Movies like Self Portrait (1988)
The best movies like Self Portrait (1988) are BLAME! (2017), Jungle Emperor Leo (1997) and Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters (2011). If Self Portrait hooked you with its animation, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe House (2022)7.0/10 from 1,193 votes
- NewestSafe Zone (2026)Released 2026
- In JapaneseBLAME! (2017)Also in Japanese
BLAME! (2017)
In the distant technological future, civilization has reached its ultimate Net-based form. An "infection" in the past caused the automated systems to spiral out of order, resulting in a multi-leveled city structure that replicates itself infinitely in all directions. Now humanity has lost access to the city's controls, and is hunted down and purged by the defense system known as the Safeguard. In a tiny corner of the city, a little enclave known as the Electro-Fishers is facing eventual extinction, trapped between the threat of the Safeguard and dwindling food supplies. A girl named Zuru goes on a journey to find food for her village, only to inadvertently cause doom when an observation tower senses her and summons a Safeguard pack to eliminate the threat. With her companions dead and all escape routes blocked, the only thing that can save her now is the sudden arrival of Killy the Wanderer, on his quest for the Net Terminal Genes, the key to restoring order to the world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJungle Emperor Leo (1997)
Tezuka Osamu's most famous work "Jungle Emperor Leo" has been made into an animated version a number of times. In this theater version, Tezuka Osamu was able for the first time to depict the theme that "All life is equal" through Leo's self-sacrifice.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters (2011)
Po and the Furious Five uncover the legend of three of kung fu's greatest heroes: Master Thundering Rhino, Master Storming Ox, and Master Croc.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGenius Party (2007)
The seven short films making up GENIUS PARTY couldn’t be more diverse, linked only by a high standard of quality and inspiration. Atsuko Fukushima’s intro piece is a fantastic abstraction to soak up with the eyes. Masaaki Yuasa, of MIND GAME and CAT SOUP fame, brings his distinctive and deceptively simple graphic style and dream-state logic to the table with “Happy Machine,” his spin on a child’s earliest year. Shinji Kimura’s spookier “Deathtic 4,” meanwhile, seems to tap into the creepier corners of a child’s imagination and open up a toybox full of dark delights. Hideki Futamura’s “Limit Cycle” conjures up a vision of virtual reality, while Yuji Fukuyama’s "Doorbell" and "Baby Blue" by Shinichiro Watanabe use understated realism for very surreal purposes. And Shoji Kawamori, with “Shanghai Dragon,” takes the tropes and conventions of traditional anime out for very fun joyride.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe House (2022)
Across different eras, a poor family, an anxious developer and a fed-up landlady become tied to the same mysterious house in this animated dark comedy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOrigin: Spirits of the Past (2006)
It is 300 years into the future. Earth's environment had been devastated by mankind's own foolish plans and humankind is beleaguered by the sentient forests which they have awoken. The world balance is tipped when a young boy named Agito stumbles across a machine that glowed in a strange blue hue inside a forbidden sanctuary.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKoati (2021)
Three unlikely heroes - Nachi, a free-spirited coati; Xochi, a fearless monarch butterfly and Pako, a hyperactive glass frog - embark on an adventure to stop wicked coral snake Zaina from destroying their rain forest homeland.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies 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
SnoozefestMovies like thisNaruto OVA 9: Chunin Exam on Fire! and Naruto vs. Konohamaru! (2011)
Naruto faces off against his old pupil Konohamaru in a tournament during the chuunin entrance exams.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWho Are You, Charlie Brown? (2021)
Lupita Nyong'o narrates a documentary about Peanuts and its creator, Charles M. Schulz. Famous fans—including Drew Barrymore, Kevin Smith, and Al Roker—share its influence on them, and a new animated story finds Charlie Brown on a quest.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisZen - Grogu and Dust Bunnies (2022)
A hand drawn animated short by Studio Ghibli.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMinions & More Volume 1 (2022)
This collection of 10 short films produced by Illumination includes: From the "Despicable Me" franchise: Puppy (2013); Minion Scouts (2019); Training Wheels (2013); The Secret Life of Kyle (2017); Santa's Little Helpers (2019). From the "Grinch" franchise: The Dog Days of Winter (2019). From the "Secret Life of Pets" franchise: Norman Television (2016); Weenie (2016). From the "Sing" franchise: Love at First Sight (2017). From the "Lorax" franchise: Forces of Nature (2012).
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDoraemon: Nobita and the Steel Troops (1986)
Doraemon and Nobita decide to build a perfect toy robot. However, their creation turns out to be a little more uncanny than an object of appreciation and wonder.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPikachu's Vacation (1998)
Pikachu and the gang learn responsibility, teamwork as well as cooperation during their Summer vacation at Pokemon Island.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDeathstroke: Knights & Dragons - The Movie (2020)
The assassin Deathstroke tries to save his family from the wrath of H.I.V.E. and the murderous Jackal.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMr. Incredible and Pals (2005)
An animated short film produced by Pixar included as a bonus on the DVD edition of the 2004 feature film "The Incredibles."
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
SnoozefestMovies 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 thisStewie Griffin: The Untold Story (2005)
The maniacal baby of the Griffin family, Stewie, meets his future self. In doing this he discovers that his future image is not what he has anticipated because of a near death experience.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLegend of the Galactic Heroes: My Conquest Is the Sea of Stars (1988)
For the past 150 years, humanity’s two greatest nations have been deadlocked in a meaningless war. In what is hoped to be a miraculous victory, the Alliance embarks on a battle to break through the Empire’s frontline. Like many other “decisive” battles, this can only end in disaster; a sentiment shared by Imperial nobleman Reinhard von Lohengramm and Alliance Commodore Yang Wen Li, both of whom realize how to turn the fight in their favor. And while the tides of war may never change, these two men must rise to the occasion, solidifying their place in history as heroes.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisCrayon Shinchan the Movie: Action Kamen VS Leotard Devil (1993)
Everyone's favorite TV superhero Action Mask shows up in Kasukabe, and he's trying to get something from Shin-chan -- but what could it be?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAntz (1998)
A neurotic worker ant in love with a rebellious princess rises to unlikely stardom when he switches places with a soldier. Signing up to march in a parade, he ends up under the command of a bloodthirsty general. But he's actually been enlisted to fight against a termite army.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStory of Iron (1962)
One day, Kandume's can boy, who happily lived with his friends in the kitchen, becomes an empty can and is discarded. Eventually, he has a dream about the history of iron and humanity. He sees how iron that melted and flowed out during a forest fire was discovered by humans once it cooled and solidified. This iron then transformed into knives and machines, leading to the development of civilization. When the can boy awakens, he is taken to a steelworks and reborn as a new steel material.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Mermaid (1964)
A dreamy boy in a distant country saves a fish beached on the shore. When he lets it loose in a pool of water, the fish turns into a beautiful mermaid.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Humanity (2024)
Dark comedy about something we all do - we hate other people for trivial reasons. Life is hard even without having to tolerate other people's annoying habits. The problem is you can't kill somebody just because they chew too loudly. But in this animated world, you can make all your dark visions of fatal revenge a reality.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Animal Kingdom: Let's Go Ape (2015)
Based on the novel 'Evolution Man' by Roy Lewis, this tells the story about the first man - young Edward - to descend from apes. Edward is ejected by his tribe, but is very resourceful. He learns to walk, discovers fire, manages to hunt - and we follow him as he evolves. He has a generous nature, and search for true humanity - a world where we don't eat our fathers.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Dream of a Ridiculous Man (1992)
An animated short film based on the 1877 short story written by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. It chronicles the experiences of a man who decides that there is nothing to live for in the world, and is therefore determined to commit suicide. A chance encounter with a young girl changes his mind.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisUne nuit dans la Manche (TBA)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Lambs (2013)
A lamb's parents are shocked because their little lamb doesn't sound like the other sheep; it says "moo" instead of "baa".
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Kindred Spirits (TBA)
An Irish refugee child alone in New York of 1847. A Choctaw son far from the warmth of his family. When their paths align, Mara and Tushka will journey through epic adventures and magical encounters, watched over by Mara’s brother Dan, who cannot accept his own passing into the spirit realm. Together, they are searching for a people to call family and a place to call home.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Safe Zone (2026)
Driven by hunger in a besieged city, a desperate girl breaks free from her mother to retrieve a stray aid parcel, unaware she is walking into a sniper's trap.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Like Self Portrait and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Self Portrait?
The closest matches to Self Portrait are BLAME! (2017), Jungle Emperor Leo (1997) and Kung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Masters (2011). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Self Portrait?
Start with BLAME! (2017), the closest match to Self Portrait.
What is the highest-rated movie like Self Portrait?
The House (2022), rated 7.0/10 by 1,193 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Self Portrait?
Safe Zone (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Self Portrait?
Yes: BLAME! (2017), Jungle Emperor Leo (1997) and Genius Party (2007).
How are movies similar to Self Portrait chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Self Portrait, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.