Movies like Phaethon - The Son of the Sun (1972)
The best movies like Phaethon - The Son of the Sun (1972) are First Squad: The Moment of Truth (2009), Treasure Planet (2002) and Blush (2021). If Phaethon - The Son of the Sun hooked you with its science fiction and animation, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedForgotten Island (2026)8.0/10 from 252 votes
- NewestForgotten Island (2026)Released 2026
First Squad: The Moment of Truth (2009)
Set during the opening days of World War II on the Eastern Front. Its main cast are a group of Soviet teenagers with extraordinary abilities; the teenagers have been drafted to form a special unit to fight the invading German army. They are opposed by a Schutzstaffel officer who is attempting to raise from the dead a supernatural army of crusaders from the 12th-century Order of the Sacred Cross.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTreasure Planet (2002)
When space galleon cabin boy Jim Hawkins discovers a map to an intergalactic "loot of a thousand worlds," a cyborg cook named John Silver teaches him to battle supernovas and space storms on their journey to find treasure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBlush (2021)
When a horticulturalist-astronaut crashes onto a desolate planet, he encounters an ethereal visitor and discovers the joy of building a new life—realizing the universe has delivered something astonishing.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAtlantis: Milo's Return (2003)
Milo and Kida reunite with their friends to investigate strange occurances around the world that seem to have links to the secrets of Atlantis.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBabylon 5: The Road Home (2023)
Travel across the galaxy with John Sheridan as he unexpectedly finds himself transported through multiple timelines and alternate realities in a quest to find his way back home. Along the way he reunites with some familiar faces, while discovering cosmic new revelations about the history, purpose, and meaning of the Universe.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTitan A.E. (2000)
A young man finds out that he holds the key to restoring hope and ensuring survival for the human race, while an alien species called the Drej are bent on mankind's destruction.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLEGO Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Out (2012)
Luke Skywalker embarks on a mission to destroy an Imperial base, but is relentlessly chased by a group of fanatic girls who think of him as a celebrity. Meanwhile, Darth Vader engages a rivalry with Darth Maul, in order to prove that he's the best Sith Lord.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPlanet 51 (2009)
When Earth astronaut Capt. Chuck Baker arrives on Planet 51 -- a world reminiscent of American suburbia circa 1950 -- he tries to avoid capture, recover his spaceship and make it home safely, all with the help of an empathetic little green being.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisRobot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II (2008)
Seth Green and Matthew Senreich serve up more hilarious Star Wars-inspired satire in this second compilation of sketches featuring the zany stop-motion animation of Adult Swim's "Robot Chicken." Gary the stormtrooper deals with irascible boss Darth Vader on Take Your Daughter to Work Day, while Anakin babysits a certain up-and-coming Jedi.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSuperman: Red Son (2020)
Set in the thick of the Cold War, Red Son introduces us to a Superman who landed in the USSR during the 1950s and grows up to become a Soviet symbol that fights for the preservation of Stalin’s brand of communism.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLEGO Star Wars: The Mandalorian (2026)
The Mandalorian and Grogu join their misfit allies for an epic party, celebrating their heroism. As friends regale the crowd with tales of their adventures, a pirate threat looms.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFinal Flight of the Osiris (2003)
Immediately before the events of The Matrix Reloaded, the crew of the hovercraft Osiris discovers a quarter of a million sentinels drilling through the surface of the earth towards the last human city of Zion. But can the Osiris survive long enough to warn Zion?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRegular Show: The Movie (2015)
After a high school lab experiment goes horribly wrong, Mordecai and Rigby must go back in time to battle an evil volleyball coach in order to save the universe — and their friendship.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisLEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales (2021)
Poe Dameron and BB-8 must face the greedy crime boss Graballa the Hutt, who has purchased Darth Vader’s castle and is renovating it into the galaxy’s first all-inclusive Sith-inspired luxury hotel.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLeroy & Stitch (2006)
Lilo, Stitch, Jumba, and Pleakley have finally caught all of Jumba's genetic experiments and found the one true place where each of them belongs. Stitch, Jumba and Pleakley are offered positions in the Galactic Alliance, turning them down so they can stay on Earth with Lilo, but Lilo realizes her alien friends have places where they belong – and it's finally time to say "aloha".
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMass Effect: Paragon Lost (2012)
An untold chapter in the Mass Effect saga, following the early career of Alliance Marine, James Vega, as he leads a squad of elite special forces into battle against a mysterious alien threat known as The Collectors. Stationed at a colony in a remote star system, Vega and his troops must protect the inhabitants from an invasion of the deadly insectoid warriors determined to collect the population for unknown purposes. Soon after the attack, Vega's commanding officer falls in battle, forcing the young officer to embrace the responsibility of leadership for the colony's survival. Having idolized Earth's greatest hero and warrior, Commander Shepard (the central character in the Mass Effect video games), the young and idealistic Vega must now make life and the death decisions that will effect not only the lives of his squad, but the lives of every person in the colony - all of whom he has sworn to protect...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBen 10 vs. the Universe: The Movie (2020)
A blast from Ben's past returns to do double the damage on Team Tennyson and planet Earth itself, forcing Ben to go interstellar to save the day. Based on the 2016 reboot.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Primevals (2023)
Deep in the Himalayas, a group of sherpas kills a gigantic humanoid creature. Convinced that it is the legendary Yeti, Dr. Claire Collier organizes an expedition with her former student Matt Connor and hunter Rondo Montana, among others, to search for more specimens. But what awaits them is something that none of them could have imagined. A colorful fusion of real image and stop-motion that is reminiscent of fantastic films from the 1980s.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisScooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders (2000)
A cosmic case of flying saucers, intergalactic intrigue and out-of-this-world romance launches Scooby-Doo! and the Mystery Inc., Gang into their most unearthly adventure ever.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKid's Story (2003)
A high school student is haunted by thoughts of "The Matrix" and a person named "Neo".
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisForgotten Island (2026)
While celebrating their last night together, high school graduates and best friends Jo and Raissa stumble upon a mysterious portal that transports them to the fantastical island of Nakali. When they discover that the memories of their entire friendship are the price for returning home, Jo and Raissa must race to find a way to leave the island before they forget each other forever.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisFamily Guy Presents: It's a Trap! (2010)
With the Griffins stuck again at home during a blackout, Peter tells the story of “Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.”
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBURN·E (2008)
What lengths will a robot undergo to do his job? BURN·E is a dedicated hard working robot who finds himself locked out of his ship. BURN·E quickly learns that completing a simple task can often be a very difficult endeavor.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGalaxy Express 999: The Movie (1979)
In the future, one can achieve immortality by obtaining a mechanized body. Orphaned, young Tetsuro hitches a ride on the space train Galaxy Express 999 in the hope of obtaining a cyborg body to avenge his mother's death. Along the way, he meets Maetel, who is the spitting image of his dead mother.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMobile Suit Gundam: The Origin VI – Rise of the Red Comet (2018)
On January 23, U.C. 0079, a decisive battle between Zeon and the Earth Federation begins at Side 5, or Loum. Though the Zeon forces are overwhelmingly outnumbered, their secret plan suddenly turns the tide of battle as they deploy a special assault regiment made up of humanoid mobile suit weapons, winning them a huge victory. Char Aznable of the Zeon forces produces particularly impressive results in his red mobile suit “Zaku II”, earning a promotion to Lieutenant Commander and the nickname "Red Comet." After the Battle of Loum, the Earth Federation Forces initiate Operation V to fight back against Zeon. At Side 7, young Amuro Ray is indirectly involved as he takes action to uncover the secret of the new weapon "Gundam." Meanwhile, as high officials of the Earth Federation and Zeon forces meet in Antarctica for early peace negotiations, a certain speech is broadcast from Luna II throughout the world...
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & science fiction
Starcrash (1978)
A pair of smugglers manage to pick up a castaway while running from the authorities, who turns out to be the only survivor from a secret mission to destroy a mysterious superweapon designed by the evil Count Zartharn. The smugglers are soon recruited by the Emperor to complete the mission, as well as to rescue the Emperor's son, who has gone missing.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy & science fiction
SnoozefestMovies like thisOrbits (2013)
Orbitas is the story of an impossible love which revolves around a planet at war.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & science fiction
Recoil (2014)
Traveling through deep space, lone pilot Marshall and his trusty AI, Bodhi, receive a distress call. Now, Marshall gets a lot of those, and acts on them when he’s motivated enough by the potential reward. But this time, the cry for help is from his own brother, who’s stranded on the edge of a massive black hole, “trapped in distorted space.”
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction
Apogee of Fear (2012)
A short science fiction film shot on the International Space Station.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction
Izo (2004)
Izo is an assassin in the service of a Tosa lord and Imperial supporter. After killing dozens of the Shogun's men, Izo is captured and crucified. Instead of being extinguished, his rage propels him through the space-time continuum to present-day Tokyo. Here Izo transforms himself into a new, improved killing machine.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Phaethon - The Son of the Sun?
The closest matches to Phaethon - The Son of the Sun are First Squad: The Moment of Truth (2009), Treasure Planet (2002) and Blush (2021). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Phaethon - The Son of the Sun?
Start with First Squad: The Moment of Truth (2009), the closest match to Phaethon - The Son of the Sun.
What is the highest-rated movie like Phaethon - The Son of the Sun?
Forgotten Island (2026), rated 8.0/10 by 252 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Phaethon - The Son of the Sun?
Forgotten Island (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to Phaethon - The Son of the Sun chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Phaethon - The Son of the Sun, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.