Movies like The Lightning Rod Thief (1944)
The best movies like The Lightning Rod Thief (1944) are My Life as a Zucchini (2016), PAW Patrol: Jet to the Rescue (2020) and The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist (2024). If The Lightning Rod Thief hooked you with its 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
- NewestThe Bad Guys: Haunted Heist (2024)Released 2024
- In FrenchMy Life as a Zucchini (2016)Also in French
My Life as a Zucchini (2016)
After his mother’s death, Zucchini is befriended by a kind police officer, Raymond, who accompanies him to his new foster home filled with other orphans his age. There, with the help of his newfound friends, Zucchini eventually learns to trust and love as he searches for a new family of his own.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies 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 thisThe Bad Guys: Haunted Heist (2024)
The crafty Bad Guys crew embarks on a high-stakes Halloween heist to swipe a priceless amulet from a spooky mansion. What could go wrong?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 thisThe Wrong Trousers (1993)
Wallace rents out Gromit's former bedroom to a penguin, who takes up an interest in the techno trousers created by Wallace. However, Gromit later learns that the penguin is a wanted criminal.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPigeon: Impossible (2009)
The tale of Walter, a rookie secret agent faced with a problem seldom covered in basic training: what to do when a curious pigeon gets trapped inside your multi-million dollar, government-issued nuclear briefcase.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Big Bad Wolf (1934)
The Big Bad Wolf torments Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHammy's Boomerang Adventure (2006)
RJ the raccoon produces a nature video, which turns out to be an excuse for him and the porcupine children to play pranks on Hammy the squirrel.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSolid Serenade (1946)
Tom ties up Spike and sneaks into the courtyard of the glamorous Toodles Galore with his bass, hoping to woo her with his song, much to the annoyance of a sleeping Jerry.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBatman vs Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019)
Batman, Batgirl, and Robin forge an alliance with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to fight against the Turtles' sworn enemy, The Shredder, who has apparently teamed up with Ra's Al Ghul and The League of Assassins.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
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
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLogorama (2009)
Two cops portrayed by Michelin Men chase an armed Ronald McDonald through the streets of a fictionalized, stylized city.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOfficer Duck (1939)
Officer Donald Duck (Officer #13) is assigned to apprehend a criminal named Tiny Tom. Donald assumes by the name that he'll be a pushover but when he reaches Tom's hideout, he discovers "Tiny" Tom is actually a hulking Pete who immediately disposes of Donald. Donald decides to use strategy and is able to reenter Pete's house disguised as a baby who Pete surprisingly warms to. When Pete discovers Donald, he chases him down the street but is finally apprehended by Donald's marching police colleagues who make the arrest.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Robber Kitten (1935)
A kitten runs off to be a robber with a dog.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers (2022)
Decades since their successful television series was canceled, Chip has succumbed to a life of suburban domesticity as an insurance salesman. Dale, meanwhile, has had CGI surgery and works the nostalgia convention circuit, desperate to relive his glory days. When a former cast mate mysteriously disappears, Chip and Dale must repair their broken friendship and take on their Rescue Rangers detective personas once again to save their friend’s life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWinnie the Pooh and Tigger Too (1974)
Rabbit is tired of Tigger always bouncing him, so he gets Pooh and Piglet together to come up with an idea to get the bounce out of Tigger. Then, Tigger and little Roo go out for a bounce and get caught in a tree.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMinions & More Volume 2 (2022)
This collection of 11 short films produced by Illumination includes: From the "Despicable Me" franchise: Mower Minions (2016); Yellow Is the New Black (2018); Competition (2015); Cro Minion (2015); Binky Nelson Unpacified (2015); Panic in the Mailroom (2013). From the "Secret Life of Pets" franchise: Super Gidget (2019). From the "Sing" franchise: Eddie's Life Coach (2017); Gunter Babysits (2017). From the "Lorax" franchise: Serenade (2012); Wagon Ho! (2012).
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies 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
Worth the HypeMovies like thisToy Story 2 (1999)
Andy heads off to Cowboy Camp, leaving his toys to their own devices. Things shift into high gear when an obsessive toy collector named Al McWhiggen, owner of Al's Toy Barn kidnaps Woody. Andy's toys mount a daring rescue mission, Buzz Lightyear meets his match and Woody has to decide where he and his heart truly belong.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
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
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPersepolis (2007)
In 1970s Iran, Marjane 'Marji' Satrapi watches events through her young eyes and her idealistic family of a long dream being fulfilled of the hated Shah's defeat in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. However as Marji grows up, she witnesses first hand how the new Iran, now ruled by Islamic fundamentalists, has become a repressive tyranny on its own.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisGrandpa Walrus (2018)
On the windy and cloudy beach, Granny is praying, Mum is shouting, the sisters don’t care, Lucas is alone. Grandpa was a weird guy, now he's dead.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
The Man Who Slept (2009)
A young woman lives with her sleeping husband. Prisoner of her loneliness, she refuses to accept that this man is only a memory.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Asterix vs. Caesar (1985)
Obelix falls for a new arrival in his home village in Gaul, but is heartbroken when her true love arrives to visit her. However, the lovers are kidnapped by Romans; Asterix and Obelix set out to rescue them on a dangerous journey that will involve gladiators, slavers and beauracracy - and a personal encounter with the Emperor himself, Julius Caesar...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKirikou and the Wild Beasts (2005)
Kirikou's grandfather thinks that the story of Kirikou and The Witch was too short, so he proceeds to explain more about Kirikou's accomplishments. We find out how the little boy became a gardener, a detective, a maker of pottery, a merchant, a traveler and a doctor.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFantastic Planet (1973)
On the planet Ygam, the Draags, extremely technologically and spiritually advanced blue humanoids, consider the tiny Oms, human beings descendants of Terra's inhabitants, as ignorant animals. Those who live in slavery are treated as simple pets and used to entertain Draag children; those who live hidden in the hostile wilderness of the planet are periodically hunted and ruthlessly slaughtered as if they were vermin.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAsterix and the Big Fight (1989)
Due to an unfortunate accident involving Obelix throwing a menhir, Getafix the druid not only loses his memory, but goes completely mad. Now deprived of the wisdom of their beloved druid and the protection provided by his magic potion, the Armorican village falls prey to a proclaimed soothsayer who comes with ominous predictions and overweening ambitions. It's up to Asterix to keep his villager friends within reason and hopefully get Getafix to remember the magic potion's recipe before the impending Roman attack.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLittle Monkey (2011)
A young monkey, initiated by his master, will pass his transition to adulthood. He will have to fight fire, metaphor for his fear of growing up, by taming the sound of the sacred djembe, symbol of independence.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Azur & Asmar: The Princes' Quest (2006)
Raised on tales of a Djinn fairy princess, Azur, a young Frenchman goes to North Africa in search of the sprite, only to discover that his close childhood friend, Asmar, an Arab youth whose mother raised both boys also seeks the genie.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLa vache qui voulait sauter par dessus l'église (1998)
A farmer has computerised his farm but hasn't counted on bugs in the system ... and the cow wants to jump over the church.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Like The Lightning Rod Thief and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Lightning Rod Thief?
The closest matches to The Lightning Rod Thief are My Life as a Zucchini (2016), PAW Patrol: Jet to the Rescue (2020) and The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist (2024). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Lightning Rod Thief?
Start with My Life as a Zucchini (2016), the closest match to The Lightning Rod Thief.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Lightning Rod Thief?
Far from the Tree (2021), rated 8.1/10 by 395 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Lightning Rod Thief?
The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist (2024) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there French movies like The Lightning Rod Thief?
Yes: My Life as a Zucchini (2016), Logorama (2009) and Persepolis (2007).
How are movies similar to The Lightning Rod Thief chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Lightning Rod Thief, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.





























