The Wild Robot is one of the biggest animated hits of 2024, and here are the best best movies for viewers looking for something else like it. DreamWorks Animation's The Wild Robot has continued the studio's recent streak of animated successes, following up on movies like Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, with many claiming that The Wild Robot is one of DreamWorks' best movies ever. The Wild Robot's critical and commercial successes have led audiences to be hungry for more, and here are 10 other films that can scratch that itch.
Based on the hit book of the same name, The Wild Robot follows a robot named Roz who is shipwrecked on a deserted island, with the robot developing bonds with the native animals throughout the film. The Wild Robot has received incredibly positive reviews, with the film sitting at 98% on Rotten Tomatoes as of the writing of this article. The Wild Robot's themes surrounding change, artificial intelligence, and the environment have made it a particularly timely and emotional film, and many of these 10 films play into those same ideas.
10 The Mitchells Vs. The Machines
2021
The Mitchells vs. The Machines is an animated action-comedy that sees creative outsider Katie Mitchell as she is accepted into the film school of her dreams and is eager to leave home and find “her people.” However, when her nature-loving dad insists on having the whole family drive her to school and bond during one last family road trip, the family suddenly finds itself in the middle of the robot apocalypse. Katie and her father will need to find common ground to stand a chance against the armies of smartphones, fridges, and whatever other sentient machines are out to capture humanity.
Sony Pictures Animation's The Mitchells vs. The Machines is one of the best films to come out of the studio, and it shares a lot of similarities with The Wild Robot. The film follows a family known as the Mitchells, with the family's road trip becoming interrupted due to the start of a robot apocalypse. With the help of two malfunctioning robots, the Mitchells have to fight back against the machines, protecting the world and their familial bonds.
The Wild Robot tells a very heartfelt story about family, kindness, and motherhood, which naturally lends itself to many incredibly emotional scenes.
While it definitely goes for a more comedic tone than The Wild Robot, The Mitchells vs. The Machines is surprisingly emotional, leaving many viewers in tears. Despite the zany and wild tone of the film, it spends a lot of time developing the tight-knit relationships between the Mitchells, which are similar to the relationships between Roz and The Wild Robot's cast of supporting characters.
9 Transformers One
2024
Transformers One is an animated action-adventure movie that marks the first animated feature-length film for the series in decades. The film will be a prequel to the franchise, and will tell the story of Optimus Prime and Megatron in their early years, how they met, and a closer look at the war on their home planet, Cybertron.
Director Josh Cooley
Release Date September 20, 2024
Studio(s) Entertainment One , Hasbro , Nickelodeon Movies
Distributor(s) Paramount Pictures
Writers Andrew Barrer , Steve Desmond , Gabriel Ferrari
Character(s) Orion Pax / Optimus Prime , D-16 / Megatron , Elita -1 , B-127 , Starscream , Alpha Trion , Sentinel Prime , Airachnid , Soundwave , Shockwave / Guard 2 , Jazz , Zeta Prime , Darkwing , Announcer Bot / Guard 1 , Chromia / Arcee , Control Room Guys / PA System / Skywarp , Injured Racer
Runtime 104 Minutes
Sequel(s) Transformers
Interestingly enough, The Wild Robot actually shared its theatrical run with another 2024 movie that focused on animated robots: Transformers One. Acting as a prequel to the iconic Transformers franchise, Transformers One gives a new look at the feud between the Autobots and the Decepticons, with the film focusing on the origins of Optimus Prime and Megatron's rivalry while living on the planet Cybertron.
Much like The Wild Robot,Transformers One has a unique style that makes it a visual treat, with its animation being different from anything that Paramount has done before. Despite Transformers One being a box office disappointment, the film was a critical hit, with the commercial failings potentially having to do with the fact that it was competing against The Wild Robot. While many consider The Wild Robot to be the best animated film of 2024, Transformers One is right up there with it.
8 Treasure Planet
2002
Treasure Planet is a 2002 animated adventure and Fantasy film from Walt Disney studios. Directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, the story follows a young boy named Jim Hawkins as he attempts to find a fabled treasure and mend ways with his father who abandoned him.
Director John Musker
Release Date November 27, 2002
Writers John Musker
Runtime 95minutes
Budget $140 million
Jumping back in time a few decades, Walt Disney Animation Studios has also made a movie that The Wild Robot fans may love, with this being 2002's Treasure Planet. The ambitious animated sci-fi film is an adaptation of the classic Treasure Island story, although this time it takes place in a futuristic sci-fi world. Treasure Planet is full of spaceships, aliens, and robots, with the film's sci-fi aesthetic giving it a major parallel to The Wild Robot.
Treasure Planet is weirder than anything else that Disney has done, with it feeling as if it fully departs from the typical Disney animated fare. The same can be said when comparing The Wild Robot to DreamWorks Animation's other movies, as the film takes some big swings that really pay off. Treasure Planet is considered to be a cult classic among fans of Disney, with it getting reassessed as one of their best of the 2000s by modern audiences.
7 Big Hero 6
2014
In Walt Disney Animation Studios' Big Hero 6, the child genius Hiro Hamada works with his brother Tadashi's inflatable robot, Baymax, to assemble a superhero team in the fictional city of San Fransokyo. The titular group of geeky heroes, composed of Honey Lemon, Go Go Tomago, Wasabi, and Fred, help Hiro and Baymax take down a masked villain powered by nanobots.
Director Don Hall , Chris Williams
Release Date October 24, 2014
Studio(s) Disney
Distributor(s) Disney
Writers Don Hall , Jordan Roberts , Robert L. Baird , Daniel Gerson , Duncan Rouleau , Steven T. Seagle
Runtime 1h 42m
Budget 165 million
The Wild Robot comes out 10 years after Walt Disney Animation Studios introduced the world to their loveable white robot: Baymax. 2014's Big Hero 6 is an animated superhero film that follows a young robotics genius named Hiro. After his brother's death, Hiro inherits a robot his brother made named Baymax. However, the influence of a massive criminal threat causes Hiro, Baymax, and a variety of other friends to become superheroes, forming the titular team.
The Wild Robot's explosive and emotional ending leaves the door open for further exploration of the animated film's surprisingly dark sci-fi setting.
Baymax and Roz are incredibly similar characters, with these connections going deeper than just their designs. Both robots are incredibly curious and always willing to help, with their kind hearts being at the center of their characters. While Big Hero 6 is more action-packed than The Wild Robot, fans of the DreamWorks film are guaranteed to find something to love in Big Hero 6.
6 Robot Dreams
2023
Robot Dreams is an animated comedy-drama film by writer-director Pablo Berger, featuring no voice acting. The film follows a dog living alone in New York City who decides to build a robot friend in the 1980s, setting the two on various heartfelt adventures in Manhattan together.
Director Pablo Berger
Release Date December 6, 2024
Distributor(s) Neon
Writers Pablo Berger , Sara Varon
Runtime 102 Minutes
Robot Dreams is another great pick for fans of The Wild Robot, as the aptly-named film also features animated robots. The 2023 Spanish-French animated film is set in a world of anthropomorphic animals, with Dog making a robot in 1980s New York City. Dog then brings the robot to Coney Island on Labor Day, although the outing takes a downward turn when the robot gets wet.
Robot Dreams is a unique film, with its strange world and quirky characters aligning with those seen in The Wild Robot. Robot Dreams was also critically acclaimed upon its release, with the film even getting nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Robot Dreams was widely considered to be one of the best movies of 2023, highlighting the level of quality that the movie reaches.
5 Bambi
1942
Bambi is one of Disney's most iconic animated films that debuted in 1942. The movie follows a young deer named Bambi who grows up in a forest with his friend Thumper after his mother is killed. The film was directed by James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, and David Hand and was nominated for three Oscars.
Director James Algar , Samuel Armstrong , David Hand
Release Date August 14, 1942
Writers Felix Salten , Perce Pearce , Larry Morey , Vernon Stallings , Melvin Shaw , Carl Fallberg
Cast Hardie Albright , Stan Alexander , Bobette Audrey , Peter Behn , Thelma Boardman , Janet Chapman
Although the two films may seem incredibly different, fans of The Wild Robot who want to learn more about the movie's development need to watch Bambi. In the lead-up to the film's release, The Wild Robot director Chris Sanders talked about the inspirations of the film, with Disney's 1942 classic being among the names mentioned. The animated film follows a young deer named Bambi as he grows up in the forest alongside his animal friends, facing various trials and tribulations along the way.
The influence of Bambi can definitely be seen in The Wild Robot's DNA, with the focus on animals and the beauty of nature being one of the major focuses of the DreamWorks film. The serene and calmer tone of The Wild Robot also pairs well with the Walt Disney film, further highlighting the connections between the two movies.
4 My Neighbor Totoro
1988
From Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki, My Neighbor Totoro follows the adventures of two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, and their encounters with the spirits of the forest living near their new home in rural Japan. The film had two English dubs, first staring Lisa Michelson and Cheryl Chase, and later staring Dakota and Elle Fanning.
Release Date April 16, 1988
Cast Dakota Fanning , Elle Fanning
Runtime 86minutes
Budget $236, 677,550
While discussing the inspirations behind The Wild Robot, Chris Sanders also discussed another major influence, with that being My Neighbor Totoro. Throughout the interview, Sanders mentioned the influence of acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki, with his works and style having a massive impact on the director. However, My Neighbor Totoro was the biggest influence behind the film, making it a must-see for fans of The Wild Robot.
The Wild Robot's Roz is a wonderful character, and she has a lot in common with other beloved animated characters, visually and with her personality.
My Neighbor Totoro follows a young schoolgirl who moves to the Japanese countryside, with her soon meeting Totoro and a variety of other whimsical Japanese spirits. The film is cited as one of the best animated movies of all time, with it being considered one of Miyazaki's best. My Neighbor Totoro has a lot in common with The Wild Robot, and fans of the medium of animation need to see this movie.
3 Lilo & Stitch
2002
Lilo & Stitch
Lilo & Stitch is a Disney animated franchise that began with the 2002 film about a lonely Hawaiian girl, Lilo, who befriends a genetically engineered alien named Stitch. The story combines heartwarming themes of family, friendship, and acceptance with humor and sci-fi adventure. The franchise expanded with sequels, TV series, and an upcoming live-action remake. Its characters, particularly Stitch, have become beloved icons in Disney's lineup.
Created by Chris Sanders , Dean DeBlois
Latest Film Leroy & Stitch (2006)
Latest TV Show Stitch & Ai
First Episode Air Date September 20, 2003
Cast Daveigh Chase , Chris Sanders , Tia Carrere , David Ogden Stiers , Kevin McDonald , Ving Rhames , Jason Scott Lee , Kevin Michael Richardson
Spin-offs Stitch! (2008) , Stitch & Ai
Spin-offs (Movies) Stitch! The Movie (2003)
Character(s) Lilo Pelekai , Stitch , Nani Pelekai , Dr. Jumba Jookiba , Pleakley , Captain Gantu , David Kawena , Cobra Bubbles
Video Game(s) Lilo and Stitch: Trouble In Paradise
Summary
Lilo & Stitch is a Disney animated franchise that began with the 2002 film about a lonely Hawaiian girl, Lilo, who befriends a genetically engineered alien named Stitch. The story combines heartwarming themes of family, friendship, and acceptance with humor and sci-fi adventure. The franchise expanded with sequels, TV series, and an upcoming live-action remake. Its characters, particularly Stitch, have become beloved icons in Disney's lineup.
While the director hasn't discussed this film as a direct influence on The Wild Robot, it is hard to deny that Lilo & Stitch had an impact on the movie, as it was also directed by The Wild Robot's Chris Sanders. Alongside Dean DeBlois, Chris Sanders directed the beloved 2002 Disney film, with it making Stitch a cultural icon. The film follows a young Hawaiian girl named Lilo who discovers a blue alien named Stitch. Believing that he is a dog, Lilo adopts Stitch, causing her to be wrapped up in a massive intergalactic adventure.
It is always interesting to see how directors have changed over their careers, so Lilo & Stitch is a fantastic film for viewers who want to see how Chris Sanders has changed over two decades. Lilo & Stitch is arguably Sanders' most popular and influential film, meaning that it is a great watch after The Wild Robot's release.
2 The Iron Giant
1999
Set in 1957 Maine against the backdrop of the Cold War, The Iron Giant follows Hogarth Hughes, a young boy who finds an alien robot crashlanded in the woods outside his hometown. Determining that the robot is friendly, Hogarth quickly becomes its protector against forces in the US Army who wish to use the robot for their own means. Eli Marienthal voices Hogarth, with a further cast that includes Vin Diesel, Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., and Christopher McDonald.
Release Date August 6, 1999
Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures
Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures
Writers Tim McCanlies
Runtime 86 minutes
Budget $70 million
Ever since The Wild Robot's release, one of the films that it has been consistently compared to the most is The Iron Giant. Warner Bros.' classic animated film follows a young boy named Hogarth Hughes, with him discovering a massive robot known as The Iron Giant. The two develop a close friendship, although they realize that they both have to protect each other once the government decides to attempt to take The Iron Giant by force.
The Iron Giant and Roz also have a lot in common, with the curious robots being kind-hearted despite their threatening appearances. They are willing to do anything for the people they love, with this being the emotional core of the two films. The Iron Giant is considered to be one of the best animated films of all time, which is why it is a must-see after The Wild Robot.
1 WALL-E
2008
Pixar's WALL-E tells the story of the titular lone robot left alone on an uninhabitable Earth in the distant future. Tasked with cleaning away the endless mountains of the varied waste discarded by humanity before they left the planet, WALL-E spends his days collecting salvageable parts and items of interest. When he finds a plant, another robot arrives to collect the sample, taking WALL-E to the remnants of humanity, who have all grown morbidly obese through consistent inactivity while living in luxury on a space cruiser.
Director Andrew Stanton
Release Date June 27, 2008
Studio(s) Walt Disney Pictures , Pixar Animation Studios
Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Runtime 98 Minutes
Budget $180 Million
Out of all the films to watch after The Wild Robot, WALL-E is probably the best pick. WALL-E is Pixar's version of a story about a kind-hearted and curious robot who loves wildlife, although WALL-E's story is more tragic due to him being stranded on a decimated planet. Despite the only wildlife around being cockroaches, WALL-E manages to remain optimistic, something that pays off when he meets a more advanced robot named EVE.
The Wild Robot is a great adaptation of a beloved book, but changes were still made to allow the story to be better told in its new medium.
There are all kinds of story parallels between WALL-E and The Wild Robot, many of which are obvious upon watching the two films. On top of that, the themes of both films parallel a lot as well, especially when it comes to the environment. WALL-E is often cited as one of Pixar's best, and with The Wild Robot now being cited as one of DreamWorks' best, it will be fun to compare the two animated classics.
The Wild Robot is an animated drama film based on a series of books by Peter Brown. The adaptation is written and directed by Chris Sanders and stars Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, and Catherine O'Hara. The Wild Robot centers on a robot named Rozzum 7134, who becomes stranded on a deserted island and the guardian of a young orphan.
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