Movies Like The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)

The Spiderwick Chronicles is a 2008 adventure, drama, family, fantasy film from Mark Waters with a MovieMagicScore of 6.7/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Ella Enchanted and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Adventure Drama Family Fantasy

Ella Enchanted

2004

Ella lives in a magical world in which each child, at the moment of their birth, is given a virtuous "gift" from a fairy godmother. Ella's so-called gift, however, is obedience. This birthright proves itself to be quite the curse once Ella finds herself in the hands of several unscrupulous characters whom she quite literally cannot disobey. Determined to gain control of her life and decisions, Ella sets off on a journey to find her fairy godmother who she hopes will lift the curse. The path, however, isn't easy -- Ella must outwit a slew of unpleasant obstacles including ogres, giants, wicked stepsisters, elves and Prince Charmont's evil uncle, who wants to take over the crown and rule the kingdom.

6.5

MagicScore

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

2016

In 1926, Newt Scamander arrives at the Magical Congress of the United States of America with a magically expanded briefcase, which houses a number of dangerous creatures and their habitats. When the creatures escape from the briefcase, it sends the American wizarding authorities after Newt, and threatens to strain even further the state of magical and non-magical relations.

7.3

MagicScore

A Midsummer Night's Dream

1935

Four young people escape Athens to a forest where the king and queen of the fairies are quarreling, while meanwhile, a troupe of amateur actors rehearses a play. When the fairy Puck uses a magic flower to make people fall in love, the whole thing becomes a little bit confused...

6.3

MagicScore

Wizards

1977

After the death of his mother, the evil mutant wizard Blackwolf discovers some long-lost military technologies. Full of ego and ambition, Blackwolf claims his mother's throne, assembles an army and sets out to brainwash and conquer Earth. Meanwhile, Blackwolf's gentle twin brother, the bearded and sage Avatar, calls upon his own magical abilities to foil Blackwolf's plans for world domination -- even if it means destroying his own flesh and blood.

6.2

MagicScore

The Parent Trap

1998

Hallie Parker and Annie James are identical twins who were separated at a young age due to their parents' divorce. Unbeknownst to their parents, the girls are sent to the same summer camp, where they meet, discover the truth about their relationship, and come up with a plan to switch places in an effort to reunite their mother and father.

7.2

MagicScore

The Sorcerer's Apprentice

2010

Balthazar Blake is a master sorcerer in modern-day Manhattan trying to defend the city from his arch-nemesis, Maxim Horvath. Balthazar can't do it alone, so he recruits Dave Stutler, a seemingly average guy who demonstrates hidden potential, as his reluctant protégé. The sorcerer gives his unwilling accomplice a crash course in the art and science of magic, and together, these unlikely partners work to stop the forces of darkness.

6.1

MagicScore

Maleficent

2014

A beautiful, pure-hearted young woman, Maleficent has an idyllic life growing up in a peaceable forest kingdom, until one day when an invading army threatens the harmony of the land. She rises to be the land's fiercest protector, but she ultimately suffers a ruthless betrayal – an act that begins to turn her heart into stone. Bent on revenge, Maleficent faces an epic battle with the invading King's successor and, as a result, places a curse upon his newborn infant Aurora. As the child grows, Maleficent realizes that Aurora holds the key to peace in the kingdom – and to Maleficent's true happiness as well.

7.1

MagicScore

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian

2008

One year after their incredible adventures in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Susan Pevensie return to Narnia to aid a young prince whose life has been threatened by the evil King Miraz. Now, with the help of a colorful cast of new characters, including Trufflehunter the badger and Nikabrik the dwarf, the Pevensie clan embarks on an incredible quest to ensure that Narnia is returned to its rightful heir.

6.6

MagicScore

Love Is All You Need?

2011

Ashley was raised in a picture perfect all-American family with two moms, two grandpas, two uncles, and a little brother. But Ashley has a problem, she has a crush on a boy at school, which is against everything this world has ever taught her.

4.7

MagicScore

#10

You Can Count on Me

2000

A single mother's life is thrown into turmoil after her struggling, rarely-seen younger brother returns to town.

6.8

MagicScore

#11

Goblin Slayer: Goblin's Crown

2020

Goblin Slayer and his party head up to the snowy mountains in the north after receiving that request from the Sword Maiden to find any information on the Noble Fencer that disappeared after leaving to slay some goblins. A small village gets attacked, they encounter a mysterious chapel, and something about how these goblins are acting bothers the Goblin slayer. In order to save the captured Noble Fencer, the Goblin Slayer and his party head to an ancient fortress covered in snow to face off with a powerful foe and a horde of goblins!

7.3

MagicScore

#12

The Flight of Dragons

1982

The realm of magic is being threatened by the realm of logic, so Carolinus, the green wizard decides to shield it for all time. Ommadon, the evil red wizard, stands in his way. Carolinus then calls for a quest that is to be led by a man named Peter Dickinson, who is the first man of both the realms of science and magic. It is Peter's job to defeat Ommadon.

6.7

MagicScore

#13

The Sound and the Fury

2015

A look at the trials and tribulations of The Compson siblings, living in the deep south during the early part of the 20th century.

4.9

MagicScore

#14

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

2003

As armies mass for a final battle that will decide the fate of the world--and powerful, ancient forces of Light and Dark compete to determine the outcome--one member of the Fellowship of the Ring is revealed as the noble heir to the throne of the Kings of Men. Yet, the sole hope for triumph over evil lies with a brave hobbit, Frodo, who, accompanied by his loyal friend Sam and the hideous, wretched Gollum, ventures deep into the very dark heart of Mordor on his seemingly impossible quest to destroy the Ring of Power.

8.5

MagicScore

#15

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

2001

Young hobbit Frodo Baggins, after inheriting a mysterious ring from his uncle Bilbo, must leave his home in order to keep it from falling into the hands of its evil creator. Along the way, a fellowship is formed to protect the ringbearer and make sure that the ring arrives at its final destination: Mt. Doom, the only place where it can be destroyed.

8.4

MagicScore

#16

Southland Tales

2007

Set in the futuristic landscape of Los Angeles on July 4, 2008, as it stands on the brink of social, economic and environmental disaster. Boxer Santaros is an action star who's stricken with amnesia. His life intertwines with Krysta Now, an adult film star developing her own reality television project, and Ronald Taverner, a Hermosa Beach police officer who holds the key to a vast conspiracy.

5.2

MagicScore

#17

Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker

2012

In the land of Orlais, a brash young Seeker—Cassandra—fights to stop a blood-soaked conspiracy. Hidden hands seek to tear apart the realm's most powerful religious order, and as the sinister plot unfolds, Cassandra is accused of treason and murder. Hunted by friend and foe alike, the impulsive beauty must clear her name while clashing with corrupt templars and rogue blood mages. Should she fail, the executioner’s blade awaits. Should she overcome her rage and expose the unseen forces threatening the rule of the Divine, Cassandra will take her place in legend.

5.5

MagicScore

#18

Shelter

2007

Forced to give up his dreams of art school, Zach works dead-end jobs to support his sister and her son. Questioning his life, he paints, surfs and hangs out with his best friend, Gabe. When Gabe's older brother returns home for the summer, Zach suddenly finds himself drawn into a relationship he didn't expect.

7.7

MagicScore

#19

The Skeleton Twins

2014

Estranged twins Maggie and Milo coincidentally cheat death on the same day, prompting them to reunite and confront the reasons their lives went so wrong. As the twins' reunion reinvigorates them, they realize the key to fixing their lives may just lie in repairing their relationship.

6.6

MagicScore

#20

Forrest Gump

1994

A man with a low IQ has accomplished great things in his life and been present during significant historic events—in each case, far exceeding what anyone imagined he could do. But despite all he has achieved, his one true love eludes him.

8.5

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like The Spiderwick Chronicles?

The top films similar to The Spiderwick Chronicles by MovieMagicScore are Ella Enchanted (6.5), Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (7.3), A Midsummer Night's Dream (6.3). Each shares adventure/drama/family/fantasy themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is The Spiderwick Chronicles worth watching?

The Spiderwick Chronicles holds a MovieMagicScore of 6.7/10 from 2,759 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is The Spiderwick Chronicles?

The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008) is a adventure, drama, family, fantasy film directed by Mark Waters, starring Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, David Strathairn.

Where can I find more recommendations like The Spiderwick Chronicles?

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 Ella Enchanted Movies like Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Movies like A Midsummer Night's Dream Movies like Wizards Movies like The Parent Trap Movies like The Sorcerer's Apprentice

About movies like The Spiderwick Chronicles

This ranked list pairs The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008), a adventure and drama and family and fantasy film from Mark Waters, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Freddie Highmore 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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