Movies like Waste Away (2020)
The best movies like Waste Away (2020) are Monster High: Scaris City of Frights (2013), The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (2012) and The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow (2013). If Waste Away hooked you with its animation and fantasy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedMonster High: Why Do Ghouls Fall in Love? (2012)8.0/10 from 208 votes
- NewestWoollen sock (2026)Released 2026
Monster 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 Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (2012)
After a hurricane levels his city, a young man wanders into a mysterious library where books literally come to life. This film won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 2012.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow (2013)
When Brainy Smurf is favored to win the annual Smurfberry Hunt for the ninth year in a row, Gutsy Smurf sets out to discover how Brainy wins every year. Gutsy’s investigation takes him into spooky Smurfy Hollow–and right into Gargamel’s trap! Can Brainy and Gutsy, with the help of Smurfette, put aside their rivalry before Gargamel captures them–or worse, they come face-to-face with the legendary ghost, the Headless Horseman?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPuppy! (2017)
The residents of Hotel Transylvania find their world turned upside-down when youngster Dennis gets a surprise monster-sized pet.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 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 & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJustice League x RWBY: Super Heroes & Huntsmen, Part One (2023)
Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Cyborg, Green Lantern and Vixen are transported to the strange world of Remnant and find themselves turned into teenagers. Meanwhile, Remnant heroes Ruby, Weiss, Blake and Yang must combine forces with the Justice League to uncover why their planet has been mysteriously altered before a superpowered Grimm destroys everything.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLou (2017)
A lost-and-found box holds a mysterious and unseen monster within.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation
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 & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDC Showcase: The Phantom Stranger (2020)
Jess joins her friends at a party in a dilapidated mansion hosted by the mysterious Seth. When odd things begin to happen to Jess and her friends, the Phantom Stranger intervenes to save her from a dreary fate.
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 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 House (2022)
Across different eras, a poor family, an anxious developer and a fed-up landlady become tied to the same mysterious house in this animated dark comedy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMonster Family (2017)
The Wishbone family are far from happy. In an attempt to reconnect as a family, they plan a fun night out. However, the plan backfires when they are cursed and all turned into Monsters.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Maker (2011)
A strange creature races against time to make the most important and beautiful creation of his life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
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
SnoozefestMovies like thisNight of the Animated Dead (2021)
An animated retelling of ‘Night of the Living Dead’, in which a group of people in a rural farmhouse struggle to survive the threat of bloodthirsty zombies.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Furious Five (2008)
Ordered to teach a martial arts class of rambunctious bunny kittens, Po tells stories of each of the Furious Five's pasts.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHawaiian Vacation (2011)
The toys throw Ken and Barbie a Hawaiian vacation in Bonnie's room.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFixed (2025)
After learning he's getting neutered, a dog has 24 hours to squeeze in one last balls-to-the-wall adventure with the boys.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHappy 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 & fantasy
Dream Journal 2016–2019 (2019)
This single-channel video explores the effects of technology and information overload on the contemporary psyche. Set in a virtual tech-noir urban space populated by strange hybrids of non-humans and augmented people, part of the expansive, fractured narrative focuses on the continued adventures of Xanax Girl and her search for her companion—a hybrid dog/seal with the head of a boy—who has been abducted. The film, which arose from the artist’s daily practice of animating his dreams using hobbyist 3D software, weaves together deep-web imagery with hardboiled detective story tropes and repressed libidinal fantasies to create a nightmarish vision of an internet addict’s unconscious. The film features an original score by Oneohtrix Point Never and James Ferraro.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
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 fantasy & animation
Everkeep (2026)
A haunting and tender fable of innocence, wonder, and the passage of time, "Everkeep" follows Odette, a lonely girl who dwells in the vast, enchanted expanse of a castle garden. Wrapped in her own world, she clings to childhood magic, convinced she can remain in this place forever.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
Bratz 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
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 animation
The Wolf House (2018)
After escaping from a religious colony in Chile, Maria seeks shelter in a mansion where she’s taken in by two pigs, its only inhabitants. Like in a stop-motion dream, the universe of the house reacts to her feelings. The animals slowly morph into humans and the house into a dark, menacing world.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWoollen sock (2026)
Woollen sock joins in a loud concert with pots and pans, but can woollen sock ever be heard by others?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Five Minutes for Health (1959)
An enthusiast of morning gymnastics is so entangled during exercise that a doctor's intervention is needed.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both 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
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Waste Away?
The closest matches to Waste Away are Monster High: Scaris City of Frights (2013), The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (2012) and The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow (2013). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Waste Away?
Start with Monster High: Scaris City of Frights (2013), the closest match to Waste Away.
What is the highest-rated movie like Waste Away?
Monster High: Why Do Ghouls Fall in Love? (2012), rated 8.0/10 by 208 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Waste Away?
Woollen sock (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Waste Away?
Yes: Monster High: Scaris City of Frights (2013), The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (2012) and The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow (2013).
How are movies similar to Waste Away chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Waste Away, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.