Movies like Pale Cocoon (2005)
The best movies like Pale Cocoon (2005) are A Wind Named Amnesia (1990), Harmony (2015) and Planetarian: Hoshi no Hito (2016). If Pale Cocoon hooked you with its animation and science fiction, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks
- Highest ratedPaprika (2006)7.8/10 from 3,055 votes
- NewestBurn the Witch (2020)Released 2020
- In JapaneseA Wind Named Amnesia (1990)Also in Japanese
A Wind Named Amnesia (1990)
A wind has swept the Earth taking all the memories from everyone. No one knows who they are, how to speak, or how to use the tools of modern civilization. Two years later, a young man who has been re-educated travels across America on a mysterious journey.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHarmony (2015)
Set in a future world. Japan has created a great medical technology that controls ethics, health, and social interaction to create a perfect world. Three young girls attempt to stand up to this by committing suicide, but it doesn't work. Years later, Tuan, one of the girls who attempted suicide must prevent a crisis that threatens this "perfect" world.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPlanetarian: Hoshi no Hito (2016)
The film adapts and expands the Planetarian visual novel by Key. The story is set in a dystopian future where biological and nuclear warfare has left a once prosperous civilization in complete ruin. The film tells the story of an old man travelling around with a mobile planetarium projector to show people the stars.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation
Garakowa -Restore the World- (2016)
A floating space without gravity where an infinite number of lights shine in different colors: The "Box of Wisdom." Inside of this box, there are multiple worlds, multiple timelines, and there used to be many different people. This is where Dual and Dorothy were fighting with enemies called "Viruses." Worlds infected by viruses must be erased. That is the duty, the job of these girls. However, one day, Dual and Dorothy feel the presence of a new Virus. Arriving at the scene, they see a girl being attacked by Viruses. After saving the girl, the duo wait for her to awaken so they can ask who she is, where she came from, and where she is going. Finally, when the girl opened her eyes, she gave her name, Rimo, and whispered only one sentence... "I must return to the flower patch..."
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
Metropolis (2001)
In the midst of societal conflict in the futuristic city of Metropolis, Kenichi and his uncle Shunsaku Ban set out to uncover the mystery behind the first human-like robot, Tima.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMardock Scramble: The Second Combustion (2011)
Rescued by Doctor Easter from a deadly assault on their headquarters by Dimsdale Boiled, Rune Balot finds temporary shelter in "Paradise," a high-tech laboratory where the Scramble 09 protocol originated. While the severely injured Oeufcoque regenerates in a healing vat, Rune struggles to find the answers within herself that will let her equally injured psyche find some measure of peace. But as the search for clues to the location of Shell's hidden memories continues, Boiled finds them again, and Rune and the Doctor decide it's time to carry the war to the enemy.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMardock Scramble: The Third Exhaust (2012)
The final plans to finish Shell off in court have been made by Easter, Balot, and Oeufcoque. But in order to execute those plans, they must set foot into Shell's domain: the BlueEgg Casino in the center of Mardock City, and find the chip where his memories lie. If they can't find the chip, their case will be dismissed in court, and their "usefulness" will be gone – resulting in all of their deaths. Will Balot find the chip in time, while still dodging Boiled and his now mad search for her and Oeufcoque?
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisVexille (2007)
2067: Isolation: Japan seals herself off from the eyes of the world in the face of unilateral international policy setting strict limits on the use of robotic technology. The island nation exists only behind a veil of seclusion. No soul shall enter. No soul shall leave. 2077: Revelation: The veil is breached. Japan is infiltrated by agents of the organization S.W.O.R.D., a fighting force operating outside of the protection of the United States and her allies. Their mission: Determine if the Japanese are developing banned robotic bio-technology, forbidden due to its threat to humankind. In the battle between machine and man, humanity stands to suffer most.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTime of EVE: The Movie (2010)
In the not-too-distant future, androids have come into common usage. However, treating androids on the same level as humans is frowned upon, and there is constant paranoia surrounding the possibility of robots defying humans, their masters. Those who appear too trustworthy of their androids are chided and labeled as "android-holics". Rikuo Sakisaka, who has taken robots for granted for his entire life, one day discovers that Sammy, his home android, has been acting independently and coming and going on her own. He finds a strange phrase recorded in her activity log, "Are you enjoying the time of EVE?". He, along with his friend Masakazu Masaki, traces Sammy's movements and finds an unusual café. Nagi, the barista, informs them that the café's main rule is to not discriminate between humans and androids. While Rikuo tries to reveal Sammy's intentions, he begins to question the legitimacy of the fear that drives humans to regard androids as nothing more than mere tools.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisExpelled from Paradise (2014)
A.D. 2400, DEVA's central council detects an incident of unauthorized access into their mainframe. Someone on Earth was trying to hack into the system. The only information DEVA was able to retrieve was that hacker referred to themselves as "Frontier Setter." To investigate the mysterious hacker's motives, the high officials of DEVA dispatch system Security Third Officer Angela Balzac to the Earth's surface. Equipped with a prosthetic "material body," Angela attempts to make contact with a local agent Dingo, but what awaited her instead was a swarm of Sandworms now infesting the Earth's surface. Angela intercepts the gruesome pests with her exoskeleton powered suit Arhan.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTailenders (2009)
Premiered in Sapporo Short Fest 2009. The destiny of Tomoe Shiro, a formidable racer with a very promising career, experiments an U-turn when a serious accident puts his life at stake. He recovers miraculously, though, when his heart is replaced with the engine of his own racing car. However, because of that very reason, race regulations demote him to the category of a mere mechanical part of the vehicle and is deprived from the right to participate as a pilot in regular races. Only in a far away colonial planet, along with a multitude of other charismatic pilots also vetoed from participating in regular competitions, he will be given the opportunity to race for his pride and the money of the prize. And so this exciting rally starts!!
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both science fiction & animation
Galaxy Express 999: The Movie (1979)
In the future, one can achieve immortality by obtaining a mechanized body. Orphaned, young Tetsuro hitches a ride on the space train Galaxy Express 999 in the hope of obtaining a cyborg body to avenge his mother's death. Along the way, he meets Maetel, who is the spitting image of his dead mother.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSummer Wars (2009)
Teenage math whiz Kenji Koiso agrees to take a summer job at the Nagano hometown of his crush, Natsuki. When he arrives, he finds that her family have reunited to celebrate the 90th birthday of their matriarch. His job: pretend to be Natsuki's fiancé. Meanwhile, his attempt to solve a mathematical equation causes a parallel world's collision with Earth.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Empire of Corpses (2015)
The story takes place in 19th century Europe, and revolves around John Watson. He is scouted by the government to become a secret agent. However, Watson lives in a world where "Frankensteins"—human corpses that are re-purposed with a false soul in order to use them as laborers—are used to improve industrial development.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPaprika (2006)
Dr. Atsuko Chiba is a research psychologist who uses a device called the DC Mini to enter her patients' dreams, wherein she adopts the alter-ego "Paprika". When the device is stolen, she must stop rogue elements from merging the dream and waking worlds.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Relative Worlds (2019)
Shin has shut his heart ever since his mother died when he was young. His childhood friend Kotori has been looking after him ever since. Now that they are in the third year of high school, and it seems like they can finally move forward, another Shin from another Japan has suddenly appeared in front of them.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisSomeone's Gaze (2013)
Aya Okamura has been working for two years and has begun living on her own for a job opportunity. With her mother working overseas as a doctor, her father is now living alone with the family's longtime pet cat Mii-san. One night, Aya returns from a long day at work, and as she rests on her bed, she reminiscences about the times the family had together. She remembers the sadness she felt when her mom went overseas, and the solace she felt when her father brought home Mii-san to give her comfort. Then, she receives a phone call.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Garden of Sinners: Future Gospel (2013)
A side story of the original Kara no Kyōkai - the Garden of sinners movie series divided into 2 parts. In the first part, Shizune Seo, who finds her life too predictable due to her precognition, and Mitsuru Kamekura, who uses his precognition to be a professional bomber, meet Mikiya and Shiki, respectively, and their futures begin to change. In the second part, 10 years after the original series, Shiki and Mikiya's daughter, Mana Ryōgi, spends a day with Mitsuru.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCross Road (2014)
High school students Miho and Shouta are preparing for college entrance examinations. Miho comes from an island without even one cram school, while Shouta lives in Tokyo and works a part-time job. Both are striving to pass exams so they can enter college. The pair enroll in Z-Kai's correspondence education courses, and their lives cross before they realize it.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChäoS;Child: Silent Sky (2017)
Silent Sky is a movie that combines the Special episodes 13 and 14. It consists of the story in the future, three months after the incident that was similar to "New Generation Madness" and the disease Chaos Child Syndrome that brought by the past earthquake in Shibuya.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004)
In a post-war alternative timeline, Japan is divided into the North, controlled by the Union, and the South, controlled by the United States. A mysterious high tower rises within the borders of the Union. Three high school students promise to cross the border with a self-built airplane and unravel the secret of the tower.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSteamboy (2004)
In 1860s Britain, a boy inventor finds himself caught in the middle of a deadly conflict over a revolutionary advance in steam power.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMemories (1995)
Three back-to-back anime films by three different directors make up this sci-fi trilogy three years in the making.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMardock Scramble: The First Compression (2010)
Rune Ballot is a down-and-out teen prostitute in Mardock City. One day, she's picked up by an ambitious casino manager named Shell who gives her everything she could want. Renewed by a false innocence, a false past, and now the false life Shell has given her, Ballot feels grateful. However, she can't help but be curious about why he's done so much for her, so she does some research about his past on a computer. This turns out to be a mistake which will change her life greatly. When Shell finds out what she's done, he attempts to burn her to death by blowing up her car.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGenius Party Beyond (2008)
Five stories, five maestros, five styles and one common denominator: maximum creativity. Studio 4°C, the coolest label on the planet, invites us for the second time to an exclusive reunion of a talents with a group film, full of freedom and ingenuity, that goes from Mahiro Maeda's classic anime, to Kazuto Nakazawa's intricate urban sketches, Shinya Ohira's bedlam of color and Tatsuyuki Tanaka's animated cyberpunk. And as if that wasn't enough, Koji Morimoto, the studio big boss, is charge of putting the icing on the cake with fantafabulous piece of abstract poetry that would make a VJ die of ecstasy. The party of the year.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBurn the Witch (2020)
Noel Niihashi and Ninny Spangcole are witch and protection agents for Wing Bind an organization for dragon conservation and management. Their mission is to protect and manage the dragons within London on behalf of the people.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation
Steins;Gate: The Movie - Load Region of Déjà Vu (2013)
One year after the events of the anime, Rintarou begins to feel the repercussions of extensive time travel, and eventually completely fades from reality. Kurisu, being the only companion to remember him, now must find a way to bring him back.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDoraemon: Nobita's Great Adventure in the Antarctic Kachi Kochi (2017)
Doraemon and Nobita discover a mysterious golden ring far beneath the ice in Antarctica, leading them to uncover an ancient, ruined city.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEvangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance (2009)
Under constant attack by monstrous creatures called Angels that seek to eradicate humankind, U.N. Special Agency NERV introduces two new EVA pilots to help defend the city of Tokyo-3: the mysterious Makinami Mari Illustrous and the intense Asuka Langley Shikinami. Meanwhile, Gendo Ikari and SEELE proceed with a secret project that involves both Rei and Shinji.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStand by Me Doraemon (2014)
Sewashi and Doraemon find themselves way back in time and meet Nobita. It is up to Doraemon to take care of Nobita or else he will not return to the present.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Pale Cocoon?
The closest matches to Pale Cocoon are A Wind Named Amnesia (1990), Harmony (2015) and Planetarian: Hoshi no Hito (2016). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Pale Cocoon?
People who watched Pale Cocoon most often go on to A Wind Named Amnesia (1990), Harmony (2015) and Planetarian: Hoshi no Hito (2016).
What is the highest-rated movie like Pale Cocoon?
Paprika (2006), rated 7.8/10 by 3,055 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Pale Cocoon?
Burn the Witch (2020) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Pale Cocoon?
Yes: A Wind Named Amnesia (1990), Harmony (2015) and Planetarian: Hoshi no Hito (2016).
How are movies similar to Pale Cocoon chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Pale Cocoon, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.





























