Movies like How the Birds Got Their Colours (1983)
The best movies like How the Birds Got Their Colours (1983) are Bilby (2018), Robin Robin (2021) and Burrow (2020). If How the Birds Got Their Colours hooked you with its animation, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedBilby (2018)8.0/10 from 214 votes
- NewestThe Twits (2025)Released 2025
Bilby (2018)
Threatened daily by the deadly residents and harsh environment of Australia’s Outback, a lonesome bilby finds himself an unwitting protector, and unexpected friend, to a helpless (and quite adorable) baby bird.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies 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
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBurrow (2020)
A young rabbit embarks on a journey to dig the burrow of her dreams, despite not having a clue what she's doing. Rather than reveal to her neighbors her imperfections, she digs herself deeper and deeper into trouble. After hitting (bed)rock bottom, she learns there is no shame in asking for help.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSong of the Sea (2014)
The story of the last Seal Child’s journey home. After their mother’s disappearance, Ben and Saoirse are sent to live with Granny in the city. When they resolve to return to their home by the sea, their journey becomes a race against time as they are drawn into a world Ben knows only from his mother’s folktales. But this is no bedtime story; these fairy folk have been in our world far too long. It soon becomes clear to Ben that Saoirse is the key to their survival.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisWinnie the Pooh (2011)
During an ordinary day in Hundred Acre Wood, Winnie the Pooh sets out to find some honey. Misinterpreting a note from Christopher Robin, Owl convinces Pooh, Tigger, Rabbit, Piglet, Kanga, Roo, and Eeyore that their young friend has been captured by a creature named "Backson" and they set out to rescue him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTerra das Canções de Ninar (1933)
A baby is transported to Lullaby Land, where pacifiers grow on trees, diapers, bottles, and potty chairs march on parade, and the gingham dog comes to life. He wanders into the "keep out" cave, full of things like scissors, knives, and fountain pens that are not for baby and begins smashing watches with hammers and playing with giant matches. The matches chase after him; baby escapes by riding a bar of soap across a pond, but the smoke from the matches turns into boogey-men. The benevolent sandman, dressed as a wizard, spots baby hiding and works his magic, bringing us back to the real nursery.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSuper Monsters: Once Upon a Rhyme (2021)
From Goldilocks to Hansel and Gretel, the Super Monsters reimagine classic fairy tales and favorite nursery rhymes with a musical, magical spin!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTinker Bell (2008)
Journey into the secret world of Pixie Hollow and hear Tinker Bell speak for the very first time as the astonishing story of Disney's most famous fairy is finally revealed in the all-new motion picture "Tinker Bell."
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Croods (2013)
The prehistoric Croods family live in a particularly dangerous moment in time. Patriarch Grug, his mate Ugga, teenage daughter Eep, son Thunk, and feisty Gran gather food by day and huddle together in a cave at night. When a more evolved caveman named Guy arrives on the scene, Grug is distrustful, but it soon becomes apparent that Guy is correct about the impending destruction of their world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBabes in the Woods (1932)
Two Dutch children stumble on a clearing in the woods where gnomes are going about their business. The gnomes are friendly to the children. A witch comes and takes them away on her broom to her gingerbread house, where she turns nasty on them, turning the boy into a spider, her yowling cat to stone, and tries to turn the girl into a rat when a gnome's arrow stops her. While the gnomes are fighting the witch, Hansel and Gretl free the other children who have been imprisoned and transformed by the witch.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Wise Little Hen (1934)
Join Donald Duck in his debut in the classic animated short The Wise Little Hen. The Little Hen is planting corn and would like to have help from Peter Pig and Donald Duck, but they refuse stating they each have a "tummy ache." When it comes time to harvest the corn, Peter Pig and Donald still refuse to help the Hen, so she and her chicks do the harvest by themselves. Finally, the hen cooks the corn and offers some to Donald and Peter Pig, but when they look more carefully they discover a surprise.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMonster High: Welcome to Monster High (2016)
Monsters once lived in hiding—even from each other—because they were afraid they would be in danger if humans knew they existed. But Draculaura, the daughter of Dracula, along with her best ghoulfriends, dreamt of a school where everyone was welcome and accepted for who they are. Determined to make their dream come true, the ghouls travel the world on an epic adventure to recruit new students. But even in this amazing place, there's drama: a villainess zombie is spreading trouble rather than friendship, and every student must live with the fear that their secret will be revealed. Now the ghouls must save their school so that every monster has a place where they belong and their uniqueness is celebrated!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Twits (2025)
When the meanest, nastiest villains pull a trick to take over their town, two brave children team up with a family of magical animals to bring them down.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
SnoozefestMovies like thisSong of the South (1946)
Uncle Remus draws upon his tales of Br'er Rabbit to help little Johnny deal with his confusion over his parents' separation as well as his new life on the plantation.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisInvader Zim: Enter the Florpus (2019)
ZIM discovers his almighty leaders never had any intention of coming to Earth and he loses confidence in himself for the first time in his life, which is the big break his human nemesis, Dib has been waiting for.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMaya the Bee Movie (2014)
A bubbly little bumblebee rebels against the rules of the hive to make all kinds of friends—from violin-playing grasshoppers to a hornet named Sting.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Little Guy (2022)
Groot discovers a miniature civilization that believes the seemingly enormous tree toddler is the hero they’ve been waiting for.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDumbo (1941)
Dumbo is a baby elephant born with over-sized ears and a supreme lack of confidence. But thanks to his even more diminutive buddy Timothy the Mouse, the pint-sized pachyderm learns to surmount all obstacles.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
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 of characters in order to save their world—and ours.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBush Mechanics (2013)
Inspired by the legendary live action series of the same name, Bush Mechanics is the story of four Warlpiri men on a journey to visit a powerful elder. As they drive across the desert they must overcome mechanical trouble and the tricks of a cheeky Munga Munga spirit. It will take all of their bush skills to keep their car running and themselves alive.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
The Lost Tiger (2025)
Adopted by a big, lively and spirited kangaroo family of traveling wrestlers, Teo’s life is pretty great. But when mysterious visions lead him to a faraway land, Teo is forced to rediscover his roots and embark on an epic journey to save his homeland from impending destruction.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Thalu: Dreamtime is Now (2018)
An indigenous mine site worker is transported to the spirit world, where he meets the spirits and custodians of the land and learns about how they are connected to humankind, even as their sacred sites are under threat by the modern human world.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Jack & Jones (2012)
Two Warlpiri boys grow up together in a small remote indigenous community. They find strength in family and culture when troubles turn up on a trip into town.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
We Were Just Little Boys (2022)
Between 1924 to 1970, Kinchela Boys Home in Kempsey, New South Wales, saw an estimated 400 to 600 Aboriginal children exposed to routine acts of cultural genocide and remains one of Australia’s most notorious institutions of the Stolen Generations. After being stolen from their families, country, and community, children were stripped of their names, given numbers, and subjected to ‘reprogramming’ and strict regimes of manual labour. We Were Just Little Boys is narrated by KBH survivors.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Namatjira Project (2017)
From the remote Australian desert to the opulence of Buckingham Palace - Namatjira Project is the iconic story of the Namatjira family, tracing their quest for justice.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
88.9 Radio Redfern (1989)
An observational documentary which looks at Sydney’s first community Aboriginal radio station, 88.9 Radio Redfern. Set against a backdrop of contemporary Aboriginal music, 88.9 Radio Redfern offers a special and rare exploration of the people, attitudes and philosophies behind the lead up to a different type of celebration of Australia’s Bicentennial Year. Throughout 1988, 88.9 Radio Redfern became an important focal point for communication and solidarity within the Aboriginal community. The film reveals how urban blacks are adapting social structures such as the mass media to serve their needs.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Australia's Aborigines (1988)
Shows the Kakadu lands in Northern Australia and the people who live there, the Gagudju Aborigines, their story and their culture.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
One Heart: One Spirit (2017)
An Aboriginal Australian and Native American documentary narrated by award-winning actor Jack Thompson, One Heart-One Spirit tells the story of Kenneth Little Hawk, an elder Micmac/Mohawk performing artist, meeting the oldest surviving culture on the planet: the 40,000 year old Yolngu nation located in northern Australia.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
In My Own Words (2017)
The raw, heartfelt and often funny journey of adult Aboriginal students and their teachers as they discover the transformative power of reading and writing for the first time.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like How the Birds Got Their Colours?
The closest matches to How the Birds Got Their Colours are Bilby (2018), Robin Robin (2021) and Burrow (2020). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after How the Birds Got Their Colours?
Start with Bilby (2018), the closest match to How the Birds Got Their Colours.
What is the highest-rated movie like How the Birds Got Their Colours?
Bilby (2018), rated 8.0/10 by 214 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like How the Birds Got Their Colours?
The Twits (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like How the Birds Got Their Colours?
Yes: Bilby (2018), Robin Robin (2021) and Burrow (2020).
How are movies similar to How the Birds Got Their Colours chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside How the Birds Got Their Colours, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.