Movies like The Dancing Princesses (1987)
The best movies like The Dancing Princesses (1987) are Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess (2012), Snow Queen (2002) and Elena and the Secret of Avalor (2016). If The Dancing Princesses hooked you with its romance and fantasy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedDescendants 2 (2017)7.4/10 from 1,842 votes
- NewestDescendants: Wicked Wonderland (2026)Released 2026
Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess (2012)
Set in the storybook world of Enchancia, the music-filled movie follows Sofia, an average girl whose life suddenly changes when her mother marries the king and she is whisked off to live in a castle with her mom, new step-father, King Roland II, and step-siblings, Amber and James. Along the way this ordinary girl learns to navigate the extraordinary life of royalty, and in the process makes everyone around her feel special.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSnow Queen (2002)
Since a bitter winter storm stole the life of Gerda's mother, she and her father have sadly continued to run the remote hotel they call home. Lonely and isolated, Gerda's only joy is Kai, the handsome bellboy. A mysterious guest with an icy stare arrives at the hotel one night, wrapped in fur and diamonds. By daybreak, the "Snow Queen" has vanished with Kai! Gerda embarks on a journey of morphing seasons, fantastical creatures, and long-frozen mysteries in a desperate quest to find her stolen love.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisElena and the Secret of Avalor (2016)
In the Kingdom of Avalor, Elena takes Naomi up a mountain to show her favorite view of the kingdom. Elena laments to Naomi how she was trapped in the Amulet of Avalor for forty-one years, and then presents to her a broken wand. She tells her that it was Shuriki's wand and how she would still be trapped in the Amulet if it was not for a brave young Princess: Sofia. Elena then proceeds to tell Naomi the whole story ...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPrince Charming (2001)
After an extramarital indiscretion, a fairy-tale prince and his sidekick are turned into frogs for all eternity or until the prince can convince a maiden to kiss and then marry him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMaleficent (2014)
A beautiful, pure-hearted young woman, Maleficent has an idyllic life growing up in a peaceable forest kingdom, until one day when an invading army threatens the harmony of the land. She rises to be the land's fiercest protector, but she ultimately suffers a ruthless betrayal – an act that begins to turn her heart into stone. Bent on revenge, Maleficent faces an epic battle with the invading King's successor and, as a result, places a curse upon his newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Maleficent realizes that Aurora holds the key to peace in the kingdom – and to Maleficent's true happiness as well.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDescendants 2 (2017)
When the pressure to be royal becomes too much for Mal, she returns to the Isle of the Lost where her archenemy Uma, Ursula's daughter, has taken her spot as self-proclaimed queen.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisZog (2018)
Zog is a keen young dragon who wants to learn to fly, roar, and breathe fire, so he studies at the Dragon School. He is desperate to impress his teacher and win a golden star, but he is prone to accidents and he has to be helped by a kind young girl who patches up his bumps and bruises.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThor: God of Thunder (2022)
Thor’s villainous brother Loki has escaped Asgard to search for Yggdrasil — The Tree of the Nine Realms. The tree holds the power of the Universe, and is secreted away on Earth. With the help of giant wolf god Fenrir, Loki plans to destroy the tree and replant it in his image, giving him dominion over all. Now Thor must follow Loki to Earth to wage an epic battle that will hold the two worlds in its balance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Good Witch's Wonder (2014)
While planning her stepson's wedding, Cassie Nightingale also tries to uncover the truth behind missing auction items.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Wind in the Willows (1983)
One spring, Mole decides that he can ignore the spring cleaning for a little longer, and begins a series of adventures with his new friend Rat. They go for a picnic on the riverbank, on a caravan expedition with Toad, until Toad switches allegiance to his new car and his reckless driving makes Mole and Rat search out Badger for help in curbing Toad's profligate habits. But Toad gets away from them and gets a 20-year sentence from the magistrate for theft, reckless driving, and Gross Impertinence. While Toad works his wiles on the jailer's daughter and escapes jail dressed as a washer woman, Badger tries to guard Toad Hall from the machinations of the Weasels and is badly beaten. And it requires a plan of attack and all four comrades to regain Toad Hall.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDescendants: Wicked Wonderland (2026)
Now that the Queen of Hearts is nice and Cinderella is safe, things seem perfect for Red and Chloe… But little do they know that changing the past created a new villain — Maddox Hatter. When Maddox captures the Queen of Hearts, Red and Chloe must work alongside Red’s new sister Pink, Luisa Madrigal’s son Luis, and Maddox’s son Max to save her and Wonderland.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Amazing Mr. Blunden (2021)
Jamie and Lucy have an encounter with what appears to be a pair of ghost children. But these spooky kids, Sara and Georgie, aren’t actually ghosts. They’ve travelled forwards in time to seek help, believing they’re going to be murdered by the wicked Mr and Mrs Wickens. And Lucy and Jamie’s strange visitor seems to be the key to it all. With his help, they must travel back to 1821 to save Sara and Georgie and redeem their remorseful new friend – The Amazing Mr Blunden.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Gift to Remember (2017)
After colliding with a pedestrian on her bicycle who loses his memory following the accident, Darcy Archer becomes determined to help the handsome guy figure out who he is. In the process, she finds out a lot more about who she is, what she wants from life, and how this too-good-to-be-true guy might just be the man she’s been waiting to bump into all her life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSailing Into Love (2019)
A biology teacher’s crusade to save a nearby island from development leads to unexpected romance with the handsome and mysterious young sea captain who is new to the seaside town of Willow Bay.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Christmas Princess (2019)
A struggling chef living in a trendy New York borough, Jessica took over a small restaurant where she used to work as a waitress, but it’s growing tough to make ends meet. Prince Jack, who’s in the city for his family’s annual Christmas charity dinner, finds himself in need of a last-minute chef for the royal event when he meets Jessica. As their relationship evolves and a romance blooms, so do the obstacles. But as the event arrives, she decides to go through with the dinner, and may just get the best Christmas present of all… love.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Royal Christmas (2014)
A young working girl with a blue-collar background is surprised when her new fiancé announces he is actually a prince of a small sovereign country in Europe. After the couple quickly takes off to spend the holidays at his family’s sprawling, royal castle, she must work hard to win over her disapproving and unaccepting future mother-in-law—the Queen—and find out if love truly can conquer all.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Last Dragonslayer (2016)
In a fantasy world where magic is being superceded by technology, an orphaned teen discovers her destiny to become a dragonslayer.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisStardust (2007)
In a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man makes a promise to his beloved that he'll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical realm. His journey takes him into a world beyond his wildest dreams and reveals his true identity.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAladdin (2019)
A kindhearted street urchin named Aladdin embarks on a magical adventure after finding a lamp that releases a wisecracking genie while a power-hungry Grand Vizier vies for the same lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDescendants (2015)
A present-day idyllic kingdom where the benevolent teenage son of King Adam and Queen Belle offers a chance of redemption for the troublemaking offspring of Disney's classic villains: Cruella De Vil (Carlos), Maleficent (Mal), the Evil Queen (Evie) and Jafar (Jay).
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Little Mermaid (1987)
A mermaid princess is willing to sacrifice anything for love.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance & fantasy
Rapunzel (1983)
A sinister witch steals the baby of a simple candlemaker and his wife and names her Rapunzel. Determined to keep Rapunzel for herself, the witch locks her up in a tall tower all alone, with no way in or out except by climbing her long, braided hair. Wonders and dangers occur when the girl meets a handsome prince.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy & romance
Cinderella (1985)
An oppressed young woman finds happiness when she secretly attends the royal ball.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance & fantasy
The Princess and the Pea (1984)
A bored prince realizes he would like a wife. His mother searches through all the kingdoms far and wide for a "suitable" princess. In the meantime, a charming and witty young lady, who claims to be a princess, shows up at the castle doorstep with a sprained ankle and is shown hospitality by the prince and his best friend the Fool.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy & romance
Sleeping Beauty (1983)
A prince chases his destiny to an ancient castle in search of a cursed princess, thanks to the help of an informative lumberjack.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance & fantasy
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1984)
Snow White must flee from her evil stepmother. She's taken in by the lovable seven dwarves. Will the wicked queen be able to get rid of her rival?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy & romance
Faerie Tale Theatre: Rip Van Winkle (1987)
Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of Washington Irving’s classic tale about Rip Van Winkle, a carefree villager who wanders into New York’s Catskill Mountains, drinks with mysterious strangers, and falls into a deep sleep—awakening twenty years later to find the world around him transformed.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
The Emperor's New Clothes (1985)
Two con men take advantage of an emperor's vanity.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1985)
The town of Hamelin pays the ultimate price after reneging on their promise to the pied piper. Based on the poem by Robert Browning.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Puss in Boots (1985)
A young man (Gregory Hines) journeys from rags-to-riches thanks to his talented Puss in Boots (Ben Vereen). Starring Ben Vereen, Gregory Hines, Alfre Woodard, George Kirby, and Brock Peters. Narrated by Shelley Duvall.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Like The Dancing Princesses and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Dancing Princesses?
The closest matches to The Dancing Princesses are Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess (2012), Snow Queen (2002) and Elena and the Secret of Avalor (2016). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Dancing Princesses?
Start with Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess (2012), the closest match to The Dancing Princesses.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Dancing Princesses?
Descendants 2 (2017), rated 7.4/10 by 1,842 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Dancing Princesses?
Descendants: Wicked Wonderland (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Dancing Princesses?
Yes: Sofia the First: Once Upon a Princess (2012), Snow Queen (2002) and Elena and the Secret of Avalor (2016).
How are movies similar to The Dancing Princesses chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Dancing Princesses, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.