Movies like The NeverEnding Story (1984)
The best movies like The NeverEnding Story (1984) are The School of the Magical Animals (2021), The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008) and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010). If The NeverEnding Story hooked you with its adventure and fantasy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedWolfwalkers (2020)8.2/10 from 1,490 votes
- NewestThe Magic Faraway Tree (2026)Released 2026
- In GermanThe School of the Magical Animals (2021)Also in German
The School of the Magical Animals (2021)
Ida Kronenberg must transfer to a new school, where she soon realizes the students are unkind to each other. However, that all changes when a new teacher, Miss Cornfield, begins to educate them on the value of friendship and magic.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
Upon moving into the run-down Spiderwick Estate with their mother, twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, along with their sister Mallory, find themselves pulled into an alternate world full of faeries and other creatures.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010)
This time around Edmund and Lucy Pevensie, along with their pesky cousin Eustace Scrubb find themselves swallowed into a painting and on to a fantastic Narnian ship headed for the very edges of the world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWolfwalkers (2020)
In a time of superstition and magic, when wolves are seen as demonic and nature an evil to be tamed, a young apprentice hunter comes to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last pack. But when she saves a wild native girl, their friendship leads her to discover the world of the Wolfwalkers and transform her into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & adventure
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter (1990)
Once again, Bastian is transported to the world of Fantasia which he recently managed to save from destruction. However, the land is now being destroyed by an evil sorceress, Xayide, so he must join up with Atreyu and face the Emptiness once more.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Black Cauldron (1985)
Taran is an assistant pigkeeper with boyish dreams of becoming a great warrior. However, he has to put the daydreaming aside when his charge, an oracular pig named Hen Wen, is kidnapped by an evil lord known as the Horned King. The villain hopes Hen will show him the way to The Black Cauldron, which has the power to create a giant army of unstoppable soldiers.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)
When Clara’s mother leaves her a mysterious gift, she embarks on a journey to four secret realms—where she discovers her greatest strength could change the world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)
One year after their incredible adventures in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Susan Pevensie return to Narnia to aid a young prince whose life has been threatened by the evil King Miraz. Now, with the help of a colorful cast of new characters, including Trufflehunter the badger and Nikabrik the dwarf, the Pevensie clan embarks on an incredible quest to ensure that Narnia is returned to its rightful heir.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisInkheart (2008)
The adventures of a father and his young daughter, in their search for a long lost book that will help reunite a missing, close relative.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Magic Faraway Tree (2026)
A modern family relocates to the countryside where the children discover a magical tree with eccentric residents. They're transported to fantastical lands, rekindling their family bond through adventures.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Blue Bird (1940)
Peasant children Mytyl and Tyltyl are led on a magical quest for the fabulous Blue Bird of Happiness by the fairy Berylune. On their journey, they're accompanied by the anthropomorphized presences of a Dog, a Cat, Light, Fire, and Bread, among other entities.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisNico the Unicorn (1998)
As an 11-year-old boy struggles to cope with a disability, he finds a pony who gives birth to a unicorn which he takes care of.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Legend of Ochi (2025)
In a remote village on the island of Carpathia, a shy farm girl named Yuri is raised to fear an elusive animal species known as ochi. But when Yuri discovers a wounded baby ochi has been left behind, she escapes on a quest to bring him home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Hobbit (1977)
The story follows the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, a diminutive creative who resides in a place called Middle-Earth before he is compelled to go on a quest to find a treasure buried deep in the heart of the Lonely Mountain.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWish Upon a Unicorn (2020)
Two children discover that their mother is gone. The youngest of the pair, adventurer and upcomming singer, Long Johnson forces his older sister, Lily Johnson, to hunt down a unicorn with magical blood.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisElla Enchanted (2004)
Ella lives in a magical world in which each child, at the moment of their birth, is given a virtuous "gift" from a fairy godmother. Ella's so-called gift, however, is obedience. This birthright proves itself to be quite the curse once Ella finds herself in the hands of several unscrupulous characters whom she quite literally cannot disobey. Determined to gain control of her life and decisions, Ella sets off on a journey to find her fairy godmother who she hopes will lift the curse. The path, however, isn't easy -- Ella must outwit a slew of unpleasant obstacles including ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, elves and Prince Charmont's evil uncle, who wants to take over the crown and rule the kingdom.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Tooth Fairy Tale (2025)
Van, the brave son of a tooth fairy leader, meets the goblins girl Gemma on his first mission. Despite the myths about ancient disputes between fairies and goblins, they share common values. When the greedy Spider Queen threatens both tribes, they must work together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & family
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisBridge to Terabithia (2007)
Jesse Aarons trained all summer to become the fastest runner in school. So he's very upset when newcomer Leslie Burke outruns him and everyone else. Despite this and other differences including that she's rich, he's poor, she's a city girl, and he's a country boy the two become fast friends. Together they create Terabithia, a land of monsters, trolls, ogres, and giants where they rule as king and queen.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
Year three at Hogwarts means new fun and new challenges as Harry learns the delicate art of approaching a Hippogriff, transforming shape-shifting Boggarts into hilarity and even turning back time. But the term also brings danger: soul-sucking Dementors hover over the school, an ally of the accursed He-Who-Cannot-Be-Named lurks within the castle walls, and fearsome wizard Sirius Black escapes Azkaban. And Harry will confront them all.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Cars fly, trees fight back, and a mysterious house-elf comes to warn Harry Potter at the start of his second year at Hogwarts. Adventure and danger await when bloody writing on a wall announces: The Chamber Of Secrets Has Been Opened. To save Hogwarts will require all of Harry, Ron and Hermione's magical abilities and courage.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Scout (2009)
No-one expected an ordinary scout camp would turn into an extraordinary adventure that the children would never forget. The camp is situated near an ancient castle in a forest which the teachers consider as a peaceful and harmless place. But as the night falls, things go from bad to worse when the children encounter a giant ferocious serpent, flying frogs, and many more such horrifying creatures.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & fantasy
Mavka: The Forest Song (2023)
Mavka, a Soul of the Forest, faces an impossible choice between love and her duty as Guardian of the Heart of the Forest when she falls for a human, a talented young musician named Lukas.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKiss Me, Frog (2000)
Modern version of The Frog King. Out of an impulse, 15-year-old Anna kisses a frog which then turns into a prince. But the curse is not solved that easily.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & fantasy
The Magic Sword (1950)
Evil Bash-Chelik is terrorizing people, but only the magic sword can harm him. A young hero goes on the dangerous quest to find that sword.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy & adventure
Pirates Down the Street (2020)
When a pirate family's arrival shakes up a coastal town, the kids next door offer to help them blend in and fight a bitter rival.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & adventure
The Golden Goose (1964)
Klaus lives with his two brothers Kunz and Franz in a little village. Together, they ply their trade as cobblers in a small workshop. But the workload rests mainly on the shoulders of ill-treated Klaus. When Kunz and Franz go off into the forest to chop wood for fuel they run into an old woman who asks them for some wine and bread. Rudely and gruffly, they refuse her request and return home without any wood. Klaus then has to set out and he meets the old woman as well. He gladly offers her his frugal meal which is suddenly turned into pancakes and good wine. In addition, he receives a golden goose for his kindness. The bird possesses a an unusual characteristic: all those who are prying, nosy, envious and rapacious get stuck to it and become glued to one another.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy & family
Černovláska (1988)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy & family
O vysoké věži (1978)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy & family
Sedm sestřiček (1989)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & fantasy
Against King (1974)
A group of children are harassed by a local bully. In order to stop him, they seek help of a retired boxer.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The NeverEnding Story?
The closest matches to The NeverEnding Story are The School of the Magical Animals (2021), The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008) and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The NeverEnding Story?
Start with The School of the Magical Animals (2021), the closest match to The NeverEnding Story.
What is the highest-rated movie like The NeverEnding Story?
Wolfwalkers (2020), rated 8.2/10 by 1,490 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The NeverEnding Story?
The Magic Faraway Tree (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there German movies like The NeverEnding Story?
Yes: The School of the Magical Animals (2021), The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter (1990) and Kiss Me, Frog (2000).
How are movies similar to The NeverEnding Story chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The NeverEnding Story, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.