Movies like The Son (1970)
The best movies like The Son (1970) are Hilda and the Mountain King (2021), Strings (2004) and Pear Cider and Cigarettes (2016). If The Son hooked you with its drama and animation, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedFar from the Tree (2021)8.1/10 from 395 votes
- NewestMexicali (2026)Released 2026
Hilda and the Mountain King (2021)
When Hilda wakes up in the body of a troll, she must use her wits and courage to get back home, become human again — and save the city of Trolberg.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStrings (2004)
The story of Prince Hal who sets out to avenge his dead father against the city's rivals, the Zeriths, little knowing it was his wicked uncle Nezo who is the real killer, with his own designs on the throne.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPear Cider and Cigarettes (2016)
The brutally honest story of Robert's turbulent relationship with a self-destructive, yet charismatic friend from childhood, who cries out for help from a military hospital in China and sets Rob on a wild ride to get him home to Vancouver.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLight of the World (2025)
It's 30 AD and everyone is expectantly awaiting the coming Messiah. While Jesus isn't exactly what they imagined, there is something special about this man. Soon, John, James, Andrew, Peter, and others begin to follow Jesus on an unexpected adventure. This beautifully animated story of Jesus is told through the eyes of his beloved young friend, the Apostle John.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Congress (2013)
An aging, out-of-work actress accepts one last job, though the consequences of her decision affect her in ways she didn't consider.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Parts You Lose (2019)
An unlikely friendship unfolds between a young deaf boy, Wesley, and a fugitive criminal who takes refuge in an abandoned barn on the family’s rural North Dakota farm.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThat Evening Sun (2009)
An aging Tennessee farmer returns to his homestead and must confront a family betrayal, the reappearance of an old enemy, and the loss of his farm.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPloey: You Never Fly Alone (2018)
A plover chick has not learned to fly when his family migrates in the fall. He must survive the arctic winter, vicious enemies and himself in order to be reunited with his beloved one next spring.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFarming (2018)
Based on the writer/director's childhood, FARMING tells the story of a young Nigerian boy, 'farmed out' by his parents to a white British family in the hope of a better future. Instead, he becomes the feared leader of a white skinhead gang.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like this40 Acres (2025)
Hailey Freeman and her family are the last descendants of African American farmers who settled in rural Canada after the Civil War. In a famine-decimated near future, they now struggle to safeguard their farm, as they make one last stand against a vicious militia hell-bent on taking their 40 Acres.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPAW Patrol: Jet to the Rescue (2020)
A royal relative steals a gem with the power to make things fly, the Paw Patrol takes to the skies to stop him and save Barkingburg.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisIn Cold Blood (1967)
After a botched robbery results in the brutal murder of a rural family, two drifters elude police, in the end coming to terms with their own mortality and the repercussions of their vile atrocity.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHulk vs. Wolverine (2009)
Department H sends in Wolverine to track down a mysterious beast known by the US Military as the Hulk, who is rampaging across the Canadian wilderness. Surveying the extent of the damage to a destroyed town, Wolverine notices a toxic scent as well as the smell of gunpowder. He is then deployed to the wilderness to resume tracking the creature.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWelcome to Smelliville (2021)
The Oggly family arrive at the municipal rubbish dump of Smelliville and must look for a new home, but they never feel really welcome anywhere. They stink and are for most humans just a tad too oggly. When Firebottom, the family dragon, crash-lands on the run-down rubbish tip of the small town of Smelliville, the Ogglies at once feel at home. And it's here they want to stay.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSkin (2009)
Based on the true story of a black girl who was born to two white Afrikaner parents in South Africa during the apartheid era.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLittle Boy Blue (1998)
Living in rural Texas is a dysfunctional family: an abusive dad, a Vietnam vet with a war wound that's left him impotent; a compliant wife and a son of about 20, two small sons who look a lot like their brother. The dad harbors a secret, and he goes to murderous lengths to keep it hidden. The young man, Jimmy, who has suspicions, but little comes out until a Yankee woman comes to town.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMexicali (2026)
A former special forces contractor is forced out of retirement as an avocado farmer in Mexico when local gangsters try to force him and his family off their farm.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGirl in the Box (2016)
The true story of 20-year-old Colleen Stan, a hitchhiking woman abducted by a young couple and held captive for seven years, during which time she's tortured and forced to live as a slave to her captors.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWhat Maisie Knew (2013)
In New York City, six-year-old Maisie is caught in the middle of a bitter custody battle between her self-absorbed parents—an aging rock singer mother and a distracted art dealer father. As both quickly marry new partners to strengthen their legal standing, Maisie is shuttled back and forth in an endless game of emotional point-scoring. Yet amid the chaos and upheaval, Maisie begins to find true comfort and affection in her new step-parents.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFar from the Tree (2021)
On an idyllic beach in the Pacific Northwest, curiosity gets the better of a young raccoon whose frustrated parent attempts to keep them both safe.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisOut of the Inkwell (1919)
Max Fleischer draws the upper and lower halves of the Clown's body, which dance around separately before coming together. Max interacts with his creation before ultimately washing the Clown off the page with water.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Six Shooter (2004)
Overwhelmed by grief following the death of his wife, Donnelly shares a train carriage home with a troubled young man identified only as the 'Kid'. As the Kid becomes more agitated and foul-mouthed, the journey takes on a violent and dangerous hue – for the bereaved Donnelly and for other hapless passengers on the train. Academy Award Winner: Best Live Action Short Film – 2005
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Secret of Wendel Samson (1966)
A young man's struggle with his sexuality overtakes his life, driving him deep into his subconscious where guilt and fears of physicality chase him still further. Cornered by an intangible terror, he realises he must either break out or break down.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Richelieu; or: The Conspiracy (1910)
Treasonous courtiers plot to assassinate Cardinal Richelieu and overthrow King Louis XIII, manipulating Chevalier DeMauprat into joining the scheme. The Cardinal unmasks the deception and fakes his own death to trap the conspirators. He dramatically returns to the throne room with a secret dispatch proving the villains' treason, leading to their arrest and the reunion of the young lovers
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Ammon, Missionary to the Lamanites (1989)
Ammon, one of the sons of Mosiah, forsakes kingship to become a missionary to the Nephites’ mortal enemy, the Lamanites. Ammon shows great humility as he asks to become servant to the Lamanite king, Lamoni. Later, Ammon defends the king’s flocks against a band of robbers. His faithful example brings Ammon the opportunity to preach unto the king, bringing him and many others to humility, repentance and conversion.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Journey to the Promised Land (1988)
Lehi and his family, led by the Liahona, arrive to the shores of a great sea after traveling far from Jerusalem. Nephi, son of Lehi, is commanded by the Lord to build a ship. They practice faith and obedience to overcome every obstacle and sail to the Promised Land. Witness their gratitude as they kneel on the shore of their new home and give thanks to God for the successful journey.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Alma the Younger (1989)
Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah rebel against their parents and work to destroy the church of Christ. In answer to their parents’ prayers, they are visited by an angel. Alma is struck as if dead and his soul suffers the torment of sin. Alma later awakes as new person, converted by the mercy of Jesus Christ. Alma and Mosiah’s sons become the greatest missionaries in the Book of Mormon. Mosiah 26–28; and Alma 36.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Abinadi and King Noah (1988)
Abinadi courageously stands before wicked King Noah and his evil priests, calling them to repentance and testifying of Christ. Though Abinadi is killed after fulfilling this mission, his words touch Alma’s heart. Alma, one of the priests, repents and soon brings many people to the waters of baptism as a missionary of the coming Christ. Will these true believers also escape persecution from King Noah?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Nephi and the Brass Plates (1987)
The prophet Lehi preaches repentance to the people of Jerusalem and is persecuted. After he and his family leave Jerusalem he is told by the Lord to return and obtain the brass plates containing the sacred books of Moses. Nephi and his brothers muster their faith, obedience, and determination as they return to obtain the plates from the wicked Laban. 1 Nephi:1–5.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Son?
The closest matches to The Son are Hilda and the Mountain King (2021), Strings (2004) and Pear Cider and Cigarettes (2016). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Son?
Start with Hilda and the Mountain King (2021), the closest match to The Son.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Son?
Far from the Tree (2021), rated 8.1/10 by 395 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Son?
Mexicali (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to The Son chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Son, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.