The Wild Robotis 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’sThe Wild Robothas continued the studio’s recent streak of animated successes, following up on movies likePuss in Boots: The Last Wish, with many claiming thatThe Wild Robotis one of DreamWorks' best movies ever.The Wild Robot’s critical and commercial successeshave 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 Robotfollows 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 Robothas received incredibly positive reviews, with the film sitting at 98% onRotten Tomatoesas 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.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines
Cast
The Mitchells vs. the Machines is an animated feature about a quirky family’s road trip that takes an unexpected turn during a robot apocalypse. Thrust into the role of champions, the Mitchells must overcome their dysfunction to become humanity’s last hope against the rise of the machines. Released by Sony Pictures Animation.
Sony Pictures Animation’sThe Mitchells vs. The Machinesis one of the best films to come out of the studio,and it shares a lot of similarities withThe 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.
7 Most Emotional Scenes In The Wild Robot
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 thanThe Wild Robot,The Mitchells vs. The Machinesis 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 andThe Wild Robot’s cast of supporting characters.
Transformers One
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.
Interestingly enough,The Wild Robotactually shared its theatrical run with another 2024 movie that focused on animated robots:Transformers One. Acting as aprequel to the iconicTransformersfranchise,Transformers Onegives 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 likeThe Wild Robot,Transformers Onehas a unique style that makes it a visual treat, with its animation being different from anything that Paramount has done before. DespiteTransformers Onebeing 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 againstThe Wild Robot. While many considerThe Wild Robotto be the best animated film of 2024,Transformers Oneis right up there with it.
Treasure Planet
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.
Jumping back in time a few decades, Walt Disney Animation Studios has also made a movie thatThe Wild Robotfans may love, with this being 2002’sTreasure Planet. The ambitious animated sci-fi film is an adaptation of the classicTreasure Islandstory, although this time it takes place in a futuristic sci-fi world.Treasure Planetis full of spaceships, aliens, and robots, with the film’s sci-fi aesthetic giving it a major parallel toThe Wild Robot.
Treasure Planetis 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 comparingThe Wild Robotto DreamWorks Animation’s other movies, as the film takes some big swings that really pay off.Treasure Planetis 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.
Big Hero 6
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.
The Wild Robotcomes out 10 years after Walt Disney Animation Studios introduced the world to their loveable white robot: Baymax.2014’sBig Hero 6is an animated superhero filmthat 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 Ending Explained
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. WhileBig Hero 6is more action-packed thanThe Wild Robot, fans of the DreamWorks film are guaranteed to find something to love inBig Hero 6.
Robot Dreams
Robot Dreams follows the poignant journey of a lonely dog and his robot companion, exploring themes of friendship and separation. When a malfunction occurs, Dog is compelled to leave Robot at the beach, leading to a heartfelt quest centered on reunion and rediscovery.
Robot Dreamsis another great pick for fans ofThe 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 Dreamsis a unique film, with its strange world and quirky characters aligning with those seen inThe Wild Robot.Robot Dreamswas also critically acclaimed upon its release, with the film even getting nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.Robot Dreamswas widely considered to be one of the best movies of 2023, highlighting the level of quality that the movie reaches.
Bambi
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.
Although the two films may seem incredibly different, fans ofThe Wild Robotwho want to learn more about the movie’s development need to watchBambi. In the lead-up to the film’s release,The Wild Robotdirector Chris Sanderstalked 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 ofBambican definitely be seen inThe 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 ofThe Wild Robotalso pairs well with the Walt Disney film, further highlighting the connections between the two movies.
While discussing the inspirations behindThe Wild Robot, Chris Sanders also discussed another major influence, with that beingMy 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 Totorowas the biggest influence behind the film, making it a must-see for fans ofThe Wild Robot.
The Wild Robot Combines 6 Favorite Animated Movie Robots Into One
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 Totorofollows 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 Totorohas a lot in common withThe Wild Robot, and fans of the medium of animation need to see this movie.
Lilo & Stitch
Lilo & Stitchis 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 onThe Wild Robot, it is hard to deny thatLilo & Stitchhad an impact on the movie, as it was also directed byThe 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, soLilo & Stitchis a fantastic film for viewers who want to see how Chris Sanders has changed over two decades.Lilo & Stitchis arguably Sanders' most popular and influential film, meaning that it is a great watch afterThe Wild Robot’s release.
The Iron Giant
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.
Ever sinceThe Wild Robot’s release, one of the films that it has been consistently compared to the most isThe 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 Giantis considered to be one of the best animated films of all time, which is why it is a must-see afterThe Wild Robot.
WALL-E
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.
Out of all the films to watch afterThe Wild Robot,WALL-Eis probably the best pick.WALL-Eis 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.
10 Ways The Wild Robot Movie Changes The Book
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 betweenWALL-EandThe 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-Eis often cited as one of Pixar’s best, and withThe Wild Robotnow being cited as one of DreamWorks' best, it will be fun to compare the two animated classics.
The Wild Robot
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.
