Movies like The Nine-Colored Deer (1981)
The best movies like The Nine-Colored Deer (1981) are New Gods: Nezha Reborn (2021), Luck (2022) and Horton Hears a Who! (2008). If The Nine-Colored Deer hooked you with its animation and fantasy, 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 2,297 votes
- NewestWildwood (2026)Released 2026
- In ChineseNew Gods: Nezha Reborn (2021)Also in Chinese
New Gods: Nezha Reborn (2021)
While living as an ordinary deliveryman and motor racing fan, Nezha encounters old nemeses and must rediscover his powers to protect his loved ones.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisLuck (2022)
Suddenly finding herself in the never-before-seen Land of Luck, the unluckiest person in the world must unite with the magical creatures there to turn her luck around.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHorton Hears a Who! (2008)
An imaginative elephant named Horton hears a faint cry for help coming from a tiny speck of dust floating through the air. Horton suspects there may be life on that speck and despite a surrounding community, who thinks he has lost his mind, he is determined to save the tiny particle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Witcher: Sirens of the Deep (2025)
When human sailors are attacked by mysterious creatures of the deep, only one person can stop the war between land and sea: the Witcher, Geralt of Rivia.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWildwood (2026)
Prue and her classmate Curtis are drawn into a magical forest filled with enchanted creatures, loyal allies, and formidable adversaries as they embark on a desperate quest to rescue Prue's abducted baby brother from a murder of crows led by a mysterious woman named Alexandra.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisWhite Snake: Afloat (2024)
Xiaobai finally found Xu Xian, the reincarnation of Axuan, after 500 years, the two met on the Broken Bridge. Xiaobai and sister hid in the streets and alleys, started a lively life in human world with him and his brother-in-law Li Gongfu.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisNew Gods: Yang Jian (2022)
Fifteen hundred years after the war of gods, the heaven declined. Yang Jian, the God of Erlang, made a living by working as a catcher. One day, Yang Jian was ordered to hunt down a young man, his own nephew.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCosmos Laundromat (2015)
On a desolate island, a suicidal sheep named Franck meets his fate…in the form of a quirky salesman named Victor, who offers him the gift of a lifetime. The gift is many lifetimes, actually, in many different worlds – each lasting just a few minutes. In the sequel to the pilot, Franck will find a new reason to live…in the form of a bewitching female adventurer named Tara, who awakens his long-lost lust for life. But can Franck keep up with her?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDuckTales: The Movie - Treasure of the Lost Lamp (1990)
With his nephews and niece, everyone's favorite rich uncle, Scrooge McDuck, treks from his mansion home in Duckburg in search of the long-lost loot of the thief Collie Baba. But finding the goods isn't quite what it's "quacked" up to be! Their thrilling adventure leads to comical chaos, magical mayhem, and a lesson about what is far more valuable than money, gold and jewels.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
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 animation & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMonkey King: Hero Is Back (2015)
The all-powerful Monkey King once roamed freely between Heaven and Earth, but after angering the Gods, he was imprisoned within an ice cage deep within the mountains. 500 years later, monsters attack a small village and a child flees to the mountains. Unknowingly, the child releases the Monkey King from his curse. With the help and encouragement from this special child, Monkey King saves the village from the evil monsters.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Monkey King 2 (2016)
Taking place 500 years after the Havoc in Heaven, the Tang Priest is appointed by Buddha to go to the West to fetch the sacred scriptures, only to accidentally free the Monkey King. With Lady White aiming to break up the team assembled to defeat her, the Monkey King must fight in order to save his world!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisOpen Season: Scared Silly (2015)
The humans and animals believe a werewolf is on the loose, and former hunter Shaw uses the opportunity to re-open the season. Boog, Elliot, and Mr. Weenie have to face their fears and find the werewolf to get the season closed permanently.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
SnoozefestMovies like thisOpen Season 2 (2008)
After falling head over hooves in love with Giselle, Elliot's road to the altar takes a slight detour when Mr. Weenie is kidnapped by a group of pampered pets determined to return him to his owners.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
SnoozefestMovies like thisAnnabelle's Wish (1997)
Annabelle - a calf who has a special wish for Christmas - wants to be a reindeer and help Santa Claus drive his sleigh as he delivers his presents! Annabelle's friends tell her not to get her hopes up, but to everyone's surprise, Santa does indeed meet up with Annabelle, and the calf gets to help Santa make the holiday special for one young boy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJourney to the West: Conquering the Demons (2013)
In a world plagued by demons who cause great human suffering, young demon hunter Tang Sanzang must fight against monstrous demons, as well as contend with a beautiful demon hunting woman on his path to enlightenment.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKhumba (2013)
A half-striped zebra is blamed for the drought and leaves his herd in search of his missing stripes. He is joined on his quest by an overprotective wildebeest and a flamboyant ostrich; they defeat the tyrannical leopard and save his herd.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Sorcerer and the White Snake (2011)
The Sorcerer and the White Snake is an ancient Chinese fable about a woman demon who falls in love with a mortal is brought to life through the latest advances in CGI and action techniques.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPrancer: A Christmas Tale (2022)
Ten-year-old Gloria and her recently widowed grandfather Bud befriend a mysterious reindeer when the family gather for Christmas. Bud comes to believe that Prancer may actually be magical, but Gloria fears his theory will send him straight to a retirement home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPinocchio (1940)
When the gentle woodcarver Geppetto builds a marionette to be his substitute son, a benevolent fairy brings the toy to life. The puppet, named Pinocchio, is not yet a human boy. He must earn the right to be real by proving that he is brave, truthful, and unselfish.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNinja Scroll (1993)
Jubei is a masterless ninja who travels the land alone, lending his services to those with gold—or a worthy cause. His fearsome abilities have served him well, but a plot to overthrow the government threatens to end his wandering ways—and possibly his life.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Swan Princess: The Mystery of the Enchanted Kingdom (1998)
The royal couple Odette and Derek face yet another evil magician, this time a woman named Zelda. Lusting for the treasure of the Forbidden Arts, which will give her absolute power, Zelda kidnaps Odette as ransom. Derek and several animal friends head off to rescue Odette
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: Dead Zone (1989)
In order to wish for immortality and avenge his father, Garlic Jr. collects the dragon balls, kidnapping Goku's son Gohan in the process. Goku, Kami, Piccolo, and Krillin unite to rescue Gohan and save the world from being sucked into a dead zone.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe City of Lost Children (1995)
A scientist in a surrealist society kidnaps children to steal their dreams, hoping that they slow his aging process.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHook (1991)
The boy who wasn't supposed to grow up—Peter Pan—does just that, becoming a soulless corporate lawyer whose workaholism could cost him his wife and kids. During his trip to see Granny Wendy in London, the vengeful Capt. Hook kidnaps Peter's kids and forces Peter to return to Neverland.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Ewok Adventure (1984)
Wicket the Ewok and his friends agree to help two shipwrecked human children, Mace and Cindel, on a quest to find their parents.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisMr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium (2007)
Molly Mahoney is the awkward and insecure manager of Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium—the strangest, most fantastic and most wonderful toy store in the world. After Mr. Magorium bequeaths the store to her, a dark and ominous change begins to take over the once-remarkable Emporium.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2001)
Jimmy Neutron is a boy genius and way ahead of his friends, but when it comes to being cool, he's a little behind. All until one day when his parents, and parents all over Earth are kidnapped by aliens, it's up to him to lead all the children of the world to rescue their parents.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPresto (2008)
Dignity. Poise. Mystery. We expect nothing less from the great turn-of-the-century magician, Presto. But when Presto neglects to feed his rabbit one too many times, the magician finds he isn't the only one with a few tricks up his sleeve!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Nine-Colored Deer?
The closest matches to The Nine-Colored Deer are New Gods: Nezha Reborn (2021), Luck (2022) and Horton Hears a Who! (2008). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Nine-Colored Deer?
Start with New Gods: Nezha Reborn (2021), the closest match to The Nine-Colored Deer.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Nine-Colored Deer?
Swapped (2026), rated 8.8/10 by 2,297 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Nine-Colored Deer?
Wildwood (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Chinese movies like The Nine-Colored Deer?
Yes: New Gods: Nezha Reborn (2021), White Snake: Afloat (2024) and New Gods: Yang Jian (2022).
How are movies similar to The Nine-Colored Deer chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Nine-Colored Deer, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.