Movies like Lighthead (2022)
The best movies like Lighthead (2022) are Play Dead (2022), The Gruffalo (2009) and The Gruffalo's Child (2011). If Lighthead hooked you, these 20 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedNimona (2023)7.8/10 from 1,542 votes
- NewestTrap House (2025)Released 2025
Play Dead (2022)
Criminology student Chloe fakes her own death to break into a morgue, in order to retrieve a piece of evidence that ties her younger brother to a crime gone wrong. Once inside, she discovers that a sadistic coroner is using the corpses for his sick and twisted business, and when he realises that Chloe still has a pulse, a terrifying game of cat and mouse ensues.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Gruffalo (2009)
The magical tale of a mouse who sets foot on a woodland adventure in search of a nut. Encountering predators who all wish to eat him - Fox, Owl and Snake - the brave mouse creates a terrifying, imaginary monster to frighten them away. But what will the mouse do when he meets this frightful monster for real?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe 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
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPuss Gets the Boot (1940)
Jasper is given an ultimatum by his master: break one more thing and you're out. Rodent Jerry does his best to make sure that his tormentor "gets the boot".
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNimona (2023)
A knight framed for a tragic crime teams with a scrappy, shape-shifting teen to prove his innocence.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTom and Jerry & The Wizard of Oz (2011)
After a deadly storm, Tom and Jerry find themselves stranded on an unknown island ruled by the evil Wizard of Oz. As they try to find their way back home, they worry for their master Dorothy's safety.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAn American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster (1999)
Follow the clues to fun and excitement as the beloved little mouse takes on a big monster in this charming, full-length adventure. When a ferocious, mouse-nabbing creature puts fear into the hearts of New York City's rodents, Fievel and his friends team up with a reporter to chase after the scoop of the century and -- just maybe -- get a close-up look at the bad guy himself!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Boy Behind the Door (2020)
Bobby tries to save himself and his best friend when they are kidnapped on their way home from school.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMy Best Friend Is a Vampire (1987)
Shortly after high school student Jeremy Capello goes on a hot date, he finds he can't stand garlic or see his reflection in mirrors.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTom and Jerry Meet Sherlock Holmes (2010)
Tom and Jerry need to learn to work together in order to help Sherlock Holmes with an investigation of a jewel theft. But still, they are cat and mouse!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTrap House (2025)
An undercover DEA agent and his partner embark on a game of cat and mouse with an audacious, and surprising group of thieves – their own rebellious teenagers, who have begun robbing from a dangerous cartel, using their parents' tactics and top-secret intel to do it.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCaptain Underpants: The First Epic Movie (2017)
Based on the bestselling book series, this outrageous comedy tells the story of George and Harold, two overly imaginative pranksters who hypnotize their principal into thinking he’s an enthusiastic, yet dimwitted, superhero named Captain Underpants.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Tale of Despereaux (2008)
Once upon a time... in the far away kingdom of Dor... lived a brave and virtuous mouse with comically oversized ears who dreamt of becoming a knight. Banished from his home for having such lofty ambitions, Despereaux sets off on an amazing adventure with his good-hearted rat friend Roscuro, who leads him, at long last, on a very noble quest to rescue an endangered princess and save an entire kingdom from darkness.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMonster High: Freaky Fusion (2014)
While attempting to help Frankie Stein learn more about her freakycool scaritage, the fashionably fierce ghoulfriends travel back in time to the first day ever of Monster High! There, they meet Sparky, a skullastic teen with an obsession for creating life. But when Sparky follows the ghouls through a killer time portal to modern-day Monster High, the event results in eight of them fusing together into four creeperiffic hybrid Monsters. Now, they'll really have to work together to control their bodies in the big Bitecentennial Play and stop one of Sparky's experiments from destroying imperfectly perfect Monster High!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisUnit 234 (2024)
While working the night shift alone, Laurie Saltair discovers a comatose man, Clayton, in Unit 234 of her family’s storage facility. What transpires is a thrill ride of a cat-and-mouse game for Laurie and Clayton to survive the night.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Best of Me (2014)
A pair of former high school sweethearts reunite after many years when they return to visit their small hometown.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDeathgasm (2015)
Two teenage boys unwittingly summon an ancient evil entity known as The Blind One by delving into black magic while trying to escape their mundane lives.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSpontaneous (2020)
When students in their high school begin inexplicably exploding (literally), seniors Mara and Dylan struggle to survive in a world where each moment may be their last.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Invisible (2007)
After an attack leaves him in limbo -- invisible to the living and also near death -- a teenager discovers the only person who might be able help him is his attacker.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Perfect Date (2019)
No beau? No problem! To earn money for college, a high schooler creates a dating app that lets him act as a stand-in boyfriend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Lighthead?
The closest matches to Lighthead are Play Dead (2022), The Gruffalo (2009) and The Gruffalo's Child (2011). Below are 17 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Lighthead?
Start with Play Dead (2022), the closest match to Lighthead.
What is the highest-rated movie like Lighthead?
Nimona (2023), rated 7.8/10 by 1,542 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Lighthead?
Trap House (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Lighthead?
Yes: Play Dead (2022), The Gruffalo (2009) and The Gruffalo's Child (2011).
How are movies similar to Lighthead chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Lighthead, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.