Movies like In Your Dreams (2020)
The best movies like In Your Dreams (2020) are Heavy Traffic (1973), Waking Life (2001) and The House (2022). If In Your Dreams hooked you with its animation, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
In Your Dreams
Quick picks
- Highest ratedOnce Upon a Studio (2023)8.3/10 from 457 votes
- NewestTag! You’re It! (2026)Released 2026
Heavy Traffic (1973)
A white dropout struggles to become a cartoonist and filmmaker, drawing inspiration from the harsh, gritty world around him. Still sharing his rundown apartment with his middle-aged parents, an oafish slob of an Italian father and a ditzy nutcase of a Jewish mother, he's ridiculed and looked down upon by his friends, hypocrites who run with violent gangs and the Italian Mafia, and a shallow Black girl who makes her living downtown with the pimps and pushers. The cartoonist gets a chance to pitch a film idea to a movie mogul, but the story proves too outrageous: a far-future Earth, depleted by war and pollution, where a mutant antihero challenges and kills God.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWaking Life (2001)
Waking Life is about a young man in a persistent lucid dream-like state. The film follows its protagonist as he initially observes and later participates in philosophical discussions that weave together issues like reality, free will, our relationships with others, and the meaning of life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies 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
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDestino (2003)
Short film to a song of love lost and rediscovered, a woman sees and undergoes surreal transformations. Her lover's face melts off, she dons a dress from the shadow of a bell and becomes a dandelion, ants crawl out of a hand and become Frenchmen riding bicycles. Not to mention the turtles with faces on their backs that collide to form a ballerina, or the bizarre baseball game.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNo Time for Nuts (2006)
Scrat comes across a time machine and is transported to various times all in pursuit of his beloved acorn.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisScrat's Continental Crack-Up: Part 2 (2011)
This short film continues the adventures of the title character as he tries to retrieve his elusive acorn.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEarly to Bed (1941)
Donald has to get up early, but everything seems to be working to keep him awake. His loudly ticking alarm clock resists several attempts to quiet it. Donald ultimately swallows it; the glow-in-the-dark dial can be seen through his feathers. Then his folding bed folds up on him. Springs start popping out of it; Donald builds an elaborate framework to hold it down. Finally, enough of the clock reassembles itself to sound the alarm and night is over.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Yankee Doodle Mouse (1943)
As Tom and Jerry stage their typical fight sequences, the patriotic soldier theme of the title is evidenced by such things as a carton of eggs labeled "Hen Grenades"; Jerry dropping light bulbs from an airplane like bombs; and Jerry sending a telegram with the message "Sighted Cat - Sank Same." Musical phrasings from various patriotic war songs are heard throughout. The cut scene after Jerry hitting Tom with the board 4 times was cut from the 1950 reissue print for a war bond joke, and the original footage is currently considered "lost" due to the negatives destroyed in the 1978 George Eastman House fire.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDay & Night (2010)
When Day, a sunny fellow, encounters Night, a stranger of distinctly darker moods, sparks fly! Day and Night are frightened and suspicious of each other at first, and quickly get off on the wrong foot. But as they discover each other's unique qualities--and come to realize that each of them offers a different window onto the same world-the friendship helps both to gain a new perspective.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSea Scouts (1939)
Donald is an admiral on a seagoing voyage with his nephews in which they encounter a ravenous shark.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisYellow Is the New Black (2018)
An adventure about two Minions who make a daring (though temporary) escape from jail. As they navigate the chaos of their breakout, their antics showcase the Minions' signature blend of resourcefulness and mischief, resulting in a short filled with hilariously unpredictable moments.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChips Ahoy (1956)
Chip and Dale are starving in their tree home when they notice a plentiful supply of acorns on an island in a lake. To get to the island, they borrow a miniature model ship of Donald's to sail on. The irate Donald, however, doesn't appreciate them stealing his ship and makes several attempts to get it back and thwart their scheme to get to their acorn paradise. Chip and Dale are, of course, always one step ahead of Donald.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisParty Central (2014)
Mike and Sulley are back at Monsters University for a fun-filled weekend with their Oozma Kappa fraternity brothers. The gang is throwing their first party, but no one’s showing up. Luckily for them, Mike and Sulley have come up with a plan to make sure “Party Central” is the most epic party the school has ever seen.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEverything Will Be OK (2006)
A series of dark and troubling events forces Bill to reckon with the meaning of his life… or lack thereof.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMater and the Ghostlight (2006)
Mater, the rusty but trusty tow truck from Cars, spends a day in Radiator Springs playing scary pranks on his fellow townsfolk. That night at Flo's V8 Café, the Sheriff tells the story of the legend of the Ghostlight, and as everyone races home Mater is left alone primed for a good old-fashioned scare.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies 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
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSolid Serenade (1946)
Tom ties up Spike and sneaks into the courtyard of the glamorous Toodles Galore with his bass, hoping to woo her with his song, much to the annoyance of a sleeping Jerry.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOnce Upon a Studio (2023)
Created for Disney's 100th anniversary, the short features Mickey Mouse corralling a gallery of legendary Disney characters for a group photo.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Absolute CinemaMovies 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
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWynken, Blynken & Nod (1938)
Three sleepy babies in a clog-boat sailing through the night sky attempt to fish with candy canes for very smart fish.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Window Means Longing (2022)
It’s a story of a girl dreaming of a fuller life. With the help of a kind stranger, she has to overcome her fears. Her trepidations may appear absurd but are far more serious in their nature.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Garden Party (2017)
In a deserted rich house, a couple of amphibians explore their surroundings and follow their primal instincts.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDede is Dead (2023)
Dede is dead. Before, she was always around: day and night, outside or inside, nestled in the family's arms. In his animation, Philippe Kastner shows the darkness of grief and the rich colours of memories and dreams. Dede was not just any dog. She was his dog.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Palomita (2025)
A hungry pidgeon finds a box of popcorn, down on a bench, and tries to reach it. The only thing it stops him to get it it's the rain.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Medvědění (2024)
An allegorical animated film about bear love and tenderness that every mom understands.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Unveil (2024)
Camille, a fan of a cat cartoon, is embarrassed when they see their classmates making fun of a student carrying a backpack featuring the show. In adolescence, when the opinions of others matter so much, how do you deal with the fear of being judged for what you love ?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
The Mumps (2000)
In the diary of a six-year-old girl, Marie, we learn what important things happened during one holiday month before she started first grade and how she perceived the changes in her family.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Ironing Board (2022)
A Gossy New Wave Production - A lonely and obsessive young man asks an old friend to help him fix a mysterious ironing board.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Septik Necromation (TBA)
Rebeka, a goth middle schooler, is constantly bullied by her classmates Britt and Tiff. After a rough school day she escapes to the graveyard , feeling hopeless until an expected rockstar rises from the grave. Together, they form a band and set out to win the competition, proving she has what it takes.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Tag! You’re It! (2026)
One night in an art museum, Sunny and Pippin, two girls living inside of the paintings, play a game of tag spanning the history of human art.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Like In Your Dreams and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like In Your Dreams?
The closest matches to In Your Dreams are Heavy Traffic (1973), Waking Life (2001) and The House (2022). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after In Your Dreams?
Start with Heavy Traffic (1973), the closest match to In Your Dreams.
What is the highest-rated movie like In Your Dreams?
Once Upon a Studio (2023), rated 8.3/10 by 457 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like In Your Dreams?
Tag! You’re It! (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like In Your Dreams?
Yes: Heavy Traffic (1973), Waking Life (2001) and The House (2022).
How are movies similar to In Your Dreams chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside In Your Dreams, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.