Movies like Pops (1993)
The best movies like Pops (1993) are Kase-san and Morning Glories (2018), Dou kyu sei – Classmates (2016) and Her Blue Sky (2019). If Pops hooked you with its animation and romance, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedDou kyu sei – Classmates (2016)8.3/10 from 469 votes
- NewestJUJUTSU KAISEN: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death - The Movie (2025)Released 2025
- In JapaneseKase-san and Morning Glories (2018)Also in Japanese
Kase-san and Morning Glories (2018)
Yamada may be shy and rather clumsy, but the flower gardens at her school have always brought her happiness. Suddenly, a different sort of beauty catches her eye—the vivacious track star, Kase-san. Although the two girls don't seem to have much in common, they soon start a romance where each must learn an important lesson in tending their budding relationship. Can the two girls, so different from each other, learn how to make their first love blossom?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDou kyu sei – Classmates (2016)
Rihito Sajo, an honor student with a perfect score on the entrance exam and Hikaru Kusakabe, in a band and popular among girls, would have never crossed paths. Until one day they started talking at the practice for their school’s upcoming chorus festival. After school, the two meet regularly, as Hikaru helps Rihito to improve his singing skills. While they listen to each other’s voice and harmonize, their hearts start to beat together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisHer Blue Sky (2019)
High school student Aoi Aioi lives with her elder sister, Akane, after a tragic accident took their parents away 13 years ago. Because Akane has since been taking care of her single-handedly, Aoi wants to move to Tokyo after her graduation to relieve her sister's burden and pursue a musical career, inspired by Akane's ex-boyfriend Shinnosuke "Shinno" Kanamuro. Shinno was part of a band until he left for Tokyo to become a professional guitarist after the sisters' parents passed away, and he was never to be seen again.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSasaki and Miyano: Graduation (2023)
As Sasaki prepares for his college entrance exams, Miyano tries to make the most of their limited time together while grappling with his own emotions.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCardcaptor Sakura: The Sealed Card (2000)
All of the Clow Cards have been captured, and Sakura Kinomoto, the new Master of the Cards, is preparing to play the lead in the play for the town festival. However, a new evil force is causing mysterious events all over Tomoeda, including the disappearance of Sakura's cards. With Syaoran's help, Sakura must figure out the cause of these events, and save her town.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & romance
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMask Danshi wa Koishitakunai noni (2023)
When Saikawa rips off Keigo’s mask, he sparks unexpected feelings—and a deal: tutoring in exchange for learning to love what’s behind the mask.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Testament of Sister New Devil: Departures (2018)
After being branded a potential threat by the hero village, Basara returns home with his companions, where their bonds deepen amid growing tension over a summons to face the elders. Encouraged by Chisato and strengthened by his friends, Basara overcomes a trial that forces him to confront his doubts and accept that he doesn’t have to fight alone. United in resolve, the group sets out together for the hero village, ready to face what lies ahead.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNaruto: The Lost Story - Mission: Protect the Waterfall Village! (2003)
Naruto and his friends must get back a jug of stolen holy water from a band of higher class ninjas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJUJUTSU KAISEN: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death - The Movie (2025)
Pursued by a religious cult and other curse users, former friends Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto are the only sorcerers capable of carrying the difficult task of protecting Riko Amanai, a student who has been designated to be sacrificed as the Star Plasma Vessel, until she can fulfill her duty.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisWolf Girl and Black Prince (2016)
Erika Shinohara is a first year of high school student. While talking to friends, she makes up a story about her "boyfriend." In reality, Erika Shinohara doesn't have a boyfriend. Erika's friends soon begin to doubt her story and Erika is also running out of lies. Erika then sees a pretty boy on the street and takes his picture discreetly. She later shows his picture to her friends as her boyfriend. The boy in the picture is Kyouya Sata and happens to attend the same school as Erika. She tells Kyouya about her situation and asks him to be her pretend boyfriend. Even though Kyouya has a pretty appearance, he has a dark side.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDragon Ball Z: Plan to Eradicate the Super Saiyans (2010)
Dr. Raichi is one of the only survivors of the Tuffles, a race that once lived on Planet Plant before the coming of the Saiyans. The Saiyans not only massacred the entire Tuffle race, but also stole their technology and conquered the planet, renaming it Planet Vegeta in honor of their king. Raichi managed to escape with a capsule and found refuge on the Dark Planet, a world at the end of the universe. His only wish is to eradicate the last remaining Saiyans.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAngel's Egg (1985)
In the ruins of a strange city, a young girl takes care of a large egg she holds carefully in her arms. She bonds with a boy who is searching for a bird he saw in a dream.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPersona3 THE MOVIE #1 Spring of Birth (2013)
In the spring, male student Makoto Yuki transfers to Gekkoukan High School. However, as he heads to his new dormitory, listening to the music on his headphones, he is stopped. More precisely, time has stopped, and the people who were around him turn into coffins. Makoto learns that this period of time hidden between the minute of midnight is called the Dark Hour, a time when monsters called Shadows appear. Suddenly made the leader of his fellow classmates Yukari and Junpei by his upperclassmen Mitsuru and Akihiko, Makoto must learn empathy, his connection to his comrades, and the meaning of death. With the power of his Evoker aimed at his head he awakens a Persona and fights against the Shadows threatening to attack his world from the mysterious tower of Tartarus.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPretty Guardian Sailor Moon Eternal the Movie Part 1 (2021)
After a total solar eclipse, a dark circus troupe appears, Mamoru is stricken with a mysterious malady and bad things start happening across the city. Sequel to the Sailor Moon Crystal TV series.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisBarbie: Big City, Big Dreams (2021)
Barbie meets another Barbie Roberts, forming a close friendship, nicknaming each other Malibu and Brooklyn when they both attend the Handlers, Performing Art School in NYC, over the summer, competing for a spot at the spotlight solo.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMonster High: Why Do Ghouls Fall in Love? (2012)
Draculaura’s Sweet 1600th birthday is an extra special occasion to party at Monster High! But her high expectations lead to deadly results when she’s faced with the choice between practical boyfriend Clawd, and new vampire heartthrob, Valentine, a romantic blast from her past.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisPersona3 THE MOVIE #2 Midsummer Knight's Dream (2014)
After realizing the value of life and the importance of his own allies, Makoto finally got his smile back. He finds himself learning more about those comrades and getting closer to them. Makoto wishes that everything will continue just as they are. However, little by little, the pieces and people in Makoto's new, happy life begin to fall apart.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNaruto OVA 9: Chunin Exam on Fire! and Naruto vs. Konohamaru! (2011)
Naruto faces off against his old pupil Konohamaru in a tournament during the chuunin entrance exams.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBaki Hanma VS Kengan Ashura (2024)
It's the ultimate showdown. The toughest fighters from "Baki Hanma" and "Kengan Ashura" clash in this unprecedented, hard-hitting martial arts crossover.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Seven Deadly Sins: Grudge of Edinburgh Part 2 (2023)
Reunited with Lancelot for the first time since their tragic accident, Tristan must learn to conquer his inner demons in order to save his mother's life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA-Girl (1993)
Sisters Mariko and May, along with Mariko's bad-tempered boyfriend, become involved with Ichiro, an arrogant, womanising male model.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & romance
Josee, the Tiger and the Fish (2020)
With dreams of diving abroad, Tsuneo gets a job assisting Josee, an artist whose imagination takes her far beyond her wheelchair. But when the tide turns against them, they push each other to places they never thought possible, and inspire a love fit for a storybook.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & romance
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisFairy King (1988)
Jack has moved to Hokkaido to get treatment for an illness, but he's lonely and unhappy. One night a man on a horse rides through his window to help him. For a reason he doesn't understand, Jack instantly knows the man's name and feels they've met somewhere before. The man, Cu Chulainn, tells Jack to open the moonlight shadow window, which leads him to Nymphidia, the world of Midsummer Night's Dream, whose inhabitants are waiting for a new Fairy King.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & romance
Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence (2004)
Cyborg detective Batou is assigned to investigate a series of murders committed by gynoids—doll-like cyborgs, which all malfunctioned, killed, then self-destructed afterwards. The brains of the gynoids initialize in order to protect their manufacturer's software, but in one gynoid, which Batou himself neutralized, one file remains: a voice speaking the phrase "Help me."
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGunnm 3D Special (2000)
A 3 minute 3D-CGI rendered movie clip included with volume 6 of the Gunnm: Complete Edition manga reprint. It showcases Alita in a Third League motorball race with players from two of her races such as "Armor" Togo, Degchalev, and Valdicci, and depicts events from both of those races.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Pokémon Original Short Animation: Homecoming (2024)
People go through their day to day lives through the city alongside their Pokémon as they all try to get home to reunite with their family for the New Year.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
My Brother Loves Me Too Much (2017)
Setoka Tachibana is a female high school student who has confessed her feelings to other boys 12 times, but has been rebuffed each time. Her older brother Haruka Tachibana cares for his younger sister deeply, but he keeps secret from her that they are not blood related. One day, Setoka's first love Takane Serikawa appears after many years and approaches her.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFirstly "Like" You (2023)
A deeper exploration of the relationship between King and Burger from "Hit Bite Love."
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Kitty-Cat Fantasia (1991)
"Shiro" is a black cat who loves her family very much. She loves them so much she wants to help them out in times of need and trouble…but it’s difficult to do this if she’s just a cat. So one night, she wishes on the moon to make her able to help, and the next day, she has turned into a human girl.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
My Mother's Future Husband (2014)
Headly, a 15-year-old teenager, thinks her mother, Rene, has mourned her father's death long enough, so she decides to find her a new husband by the end of the summer.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Like Pops and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Pops?
The closest matches to Pops are Kase-san and Morning Glories (2018), Dou kyu sei – Classmates (2016) and Her Blue Sky (2019). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Pops?
Start with Kase-san and Morning Glories (2018), the closest match to Pops.
What is the highest-rated movie like Pops?
Dou kyu sei – Classmates (2016), rated 8.3/10 by 469 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Pops?
JUJUTSU KAISEN: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death - The Movie (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Pops?
Yes: Kase-san and Morning Glories (2018), Dou kyu sei – Classmates (2016) and Her Blue Sky (2019).
How are movies similar to Pops chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Pops, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.