Movies like The Dawn of Better Living (1945)
The best movies like The Dawn of Better Living (1945) are Camp Confidential: America's Secret Nazis (2021), Ethel & Ernest (2016) and Wallace & Gromit's Cracking Contraptions (2002). If The Dawn of Better Living hooked you with its animation and history, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedCars Toon Mater's Tall Tales (2008)7.1/10 from 215 votes
- NewestDance of the Spirits (2026)Released 2026
Camp Confidential: America's Secret Nazis (2021)
Camp Confidential: America's Secret Nazis, is a documentary short featuring animation that focuses on the story of a top secret POW camp that was classified for over 5 decades. In the midst of WWII, a group of young Jewish refugees are assigned to guard a top secret POW camp near Washington D.C. The Jewish soldiers soon discover that their prisoners are no other than Hitler's top scientists - What starts out as an intelligence mission to gather information from the Nazis, soon gets a shocking twist when the Jewish soldiers are tasked with a very different mission altogether. A mission that would question their moral values - exposing a dark secret from America's past.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & history
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEthel & Ernest (2016)
This hand drawn animated film, based on the award winning graphic novel by Raymond Briggs, is an intimate and affectionate depiction of the life and times of his parents, two ordinary Londoners living through extraordinary events.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & history
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWallace & Gromit's Cracking Contraptions (2002)
Wallace and Gromit try out ten of their latest inventions—which rarely work as planned.
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 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 thisThe Tidal Zone: SpongeBob Universe Special (2023)
GrandPat travels through alternate dimensions and timelines to get home.
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 thisArctic Dogs (2019)
Animals band together to save the day when the evil Otto Von Walrus hatches a sinister scheme to accelerate global warming and melt the Arctic Circle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
SnoozefestMovies like thisHawaiian Vacation (2011)
The toys throw Ken and Barbie a Hawaiian vacation in Bonnie's room.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDiary of a Wimpy Kid (2021)
Greg Heffley is a scrawny but ambitious kid with an active imagination and big plans to be rich and famous – he just has to survive middle school first.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAmerica: The Motion Picture (2021)
A chainsaw-wielding George Washington teams with beer-loving bro Sam Adams to take down the Brits in a tongue-in-cheek riff on the American Revolution.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
SnoozefestMovies like thisTerra das Canções de Ninar (1933)
A baby is transported to Lullaby Land, where pacifiers grow on trees, diapers, bottles, and potty chairs march on parade, and the gingham dog comes to life. He wanders into the "keep out" cave, full of things like scissors, knives, and fountain pens that are not for baby and begins smashing watches with hammers and playing with giant matches. The matches chase after him; baby escapes by riding a bar of soap across a pond, but the smoke from the matches turns into boogey-men. The benevolent sandman, dressed as a wizard, spots baby hiding and works his magic, bringing us back to the real nursery.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBeyond (2003)
While looking for her cat, a young woman and some kids find an abandoned building where strange things happen and the rules of physics don't always apply. Part of the Animatrix collection of animated shorts set in the Matrix universe.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Scroll (2016)
As Po looks for his lost action figures, the story of how the panda inadvertently helped create the Furious Five is told.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMelody Time (1948)
In the grand tradition of Disney's great musical classics, Melody Time features seven timeless stories, each enhanced with high-spirited music and unforgettable characters. You'll be sure to tap your toes and clap your hands in this witty feast for the eyes and ears.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPixar Short Films Collection: Volume 1 (2007)
Experience these masterpieces of storytelling from the creative minds that brought you Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo and many more. With revolutionary animation, unforgettable music and characters you love, these dazzling short films have changed the face of animation and entertainment and are sure to delight people of all ages for years to come.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies 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 animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSturgill Simpson Presents Sound & Fury (2019)
In this anime visual album, a mysterious driver heads deep into a postapocalyptic hellscape toward a ferocious showdown with two monstrous opponents.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCars Toon Mater's Tall Tales (2008)
Mater the tow truck travels from country to country as he retells his infamous but unbelievable stories.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe House (2022)
Across different eras, a poor family, an anxious developer and a fed-up landlady become tied to the same mysterious house in this animated dark comedy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSlugterra: Ghoul from Beyond (2014)
Just when the evil Dr. Blakk has been defeated and Eli Shane's duties as protector of Slugterra become easier, a new danger emerges from beyond the 99 caverns.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisShark Terror: The Real Jaws (2019)
On a hot summer day, a young man from Philadelphia goes for an afternoon dip; when he is 40 feet from shore he gets attacked and dies; five days later, the Bell Captain at a popular beachside resort is also attacked.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both history
Make Me Psychic (1978)
Anita the duck buys a psychic device at a novelty store in an alternate universe and creates mayhem at a crazy party.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Happy Wedding (1959)
During the Warring States Period, Nung-yuk, the Princess of Qin, denounces the mundane world and dreams of marrying an immortal. This extends to her criteria for choosing a husband: excelling in flute playing. Once, she is captivated by the tune 'Three Melodies of Rainbow Dress' and mistakes the qin player Siu Sze for a fairy. Yuk then persuades Sze to sit the national exam for a better future. Sze's music attracts hundred of birds. Yuk returns to the palace pleading with her father Esquire Muk to agree to their marriage. Despite the Empress Dowager's opposition, Yuk leads a secluded life with Siu afar; a noble breed thus living a hard life. The King lets her go, only granting an annual visit. A year later, Yuk and her husband returns for a visit. The Queen still wants to break them up. Later, Jin State sends people to discover the whereabouts of their Princes. Siu is in fact the Prince of Jin. With Muk’s blessings, Siu marries Yuk in Jin, a marriage which brings peace to both states.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both history
Foods and Fun: A Nutrition Adventure (1980)
A little orange bird needs to build up his strength to fly south for he winter, so he consults a wise old owl who teaches him about nutrition.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Dance of the Spirits (2026)
Matei, a young shepherd boy living in the outskirts of Romania, finds more comfort among his sheep than with his abusive, alcoholic dad. But now Matei is starting to mimic his father's violence, he's faced with a question: 'Who am I?'
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Amazones, femmes guerrières de l'Antiquité (2024)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both history
I think I love you (2017)
Animated short film exploring various types of relationships and communication.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Aghet (2010)
2010 documentary film on the Armenian Genocide by the Young Turk government of the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It is based on eyewitness reports by European and American personnel stationed in the Near East at the time, Armenian survivors and other contemporary witnesses which are recited by modern German actors.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both history
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Dawn of Better Living?
The closest matches to The Dawn of Better Living are Camp Confidential: America's Secret Nazis (2021), Ethel & Ernest (2016) and Wallace & Gromit's Cracking Contraptions (2002). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Dawn of Better Living?
Start with Camp Confidential: America's Secret Nazis (2021), the closest match to The Dawn of Better Living.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Dawn of Better Living?
Cars Toon Mater's Tall Tales (2008), rated 7.1/10 by 215 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Dawn of Better Living?
Dance of the Spirits (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Dawn of Better Living?
Yes: Camp Confidential: America's Secret Nazis (2021), Ethel & Ernest (2016) and Wallace & Gromit's Cracking Contraptions (2002).
How are movies similar to The Dawn of Better Living chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Dawn of Better Living, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.