Movies like
Loved the vibe? Here are ten films that hit similar notes—with match scores, reasons to watch, and where to stream in the US.
People revisit Monsters University for the same reason it broke through in 2013: clear stakes, memorable faces, and a family rhythm that doesn't stall in the middle. Dan Scanlon keeps the ensemble pointed in one direction. The animation and family blend is the engine: it lets the film shift registers without feeling like two different movies stitched together.
Runtime 1h 44m · ★ 7.0
Mood
Streaming (US)
Era
Showing 10 of 10 picks
★ 7.8 · Animation · Comedy · Family · 1h 32m
Why you'll love it
Monsters, Inc. (2001) is the natural next step after Monsters University: same animation DNA, different perspective. The funny streak and family elevate it well above a simple genre exercise.
Watch on
Disney Plus
Amazon Video(Rent)
Apple TV Store(Rent)
Google Play Movies(Rent)
YouTube(Rent)
Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)
★ 7.8 · Animation · Family · Comedy · 1h 42m
Why you'll love it
Fans of Monsters University who respond to its animation will find Toy Story 3 (2010) immediately familiar. Both films share a family sensibility without ever feeling like carbon copies of each other.
Watch on
Disney PlusAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)
★ 7.8 · Animation · Comedy · Fantasy · 1h 35m
Why you'll love it
There's a reason Monsters University fans keep landing on Luca (2021) — the animation is unmistakably related even when the plots diverge. Both films operate on the same emotional frequency, especially in their third acts.
Watch on
Disney PlusFandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)Google Play Movies(Buy)YouTube(Buy)Fandango At Home(Buy)
★ 7.9 · Animation · Family · Fantasy · 1h 40m
Why you'll love it
Coraline draws from the same animation well as Monsters University, channeling family in ways that feel unmistakably related. The 2009 film makes a natural companion watch — similar in spirit but distinctly its own.
Watch on
Amazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)
Spectrum On Demand(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)
★ 6.7 · Adventure · Animation · Family · 1h 33m
Why you'll love it
The Good Dinosaur (2015) captures the animation appeal of Monsters University without simply imitating it. The family streak running through both films is what puts The Good Dinosaur at the top of any "if you liked…" shortlist.
Watch on
Disney PlusAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)
★ 7.0 · Animation · Comedy · Family · 1h 32m
Why you'll love it
The animation appeal of Monsters University — that funny edge, the family — translates cleanly into Hotel Transylvania: Transformania (2022). Different setting, same essential satisfaction.
Watch on
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video with AdsAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)Spectrum On Demand(Rent)
★ 8.0 · Animation · Science Fiction · Adventure · 1h 44m
Why you'll love it
The filmmakers behind Transformers One (2024) clearly understood what makes animation work — the same quality that keeps Monsters University rewatchable. Expect the same uplifting rhythm, executed with a fresh angle.
Watch on
Amazon Prime Video
fuboTV
MGM+ Amazon Channel
Paramount Plus Premium
Paramount Plus Essential
Paramount+ Amazon Channel
Philo
Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
★ 6.7 · Animation · Comedy · Adventure · 1h 20m
Why you'll love it
An American Tail (1986) is the kind of film Monsters University fans discover and immediately send to their group chat. The animation overlap is real, but it's the funny emotional pull that seals the recommendation.
Watch on
Amazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)Google Play Movies(Buy)
★ 7.9 · Animation · Family · Action · 1h 39m
Why you'll love it
Nimona shares Monsters University's gift for animation — the 2023 film delivers family without overstaying its welcome. Consider it required viewing once you've finished rewatching your first pick.
Watch on
Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
★ 6.4 · Animation · Comedy · Family · 1h 15m
Why you'll love it
Much of what makes Monsters University compelling — the animation, the family — shows up in Kronk's New Groove (2005) in a slightly different form. Both films understand that funny storytelling works best when it trusts the audience.
Watch on
Disney PlusAmazon Video(Rent)Apple TV Store(Rent)Google Play Movies(Rent)YouTube(Rent)Fandango At Home(Rent)Amazon Video(Buy)Apple TV Store(Buy)Browse every "movies like" page on the site—including ones still waiting to be indexed.