Sayak Basu
Rumors can spread like wildfire, and when one rumor gets retold innumerable times by various people, a myth around the subject is developed, which is then believed by many to be true. Such is the case with many mythical creatures that only exist in the stories we tell; they have no basis in reality whatsoever. Among the many mythical creatures that are figments of collective imagination, the yeti is highly popular. The yeti is rumored to be a large ape-like giant which roams around the snow-covered mountains of the Himalayas.
No one has ever documented the existence of a yeti, but there are so many stories and reported sightings that over the years many have started believing in the existence of the creature. But what if such a creature really existed and you discovered it on the roof of your apartment building? This is the exact condition of Yi, the leading character of the film ‘Abominable’. She and her friends have discovered this creature which is surprisingly quite friendly. Now they have to help the yeti return safely to its habitat before a zoologist and his financier get their hands on the creature and imprison it for scientific experiments.
The film is well-executed, has some genuinely heartfelt moments, and is a thoroughly enjoyable watch for family audiences. However, it must be admitted that the plot feels too similar to the Steven Spielberg classic, ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’. If you have already watched ‘Abominable’ and loved it, then we’ve got some more titles that you might want to check out. Here’s the list of best movies similar to ‘Abominable’ that are our recommendations. You can watch several of these movies like ‘Abominable’ on Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime.
7. Duck Duck Goose (2018)
Directed by Chris Jenkins, ‘Duck Duck Goose‘ is, as the title suggests, a story about two ducks and a goose. The central character of the story is the goose called Peng. Tired of living a regimented existence with his flock, Peng has ventured out of his comfort zone in order to discover the world. One fine day, Peng ends up saving the lives of two ducklings when they are targeted by a cat. After this act of kindness, the ducklings latch on to Peng as if he is their parent. Despite his initial hesitation, Peng takes them along on his journey, and the three of them go through several adventures before they return to their flocks. The film is bland, and despite being a children’s movie, it has some rather lurid jokes. But there are some memorable moments that will stay with you.
6. Missing Link (2019)
Like ‘Abominable’, ‘Missing Link‘, also deals with the story of a yeti. But this creature is actually the North American version of the yeti – the bigfoot or Sasquatch. The Sasquatch Mr. Link lives all alone in the Pacific Northwest region, and when he wants to meet his cousins, the yetis, he appoints explorer Sir Lionel Frost to take him on a journey to the other side of the world. The two of them are then joined by another adventurer, Adelina Fortnight. The trio set out to locate the fabled Shangri-la, the place where Mr. Link believes his relatives stay. The story of ‘Missing Link’ is about friendship, co-dependence, and love.
5. Home (2015)
A film with a very important message, ‘Home’ is based on the book ‘The True Meaning of Smekday’ by Adam Rex. The story of the film centers around an alien called Oh, and a girl named Tip whose paths cross by a stroke of luck. Oh is actually an alien who is on the run from his own people. Believing that the earth can be a safe place for him to hide, Oh comes here, only to meet Yip, who is also on a quest of her own. She wishes to find her mother who has been missing for quite some time now. The duo form an unlikely bond and go on many adventures together, discovering in the process the universal truth that your home is where your heart is. The film tells us that it is okay to be different; not everyone can fall in line, but everyone has a place that we can call home. Life is nothing but a quest to discover our true homes.
4. Smallfoot (2018)
Just as we know that yetis are mythical creatures whose existence is only rooted in our imagination, imagine a society of yetis who think about us in a similar way. Interesting, isn’t it? Well, this is exactly the plot of the film ‘Smallfoot‘. Based on the unpublished book ‘Yeti Tracks’ by Sergio Pablo, this film follows the story of one yeti called Migo who tells his clan that human beings are actually real and that he has seen them with his own eyes. None of his fellow yetis take Migo seriously, and later, they throw him out for lying. The film then chronicles Migo’s perilous journey as he goes about finding ways to prove to his people that humans do exist. It’s a highly entertaining film, with amazing animation and a unique, fascinating concept.
Read More: Movies Like Finding Nemo
3. Ice Age (2002)
Returning home is the main theme in ‘Abominable’. This idea was famously used in the iconic 2002 animated film ‘Ice Age‘. The story of this film revolves around three characters – a mammoth called Manny, a sloth called Sid, and a saber-toothed tiger called Diego. These three friends one day chance upon a human baby, and in order to return it to its parents, they go on a dangerous journey across the world during a time when the planet is going through an ice age. The entire concept is quite fascinating. The story is extremely well written, and there’s never a dull moment throughout the film.
Read More: Movies Like Toy Story
2. Frozen (2013)
One of the most successful Disney animated films of all time, ‘Frozen‘ is a film that you must watch at least once in your lifetime. It is a musical fantasy movie based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale ‘The Snow Queen’. The central character of the film is an 18-year-old princess called Anna. She goes on a perilous journey with some of her friends in order to find her sister Elsa. Bestowed with magical powers, Elsa can create ice and snow at will. When she mistakenly converts the entire kingdom to ice, Anna has to find out a way to reverse the situation. The film is extremely well written and you’ll continue to think about it long after the credits have rolled.
Read More: Movies Like Spirited Away
1. E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ is the only non-animated film on this list, but its inclusion is, without a doubt, more than justified. The film centers around a sweet and friendly alien which has been left behind by its compatriots during their return from their journey to the earth. A little boy called Elliot discovers this alien and keeps him secretly hidden. However, word soon spreads and Elliot and his friends now enter a race against a task force to prevent the alien’s capture. The film was noted for portraying the alien as a friendly creature. Produced and directed by the legendary Steven Spielberg, ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ is one of the most heartwarming movies ever made.
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