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Movies like Tell me a story (2021)

The best movies like Tell me a story (2021) are How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019), Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness (2022) and The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (2012). If Tell me a story hooked you with its fantasy and adventure, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks

  1. How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019)

    It's been ten years since the dragons moved to the Hidden World, and even though Toothless doesn't live in New Berk anymore, Hiccup continues the holiday traditions he once shared with his best friend. But the Vikings of New Berk were beginning to forget about their friendship with dragons. Hiccup, Astrid, and Gobber know just what to do to keep the dragons in the villagers' hearts. And across the sea, the dragons have a plan of their own...

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  2. Chickenhare 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 this
  3. The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (2012)

    After a hurricane levels his city, a young man wanders into a mysterious library where books literally come to life. This film won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 2012.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  4. Sintel (2010)

    A wandering warrior finds an unlikely friend in the form of a young dragon. The two develop a close bond, until one day the dragon is snatched away. She then sets out on a relentless quest to reclaim her friend, finding in the end that her quest exacts a far greater price than she had ever imagined.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  5. Kirikou and the Men and Women (2012)

    The grandfather welcomes us into his blue grotto, there was still beautiful memories of childhood to tell Kirikou: the times when he helped the men and women of his village and elsewhere ... He tells us how Kirikou, thanks to his bravery and intelligence, came to the aid of the strong woman. He tells us by what trick the little hero found the grumpy old man, who had been lost in the bush, and how a cherry threatened by the witch was finally able to pass on his knowledge to the villagers. We also discover the secret of a mysterious blue monster, and finally through a flute linked to the family of our small and valiant heroes, the magical power of music.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  6. Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale (2017)

    After tumbling into a magic storybook, Puss in Boots must fight, dance and romance his way through wild adventures as he searches for an escape.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  7. The 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 this
  8. Strings (2004)

    The story of Prince Hal who sets out to avenge his dead father against the city's rivals, the Zeriths, little knowing it was his wicked uncle Nezo who is the real killer, with his own designs on the throne.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  9. Scrat'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 & adventure

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  10. Lou (2017)

    A lost-and-found box holds a mysterious and unseen monster within.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  11. Day & Night (2010)

    When Day, a sunny fellow, encounters Night, a stranger of distinctly darker moods, sparks fly! Day and Night are frightened and suspicious of each other at first, and quickly get off on the wrong foot. But as they discover each other's unique qualities--and come to realize that each of them offers a different window onto the same world-the friendship helps both to gain a new perspective.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  12. Cars Toon Mater's Tall Tales (2008)

    Mater the tow truck travels from country to country as he retells his infamous but unbelievable stories.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both adventure & animation

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  13. Party Central (2014)

    Mike and Sulley are back at Monsters University for a fun-filled weekend with their Oozma Kappa fraternity brothers. The gang is throwing their first party, but no one’s showing up. Luckily for them, Mike and Sulley have come up with a plan to make sure “Party Central” is the most epic party the school has ever seen.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  14. Monster High: Why Do Ghouls Fall in Love? (2012)

    Draculaura’s Sweet 1600th birthday is an extra special occasion to party at Monster High! But her high expectations lead to deadly results when she’s faced with the choice between practical boyfriend Clawd, and new vampire heartthrob, Valentine, a romantic blast from her past.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  15. Monster 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 this
  16. The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow (2013)

    When Brainy Smurf is favored to win the annual Smurfberry Hunt for the ninth year in a row, Gutsy Smurf sets out to discover how Brainy wins every year. Gutsy’s investigation takes him into spooky Smurfy Hollow–and right into Gargamel’s trap! Can Brainy and Gutsy, with the help of Smurfette, put aside their rivalry before Gargamel captures them–or worse, they come face-to-face with the legendary ghost, the Headless Horseman?

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  17. DC Showcase: The Phantom Stranger (2020)

    Jess joins her friends at a party in a dilapidated mansion hosted by the mysterious Seth. When odd things begin to happen to Jess and her friends, the Phantom Stranger intervenes to save her from a dreary fate.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both animation & fantasy

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  18. Arctic 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

  19. Puppy! (2017)

    The residents of Hotel Transylvania find their world turned upside-down when youngster Dennis gets a surprise monster-sized pet.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & animation

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  20. Sofia 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 this
  21. Strange World (2022)

    A journey deep into an uncharted and treacherous land, where fantastical creatures await the legendary Clades—a family of explorers whose differences threaten to topple their latest, and by far most crucial, mission.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & adventure

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  22. The Crimson Permanent Assurance (1983)

    A group of down-and-out accountants mutiny against their bosses and sail their office building onto the high seas in search of a pirate's life.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy & adventure

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  23. Who's Afraid of Slavko? (2025)

    During the student blockades in Serbia in 2025, the Faculty of Dramatic Arts' beloved cat, Slavko, gets hungry and eats the building of the corrupted state-owned public radio and television broadcaster of Serbia, RTS (Radio Television of Serbia).

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & adventure

  24. Marmaduke (2022)

    Great Dane Marmaduke epitomizes the overgrown lapdog, with an irascible streak and a penchant for mischief that is tempered with a deep sense of love and responsibility for his human family, the Winslows. The new animation is set in the world of elite dog shows, rife divas, rivalries and slapstick comedy.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & adventure

  25. Toy Story 4 (2019)

    Woody has always been confident about his place in the world, devoted to taking care of his kid—whether that's Andy or Bonnie. But after Bonnie creates a reluctant new toy called "Forky", a road trip adventure alongside old and new friends challenges everything Woody believes about loyalty, purpose, and what it truly means to be a toy.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation & adventure

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  26. Al sur de la Navidad (2016)

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy

  27. El Materdor (2008)

    Mater is a matador fighting a herd of bulldozers in Spain. When Lightning McQueen enters the story, the bulldozers begin to chase him due to his red paint.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation

  28. There is exactly enough time (2021)

    Oskar Salomonowitz, the 12-year-old son of filmmakers Anja Salomonowitz and Virgil Widrich, had drawn 206 pictures in a flip book when he died in an accident. His father continued to draw the film with the remaining 482 sheets.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation

  29. Mords-les ! (2020)

    Follow Brigitte Fontaine as she wanders in the streets of Morlaix.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both fantasy

  30. The Return of the Monster (2017)

    A little boy is bedeviled by recurring nightmares of a monster that just won’t go away.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both animation

Like Tell me a story and something else?

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

Frequently asked questions

What are the best movies like Tell me a story?

The closest matches to Tell me a story are How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019), Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness (2022) and The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore (2012). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.

What should I watch after Tell me a story?

Start with How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019), the closest match to Tell me a story.

What is the highest-rated movie like Tell me a story?

How to Train Your Dragon: Homecoming (2019), rated 8.0/10 by 1,156 TMDB users.

What is the newest movie like Tell me a story?

Who's Afraid of Slavko? (2025) is the most recent release on this list.

Are there French movies like Tell me a story?

Yes: Kirikou and the Men and Women (2012), Mords-les ! (2020) and The Return of the Monster (2017).

How are movies similar to Tell me a story chosen?

First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Tell me a story, 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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