Movies like Thumbelina (1978)
The best movies like Thumbelina (1978) are Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow (2007), Sleeping Beauty (1959) and Cinderella III: A Twist in Time (2007). If Thumbelina hooked you with its animation and family, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedAladdin (1992)7.7/10 from 12,393 votes
- NewestGIRLS BAND CRY The Movie: Hey, Our Future (2025)Released 2025
- In JapaneseCrayon Shinchan the Movie: Dangerous Honeymoon -The Lost Daddy- (2019)Also in Japanese
Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow (2007)
Elina goes to a fairy school to learn dancing and fairy magic. The spring of the fairy land is soon threatened by evil Laverna who intends to prevent fairies from performing the annual vital rainbow dance. Elina must stop quarreling with her fellow students and unite them to save the first bud of the spring.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSleeping Beauty (1959)
Cursed to die by the evil fairy Maleficent when she was a baby, Princess Aurora is sent into hiding under protection from three good fairies. As she grows up far away, Maleficent becomes increasingly determined to seal the princess's fate.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCinderella III: A Twist in Time (2007)
When Lady Tremaine steals the Fairy Godmother's wand and changes history, it's up to Cinderella to restore the timeline and reclaim her prince.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAladdin (1992)
In the boorish city of Agrabah, kind-hearted street urchin Aladdin and Princess Jasmine fall in love, although she can only marry a prince. He and power-hungry Grand Vizier Jafar vie for a magic lamp that can fulfill their wishes.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCinderella II: Dreams Come True (2002)
As a newly crowned princess, Cinderella quickly learns that life at the Palace - and her royal responsibilities - are more challenging than she had imagined. In three heartwarming tales, Cinderella calls on her animal friends and her Fairy Godmother to help as she brings her own grace and charm to her regal role and discovers that being true to yourself is the best way to make your dreams come true.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both family & animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBeauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997)
Astonished to find the Beast has a deep-seated hatred for the Christmas season, Belle endeavors to change his mind on the matter.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBelle's Magical World (1998)
Belle, the Beast, Lumiere, Cogsworth and the rest of those zany castle residents use their imaginations to embark on three magical, storybook adventures. This direct-to-video anthology serves as a "sequel" to Disney's animated hit film. In "The Perfect World," Belle and the Beast learn about forgiveness. In "Fifi's Folly," Lumiere's girlfriend is jealous of his bond with Belle. And in "Broken Wing," the Beast learns to be kind to an injured bird.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 thisPAW Patrol: Ready, Race, Rescue! (2019)
It’s the Adventure Bay 500! The pups have built an awesome race track and are ready to be the pit crew for their race hero, The Whoosh! But when the legendary racer is unable to drive in the championship race, he calls on his biggest fan-pup Marshall to take the wheel and race in his place! Marshall has to overcome his lack of confidence and his dastardly competition, The Cheetah, to fulfill his dream of becoming the fastest race-pup ever!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBarbie Fairytopia: Mermaidia (2006)
In this animated follow-up to Fairytopia, Elina enlists the help of a mermaid, Nori, to save her friend Nalu, a merman prince who has been captured by the wicked Laverna.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTinker Bell (2008)
Journey into the secret world of Pixie Hollow and hear Tinker Bell speak for the very first time as the astonishing story of Disney's most famous fairy is finally revealed in the all-new motion picture "Tinker Bell."
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
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 & fantasy
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 & family
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNocturna (2007)
An orphan boy named Tim is afraid of the dark. However, when the stars start going out in the sky, he finds himself exploring the world of the night, alongside his new friend, the Cat Shepherd.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBarbie Mariposa & the Fairy Princess (2013)
Join Mariposa and her new friend, Princess Catania, in this magical adventure to save the fairy land of Shimmervale. Together, the girls learn that with great friends, the sky is the limit.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLegends of Oz: Dorothy's Return (2014)
Dorothy wakes in post-tornado Kansas, only to be whisked back to Oz to try to save her old friends, the Scarecrow, the Lion, the Tin Man, and Glinda, from a devious new villain, the Jester. New comrades Wiser the Owl, Marshal Mallow, China Princess, and Tugg the Tugboat join Dorothy on her latest magical journey through the colorful landscape of Oz to restore order and happiness to Emerald City.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBarbie Mariposa (2008)
Elina, heroine of the Fairytopia films tells her friend Bibble the story of Flutterfield, a faraway kingdom populated by fairies with butterfly wings. Henna, the evil butterfly fairy has poisoned the queen of Flutterfield in an attempt to take over the kingdom.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBarbie Presents: Thumbelina (2009)
Meet a tiny girl named Thumbelina who lives in harmony with nature in the magical world of the Twillerbees that's hidden among the wildflowers. At the whim of a spoiled young girl named Makena, Thumbelina and her two friends have their patch of wildflowers uprooted and are transported to a lavish apartment in the city.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCrayon Shinchan the Movie: Dangerous Honeymoon -The Lost Daddy- (2019)
Hiroshi and Misae have never been to a honeymoon trip to a foreign country. One day, Misae discovered an inexpensive and family-friendly holiday package to Australia and the Nohara family decided to make it their first honeymoon vacation. Hiroshi gets kidnapped upon arrival to Australia, leaving Shinnosuke, Misae and others on a dangerous journey. It turns out that Hiroshi is the key to a secret treasure. The remaining members of the Nohara Family must rescue Hiroshi, while a mysterious masked man and treasure hunters from all over the world are after him. The struggle is among three different groups in this action-filled treasure hunting adventure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDokidoki! Pretty Cure the Movie: Memories for the Future (2013)
One day, Mana Aida receives a wedding dress from her mother and grandmother that they had worn in the past. While thinking about who she would wear this beside someday, a mysterious man named Marsh appears, and Mana is thrown back into the past. She was happy to see her grandmother she loved and her old dog Maro, but she then realizes that Alice and Rikka aren't there because memories have been altered. In order to save precious memories, the future, dreams and hope, Mana transforms into Cure Heart.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & fantasy
Digimon Adventure tri. Part 5: Coexistence (2017)
Meicoomon rampages after witnessing Meiko Mochizuki being injured by the man bearing Gennai's likeness. "It would have been better if you hadn't been born..." Meicoomon disappears into the Real World, which has since become distorted. Possessing overwhelming power, she's the key to the world's destruction.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMirai (2018)
Four-year-old Kun struggles with jealousy after his newborn sister, Mirai, begins receiving most of his family’s attention. Retreating to the garden, he encounters Mirai as a teenager from the future and embarks on extraordinary journeys across his family’s past, gradually discovering new perspectives on love, belonging and what it means to become an older brother.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHappy-Go-Lucky Days (2020)
Love is love. Someday, the pain of being in love will be an endearing memory. No matter who the feelings are towards, no matter what form it takes, all love and lifestyles have the same value. An omnibus anime tells the stories of “The wedding of an ex”, “a student and a teacher at an all-boys’ school” and “childhood friends whose bodies and hearts change with adolescence.”
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & romance
Strawberry Shortcake: Play Day Surprise (2005)
"Angel Cake in the Outfield": First, during a ball game, when things don't go Angel Cake's way, she decided to take her ball and go home. Thinking fast, Strawberry and Apple Dumplin teach Angel that the fun of sports... is to have fun! "Win Some, Lose Some": Peppermint Fizz is so determined to win the Nearly Once-A-Yearly Strawberryland Games, she cheats! But when Apple Dumplin' beats her in a race, Peppermint learns that it's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game that matters.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & family
Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka: It’s the Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka Hardcore OVA, Big Brother!! (2009)
Everybody goes on vacation to Ayanokouji's private island for fun in the sun. Hilarity ensues.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Could This Be Love? (2007)
Lucas, a wealthy, 43 year-old divorced businessman, is irresistibly attracted to Elsa, a 38 year old renowned sculptor from whom he has commissioned a piece to decorate the reception at his office.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
GIRLS BAND CRY The Movie: Youth Rhapsody (2025)
After she drops out of school and moves to Tokyo by herself, Nina Iseri meets Momoka Kawaragi, the vocalist of her favourite band, and discovers the allure of music. Together with Subaru Awa, who always hides her true intentions, Tomo Ebizuka, who was ignored by her parents, and Rupa who has no relatives, Nina starts the rock band Togenashi Togeari. The five girls who all have their own worries confront the absurdities of the world and search for their place to belong.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
GIRLS BAND CRY The Movie: Hey, Our Future (2025)
After forming the band Togenashi Togeari, Nina confronts her issues at the hometown she escaped from. Momoka also confronts Diamond Dust, the band that she left. Their overcoming of the past inspires the others to do the same, and aim to become pro musicians, but they are unable to adapt to the demands of society and decide to continue as an indie band.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture - Act 1 (2024)
A recap of Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture episodes 1–3, with new footage.
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 Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow (2007), Sleeping Beauty (1959) and Cinderella III: A Twist in Time (2007). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Thumbelina?
Start with Barbie Fairytopia: Magic of the Rainbow (2007), the closest match to Thumbelina.
What is the highest-rated movie like Thumbelina?
Aladdin (1992), rated 7.7/10 by 12,393 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Thumbelina?
GIRLS BAND CRY The Movie: Hey, Our Future (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Thumbelina?
Yes: Crayon Shinchan the Movie: Dangerous Honeymoon -The Lost Daddy- (2019), Dokidoki! Pretty Cure the Movie: Memories for the Future (2013) and Digimon Adventure tri. Part 5: Coexistence (2017).
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.