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Movies like The Machinery of Dreams (2021)

The best movies like The Machinery of Dreams (2021) are Cinderella's Curse (2024), Cinderfella (1960) and Princess (2008). If The Machinery of Dreams hooked you with its fantasy, these 20 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks

  1. Cinderella's Curse (2024)

    Desperate Cinderella summons her fairy godmother from an ancient flesh-bound book, seeking revenge on her evil stepmother and stepsisters who abuse and torment her daily.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

  2. Cinderfella (1960)

    When his father dies, poor Fella is left at the mercy of his snobbish stepmother and her two no-good sons Maximilian and Rupert. As he slaves away for his nasty step-family, Maximilian and Rupert attempt to find a treasure Fella's father has supposedly hidden on the estate. Hoping to restore her dwindling fortunes, the stepmother plans a fancy ball in honor of the visiting Princess Charmein whom she hopes will marry Rupert. Eventually, Fella's Fairy Godfather shows up to convince him that he has a shot at winning the Princess himself.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

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  3. Princess (2008)

    A reclusive princess and a directionless young man embark on a quest to save the world's mythical creatures from becoming extinct.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

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  4. A Fairy Tale After All (2022)

    A stubborn teenage girl finds herself confronted by whimsical characters when she is transported into a world of fantasy and fairy tales while attending a school marionette show.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

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  5. FairyTale: A True Story (1997)

    In 1917, two children take a photograph, which is soon believed by some to be the first scientific evidence of the existence of fairies. Based on the true story of the Cottingley Fairies.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

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  6. Godmothered (2020)

    A young and unskilled fairy godmother that ventures out on her own to prove her worth by tracking down a young girl whose request for help was ignored. What she discovers is that the girl has now become a grown woman in need of something very different than a "prince charming."

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

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  7. Wish Upon a Unicorn (2020)

    Two children discover that their mother is gone. The youngest of the pair, adventurer and upcomming singer, Long Johnson forces his older sister, Lily Johnson, to hunt down a unicorn with magical blood.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

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  8. MirrorMask (2005)

    In a fantasy world of opposing kingdoms, a 15-year old girl must find the fabled MirrorMask in order to save the kingdom and get home.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

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  9. Penelope (2006)

    Forlorn heiress Penelope Wilhern is cursed, and the only way out is to fall in love with someone of suitable stock. But how can she find her soulmate when she's sequestered inside her family's estate with only her parents to keep her company? This untraditional fairy tale is about a girl who bucks convention to create her own happy ending.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

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  10. Mythica: A Quest for Heroes (2014)

    Stuck in a life of indentured servitude, Marek dreams of becoming a wizard. When she meets the beautiful priestess Teela in need of help, she offers her assistance and provides a motley troupe. Together they go in search of Teela's sister, who was kidnapped by a wild ogre.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

  11. Four Kids and It (2020)

    A group of kids on holiday in Cornwall meet a magical creature on the beach with the power to grant wishes.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

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  12. The Nutcracker (1993)

    On Christmas Eve, a little girl named Marie falls asleep and dreams herself into a fantastic world in which her toys become larger than life. She meets up with the Nutcracker Prince who takes her on a journey to his kingdom and defends her from the Mouse King.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

  13. Pan (2015)

    Living a bleak existence at a London orphanage, 12-year-old Peter finds himself whisked away to the fantastical world of Neverland. Adventure awaits as he meets new friend James Hook and the warrior Tiger Lily. They must band together to save Neverland from the ruthless pirate Blackbeard. Along the way, the rebellious and mischievous boy discovers his true destiny, becoming the hero forever known as Peter Pan.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

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  14. Alice in Wonderland (1933)

    In Victorian England, a bored young girl dreams that she has entered a fantasy world called Wonderland, populated by even more fantastic characters.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

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  15. The Water Man (2020)

    Hoping to save his sick mother, a boy named Gunner and his friend Jo venture into the remote Wild Horse forest to search for a mythical figure who possesses the secret to immortality. When they go missing, Gunner's father Amos must immerse himself in his son's world to find them.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

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  16. Abigail (2019)

    A young girl Abigail lives in a city whose borders were closed many years ago because of an epidemic of a mysterious disease. Abby's father was one of the sick - and he was taken when she was six years old. Going against the authorities to find his father, Abby learns that her city is actually full of magic. And she discovers in herself extraordinary magical abilities.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

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  17. Legend (1985)

    Set in a timeless mythical forest inhabited by fairies, goblins, unicorns and mortals, this fantastic story follows a mystical forest dweller, chosen by fate, to undertake a heroic quest. He must save the beautiful Princess Lili and defeat the demonic Lord of Darkness, or the world will be plunged into a never-ending ice age.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

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  18. Unicorn Store (2017)

    A woman named Kit moves back to her parent's house, where she receives a mysterious invitation that would fulfill her childhood dreams.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

  19. Ella Enchanted (2004)

    Ella lives in a magical world in which each child, at the moment of their birth, is given a virtuous "gift" from a fairy godmother. Ella's so-called gift, however, is obedience. This birthright proves itself to be quite the curse once Ella finds herself in the hands of several unscrupulous characters whom she quite literally cannot disobey. Determined to gain control of her life and decisions, Ella sets off on a journey to find her fairy godmother who she hopes will lift the curse. The path, however, isn't easy -- Ella must outwit a slew of unpleasant obstacles including ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, elves and Prince Charmont's evil uncle, who wants to take over the crown and rule the kingdom.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

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  20. Jack the Giant Slayer (2013)

    The story of an ancient war that is reignited when a young farmhand unwittingly opens a gateway between our world and a fearsome race of giants. Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing the young man, Jack into the battle of his life to stop them. Fighting for a kingdom, its people, and the love of a brave princess, he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend–and gets the chance to become a legend himself.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy

Like The Machinery of Dreams and something else?

Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best movies like The Machinery of Dreams?

The closest matches to The Machinery of Dreams are Cinderella's Curse (2024), Cinderfella (1960) and Princess (2008). Below are 17 more, each with the reason it matches.

What should I watch after The Machinery of Dreams?

Start with Cinderella's Curse (2024), the closest match to The Machinery of Dreams.

What is the highest-rated movie like The Machinery of Dreams?

Godmothered (2020), rated 6.7/10 by 649 TMDB users.

What is the newest movie like The Machinery of Dreams?

Cinderella's Curse (2024) is the most recent release on this list.

Are there English movies like The Machinery of Dreams?

Yes: Cinderella's Curse (2024), Cinderfella (1960) and Princess (2008).

How are movies similar to The Machinery of Dreams chosen?

First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Machinery of Dreams, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.

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