Best Movies like Soul (2020)

Inside Out also explores the journey of non-corporeal entities navigating a metaphysical world that mirrors human inner life. Both films use animation to visualize abstract concepts such as personality, purpose, and emotional development, providing an inventive perspective on what shapes our identities.

When 11-year-old Riley moves to a new city, her Emotions team up to help her through the transition. Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness work together, but when Joy and Sadness get lost, they must journey through unfamiliar places to get back home. Inside Out is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 35m runtime, released in 2015 with an average rating of 7.9 by 23,679 people. The movie made an estimated total of $857,611,174 in the box office.

Coco centers on the afterlife, identity, and the importance of passions—in Coco’s case, music. Like Soul, it uses animation to bring spiritual realms to life and follows a protagonist seeking to return to the living world, confronting questions about self-worth and life’s meaning.

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector, and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history. Coco is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 45m runtime, released in 2017 with an average rating of 8.2 by 21,190 people. The movie made an estimated total of $814,641,172 in the box office.

The Book of Life features vibrant animation and a plot where the main character's journey intertwines with musical elements and the afterlife. Both stories involve traversing fantastical spiritual realms while exploring personal passions and the quest for purpose in life.

The journey of Manolo, a young man who is torn between fulfilling the expectations of his family and following his heart. Before choosing which path to follow, he embarks on an incredible adventure that spans fantastical worlds where he must face his greatest fears. The Book of Life is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 35m runtime, released in 2014 with an average rating of 7.5 by 2,974 people. The movie made an estimated total of $97,437,106 in the box office.

Waking Life shares Soul’s depiction of a dreamlike, transformative journey confronting philosophical questions about existence. Both employ imaginative visual styles to represent profound musings on the nature of consciousness and the soul’s place in the universe.

Waking Life is about a young man in a persistent lucid dream-like state. The film follows its protagonist as he initially observes and later participates in philosophical discussions that weave together issues like reality, free will, our relationships with others, and the meaning of life. Waking Life is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 41m runtime, released in 2001 with an average rating of 7.5 by 965 people. The movie made an estimated total of $3,176,880 in the box office.

Kubo and the Two Strings uses animation and fantasy structure for a young protagonist’s metaphysical adventure involving music’s power. Both stories build emotional depth by connecting personal passion with quests in imaginative, otherworldly settings.

Kubo mesmerizes the people in his village with his magical gift for spinning wild tales with origami. When he accidentally summons an evil spirit seeking vengeance, Kubo is forced to go on a quest to solve the mystery of his fallen samurai father and his mystical weaponry, as well as discover his own magical powers. Kubo and the Two Strings is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 42m runtime, released in 2016 with an average rating of 7.6 by 3,864 people. The movie made an estimated total of $76,249,438 in the box office.

A Matter of Life and Death presents a character navigating between the earthly and metaphysical, confronting questions about fate and second chances. The interplay between the afterlife and a return to life parallels Soul’s premise of a protagonist caught between two realities.

A British wartime aviator who cheats death must argue for his life before a celestial court, hoping to prolong his fledgling romance with an American girl. A Matter of Life and Death is a movie from United Kingdom in English, with a total 1h 44m runtime, released in 1946 with an average rating of 7.8 by 473 people. The movie made an estimated total of $1,750,000 in the box office.

Mr. Nobody explores existential questions through a protagonist whose fate hinges on philosophical decisions, connecting to Soul’s contemplation of life choices and purpose. Both films use creative storytelling structures to examine the development of identity through transformative journeys.

Nemo Nobody leads an ordinary existence with his wife and 3 children; one day, he wakes up as a mortal centenarian in the year 2092. Mr. Nobody is a movie from Belgium in English, with a total 2h 21m runtime, released in 2009 with an average rating of 7.8 by 6,285 people. The movie made an estimated total of $2,331,721 in the box office.

The Little Prince, much like Soul, combines animation with a philosophical adventure that examines human connections, imagination, and meaning. Both stories depict transformative relationships and employ fantastical sequences to illuminate inner emotional landscapes.

Based on the best-seller book 'The Little Prince', the movie tells the story of a little girl that lives with resignation in a world where efficiency and work are the only dogmas. Everything will change when accidentally she discovers her neighbor that will tell her about the story of the Little Prince that he once met. The Little Prince is a movie from France in English, with a total 1h 46m runtime, released in 2015 with an average rating of 7.6 by 3,002 people. The movie made an estimated total of $101,281,211 in the box office.

Spirited Away immerses its protagonist in a richly realized spirit realm, echoing Soul’s premise of personal growth through traversing otherworldly domains. Both films use elaborate animation to visualize journeys that lead to new understanding of self and purpose.

A young girl, Chihiro, becomes trapped in a strange new world of spirits. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, she must call upon the courage she never knew she had to free her family. Spirited Away is a movie from Japan in Japanese, with a total 2h 5m runtime, released in 2001 with an average rating of 8.5 by 18,619 people. The movie made an estimated total of $274,925,095 in the box office.

Mary and Max centers on unusual friendships that guide characters toward self-discovery. Like Soul, it uses animation to approach themes of connection, loneliness, and meaning, focusing on how relationships can inspire deep personal change.

A tale of friendship between two unlikely pen pals: Mary, a lonely, eight-year-old girl living in the suburbs of Melbourne, and Max, a forty-four-year old, severely obese man living in New York. Mary and Max is a movie from Australia in English, with a total 1h 32m runtime, released in 2009 with an average rating of 7.9 by 2,291 people. The movie made an estimated total of $1,740,429 in the box office.

I Origins contemplates metaphysical questions about the soul and personal identity, which aligns with Soul’s exploration of what defines individuality and purpose. Both are meditative tales that use extraordinary phenomena as narrative devices for philosophical reflection.

A molecular biologist's study of the human eye has far-reaching implications about humanity's scientific and spiritual beliefs. I Origins is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 46m runtime, released in 2014 with an average rating of 7.6 by 3,499 people. The movie made an estimated total of $481,234 in the box office.

All Dogs Go to Heaven draws its protagonist into an otherworldly afterlife and a quest for redemption. Similar to Soul, it leverages animation to depict a journey between life and the beyond, focusing on character growth and transformation.

When a casino-owning dog named Charlie is murdered by his rival Carface, he finds himself in Heaven. Wanting to get back at his killer, he cons his way back to the living with the warning that doing so damns him to Hell. Once back, he teams with his old partner, Itchy, to prep his retaliation. He stumbles upon an orphan girl who can talk to the animals, thus allowing him to get the inside info on the races to ensure his wins to finance his plans. However, all the while, he is still haunted by nightmares of what's waiting for him on the other side unless he can prove that he is worthy of Heaven again. All Dogs Go to Heaven is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 24m runtime, released in 1989 with an average rating of 6.8 by 1,157 people. The movie made an estimated total of $27,100,027 in the box office.

Big Fish—through fantastical storytelling—delves into the search for life’s meaning by blurring lines between reality and imagination. Both films depict protagonists reflecting on their existence, using inventive visuals and a mixture of tangible and abstract journeys.

Throughout his life Edward Bloom has always been a man of big appetites, enormous passions and tall tales. In his later years, he remains a huge mystery to his son, William. Now, to get to know the real man, Will begins piecing together a true picture of his father from flashbacks of his amazing adventures. Big Fish is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 5m runtime, released in 2003 with an average rating of 7.8 by 7,855 people. The movie made an estimated total of $123,200,000 in the box office.

It’s a Wonderful Life revolves around a protagonist who, like in Soul, confronts a metaphysical crisis that prompts reconsideration of life’s value and impact. Both narratives focus on appreciating the beauty and significance of ordinary existence through supernatural intervention.

George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the business's $8,000 is lost and George's troubles begin. It's a Wonderful Life is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 2h 11m runtime, released in 1946 with an average rating of 8.3 by 4,973 people. The movie made an estimated total of $9,644,124 in the box office.

Your Name. blends metaphysical elements with heartfelt storytelling, involving characters who experience disconnection from their bodies and journeys that reveal their true selves. Both films use fantasy as a framework to explore identity and the ties that make life worth living.

High schoolers Mitsuha and Taki are complete strangers living separate lives. But one night, they suddenly switch places. Mitsuha wakes up in Taki’s body, and he in hers. This bizarre occurrence continues to happen randomly, and the two must adjust their lives around each other. Your Name. is a movie from Japan in Japanese, with a total 1h 46m runtime, released in 2016 with an average rating of 8.5 by 12,771 people. The movie made an estimated total of $405,320,132 in the box office.

The Red Turtle is an animated fantasy with minimal dialogue, focusing on a transformative journey in a magical setting. Both films convey existential themes and the cycles of life through visual storytelling that emphasizes emotion and introspection.

The dialogue-less film follows the major life stages of a castaway on a deserted tropical island populated by turtles, crabs and birds. The Red Turtle is a movie from Belgium in French, with a total 1h 21m runtime, released in 2016 with an average rating of 7.4 by 1,385 people. The movie made an estimated total of $921,974 in the box office.

Bridge to Terabithia, although grounded in reality, incorporates fantasy and imagination to help its young protagonists cope with life’s mysteries and challenges. Like Soul, it uses transformative journeys and imaginary worlds as catalysts for emotional growth.

Jesse Aarons trained all summer to become the fastest runner in school. So he's very upset when newcomer Leslie Burke outruns him and everyone else. Despite this and other differences including that she's rich, he's poor, she's a city girl, and he's a country boy the two become fast friends. Together they create Terabithia, a land of monsters, trolls, ogres, and giants where they rule as king and queen. Bridge to Terabithia is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 35m runtime, released in 2007 with an average rating of 7.3 by 5,380 people. The movie made an estimated total of $137,587,063 in the box office.

The Fountain explores metaphysical questions about life, death, and purpose across different realities. Its central narrative of transcending ordinary existence connects to Soul’s protagonist navigating spiritual domains in search of fulfillment and deeper meaning.

Spanning over one thousand years, and three parallel stories, The Fountain is a story of love, death, spirituality, and the fragility of our existence in this world. The Fountain is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 36m runtime, released in 2006 with an average rating of 6.9 by 3,150 people. The movie made an estimated total of $15,304,890 in the box office.

Ernest & Celestine uses animation to chronicle an unlikely friendship that transforms its characters’ lives. Like Soul, it emphasizes music, meaningful relationships, and the growth found in breaking away from societal expectations to pursue one’s true passion.

Celestine is a little mouse trying to avoid a dental career while Ernest is a big bear craving an artistic outlet. When Celestine meets Ernest, they overcome their natural enmity by forging a life of crime together. Ernest & Celestine is a movie from France in French, with a total 1h 20m runtime, released in 2012 with an average rating of 7.8 by 701 people. The movie made an estimated total of $8,170,333 in the box office.

The Secret of Kells shares with Soul a richly animated world and a story centered on creative passion and the transformative journey of its main character. Both films use mythic and fantastical settings to facilitate discovery and self-realization.

Adventure awaits 12 year old Brendan who must fight Vikings and a serpent god to find a crystal and complete the legendary Book of Kells. In order to finish Brother Aiden's book, Brendan must overcome his deepest fears on a secret quest that will take him beyond the abbey walls and into the enchanted forest where dangerous mythical creatures hide. Will Brendan succeed in his quest? The Secret of Kells is a movie from Ireland in English, with a total 1h 19m runtime, released in 2009 with an average rating of 7.4 by 799 people. The movie made an estimated total of $1,803,412 in the box office.

9 presents an inventive animated world where non-human characters embark on a quest for purpose after a cataclysmic event. The existential foundation and the search for meaning echo Soul’s exploration of personal identity and what gives life significance.

When 9 first comes to life, he finds himself in a post-apocalyptic world. All humans are gone, and it is only by chance that he discovers a small community of others like him taking refuge from fearsome machines that roam the earth intent on their extinction. Despite being the neophyte of the group, 9 convinces the others that hiding will do them no good. 9 is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 19m runtime, released in 2009 with an average rating of 7.0 by 3,947 people. The movie made an estimated total of $48,428,063 in the box office.

The Tale of The Princess Kaguya offers a beautifully animated fantasy grounded in questions of belonging and the ephemeral nature of life. Like Soul, it draws on folklore and spiritual themes to contemplate the soul’s journey and the value of everyday experiences.

Found inside a shining stalk of bamboo by an old bamboo cutter and his wife, a tiny girl grows rapidly into an exquisite young lady. The mysterious young princess enthrals all who encounter her. But, ultimately, she must confront her fate. The Tale of The Princess Kaguya is a movie from Japan in Japanese, with a total 2h 17m runtime, released in 2013 with an average rating of 8.1 by 2,016 people. The movie made an estimated total of $24,366,656 in the box office.

The Science of Sleep uses imaginative sequences and blurred lines between reality and dreams. Its structure, depicting personal introspection and the interplay of subconscious experiences, relates to Soul’s representation of the inner life and metaphysical exploration.

A man entranced by his dreams and imagination is lovestruck with a French woman and feels he can show her his world. The Science of Sleep is a movie from France in French, with a total 1h 46m runtime, released in 2006 with an average rating of 7.0 by 852 people. The movie made an estimated total of $9,524,340 in the box office.

The Cat Returns weaves an animated narrative around a fantastical adventure that prompts personal growth for its protagonist. Like Soul, it invites viewers into an imaginative world where traversing magical realms leads to greater self-understanding and maturity.

Young Haru rescues a cat from being run over, but soon learns it's no ordinary feline; it happens to be the Prince of the Cats. The Cat Returns is a movie from Japan in Japanese, with a total 1h 15m runtime, released in 2002 with an average rating of 7.1 by 2,492 people. The movie made an estimated total of $54,016,370 in the box office.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time involves a protagonist navigating extraordinary circumstances that challenge her perception of daily life and fate. Its blend of fantasy, animation, and introspective coming-of-age mirrors Soul’s central narrative device and themes.

When 17-year-old Makoto Konno gains the ability to 'leap' backwards through time, she immediately sets about improving her grades and preventing personal mishaps. However, she soon realises that changing the past isn't as simple as it seems, and eventually, will have to rely on her new powers to shape the future of herself and her friends. The Girl Who Leapt Through Time is a movie from Japan in Japanese, with a total 1h 38m runtime, released in 2006 with an average rating of 7.8 by 2,279 people. The movie made an estimated total of $3,478,290 in the box office.

Onward, another animated tale, features characters embarking on a quest in a magical world while grappling with themes of family and self-discovery. Both films share a focus on journeying through fantastical realms in search of what truly matters in life.

In a suburban fantasy world, two teenage elf brothers embark on an extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic left out there. Onward is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 42m runtime, released in 2020 with an average rating of 7.6 by 6,643 people. The movie made an estimated total of $141,888,276 in the box office.

A Ghost Story, though live-action, contemplates existence and the passage of time through a protagonist’s experience outside their physical body. It aligns with Soul’s metaphysical focus on the enduring questions of purpose and presence beyond everyday existence.

Recently deceased, a white-sheeted ghost returns to his suburban home to console his bereft wife, only to find that in his spectral state he has become unstuck in time, forced to watch passively as the life he knew and the woman he loves slowly slip away. A Ghost Story is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 33m runtime, released in 2017 with an average rating of 7.1 by 2,531 people. The movie made an estimated total of $1,929,659 in the box office.

Coraline visualizes imaginative, otherworldly domains where the protagonist must find their way back home. The inventive animation and use of alternate realities connect with Soul’s approach to visually representing spiritual journeys and self-discovery.

Wandering her rambling old house in her boring new town, 11-year-old Coraline discovers a hidden door to a strangely idealized version of her life. In order to stay in the fantasy, she must make a frighteningly real sacrifice. Coraline is a movie from United States of America in English, with a total 1h 40m runtime, released in 2009 with an average rating of 7.9 by 9,207 people. The movie made an estimated total of $185,860,104 in the box office.

My Life as a Zucchini employs animation to depict a young character’s emotional journey through challenging circumstances, ultimately finding hope and connection. Like Soul, it approaches serious themes from a sensitive perspective, exploring how relationships influence personal growth.

After his mother’s death, Zucchini is befriended by a kind police officer, Raymond, who accompanies him to his new foster home filled with other orphans his age. There, with the help of his newfound friends, Zucchini eventually learns to trust and love as he searches for a new family of his own. My Life as a Zucchini is a movie from France in French, with a total 1h 6m runtime, released in 2016 with an average rating of 7.8 by 1,534 people. The movie made an estimated total of $5,873,256 in the box office.

The Congress blurs reality and fantasy through a mix of live-action and animation. Its narrative, involving individuals confronting alternate identities and big questions about existence, evokes the metaphysical and introspective territory central to Soul.

An aging, out-of-work actress accepts one last job, though the consequences of her decision affect her in ways she didn't consider. The Congress is a movie from France in English, with a total 2h 3m runtime, released in 2013 with an average rating of 6.4 by 589 people. The movie made an estimated total of $455,815 in the box office.

Tokyo Godfathers—though based in reality—follows unlikely companions on an emotional journey that brings profound change. As in Soul, the film uses chance encounters and heartfelt storytelling to examine themes of hope, redemption, and the connections that define life.

On Christmas Eve, three homeless people living on the streets of Tokyo discover a newborn baby among the trash and set out to find its parents. Tokyo Godfathers is a movie from Japan in Japanese, with a total 1h 32m runtime, released in 2003 with an average rating of 7.9 by 1,539 people. The movie made an estimated total of $607,735 in the box office.

Whisper of the Heart, set within the genre of animated coming-of-age stories, follows a young protagonist who discovers personal inspiration through creative passion and new relationships. This parallels Soul’s focus on individual journeys of artistic self-realization and meaning.

Shizuku lives a simple life, dominated by her love for stories and writing. One day she notices that all the library books she has have been previously checked out by the same person: "Seiji Amasawa." Whisper of the Heart is a movie from Japan in Japanese, with a total 1h 51m runtime, released in 1995 with an average rating of 7.9 by 2,321 people.