Movies like Summer Impressions of the Planet Z (1986)
The best movies like Summer Impressions of the Planet Z (1986) are Minutemen (2008), Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century (1999) and Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation (2024). If Summer Impressions of the Planet Z hooked you with its science fiction and family, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedWizards of Waverly Place: Wizard School (2008)9.0/10 from 261 votes
- NewestLEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2026)Released 2026
Minutemen (2008)
When three high-school friends invent a time-machine, they decide to use it to go back in time and prevent other youngsters from making humiliating mistakes.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisZenon: Girl of the 21st Century (1999)
Zenon Kar, a 13-year-old girl who lives on a space station in the year 2049, gets into some trouble and is banished to Earth. With help from some Earth friends she must find her way back.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBig City Greens the Movie: Spacecation (2024)
When thrill-seeker Cricket tricks his family into taking a "road trip" in space, chaos in the cosmos quickly ensues. Despite growing frustrations between Cricket and his dad, Bill, the two must learn to appreciate each other's unique perspectives in order to prevent Big City from being destroyed by an interstellar disaster.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSnow Queen (2002)
Since a bitter winter storm stole the life of Gerda's mother, she and her father have sadly continued to run the remote hotel they call home. Lonely and isolated, Gerda's only joy is Kai, the handsome bellboy. A mysterious guest with an icy stare arrives at the hotel one night, wrapped in fur and diamonds. By daybreak, the "Snow Queen" has vanished with Kai! Gerda embarks on a journey of morphing seasons, fantastical creatures, and long-frozen mysteries in a desperate quest to find her stolen love.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStar Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion (2014)
It is a dark time. The Jedi are no more, and the Empire rules the galaxy with an iron fist -- bringing tyranny to the Outer Rim world of Lothal. Their ominous presence is a cloud over the planet, squashing any hope of freedom or a better life, especially for 14-year-old orphan Ezra Bridger. But the young con artist soon finds that destiny has other plans for him, as he encounters a small band of rebels who dare to strike back against the Empire.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRobot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III (2010)
Millions of years from now, after Socrates, Shakespeare and the bible are long forgotten, only two great works will remain: the sci-fi cinema epic Star Wars and Adult Swim's stop-motion animated, cheap gag extravanganza Robot Chicken. And now, for the first time, they come together for the third time, in this all new special. That's right, all your mot beloved Star Wars characters are going back through the comedy meat grinder.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales (2021)
Poe Dameron and BB-8 must face the greedy crime boss Graballa the Hutt, who has purchased Darth Vader’s castle and is renovating it into the galaxy’s first all-inclusive Sith-inspired luxury hotel.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex (2013)
While trying to prove to her family she can be mature and responsible, teen wizard Alex Russo conjures up a spell to rid herself of her bad qualities, unintentionally creating a Good and Evil Alex. When Evil Alex gets involved in a plan to take over the world by a dark wizard, Good Alex must find a way to save her family, humankind, and ultimately herself in an epic Good vs. Evil battle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & comedy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisSnowglobe (2007)
A young woman discovers a Christmas-themed dreamworld inside a magical snowglobe. Angela loves Christmas more than anything. However, her family does not share her love for the holiday at all. When she is about to breakdown because of her family, she receives a snowglobe in the mail. When she opens up the snowglobe, she is transported into the world inside, where Christmas is the heart and soul for everyone who lives there. She discovers she can return to her world by going down a small path in the small forest at the edge of the village, and can return whenever she winds up the snowglobe. After a long set of visits to the globe, she accidentally gets trapped inside.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMoscow-Cassiopeia (1974)
Several children go on a lifelong space mission to Cassiopeia because they don't want to go to school.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCasper Meets Wendy (1998)
When a warlock threatens Wendy the Good Little Witch, she and her aunts hide out at a resort where Casper the Ghost is vacationing with his uncles. Although Casper and Wendy are told ghosts and witches don't get along, the two are kindred spirits! This spooky family-friendly adventure finds Casper and Wendy bridging the ghost-witch divide to battle the warlock who is intent on destroying Wendy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisCraig Before the Creek (2023)
Before he was Craig of the Creek, he was just Craig — a new kid in a new town. All Craig wants is to go back to his old friends at his old home. But when he learns that the nearby creek is hiding a lost treasure that could make his wish come true, Craig sets off on a journey to find it — navigating the perilous suburban wilderness, forging new friendships, all while being pursued by a fearsome band of pirates who are bent on destroying the Creek itself.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Borrowers (2011)
Family adventure based on Mary Norton's classic children's books about a race of tiny people who live under the floorboards, resourcefully surviving by borrowing bits and pieces from the large residents who dwell above. After being discovered by 'human beans', borrower Arrietty and her parents are forced to leave their home while attempting to evade the clutches of obsessive scientist Professor Mildeye.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisWizards of Waverly Place: Wizard School (2008)
When Alex is caught using magic to clean her room she is forced to go to wizard school with Justin. Max and Jerry camp out on the terrace to prove their manhood.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & comedy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisDr. Strange (1978)
A psychiatrist becomes the new Sorcerer Supreme of the Earth in order to battle an evil Sorceress from the past.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisReal Men (1987)
A womanizing CIA agent and an insecure insurance agent are paired together to make sure a deal goes through with aliens for the future of mankind.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2026)
The Mandalorian and Grogu join their misfit allies for an epic party, celebrating their heroism. As friends regale the crowd with tales of their adventures, a pirate threat looms.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisF.R.E.D.I. (2018)
An intelligent, lovable robot known as "F.R.E.D.I." is stolen from a secret research facility by the project's lead scientist. The robot is found by a 15 year old teenager, James. Soon the two begin to communicate and create a bond in which F.R.E.D.I. learns about teenage life and James learns about some new values.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & family
SnoozefestMovies like thisMax Winslow and The House of Secrets (2020)
Five teenagers compete to win a mansion owned by entrepreneur and scientist Atticus Virtue. To win the teens must face-off against a super computer named HAVEN who controls the mansion.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisInvisible Sister (2015)
Teenager Cleo's school science project goes quite awry, causing her popular older sister Molly to go invisible.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMy Favorite Wedding (2017)
Potential Northwestern fellow Tess Harper lasers through her best friend's wedding planning like the star doctor she hopes to soon become. In fact, Tess puzzles through any problem - provided it's not her own. When she meets divorce lawyer and groom's best friend, Michael, Tess maneuvers around him like a gurney in the emergency room until she discovers this best man has a few moves of his own.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHomesick Scientists (2011)
Four field researchers want to go home. Unfortunately, one of them apparently lost his mind. Since the return is not possible, as long as they remain in this state, ignited a controversy about what to do with him. Where do they come back and what was the object of their research, now becomes a much more important question.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & science fiction
Get Street Smart: A Kid's Guide to Stranger Dangers (1995)
An alien named Corny fights off repeated attempts at abduction/molestation. Featuring such wisdom as: "There are so many ways to kidnap kids"
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & science fiction
The Peter Kay Story (2016)
Documentary tracing the remarkable career of one of Britain’s best-loved and most successful comedians. Charting Peter’s journey from humble beginnings to superstardom featuring contributions from people who know him or have worked with him, as well as his fans and biographers.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Pride and Prejudice and Romance (TBA)
A modern twist on Jane Austen's beloved novel, Pride and Prejudice, set in a quaint English village at Christmastime.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Mission: Top Secret (1991)
Pilot movie for the TV series about an organization known as the Centauri Network, a network of children from around the planet who fight crime and solve mysteries with the help of gadgets that were quite advanced for the time.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Tic tac (1997)
It's Christmas and the 7 Year old Hector is traveling with his parents to France in order to visit his grandmother. He is not pleased because it's always boring there. After his father found that "eternity" is a missing word in his crossword and an old woman described it as a timeless place, Hector writes a letter to the three wise man making the wish that he would rather travel to eternity that to France. His wish comes true.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family
The Tiny Little World of David The Gnome (1995)
The Gnomes Council has decided to create the Royal Order of Knights of the Environment, whose mission it will be to watch over the well-being and protection of all living creatures. Once again the tiny world of the Gnomes is preparing to save Nature from the activities of men –as unfortunately bigger does not always mean better.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family
Say! Young Fellow (1918)
A lost film. "The Young Fellow"(Fairbanks), has recently been hired as a cub newspaper reporter for the New York Herald. His editor tasks him with unearthing "the facts concerning a scheme to defraud a group of minor stockholders in the town of Melford. Unless certain papers in the possession of an old bachelor(Neill) are delivered to a board meeting, the villainous financier(Campeau) will win complete control of a local company, and the stockholders will lose their investments. The Young Fellow enlists the help of his spinster landlady(Chapman) and the old bachelor's beautiful secretary(Daw) to thwart the evil millionaire.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Crazy Crooks (1980)
Slapstick movie about 2 swindlers, Kong Kun Chat (Karl Maka) and Moo Pi Chide (Dean Shek) who gambled with fake money with someone else to get back real money. At least Kong and Moo thought it was real money. Turned out the money was also fake, and a death warrent is issued for them. Luckily, a little kid Mak Tau saves their lives. - Yellow Hammer
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Summer Impressions of the Planet Z?
The closest matches to Summer Impressions of the Planet Z are Minutemen (2008), Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century (1999) and Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation (2024). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Summer Impressions of the Planet Z?
Start with Minutemen (2008), the closest match to Summer Impressions of the Planet Z.
What is the highest-rated movie like Summer Impressions of the Planet Z?
Wizards of Waverly Place: Wizard School (2008), rated 9.0/10 by 261 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Summer Impressions of the Planet Z?
LEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to Summer Impressions of the Planet Z chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Summer Impressions of the Planet Z, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.