Get ready for an adventurous family adventure film starring the guy from Shazam and Chuck, Zachary Levi. Based on a 1955 children’s picture book of the same name by Crockett Johnson, Harold, and the Purple Crayon is directed by Carlos Saldanha from a screenplay co-written by David Guion and Michael Handelman and it follows the story of a grown-up Harold, who can make anything come true by drawing it with his crayon in his book. When he draws himself into real life he goes on numerous comedic adventures but his power soon falls into the wrong hands. If you loved the comedic hijinks, fantastical adventures, and imagination in Harold and the Purple Crayon here are some similar movies you could watch next.
Christopher Robin (Disney+ & Rent on Prime Video)
Christopher Robin is a live-action and animated hybrid fantasy comedy-drama film directed by Marc Forster from a screenplay co-written by Alex Ross Perry, Tom McCarthy, and Allison Schroeder. Based on the characters from Disney’s Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne and E. H. Shepard, the 2018 film follows the story of a grown-up Christopher Robin as Winnie the Pooh re-enters his life seeking help to find lost friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. Christopher Robin stars Ewan McGregor in the lead role with Hayley Atwell, Bronte Carmichael, Elsa Minell Solak, Mark Gatiss, Oliver Ford Davies, Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo, and Adrian Scarborough starring in supporting roles.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video)
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is a fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Jake Kasdan from a screenplay co-written by Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Scott Rosenberg, and Jeff Pinker. Based on the 1981 children’s picture book by author Chris Van Allsburg and a 1995 film by director Joe Johnston. the 2017 film follows the story of four students who find a magical video game that transports them into the jungle world of Jumanji as their video game avatars. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle stars Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Alex Wolff, Nick Jonas, Madison Iseman, Morgan Turner, and Bobby Cannavale.
Zathura: A Space Adventure (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video)
Zathura: A Space Adventure is a family sci-fi action adventure film directed by Jon Favreau from a screenplay co-written by David Koepp and John Kamps. Based on the 2002 children’s picture book by Chris Van Allsburg, the 2005 film follows the story of two young brothers as they find themselves transported into space with their house while playing a board game. They try their best to find a way to get back home. Zathura: A Space Adventure stars Josh Hutcherson, Jonah Bobo, Kristen Stewart, Dax Shepard, Tim Robbins, and Derek Mears.
The Spiderwick Chronicles (MGM+, Paramount+ & Rent on Prime Video)
The Spiderwick Chronicles is a fantasy adventure film directed by Mark Waters from a screenplay co-written by Karey Kirkpatrick, David Berenbaum, and John Sayles. Based on a series of children’s fantasy books of the same name by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, the 2008 film follows the story of twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace as they move into the Spiderwick Estate with their mother and sister. Soon they find themselves surrounded by magical creatures. The Spiderwick Chronicles stars Freddie Highmore in the lead role with Sarah Bolger, Seth Rogen, David Strathairn, Nick Nolte, Mary-Louise Parker, Martin Short, and Andrew McCarthy starring in supporting roles.
Bedtime Stories (Disney+ & Rent on Prime Video)
Bedtime Stories is a family fantasy comedy film directed by Adam Shankman from a screenplay by Matt Lopez and Tim Herlihy. The 2008 film follows the story of Peter, a hotel odd-job man as he narrates bedtime stories to his nephew and niece and discovers that the stories are coming true in his life, but the only problem is that once he starts a story the ending is up to the kids. Bedtime Stories stars Adam Sandler in the lead role with Guy Pearce, Russell Brand, Richard Griffiths, Jonathan Pryce, Courtney Cox, Lucy Lawless, Teresa Palmer, and Aisha Tyler starring in supporting roles.
IF (MGM+ & Rent on Prime Video)
IF is a fantasy comedy-adventure film written and directed by John Krasinski. The 2024 film was described as a live-action Pixar film and it follows the story of Bea, a young girl who discovers that she can see people’s imaginary friends. After that, she embarks on a fantastical adventure to find new children for the imaginary friends whose kids have grown up. She is helped by a bureaucratic man who was doing the same job before her. IF stars Cailey Fleming in the lead role with Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, Steve Carell, Emily Blunt, Blake Lively, Brad Pitt, and Louis Gossett Jr. starring in supporting roles.
Inkheart (Max & Rent on Prime Video)
Inkheart is a family fantasy adventure film directed by Iain Softley from a screenplay by David Lindsay-Abaire. Based on a 2003 young adult novel of the same name by author Cornelia Funke, the 2008 film follows the story of Mo and his daughter Meggie, who have a special power that allows them to bring characters from books to life. When they unwittingly set off an evil villain, they must team up with the book’s hero to capture him with the help of Meggie’s aunt. Inkheart stars Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, Jim Broadbent, Andy Serkis, Sienna Guillory, Eliza Hope Bennett, Rafi Gavron, Lesley Sharp, Jamie Foreman, Matt King, Jennifer Connelly, and Stephen Graham.
