Netflix's new hit The Sea Beast is an animated action-adventure film that the whole family can enjoy. In the movie, a young girl named Maisie Brumble stows away on a famous sea hunting vessel carrying brave sailors who hunt down terrifying sea creatures. However Maisie, alongside sailor Jacob Holland, soon finds out that the beasts are not as terrifying as they thought.
The Sea Beast was received well by critics thanks to its incredible worldbuilding, original narrative, and striking animation. And despite being a children's film, it refused to dumb itself down and instead featured a story about adventure, bravery, and trust. Viewers who enjoyed The Sea Beast should check out other animated movies that have fierce creatures and are also set in the deep.
Sinbad: Legend Of The Seven Seas (2003)
Stream On Peacock
Taking inspiration from the folk tale collection One Thousand and One Nights, Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas tells the story of a pirate named Sinbad who needs to recover the Book of Peace from Eris, the Goddess of Chaos.
Both The Sea Beast and Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas are epic adventures set in a world full of mysterious creatures. But in Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas, the main characters have to fend off a god, as well as powerful mythical creatures like sirens that entrance men to abandon ship and The Roc, a large eagle-like creature.
Luca (2021)
Stream on Disney+
The Pixar film Luca is a sweet tale about the titular sea monster who finds out that humans are not as terrifying as he's been told. The movie also features the endearing and enchanting friendship between Luca and another sea monster named Alberto.
Maisie from The Sea Beast and Luca find common ground in wanting to find purpose in a world they're unfamiliar with. Both films have supposedly terrifying sea creatures, but in Luca, the main characters are sea monsters.
Moana (2016)
Stream on Disney+
The already ironic Moana is a heroic Disney princess who'll do everything she can to save her island and her people. In the movie, Moana goes on an exciting adventure to find the goddess Te Fiti and reunite her with a magical relic stolen by the trickster demigod Maui.
While they might feature two completely different worlds and cultures, The Sea Beast and Moana both feature headstrong characters who see the good in terrifying creatures and monsters. Aside from its moving story and captivating characters, Moana has captured the viewers' hearts thanks to its amazing soundtrack.
Finding Nemo (2003)
Stream on Disney+
In Finding Nemo, a clownfish named Marlin goes out of his comfort zone and journeys across the ocean just to bring back his son Nemo. Accompanied by Dory, a fish with short-term memory loss, Marlin meets sharks, rides on the backs of turtles, and braves a school of jellyfish to reach his son.
There are subtle similarities between the father-child relationships in Finding Nemo and The Sea Beast. And even though the father-child pairing in The Sea Beast is not by blood, it is just as strong.
Shark Tale (2004)
Stream on Peacock
Shark Tale is a 2004 animated film from DreamWorks Animation. In the story, a fish who has big dreams conspires with a vegetarian great white shark to appear as a hero and attain fame and fortune.
What makes the movie enjoyable is that it's littered with pop culture references, from The Godfather to Titanic. And just like The Sea Beast, Shark Tale is a film about the importance of learning more about other people (or creatures) before judging them. Despite being considered a mediocre movie, Shark Tale was still nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards.
How To Train Your Dragon (2010)
Stream On Freevee
In a world where Vikings go on conquests and dragons roam free, Hiccup, the son of a Viking chief, is tasked with killing a dragon to be considered a warrior. But after capturing a notorious dragon, Hiccup has a change of heart and decides to befriend it — just like how Maisie befriended Red in The Sea Beast.
2010's How To Train Your Dragon is considered by many as one of the best animated films from DreamWorks Animation due to its perfect pacing, enthralling animation, and surprisingly poignant script.
Ponyo (2008)
Stream on HBO Max
Studio Ghibli is known for its whimsical movies that feature some of the most outlandish plots. Ponyo, which is loosely based on the classic tale The Little Mermaid, is about a goldfish who transforms into a human girl after falling in love with the boy who saved her.
Both Ponyo and The Sea Beast have strong-willed main characters who'll do what it takes to achieve their goals and dreams. One of the best movies Hayao Miyazaki has directed, Ponyo received critical acclaim upon release for its amazing story and stunning animation.
A Turtle’s Tale: Sammy’s Adventures (2010)
Stream on Amazon Prime, Peacock, The Roku Channel, Tubi, Hoopla, & Tubi
A sea turtle named Sammy stars front and center in A Turtle's Tale: Sammy's Adventures. The movie follows the 50-year journey of the titular turtle who experiences all the changes brought about by global warming.
A Turtle's Tale is similar to The Sea Beast in the sense that both films feature creatures that just want to live undisturbed in their natural habitats. It's a good idea for young kids to watch A Turtle's Tale because it features strong anti-pollution and pro-environment themes.
Song Of The Sea (2014)
Rent On Apple TV
2014's Song of the Sea is a GKIDS fantasy film that primarily features Celtic mythology and lore. In the movie, a boy named Ben helps his sister Saoirse free faerie beings from Macha, the Celtic goddess of War. Saoirse is also a selkie, which means that she can transform into a seal.
In The Sea Beast, Maisie and Jacob didn't get along at first, just like how Ben and Saoirse had a non-ideal relationship at the beginning of the movie, as Ben blames his sister for their mother's death. But as they make their way home to their house, Ben learns things about his family that cause his relationship with her sister to deepen.
Treasure Planet (2002)
Stream on Disney+
Based on Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island, Treasure Planet is a film that follows Jim Hawkins, a teenage boy who receives a mysterious map from a dying pirate. Accompanied by an anthropomorphic dog astronomer named Dr. Delbert Doppler, Jim rides the ship RLS Legacy to find the planet full of treasure.
While it may not be set on the ocean, Treasure Planet is also a movie about exploration, trust, and characters that want to prove that they're more than what meets the eye. The film was well received for its inventive visuals and humor but received criticism for its weak characterizations.