Movies like The Little Engine That Could (2011)
The best movies like The Little Engine That Could (2011) are PAW Patrol: Jet to the Rescue (2020), Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness (2022) and Monster High: Friday Night Frights (2012). If The Little Engine That Could 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 ratedCiao Alberto (2021)7.4/10 from 716 votes
- NewestSnoopy Presents: There's No Place Like Home, Snoopy (2026)Released 2026
PAW Patrol: Jet to the Rescue (2020)
A royal relative steals a gem with the power to make things fly, the Paw Patrol takes to the skies to stop him and save Barkingburg.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisChickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness (2022)
A brave young animal explorer teams up with two trusty friends to find a powerful artifact before his greedy uncle can get his paws on it.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMonster High: Friday Night Frights (2012)
After Monster High’s roller skating team is defeated at the Skulltimate Roller Maze tournament, the ghouls team up to face an all-boys league, with the hope of winning back the school crest and restoring school spirit.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMinions & More Volume 1 (2022)
This collection of 10 short films produced by Illumination includes: From the "Despicable Me" franchise: Puppy (2013); Minion Scouts (2019); Training Wheels (2013); The Secret Life of Kyle (2017); Santa's Little Helpers (2019). From the "Grinch" franchise: The Dog Days of Winter (2019). From the "Secret Life of Pets" franchise: Norman Television (2016); Weenie (2016). From the "Sing" franchise: Love at First Sight (2017). From the "Lorax" franchise: Forces of Nature (2012).
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Willoughbys (2020)
When the four Willoughby children are abandoned by their selfish parents, they must learn how to adapt their Old-Fashioned values to the contemporary world in order to create something new: The Modern Family.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRevolting Rhymes (2017)
Two half-hour animated films based on the much-loved rhymes written by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLOL Surprise: The Movie (2021)
Dazzling doll sisters Queen Bee and Royal Bee make their first movie with help from their fashionable friends in this one-of-a-kind magical adventure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPloey: You Never Fly Alone (2018)
A plover chick has not learned to fly when his family migrates in the fall. He must survive the arctic winter, vicious enemies and himself in order to be reunited with his beloved one next spring.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSlugTerra: Return of the Elementals (2014)
A new member has joined Eli and the Shane Gang! Junjie, once the protector of the Eastern Caverns, is a master of the slugslinging art of Slug Fu! But even with the power of five slingers, the Shane Gang find themselves in over their heads as they race across The 99 Caverns in search of the Legendary Elemental Slugs. The five Elementals are ancient slugs of great power, and the forbearers of all slugs found in SlugTerra today. In the wrong hands, they could bring Slugterra to the brink of destruction. So when an evil alliance starts hunting down the Elementals, Eli and his friends — old and new — take off in pursuit of the greatest threat their world has ever faced!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSnoopy Presents: There's No Place Like Home, Snoopy (2026)
When Snoopy's beloved doghouse goes missing, he tries to track it down, and learns what makes a house feel like home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMonster High: Ghouls Rule (2012)
Monster High: Ghouls Rule unearths an old conflict between "Normies" and monsters - and things are about to get scary! For years, students at Monster High were warned that Halloween was a night to stay inside and avoid conflict at all costs. But Frankie and her friends discover that ghouls and "Normies" once loved to spend the holiday together! The ghouls decide to turn back the clock and use the night to celebrate their individuality and show that it's okay to "Be Yourself. Be Unique. Be a Monster!"
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCat Pack: A PAW Patrol Exclusive Event (2022)
When Mayor Humdinger transforms his robot cat Meow-Meow into a tiger-sized metal-eating menace, the PAW Patrol calls in the Cat Pack for help in the stopping the creature.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMonster High: Welcome to Monster High (2016)
Monsters once lived in hiding—even from each other—because they were afraid they would be in danger if humans knew they existed. But Draculaura, the daughter of Dracula, along with her best ghoulfriends, dreamt of a school where everyone was welcome and accepted for who they are. Determined to make their dream come true, the ghouls travel the world on an epic adventure to recruit new students. But even in this amazing place, there's drama: a villainess zombie is spreading trouble rather than friendship, and every student must live with the fear that their secret will be revealed. Now the ghouls must save their school so that every monster has a place where they belong and their uniqueness is celebrated!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCars Toon Mater's Tall Tales (2008)
Mater the tow truck travels from country to country as he retells his infamous but unbelievable stories.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Life & Adventures of Santa Claus (2000)
Based on the popular book by L. Frank Baum, the beloved author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, comes the incredible story of The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus. Many centuries ago, long before toys had even been invented, a baby abandoned at the edge of an enchanted forest was adopted and raised by a beautiful wood nymph, thus beginning the life story of Santa Claus. From his first truly magical childhood through the discovery of his life's work of making children happy, discover the origin of every tradition surrounding Santa Claus, from toys, stockings and lighted trees to reindeer and sleigh. Journey back to a time of magic and wonder, and experience this heartwarming tale that will bring joy each holiday season.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie (2005)
It's Halloween in the Hundred Acre Wood, and Roo's best new friend, Lumpy, is looking forward to his first time trick-or-treating. That is, until Tigger warns them about the scary Gobloon, who'll turn them into jack-o'-lanterns if he catches them. But if Roo and Lumpy turn the tables on the Gobloon, they get to make a wish! Lumpy and Roo decide to be "brave together, brave forever" and catch the Gobloon so they can make their wishes come true.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBarbie: Skipper and the Big Babysitting Adventure (2023)
When her babysitting business takes a hit, Skipper takes a summer job at the water park. Here she can quickly put her skills as a nanny to good use.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAngela's Christmas Wish (2020)
A determined Angela makes a wish to reunite her family in time for Christmas, then launches a plan to find her way from Ireland to Australia.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCurious George 2: Follow That Monkey! (2009)
The film chronicles George's adventures as he befriends Kayla, a baby elephant, at a magic circus show and helps her travel across the country to be reunited with her family.Accompanied by his friend, the Man with the Yellow Hat, George travels by foot, train, and truck to reach Kayla's brother and sister in California, only to be accused of elephant-napping and brought all the way back to New York.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 thisBratz Kidz: Sleep-Over Adventure (2007)
Cloe, Yasmin, Jade, Sasha, and Meygan are invited to the new girl in the neighborhood's sleepover. But no sleepover is complete without staying up late telling scary stories.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Bratz: Desert Jewelz (2012)
When a magic carpet is compelled by an enchanted ring stolen by thieves during a fashion show, the girls are taken on an unexpected journey to help find a genie lamp and to rescue it before it falls into evil hands. Along the way, the girls make a new friend, Alla, and help her discover the richest treasure of all – friendship! Compelled by the theft of an enchanted ring, a magic carpet gathers a group of girls for a magical journey in search of a genie lamp that must be saved before it falls into the wrong hand. Along the way, the girls meet a new friend who helps them discover that friendship is the most valuable treasure of them all.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & animation
Ice Age: The Last Adventure of Scrat (The End) (2022)
In the final days of Blue Sky Studios, a small team of artists came together to do one final shot. This shot is a farewell, a send-off on our own terms.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Happy Little Submarine: The Adventure with Dragon (2024)
Due to being attacked by a legendary sea monster, Deepsea Base launched an arrest plan. However, Comma discovered that the sea monster was actually just a cute little dragon. With the unremitting efforts of Comma and his friends, they finally resolved the misunderstanding of the sea monster and reunited the little dragon and its mother.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Gumby: The Movie (1995)
Amidst putting together a benefit concert for the local farmers and on the brink of a huge deal with mogul Lucky Claybert, Gumby and his band The Clayboys must battle with the villainous Blockheads, who have kidnapped their loyal canine Lowbelly.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys (2001)
When the mysterious Toy Taker grabs all of Santa's toys, it looks like the children will miss out on Christmas. But everyone's favorite reindeer, Rudolph, comes to the rescue with his lovable friends: Hermey the elf, Yukon Cornelius the grizzly prospector, the abominable snow monster Bumbles and Rudolph's very special friend Clarice. Together, they promise Santa they'll track down Toy Taker and rescue Santa's toy. Their incredible quest takes them on a wild adventure with Rudolph's red nose leading the way!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
SnoozefestMovies like thisDueling Dumplings (2024)
Po and Zhen battle over whose dumplings reign supreme.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Bal Ganesh (2007)
The film is about the childhood of Lord Ganesh. The film covers a) Lord Ganesh's birth and b) The story behind Lord Ganesh's voracious appetite which recalls the incident of Lord Kubera inviting Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi for a feast and the consequential events
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Capture the Flag (2015)
When the brave and determined 12-year-old Mike Goldwing discovers that an eccentric billionaire plans to fly to the moon, steal its vast, valuable natural resources, and destroy the American flag planted by the Apollo XI astronauts during man's historic moon landing, the countdown to a spectacular adventure begins! Mike, teamed with his grandfather, best friends Amy and Marty, and a clever chameleon, blasts off on an incredible moon-bound mission, determined to thwart the billionaire's evil plan, capture the flag, and reunite his family.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCiao Alberto (2021)
With his best friend Luca away at school, Alberto is enjoying his new life in Portorosso working alongside Massimo—the imposing, tattooed, one-armed fisherman of few words—who's quite possibly the coolest human in the entire world as far as Alberto is concerned. He wants more than anything to impress his mentor, but it's easier said than done.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Little Engine That Could?
The closest matches to The Little Engine That Could are PAW Patrol: Jet to the Rescue (2020), Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness (2022) and Monster High: Friday Night Frights (2012). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Little Engine That Could?
Start with PAW Patrol: Jet to the Rescue (2020), the closest match to The Little Engine That Could.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Little Engine That Could?
Ciao Alberto (2021), rated 7.4/10 by 716 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Little Engine That Could?
Snoopy Presents: There's No Place Like Home, Snoopy (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Little Engine That Could?
Yes: PAW Patrol: Jet to the Rescue (2020), Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness (2022) and Monster High: Friday Night Frights (2012).
How are movies similar to The Little Engine That Could chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Little Engine That Could, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.