Movies like Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade (2003)
The best movies like Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade (2003) are Recess: School's Out (2001), Recess: All Growed Down (2003) and Rugrats Go Wild (2003). If Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade hooked you with its family and comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedRon's Gone Wrong (2021)7.8/10 from 2,110 votes
- NewestHamburger Heaven (2025)Released 2025
Recess: School's Out (2001)
The school year is finally ending, and T.J. Detweiler is looking forward to summer. But boredom quickly sets in when his friends leave for camp — until T.J. uncovers an evil plot to do away with summer vacation! A crazy former principal, Dr. Benedict, is planning to use a laser beam to alter the weather and create permanent winter. Faced with the dire threat of year-round school, T.J. rounds up the RECESS gang and bands together with some unexpected allies — Miss Finster and Principal Prickly — in a nonstop adventure to save everyone's summer break.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRecess: All Growed Down (2003)
T.J. and The Recess Gang are kidnapped by the Third Street School's kindergartners, who are in turn being bullied by a new kid in their class.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRugrats Go Wild (2003)
When the Rugrats find themselves stranded on a deserted island, they meet the Thornberrys, a family who agrees to help them escape.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSnoopy Presents: Lucy's School (2022)
The Peanuts gang is anxious about starting at a new school in the fall, inspiring Lucy to start her own school instead. She soon learns that teaching isn't as easy as it sounds and that change can be a good thing.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPrep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice (2011)
Lanny and Wayne are at it again! With the Big 2-5 fast approaching, Wayne and Lanny must race to recover classified North Pole technology which has fallen into the hands of a computer-hacking Naughty Kid! Desperate to prevent Christmas from descending into chaos, Wayne seeks out the foremost Naughty Kid expert to aid in the mission: a bombastic member of the Coal Bucket Brigade who also happens to be his estranged brother, Noel.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKronk's New Groove (2005)
After his adventures with Kuzco, Kronk opens his own diner, but struggling business and the impending visit from his father push him to hatch a risky plan for success. When the scheme explodes—literally—Kronk must rely on his many personalities to rediscover that true happiness comes from staying true to himself.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHey Arnold! The Jungle Movie (2018)
When their trip to San Lorenzo takes a turn for the worst, Arnold and his classmate’s only hope of getting home is retracing the dangerous path that led to Arnold's parents' disappearance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRon's Gone Wrong (2021)
In a world where walking, talking, digitally connected bots have become children's best friends, an 11-year-old finds that his robot buddy doesn't quite work the same as the others do.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDiary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2022)
As a new school year begins, Greg is subject to relentless teasing from his brother Rodrick. Will Greg manage to get along with him? Or will a secret ruin everything?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Croods: A New Age (2020)
Searching for a safer habitat, the prehistoric Crood family discovers an idyllic, walled-in paradise that meets all of its needs. Unfortunately, they must also learn to live with the Bettermans -- a family that's a couple of steps above the Croods on the evolutionary ladder. As tensions between the new neighbors start to rise, a new threat soon propels both clans on an epic adventure that forces them to embrace their differences, draw strength from one another, and survive together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPooh's Heffalump Movie (2005)
Who or what exactly is a Heffalump? The lovable residents of the Hundred Acre Wood -- Winnie the Pooh, Rabbit, Tigger, Eeyore, Kanga and the rest of the pack -- embark on a journey of discovery in search of the elusive Heffalump. But as is always the case, this unusual road trip opens their eyes to so much more than just the creature they're seeking.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)
It's been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are facing a huge new threat: LEGO DUPLO® invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than they can rebuild.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLeo (2023)
Jaded 74-year-old reptile Leo has been stuck in the same Florida classroom for decades with his terrarium-mate turtle. When he learns he only has one year left to live, he plans to escape to experience life on the outside but instead gets caught up in the problems of his anxious students — including an impossibly mean substitute teacher.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMaya the Bee: The Honey Games (2018)
Following an unproductive harvest season, it’s up to Maya and her brave friends to save their hive by competing in a series of games.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving (1995)
When the water supply to the Great Valley is blocked, Littlefoot and his friends must cooperate with a group of bullies to find the reason the cause.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMonster High: Great Scarrier Reef (2016)
Join your favourite ghoulfriends in an all-new aquatic adventure! When the ghouls get pulled into the school pool, they're transported to the gore-geous underwater world of the Great Scarrier Reef. Lagoon realizes she's come home and, in a fintastic mission of the heart, decides to come to terms with her own freaky flaws. Of course she'll need help from the most creeperific firends ever as she confronts a frenemy from her past, competes in a scaretastic dance extravaganze, and fights a terrible beast from the deep!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Land Before Time IX: Journey to Big Water (2002)
Littlefoot befriends with a mysterious, fun-loving dolphin-like creature named Mo, who is trapped in "new water" caused by heavy rain. The gang then goes on an adventure to the "big water" to bring Mo home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBalto: Wolf Quest (2002)
Balto and his daughter Aleu embark on a journey of adventure and self discovery.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBalto III: Wings of Change (2004)
Balto and the other sled dogs are feeling dejected because the mail that used to be delivered by dogsled is now being delivered by airplanes. But when a mail plane crashes in the mountains, the dogs come to the rescue.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHow to Eat Fried Worms (2006)
During the first day of his new school year, a fifth grade boy squares off against a bully and winds up accepting a dare that could change the balance of power within the class.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Boss Baby: Family Business (2021)
The Templeton brothers — Tim and his Boss Baby little bro Ted — have become adults and drifted away from each other. But a new boss baby with a cutting-edge approach and a can-do attitude is about to bring them together again … and inspire a new family business.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMinky Momo: Station of Your Memories (1994)
Magical Princess Minky Momo is waiting for a train to take her to her final destination when she encounters an old man who is waiting for a reunion. When she discovers he has left his passport behind in the station, she embarks on the train to try to find him -- in the process running into her previous self.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Family Guy Presents: It's a Trap! (2010)
With the Griffins stuck again at home during a blackout, Peter tells the story of “Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.”
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFather of the Bride Part II (1995)
Just when George Banks has recovered from his daughter's wedding, he receives the news that she's pregnant ... and that George's wife is expecting too. He was planning on selling their home, but that's a plan that—like George—will have to change with the arrival of both a grandchild and a kid of his own.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHigh School Musical 3: Senior Year (2008)
As seniors in high school, Troy and Gabriella struggle with the idea of being separated from one another as college approaches. Along with the rest of the Wildcats, they stage a spring musical to address their experiences, hopes and fears about their future.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBaby Geniuses and the Treasures of Egypt (2014)
An adorable group of talking baby-detectives travel to the deserts of Egypt to track down the naughty baby-criminal mastermind, "Big Baby," and his partner, the super-villain "Moriarty."
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & family
Scary Movie 5 (2013)
Home with their newly-formed family, happy parents Dan and Jody are haunted by sinister, paranormal activities. Determined to expel the insidious force, they install security cameras and discover their family is being stalked by an evil dead demon.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisMy Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006)
When New York architect Matt Saunders dumps his new girlfriend Jenny Johnson—a smart, sexy, and reluctant superhero known as G-Girl—she uses her powers to make his life a living hell.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisHamburger Heaven (2025)
After intercepting a mysterious tv ad, two twenty-something friends, Mac and Walter, hit the road in search of the mythic Hamburger Heaven. Their trip begins innocuously enough after they secure another buddy, Trevor, as their ride. The journey quickly goes off the rails as they are distanced from civilization and each other, and their codependent relationship is pushed to the extreme.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Scary Movie 2 (2001)
A group of students visit a mansion called "Hell House," and murderous high jinks ensue.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade?
The closest matches to Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade are Recess: School's Out (2001), Recess: All Growed Down (2003) and Rugrats Go Wild (2003). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade?
Start with Recess: School's Out (2001), the closest match to Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade.
What is the highest-rated movie like Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade?
Ron's Gone Wrong (2021), rated 7.8/10 by 2,110 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade?
Hamburger Heaven (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade?
Yes: Recess: School's Out (2001), Recess: All Growed Down (2003) and Rugrats Go Wild (2003).
How are movies similar to Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.