Movies like Backward Run (2013)
The best movies like Backward Run (2013) are Animal Farm (2026), Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2022) and The Breadwinner (2017). If Backward Run hooked you with its animation, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act (2026)8.8/10 from 312 votes
- NewestThe Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act (2026)Released 2026
Animal Farm (2026)
A group of farm animals rise up against their neglectful owner, dreaming of equality and freedom. But as the pigs take control, the revolution turns into tyranny, with truth rewritten and dissent crushed.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMarcel the Shell with Shoes On (2022)
Marcel is an adorable one-inch-tall shell who ekes out a colorful existence with his grandmother Connie and their pet lint, Alan. Once part of a sprawling community of shells, they now live alone as the sole survivors of a mysterious tragedy. When a documentarian discovers them amongst the clutter of his Airbnb, his resulting short film brings Marcel millions of passionate fans, as well as unprecedented dangers and a new hope at finding his long-lost family.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Breadwinner (2017)
A headstrong young girl in Afghanistan, ruled by the Taliban, disguises herself as a boy in order to provide for her family.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAnimal Farm (1954)
Animals on a farm lead a revolution against the farmers to put their destiny in their own hands. However this revolution eats their own children and they cannot avoid corruption.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMater and the Ghostlight (2006)
Mater, the rusty but trusty tow truck from Cars, spends a day in Radiator Springs playing scary pranks on his fellow townsfolk. That night at Flo's V8 Café, the Sheriff tells the story of the legend of the Ghostlight, and as everyone races home Mater is left alone primed for a good old-fashioned scare.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act (2026)
With Caine gone and the circus dark, the cast are left with only the mistakes and traumas of their pasts to keep them company. As the prospect of eternity closes in around them, they discover the truth about the Digital Circus and its history. Will they come to terms with what they uncover, or will they make... the other choice? Also, presumably at some point someone says something funny, because this ending can’t be THAT depressing, can it? A theatrical screening of episode 8 and the all new, hour-long episode 9.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThree Little Pigs (1933)
The two pigs building houses of hay and sticks scoff at their brother, building the brick house. But when the wolf comes around and blows their houses down (after trickery like dressing as a foundling sheep fails), they run to their brother's house. And throughout, they sing the classic song, "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?".
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPaws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (2022)
A hard-on-his-luck hound finds himself in a town full of cats in need of a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain's wicked plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant mentor, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSouth Park (Not Suitable for Children) (2023)
After it's discovered that a teacher at South Park Elementary has an OnlyFans page, Randy is compelled to take a closer look at the seedy underbelly of the world of online influencers.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCamp 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
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisScooby-Doo! and the Legend of the Vampire (2003)
The Yowie Yahoo starts kidnapping musicians at a concert attended by Scooby and the gang in Vampire Rock, Australia.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFeast (2014)
This Oscar-winning animated short film tells the story of one man's love life as seen through the eyes of his best friend and dog, Winston, and revealed bite by bite through the meals they share.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNight of the Zoopocalypse (2025)
A wolf and mountain lion team up when a meteor unleashes a virus turning zoo animals into zombies. They join forces with other survivors to rescue the zoo and stop the deranged mutant leader from spreading the virus.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisShrek 3-D (2004)
Lord Farquaad was eaten by the dragon, but his ghost has returned, and he's still evil. With the help of his henchman, Thelonious, he kidnaps Fiona. Shrek and the donkey set out to save her, with help from the dragon, before she goes over a waterfall on a raft.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Boxtrolls (2014)
An orphaned boy raised by underground creatures called Boxtrolls comes up from the sewers and out of his box to save his family and the town from the evil exterminator, Archibald Snatcher.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWho Are You, Charlie Brown? (2021)
Lupita Nyong'o narrates a documentary about Peanuts and its creator, Charles M. Schulz. Famous fans—including Drew Barrymore, Kevin Smith, and Al Roker—share its influence on them, and a new animated story finds Charlie Brown on a quest.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGeri's Game (1997)
An aging codger named Geri plays a daylong game of chess in the park against himself. Somehow, he begins losing to his livelier opponent. But just when the game's nearly over, Geri manages to turn the tables.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKhumba (2013)
A half-striped zebra is blamed for the drought and leaves his herd in search of his missing stripes. He is joined on his quest by an overprotective wildebeest and a flamboyant ostrich; they defeat the tyrannical leopard and save his herd.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSouth Park: Joining the Panderverse (2023)
Cartman's deeply disturbing dreams portend the end of the life he knows and loves. Meanwhile, the adults in South Park are wrestling with their own life decisions, as the advent of AI is turning their world upside down.
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 thisSTREET SMART: Lessons from a TV Icon (2025)
STREET SMART: LESSONS FROM A TV ICON is a feature documentary about Sonia Manzano — known to millions as “Maria” from SESAME STREET. The film follows Sonia’s remarkable journey, from a young girl in the South Bronx finding refuge in television, to becoming the first Latina on American TV in a regular role, through 44 years on screen on SESAME STREET, and now as a creator of ALMA'S WAY. Featuring interviews with luminaries, original animation, and scripted scenes that blend humor and heart, this inspirational documentary invites viewers to learn once again from this beloved icon.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Infinite Escher (1990)
A boy travels through the world of M.C. Escher.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
While I'm Away (2026)
"While I'm Away" is a first-year student animated short. This short is about the sense of not fully belonging to one place, and missing the other one when you are away. The guilt of moving abroad in the first place. Being the first generation to do this in your family. The constant self-reassurance that you aren’t doing anything wrong but still having no idea how to navigate all this. Re-birth. Alienation. Growth. Guilt. Renewal. Envy.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Inherent Obligations (2008)
Short film from Rao Heidmets about voyeurism, violence and media. Mixing live action with stop motion animation.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Big House Blues (1990)
Ren and Stimpy, on the streets starving, are captured by the dog catcher. They end up in the pound and become frightened when one of the dogs tells them of the "big sleep".
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Newspaper News (2019)
A woman reads the newspaper with such intensity that she gets literally devoured by it. Painted on its pages she witnesses some of the tragic events of our times, drowns in ocean trash and is threatened by the elements unleashed by climate change. Yet in her despair she transforms this darkness into movement and art, so she plants the seeds of hope.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Jerky Turkey (1968)
At a matinee show, Junior wins a prize, a pet turkey. But he isn't sure his parents will like it when he returns home. Much to his surprise, Charlie does to want to keep the turkey...exclaiming, "We'll have him for Sunday dinner!" Junior is not eager to have his new pet devoured and protects him from Charlie at all costs. He even tries to disguise the fowl as his friend, Redneck Rudy, a protest singer. Finally, Charlie captures the turkey and beats it senseless. Feeling bad, he revives it and they make up. He decides to have hot dogs for Sunday dinner instead.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Tom Turk and Daffy (1944)
It's Thanksgiving, and Tom Turk is trying to avoid become the main attraction on Porky Pig's dinner table. Fellow bird Daffy Duck is willing to help him, until he realizes that he'll miss out on a delicious meal. Hilarity ensues as each tries to get the other caught by Porky.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
The Thanksgiving Movie (2020)
Join Butterball the turkey and Missy the Dodo as they come to the rescue of Thanksgiving and embark on an unforgettable, clock-racing countdown to a holiday dinner. It's a Thanksgiving Movie for the ages.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Beautiful Men (2023)
Three balding brothers travel to Istanbul to get a hair transplant. Stuck with each other in a hotel far from home, their insecurities grow faster than their hair.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Like Backward Run and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Backward Run?
The closest matches to Backward Run are Animal Farm (2026), Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2022) and The Breadwinner (2017). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Backward Run?
Start with Animal Farm (2026), the closest match to Backward Run.
What is the highest-rated movie like Backward Run?
The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act (2026), rated 8.8/10 by 312 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Backward Run?
The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to Backward Run chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Backward Run, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.