Movies like Thunderbirds to the Rescue (1980)
The best movies like Thunderbirds to the Rescue (1980) are Thunderbird 6 (1968), Plankton: The Movie (2025) and LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2026). If Thunderbirds to the Rescue hooked you with its science fiction and adventure, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedEvangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007)7.6/10 from 1,153 votes
- NewestLEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2026)Released 2026
Thunderbird 6 (1968)
The International Rescue team is faced with one of its toughest challenges yet, as the revolutionary lighter-than-air craft Skyship One is hijacked while on her maiden voyage around the world. Against backdrops including the Statue of Liberty and the Sphinx, Lady Penelope, Parker, Alan and Tin-Tin fight the hijackers from on-board, while the rest of the team tries to stop the airship crashing.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & family
SnoozefestMovies like thisPlankton: The Movie (2025)
Plankton's tangled love story with his sentient computer wife goes sideways when she takes a stand — and decides to destroy the world without him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2026)
The Mandalorian and Grogu join their misfit allies for an epic party, celebrating their heroism. As friends regale the crowd with tales of their adventures, a pirate threat looms.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThunderbirds Are GO (1966)
When the launch of a mission to Mars goes awry due to sabotage, International Rescue is requested to assist in the mission's second attempt.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Pagemaster (1994)
Rich knows a lot about accidents. So much so, he is scared to do anything that might endanger him, like riding his bike, or climbing into his treehouse. While in an old library, he is mystically transported into the unknown world of books, and he has to try and get home again.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBarbie: Star Light Adventure (2016)
When Barbie, a cosmic princess with a hoverboard, learns that the brightly shining stars have begun to dim, she begins a rescue mission to save the galaxy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRobin Robin (2021)
A bird raised by mice begins to question where she belongs and sets off on a daring journey of self-discovery.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisExtinct (2021)
Op and Ed, two adorable donut-shaped animals - flummels - accidentally time-travel from 1835 to modern-day Shanghai. There they discover traffic, trans fats, and worst of all, that flummels are now extinct. It's up to this bumbling pair to save themselves and their species...and, just maybe, change the course of history.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Inseparables (2023)
The animated buddy movie follows the misadventures of Don, a runaway puppet with boundless imaginations, and DJ Doggy Dog, an abandoned plush looking for a friend, who cross paths in Central Park and team up against all odds for a epic friendship adventure in New York.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild (2022)
The fearless one-eyed weasel Buck teams up with mischievous possum brothers Crash & Eddie as they head off on a new adventure into Buck's home: The Dinosaur World.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPhineas and Ferb the Movie: Candace Against the Universe (2020)
Phineas and Ferb travel across the galaxy to rescue their older sister Candace, who has been abducted by aliens and taken to a utopia in a far-off planet, free of her pesky little brothers.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTrouble (2019)
A pampered dog named Trouble must learn to live in the real world while trying to escape from his former owner's greedy children and must learn how to survive on the big-city streets.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisUnder the Boardwalk (2023)
Two crabs embark on an epic journey to get home after a storm sweeps them away. Their courage soon unites their families, paving the way for great summers to come.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMinions & More Volume 2 (2022)
This collection of 11 short films produced by Illumination includes: From the "Despicable Me" franchise: Mower Minions (2016); Yellow Is the New Black (2018); Competition (2015); Cro Minion (2015); Binky Nelson Unpacified (2015); Panic in the Mailroom (2013). From the "Secret Life of Pets" franchise: Super Gidget (2019). From the "Sing" franchise: Eddie's Life Coach (2017); Gunter Babysits (2017). From the "Lorax" franchise: Serenade (2012); Wagon Ho! (2012).
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMonster Family 2 (2021)
To free Baba Yaga and Renfield from the clutches of Monster Hunter Mila Starr, the Wishbone Family once more transforms into a Vampire, Frankenstein's Monster, a Mummy and a Werewolf but when aided by their three pet bats, the Monster Family zooms around the world again to save their friends, make new monstrous acquaintances.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRevolting Rhymes (2017)
Two half-hour animated films based on the much-loved rhymes written by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTweety's High Flying Adventure (2000)
A full-length animated feature starring the little yellow bird. When Col. Rimfire announces at the Looney Club his belief that cats are the most intelligent animals, Granny, hoping to raise enough money to save a nearby children's park, makes a wager that her Tweety can fly around the world in 80 days, collecting the pawprints of 80 cats in the process. Sylvester, still hoping to make Tweety his personal snack, is incensed at the thought of some other cat getting the little bird first and vows to follow Tweety around the world and catch the canary himself.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLegends of Oz: Dorothy's Return (2014)
Dorothy wakes in post-tornado Kansas, only to be whisked back to Oz to try to save her old friends, the Scarecrow, the Lion, the Tin Man, and Glinda, from a devious new villain, the Jester. New comrades Wiser the Owl, Marshal Mallow, China Princess, and Tugg the Tugboat join Dorothy on her latest magical journey through the colorful landscape of Oz to restore order and happiness to Emerald City.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDreamworks: Holiday Classics (2012)
Join your favourite DreamWorks friends for these four holiday specials. Watch as those zany zoosters from Madagascar save Christmas, Donkey puts on a carolling Christmas Shrek-tacular, and Po prepares for his favourite holiday, the Winter Feast.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Looney, Looney, Looney Bugs Bunny Movie (1981)
Bugs Bunny hosts an award show featuring several classic Looney Tunes shorts and characters.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBen 10: Secret of the Omnitrix (2007)
After a battle with Dr. Animo in a power plant, Ben notices something strange is happening with the Omnitrix but doesn't tell anyone. Tetrax arrives and tells them the Omnitrix is broadcasting a self-destruct signal. Tetrax and Ben go to find the creator of the Omnitrix to fix it before it destroys itself and the universe along with it. Gwen stows away to help her cousin.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMonster High 2 (2023)
As they enter sophomore year at Monster High, Clawdeen Wolf, Draculaura and Frankie Stein face new students, new powers, and an even bigger threat that could not only tear their friendship apart but could change the world forever.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisViolet Evergarden: Recollections (2021)
An emotionally scarred former child soldier becomes a letter writer in this condensed recap of the moving, gorgeously animated award-winning series.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction & animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Castle of Cagliostro (1979)
After a successful robbery leaves famed thief Lupin the Third and his partner Jigen with nothing but a large amount of expertly crafted counterfeit bills, he decides to track down the forgers responsible—and steal any other treasures he may find in the Castle of Cagliostro, including the 'damsel in distress' he finds imprisoned there.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisEvangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007)
After the Second Impact, Tokyo-3 is being attacked by giant monsters called Angels that seek to eradicate humankind. The child Shinji’s objective is to fight the Angels by piloting one of the mysterious Evangelion mecha units. A remake of the first six episodes of GAINAX’s famous 1996 anime series. The film was retitled “Evangelion: 1.01” for its DVD release and “Evangelion: 1.11” for a release with additional scenes.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDoctor Who (1996)
The Seventh Doctor becomes the Eighth. And on the streets of San Francisco – alongside new ally Grace Holloway - he battles the Master.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBen 10: Race Against Time (2008)
Ben, Gwen, and Max must stop an extraterrestrial who plans to open a gateway that leads to an alien invasion.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisBabylon 5: The Legend of the Rangers - To Live and Die in Starlight (2002)
After being punished for retreat from combat, Ranger David Martel is given command of the Liandra, a haunted 20-year old Minbari fighting ship. He's escorting ambassadors to a secret archaeological site, the oldest city on record and a clue to a dangerous ancient race.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisUltraman Decker Finale: Journey to Beyond (2023)
When GUTS-Select investigate mysterious disappearances, they learn it is work of an evil alien who intends to invade the Earth, called Professor Gibellus. However, just in time, a mysterious woman appears to help GUTS-Select.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & science fiction
Untitled Star Trek Origin Story Film (TBA)
An origin story that takes place decades before "Star Trek" (2009).
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Thunderbirds to the Rescue?
The closest matches to Thunderbirds to the Rescue are Thunderbird 6 (1968), Plankton: The Movie (2025) and LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2026). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Thunderbirds to the Rescue?
Start with Thunderbird 6 (1968), the closest match to Thunderbirds to the Rescue.
What is the highest-rated movie like Thunderbirds to the Rescue?
Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone (2007), rated 7.6/10 by 1,153 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Thunderbirds to the Rescue?
LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Thunderbirds to the Rescue?
Yes: Thunderbird 6 (1968), Plankton: The Movie (2025) and LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2026).
How are movies similar to Thunderbirds to the Rescue chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Thunderbirds to the Rescue, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.