Movies like Dirty Fred, the Captain
The best movies like Dirty Fred, the Captain are The Sea Beast (2022), The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020) and The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (2012). If Dirty Fred, the Captain hooked you with its adventure and animation, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedSwapped (2026)8.8/10 from 2,298 votes
- NewestSwapped (2026)Released 2026
The Sea Beast (2022)
When a young girl stows away on the ship of a legendary sea monster hunter, they launch an epic journey into uncharted waters — and make history to boot.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020)
When his best friend Gary is suddenly snatched away, SpongeBob takes Patrick on a madcap mission far beyond Bikini Bottom to save their pink-shelled pal.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (2012)
After a hurricane levels his city, a young man wanders into a mysterious library where books literally come to life. This film won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 2012.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Emperor's New Groove (2000)
When the self‑absorbed Emperor Kuzco is accidentally transformed into a llama, he must rely on a humble villager to survive the jungle and reclaim his throne.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSofia the First: The Floating Palace (2013)
After Sofia helps a little mermaid named Oona, Sofia's amulet grants her the power to transform into a mermaid and visit her new friend's underwater kingdom. But when Cedric (disguised as a seamonster) plots to steal Oona's enchanted Mermaid Comb, danger surfaces for both worlds. With a little help from special guest, Princess Ariel, Sofia embarks on an adventure to rescue Oona and prevent a typhoon before it's too late.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisChickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness (2022)
A brave young animal explorer teams up with two trusty friends to find a powerful artifact before his greedy uncle can get his paws on it.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDragon Rider (2020)
An unlikely trio of heroes – a dragon, a boy and a forest brownie – embark on an epic adventure to find the “Rim of Heaven” - the mythological safe haven for all dragons.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Tidal Zone: SpongeBob Universe Special (2023)
GrandPat travels through alternate dimensions and timelines to get home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies 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 & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisArctic Dogs (2019)
Animals band together to save the day when the evil Otto Von Walrus hatches a sinister scheme to accelerate global warming and melt the Arctic Circle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
SnoozefestMovies like thisHow to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019)
It's been ten years since the dragons moved to the Hidden World, and even though Toothless doesn't live in New Berk anymore, Hiccup continues the holiday traditions he once shared with his best friend. But the Vikings of New Berk were beginning to forget about their friendship with dragons. Hiccup, Astrid, and Gobber know just what to do to keep the dragons in the villagers' hearts. And across the sea, the dragons have a plan of their own...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisScrat's Continental Crack-Up: Part 2 (2011)
This short film continues the adventures of the title character as he tries to retrieve his elusive acorn.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Pilgrim's Progress (2019)
An epic journey, faithfully adapted to modern-day. Christian faces distractions, challenges, and perils at every turn of the way. But ends victorious, with helpful guides, as he stays on the narrow path to the distant Celestial City.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants (2025)
Desperate to be a big guy, SpongeBob sets out to prove his bravery to Mr. Krabs by following The Flying Dutchman – a mysterious swashbuckling ghost pirate – on a seafaring adventure that takes him to the deepest depths of the deep sea, where no Sponge has gone before.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSwapped (2026)
A small woodland creature and a majestic bird, two natural sworn enemies of the Valley, magically trade places and set off on an adventure of a lifetime to switch back. Their journey soon uncovers a greater threat—one that could endanger not only their species, but the entire valley they call home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisJustin and the Knights of Valour (2013)
A heart-warming tale about friendship, honor & courage, which sees a young boy become a man as he embarks on a quest to become a knight.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
SnoozefestMovies like thisPuss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale (2017)
After tumbling into a magic storybook, Puss in Boots must fight, dance and romance his way through wild adventures as he searches for an escape.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDora and the Search for Sol Dorado (2025)
Dora, Diego, and their new friends trek through the perilous dangers of the Amazonian jungle in search of the ancient and powerful treasure of Sol Dorado to keep it out of enemy hands.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow (2013)
When Brainy Smurf is favored to win the annual Smurfberry Hunt for the ninth year in a row, Gutsy Smurf sets out to discover how Brainy wins every year. Gutsy’s investigation takes him into spooky Smurfy Hollow–and right into Gargamel’s trap! Can Brainy and Gutsy, with the help of Smurfette, put aside their rivalry before Gargamel captures them–or worse, they come face-to-face with the legendary ghost, the Headless Horseman?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisScared Shrekless (2010)
Shrek challenges Donkey, Puss in Boots and his other fairy tale character friends to spend the night in Lord Farquaad's haunted castle, telling scary stories to see who can resist becoming scared and stay the longest.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPokémon the Movie 2000 (1999)
When Lawrence III's scheme to capture the Legendary Pokémon Lugia upsets the balance of nature, it is up to Ash Ketchum and his friends to save the world.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA snake called Perseus (2025)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & adventure
My Oni Girl (2024)
A shy teenage boy's inability to say no is tested when a headstrong girl drags him on a mystical journey amid summer snow to find her missing mom.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCastle in the Sky (1986)
A young boy and a girl with a magic crystal must race against pirates and foreign agents in a search for a legendary floating castle.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisWarriors of the Wind (1984)
After a global war, the seaside kingdom known as the Valley of the Wind remains one of the last strongholds on Earth untouched by a poisonous jungle and the powerful insects that guard it. Led by the courageous Princess Nausicaä, the people of the Valley engage in an epic struggle to restore the bond between humanity and Earth.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisTransformers Prime: Beast Hunters - Predacons Rising (2013)
Autobots, Decepticons, Predaking and Predacons form an unlikely alliance to battle a resurrected Unicron.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Canterville Ghost (2023)
An American family moves in to the Canterville Chase, a London mansion that has been haunted by ghost Sir Simon De Canterville for 300 years.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAngel's Friends - Between Dream and Reality (2011)
A television movie based on the animated series and settled between the first and the second season aired, in Italy, on 23 April 2011. The movie focuses on the Angels attending the Summer School at the Sunny College in Alpinville, where Raf hopes she will not meet Sulfus. The Devils show up at the school and Raf tells Sulfus she has fallen in love with someone else. Meanwhile, the Earthly ones receive the task of refurbishing the Theatre of Princes (Italian: Teatro dei Principi) and organising a play, Romeo & Juliet by William Shakespeare. However, they are attacked by a mysterious hooded man who wants them to leave the theatre. The Angels and the Devils decide to investigate and find out the truth about Tyco and Sai's fate. At last, Raf and Sulfus conclude that they'll decide what to do about their future together once returned to the Golden School for the new term.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
The Peter Pan Story (1952)
Made in the early days of television, this promotional film takes audiences behind the scenes on the making of Walt Disney's then-upcoming animated feature, Peter Pan.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
The Winding Sheet (2022)
A man takes one last road trip with his criminal son.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Dirty Fred, the Captain?
The closest matches to Dirty Fred, the Captain are The Sea Beast (2022), The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020) and The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (2012). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Dirty Fred, the Captain?
Start with The Sea Beast (2022), the closest match to Dirty Fred, the Captain.
What is the highest-rated movie like Dirty Fred, the Captain?
Swapped (2026), rated 8.8/10 by 2,298 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Dirty Fred, the Captain?
Swapped (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to Dirty Fred, the Captain chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Dirty Fred, the Captain, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.