Movies like Cowboy Stories
The best movies like Cowboy Stories are The Return of the Living Dead (1985), The Book of Life (2014) and Arlo the Alligator Boy (2021). If Cowboy Stories hooked you, these 20 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Cowboy Stories
Quick picks
- Highest ratedSteven Universe: The Movie (2019)8.2/10 from 889 votes
- NewestThey Will Kill You (2026)Released 2026
The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
Two employees at a medical supply warehouse accidentally release a toxic gas from a misplaced top-secret U.S. Army shipment, causing the dead to rise from a nearby cemetery with an insatiable hunger for human brains.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Book of Life (2014)
The journey of Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart. Before choosing which path to follow, he embarks on an incredible adventure that spans fantastical worlds where he must face his greatest fears.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisArlo the Alligator Boy (2021)
Upon learning that he is from New York City, a wide-eyed boy, who is half human and half alligator, decides to leave his sheltered life in the swamp and search for his long lost father. A musical adventure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Skeleton Dance (1929)
The clock strikes midnight, the bats fly from the belfry, a dog howls at the full moon, and two black cats fight in the cemetery: a perfect time for four skeletons to come out and dance a bit.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSuck (2009)
The film follows a petty rock band called the Winners, consisting of vocalist Joey Winner, bassist Jennifer, guitarist Tyler, drummer Sam, and French-Canadian roadie Hugo, along with their sleazy manager Jeff, as they tour across Canada and the USA after Jennifer is turned into a vampire by Queeny. Meanwhile, a vampire hunter who is afraid of the dark named Eddie Van Helsing quickly chases them down.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSarafina! (1992)
A Soweto schoolgirl named Sarafina is galvanized to protest apartheid after her teacher is arrested for her activism, leading her to join the student resistance movement.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCarnival of Souls (1962)
Mary Henry ends up the sole survivor of a fatal car accident through mysterious circumstances. Trying to put the incident behind her, she moves to Utah and takes a job as a church organist. But her fresh start is interrupted by visions of a fiendish man. As the visions begin to occur more frequently, Mary finds herself drawn to the deserted carnival on the outskirts of town. The strangely alluring carnival may hold the secret to her tragic past.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMichael Jackson's Halloween (2017)
The one-hour animated special, packed with the vocal talents of some of your favorite CBS stars and the King of Pop's most memorable hits, follows Vincent and Victoria, as they embark on a magical journey of self-discovery.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMater and the Ghostlight (2006)
Mater, the rusty but trusty tow truck from Cars, spends a day in Radiator Springs playing scary pranks on his fellow townsfolk. That night at Flo's V8 Café, the Sheriff tells the story of the legend of the Ghostlight, and as everyone races home Mater is left alone primed for a good old-fashioned scare.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
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
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Addams Family (1991)
When a man claiming to be long-lost Uncle Fester reappears after 25 years lost, the family plans a celebration to wake the dead. But the kids barely have time to warm up the electric chair before Morticia begins to suspect Fester is fraud when he can't recall any of the details of Fester's life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDon't Hug Me I'm Scared (2012)
A disturbing puppet short exploring the concept of creativity.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies 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
Worth the HypeMovies like thisChang Can Dunk (2023)
Chang, a 16-year-old, Asian American, bets the high school basketball star that he can dunk by Homecoming. The bet leads 5' 8" Chang on a quest to learn to dunk—not only to impress his crush, Kristy, but to gain the respect of his high school peers too. But before he can rise up and truly throw one down, he'll have to reexamine everything he knows about himself, his friendships and his family.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSteven Universe: The Movie (2019)
Two years after bringing peace to the galaxy, Steven Universe sees his past come back to haunt him in the form of a deranged Gem who wants to destroy the Earth.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisFeast (2005)
When a motley crew of strangers find themselves trapped in an isolated tavern, they must band together in a battle for survival against a family of flesh-hungry creatures.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBurden (2018)
Ku Klux Klansman Mike Burden opens the Redneck Shop and KKK museum in historic Laurens, SC. He subsequently falls in love with a single mother and, under her influence, quits the Klan and is taken in by an African American Reverend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThey Will Kill You (2026)
A woman answers a help wanted ad to be a housekeeper in a mysterious New York City high-rise, unaware that she is entering a community that has seen a number of disappearances over the years and may be under the grip of a Satanic cult.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisZ-O-M-B-I-E-S (2018)
Two star-crossed freshmen – a zombie, Zed and a cheerleader, Addison – each outsiders in their unique ways, befriend each other and work together to show their high school and the Seabrook community what they can achieve when they embrace their differences.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisIn the Soup (1992)
An aspiring young filmmaker gets involved with an eccentric gangster for the financing of his first film.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Cowboy Stories?
The closest matches to Cowboy Stories are The Return of the Living Dead (1985), The Book of Life (2014) and Arlo the Alligator Boy (2021). Below are 17 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Cowboy Stories?
Start with The Return of the Living Dead (1985), the closest match to Cowboy Stories.
What is the highest-rated movie like Cowboy Stories?
Steven Universe: The Movie (2019), rated 8.2/10 by 889 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Cowboy Stories?
They Will Kill You (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Cowboy Stories?
Yes: The Return of the Living Dead (1985), The Book of Life (2014) and Arlo the Alligator Boy (2021).
How are movies similar to Cowboy Stories chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Cowboy Stories, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.