Movies like Once There Was a Girl (2020)
The best movies like Once There Was a Girl (2020) are Sanjay's Super Team (2015), Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 1 (2007) and Lamp Life (2020). If Once There Was a Girl hooked you with its animation, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedMemoir of a Snail (2024)8.1/10 from 860 votes
- NewestForgotten Island (2026)Released 2026
Sanjay's Super Team (2015)
SANJAY'S SUPER TEAM follows the daydream of a young Indian boy, bored with his father's religious meditation, who imagines "a kind of ancient, Hindu version of The Avengers," with the gods appearing like superheros.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPixar Short Films Collection: Volume 1 (2007)
Experience these masterpieces of storytelling from the creative minds that brought you Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo and many more. With revolutionary animation, unforgettable music and characters you love, these dazzling short films have changed the face of animation and entertainment and are sure to delight people of all ages for years to come.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisLamp Life (2020)
Bo Peep explains what happened to herself and her sheep between the events of Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 4.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHow to Train Your Dragon: Snoggletog Log (2019)
When Hiccup and Toothless begin sharing stories of their special relationship with their respective families as they prepare for the Snoggletog Festival, it quickly becomes clear that the new generation of Vikings don’t remember the bond between dragon and human.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Little Matchgirl (2006)
An animated short based on Hans Christian Andersen's tale about a poor young girl with a burning desire to find comfort and happiness in her life. Desperate to keep warm, the girl lights the matches she sells, and envisions a very different life for herself in the fiery flames filled with images of loving relatives, bountiful food, and a place to call home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisForgotten Island (2026)
While celebrating their last night together, high school graduates and best friends Jo and Raissa stumble upon a mysterious portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali. When they discover that the memories of their entire friendship are the price for returning home, Jo and Raissa must race to find a way to leave the island before they forget each other forever.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisInside Out (2015)
When 11-year-old Riley moves to a new city, her Emotions team up to help her through the transition. Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness work together, but when Joy and Sadness get lost, they must journey through unfamiliar places to get back home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMemoir of a Snail (2024)
Forcibly separated from her twin brother when they are orphaned, a melancholic misfit learns how to find confidence within herself amid the clutter of misfortunes and everyday life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisHawaiian Vacation (2011)
The toys throw Ken and Barbie a Hawaiian vacation in Bonnie's room.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFloat (2019)
A father discovers that his son floats, which makes him different from other kids. To keep them both safe from the judgement of the world, Dad hides, covers, and grounds him. But when his son's ability becomes public, Dad must decide whether to run and hide or to accept his son as he is.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Scroll (2016)
As Po looks for his lost action figures, the story of how the panda inadvertently helped create the Furious Five is told.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLou (2017)
A lost-and-found box holds a mysterious and unseen monster within.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCars Toon Mater's Tall Tales (2008)
Mater the tow truck travels from country to country as he retells his infamous but unbelievable stories.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDestino (2003)
Short film to a song of love lost and rediscovered, a woman sees and undergoes surreal transformations. Her lover's face melts off, she dons a dress from the shadow of a bell and becomes a dandelion, ants crawl out of a hand and become Frenchmen riding bicycles. Not to mention the turtles with faces on their backs that collide to form a ballerina, or the bizarre baseball game.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPixar Short Films Collection: Volume 2 (2012)
Disney and Pixar present an incredible new collection of 12 short films, featuring multiple Academy Award® nominees (Best Short Film, Animated: "Presto," 2008; "Day & Night," 2010; "La Luna," 2011) and a host of family favorites. Join the celebration of imagination with this collection, packed with unforgettable animation, fantastic stories and captivating characters. Plus, enjoy all-new extras that share how Pixar's storied talent got their start — including student films from acclaimed directors John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton and Pete Docter!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisDay & Night (2010)
When Day, a sunny fellow, encounters Night, a stranger of distinctly darker moods, sparks fly! Day and Night are frightened and suspicious of each other at first, and quickly get off on the wrong foot. But as they discover each other's unique qualities--and come to realize that each of them offers a different window onto the same world-the friendship helps both to gain a new perspective.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies 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
Absolute CinemaMovies 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 thisExtreme Makeover: Homer Edition (2026)
Homer and Marge's fun couples' date night goes off the rails when Marge learns Homer left the kids unsupervised with only the doorbell camera as a babysitter. Frustrated with her imperfect husband, a tipsy Marge stirs up a trilogy of fantasies of a different Homer.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSintel (2010)
A wandering warrior finds an unlikely friend in the form of a young dragon. The two develop a close bond, until one day the dragon is snatched away. She then sets out on a relentless quest to reclaim her friend, finding in the end that her quest exacts a far greater price than she had ever imagined.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisExplorers (2017)
Explorers is a idealistic look at the future of space travel, seen from the perspective of those who dare to venture into the unknown.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
La bête (2013)
A woman discovers her animal nature when a wolf grows out of her own body and ravages her.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Sitara - Let Girls Dream (2019)
Pari, a 14-year-old girl, dreams of becoming a pilot while growing up in a society that doesn’t allow her to dream.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEverything is Fine (1991)
Animated film from Robert Sahakyants. Political satire on the last years of Soviet Russian rule over Armenia. It makes fun of several well known Soviet leaders. Based on a popular Russian song from the 1930's
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
The Button (1989)
Every time a Soviet apparatchik presses a button, something explodes.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
The Crayon Box That Talked (1997)
"While walking through a toy store, the day before today, I overheard a crayon box with many things to say..."
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Protocole Sandwich (2019)
In a wild uninhabited desert, a team of rangers is in charge of rescuing people who got lost there. One of them, Jean-Mi, is going to draw apart from the group and meet an unexpected character.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Dogs (2021)
A young Polish partisan flees from the Warsaw Uprising. Whilst hiding in the yard of a countryside manor, he is chased up a tree by a large wolfhound. With his rifle out of reach, there seems to be no way to escape his predicament.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
The Laughter Congress (1950)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Once There Was a Girl?
The closest matches to Once There Was a Girl are Sanjay's Super Team (2015), Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 1 (2007) and Lamp Life (2020). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Once There Was a Girl?
Start with Sanjay's Super Team (2015), the closest match to Once There Was a Girl.
What is the highest-rated movie like Once There Was a Girl?
Memoir of a Snail (2024), rated 8.1/10 by 860 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Once There Was a Girl?
Forgotten Island (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Once There Was a Girl?
Yes: Sanjay's Super Team (2015), Pixar Short Films Collection: Volume 1 (2007) and Lamp Life (2020).
How are movies similar to Once There Was a Girl chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Once There Was a Girl, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.