Movies Like Buddy (1997)

Buddy is a 1997 adventure, comedy, drama, family film from Caroline Thompson with a MovieMagicScore of 4.8/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Auntie Mame.

Adventure Comedy Drama Family

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

2011

A highly intelligent chimpanzee named Caesar has been living a peaceful suburban life ever since he was born. But when he gets taken to a cruel primate facility, Caesar decides to revolt against those who have harmed him.

7.3

MagicScore

Auntie Mame

1958

Mame Dennis, a progressive and independent woman of the 1920s, is left to care for her nephew Patrick after his wealthy father dies. Conflict ensues when the executor of the father's estate objects to the aunt's lifestyle and tries to force her to send Patrick to prep school.

7.0

MagicScore

Funky Monkey

2004

A teen genius teams up with a super-talented chimpanzee and his caretaker to take down an animal testing lab. In exchange, the scientist gives the teen some pointers on the girl of his dreams.

6.1

MagicScore

Zookeeper

2011

Kindhearted Griffin Keyes is one of the best-loved caretakers at the Franklin Park Zoo, but he's more comfortable with the animals than with females of his own species as proven by his failed marriage proposal to the self-absorbed Stephanie several years ago. The animals have listened to Griffin pine over her for years and, after she reappears in his life, they decide to help Griffin rekindle the relationship and become the alpha male she wants him to be. They inadvertently reveal their secret ability to talk and, after Griffin's initial shock, teach him the rules of courtship, animal-style. Surprisingly, the animals' advice really works and Griffin is about to get everything he's ever dreamed of--or is he?

5.4

MagicScore

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

2014

A group of scientists in San Francisco struggle to stay alive in the aftermath of a plague that is wiping out humanity, while Caesar tries to maintain dominance over his community of intelligent apes.

7.3

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

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

2024

Several generations following Caesar's reign, apes – now the dominant species – live harmoniously while humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all he's known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.

7.1

MagicScore

Koko: A Talking Gorilla

1978

A documentary that follows Dr. Penny Patterson's current scientific study of Koko, a gorilla who communicates through American Sign Language.

7.0

MagicScore

The Wild Thornberrys Movie

2002

Eliza and Debbie are two sisters who don't always get along. But their relationship is put to the test when Debbie's life is in danger, and Eliza might have to give up her power to talk to animals....

6.4

MagicScore

#10

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen

2004

After moving to New Jersey, Lola bags a coveted role in a school play, which earns her the wrath of Carla, the most popular girl in school, who will do anything to ruin Lola's life.

5.7

MagicScore

#11

Confessions of a Sociopathic Social Climber

2005

Katya Livingston, a self-centered, obnoxious and conceited 28-year-old ad sales exec, won't let anything or anyone stand in her way in getting to the top of the San Francisco social ladder. When tax inspectors question her claims Katya is forced to keep a financial diary and finds time to add details about her friends, enemies and lovers all from her unique point of view.

4.3

MagicScore

#12

Grey Gardens

1976

Edie Bouvier Beale and her mother, Edith, two aging, eccentric relatives of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, are the sole inhabitants of a Long Island estate. The women reveal themselves to be misfits with outsized, engaging personalities. Much of the conversation is centered on their pasts, as mother and daughter now rarely leave home.

7.3

MagicScore

#13

Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession

2004

A documentary on the Z Channel, one of the first pay cable stations in the US, and its programming chief, Jerry Harvey. Debuting in 1974, the LA-based channel's eclectic slate of movies became a prime example of the untapped power of cable television.

7.1

MagicScore

#14

Babe: Pig in the City

1998

Babe, fresh from his victory in the sheepherding contest, returns to Farmer Hoggett's farm, but after Farmer Hoggett is injured and unable to work, Babe has to go to the big city to save the farm.

5.7

MagicScore

#15

Rubin & Ed

1992

Reclusive Rubin Farr teams up with vocal but unsuccessful multi-level salesman Ed Tuttle on a quest to bury Rubin's dead cat in the "perfect spot." Their trip takes them across Utah's desert where they have run-ins with Ed's ex-wife Rula and an elusive Andy Warhol critic.

6.4

MagicScore

#16

Baby's Day Out

1994

Baby Bink couldn't ask for more: he has adoring (if somewhat sickly-sweet) parents, lives in a huge mansion, and he's just about to appear in the social pages of the paper. Unfortunately, not everyone in the world is as nice as Baby Bink's parents—especially the three enterprising kidnappers who pretend to be photographers from the newspaper. Successfully kidnapping Baby Bink, they have a harder time keeping hold of the rascal, who not only keeps one step ahead of them, but seems to be more than a little bit smarter than the three bumbling criminals.

6.4

MagicScore

#17

Lt. Robin Crusoe U.S.N.

1966

Lt. Robin Crusoe is a navy pilot who bails out of his plane after engine trouble. He reaches a deserted island paradise where he builds a house and begins to adjust to life. He is in for trouble however when a local girl is banished to the island by her father, who then comes after Crusoe.

5.6

MagicScore

#18

Five Weeks in a Balloon

1962

Professor Fergusson plans to make aviation history by making his way across Africa by balloon. He plans to claim uncharted territories in West Africa as proof of his inventions worth.

5.3

MagicScore

#19

Space Chimps

2008

When an unmanned space shuttle crashes on an uncharted planet, a trio of astronaut chimpanzees are launched by NASA into a wormhole to investigate.

4.9

MagicScore

#20

Juliet of the Spirits

1965

Middle-aged Giulietta grows suspicious of her husband, Giorgio, when his behavior grows increasingly questionable. One night when Giorgio initiates a seance amongst his friends, Giulietta gets in touch with spirits and learns more about herself and her painful past. Slightly skeptical, but intrigued, she visits a mystic who gives her more information -- and nudges her toward the realization that her husband is indeed a philanderer.

7.2

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like Buddy?

The top films similar to Buddy by MovieMagicScore are Rise of the Planet of the Apes (7.3), Auntie Mame (7.0), Funky Monkey (6.1). Each shares adventure/comedy/drama/family themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is Buddy worth watching?

Buddy holds a MovieMagicScore of 4.8/10 from 71 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is Buddy?

Buddy (1997) is a adventure, comedy, drama, family film directed by Caroline Thompson, starring Rene Russo, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Cumming.

Where can I find more recommendations like Buddy?

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 Rise of the Planet of the Apes Movies like Auntie Mame Movies like Funky Monkey Movies like Zookeeper Movies like Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Movies like War for the Planet of the Apes

About movies like Buddy

This ranked list pairs Buddy (1997), a adventure and comedy and drama and family film from Caroline Thompson, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Rene Russo 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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