12 Best Movies Like IF to Watch Next (2026)
Looking for movies like IF? Explore 12 family fantasy picks, from The Imaginary and Encanto to Elio, Barbie, and more magical adventures.
If you are searching for movies like IF, the best picks are the ones that blend imagination, family stakes, and a little emotional heart. This list leans into animated adventures and fantasy stories where ordinary characters step into magical worlds, from The Imaginary and Encanto to Elio and Barbie. You will also find playful choices such as Thelma the Unicorn, Spellbound, and Disenchanted, each offering a different take on wish fulfillment and family-centered wonder. Whether you want something whimsical, funny, or a bit more dramatic, these titles give you plenty of options to keep the same spirit going.
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01
The Imaginary
animation · adventure · drama · family · fantasy
Amanda and her imaginary friend Rudger go on thrilling make-believe adventures. But when Rudger finds himself alone, he faces a mysterious threat.
Why watch: If you want another story built around imaginary companions and a child-centered fantasy journey, The Imaginary is an easy fit. Its animation, adventure, drama, family, and fantasy mix makes it especially appealing for viewers who want something heartfelt and imaginative.
Directed by Yoshiyuki MomoseCast Kokoro Terada, Rio Suzuki, Sakura Andō, Riisa Naka, Takayuki YamadaNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
02
Spellbound
animation · adventure · comedy · family · fantasy · musical
When a powerful spell turns her parents into giant monsters, a teenage princess must journey into the wild to reverse the curse before it's too late.
Why watch: If you enjoy family fantasy with a big quest at its center, Spellbound is a good match. The adventure, comedy, and musical elements may appeal if you want a lighter, more playful version of magical stakes.
Directed by Vicky JensonCast Rachel Zegler, Miguel Bernardeau, Giovanna Bush, Dennis Stowe, Jenifer LewisNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
03
In Your Dreams
animation · adventure · comedy · family · fantasy
Stevie and her little brother Elliot journey into the wildly absurd landscape of their own dreams to ask the Sandman to grant them the perfect family.
Why watch: If you like dreamlike fantasy stories with family themes, In Your Dreams should be on your list. Its adventure-comedy tone and focus on siblings searching for a perfect family give it a similar emotional thread.
Directed by Alexander Woo, Erik BensonCast Hailey Magpali, Simu Liu, Cristin Milioti, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Bob BergenNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
04
Kleks Academy
adventure · family · fantasy
A seemingly ordinary girl finds her way into the eponymous Academy to explore the world of fairy tales, imagination and creativity. With the help of a crazy, talented teacher, she develops her unique abilities and also stumbles upon a clue that will help her unravel the biggest secret of the family...
Why watch: If fairy tales, creativity, and a school-of-magic setup sound appealing, Kleks Academy may work for you. The family and fantasy focus makes it a fit for viewers who want a more whimsical adventure.
Directed by Maciej KawulskiCast Antonina Litwiniak, Tomasz Kot, Piotr Fronczewski, Sebastian Stankiewicz, Agnieszka GrochowskaNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
05
Barbie
Won 1 Oscar 8 nominations
adventure · comedy · fantasy
Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.
Why watch: If you want a colorful fantasy comedy that sends its characters from a stylized world into the real one, Barbie is a strong option. It leans more comedic and adventurous than most family fantasy picks here.
Directed by Greta GerwigCast Margot Robbie, Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, Alexandra Shipp, Emma MackeyMaxMore details on IMDb → -
06
Elio
1 Oscar nomination Best Animated Feature (2026)
animation · adventure · comedy · drama · family · fantasy · sci-fi
Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination, finds himself on a cosmic misadventure where he must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions and somehow discover who he is truly meant to be.
Why watch: If you enjoy imaginative characters, family themes, and a bigger sci-fi angle, Elio is worth considering. It combines animation, adventure, comedy, drama, family, fantasy, and sci-fi for a broader mix of tones.
Directed by Adrian Molina, Madeline Sharafian, Domee ShiCast Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldaña, Remy Edgerly, Brandon Moon, Brad GarrettDisney PlusMore details on IMDb → -
07
The Twits
animation · adventure · comedy · family · fantasy · musical
Two orphans join forces with a family of magical animals to save their city from the powerful Mr. and Mrs. Twit, the meanest, smelliest, nastiest people in the world.
Why watch: If you prefer animated family fantasy with a mischievous, musical edge, The Twits may be a good choice. Its adventure-comedy setup and focus on saving a city suggest a more chaotic, offbeat ride.
Directed by Phil Johnston, Todd Demong, Katie ShanahanCast Johnny Vegas, Margo Martindale, Emilia Clarke, Sami Amber, Alan TudykNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
08
Thelma the Unicorn
animation · adventure · comedy · family · fantasy · musical
Thelma dreams of being a glamorous unicorn. Then in a rare pink and glitter-filled moment of fate, Thelma's wish comes true. She rises to instant international stardom, but at an unexpected cost. After a while, Thelma realizes that she was happier as her ordinary, sparkle-free self. So she ditches her horn, scrubs off her sparkles, and returns home, where her best friend is waiting for her with a hug.
Why watch: If you like stories about identity, wish fulfillment, and learning what really matters, Thelma the Unicorn fits well. The family fantasy musical angle makes it a good pick for viewers who want something colorful and light.
Directed by Jared Hess, Lynn WangCast Brittany Howard, Will Forte, Jon Heder, Daran Norris, David MichieNetflixMore details on IMDb → -
09
Disenchanted
animation · adventure · comedy · family · fantasy · musical · romance
Disillusioned with life in the city, feeling out of place in suburbia, and frustrated that her happily ever after hasn’t been so easy to find, Giselle turns to the magic of Andalasia for help. Accidentally transforming the entire town into a real-life fairy tale and placing her family’s future happiness in jeopardy, she must race against time to reverse the spell and determine what happily ever after truly means to her and her family.
Why watch: If you enjoy fairy-tale elements mixed with family conflict and a modern setting, Disenchanted could be a good match. Its comedy, fantasy, and musical mix should appeal to viewers who like familiar magic with a twist.
Directed by Adam ShankmanCast Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, Maya Rudolph, Gabriella Baldacchino, Rachel DuffDisney PlusMore details on IMDb → -
10
Encanto
Won 1 Oscar Best Animated Feature (2022) · 3 nominations
animation · comedy · family · fantasy · musical
The tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family—every child except one, Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family's last hope.
Why watch: If you want a widely loved family fantasy with music and a strong emotional core, Encanto is an easy recommendation. Its focus on an extraordinary family and one overlooked child makes it especially appealing for viewers drawn to heartfelt magical stories.
Directed by Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Charise Castro SmithCast Stephanie Beatriz, María Cecilia Botero, John Leguizamo, Mauro Castillo, Jess DarrowDisney PlusMore details on IMDb → -
11
Godmothered
comedy · drama · family · fantasy
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 watch: If you like fantasy stories that blend humor with emotional growth, Godmothered may suit you. It leans into comedy, drama, family, and fantasy, so it works best for viewers who want something warm rather than intense.
Directed by Sharon MaguireCast June Squibb, Jillian Bell, Sonia Manzano, Carlease Burke, Jane CurtinDisney PlusMore details on IMDb → -
12
Bookworm
adventure · comedy · drama
11-year-old Mildred's world is turned upside down when her estranged father, the washed-up magician Strawn Wise, comes to look after her and agrees to take her camping to find a mythological beast known as the Canterbury Panther.
Why watch: If you enjoy a story with adventure, comedy, and a touch of magic, Bookworm is a solid pick. Its setup around a young girl, a magician father, and a mythological beast gives it a curious, family-friendly feel.
Directed by Ant TimpsonCast Nell Fisher, Morgana O'Reilly, Millen Baird, Elijah Wood, Nikki Si'ulepaAmazon Prime VideoTubiMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
That should give you a solid mix of imaginative family movies, fantasy adventures, and heartfelt stories to try next. Some lean more whimsical, while others focus on wonder, identity, or family ties, so there is room to match your mood. Bookmark this page and come back when you want another round of recommendations, since it is updated regularly. If you are building a watchlist around gentle magic and emotional storytelling, these titles are a strong place to start.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes these movies similar to IF?
These picks were matched by tone, themes, and story style using a similarity model trained on plot synopses, genres, and cast — not just shared genre tags — so the connection runs deeper than a simple category match.