Movies Like The Secret of Roan Inish (1994)

The Secret of Roan Inish is a 1994 adventure, drama, family, fantasy film from John Sayles with a MovieMagicScore of 6.7/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Song of the Sea and Doctor Dolittle.

Adventure Drama Family Fantasy

Song of the Sea

2014

The story of the last Seal Child’s journey home. After their mother’s disappearance, Ben and Saoirse are sent to live with Granny in the city. When they resolve to return to their home by the sea, their journey becomes a race against time as they are drawn into a world Ben knows only from his mother’s folktales. But this is no bedtime story; these fairy folk have been in our world far too long. It soon becomes clear to Ben that Saoirse is the key to their survival.

8.0

MagicScore

Doctor Dolittle

1967

A veterinarian who can communicate with animals travels abroad to search for a giant sea snail.

6.2

MagicScore

War for the Planet of the Apes

2017

Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.

7.2

MagicScore

Ryan's Daughter

1970

The wife of an Irish school teacher is branded a traitor when she falls for a British officer who is part of an occupying force in 1917 Ireland.

7.1

MagicScore

Dancing at Lughnasa

1998

Five unmarried sisters make the most of their simple existence in rural Ireland in the 1930s.

5.9

MagicScore

Wolfwalkers

2020

In a time of superstition and magic, when wolves are seen as demonic and nature an evil to be tamed, a young apprentice hunter comes to Ireland with her father to wipe out the last pack. But when she saves a wild native girl, their friendship leads her to discover the world of the Wolfwalkers and transform her into the very thing her father is tasked to destroy.

8.2

MagicScore

Nothing Compares

2022

Since the beginning of her career, Sinéad O’Connor has used her powerful voice to challenge the narratives she was surrounded by while growing up in predominantly Roman Catholic Ireland. Despite her agency, depth and perspective, O’Connor’s unflinching refusal to conform means that she has often been patronized and unfairly dismissed as an attention-seeking pop star.

7.6

MagicScore

African Cats

2011

African Cats captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. The story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a once banished lion.

7.4

MagicScore

Growing Up Wild

2016

Life is an adventure - especially for a newborn animal who has so much to learn. "Growing Up Wild" takes audiences to the wildest corners of the planet to tell the tales of five courageous animals as they tackle the very first challenges of their young lives. With a little guidance from sage family members, each must figure out how and where to find food, while learning to recognize the very real threat of danger. From their first steps of exploring their world to their final steps into independence, "Growing Up Wild" reveals the triumphs and setbacks of five young lives in which instinct, parental lessons, and trial & error ultimately define their destinies. Featuring the stunning imagery and iconic storytelling that makes Disneynature's big-screen adventures an inspiring movie-going experience, "Growing Up Wild", brings home a special look at how similar and different these young lives can be. - Written by (C) 2016 Disney Enterprises

7.2

MagicScore

#10

Bears

2014

Filmmakers Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey chronicle a year in the lives of an Alaskan brown bear named Sky and her cubs, Scout and Amber. Their saga begins as the bears emerge from hibernation at the end of winter. As time passes, the bear family must work together to find food and stay safe from other predators, especially other bears. Although their world is exciting, it is also risky, and the cubs' survival hinges on family togetherness.

7.4

MagicScore

#11

The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos

2008

In the remote and forgotten wilderness of Lake Natron, in northern Tanzania, one of nature's last great mysteries unfolds: the birth, life and death of a million crimson-winged flamingos.

7.2

MagicScore

#12

Monkey Kingdom

2015

A newborn monkey and its mother struggle to survive within the competitive social hierarchy of the Temple Troop, a dynamic group of monkeys who live in ancient ruins found deep in the storied jungles of South Asia.

7.0

MagicScore

#13

The Hallow

2015

Deep within the darkness of secluded forest land in rural Ireland dwells an ancient evil. Feared by the nearby superstitious villagers as cursed creatures who prey upon the lost, their secrets have been kept from civilization and remain on their hallowed ground. But when a conservationist from London moves in with his wife and infant child in order to survey the land for future construction, his actions unwittingly disturb the horde of demonic forces. Alone in a remote wilderness, he must now ensure his family's survival from their relentless attacks.

5.7

MagicScore

#14

In the Heart of the Sea

2015

In the winter of 1820, the New England whaling ship Essex is assaulted by something no one could believe—a whale of mammoth size and will, and an almost human sense of vengeance.

6.8

MagicScore

#15

You Are Not My Mother

2022

In a North Dublin housing estate, teenage Char's mother mysteriously goes missing. When she returns without explanation, Char resolves to uncover the truth behind her disappearance and shed light on her family's dark secrets.

5.5

MagicScore

#16

Dolittle

2020

After losing his wife seven years earlier, the eccentric Dr. John Dolittle, famed doctor and veterinarian of Queen Victoria’s England, hermits himself away behind the high walls of Dolittle Manor with only his menagerie of exotic animals for company. But when the young queen falls gravely ill, a reluctant Dolittle is forced to set sail on an epic adventure to a mythical island in search of a cure, regaining his wit and courage as he crosses old adversaries and discovers wondrous creatures.

6.6

MagicScore

#17

A Shine of Rainbows

2009

An orphaned boy named Tomás is adopted by Maire O’Donnell to live on a whimsical Irish isle filled with new friends, secret caves and a lost baby pup seal stranded on the coast. But when Maire's reluctant husband Alec refuses to accept Tomás as his own son, the boy drifts down a fateful path of adventure and self-discovery, illuminating how rainbows can shine around - and within - us all.

6.5

MagicScore

#18

The Retreat

2005

A group of college students travels to the cottage of their psychology professor Barren in an isolated island as a reward of their teamwork in the research of Barren. They expect to spend the weekend with lots of sex, but a serial-killer turns their party in a nightmare.

4.0

MagicScore

#19

The Elephant Queen

2019

Embark on an epic journey of family, courage, and coming home in this feature-length documentary. Join Athena, the majestic matriarch, as she leads her elephant herd across an unforgiving African landscape filled with vibrant wildlife.

7.2

MagicScore

#20

The Three Investigators in The Secret of Skeleton Island

2007

The hobby detectives “The Three Investigators” want to take a little break. So they take advantage of an offer from Peter's father, who has accepted a job in South Africa and wants to take the detectives there. But Jupiter, Peter and Bob wouldn't be the three investigators marks feared by the criminal world if they just lounged around in the sun on their vacation. So it's no wonder that the clever boys soon have their next case to solve...

6.0

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like The Secret of Roan Inish?

The top films similar to The Secret of Roan Inish by MovieMagicScore are Song of the Sea (8.0), Doctor Dolittle (6.2), War for the Planet of the Apes (7.2). Each shares adventure/drama/family/fantasy themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is The Secret of Roan Inish worth watching?

The Secret of Roan Inish holds a MovieMagicScore of 6.7/10 from 92 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is The Secret of Roan Inish?

The Secret of Roan Inish (1994) is a adventure, drama, family, fantasy film directed by John Sayles, starring Jeni Courtney, Eileen Colgan, Mick Lally.

Where can I find more recommendations like The Secret of Roan Inish?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more adventure recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like Song of the Sea Movies like Doctor Dolittle Movies like War for the Planet of the Apes Movies like Ryan's Daughter Movies like Dancing at Lughnasa Movies like Wolfwalkers

About movies like The Secret of Roan Inish

This ranked list pairs The Secret of Roan Inish (1994), a adventure and drama and family and fantasy film from John Sayles, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Jeni Courtney take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

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