Movies like Joan Lui (1985)
The best movies like Joan Lui (1985) are Tom Thumb (1958), Trolls World Tour (2020) and Cabin in the Sky (1943). If Joan Lui hooked you with its music and adventure, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)8.4/10 from 24,944 votes
- NewestDescendants: Wicked Wonderland (2026)Released 2026
Tom Thumb (1958)
A boy, no bigger than a thumb, manages to outwit two thieves determined to make a fortune from him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTrolls World Tour (2020)
Queen Poppy and Branch make a surprising discovery — there are other Troll worlds beyond their own, and their distinct differences create big clashes between these various tribes. When a mysterious threat puts all of the Trolls across the land in danger, Poppy, Branch, and their band of friends must embark on an epic quest to create harmony among the feuding Trolls to unite them against certain doom.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCabin in the Sky (1943)
When compulsive gambler Little Joe Jackson dies in a drunken fight, he awakens in purgatory, where he learns that he will be sent back to Earth for six months to prove that he deserves to be in heaven. He awakens, remembering nothing and struggles to do right by his devout wife, Petunia, while an angel known as the General and the devil's son, Lucifer Jr., fight for his soul.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988)
After her father's ship is carried off by a sudden storm, the spunky Pippi Longstocking is stranded with her horse, Alfonso,and her pet monkey, Mr. Neilson, and takes up residence in the old family home, which is thought by neighborhood children to be haunted. Soon, two children, Tommy and his sister Anika, venture into the house only to meet up with Pippi. The three soon become friends and get into various adventures together, including cleaning the floor with scrubbing shoes, dodging the "splunks", going down a waterfall in barrels, and helping Pippi with the problem of having to go to an orphanage. Older children will probably get the most out of this movie.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & adventure
SnoozefestMovies like thisStrange Magic (2015)
A love potion works its devious charms on fairies, elves and the swamp-dwelling Bog King as they all try to possess the potion for themselves.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPinocchio (2009)
The enchanted story of Pinocchio.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & fantasy
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 fantasy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Court Jester (1955)
A hapless carnival performer masquerades as the court jester as part of a plot against a usurper who has overthrown the rightful king of England.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Princess and the Goblin (1991)
The story is about the Princess Irene and a young warrior boy named Curty. Irene must use her magic power to fight off goblins and save the kingdom.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & fantasy
SnoozefestMovies like thisAlice's Adventures in Wonderland (1972)
An all-star cast highlights this vibrant musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll's immortal tale. One day, plucky young Alice follows a white rabbit down a hole and discovers a world of bizarre characters.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBrigadoon (1954)
Americans Jeff and Tommy, hunting in Scotland, stumble upon a village - Brigadoon. They soon learn that the town appears once every 100 years in order to preserve its peace and special beauty. The citizens go to bed at night and when they wake up, it's 100 years later. Tommy falls in love with a beautiful young woman, Fiona, and is torn between staying or going back to his hectic life in New York.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 & adventure
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 music & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisShorts (2009)
A young boy's discovery of a colorful, wish-granting rock causes chaos in the suburban town of Black Falls when jealous kids and scheming adults alike set out to get their hands on it.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & adventure
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Brave Little Toaster (1987)
A group of dated appliances, finding themselves stranded in a summer home that their family had just sold, decide to seek out their eight year old 'master'.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMomo (2025)
Momo is a young orphan girl who lives in the ruins of an old Roman amphitheater and becomes friends with everybody in the neighborhood. But when a powerful international corporation starts stealing everybody’s time, nobody has any time left for her, let alone their friends or families. Momo, together with Master Hora, the custodian of time, are the only ones who can go up against the time thieves before all is lost forever.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLeningrad Cowboys Meet Moses (1994)
After years of fame and misfortune in Mexico, the members of the Leningrad Cowboys decide to return to their native village. Their former manager Vladimir, who now calls himself Moses lead them on their way home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & music
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
Frodo Baggins and the other members of the Fellowship continue on their sacred quest to destroy the One Ring--but on separate paths. Their destinies lie at two towers - Orthanc Tower in Isengard, where the corrupt wizard Saruman awaits, and Sauron's fortress at Barad-dur, deep within the dark lands of Mordor.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMythica: The Godslayer (2016)
As the Lich King's zombie legions ravage the world, a cursed young sorceress embarks on a quest to obtain a weapon from the gods. But when she joins her sworn enemy in a desperate attempt to save the world, she must recover the good in herself before her friends are all dead, and defeat the Lich King before the gods are destroyed and the world forever enslaved.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & fantasy
SnoozefestMovies 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 & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTom Sawyer (1973)
Tom Sawyer and his pal Huckleberry Finn have great adventures on the Mississippi River, pretending to be pirates, attending their own funeral, and witnessing a murder.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDriver for One Trip (1981)
Driver Mikhail meets Sofia, a distinguished collective farm worker who has come to Moscow. He helps her buy a car and agrees to deliver it to her collective farm. He is a widower, and she has separated from her husband. At Sofia's request, he agrees to take her, her daughter, and son-in-law back home. Mikhail develops deep feelings for Sofia, but her daughter is against it.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & music
The 3 Penny Opera (1931)
In London at the turn of the century, underworld kingpin Mack the Knife marries Polly Peachum without the knowledge of her father, the equally enterprising 'king of the beggars'.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThree Little Words (1950)
Song-and-dance man Bert Kalmar can't continue his stage career after an injury, so he has to earn his money as a lyricist. By chance, he meets composer Harry Ruby and their first song is a hit. Ruby gets Kalmar to marry his former partner Jessie Brown, and Kalmar and Jessie prevent Ruby from getting married to the wrong girls. But due to the fact that Ruby has caused a backer's withdrawal for a Kalmar play, they end their professional relationship.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Free and Easy (1930)
Gopher City Kansas hosts a beauty contest. The winner, Elvira Plunkett, and her mother go to Hollywood. The Chamber of Commerce also provides Elvira with an agent, Gopher City's own Elmer J. Butz. Elmer likes Elvira and the shy Elvira likes him, but Mrs. Plunkett, a formidable woman, has little use for hapless Elmer. On the train west, they meet movie star Larry Mitchell, who takes a shine to Elvira and helps her meet MGM directors once they get to Tinsel Town. Elmer, meanwhile, wants to help Elvira with her career and he also wants to be her man. Movie stardom does come to the Gopher City entourage, but to whom is a surprise. And who will win the lovely Elvira's hand?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Cinderella (1997)
Cinderella chafes under the cruelty of her wicked stepmother and her evil stepsisters, until her Fairy Godmother steps in to change her life for one unforgettable night. At the ball, she falls for handsome Prince Christopher, whose parents, King Maximillian and Queen Constantina, are anxious for him to find a suitable paramour.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBilly Rose's Jumbo (1962)
The daughter of a circus owner fights to save her father from a takeover spearheaded by the man she loves.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Bel Canto (2025)
After a boozy night, Anne wakes up, except everything around her has turned into music… What happened? Accompanied by Pierre, her boyfriend who mysteriously started to talk in Italian overnight, they will try to unravel the mystery.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Bon Jovi | One Last Wild Night (2001)
In the course of the flourishing US hard rock scenery of the mid 80s Bon Jovi became one of the biggest rock groups of the western world. Due to their mass and radio compatible stadium rock the band succeeded to remain successful in the new century and did that to the highest level. In May 2001 the album "One Wild Night: Live 1985 - 2001" was released. The "One Wild Night" - tour existed of 54 shows in 15 countries in front of more than 1.9 Million fans. For the final they played two home concerts in the "Giants Stadium", New Jersey. One Wild Night -- Raise Your Hands -- You Give Love A Bad Name -- Born To Be My Baby -- Livin' On A Prayer -- Bed Of Roses -- Blaze Of Glory -- Wild In The Streets -- It's My Life -- Keep The Faith -- Wanted Dead Or Alive -- Lay Your Hands On Me -- Bad Medicine -- Shout
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Finian's Rainbow (1968)
An Irishman and his daughter arrive in the American South with a stolen pot of gold, hoping to make their fortune. Pursued by a leprechaun desperate to recover his treasure, they become entangled in a battle over land, love, and prejudice in Rainbow Valley—where the gold’s magic turns wishes, and lives, upside down.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Joan Lui?
The closest matches to Joan Lui are Tom Thumb (1958), Trolls World Tour (2020) and Cabin in the Sky (1943). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Joan Lui?
Start with Tom Thumb (1958), the closest match to Joan Lui.
What is the highest-rated movie like Joan Lui?
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), rated 8.4/10 by 24,944 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Joan Lui?
Descendants: Wicked Wonderland (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Italian movies like Joan Lui?
The closest matches are in other languages.
How are movies similar to Joan Lui chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Joan Lui, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.