Movies like Kavalan (1999)
The best movies like Kavalan (1999) are Welcome to Smelliville (2021), Nezha Conquers the Dragon King (1979) and Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender (2026). If Kavalan hooked you with its animation and fantasy, these 20 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedAvatar Aang: The Last Airbender (2026)9.0/10 from 1,430 votes
- NewestAvatar Aang: The Last Airbender (2026)Released 2026
- In ChineseNezha Conquers the Dragon King (1979)Also in Chinese
Welcome to Smelliville (2021)
The Oggly family arrive at the municipal rubbish dump of Smelliville and must look for a new home, but they never feel really welcome anywhere. They stink and are for most humans just a tad too oggly. When Firebottom, the family dragon, crash-lands on the run-down rubbish tip of the small town of Smelliville, the Ogglies at once feel at home. And it's here they want to stay.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNezha Conquers the Dragon King (1979)
In Chentang Pass, Nezha, the magical son of General Li Jing, makes enemies with Ao Guang, the Dragon King of East Sea. When he is reported to heaven's court and his home is threatened, Nezha takes it upon himself to destroy the palace and defeat the dragons. A retelling of the classic chapters from Investiture of The Gods.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAvatar Aang: The Last Airbender (2026)
Avatar Aang, the world's last Airbender, learns of an ancient power that could save his culture from extinction. With the help of his friends, he embarks on a global quest to find it before it falls into the wrong hands and threatens to upend the peace they sacrificed everything to achieve.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisGreen Snake (2021)
While trying to free her sister from Fahai's clutches, Xiao Qing winds up in a dystopian city and meets a mysterious man who can't recall his past life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisWaking Life (2001)
Waking Life is about a young man in a persistent lucid dream-like state. The film follows its protagonist as he initially observes and later participates in philosophical discussions that weave together issues like reality, free will, our relationships with others, and the meaning of life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven (1961)
Sun Wukong, the King of the Monkeys, sets off on his first adventure to gain a worthy weapon. This earns the attention of the Jade Emperor of Heaven.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Tooth Fairy Tale (2025)
Van, the brave son of a tooth fairy leader, meets the goblins girl Gemma on his first mission. Despite the myths about ancient disputes between fairies and goblins, they share common values. When the greedy Spider Queen threatens both tribes, they must work together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisEndless Journey of Love (2025)
In 1930s China, village girl Qian Xiao gains the power to control time, making her a target of powerful forces. As she uncovers the metropolis's hidden secrets, she faces peril and the cost of her gift.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Monkey King: Reborn (2021)
When the irritable monkey king visits a temple together with his master Tang Monk, he feels offended because of a trifle and thereupon accidentally destroys a magic tree growing on the sacred ground. This brings an ancient demon king back to life, who promptly kidnaps Tang Monk to take revenge for his long imprisonment. The monkey king and his followers have only three days to not only save their master but also to prevent the demon king from regaining his full powers and destroying the world…
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNew Gods: Yang Jian (2022)
Fifteen hundred years after the war of gods, the heaven declined. Yang Jian, the God of Erlang, made a living by working as a catcher. One day, Yang Jian was ordered to hunt down a young man, his own nephew.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWish Dragon (2021)
Determined teen Din is longing to reconnect with his childhood best friend when he meets a wish-granting dragon who shows him the magic of possibilities.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMonster High: Scaris City of Frights (2013)
The Monstruitas of Monster High are obsessed with going to Scaris, The City of Frights for Fashion international competition where the winner will become the apprentice of the world famous Madame Ghostier designer.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Witcher: Sirens of the Deep (2025)
When human sailors are attacked by mysterious creatures of the deep, only one person can stop the war between land and sea: the Witcher, Geralt of Rivia.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Monkey King (2023)
A stick-wielding monkey teams with a young girl on an epic quest for immortality, battling demons, dragons, gods — and his own ego — along the way.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
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 fantasy & animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisZog (2018)
Zog is a keen young dragon who wants to learn to fly, roar, and breathe fire, so he studies at the Dragon School. He is desperate to impress his teacher and win a golden star, but he is prone to accidents and he has to be helped by a kind young girl who patches up his bumps and bruises.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSecrets of the Heavenly Book (1983)
Yuangong, the deacon, opened the shrine and exposed the holy book to the human world. He is now punished to guard the book for life by the jade emperor for breaking heaven’s law. In order to pass this holy book to human beings, he would have to get by the antagonist fox.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like this10 Lives (2024)
A pampered cat takes for granted the lucky hand he has been dealt after he is rescued and loved by Rose, a kind-hearted and passionate student. When he loses his ninth life, fate steps in to set him on a transformative journey.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
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 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
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Kavalan?
The closest matches to Kavalan are Welcome to Smelliville (2021), Nezha Conquers the Dragon King (1979) and Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender (2026). Below are 17 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Kavalan?
Start with Welcome to Smelliville (2021), the closest match to Kavalan.
What is the highest-rated movie like Kavalan?
Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender (2026), rated 9.0/10 by 1,430 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Kavalan?
Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Chinese movies like Kavalan?
Yes: Nezha Conquers the Dragon King (1979), Green Snake (2021) and The Monkey King: Uproar in Heaven (1961).
How are movies similar to Kavalan chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Kavalan, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.