Movies like Spirited Away (2001)
The best movies like Spirited Away (2001) are A Letter to Momo (2012), A Tooth Fairy Tale (2025) and The Wonderland (2019). If Spirited Away hooked you with its animation and family, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedHowl's Moving Castle (2004)8.4/10 from 11,652 votes
- NewestA Tooth Fairy Tale (2025)Released 2025
- In JapaneseA Letter to Momo (2012)Also in Japanese
A Letter to Momo (2012)
A shy 11-year-old's life takes a strange turn when she discovers three hungry goblins living in the attic of her new house. She misses her old life. She misses her father so very much. Until she makes some new ghoulish friends.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Tooth Fairy Tale (2025)
Van, the brave son of a tooth fairy leader, meets the goblins girl Gemma on his first mission. Despite the myths about ancient disputes between fairies and goblins, they share common values. When the greedy Spider Queen threatens both tribes, they must work together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Wonderland (2019)
The story follows Akane, a girl with no self-confidence. On the day before her birthday, she meets a mysterious alchemist, Hippocrates, and his student, Pipo, who both tell her they're on a mission to save the world. Together, they set out from the basement for "Wonderland," and Akane finds herself labelled Wonderland's savior.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMary and The Witch's Flower (2017)
Mary Smith, a young girl who lives with her great-aunt in the countryside, follows a mysterious cat into the nearby forest where she finds a strange flower and an old broom, none of which is as ordinary as it seems.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisEarwig and the Witch (2021)
A headstrong orphan discovers a world of spells and potions while living with a selfish witch.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisSleeping Beauty (1959)
Cursed to die by the evil fairy Maleficent when she was a baby, Princess Aurora is sent into hiding under protection from three good fairies. As she grows up far away, Maleficent becomes increasingly determined to seal the princess's fate.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHotel Transylvania (2012)
Welcome to Hotel Transylvania, Dracula's lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up and no humans are allowed. One special weekend, Dracula has invited all his best friends to celebrate his beloved daughter Mavis's 118th birthday. For Dracula catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem but the party really starts when one ordinary guy stumbles into the hotel and changes everything!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies 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 characters in order to save their world—and ours.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe House of Magic (2013)
Thunder, an abandoned young cat seeking shelter from a storm, stumbles into the strangest house imaginable, owned by an old magician and inhabited by a dazzling array of automatons and gizmos. Not everyone welcomes the new addition to the troupe as Jack Rabbit and Maggie Mouse plot to evict Thunder. The situation gets worse when the magician lands in hospital and his scheming nephew sees his chance to cash in by selling the mansion. Our young hero is determined to earn his place and so he enlists the help of some wacky magician's assistants to protect his magical new home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDisney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams (2007)
Princess Aurora and Princess Jasmine learn valuable life lessons in two short stories.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies 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: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMy Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Two sisters move to the country with their father in order to be closer to their hospitalized mother, and discover the surrounding trees are inhabited by Totoros, magical spirits of the forest. When the youngest runs away from home, the older sister seeks help from the spirits to find her.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMonster High: Haunted (2015)
Lurk what's waiting for the Monster High ghouls when they bring their killer fashion to the howlways of the spooktacular Haunted High! When the ghouls of Monster High follow Spectra Vondergeist one day, they discover a creeperiffic Ghost World with an all-spirit school. But their scary-cute student bodies are hardly welcome with the very strict Principal Revenant, and she punishes Spectra with frightful detention chains that prevent her from re-joining Monster High. Now, it's up to the imperfectly perfect friends to take on ghostly forms in order to save one of their own from disappearing forever!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBarbie: A Fairy Secret (2011)
Barbie realises that fairies secretly surround everybody. She, along with the help of her friends, Taylor and Carrie, sets out to rescue Ken. He is taken to the secret fairy city, Gloss Angeles.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKiki's Delivery Service (1989)
A young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPuella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part I: Beginnings (2012)
Madoka Kaname, an ordinary middle-schooler, along with her best friend Sayaka Miki, are offered the chance to have any wish they want granted by the mysterious Kyubey, and become magical girls and fight witches. However, fellow magical girl Homura Akemi seems intent on stopping Madoka from becoming a magical girl at any cost. Puella Magi Madoka Magica the Movie Part I: Beginnings is a retelling of the first half of the TV anime series.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTwitches (2005)
Twins separated at birth, Camryn and Alex meet by chance for the first time on their 21st birthday and discover they're witches with the power to save their homeland of Coventry from the evil that threatens it. But when Camryn leaves Alex to face the darkness alone, will Coventry be doomed? Or will the sisters multiply their magic by standing together?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Girl from the Other Side (2023)
Once upon a time, in a far, faraway place, there were two lands. The world was divided into an inner land and an outer land. People feared the outer land, inhabited by eerie beings, the carriers of curse. One day, on the border to the inner land inhabited by humans, one such being finds a girl on heaps of abandoned dead bodies. The girl says her name is Shiva and shows affection to the "being" who found her, calling him "Teacher." This is a story of two people—one human, one inhuman—who linger in the hazy twilight that separates night from day.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHowl's Moving Castle (2004)
Sophie, a young milliner, is turned into an elderly woman by a witch who enters her shop and curses her. She encounters a wizard named Howl and gets caught up in his resistance to fighting for the king.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMononoke the Movie: The Phantom in the Rain (2024)
In the chambers of the Edo harem, two newcomers uncover political intrigue, rivalry and a vengeful spirit only one traveling medicine seller can vanquish.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Sword in the Stone (1963)
Wart is a young boy who aspires to be a knight's squire. On a hunting trip he falls in on Merlin, a powerful but amnesiac wizard who has plans for him beyond mere squiredom. He starts by trying to give him an education, believing that once one has an education, one can go anywhere. Needless to say, it doesn't quite work out that way.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRain in the Sunshine (2013)
Schoolboy Hinata has a big crush on his classmate Shigure, but is too shy to tell her. On the day Shigure is leaving, Hinata flies off on the wings of a bird chasing after her to tell how he feels!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
Mimosa (1983)
Mimosa is about a girl growing up in an orphanage who tries to make life fun for all the residents. It's a great Easter story, an animated fairy tale about a witch kid and what she's up to in the orphanage while the mother witch whips around with her broom. An excellent animated fairy tale about diversity and tolerance, made in Camilla Mickwitz's typical funny way.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Mimosa's Birthnight (1987)
It's the most exciting moment of the year: Easter night and little Mimosa birthday. Muskotti, her mother, has such a bad memory that she doesn't know how old Mimosa is. Mimosa's birthday is a warm and fairytale-like film, but at the same time a sneaky story about a girl's growth into adulthood. It takes place entirely in a wizarding world awash with a night blue glow.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
What Is Happiness? (1991)
Based on a series of books authored by Ryuho Ookawa. Alto is going home from school, when he finds a girl who calls herself an angel.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
Waking Life (2001)
Waking Life is about a young man in a persistent lucid dream-like state. The film follows its protagonist as he initially observes and later participates in philosophical discussions that weave together issues like reality, free will, our relationships with others, and the meaning of life.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLove, Chunibyo & Other Delusions! Take On Me (2018)
Yuuta and Rikka are in their third year of high school. One day in Spring, Touka declares that she will take Rikka to Italy with her, as her job has stabilized there and thinks they should migrate together as a family. Touka is also worried about Rikka not being competent enough to advance to universities in Japan. The gangs from the club suggested Yuuta, who doesn't want to be separated, to elope with Rikka!! A runaway drama throughout Japan begins.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAsterix vs. Caesar (1985)
Obelix falls for a new arrival in his home village in Gaul, but is heartbroken when her true love arrives to visit her. However, the lovers are kidnapped by Romans; Asterix and Obelix set out to rescue them on a dangerous journey that will involve gladiators, slavers and beauracracy - and a personal encounter with the Emperor himself, Julius Caesar...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Santa Clause 2 (2002)
Better watch out! The big guy in red is coming to town once again. This time, Scott Calvin -- also known as Santa Claus -- finds out there's an obscure clause in his contract requiring him to take on a wife. He has to leave the North Pole to fulfill his obligations, or else he'll be forced to give up his Yuletide gig.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBibi Blocksberg (2002)
Elation in Neustadt: by the means of a little witching, Bibi Blocksberg saved two kids from burning to death. While her mother Barbara, a witch of flesh and blood herself, is very proud of her daughter, father Bernhard, overworked and stressed, disapproves greatly of her supernatural antics. Then Bibi gets a message from Walpurgia, the senior witch: she is going to receive her crystel ball, that will make a "real" witch of her, early. Proudly, Bibi jumps up her broom to fly to the Blocksberg, the witches' headquarters. But Rabia, one of the few evil witches, aging in misery and with a secret, begrudges her all the glory...and her youth. And so Rabia sets off events that will soon make Bibi's life fall into pieces.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Spirited Away?
The closest matches to Spirited Away are A Letter to Momo (2012), A Tooth Fairy Tale (2025) and The Wonderland (2019). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Spirited Away?
Start with A Letter to Momo (2012), the closest match to Spirited Away.
What is the highest-rated movie like Spirited Away?
Howl's Moving Castle (2004), rated 8.4/10 by 11,652 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Spirited Away?
A Tooth Fairy Tale (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Spirited Away?
Yes: A Letter to Momo (2012), The Wonderland (2019) and Mary and The Witch's Flower (2017).
How are movies similar to Spirited Away chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Spirited Away, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.