If you are looking for movies like Matilda, then boy have we got some great movies for you. This list includes similar movies with similar themes. If you love fantasy, wizards in movies, coming of age, and heroic kids.
Plot: Young and genius Matilda is regularly neglected and mistreated by her parents and her older brother, even worse, the evil principal at Matilda’s school, is a terrifyingly strict bully. Smart and independent Matilda frequently goes to the public library where she finds solace in the fictional worlds found in books. When Matilda realizes she has the power of telekinesis, she begins to defend her friends and fight back against her unkind surroundings.
Here are 11 movies like Matilda, worth watching if you like classic fantasy comedies.
1. Labyrinth (1986)
Sixteen-year-old Sarah (Jenifer Connelly), wishes that her step-baby brother, that doesn’t stop crying, will be taken by the powerful Goblin King (David Bowie). When her wish comes true, she is been given thirteen hours to solve the labyrinth and save her stepbrother.
This is one of the most brilliant fantasy films, originally made for children, many thanks to Bowie’s appearance. David Bowie as Jareth the King of Goblins is both appealing and daunting, seductive, and manipulative but also sexy and interesting. This cult movie turned out to be terribly fun for adults.
2. The Kid Who Would Be King (2019)
A movie with optimistic 80’s-like messages: Take your destiny into your own hands and become friends with your enemies. The story of Alex, a British boy with usual problems who discovers the legendary Excalibur sword. Now, with the strongest sword in history in the hands of an ordinary and weak student, an adventure begins. Alex’s friends join, in order to eliminate Morgana, the essence of medieval evil that threatens to destroy the world.
3. Angus (1995)
One of the most underrated movies of the 90s. Like Matilda, Agnus is being bullied a lot. He is a miserable overweight teenager who secretly has a crush on the class’ beauty. She ends up becoming the surprising participant to dance with her at a high school dance, meaning he’s got to get his act together with the help of his best friend.
4. Hocus Pocus (1993)
An entertaining comedy, full of stunts and special effects. Three witches who were brought to the stake 300 years ago have vowed to return to our world and one night, a fateful night in the city of modern-day Massachusetts, they return and cause a long chain of troubles.
The cunning trio must perform one more spell to win eternal life. Unfortunately, three children stand in their way who have the power to break the spell.
For those who grew up in the 90s, “Hocus Pocus” is one of the most memorable cult films, and it gained fame not only in the United States but also all over the world. It’s considered a classic Halloween movie.
5. The Witches (1990)
After losing his parents, young Luke (Jasen Fisher) is taken to England by his grandmother Helga (Mai Zetterling). Gramma Helga shares with young Luke witches’ stories. Inspired by these stories, little luke unintentionally spies on a convention of witches.
The Grand High Witch (Anjelica Huston), reveals a plan to turn all children into mice through a magical formula. When they find that Luke has overheard, the witches test the formula on him. Now, with the help of Helga and the hotel manager, Mr. Stringer (Rowan Atkinson), Luke the mouse, must fight back against the witches.
Based on a book by Roald Dahl, two elements make it an unforgettable witch movie: first – the wonderful appearance given by Angelica Huston, and second – witches designed by former “muppets” creator, Jim Hanson. This movie will make you shake your bones even if you are an adult.
6. Babe (1995)
This movie tells the story of a piglet, who is orphaned when he is young and has a hard time finding his place in the world. This Australian family-fun movie, from an unknown director, turned overnight into an international hit film and even won the Academy Award in 1995.
7. Harriet The Spy (1996)
Harriet (Michelle Trachtenberg), is 11 years old girl living her privileged life with her parents and nanny. She is only a sixth-grader, but she already knows what she would like to be when she’ll be a grown-up: a spy. In order to pursue her dream, she starts recording events In a private journal she takes everywhere, Harriet records suspicious activity and keeps a running list of observations on virtually everyone she knows.
It seems harmless enough until one day, someone finds the journal and exposes Harriet’s intimate thoughts about her classmates. Harriet finds herself in a middle of a riot, while even her best friends are against her, and Harriet resolves to take revenge. Based on the 1964 novel by Louise Fitzhugh, this is a fun and inspirational movie, that teaches us a different way to observe our surroundings and overcome conflicts with a “thinking out of the box” approach and authenticity.
8. Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)
When a massive fire kills their parents, three children are delivered to the custody of cousin and stage actor Count Olaf, who is secretly plotting to steal their parents’ vast fortune. Fun movie, but some things are very different from the books, and a bit too long.
9. Stuart Little(1999)
A small mouse with a big heart named Stuart is looking for a place he can call home. To his great joy he was chosen to be adopted by the Little family – Father, mother, and little son George.
In their cozy little house, there is also a hostile force – Snowball, the family cat, who receives the new family member with great suspicion.
Based on a story by E.B white, This movie uses a sense of humor and live-action while dealing really well with themes like adoption, sibling rivalry, the fear of failure, and family.
10. 101 Dalmatians (1996)
101 Dalmatian dogs are kidnapped by the well-known fur lover – Crowella de Ville (Glen Close). Crowella will do anything to get the dogs and turn them into luxury fur coats. With the help of a pair of thieves, she kidnaps the puppies from all over England and hides them in a secret place. The cubs are assisted by their beloved owners and an art couple who will do everything to rescue their loved puppies from wicked Crowella.
This is a Disney classic, with all its charm, fun, and enchanted well-known atmosphere and vibes.
11. Practical Magic (1998)
Once upon a time, there were dirty and dangerous witches, they seduced the men and cursed the children, and did not really contribute to the brotherhood of the family. Practical Magic tells the story of the witches of the Evans family who have managed to keep out all the public chaos, even helping the women of the town with practical magic here and there, but always living under the curse: the man she falls in love with will not live too many years.
The beauties of witches: the hot redhead Gillian (Kidman) and the quiet but powerful Sally (Bullock). Sally manages to become an ordinary woman (except for the spoon who always mixes her coffee alone) with two daughters, the next generation of the family, and Parents at school. And Gillian, like the witches, is a men’s witch and organizes a complication that brings the sisters to the real test – dealing with a man who is stronger than them. And there is also a weak man involved in the war, Gary (Kevin), a lawman with his own charm.
