Movies like Mazinger Z vs The Great Dark General (1974)
The best movies like Mazinger Z vs The Great Dark General (1974) are My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019), Gurren Lagann the Movie: The Lights in the Sky Are Stars (2009) and Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part Two (2023). If Mazinger Z vs The Great Dark General hooked you with its animation and action, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedMy Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019)8.1/10 from 1,324 votes
- NewestPrincess Principal Crown Handler: Chapter 4 (2025)Released 2025
- In JapaneseMy Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019)Also in Japanese
My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019)
Class 1-A visits Nabu Island where they finally get to do some real hero work. The place is so peaceful that it's more like a vacation... until they're attacked by a villain with an unfathomable Quirk! His power is eerily familiar, and it looks like Shigaraki had a hand in the plan. But with All Might retired and citizens' lives on the line, there's no time for questions. Deku and his friends are the next generation of heroes, and they're the island's only hope.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisGurren Lagann the Movie: The Lights in the Sky Are Stars (2009)
Seven years have passed after the battle of Teppelin... Humans have since reclaimed the surface of the earth and enjoy an unprecedented period of peace and prosperity. However, humanity's increasing population growth triggers the sudden emergence of an unknown, powerful enemy. The fearsome, manipulative power of the mysterious Anti-Spiral proves too overwhelming for humans to even fight back. When everyone becomes desperate and loses hope, Team Dai-Gurren members reunite to stand up once again!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisJustice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part Two (2023)
On the heels of successfully escaping a deadly digital trap, the members of the Justice League emerge in their own world to discover that Grimm, ravenous creatures from Remnant, have overtaken Earth! In order to defeat the monsters, they must call on their new friends – Team RWBY – for help!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMy Hero Academia: You're Next (2024)
In a society devastated by the effects of an all-out war between heroes and villains, a mysterious giant fortress suddenly appears, engulfing towns and people one after another. Then, a man reminiscent of All Might, the 'symbol of peace', stands in front of Izuku and his friends...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGurren Lagann The Movie: Childhood's End (2008)
Simon and Kamina live in an underground city monitored by the village chief. When Simon stumbles upon an artifact and beastmen invade from the surface, Simon and Kamina rebel against them.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMacross Plus: The Movie (1995)
Three decades after the great war between the humans and the Zentradi, the U.N. government is developing new technologies to use in their transforming fighter aircraft by running tests on the colony planet Eden. Military test pilots and former childhood friends, loose cannon Isamu Alva Dyson and the Zentradi mixed race Guld Goa Bowman, are selected to each pilot a new aircraft (Shinsei Industries' YF-19 & General Galaxy's YF-21) for Project Super Nova, to choose the newest successor to the VF-11 Thunderbolt variable fighter which is currently still in use by the U.N. Spacy military forces. Their own personal grudges end up disrupting the tests, and begin to wreak havoc on the program.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMazinger Z: Infinity (2017)
When the evil Dr. Hell attacks the Earth, the mighty giant mecha Mazinger Z is formed to stop him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPatlabor 2: The Movie (1993)
A Japanese police unit who use giant anthropomorphic robots (called Labors) is caught up in a political struggle between the civilian authorities and the military when a terrorist act is blamed on an Air Force jet. With the aid of a government agent, the team gets close to a terrorist leader to stop things from going out of control when after the military is impelled to impose martial law.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCode Geass: Akito the Exiled 4: Memories of Hatred (2015)
While W-0 is away, Leila and the remaining crew at base find themselves surrounded by Britannian Knightmares. Piloting the Vercingetorix, Shin Hyuuga leads the enemy charge, having usurped the position of Grand Master in the Knights of St. Michael. With her core members unavailable, it's up to Leila to protect her comrades, but this may be much tougher than she realizes: a spy lurking among them is finally ready to reveal himself. Left with no choice but to surrender, Leila arranges a meeting with Shin in order to ensure the safety of her squad. But as negotiations begin to fall apart, Akito and an unexpected ally return in the nick of time to turn things around.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCode Geass: Akito the Exiled 3: The Brightness Falls (2015)
After discovering the face of their true enemy, someone who is related to Akito and responsible for the Geass placed upon him, W-0 attempts to return to their base at Castle Weisswolf. However, stranded in Warsaw due to a complication involving their military identification, they are forced to accept the help of local gypsies, allowing the squad to take some time to deepen their bonds. Meanwhile, Britannian advisor Julius Kingsley and his guard Suzaku Kururugi begin working together with the Knights of St. Michael in order to crush the European resistance once and for all, armed with the destructive power of a giant weapon known as the Ark Fleet.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCode Geass: Akito the Exiled 2: The Wyvern Divided (2013)
The war between Euro Britannia and the European Union continues. New orders are given to the W-0 Unit. To land in the middle of the enemy territory as a diversion. The pilots of the W-0 Unit consist only of the commanding officer, Leila, the only surviving Japanese from their last battle, Akito, and the three that escaped from the Eleven ghettos and lived in the underworld, Ryou, Yukiya, and Ayano. With everyone holding their respective expectations, the operation moves forward. On the other side in Euro Britannia, Shin, who made his benefactor commit suicide with the mysterious power of “Geass”, is appointed the leader of the Knights of St. Michael. As Shin steadily advances for the sake of his own ambition, he and his subordinates in the Ashura squad are given orders to deploy. The one that lives in order to fight, and the one that fights in order to live.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCode Geass: Akito the Exiled 5: To Beloved Ones (2016)
The Ark Fleet has been destroyed, and a significant number of the enemy's troops have been wiped out due to its crash landing. As the remaining forces of the Holy Order of Michael regroup in order to launch a final assault on Weiswolf Castle, the wZERO unit, along with their new ally Ashley Ashra, stand ready to intercept them. Meanwhile, with his Geass out of control, Shin moves to erase his younger brother's existence once and for all. But Akito, having promised Leila that he will come back alive, refuses to accept such a fate, and the two clash in their final battle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTransformers: Beginnings (2007)
On their home planet of Cybertron, the Autobots and Decepticons are involved in an explosive battle over the coveted AllSpark. With the fate of the universe at stake, the Autobots send it far from the reaches of the ruthless Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. But there are even more surprises in store when it crash-lands on Earth.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPatlabor WXIII the Movie (2002)
Set in the year 2000, when the level of Labor accidents begin to escalate around Tokyo Bay, police detectives Kusumi and Hata are assigned to investigate. What they discover leads to a series of government cover-ups, conspiracy concerning a new biological weapon entitled WXIII-Wasted Thirteen and a tragic, personal connection to Hata. The only hope to stop this threat is to cooperate with the military and lead WXIII into a showdown with the Labors of Special Vehicle Division 2.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPatlabor: The Movie (1989)
A mysterious suicide and a series of unmanned robot run-aways sparks off a Police investigation into the suspicious software on-board thousands of industrial robots around Tokyo.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both action & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIron Man: Rise of Technovore (2013)
Iron Man enlists the help of ruthless vigilante the Punisher to track down War Machine's murderer. All the while, he's being pursued by S.H.I.E.L.D. agents Black Widow and Hawkeye, who suspect his involvement in a recent terrorist plot.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCode Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion I - Initiation (2017)
The world is at war. Lelouch Lamperouge, an exiled prince, encounters a strange girl known as C.C., who gifts him with a great power. With this ability, Lelouch can get anyone to do as he wills. But the power of Geass: is it a blessing…or a curse?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisYu Yu Hakusho: The Movie - Poltergeist Report (1994)
When the Spirit World is flooded due to an unusual rainfall which overflows the River Sanzu (aka the River Styx), Lord Koenma senses an extremely powerful enemy. He entrusts Death God Botan, to deliver to Spirit Detective Yusuke, a mysterious item which must be protected from the invading enemy. However, by the time Botan finds Yusuke, she's too weak to explain the situation. Yusuke and his friends are left in the dark about the new enemy, but not for long. Soon it is a battle for Earth between mere Spirit Detectives and the almighty king of the Netherworld.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLEGO Marvel Spider-Man: Vexed by Venom (2019)
Thanks to Green Goblin and Venom, tech theft is now at an all-time high. Can our Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man put an end to their mysterious villainous scheme before all of New York City is destroyed?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPromare (2019)
Galo and the Burning Rescue Fire Department face off against BURNISH, a group of mutants who are able to control and wield flames, and the fire disaster they have unleashed on Earth.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPrincess Principal Crown Handler: Chapter 4 (2025)
After a failed attempt to defect Princess Mary, Team White Pigeon is captured by the Kingdom's Home Office. When the Duke of Normandy discovers that the girls are spies for the Commonwealth, he orders them to become double agents for the Kingdom. Princesses is placed under the control of the Duke of Normandy, and the other four spies are temporarily released while remaining under constant surveillance. Meanwhile on Control's side, this incident leads to suspicions that the members of Team White Pigeon have become double agents for the Kingdom. In order to investigate the matter, Control assigns the team a new mission.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & action
Pokémon: The First Movie (1998)
Determined to prove its superiority, a bio-engineered Pokémon called Mewtwo lures Ash, Pikachu and others into a Pokémon match like none before.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like this.hack//G.U. Trilogy (2007)
Join Haseo on his quest to track down Tri-Edge, the devious PK responsible for leaving one of his closest friends in a coma. Along the way he meets Atolli, a gentle girl who takes an interest in him despite his chilly demeanor. Together, Haseo and Atolli will attempt to survive long enough to decipher the riddle of the entities known as AIDAs—and save their fellow gamers from permanent sleep.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & action
The Seven Deadly Sins: Grudge of Edinburgh Part 2 (2023)
Reunited with Lancelot for the first time since their tragic accident, Tristan must learn to conquer his inner demons in order to save his mother's life.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & action
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPokémon: The Rise of Darkrai (2007)
Ash and friends (this time accompanied by newcomer Dawn) arrive at an idyllic village on their way to their next Pokemon contest, where chaos will soon erupt with the prophecy of two Pokemon Gods (Dialga and Palkia) and the arrival of a mysterious, seemingly deadly Pokemon named Darkrai, which has the power to distort space and time.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team - Miller's Report (1998)
Universal Century 0079. The One Year War rages on, and Shiro Amada and his unit, the 08th MS team, continue their struggle against Zeon forces in the jungles of Southeast Asia. But recent events have put them under close scrutiny by Federation leaders. Alice Miller, an officer of the Federation Intelligence Division, has been dispatched to ascertain the truth behind a series of events leading to the capture of a new enemy mobile armor. As she begins her investigation, the lines between Federation and Zeon become blurred. Is there really a spy among the 08th MS team?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & action
Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem (2003)
Four talented alien musicians are kidnapped by a record producer who disguises them as humans. Shep, a space pilot in love with bass player Stella, follows them to Earth. Reprogrammed to forget their real identities and renamed The Crescendolls, the group quickly becomes a huge success playing soulless corporate pop. At a concert, Shep manages to free all the musicians except Stella, and the band sets out to rediscover who they really are — and to rescue Stella.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisYu-Gi-Oh! The Movie (2004)
After the conclusion of the Battle City Tournament, deep below the sands of Egypt, an ancient evil has awakened. Anubis, who was defeated centuries ago by Yugi’s mysterious alter ego – the ancient Pharaoh – has returned for revenge. Wielding the power of the Eighth Millennium Item, Anubis is determined to destroy Yugi and take over the world.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & action
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBabel II (1992)
In this animated science-fiction saga from Japan, psychic powers turn an ordinary student into the superwarrior Babel II, who must fight for the world's safety against a pack of angry zombies
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both action & animation
Castle Combiner Oshirobots (2022)
The project reimagines the historical castles in Japan as giant robots that transform and combine. In particular, the above short features the Kumamoto, Takamatsu, and Aizu-Wakamatsu Castles. A group of children and the Shirodama (the castles' souls, who are actually historical army commanders) join forces to pilot the castles.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & action
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Mazinger Z vs The Great Dark General?
The closest matches to Mazinger Z vs The Great Dark General are My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019), Gurren Lagann the Movie: The Lights in the Sky Are Stars (2009) and Justice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part Two (2023). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Mazinger Z vs The Great Dark General?
Start with My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019), the closest match to Mazinger Z vs The Great Dark General.
What is the highest-rated movie like Mazinger Z vs The Great Dark General?
My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019), rated 8.1/10 by 1,324 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Mazinger Z vs The Great Dark General?
Princess Principal Crown Handler: Chapter 4 (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Mazinger Z vs The Great Dark General?
Yes: My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising (2019), Gurren Lagann the Movie: The Lights in the Sky Are Stars (2009) and My Hero Academia: You're Next (2024).
How are movies similar to Mazinger Z vs The Great Dark General chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Mazinger Z vs The Great Dark General, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.