Movies like Pokémon: Gotta Dance! (2003)
The best movies like Pokémon: Gotta Dance! (2003) are Pokémon: Pikachu's Rescue Adventure (1999), House Hunting (2006) and Mei and the Kittenbus (2002). If Pokémon: Gotta Dance! hooked you with its fantasy and animation, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedHow to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019)8.0/10 from 1,155 votes
- NewestThe Tidal Zone: SpongeBob Universe Special (2023)Released 2023
- In JapanesePokémon: Pikachu's Rescue Adventure (1999)Also in Japanese
Pokémon: Pikachu's Rescue Adventure (1999)
One day, Pikachu and its friends are walking along when they suddenly fall through a Diglett hole and into Pokémon Valley, a secret location that no one knows about. Pikachu and its buddies tell the Pokémon that they could use some help looking for Togepi, who fell through the hole first. The group sets off and eventually finds Togepi in the Exeggcute nest—but one of the Exeggcute is missing. That leads the group on another hunt; this time, though, Pikachu and its friends come back to the nest empty-handed. That’s when a storm begins to brew, filling Pokémon valley with roaring thunder and gusts of wind that almost blow the friends—and the Exeggcute nest—away! Are the friends going to be able to keep the nest safe and reunite the Exeggcute?
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHouse Hunting (2006)
A girl goes exploring to find a new house. Along the way, she encounters many of Japan's guardian spirits.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & animation
Mei and the Kittenbus (2002)
Mei is eating a caramel on one very windy day, when suddenly a whirlwind appears and starts chasing her. The whirlwind turns out to be a baby cat bus. Mei offers the kitten a caramel and the two become friends. That night, the baby cat bus visits Mei. Letting Mei ride inside him, he leaps out into the sky. They head for the midnight forest full of ghosts. Other cat buses large and small have also gathered together.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMr. Dough and the Egg Princess (2010)
The story of a tiny Egg-girl who is forced to serve the evil Boar-like witch Baba Yaga. But after a blob of Dough comes to life, she befriends him and both escape from the witch's home at a Water mill on a cliff and set off to see the world. The soundtrack is Joe Hisaishi's arrangement of Vivaldi's La Folia
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & fantasy
Mon Mon the Water Spider (2006)
The short film's main character is a diving bell spider who seems to have fallen in love with a water strider. Although she is scared of him at first, the water strider soon gets used to the presence of the spider.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation
Imaginary Flying Machines (2002)
Kuso no Sora Tobu Kikaitachi (Imaginary Flying Machines) is a 2002 Japanese animated short film produced by Studio Ghibli for their near exclusive use in the Ghibli Museum. It features director Hayao Miyazaki as the narrator, in the form of a humanoid pig, reminiscent of Porco from Porco Rosso, telling the story of flight and the many machines imagined to achieve it.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation
A Sumo Wrestler's Tail (2010)
Chu Zumo is the story of an old farmer who discovers a group of rats heading to a sumo wrestling bout. After they lose miserably he decides to feed the rats to boost their chances of winning.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation
The Day I Bought a Star (2006)
A young boy is tired of the city and escapes into the country. Two strangers trade him a strange seed. The boy accepts and the seed sprouts into a miniature planet, which continues to grow.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & fantasy
The Whale Hunt (2001)
Kujiratori tells the story of school children pretending they are building a boat. As imagination replaces reality, they find themselves on the ocean, hunting for a whale. A big, gentle whale appears, accompanies them back to land and plays with them. Then the fantasy ends and the children are back in their class room.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation
Koro's Big Day Out (2002)
The film is about Koro the puppy, who runs away from his mistress, experiences some adventures around town and who is finally happily returned home.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation
Swan Lake (1981)
The hero, Prince Siegfried, is out riding one day with his friends when he spies amidst swans on a lake a particularly eye-catching one with a crown on its head, the familiar Princess ...
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both adventure & fantasy
Hedgehog in the Fog (1975)
A little hedgehog, on the way to visit his friend the bear, gets lost in thick fog, where horses, dogs and even falling leaves take on a terrifying new aspect...
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPokémon: Mewtwo Returns (2001)
The Team Rocket leader, Giovanni, has found Mewtwo in a remote area of the Johto region. As Giovanni tries to re-capture Mewtwo, Ash and his friends are kidnapped by Domino, a new Team Rocket member, while trying to rescue Pikachu from Jessie and James. The Clone Pokemon are also captured and are then used as bait for Mewtwo. The situation then becomes a battle between the wills of Mewtwo and Giovanni; and Mewtwo also tries to discover if it and the clones have a purpose in life, even though they are products of science.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHow to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019)
It's been ten years since the dragons moved to the Hidden World, and even though Toothless doesn't live in New Berk anymore, Hiccup continues the holiday traditions he once shared with his best friend. But the Vikings of New Berk were beginning to forget about their friendship with dragons. Hiccup, Astrid, and Gobber know just what to do to keep the dragons in the villagers' hearts. And across the sea, the dragons have a plan of their own...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisCrayon Shinchan the Movie: Dangerous Honeymoon -The Lost Daddy- (2019)
Hiroshi and Misae have never been to a honeymoon trip to a foreign country. One day, Misae discovered an inexpensive and family-friendly holiday package to Australia and the Nohara family decided to make it their first honeymoon vacation. Hiroshi gets kidnapped upon arrival to Australia, leaving Shinnosuke, Misae and others on a dangerous journey. It turns out that Hiroshi is the key to a secret treasure. The remaining members of the Nohara Family must rescue Hiroshi, while a mysterious masked man and treasure hunters from all over the world are after him. The struggle is among three different groups in this action-filled treasure hunting adventure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOne Piece: Defeat the Pirate Ganzack! (1998)
While Luffy and his crew of Zoro and Nami are starving on their small boat, they are attacked by a large monster. Nami is taken away, while Luffy and Zoro wash up on shore. There they meet a young girl, Medaka, and learn of the sad history of the island. The evil Pirate Ganzack has taken away all the men in the village and enslaved them, including Medaka's father. Now Luffy, Zoro, and Medaka must infiltrate Ganzack's base in order to rescue the villagers and Nami.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
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 & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies 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 adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCars Toon Mater's Tall Tales (2008)
Mater the tow truck travels from country to country as he retells his infamous but unbelievable stories.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSanjay's Super Team (2015)
SANJAY'S SUPER TEAM follows the daydream of a young Indian boy, bored with his father's religious meditation, who imagines "a kind of ancient, Hindu version of The Avengers," with the gods appearing like superheros.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (2012)
After a hurricane levels his city, a young man wanders into a mysterious library where books literally come to life. This film won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 2012.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies 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 & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNaruto: The Lost Story - Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village! (2003)
Naruto and his friends must get back a jug of stolen holy water from a band of higher class ninjas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans (2010)
Dr. Raichi is one of the only survivors of the Tuffles, a race that once lived on Planet Plant before the coming of the Saiyans. The Saiyans not only massacred the entire Tuffle race, but also stole their technology and conquered the planet, renaming it Planet Vegeta in honor of their king. Raichi managed to escape with a capsule and found refuge on the Dark Planet, a world at the end of the universe. His only wish is to eradicate the last remaining Saiyans.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Testament of Sister New Devil: Departures (2018)
After being branded a potential threat by the hero village, Basara returns home with his companions, where their bonds deepen amid growing tension over a summons to face the elders. Encouraged by Chisato and strengthened by his friends, Basara overcomes a trial that forces him to confront his doubts and accept that he doesn’t have to fight alone. United in resolve, the group sets out together for the hero village, ready to face what lies ahead.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
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 & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDC Showcase: The Phantom Stranger (2020)
Jess joins her friends at a party in a dilapidated mansion hosted by the mysterious Seth. When odd things begin to happen to Jess and her friends, the Phantom Stranger intervenes to save her from a dreary fate.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Tidal Zone: SpongeBob Universe Special (2023)
GrandPat travels through alternate dimensions and timelines to get home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFerdinand the Bull (1938)
This Oscar-winning short tells of a bull who preferred to sit under trees and smell flowers to clashing horns with his fellow animals. As luck would have it, an untimely bee reveals Ferdinand's ferocious side via pained howls and wild stomping. This lands him in the bull-fighting arena amidst characters based on Walt's animators with a matador reportedly modeled after Walt himself.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: Gather Together! Goku's World (1992)
In this OVA, Goku and his friends pose questions for the viewers about the Dragon Ball series.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like this
Like Pokémon: Gotta Dance! and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Pokémon: Gotta Dance!?
The closest matches to Pokémon: Gotta Dance! are Pokémon: Pikachu's Rescue Adventure (1999), House Hunting (2006) and Mei and the Kittenbus (2002). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Pokémon: Gotta Dance!?
People who watched Pokémon: Gotta Dance! most often go on to Pokémon: Pikachu's Rescue Adventure (1999), House Hunting (2006) and Mei and the Kittenbus (2002).
What is the highest-rated movie like Pokémon: Gotta Dance!?
How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019), rated 8.0/10 by 1,155 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Pokémon: Gotta Dance!?
The Tidal Zone: SpongeBob Universe Special (2023) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Pokémon: Gotta Dance!?
Yes: Pokémon: Pikachu's Rescue Adventure (1999), House Hunting (2006) and Mei and the Kittenbus (2002).
How are movies similar to Pokémon: Gotta Dance! chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Pokémon: Gotta Dance!, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.