Movies like The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat (1982)
The best movies like The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat (1982) are UglyDolls (2019), Blue's Big City Adventure (2022) and Arlo the Alligator Boy (2021). If The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat hooked you with its animation and family, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedMulan (1998)7.9/10 from 10,807 votes
- NewestSpellbound (2024)Released 2024
UglyDolls (2019)
In the adorably different town of Uglyville, weirdness is celebrated, strangeness is special and beauty is embraced as more than meets the eye. After traveling to the other side of a mountain, Moxy and her UglyDoll friends discover Perfection -- a town where more conventional dolls receive training before entering the real world to find the love of a child.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBlue's Big City Adventure (2022)
When Josh gets the opportunity of a lifetime to audition for Rainbow Puppy’s Broadway musical, Josh and Blue skidoo to NYC for the very first time where they meet new friends and discover the magic of music, dance, and following one’s dreams.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisArlo the Alligator Boy (2021)
Upon learning that he is from New York City, a wide-eyed boy, who is half human and half alligator, decides to leave his sheltered life in the swamp and search for his long lost father. A musical adventure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSing: Thriller (2024)
Buster Moon dreams up a star-studded spectacle set to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" in this animated short featuring characters from the hit "Sing" films.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTeacher's Pet (2004)
Meet Spot, a clever little dog with big dreams of becoming a real boy. When Spot finds out that a crazy scientist can make his wish come true, he takes a cross-country trek with Leonard, his best friend and master, and their mom. However, Dr. Krank's experiments are a little less than perfect, and it will take Leonard and his pet pals to right this genetic wrong.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBarbie: Princess Adventure (2020)
With new friends in a new kingdom, Barbie learns what it means to be herself when she trades places with a royal lookalike in this musical adventure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMake Mine Music (1946)
In the tradition of Fantasia, Make Mine Music is a glorious collection of musically charged animated shorts featuring such fun-filled favorites as "Peter and the Wolf", narrated by the beloved voice behind Winnie the Pooh. In addition you'll enjoy such classic cartoon hits as "Casey at the Bat," "The Whale Who Wanted to Sing at the Met" and "Johnnie Fedora and Alice Bluebonnet."
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & music
SnoozefestMovies like thisTrolls Band Together (2023)
When Branch's brother, Floyd, is kidnapped for his musical talents by a pair of nefarious pop-star villains, Branch and Poppy embark on a harrowing and emotional journey to reunite the other brothers and rescue Floyd from a fate even worse than pop-culture obscurity.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisVivo (2021)
A music-loving kinkajou named Vivo embarks on the journey of a lifetime to fulfill his destiny and deliver a love song for an old friend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBarbie and the Rockers: Out of This World (1987)
Rock sensation Barbie and her band The Rockers, beloved by everyone all around the world, decide to do something no band has ever done before - preform a charity rock concert in outer space.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBeauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration (2022)
In honor of the 30th anniversary of the animated classic, this animated and live-action blended special showcases the fan-favorite movie, along with new musical performances, sets and costumes inspired by the classic story.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Loud House Movie (2021)
The Loud family travel to Scotland and discover they are descendants of Scottish royalty as they move into their giant ancestral castle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMichael Jackson's Halloween (2017)
The one-hour animated special, packed with the vocal talents of some of your favorite CBS stars and the King of Pop's most memorable hits, follows Vincent and Victoria, as they embark on a magical journey of self-discovery.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLegends of Oz: Dorothy's Return (2014)
Dorothy wakes in post-tornado Kansas, only to be whisked back to Oz to try to save her old friends, the Scarecrow, the Lion, the Tin Man, and Glinda, from a devious new villain, the Jester. New comrades Wiser the Owl, Marshal Mallow, China Princess, and Tugg the Tugboat join Dorothy on her latest magical journey through the colorful landscape of Oz to restore order and happiness to Emerald City.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBarbie as The Princess & the Pauper (2004)
In her first animated musical featuring seven original songs, Barbie comes to life in this modern re-telling of a classic tale of mistaken identity and the power of friendship. Based on the story by Mark Twain.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTrolls Holiday in Harmony (2021)
Queen Poppy plans the first annual Trolls Kingdom Secret Holiday Gift Swap, but things don't go quite as expected.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSpellbound (2024)
When a powerful spell turns her parents into giant monsters, a teenage princess must journey into the wild to reverse the curse before it's too late.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJohn Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch (2019)
John Mulaney and his kid pals tackle existential topics for all ages with catchy songs, comedy sketches and special guests in a nostalgic variety special.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMagical Mystery Tour (1967)
While on a coach tour, The Beatles and a few dozen friends experience strange happenings caused by magicians.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Tigger Movie (2000)
Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Owl, Kanga, Roo, and Rabbit are preparing a suitable winter home for Eeyore, the perennially dejected donkey, but Tigger's continual bouncing interrupts their efforts. Rabbit suggests that Tigger go find others of his kind to bounce with, but Tigger thinks "the most wonderful thing about tiggers is" he's "the only one!" Just in case though, the joyously jouncy feline sets out to see if he can find relatives.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMulan (1998)
When Imperial China calls one man from every family to defend the empire from invading Huns, a young woman disguises herself as a soldier to take her ailing father’s place. Facing ruthless invaders, brutal training, and the risk of execution if discovered, she must decide who she truly is—and what she’s willing to fight for.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisPeter Pan (1953)
Leaving the safety of their nursery behind, Wendy, Michael and John follow Peter Pan to a magical world where childhood lasts forever. But while in Neverland, the kids must face Captain Hook and foil his attempts to get rid of Peter for good.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Emperor's Treasure (1999)
In this time-travel animated adventure, journey to the mountainous region of Macchu Picchu in Peru, where an Incan princess helps an adventurer discover his true self in the chaotic 15th century. But will he rise to the occasion? It depends on whether he can find the wherewithal to face his own demons.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Get Street Smart: A Kid's Guide to Stranger Dangers (1995)
An alien named Corny fights off repeated attempts at abduction/molestation. Featuring such wisdom as: "There are so many ways to kidnap kids"
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family
The Light in the Piazza: Live from Lincoln Center (2006)
In the summer of 1953, Margaret Johnson, the wife of an American businessman, is touring Italy with her daughter, Clara. While sightseeing, Clara—a beautiful, surprisingly childish young woman—loses her hat in a sudden gust. As if guided by an unseen hand, the hat lands at the feet of Fabrizio Naccarelli, a handsome Florentine, who returns it to Clara. This brief episode, charged with coincidence and fate, sparks an immediate and intense romance between Clara and Fabrizio. Margaret, extremely protective of her daughter, attempts to keep Clara and Fabrizio apart.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Disney Hall of Villains (2019)
Superstar host Meg Donnelly takes you on a journey down a haunted hallway where behind every door awaits a villain-tastic surprise!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Explorers (2017)
Explorers is a idealistic look at the future of space travel, seen from the perspective of those who dare to venture into the unknown.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
The Witches (1990)
While staying at a hotel in England with his grandmother, Helga, a young boy named Luke inadvertently spies on a convention of witches. The Grand High Witch reveals a plan to turn all children into mice via a magical formula. When they discover the eavesdropper, the witches test the formula on him. Now, with the help of Helga and hotel manager Mr Stringer, Luke the mouse must fight back against the witches.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMadonna: Truth or Dare (1991)
From the rains of Japan, through threats of arrest for 'public indecency' in Canada, and a birthday tribute to her father in Detroit, this documentary follows Madonna on her 1990 'Blond Ambition' concert tour. Filmed in black and white, with the concert pieces in glittering MTV color, it is an intimate look at the work of the icon, from a prayer circle before each performance to bed games with the dance troupe afterwards.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLa bête (2013)
A woman discovers her animal nature when a wolf grows out of her own body and ravages her.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat?
The closest matches to The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat are UglyDolls (2019), Blue's Big City Adventure (2022) and Arlo the Alligator Boy (2021). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat?
Start with UglyDolls (2019), the closest match to The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat?
Mulan (1998), rated 7.9/10 by 10,807 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat?
Spellbound (2024) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat?
Yes: UglyDolls (2019), Blue's Big City Adventure (2022) and Arlo the Alligator Boy (2021).
How are movies similar to The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Grinch Grinches the Cat in the Hat, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.