Movies like Thumbelina (1993)
The best movies like Thumbelina (1993) are Hilda and the Mountain King (2021), Welcome to Smelliville (2021) and Return to Never Land (2002). If Thumbelina hooked you with its animation and adventure, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedAvatar Aang: The Last Airbender (2026)9.0/10 from 1,430 votes
- NewestWildwood (2026)Released 2026
Hilda and the Mountain King (2021)
When Hilda wakes up in the body of a troll, she must use her wits and courage to get back home, become human again — and save the city of Trolberg.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWelcome to Smelliville (2021)
The Oggly family arrive at the municipal rubbish dump of Smelliville and must look for a new home, but they never feel really welcome anywhere. They stink and are for most humans just a tad too oggly. When Firebottom, the family dragon, crash-lands on the run-down rubbish tip of the small town of Smelliville, the Ogglies at once feel at home. And it's here they want to stay.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisReturn to Never Land (2002)
In 1940, the world is besieged by World War II. Wendy, all grown up, has two children; including Jane, who does not believe Wendy's stories about Peter Pan.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWildwood (2026)
Prue and her classmate Curtis are drawn into a magical forest filled with enchanted creatures, loyal allies, and formidable adversaries as they embark on a desperate quest to rescue Prue's abducted baby brother from a murder of crows led by a mysterious woman named Alexandra.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisAvatar Aang: The Last Airbender (2026)
Avatar Aang, the world's last Airbender, learns of an ancient power that could save his culture from extinction. With the help of his friends, he embarks on a global quest to find it before it falls into the wrong hands and threatens to upend the peace they sacrificed everything to achieve.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Princess and the Goblin (1991)
The story is about the Princess Irene and a young warrior boy named Curty. Irene must use her magic power to fight off goblins and save the kingdom.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
SnoozefestMovies 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 & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run (2020)
When his best friend Gary is suddenly snatched away, SpongeBob takes Patrick on a madcap mission far beyond Bikini Bottom to save their pink-shelled pal.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisZog (2018)
Zog is a keen young dragon who wants to learn to fly, roar, and breathe fire, so he studies at the Dragon School. He is desperate to impress his teacher and win a golden star, but he is prone to accidents and he has to be helped by a kind young girl who patches up his bumps and bruises.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 fantasy & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 adventure & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMonster 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 thisSofia the First: Once Upon a Princess (2012)
Set in the storybook world of Enchancia, the music-filled movie follows Sofia, an average girl whose life suddenly changes when her mother marries the king and she is whisked off to live in a castle with her mom, new step-father, King Roland II, and step-siblings, Amber and James. Along the way this ordinary girl learns to navigate the extraordinary life of royalty, and in the process makes everyone around her feel special.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSofia the First: The Floating Palace (2013)
After Sofia helps a little mermaid named Oona, Sofia's amulet grants her the power to transform into a mermaid and visit her new friend's underwater kingdom. But when Cedric (disguised as a seamonster) plots to steal Oona's enchanted Mermaid Comb, danger surfaces for both worlds. With a little help from special guest, Princess Ariel, Sofia embarks on an adventure to rescue Oona and prevent a typhoon before it's too late.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & adventure
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMonster High: Frights, Camera, Action! (2014)
When Draculaura is led to believe she's the rightful heir to the vampire throne, she and her best ghoulfriends are whisked away to Transylvania for a royal coronation to die for. But they soon discover the hunt for the queen is not over yet. The Ghouls must locate an ancient artifact known as the Vampire's Heart in order to discover the identity of the true Vampire Queen. It's a fangtastic adventure that will lead them from the Tower of Londoom, to a haunted river boat in New Goreleans and finally to the glamorous boo-vie lots of Hauntlywood. Could this be the moment when Draculara finally receives her vampire powers and discovers screams really can come true?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Tooth Fairy Tale (2025)
Van, the brave son of a tooth fairy leader, meets the goblins girl Gemma on his first mission. Despite the myths about ancient disputes between fairies and goblins, they share common values. When the greedy Spider Queen threatens both tribes, they must work together.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies 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 thisSlumberland (2022)
A young girl discovers a secret map to the dreamworld of Slumberland, and with the help of an eccentric outlaw, she traverses dreams and flees nightmares, with the hope that she will be able to see her late father again.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStewie Griffin: The Untold Story (2005)
The maniacal baby of the Griffin family, Stewie, meets his future self. In doing this he discovers that his future image is not what he has anticipated because of a near death experience.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDisney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams (2007)
Princess Aurora and Princess Jasmine learn valuable life lessons in two short stories.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAttack on Titan: The Roar of Awakening (2018)
Eren Yeager and others of the 104th Training Corps have just begun to become full members of the Survey Corps. As they ready themselves to face the Titans once again, their preparations are interrupted by the invasion of Wall Rose—but all is not as it seems as more mysteries are unraveled. As the Survey Corps races to save the wall, they uncover more about the invading Titans and the dark secrets of their own members.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & adventure
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisEureka Seven Hi-Evolution 1 (2017)
It all begins with the story that was left untold—the earth-shattering incident where Renton's father disappeared. With the mysterious pilot Eureka by his side, only Adroc Thurston could undo his own mistake, sparking the event that changed everything and earned him the title of a hero. Now, ten years later, Eureka lies in critical condition as Renton leaves the crew of the Gekko. But when he finds himself in the care of his father's old friends, he has a choice to make. Either stay with the loving family he's always wanted, or earn the love he seeks.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & adventure
Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Special Edition II: End of World (2009)
Like the Japanese Special Editions of other Gundam and Sunrise anime series, this is the second of three volumes, that will condense the first half of the second season of Gundam 00 into feature-length videos. They all feature some new animated sequences and some partially re-recorded dialogue.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure & animation
Fist of the North Star - TV Compilation 3 - Legend of the Conqueror of Century's End - Raoh Must Die! (1988)
Compilation film covering the fourth arc of the Fist of the North Star TV series involving Raoh
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & adventure
Gurren 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: Similar story and style · both animation & adventure
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Legend of Zorro (1996)
Diego Vega returns from his study trip to discover his homeland is under the army's dictatorship. Diego, refusing to watch idly, disguises himself as Zorro to protect the weak and oppressed. Diego is not a coward but he is unable to win the affections of his sweetheart, Lolita, who is attracted to other more noble men. Diego serenades Lolita as Zorro and fights the evils of his homeland, hoping to capture her heart.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
To Trap a Spy (1965)
The men from U.N.C.L.E. must stop the assassination of an African head of state with the help of a simple housewife.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both adventure
Detective Conan: The Story of Ai Haibara: Black Iron Mystery Train (2023)
Ai Haibara (autonym Shiho Miyano a.k.a. Sherry). A woman with three identities, who boldly faces her destiny. Shiho Miyano (code name: Sherry), a scientist and a member of the Black Organization. The organization was the one that developed a mysterious poison APTX (Apotoxin) 4869, the drug that turned Shinichi Kudo into a little boy! However, when Sherry realizes that the Black Organization has murdered her sister Akemi, she betrays the Black Organization and decides to take APTX4869. The drug turns her into a little girl, and she decides to call herself Ai Haibara in order to hide from the Black Organization. Yet slowly but surely, the Black Organization begins to cast its shadow over her.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam - A New Translation III: Love is the Pulse of the Stars (2006)
Universal Century 0087, Char Aznable has now become the leader of the AEUG. Scirocco, the man from Jupiter, schemes to seize control of the Titans. Haman, the Axis leader, is attempting to restore the Zabi family. Through politics and strategy, these three powers struggle for dominion over the Earth Sphere. The war builds to a deadly endgame around the space colony Gryps 2, which has been converted into a giant laser cannon. What destiny awaits Kamille at the end of the conflict? This is the final part of the Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam feature trilogy, which features enhanced animation and theme songs by GACKT.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Fist of the North Star - TV Compilation 1 - Yuria, Forever... and Farewell Shin!! (1986)
Compilation film covering the Shin story arc of the Fist of the North Star TV Series
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Thumbelina?
The closest matches to Thumbelina are Hilda and the Mountain King (2021), Welcome to Smelliville (2021) and Return to Never Land (2002). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Thumbelina?
Start with Hilda and the Mountain King (2021), the closest match to Thumbelina.
What is the highest-rated movie like Thumbelina?
Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender (2026), rated 9.0/10 by 1,430 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Thumbelina?
Wildwood (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Thumbelina?
Yes: Hilda and the Mountain King (2021), Welcome to Smelliville (2021) and Return to Never Land (2002).
How are movies similar to Thumbelina chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Thumbelina, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.