Movies Like Defenders of the Earth: The Story Begins

If you liked Defenders of the Earth: The Story Begins (1986), a animation and adventure movie directed by John Gibbs and Ray Lee, here are 20 movies with a similar feel, based on TMDB's recommendations. Each one links to its cast, trailer and where it's streaming.

1
The Tidal Zone: SpongeBob Universe Special (2023)
★ 7.1/10Also animation and adventure
GrandPat travels through alternate dimensions and timelines to get home.
2
PAW Patrol: Ready, Race, Rescue! (2019)
★ 7.1/10Also animation and family
It’s the Adventure Bay 500! The pups have built an awesome race track and are ready to be the pit crew for their race hero, The Whoosh! But when the legendary racer is unable to drive in the championship race, he calls…
3
Pets United (2019)
★ 5.9/10Also animation and family
When Roger (a Robin Hood-esque, stray dog) and Belle (an elegant yet spoilt pet cat) are thrown together amidst the chaos of a robot take-over of their home city, they must push all their preconceptions aside in order…
4
Curious George 3: Back to the Jungle (2015)
★ 6.7/10Also animation and family
When Curious George is offered a special space mission, Ted (The Man in the Yellow Hat) can't deny his little friend this exciting journey, especially after Curious George completes the training. But when he…
5
Marvel Rising: Playing with Fire (2019)
★ 6.1/10Also animation and adventure
Inferno’s powers are stolen by a young and powerful villain and it’s up to the Secret Warriors to defeat their new foe and help their friend. But does Inferno even WANT his powers back? Meanwhile, America Chavez learns…
6
Bon Voyage, Charlie Brown (and Don't Come Back!) (1980)
★ 6.4/10Also family and animation
Charlie Brown, Linus, Peppermint Patty and Marcie travel to France as foreign exchange students. Also along is Snoopy and Woodstock. While everyone is excited about the opportunity to travel to a foreign country…
7
Return to Never Land (2002)
★ 6.5/10Also adventure and animation
In 1940, the world is besieged by World War II. Wendy, all grown up, has two children; including Jane, who does not believe Wendy's stories about Peter Pan.
8
The Pagemaster (1994)
★ 6.4/10Also family and animation
Rich knows a lot about accidents. So much so, he is scared to do anything that might endanger him, like riding his bike, or climbing into his treehouse. While in an old library, he is mystically transported into the…
9
Monster Family 2 (2021)
★ 6.6/10Also animation and family
To free Baba Yaga and Renfield from the clutches of Monster Hunter Mila Starr, the Wishbone Family once more transforms into a Vampire, Frankenstein's Monster, a Mummy and a Werewolf but when aided by their three pet…
10
SlugTerra: Return of the Elementals (2014)
★ 7/10Also family and animation
A new member has joined Eli and the Shane Gang! Junjie, once the protector of the Eastern Caverns, is a master of the slugslinging art of Slug Fu! But even with the power of five slingers, the Shane Gang find…
11
A Tooth Fairy Tale (2025)
★ 8.5/10Also animation and family
Van, the brave son of a tooth fairy leader, meets the goblins girl Gemma on his first mission. Despite the myths about ancient disputes between fairies and goblins, they share common values. When the greedy Spider…
12
LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman - Rage of Atlantis (2018)
★ 6.2/10Also animation and family
Aquaman must battle foes in the air, on land and in the depths of the Seven Seas, along with some help from The Justice League, to save the day.
13
PAW Patrol: Mighty Pups (2018)
★ 7.5/10Also adventure and animation
When their latest scheme goes awry, Mayor Humdinger and his nephew Harold accidentally divert a meteor towards Adventure Bay. The meteor's golden energy grants the PAW Patrol superpowers. The heroic Mighty Pups are on…
14
Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin (2024)
★ 7.7/10Also animation and family
Franklin is new to town and hoping to make friends, but his usual tactics don't work on the Peanuts gang. When the Soap Box Derby arrives, he's sure it's a chance to impress new pals and teams up with the only other…
15
Arctic Dogs (2019)
★ 5.9/10Also animation and adventure
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.
16
Two by Two: Overboard! (2020)
★ 7.6/10Also animation and adventure
Two misfit castaways struggle to reunite an unorthodox family, out-run a volcano, and negotiate a peace deal on a creaking Ark.
17
Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans (2021)
★ 7.5/10Also animation and family
The Guardians of Arcadia reunite to battle the nefarious Arcane Order, who've reawakened the primordial Titans.
18
Welcome to Smelliville (2021)
★ 6.7/10Also animation and adventure
The Oggly family arrive at the municipal rubbish dump of Smelliville and must look for a new home, but they never feel really welcome anywhere. They stink and are for most humans just a tad too oggly. When Firebottom…
19
Minions & More Volume 1 (2022)
★ 7/10Also animation and adventure
This collection of 10 short films produced by Illumination includes: From the "Despicable Me" franchise: Puppy (2013); Minion Scouts (2019); Training Wheels (2013); The Secret Life of Kyle (2017); Santa's Little…
20
The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving (1995)
★ 6.2/10Also animation and adventure
When the water supply to the Great Valley is blocked, Littlefoot and his friends must cooperate with a group of bullies to find the reason the cause.