Movies like The Shift (2021)
The best movies like The Shift (2021) are The Second Renaissance Part I (2003), Adam (2016) and BURN·E (2008). If The Shift hooked you with its science fiction and animation, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks
- Highest ratedMetropolis (1927)8.1/10 from 3,266 votes
- NewestThe Inseparables (2023)Released 2023
The Second Renaissance Part I (2003)
Tells the early history of how conflict began between the humans and machines. Part 1 of 2.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAdam (2016)
The Adam demo is a real-time-rendered short film created with the Unity engine by our demo team. It runs at 1440p on a GeForce GTX980 and was shown on the booths at our Unite Europe conference.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBURN·E (2008)
What lengths will a robot undergo to do his job? BURN·E is a dedicated hard working robot who finds himself locked out of his ship. BURN·E quickly learns that completing a simple task can often be a very difficult endeavor.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMore (1998)
A factory worker in a dark, gray world assembles devices that promise happiness. In his spare time he tinkers to create something better, and finally succeeds in perfecting his invention, which allows people to see life through rose-colored glasses, but he has to pay a price for his success.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBarbie: Star Light Adventure (2016)
When Barbie, a cosmic princess with a hoverboard, learns that the brightly shining stars have begun to dim, she begins a rescue mission to save the galaxy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Second Renaissance Part II (2003)
The battle for Earth turns against the humans, despite their infamous desperate act of blackening the skies.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both science fiction & animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBlade Runner: Black Out 2022 (2017)
This animated short revolves around the events causing an electrical systems failure on the west coast of the US. According to Blade Runner 2049’s official timeline, this failure leads to cities shutting down, financial and trade markets being thrown into chaos, and food supplies dwindling. There’s no proof as to what caused the blackouts, but Replicants — the bio-engineered robots featured in the original Blade Runner, are blamed.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAuntie Edna (2018)
Taking place during the events of Incredibles 2, Edna Mode babysits Jack-Jack.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & science fiction
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
A quirky, dysfunctional family's road trip is upended when they find themselves in the middle of the robot apocalypse and suddenly become humanity's unlikeliest last hope.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTerra das Canções de Ninar (1933)
A baby is transported to Lullaby Land, where pacifiers grow on trees, diapers, bottles, and potty chairs march on parade, and the gingham dog comes to life. He wanders into the "keep out" cave, full of things like scissors, knives, and fountain pens that are not for baby and begins smashing watches with hammers and playing with giant matches. The matches chase after him; baby escapes by riding a bar of soap across a pond, but the smoke from the matches turns into boogey-men. The benevolent sandman, dressed as a wizard, spots baby hiding and works his magic, bringing us back to the real nursery.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHawaiian Vacation (2011)
The toys throw Ken and Barbie a Hawaiian vacation in Bonnie's room.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStorks (2016)
Storks deliver babies…or at least they used to. Now they deliver packages for a global internet retail giant. Junior, the company’s top delivery stork, is about to be promoted when he accidentally activates the Baby Making Machine, producing an adorable and wholly unauthorized baby girl...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKung Fu Panda: Secrets of the Scroll (2016)
As Po looks for his lost action figures, the story of how the panda inadvertently helped create the Furious Five is told.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Little Prince (2015)
Based on the best-seller book 'The Little Prince', the movie tells the story of a little girl that lives with resignation in a world where efficiency and work are the only dogmas. Everything will change when accidentally she discovers her neighbor that will tell her about the story of the Little Prince that he once met.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLamp Life (2020)
Bo Peep explains what happened to herself and her sheep between the events of Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 4.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTin Toy (1988)
Babies are hardly monster-like, unless you're a toy. After escaping a drooling baby, Tinny realizes that he wants to be played with after all. But in the amount of time it takes him to discover this, the baby's attention moves on to other things only an infant could find interesting.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMinions & More Volume 2 (2022)
This collection of 11 short films produced by Illumination includes: From the "Despicable Me" franchise: Mower Minions (2016); Yellow Is the New Black (2018); Competition (2015); Cro Minion (2015); Binky Nelson Unpacified (2015); Panic in the Mailroom (2013). From the "Secret Life of Pets" franchise: Super Gidget (2019). From the "Sing" franchise: Eddie's Life Coach (2017); Gunter Babysits (2017). From the "Lorax" franchise: Serenade (2012); Wagon Ho! (2012).
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Inseparables (2023)
The animated buddy movie follows the misadventures of Don, a runaway puppet with boundless imaginations, and DJ Doggy Dog, an abandoned plush looking for a friend, who cross paths in Central Park and team up against all odds for a epic friendship adventure in New York.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDug's Special Mission (2009)
Dug is sent on foolish missions by Alpha, Beta, and Gamma so they can hunt for the Bird of Paradise Falls by themselves. Dug may find that where he belongs is not where he's been looking.
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 thisEscape (2017)
After crash landing on a desolate planet, a lone space explorer must find a way to make her new home habitable. Using innovation, grit and courage, she casts out the darkness in this new land.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction & animation
Francis (2013)
Francis is a short story written by american novelist Dave Eggers. This is the story of a young boy growing up in the suburbs of chicago. He spent his vacations in Quetico Provincial Park, up on the border of Minnesota and Canada. But he won't be going back any day soon, not after what happened to a girl called Francis Brandywine.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
COMBO (2009)
Street artist Blu animates large-scale creatures as they crawl across an abandoned Argentine cityscape.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Metropolis (1927)
In a futuristic city sharply divided between the rich and the poor, the son of the city's mastermind meets a prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both science fiction
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Cat That Walked by Himself (1968)
The story about the wild creatures of the wild forest and one impudent Cat who walks by himself, and all places are alike to him.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Guard Dog Global Jam (2011)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Funny Pot (1990)
Once a potter made a pot that could laugh. Whoever takes it in their hands immediately starts laughing.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Warm Snow (2015)
An animated short about the relationship between a father and his grown up daughter. The daughter is waiting for her dinner and is irritated by her father’s nagging questions and suggestions. Soon we’re transported into the surreal and snowy world swirling in her head.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Nevermind The Grief (1983)
A soldier served a long time service. He took as a reward an old drum and went where his eyes were looking. He walked for a long time, and went to the hut, and in it the small girl was crying, because the fierce witch has destroyed her parents.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation
Like The Shift and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Shift?
The closest matches to The Shift are The Second Renaissance Part I (2003), Adam (2016) and BURN·E (2008). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Shift?
Start with The Second Renaissance Part I (2003), the closest match to The Shift.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Shift?
Metropolis (1927), rated 8.1/10 by 3,266 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Shift?
The Inseparables (2023) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Shift?
Yes: The Second Renaissance Part I (2003), Adam (2016) and BURN·E (2008).
How are movies similar to The Shift chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Shift, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.





























