Movies like As Sawa-chan Rides the Waves (2019)
The best movies like As Sawa-chan Rides the Waves (2019) are My Christmas Prince (2017), Little Lord Fauntleroy (1980) and The Hunchback (1997). If As Sawa-chan Rides the Waves hooked you with its tv movie, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedDeath Note Relight 2: L's Successors (2009)7.5/10 from 210 votes
- NewestLe Secret de la grotte (2023)Released 2023
- In JapaneseDeath Note Relight 2: L's Successors (2009)Also in Japanese
My Christmas Prince (2017)
Samantha, a dedicated teacher in Manhattan, returns to her home town of Maple Falls, Wyoming every year for Christmas. This year, she’s delighted when her boyfriend Alex, a European diplomat from the tiny country of Madelvia, decides to joins her. Samantha later discovers Alex is actually a prince destined for the throne, turning her entire world upside down. Realizing that staying with Alex means spending her life in the constant glare of publicity and giving up the job opportunity of a lifetime, Samantha must decide if she loves Alex enough to make the transition from teacher to royal – or will it be too big a leap
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisLittle Lord Fauntleroy (1980)
Young Cedric Errol and his widowed mother live in genteel poverty in 1880s Brooklyn after the death of his father. Cedric's grandfather, the Earl of Dorincourt, has long ago disowned his son for marrying an American. But after the death of the Earl's remaining son, he decides to accept Cedric as his heir.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Hunchback (1997)
Based on Victor Hugo's famed novel, the story of Quasimodo, the deformed bell ringer of Notre Dame, and his unrequited love for the gypsy girl, Esmeralda.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisSamantha: An American Girl Holiday (2004)
Kindhearted Samantha Parkington's world starts to change the day Nellie O'Malley walks into her life. Nellie, her father, and her two little sisters have moved in next door to be servants for the Ryland family. Though they come from completely different backgrounds, Samantha and Nellie become fast friends. The girls turn to each other in happiness and sorrow, adventure and danger.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRip Girls (2000)
A teen-age girl and her father come to an island on Hawaii, they find a closer relationship to each other and think about changing the island. During her adventures, Sydney finds friends, a new hobby with her fantastic photography, and the truth about her mother.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Little Mermaid Live! (2019)
Live musical performances by a star-studded cast will be interwoven into the broadcast of the animated classic.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Royal Runaway Romance (2022)
Princess Amelia of Bundbury travels across America to explore a budding romance with an artist, only to fall in love with her bodyguard, Grady.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAngels in the Snow (2015)
The affluent, yet troubled Montgomery family hits the road for a special Christmas in the mountains.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChristmas at the Drive-In (2022)
Sadie Walker is starting over in her hometown of Chesterfield, New York, following a series of major life disruptions that include leaving her law practice after losing her biggest case and no longer being engaged.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisLove at the Shore (2017)
Single mom Jenna Thompson only five weeks to deliver her next teen novel to her publisher. So, this year's annual beach vacation with her kids will be a working vacation. Upon arrival, the family soon meets their new next-door neighbor, confident, devil-may-care surfer Lucas McKinnon.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDeath Note Relight 2: L's Successors (2009)
L's successor must ponder L's defeat if he hopes to succeed where his famed predecessor failed. At the headquarters of the SPK, he calls upon the Japanese task force to declare war on Light. A recap of Death Note episodes 27–37, with new footage.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisValentine Ever After (2016)
Big city girls Julia and her best friend Sydney take a trip to a dude ranch in Wyoming for a fun weekend getaway, but after a brawl at the local bar, the girls are sentenced to stay in town and perform community service. Along the way, Julia finds love and her true calling in life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBig Sky River (2022)
Tara needs to go back to Parable, Montana, the place that made her the happiest, in order to move forward after a messy divorce. Her handsome neighbor presents an unexpected twist.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Borrowers (2011)
Family adventure based on Mary Norton's classic children's books about a race of tiny people who live under the floorboards, resourcefully surviving by borrowing bits and pieces from the large residents who dwell above. After being discovered by 'human beans', borrower Arrietty and her parents are forced to leave their home while attempting to evade the clutches of obsessive scientist Professor Mildeye.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisA Kiss Before Christmas (2021)
Ethan, always the nice guy, wakes up in a new reality at Christmas. Initially, he is enthralled with his new life but soon realizes that it's not what he thought it would be.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChristmas at Castle Hart (2021)
Brooke Bennett goes to Ireland for Christmas to search for her Irish roots. While there, she meets Aiden Hart, Earl of Glaslough. Mistaken for an elite event planner, she’s hired to host his castle’s epic Christmas party.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOnce Upon a Prince (2018)
Susanna gladly accepts help one day from handsome stranger Nate at her parents’ garden store in small-town Georgia. Sparks between them fly, but when a photo of them gets leaked to the press, Susanna is in for the shock of her life when Nate is called back home by his mother… For his coronation as the King Nathaniel of Cambria!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPicture a Perfect Christmas (2019)
An extreme-sports photographer returns home for the holiday to take care of her grandmother, only to have a neighbor grab her attention as he needs assistance watching his young nephew.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Bad Seed Returns (2022)
Several years after the murderous events of the first movie left her father dead, Emma is now living with her aunt Angela and navigating high school. Angela’s husband begins to suspect that Emma may not be as innocent as she appears and suggests sending her off to boarding school. Meanwhile, a new girl at school seems to know Emma’s secrets, leaving Emma no choice but to slip back to her old ways and take care of her enemies by any means necessary.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Christmas Kiss (2011)
Wendy Walton is the best designer in Boston... but no one knows it yet. Hoping to kick-start her career, Wendy has left work with the local theatre to take a job as an assistant to Priscilla Hall, the most prestigious designer in the city. Ms. Hall works Wendy around the clock, which is how Wendy finds herself trapped in an elevator late one night with an incredibly handsome stranger. Wendy and the mystery man share an impulsive, romantic, life changing kiss before the doors open and Wendy runs out, leaving him behind. The next day at work, Wendy answers the door to find the handsome gentleman standing in front of her.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGhetto-Kids (2002)
Two trouble-causing brothers, who in the second generation after World War II Germany live, are in the center of this German made for TV movie. The movie makes a subject out of their everyday lives and the helpless attempt for them to build a normal life.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Attack of the Monsters (1970)
Two children get into a flying saucer and end up on the other side of the sun where they dream of donuts and milk and a hero turtle. The women there want to eat their brains.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Highlander: The Adventure Begins (1996)
Ramirez trains the young Quentin Macleod (The Highlander) and prepares him for his future and current battles against the sinister immortals in the world. (First four episodes of the animated show edited into a feature length movie.)
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Madagascar: A Little Wild - A Fang-Tastic Halloween (2020)
After hearing spooky rumors about the new habitat resident- A BAT- Marty is determined to protect his friends from the newcomer. But when the bat helps him out of a tough situation, Marty learns it's better to get to know someone before judging them.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Le Secret de la grotte (2023)
On the banks of the Ardèche, near Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, kayakers find the body of the museum president of a recently discovered Paleolithic cave. A 40,000-year-old carved stone was embedded in his neck. To investigate, Captain Manon Ferret-Duval of the research section teams up with her counterpart Riad Lekcir. They must overcome a shared past: she is convinced that her partner's older brother is responsible for the murder of her parents in 1994. Riad has no doubt that Kamel, now deceased, is innocent.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Vechernitsy (1986)
Four friends go to an amusement park, where they discover an unusual attraction that works like a time machine and takes everyone back in time to the scenes of old vaudeville shows...
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Liebe, Tod und Eisenbahn (1989)
A horror comedy directed by Gert Steinheimer.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Ghosts of Flight 401 (2022)
Steve Shippy and Cindy Kaza uncover the truth about a 1972 plane crash.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Nichts für Feiglinge (2014)
Student Philip grew up with his grandma, now he has to look after her: Dementia! Philip moves Grandma into his shared flat. His friends play along, Grandma blossoms - at first... Complex characters, the courage to face uncomfortable truths: The drama portrays the problems of people with dementia and their relatives sensitively and honestly.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
A Day Out (2019)
Two high school boys stumble upon an unguarded scooter before class starts in the morning. Seeing a chance to finally taste freedom, they decide to flee the depressing classroom and the suffocating metropolis of Taipei city. It is the beginning of a road trip with the sunset as the final destination. Sadly, they had misunderstood the direction of the sunset...
Why it matches: Similar story and style
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like As Sawa-chan Rides the Waves?
The closest matches to As Sawa-chan Rides the Waves are My Christmas Prince (2017), Little Lord Fauntleroy (1980) and The Hunchback (1997). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after As Sawa-chan Rides the Waves?
Start with My Christmas Prince (2017), the closest match to As Sawa-chan Rides the Waves.
What is the highest-rated movie like As Sawa-chan Rides the Waves?
Death Note Relight 2: L's Successors (2009), rated 7.5/10 by 210 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like As Sawa-chan Rides the Waves?
Le Secret de la grotte (2023) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like As Sawa-chan Rides the Waves?
Yes: Death Note Relight 2: L's Successors (2009).
How are movies similar to As Sawa-chan Rides the Waves chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside As Sawa-chan Rides the Waves, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.