Movies like The Strange Tale of a Dream Sphere Dealer (2007)
The best movies like The Strange Tale of a Dream Sphere Dealer (2007) are Modest Heroes (2018), Bleach the Movie: Fade to Black (2008) and Naruto OVA 12: The Day Naruto Became Hokage (2016). If The Strange Tale of a Dream Sphere Dealer hooked you with its animation and drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks
- Highest ratedFinal Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005)7.2/10 from 1,305 votes
- NewestThe Imaginary (2023)Released 2023
- In JapaneseModest Heroes (2018)Also in Japanese
Modest Heroes (2018)
Two tiny, aquatic humanoids search for their missing father, a boy battles a lethal allergy to eggs, and an invisible salaryman tries to become a hero.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBleach the Movie: Fade to Black (2008)
A strange disturbance in the World of the Living sends Ichigo and Kon to the Soul Society, where the Seireitei has been devastated by an explosion of reishi and Rukia is missing. Stranger still, none of the Soul Reapers remember Ichigo, and they think he’s the one responsible for the destruction. Now on the run, Ichigo is forced into a lonely battle in order to find Rukia and stop the real culprits!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNaruto OVA 12: The Day Naruto Became Hokage (2016)
Depicts the day that Naruto Uzumaki became the 7th Hokage.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Imaginary (2023)
Amanda and her imaginary friend Rudger go on thrilling make-believe adventures. But when Rudger finds himself alone, he faces a mysterious threat.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened (2013)
A group of five Genesect have invaded the big city and pose a threat to the supply of electricity, which attracts the attention of the legendary Pokémon Mewtwo. Satoshi, Pikachu and his friends must come to the rescue when the powerful leader, a red Genesect, faces Mewtwo.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDoraemon: Nobita and the Windmasters (2003)
After a typhoon hits Nobita's town, he and Doraemon discover a wind sprite who, with some help from Doraemon's 22nd-century tech, takes them and their friends to a fantastic world of wind and storm people. But the wind sprite, named Fuuko by Nobita, had brought them to her world for a reason, as her peoples' gods are battling, and Suneo might be a key player in their feud.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisK: Missing Kings (2014)
The "Academy Island Incident" in which four "kings" cross paths... Since then, Silver Clansmen Kuroh Yatogami and Neko have been searching for their master, Shiro. Without finding any clues to Shiro's whereabouts, the two became disheartened. However, one day, they see HOMRA members Rikio Kamamoto and Anna Kushina being chased by someone.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPokémon the Movie: Hoopa and the Clash of Ages (2015)
Ash, Pikachu, and their friends come to a desert city by the sea. Here they meet the Mythical Pokémon Hoopa, which has the ability to summon things—including people and Pokémon—through its magic rings. After a scary incident, they learn of a story about a brave hero who stopped the rampage of a terrifying Pokémon long ago. Now, the threat that has been bottled up for years is in danger of breaking loose again.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBLAME! (2017)
In the distant technological future, civilization has reached its ultimate Net-based form. An "infection" in the past caused the automated systems to spiral out of order, resulting in a multi-leveled city structure that replicates itself infinitely in all directions. Now humanity has lost access to the city's controls, and is hunted down and purged by the defense system known as the Safeguard. In a tiny corner of the city, a little enclave known as the Electro-Fishers is facing eventual extinction, trapped between the threat of the Safeguard and dwindling food supplies. A girl named Zuru goes on a journey to find food for her village, only to inadvertently cause doom when an observation tower senses her and summons a Safeguard pack to eliminate the threat. With her companions dead and all escape routes blocked, the only thing that can save her now is the sudden arrival of Killy the Wanderer, on his quest for the Net Terminal Genes, the key to restoring order to the world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDoraemon: Nobita and the Steel Troops (1986)
Doraemon and Nobita decide to build a perfect toy robot. However, their creation turns out to be a little more uncanny than an object of appreciation and wonder.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBrave Story (2006)
Jr. High School Student Wataru and his friends like playing in an abandond building and looking for ghosts. However it seems he is not the only one. Another mysterious student Mitsuru shows Wataru that there is a magical door to another world where one can go and get the Goddess of Fortune to grant one wish! When tragedy strikes Wataru's family he decides to open the door for himself.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPokémon the Movie: Kyurem vs. the Sword of Justice (2012)
Ash and his two friends Iris and Cilan help a Keldeo battle against a powerful Dragon-type Pokémon named Kyurem its his test to become a Sacred Swordsman.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDoraemon: Nobita and the Winged Braves (2001)
Doraemon and his friends have to rescue the people of Birdopia from the wrongdoing of vengeful former bird troopers before they unleash a wicked ancient dragon.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMai Mai Miracle (2009)
Inspired by her grandfather's stories, young Shinko embarks on wild flights of fancy about the history of the little town she lives in. But dreams can't fend off the realities of growing up.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDoraemon: Nobita's Dorabian Nights (1991)
Shizuka ends up in the fantasy world of the 'Arabian Nights' story. However, Doraemon, Nobita, Suneo, and Jyaian must find her from the imaginary Middle East and bring her back to the real life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDoraemon the Movie: Nobita's Sky Utopia (2023)
Doraemon, Nobita and his friends go to find Utopia, a perfect land in the sky where everyone lives with happiness, using an airship having a time warp function.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisInuyasha the Movie 2: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass (2002)
With their most formidable foe vanquished, Inuyasha and his comrades begin returning to their everyday lives. But their peace is fleeting as another adversary emerges: Kaguya, the self-proclaimed princess from the Moon of Legend, hatches a plot to plunge the world into an eternal night of the full moon. Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, Sango and Shippou must reunite to confront the new menace.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Tale of the White Serpent (1958)
As a young boy, Xu-Xian is forced to free his pet, a small snake. Unbeknownst to him, the snake is actually a young snake goddess named Bai-Niang and she is in love with him. Many years later, when they are both adults, the princess is magically transformed into a human and sets out to find her love. But the local wizard believes her to be a vampire, and banishes Xu-Xian from the village in order to save him. Xu-Xian's pet pandas Panda and Mimi set out to save him and bring him, in the process becoming leaders of an animal gang.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisInuyasha the Movie 4: Fire on the Mystic Island (2004)
The mysterious island of Houraijima has reappeared after 50 years, and with its reappearance has brought the attack of four gods, the Shitoushin, who have their eyes set on the powers that protect and sustain the island. Now it's up to Inuyasha and his friends, along with Sesshoumaru, to find a way to defeat the powerful Shitoushin.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCat Soup (2001)
The surreal black comedy follows Nyatta, an anthropomorphic kitten, on his travel to the land of the dead and back in an effort to save his sister's soul.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDEEMO Memorial Keys (2022)
Deemo is a lonely individual who lives in solitude, playing the piano in a castle. One day, a girl who has lost her memory falls from the sky. Wanting to help her recover her memories and return to her world, Deemo discovers that a tree kept atop the piano will grow whenever the piano is played.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & drama
I Want to Deliver Your Voice (2017)
The story focuses on high school girl Nagisa Yukiai who lives in a seaside town. She has believed her grandmother's story that spirits dwell in words and they are called "kotodama" (word spirit). One day, she strays into a mini FM station that has not been used for years. As an impulse of the moment, she tries to talk like a DJ using the facility. But her voice accidentally broadcasted reaches someone she has never expected.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & drama
Fate/kaleid liner Prisma☆Illya: Vow in the Snow (2017)
Despite his adoptive father's warnings that the girl found in the remnants of a destroyed city is too dangerous to be considered anything other than a tool or weapon, Shirou Emiya comes to treat Miyu as a younger sister. But when Shirou relaxes his guard and Miyu starts normal school, the Ainsworth family and their agents swoop in, kidnapping the girl with the goal of sacrificing her! Faced with the realization that Miyu's ability to do good will always be equaled by her capacity for destruction, Shirou must attempt to both rescue his adopted sister, and decide how to confront the threat that her powers will always pose.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & drama
Digimon Adventure tri. Part 5: Coexistence (2017)
Meicoomon rampages after witnessing Meiko Mochizuki being injured by the man bearing Gennai's likeness. "It would have been better if you hadn't been born..." Meicoomon disappears into the Real World, which has since become distorted. Possessing overwhelming power, she's the key to the world's destruction.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHaikyu!! The Movie: Talent and Sense (2017)
A compilation film depicting the match against Aoba Johsai High School in the second season of the anime series. It will also include new scenes portraying what happened after the match.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & drama
Haikyu!! The Movie: Battle of Concepts (2017)
A recap film depicting the match against Shiratorizawa Academy in the third season of the anime series.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisRain in the Sunshine (2013)
Schoolboy Hinata has a big crush on his classmate Shigure, but is too shy to tell her. On the day Shigure is leaving, Hinata flies off on the wings of a bird chasing after her to tell how he feels!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
Steamboy (2004)
In 1860s Britain, a boy inventor finds himself caught in the middle of a deadly conflict over a revolutionary advance in steam power.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFinal Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005)
Two years have passed since the final battle with Sephiroth. Though Midgar, city of mako, city of prosperity, has been reduced to ruins, its people slowly but steadily walk the road to reconstruction. However, a mysterious illness called Geostigma torments them. With no cure in sight, it brings death to the afflicted, one after another, robbing the people of their fledgling hope.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisI Fall in Love With You Through a Robot (TBA)
Set in the year 2060, it follows a love story as Tokyo's third Olympics draws near. Takeru Oosawa, who works for the AI Robot Technology Research Lab, is chosen as a member of the national secret project using humanoid robots. With the help of childhood friend and co-worker Youichirou Amano and his sister Saki, Takeru tries his best to reach his objectives. However, the situation changes when Saki's office receives a warning note for terrorism.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & drama
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Strange Tale of a Dream Sphere Dealer?
The closest matches to The Strange Tale of a Dream Sphere Dealer are Modest Heroes (2018), Bleach the Movie: Fade to Black (2008) and Naruto OVA 12: The Day Naruto Became Hokage (2016). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Strange Tale of a Dream Sphere Dealer?
Start with Modest Heroes (2018), the closest match to The Strange Tale of a Dream Sphere Dealer.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Strange Tale of a Dream Sphere Dealer?
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (2005), rated 7.2/10 by 1,305 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Strange Tale of a Dream Sphere Dealer?
The Imaginary (2023) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like The Strange Tale of a Dream Sphere Dealer?
Yes: Modest Heroes (2018), Bleach the Movie: Fade to Black (2008) and Naruto OVA 12: The Day Naruto Became Hokage (2016).
How are movies similar to The Strange Tale of a Dream Sphere Dealer chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Strange Tale of a Dream Sphere Dealer, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.





























