If you are a 90s kid, there’s no chance you would have missed out on watching Jumanji! The supernatural board game took the 4 kids on a jungle-based adventure with the concept of fighting against evil and reversing the destruction caused by being the center of the narrative. One may state that Harry Potter and Hunger Games had their predecessors of CGI in Jumanji. Are you looking for more movies like Jumanji? Here’s a whole listicle that will give you an insight into the same. Scroll down for the list –
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What are some other movies like Jumanji?
Here’s a list of feature films that are similar to Jumanji. Check out this list –
1. Honey, I Shrunk The Kids (1989)
Director – Joe Johnston
Another name in this list of movies like Jumanji – this one is from the comic sci-fi genre is literally like watching Gulliver’s Travels coming into action. The action starts only when a scientist leaves behind his experimental shrinking device, and the kids step into the same, only to become entities of microscopic size.
The central part of the story develops when the kids are thrown out unwantedly into the backyard, and strange incidents start happening. Now they have to work together to get back to their standard size and fight the other problems that come their way.
Watch it on – Disney Plus, Prime Video
2. Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005)
Director – Jon Favreau
Taking a direct cue from Jumanji (based on a children’s novel by Chris Van Allsburg), Zathura is a sci-fi spectacle based on a novel by the same author. The premise is changed here, and we see two bickering brothers playing a space-based board game where one missed mark transports their home to outer space. Just like in movies like Jumanji – here as well, the family now faces enemies in the form of extraterrestrial entities and aliens. The only way out? Seeking the assistance of an astronaut who will supposedly guide them back.
The direction is perfect, with the choreography of the scenes and the visual effects being on point. But if there is one aspect that elevates this movie to an utterly classic level – it is the performance of the child actors.
Watch it on – Netflix, Prime Video, Roku, Vudu, AppleTV, ROW8, and RedBox.
3. Night At the Museum (2006)
Director- Shawn Levy
When you have an outlandish premise where the museum exhibits come alive, all thanks to the Egyptian curse unleashed on them – there’s no doubt that you are in for an adventure! Talking precisely of the first film in this series (the sequels are not that entertaining) – it depicts the ordeals of the ‘dreamer’ Larry Daley, who takes up the job of a museum security guard to fulfill his financial responsibilities. As he travails through his ‘mundane’ job at the Museum of Natural History – he finds the exhibits coming alive with the descent of the sun.
This picture starring the marvelous Ben Stiller might not have struck a chord with the audience and was deemed a classic if not for his accurate comic timing and goofy mannerisms. The film unfolds as we, the audience, reel in the glory, wondering how he would survive the job and unveil the mystery behind this occurrence.
From the train scene of Jedediah to the interactions of Larry with the monkey named Dexter, the movie will not let your attention waver for once.
Watch it on – Disney Plus and Peacock Premium.
4. Bridge To Terabithia (2007)
Director – Gabor Csupo
How often have you wanted to escape into a magical world and never return? That’s exactly what Leslie and Jess wish, creating their own fantasy world of Terabithia. When the thought becomes a reality, they find themselves in the land of Terabithia amidst mysterious creatures – which they fight and yet live with. Later, when Leslie passes away in a freak accident – Jess is left to fight with his emotions. But as they say – life is about love, loss, and moving on – Jess recreates the imaginary world of Terabithia and gets a new princess for their imaginary kingdom.
The sad ending gives a new insight into life – wherein one needs to accept the truth and move on. The film’s strength, which you can equate with movies like Jumanji is the lesson it leaves behind and the lead stars’ chemistry.
Watch it on – Netflix, Disney Plus, Vudu.
5. Inkheart (2008)
Director – Iain Softley
When it’s Brendan Fraser – be assured of having a gala fantasy flick that will entice your senses. The quiet life of father-daughter turns upside down when the father, who has the power to bring alive the book’s characters, suddenly releases the evil Capricorn. Now years down the line, the daughter, her aunt, and the father have the responsibility to put it back in its place.
When you are looking for movies like Jumanji – this can be a great watch. The mayhem created by the characters who have absolutely nowhere to go since they do not enjoy being part of this planet and are led down here without any future creates the mess. Also, it set the critics and the cash registers ringing. If you plan to catch up on this flick, check out Andy Serkis’s portrayal of the evil Capricorn.
Watch it on – Netflix
6. Journey To the Center of the Earth (2008)
Director – Eric Brevig
The second on this list – this Brendan Fraser starrer is quite similar to movies like Jumanji in terms of its setting. Just like Jumanji led you into the mysteries of board games, similarly – in this film, the characters go beyond the earth’s domain, albeit to its center, to find out about a missing family member.
As one gets to the core of this film, the audience is taken to a prehistoric world that leaves you in complete awe. The casual nephew-uncle antics coated with breathtaking visuals in the form of fauna and flora as explored in this geological expedition – are bound to whizz you off to an exotic domain.
Watch it on – Disney Plus and Hulu
7. Where The Wild Things Are (2009)
Director – Spike Jonze
It is challenging to find movies that are liked by children and adults alike. Movies like Jumanji come once in a long time, and you are left wanting more! Taking this genre ahead – this movie is based on the novel of the same name by Maurice Sendak. It depicts the travails of a lonely, frustrated boy Max who quarrels with his mother. As he wanders off on a boat – the real world transcends into a magical realm, and he finds himself in a mysterious land traversed by monstrous creatures.
Though initially, the creatures almost eat up the boy. But when he reveals his magical powers, the monsters crown him as the king of the domain and celebrate him. Though this narrative experiments with a dark theme, the way it has been dealt with make it noteworthy.
Watch it on – Prime Video
8. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
Director – Peter Jackson
An epic fantasy film, the first of the trilogy and a prelude to the Lord of the Rings – The Hobbit follows the story of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who is happy in his life. The entry of the wizard Gandalf and the journey Bilbo undertakes post that – makes up the movie’s storyline.
This magical and intensely entertaining film may be almost equated to movies like Jumanji. The journey, the perils, and the adventures all leading to the future of Middle Earth make this one of the best fantasy-adventure films to watch. Based on the novel The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein, do not miss out on this riveting watch this weekend.
Watch it on – Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
9. Goosebumps (2015)
Director – Rob Letterman
There’s not a chance that being a 90s kid growing up in the 2000s – you would not have gotten scared by the monsters unleashed by R.L.Stein’s Goosebumps!! This monumental literary collection got a film adaptation in 2015, where the protagonist of the film Zach Cooper discovers his beautiful neighbor Hannah, whose father is the author of this series.
Inadvertently – he frees the creatures of the books – the devilish monsters. Now the onus falls on the three of them to lock them back in the books as they create complete mayhem for the real-life beings. If you have been a fan of the series, there’s no chance you can miss out on this movie adaptation.
Watch it on – Netflix
10. Dora and The Lost City of Gold (2019)
Director – James Bobbin
Looking for some other movies like Jumanji could lead you to this gem of a flick, where the young Dora has an insurmountable task before her – to save her parents. As she embarks on her journey towards the fabled city of gold with Boots, her dear monkey for the company – the audience wanders around with her, solving puzzles, unraveling mysteries, and dodging traps.
Given its success from all fronts – Paramount Pictures announced the development of a live-action series for its comparatively older audience.
Watch it on – Amazon Prime Video
Wrapping up
So, here’s a list of movies like Jumanji you can check out with your friends and family. Let the weekend come; get a bucket of popcorn and put up any of the movies of your choice. For more information of this kind, keep checking this website.
Monalisa Mukherjee is a content writer, copywriter and editor with 4 years of experience. She has written for websites like Biography Talk, The Rich Net Worth, Contour Cafe, He And She Fitness and Fiction Pad. She is currently associated with a noted Digital Marketing Agency and specialises in writing press release, guest posts, articles on travel, entertainment, food recipes, celebs, lifestyle, tech, health, and fashion.