Movies like Monsters University (2013)
The best movies like Monsters University (2013) are Monsters, Inc. (2001), Rumble (2021) and The Croods: A New Age (2020). If Monsters University hooked you with its animation and family, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedForrest Gump (1994)8.5/10 from 30,872 votes
- NewestTransformers One (2024)Released 2024
Monsters, Inc. (2001)
Lovable Sulley and his wisecracking sidekick Mike Wazowski are the top scare team at Monsters, Inc., the scream-processing factory in Monstropolis. When a little girl named Boo wanders into their world, it's the monsters who are scared silly, and it's up to Sulley and Mike to keep her out of sight and get her back home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisRumble (2021)
In a world where monster wrestling is a global sport and monsters are superstar athletes, teenage Winnie seeks to follow in her father’s footsteps by coaching a loveable underdog monster into a champion.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Croods: A New Age (2020)
Searching for a safer habitat, the prehistoric Crood family discovers an idyllic, walled-in paradise that meets all of its needs. Unfortunately, they must also learn to live with the Bettermans -- a family that's a couple of steps above the Croods on the evolutionary ladder. As tensions between the new neighbors start to rise, a new threat soon propels both clans on an epic adventure that forces them to embrace their differences, draw strength from one another, and survive together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHotel Transylvania: Transformania (2022)
When Van Helsing's mysterious invention, the "Monsterfication Ray," goes haywire, Drac and his monster pals are all transformed into humans, and Johnny becomes a monster. In their new mismatched bodies, Drac and Johnny must team up and race across the globe to find a cure before it's too late, and before they drive each other crazy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies 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 & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisToy Story 3 (2010)
Woody, Buzz, and the rest of Andy's toys haven't been played with in years. With Andy about to go to college, the gang find themselves accidentally left at a nefarious day care center. The toys must band together to escape and return home to Andy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisToy Story (1995)
Led by Woody, Andy's toys live happily in his room until Andy's birthday brings Buzz Lightyear onto the scene. Afraid of losing his place in Andy's heart, Woody plots against Buzz. But when circumstances separate Buzz and Woody from their owner, the duo eventually learns to put aside their differences.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & comedy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisTinker Bell and the Lost Treasure (2009)
A blue harvest moon will rise, allowing the fairies to use a precious moonstone to restore the Pixie Dust Tree, the source of all their magic. But when Tinker Bell accidentally puts all of Pixie Hollow in jeopardy, she must venture out across the sea on a secret quest to set things right.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAn American Tail: The Mystery of the Night Monster (1999)
Follow the clues to fun and excitement as the beloved little mouse takes on a big monster in this charming, full-length adventure. When a ferocious, mouse-nabbing creature puts fear into the hearts of New York City's rodents, Fievel and his friends team up with a reporter to chase after the scoop of the century and -- just maybe -- get a close-up look at the bad guy himself!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIF (2024)
After discovering she can see everyone's imaginary friends, a girl embarks on a magical adventure to reconnect forgotten imaginary friends with their kids.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIce Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009)
Times are changing for Manny the moody mammoth, Sid the motor mouthed sloth and Diego the crafty saber-toothed tiger. Life heats up for our heroes when they meet some new and none-too-friendly neighbors – the mighty dinosaurs.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKronk's New Groove (2005)
After his adventures with Kuzco, Kronk opens his own diner, but struggling business and the impending visit from his father push him to hatch a risky plan for success. When the scheme explodes—literally—Kronk must rely on his many personalities to rediscover that true happiness comes from staying true to himself.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLegend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole (2010)
When a young owl is abducted by an evil Owl army, he must escape with new-found friends and seek the legendary Guardians to stop the menace.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBig Hero 6 (2014)
A special bond develops between plus-sized inflatable robot Baymax, and prodigy Hiro Hamada, who team up with a group of friends to form a band of high-tech heroes.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStrange World (2022)
A journey deep into an uncharted and treacherous land, where fantastical creatures await the legendary Clades—a family of explorers whose differences threaten to topple their latest, and by far most crucial, mission.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019)
Max the terrier must cope with some major life changes when his owner gets married and has a baby. When the family takes a trip to the countryside, nervous Max has numerous run-ins with canine-intolerant cows, hostile foxes and a scary turkey. Luckily for Max, he soon catches a break when he meets Rooster, a gruff farm dog who tries to cure the lovable pooch of his neuroses.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTMNT (2007)
After the defeat of their old arch nemesis, The Shredder, the Turtles have grown apart as a family. Struggling to keep them together, their rat sensei, Splinter, becomes worried when strange things begin to brew in New York City.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTransformers One (2024)
The untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMonsters vs Aliens (2009)
When Susan Murphy is unwittingly clobbered by a meteor full of outer space gunk on her wedding day, she mysteriously grows to 49-feet-11-inches. The military jumps into action and captures Susan, secreting her away to a covert government compound. She is renamed Ginormica and placed in confinement with a ragtag group of Monsters...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Barbie Diaries (2006)
Barbie is disheartened when Todd breaks her heart and goes back to his former girlfriend. But things change when she comes across a diary, which makes her wishes come true.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMavka: The Forest Song (2023)
Mavka, a Soul of the Forest, faces an impossible choice between love and her duty as Guardian of the Heart of the Forest when she falls for a human, a talented young musician named Lukas.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFinding Nemo (2003)
Nemo, an adventurous young clownfish, is unexpectedly taken from his Great Barrier Reef home to a dentist's office aquarium. It's up to his worrisome father Marlin and a friendly but forgetful fish Dory to bring Nemo home -- meeting vegetarian sharks, surfer dude turtles, hypnotic jellyfish, hungry seagulls, and more along the way.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMark Lowry Goes to Hollywood (2005)
For one night in history, one man single-handedly turned "Hollywood" into "Lowrywood." Will the city ever be the same again? Could he do it without Bill Gaither? Find out in Mark Lowry Goes to Hollywood. With a little help from a tremendous line-up of musical guests, Mark Lowry delivers a healthy dose of side-splitting comedy and a power-packed line-up of great music in this live video event. Mark forms his own "Mark Lowry Vocal Band" just for the occasion with Michael English, Reggie Smith, and Bill Gaither. Great performances by The Isaacs, LordSong, Stan Whitmire, and Karen Harding and the "reMarkable Choir" cap off the evening perfectly in this video event of a lifetime!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & family
The Brothers Grimm (2005)
Folklore collectors and con artists, Jake and Will Grimm, travel from village to village pretending to protect townsfolk from enchanted creatures and performing exorcisms. However, they are put to the test when they encounter a real magical curse in a haunted forest with real magical beings, requiring genuine courage.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy & comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisAgainst King (1974)
A group of children are harassed by a local bully. In order to stop him, they seek help of a retired boxer.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family
COMBO (2009)
Street artist Blu animates large-scale creatures as they crawl across an abandoned Argentine cityscape.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Forrest Gump (1994)
A man with a low IQ has accomplished great things in his life and been present during significant historic events—in each case, far exceeding what anyone imagined he could do. But despite all he has achieved, his one true love eludes him.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisGuard Dog Global Jam (2011)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
D'Unbelievables D'Telly (1998)
Irish Comedy Starring Jon Kenny & Pat Shortt
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Like Monsters University and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Monsters University?
The closest matches to Monsters University are Monsters, Inc. (2001), Rumble (2021) and The Croods: A New Age (2020). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Monsters University?
Start with Monsters, Inc. (2001), the closest match to Monsters University.
What is the highest-rated movie like Monsters University?
Forrest Gump (1994), rated 8.5/10 by 30,872 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Monsters University?
Transformers One (2024) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Monsters University?
Yes: Monsters, Inc. (2001), Rumble (2021) and The Croods: A New Age (2020).
How are movies similar to Monsters University chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Monsters University, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.