an ancient magic that she can use to halt the fulfillment of the prophecy. Now, only Aslan, noble lion and High King above all kings in Narnia, can help them defeat the witch, restore springtime to Narnia, and claim their rightful places on the throne.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSong of the Sea (2014)
The story of the last Seal Child’s journey home. After their mother’s disappearance, Ben and Saoirse are sent to live with Granny in the city. When they resolve to return to their home by the sea, their journey becomes a race against time as they are drawn into a world Ben knows only from his mother’s folktales. But this is no bedtime story; these fairy folk have been in our world far too long. It soon becomes clear to Ben that Saoirse is the key to their survival.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Secret of Kells (2009)
Adventure awaits 12 year old Brendan who must fight Vikings and a serpent god to find a crystal and complete the legendary Book of Kells. In order to finish Brother Aiden's book, Brendan must overcome his deepest fears on a secret quest that will take him beyond the abbey walls and into the enchanted forest where dangerous mythical creatures hide. Will Brendan succeed in his quest?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Rescuers (1977)
Two agents of the mouse-run International Rescue Aid Society search for a little orphan girl kidnapped by sinister treasure hunters.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEpic (2013)
A teenager finds herself transported to a deep forest setting where a battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil is taking place. She bands together with a rag-tag group of characters in order to save their world—and ours.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDinosaur (2000)
An orphaned dinosaur raised by lemurs joins an arduous trek to a sancturary after a meteorite shower destroys his family home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisScarygirl (2023)
As her world is shrouded in darkness, a young girl must overcome her fears and travel to a mysterious city of light, save her father from a dangerous scientist and prevent the destruction of her planet.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWolfwalkers (2020)
In a time of superstition and magic, when wolves are seen as demonic and nature an evil to be tamed, a young apprentice hunter comes to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last pack. But when she saves a wild native girl, their friendship leads her to discover the world of the Wolfwalkers and transform her into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Hobbit (1977)
The story follows the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, a diminutive creative who resides in a place called Middle-Earth before he is compelled to go on a quest to find a treasure buried deep in the heart of the Lonely Mountain.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Flight of Dragons (1982)
The realm of magic is being threatened by the realm of logic, so the green wizard, Carolinus, decides to shield it for all time. Ommadon, the evil red wizard, stands in his way. Carolinus then calls for a quest that is to be led by a man named Peter Dickinson, who is the first man of both the realms of science and magic. It is Peter's job to defeat Ommadon.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisShrek 3-D (2004)
Lord Farquaad was eaten by the dragon, but his ghost has returned, and he's still evil. With the help of his henchman, Thelonious, he kidnaps Fiona. Shrek and the donkey set out to save her, with help from the dragon, before she goes over a waterfall on a raft.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSmallfoot (2018)
A bright young yeti finds something he thought didn't exist—a human. News of this “smallfoot” throws the simple yeti community into an uproar over what else might be out there in the big world beyond their snowy village.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf (2021)
Escaping from poverty to become a witcher, Vesemir slays monsters for coin and glory, but when a new menace rises, he must face the demons of his past.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisScooby-Doo! and the Curse of the 13th Ghost (2019)
Mystery Inc. withdraws from solving crimes after botching a case. When Vincent Van Ghoul contacts the gang about an unfinished investigation from Daphne, Shaggy and Scooby's past, the gang springs into action to finish the job that involves catching the 13th Ghost that escaped from the Chest of Demons and is still at large.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSwapped (2026)
A small woodland creature and a majestic bird, two natural sworn enemies of the Valley, magically trade places and set off on an adventure of a lifetime to switch back. Their journey soon uncovers a greater threat—one that could endanger not only their species, but the entire valley they call home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisCoraline (2009)
Wandering her rambling old house in her boring new town, 11-year-old Coraline discovers a hidden door to a strangely idealized version of her life. In order to stay in the fantasy, she must make a frighteningly real sacrifice.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Croods (2013)
The prehistoric Croods family live in a particularly dangerous moment in time. Patriarch Grug, his mate Ugga, teenage daughter Eep, son Thunk, and feisty Gran gather food by day and huddle together in a cave at night. When a more evolved caveman named Guy arrives on the scene, Grug is distrustful, but it soon becomes apparent that Guy is correct about the impending destruction of their world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAladdin (1992)
A young man's life is turned around with the help of a genie inside a lamp.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thiscocoon - One Summer of Girlhood (2026)
San and Mayu attend an all-girls school on a warm and tranquil island. When war reaches their shores, they are ordered to help nurse the wounded in a military hospital hidden away in a cave. Amidst escalating death and brutality, the friends struggle to find solace in their fragile lives.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
A Troll in Central Park (1994)
A friendly troll with a magic green thumb grows one flower too many for the queen, whose laws require all trolls to be mean ugly and scare humans whenever possible. As a punishment, he is exiled to a world of concrete, where he should live a life of proper trolldom: Manhattan.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
SnoozefestMovies like thisAli Baba & the Gold Raiders (1999)
Ali Baba steals hidden treasure from some raiders who then seek revenge on his family.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Can We Be Happy Now (2012)
A man in a grey, drab world is awakened to the beauty and happiness of the real world around him, as the spirits of nature take him on an adventure.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Another World (2020)
Nothing is ever destined to happen in the nether. Everything is impermanent. When Ghostie, who should have lost traits of humanity, encountered a girl that was reluctant to give up on finding her lost brother, nothing will ever be the same anymore.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Frozen II (2019)
Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf head far into the forest to learn the truth about an ancient mystery of their kingdom.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCoda (2013)
A lost soul stumbles drunken through the city. In a park, Death finds him and shows him many things.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSol Levante (2020)
A young warrior and her familiar search for the sacred place said to fulfill wishes. It's best not to anger the ancient guardians and spirits.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
SnoozefestMovies like thisCaught The Bug (2023)
A young woman comes down with a mysterious illness that infests upon her stomach.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Enjoy Your Meal (1996)
A colony of cockroaches feasts on the food in an old refrigerator, while a lone roach stands guard outside. When a man discovers the infestation and tries to destroy them all, the brave little roach defends himself and his fellows.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Brightest Star?
The closest matches to The Brightest Star are The Gruffalo's Child (2011), Orion and the Dark (2024) and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1979). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Brightest Star?
Start with The Gruffalo's Child (2011), the closest match to The Brightest Star.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Brightest Star?
Swapped (2026), rated 8.8/10 by 2,298 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Brightest Star?
cocoon - One Summer of Girlhood (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to The Brightest Star chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Brightest Star, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.