Movies like Shimaneko (2024)
The best movies like Shimaneko (2024) are Rent-a-Cat (2012), Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco (1996) and Landline (2017). If Shimaneko hooked you with its drama and comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest rated10 Lives (2024)7.7/10 from 235 votes
- NewestSpa Weekend (2026)Released 2026
- In JapaneseRent-a-Cat (2012)Also in Japanese
Rent-a-Cat (2012)
A young woman who rents out cats to lonely old folks finds her life turned upside down when a young man from her past shows back up in her life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHomeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco (1996)
When the pets accidentally get separated from their vacationing owners, Chance, Shadow, and Sassy navigate the mean streets of San Francisco, trying to find their home across the Golden Gate Bridge. But the road is blocked by a series of hazards, both man and beast.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLandline (2017)
A teenager living with her sister and parents in Manhattan during the 1990s discovers that her father is having an affair.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like this10 Lives (2024)
A pampered cat takes for granted the lucky hand he has been dealt after he is rescued and loved by Rose, a kind-hearted and passionate student. When he loses his ninth life, fate steps in to set him on a transformative journey.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRudolf the Black Cat (2016)
Rudolf, a black stray cat, is suddenly separated from his beloved master. He unexpectedly wakes up in a long-distance truck that takes him to metropolis Tokyo. There, he meets Ippai-attena, a big boss cat feared by everyone in town. Unable to return home, Rudolf starts a life as a stray with Ippai-attena, but Ippai-attena isn't all that he seems to be.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIf Cats Disappeared from the World (2016)
A postman learns that he doesn't have much time left to live due to a terminal illness. A devil then appears in front of him and offers to extend his life if he picks something in the world that will disappear. The man thinks about his relationships with ex-friends, ex-lovers, relatives and colleagues who will be sincerely sad when he dies.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Amazing Maurice (2022)
Maurice is a streetwise ginger cat who comes up with a money-making scam by befriending a group of self-taught talking rats. When Maurice and the rodents meet a bookworm called Malicia, their little con soon goes down the drain.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTom and Jerry: The Movie (1992)
The popular cartoon cat and mouse are thrown into a feature film. The story has the twosome trying to help an orphan girl who is being berated and exploited by a greedy guardian.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGhost Cat Anzu (2024)
Precocious tween Karin finds herself abandoned by her father in rural Japan. Living in a temple with her grandfather, she meets Anzu, a giant "ghost cat" and notorious layabout tasked with looking after her. Distrustful of her new guardian, Karin sabotages Anzu's odd jobs for the townsfolk and befriends the eccentric local forest spirits. In an effort to win Karin over, Anzu accidentally makes a deal with the devil, and all Hell breaks loose.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCrayon Shinchan the Movie: My Moving Story! Cactus Attack! (2015)
The Noharas must survive a hoard of man-eating killer cacti after Shin-chan's father relocates the family to Mexico for work.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Cat Returns (2002)
Young Haru rescues a cat from being run over, but soon learns it's no ordinary feline; it happens to be the Prince of the Cats.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisScooby-Doo! The Sword and the Scoob (2021)
An evil sorceress transports the gang back to the age of chivalrous knights, spell-casting wizards, and fire-breathing dragons.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThat Darn Cat! (1965)
A young woman suspects foul play when her cat comes home wearing a wristwatch. Convincing the FBI, though, and catching the bad guys is tougher than she imagined.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Eel (1997)
A businessman kills his adulterous wife and is sent to prison. After his release, he opens a barbershop and meets new people, talking to almost no one except for an eel he befriended while in prison.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue (1997)
When Toaster and the gang spark friendships with the playful animals at the veterinary hospital, they soon discover their new pals are about to be sent to a testing laboratory.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSpa Weekend (2026)
Four lifelong friends escape to a luxury spa retreat to reconnect, unwind and rediscover themselves, but their weekend of relaxation soon turns into a series of wild adventures and bad decisions.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNine Lives (2016)
A stuffy businessman finds himself trapped inside the body of his family's cat.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisNot Without Hope (2025)
A group of friends' fishing boat capsizes off the coast of Mexico and they're left alone stranded at sea and struggling for survival.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLEGO Scooby-Doo! Knight Time Terror (2015)
Mystery Inc. is summoned to investigate occurrences in a haunted villa, where a black knight terrorizes anybody who tries to get close to treasure hidden by the former owner of the building.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBolt (2008)
Bolt is the star of the biggest show in Hollywood. The only problem is, he thinks it's real. After he's accidentally shipped to New York City and separated from Penny, his beloved co-star and owner, Bolt must harness all his "super powers" to find a way home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (2025)
Bridget Jones navigates life as a widow and single mum with the help of her family, friends, and former lover, Daniel. Back to work and on the apps, she's pursued by a younger man and maybe – just maybe – her son's science teacher.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Smokers (2000)
Three rebellious teenage girls decide to even the score in the battle of the sexes.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & drama
The Dinner (2023)
Sasha and her cat get ready to host a special dinner. Presented by Gia Coppola Wine.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
The Shooting (1966)
Two miners agree to guide a mysterious woman, who has appeared in their camp from nowhere, to a nearby town; but soon, because of her erratic behavior, they begin to suspect that her true purpose is quite different.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLonely are the Brave (1962)
A fiercely independent cowboy arranges to have himself locked up in jail in order to then escape with an old friend who has been sentenced to the penitentiary.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSurprise Party (2002)
How do you go about detaining a total stranger for 12 hours? This is what Ha-young (Lee Yo-won) has to do for her best friend, Mi-ryung (Kim Min-hee). Mi-ryung has been planning for a surprise party for her overseas boyfriend Jun-woo (Shin Ha-gyun), but her plans are stopped short when her father finds out that Jun-woo is half-Hawaiian, and forbids the party from being held. Mi-ryung is put under even greater pressure when Jun-Woo tells her that he would arrive early, and she pleads with Ha-Young to intercept Jun-Woo at the airport, and to keep him from turning up at Mi-ryung's place before she can iron things out.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Excalipurr (2026)
The brave and noble Arthur has discovered the hiding place of the fabled Excalibur. Little does he know that the "Lady" of the Lake is actually a mischievous cat who does not like people touching her favorite toy.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
THIS IS NOT AN EMERGENCY (2025)
A culmination of experiences from growing up in Georgia...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Ghostbusters (2016)
Following a ghost invasion of Manhattan, paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert and Abby Yates, nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann, and subway worker Patty Tolan band together to stop the otherworldly threat.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisMAD (2025)
After running around the city all day, Mandy finally realizes something a little too late.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Shimaneko?
The closest matches to Shimaneko are Rent-a-Cat (2012), Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco (1996) and Landline (2017). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Shimaneko?
Start with Rent-a-Cat (2012), the closest match to Shimaneko.
What is the highest-rated movie like Shimaneko?
10 Lives (2024), rated 7.7/10 by 235 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Shimaneko?
Spa Weekend (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Shimaneko?
Yes: Rent-a-Cat (2012), Rudolf the Black Cat (2016) and If Cats Disappeared from the World (2016).
How are movies similar to Shimaneko chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Shimaneko, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.