Movies like Octonauts and the Great Barrier Reef (2020)
The best movies like Octonauts and the Great Barrier Reef (2020) are Octonauts and the Caves of Sac Actun (2020), The Highway Rat (2018) and Dragons: Rescue Riders: Hunt for the Golden Dragon (2020). If Octonauts and the Great Barrier Reef hooked you with its family and animation, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedMoana (2016)7.6/10 from 14,172 votes
- NewestMoana (2026)Released 2026
Octonauts and the Caves of Sac Actun (2020)
The Octonauts embark on an underwater adventure, navigating a set of challenging caves to help a small octopus friend return to the Caribbean Sea.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both family & animation
The Highway Rat (2018)
The tale of a ravenous rat who craves buns, biscuits and all sweet things. Tearing along the highway, he searches for sugary treats to steal, until his sweet tooth leads him to a sticky end.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both family & animation
Dragons: Rescue Riders: Hunt for the Golden Dragon (2020)
It's the treasure hunt of a lifetime for the Rescue Riders, who must race to find a precious golden dragon egg and protect it from evil pirates.
Why it matches: Fans watch both · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMoana (2016)
In Ancient Polynesia, when a terrible curse incurred by Maui reaches an impetuous Chieftain's daughter's island, she answers the Ocean's call to seek out the demigod to set things right.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisUnder the Boardwalk (2023)
Two crabs embark on an epic journey to get home after a storm sweeps them away. Their courage soon unites their families, paving the way for great summers to come.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJonah: A VeggieTales Movie (2002)
Get ready as Bob the Tomato, Larry the Cucumber and the rest of the Veggies set sail on a whale of an adventure in Big Idea's first full-length, 3-D animated feature film. This is the story of Jonah and the Whale as you've never seen it before - a story where we learn that one of the best gifts you can give - or get - is a second chance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDory's Reef Cam (2020)
Dive into the waters below and watch the aquatic wildlife from the world of Nemo and Dory.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
SnoozefestMovies like thisRobin Robin (2021)
A bird raised by mice begins to question where she belongs and sets off on a daring journey of self-discovery.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Pagemaster (1994)
Rich knows a lot about accidents. So much so, he is scared to do anything that might endanger him, like riding his bike, or climbing into his treehouse. While in an old library, he is mystically transported into the unknown world of books, and he has to try and get home again.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMoana 2 (2024)
After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana journeys alongside Maui and a new crew to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she's ever faced.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOnce Upon a Forest (1993)
A young mouse, mole and hedgehog risk their lives to find a cure for their badger friend, who's been poisoned by men.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Land Before Time IX: Journey to Big Water (2002)
Littlefoot befriends with a mysterious, fun-loving dolphin-like creature named Mo, who is trapped in "new water" caused by heavy rain. The gang then goes on an adventure to the "big water" to bring Mo home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBarbie: Dolphin Magic (2017)
Barbie and her sisters take off on another exciting, global adventure to visit their friend Ken at his summer internship at a beautiful and exotic coral reef.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Pout-Pout Fish (2026)
Living on a rundown shipwreck, Mr. Fish one day discovers a hyperactive young sea dragon Pip – who had mistaken his home for a junkyard – pilfering his belongings. The heated argument that ensues leaves both their houses in ruin. But there is hope! Embarking on a seemingly impossible quest in search of the mythical 'Shimmer' to grant them a wish, there’s only one problem: someone else is on the hunt...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCurious George 3: Back to the Jungle (2015)
When Curious George is offered a special space mission, Ted (The Man in the Yellow Hat) can't deny his little friend this exciting journey, especially after Curious George completes the training. But when he crash-lands in Africa, a worried Ted goes searching, expecting the worst, only to have it turn out to be the best.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Snail and the Whale (2020)
A half hour animated film for all the family based on the much-loved book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. The Snail and the Whale is the much loved classic that shows us a restless young snail who has ambitions to travel the world. The other snails think she should stay put, but she puts out a call for a “Lift wanted around the world”. Eventually her call is answered by a great big grey-blue humpback whale! She sets off with him across the seas. On their journey the snail and the whale discover towering icebergs and far-off lands, fiery mountains and golden sands. The snail is delighted by the wonderful world around her, until she realises how small it makes her feel.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMoana (2026)
Teenage Moana answers the Ocean's call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with infamous demigod Maui on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & adventure
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 & adventure
SnoozefestMovies like thisIt's a SpongeBob Christmas! (2012)
At Christmastime in Bikini Bottom, everyone's excited except Plankton, who always gets a lump of coal from Santa. But he vows this year he'll finally get his wish – the Krabby Patty formula! And it won't be by being good. He's gonna make everyone in Bikini Bottom bad!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Tigger Movie (2000)
Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Owl, Kanga, Roo, and Rabbit are preparing a suitable winter home for Eeyore, the perennially dejected donkey, but Tigger's continual bouncing interrupts their efforts. Rabbit suggests that Tigger go find others of his kind to bounce with, but Tigger thinks "the most wonderful thing about tiggers is" he's "the only one!" Just in case though, the joyously jouncy feline sets out to see if he can find relatives.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJurassic World Camp Cretaceous: Hidden Adventure (2022)
After a big storm, food is scarce — and hungry dinos are everywhere. It's up to you to help the Camp Fam survive in this thrilling interactive special.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMinions & More Volume 2 (2022)
This collection of 11 short films produced by Illumination includes: From the "Despicable Me" franchise: Mower Minions (2016); Yellow Is the New Black (2018); Competition (2015); Cro Minion (2015); Binky Nelson Unpacified (2015); Panic in the Mailroom (2013). From the "Secret Life of Pets" franchise: Super Gidget (2019). From the "Sing" franchise: Eddie's Life Coach (2017); Gunter Babysits (2017). From the "Lorax" franchise: Serenade (2012); Wagon Ho! (2012).
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Swan Princess: The Mystery of the Enchanted Kingdom (1998)
The royal couple Odette and Derek face yet another evil magician, this time a woman named Zelda. Lusting for the treasure of the Forbidden Arts, which will give her absolute power, Zelda kidnaps Odette as ransom. Derek and several animal friends head off to rescue Odette
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFunny Pot (1990)
Once a potter made a pot that could laugh. Whoever takes it in their hands immediately starts laughing.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both family & animation
En Rang Par Deux (2020)
The idea for this film comes from the encounter with two African boys who live in Rome, and is based on their music. Tunisian Afif and Senegalese Aliou tell their different stories, talk about friendship, immigration, freedom and, above all, about the fundamental value of making music together.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
About the Hippopotamus Who Was Afraid of Inoculations (1966)
Fabulous animals bathed, rested and had fun on the summer beach of the southern town. Suddenly, the rest was interrupted by an urgent message on a hanging poster: "Everyone needs to vaccinate vaccinations from elephant to fly!". However, all the animals, having read the message, as if nothing had happened, began to rest, dance and sunbathe again. And only Behemoth, worried, began to ask everyone how scary and painful it was to vaccinate.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Alice in Not So Wonderland (2007)
The story of Alice in Wonderland, explored in the stop-motion world of the Quay brothers.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
The Buffalo Boy and His Flute (1963)
A young boy who likes to play the flute dreams that he has lost his water buffalo.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)
A ship sent to investigate a wave of mysterious sinkings encounters the advanced submarine, the Nautilus, commanded by Captain Nemo.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Big Blue (1988)
Childhood friends Jacques and Enzo share a passion for the danger of free diving. Jacques, following in the footsteps of his father, who died at sea when Jacques was a boy, harbors a remarkable ability to adjust his heart rate and breathing patterns in the water, with his vital signs more closely resembling those of dolphins than men.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Octonauts and the Great Barrier Reef?
The closest matches to Octonauts and the Great Barrier Reef are Octonauts and the Caves of Sac Actun (2020), The Highway Rat (2018) and Dragons: Rescue Riders: Hunt for the Golden Dragon (2020). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Octonauts and the Great Barrier Reef?
People who watched Octonauts and the Great Barrier Reef most often go on to Octonauts and the Caves of Sac Actun (2020), The Highway Rat (2018) and Dragons: Rescue Riders: Hunt for the Golden Dragon (2020).
What is the highest-rated movie like Octonauts and the Great Barrier Reef?
Moana (2016), rated 7.6/10 by 14,172 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Octonauts and the Great Barrier Reef?
Moana (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Octonauts and the Great Barrier Reef?
Yes: Octonauts and the Caves of Sac Actun (2020), The Highway Rat (2018) and Dragons: Rescue Riders: Hunt for the Golden Dragon (2020).
How are movies similar to Octonauts and the Great Barrier Reef chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Octonauts and the Great Barrier Reef, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.