Movies like Look Back (2024)
The best movies like Look Back (2024) are 100 METERS (2025), From Up on Poppy Hill (2011) and Haikyu!! The Movie: Battle of Concepts (2017). If Look Back hooked you with its animation and drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedJujutsu Kaisen 0 (2021)8.1/10 from 1,899 votes
- Newest100 METERS (2025)Released 2025
- In Japanese100 METERS (2025)Also in Japanese
100 METERS (2025)
A gifted runner trains a determined but unskilled classmate, unaware he's creating a rival who will challenge him on the track for years to come.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFrom Up on Poppy Hill (2011)
Yokohama, 1963. Japan is picking itself up from the devastation of World War II and preparing to host the 1964 Olympics—and the mood is one of both optimism and conflict as the young generation struggles to throw off the shackles of a troubled past. Against this backdrop of hope and change, a friendship begins to blossom between high school students Umi and Shun—but a buried secret from their past emerges to cast a shadow on the future and pull them apart.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHaikyu!! The Movie: Battle of Concepts (2017)
A recap film depicting the match against Shiratorizawa Academy in the third season of the anime series.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisLiz and the Blue Bird (2018)
In their last year of high school, two girls in the brass band club perform a song inspired by a fairy tale that parallels their friendship.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHaikyu!! the Movie: The End and the Beginning (2015)
Shouyou Hinata, after losing to Kitagawa Daiichi Junior High's setter Tobio Kageyama in his first official volleyball match, transfers to Karasuno High, intent on finally having a proper volleyball team and getting his revenge on Kageyama. Upon arrival at Karasuno, however, Hinata finds out Kageyama has also gone to Karasuno. Initially at odds with each other, the two form an oddball combination and fight together with the other members of the volleyball club. Karasuno reunites with a former rival school, Nekoma High, in a practice match and reignites their school rivalry.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Absolute CinemaMovies 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 thisThe Boy and the Heron (2023)
While the Second World War rages, the teenage Mahito, haunted by his mother's tragic death, is relocated from Tokyo to the serene rural home of his new stepmother Natsuko, a woman who bears a striking resemblance to the boy's mother. As he tries to adjust, this strange new world grows even stranger following the appearance of a persistent gray heron, who perplexes and bedevils Mahito, dubbing him the "long-awaited one."
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRascal Does Not Dream of a Sister Venturing Out (2023)
After a draining December, Sakuta is quickly nearing the end of his second year of high school. Since Mai is a third-year student, they don't have much time left together before graduation rolls around. Meanwhile, his sister, Kaede, is slowly but steadily venturing outdoors again. Just as she begins to find her footing, she announces her most ambitious goal yet—attending her brother's high school! Sakuta knows better than anyone how difficult this will be for Kaede, and he's ready to support her however he can. He's just not sure if that's what's best for her...or what she really wants...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWhisper of the Heart (1995)
Shizuku lives a simple life, dominated by her love for stories and writing. One day she notices that all the library books she has have been previously checked out by the same person: "Seiji Amasawa."
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisSound! Euphonium the Movie - Our Promise: A Brand New Day (2019)
The next piece begins! Kumiko is now in her second year at Kitauji High School, and with a new year comes new problems. As if making it to Nationals wasn't hard enough, Kumiko is tasked with mentoring the concert band's troublesome first years – each with their own distinct personality and problems to solve. With Kumiko busy juggling both the concert band and her new role as senpai, how does her relationship with Shuuichi fit into the picture?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI- (2024)
When apathetic gamer Nagi agrees to join his rich classmate Mikage in soccer, their partnership leads to the famous Blue Lock program — and to changes.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJujutsu Kaisen 0 (2021)
Yuta Okkotsu is a nervous high school student who is suffering from a serious problem—his childhood friend Rika has turned into a curse and won't leave him alone. Since Rika is no ordinary curse, his plight is noticed by Satoru Gojo, a teacher at Jujutsu High, a school where fledgling exorcists learn how to combat curses. Gojo convinces Yuta to enroll, but can he learn enough in time to confront the curse that haunts him?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMonster (2023)
After an outburst at school involving her son, a concerned single mother demands answers, triggering a sequence of deepening suspicion and turmoil.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMy Hero Academia: World Heroes' Mission (2021)
A mysterious group called Humarize strongly believes in the Quirk Singularity Doomsday theory which states that when quirks get mixed further in with future generations, that power will bring forth the end of humanity. In order to save everyone, the Pro-Heroes around the world ask UA Academy heroes-in-training to assist them and form a world-class selected hero team. It’s up to the heroes to save the world and the future of heroes in what is the most dangerous crisis to take place yet in My Hero Academia.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPersona3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth (2013)
In the spring, male student Makoto Yuki transfers to Gekkoukan High School. However, as he heads to his new dormitory, listening to the music on his headphones, he is stopped. More precisely, time has stopped, and the people who were around him turn into coffins. Makoto learns that this period of time hidden between the minute of midnight is called the Dark Hour, a time when monsters called Shadows appear. Suddenly made the leader of his fellow classmates Yukari and Junpei by his upperclassmen Mitsuru and Akihiko, Makoto must learn empathy, his connection to his comrades, and the meaning of death. With the power of his Evoker aimed at his head he awakens a Persona and fights against the Shadows threatening to attack his world from the mysterious tower of Tartarus.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBubble (2022)
In an abandoned Tokyo overrun by bubbles and gravitational abnormalities, one gifted young man has a fateful meeting with a mysterious girl.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMy Hero Academia: Two Heroes (2018)
All Might and Deku accept an invitation to go abroad to a floating and mobile manmade city, called 'I-Island', where they research quirks as well as hero supplemental items at the special 'I-Expo' convention that is currently being held on the island. During that time, suddenly, despite an iron wall of security surrounding the island, the system is breached by a villain, and the only ones able to stop him are the students of Class 1-A.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisKids Return (1996)
Shinji and Masaru spend most of their school days harassing fellow classmates and playing pranks. They drop out and Shinji becomes a small-time boxer, while Masaru joins up with a local yakuza gang. However, the world is a tough place.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChildren of the Sea (2019)
Ruka is a young girl whose parents are separated and whose father works in an aquarium. When two boys, Umi and Sora, who were raised in the sea by dugongs, are brought to the aquarium, Ruka feels drawn to them and begins to realize that she has the same sort of supernatural connection to the ocean that they do. Umi and Sora's special power seems to be connected to strange events that have been occurring more and more frequently, such as the appearance of sea creatures far from their home territory and the disappearance of aquarium animals around the world. However, the exact nature of the boys' power and of the abnormal events is unknown, and Ruka gets drawn into investigating the mystery that surrounds her new friends.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Barbie Diaries (2006)
Barbie is disheartened when Todd breaks her heart and goes back to his former girlfriend. But things change when she comes across a diary, which makes her wishes come true.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998)
The circle of life continues for Simba, now fully grown and in his rightful place as the king of Pride Rock. Simba and Nala have given birth to a daughter, Kiara who's as rebellious as her father was. But Kiara drives her parents to distraction when she catches the eye of Kovu, the son of the evil lioness, Zira. Will Kovu steal Kiara's heart?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDoraemon: Nobita's Great Adventure in the Antarctic Kachi Kochi (2017)
Doraemon and Nobita discover a mysterious golden ring far beneath the ice in Antarctica, leading them to uncover an ancient, ruined city.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Joke (2010)
A bunch of friends are celebrating the birthday of one of them when they decide to play a joke on him. None of them could imagine the consequences that would befall them.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Empire of the Sun (1987)
Jamie Graham, a privileged English boy, is living in Shanghai when the Japanese invade and force all foreigners into prison camps. Jamie is captured with an American sailor, who looks out for him while they are in the camp together. Even though he is separated from his parents and in a hostile environment, Jamie maintains his dignity and youthful spirit, providing a beacon of hope for the others held captive with him.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Little Mermaid (1989)
This colorful adventure tells the story of an impetuous mermaid princess named Ariel who falls in love with the very human Prince Eric and puts everything on the line for the chance to be with him. Memorable songs and characters -- including the villainous sea witch Ursula.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLittle Women (1994)
Four sisters come of age in America in the aftermath of the Civil War.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLiberated from Paradise: Resonance of the Heart (2026)
In 2400, most of humanity still lives without physical bodies inside the digital paradise DEVA, but Angela Balzac's rebellion left consequences its security forces could not erase. During the chaos, numerous agents escaped to Earth after stealing material bodies and hardware containing their personal data, then vanished from DEVA's surveillance. These fugitives, now called the Fallen, have become a threat whose true purpose is unknown. Agents Gabriel, Arma, and Daniel are sent to track them across the surface, where the lingering Nano Hazard makes the environment itself dangerous. The closer they come to the Fallen, the harder it becomes to trust everything they were told about Angela's revolt and the 'paradise' they have been ordered to protect.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Coming SoonMovies like thisThree (2005)
After a yachting accident, a millionaire and his wife are shipwrecked on a desert island along with their former deckhand, Manuel.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisDersu Uzala (1975)
A military explorer meets and befriends a Goldi man in Russia’s unmapped forests. A deep and abiding bond evolves between the two men, one civilized in the usual sense, the other at home in the glacial Siberian woods.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Teacher (2017)
Teacher in the most prestigious highschool in the country, François enjoys the life he’s always known, in the intellectual and bourgeois society of Paris. Trapped in a situation where he’s forced to accept a job in a school of a tough underprivileged suburb, he finds himself confronted to his own limits and to the upheaval of his values and certainties.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Look Back?
The closest matches to Look Back are 100 METERS (2025), From Up on Poppy Hill (2011) and Haikyu!! The Movie: Battle of Concepts (2017). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Look Back?
Start with 100 METERS (2025), the closest match to Look Back.
What is the highest-rated movie like Look Back?
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (2021), rated 8.1/10 by 1,899 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Look Back?
100 METERS (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Look Back?
Yes: 100 METERS (2025), From Up on Poppy Hill (2011) and Haikyu!! The Movie: Battle of Concepts (2017).
How are movies similar to Look Back chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Look Back, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.