10 Movies and Shows Similar to The Tiger Rising (2022)

Description: This classic coming-of-age story shares with 'The Tiger Rising' a portrayal of childhood innocence confronting death for the first time. Both feature father figures struggling to connect emotionally (the mortician dad/the hotel manager dad) and pivotal scenes involving dangerous animals (bees/tiger). The 1970s small-town settings create similar nostalgic atmospheres.

Fact: Macaulay Culkin's death scene was filmed on his 11th birthday. The beekeeping scenes used real bees—Dan Aykroyd got stung 15 times. Vada's hypochondria was based on writer Laurice Elehwany's own childhood.

Description: Like 'The Tiger Rising', this film uses symbolic creatures to represent a child's emotional turmoil. Max's wild things parallel Rob's tiger—both are manifestations of repressed anger and sadness. Director Spike Jonze's raw portrayal of childhood emotions matches the authentic tone of 'The Tiger Rising', avoiding saccharine depictions of youth.

Fact: The Wild Things' facial expressions were achieved through groundbreaking animatronics with CGI enhancements. Maurice Sendak personally approved Spike Jonze after being impressed by 'Being John Malkovich'. The entire film was shot on practical sets in Australia, including a full-size forest.

Description: This film shares with 'The Tiger Rising' a poignant exploration of childhood imagination as a coping mechanism for loss and loneliness. Both stories involve magical realism where children create fantasy worlds (Terabithia/the tiger symbolism) to process real-world struggles. The emotional tone balances wonder with heartbreak, focusing on how young characters confront mortality.

Fact: Author Katherine Paterson wrote the novel after her son's friend died by lightning strike. The film's young stars underwent weeks of imagination exercises to prepare. Disney initially marketed it as a Narnia-like fantasy, causing controversy over its mature themes.

Description: Like 'The Tiger Rising', this film uses animal symbolism (Enzo the dog/Sistine's tiger) to explore human emotions. Both involve father-child relationships tested by loss, and both narratives employ unique perspectives (a dog's POV/a child's magical realism). The emotional storytelling similarly balances heartbreak with hope.

Fact: The dog scenes used six different golden retrievers to portray Enzo at various ages. Author Garth Stein cameoed as a TV reporter. Real Formula 1 driver Mario Andretti consulted on racing sequences.

Description: Both films examine adolescent trauma through a literary lens, with protagonists who express themselves through writing (Charlie's letters/Rob's poetry). They share themes of repressed memories and the healing power of friendship. The autumnal visual palettes and 1990s settings create similar melancholic yet warm tones.

Fact: Author Stephen Chbosky insisted on directing the adaptation. The tunnel scene used Pittsburgh's actual Fort Pitt Tunnel at 4 AM. Emma Watson's American accent coach also worked with Daniel Radcliffe for 'Imperium'.

Description: Like 'The Tiger Rising', 'Wonder' sensitively portrays a child's emotional resilience in the face of adversity. Both films use school settings to explore themes of bullying and acceptance, with animal motifs (Auggie's astronaut helmet/Rob's tiger) serving as symbolic protection. The heartwarming yet unsentimental tone resonates similarly.

Fact: Author R.J. Palacio wrote the novel after an incident where her son cried upon seeing a girl with facial differences. Julia Roberts took a 50% pay cut to play the mother role. The cafeteria scene used 200 real middle-schoolers as extras for authenticity.

Description: Both films deal with young characters facing mortality—whether a parent's ('Tiger Rising') or their own ('TFIOS'). They share a literary quality (Rob's poetry/Hazel's book obsession) and explore how art helps process grief. The emotional journeys are similarly bittersweet, balancing romance and tragedy.

Fact: John Green based the novel on his experiences as a hospital chaplain. The iconic bench in Amsterdam became a pilgrimage site—until it was stolen in

Description: Similar to 'The Tiger Rising', 'The Secret Garden' explores themes of childhood grief, healing, and the transformative power of nature. Both films feature young protagonists who discover solace and personal growth through unexpected connections—whether with a hidden garden or a caged tiger. The visual aesthetics in both films emphasize lush, natural settings that mirror the emotional journeys of the characters.

Fact: The 2020 adaptation is the third major film version of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic novel. Director Marc Munden used vibrant color grading to distinguish between the gloomy manor and the magical garden. Colin Firth makes a rare appearance as a grieving father figure, paralleling the paternal themes in 'The Tiger Rising'.

Description: Both films feature a mysterious animal (tiger/yew tree monster) that guides a grieving child through emotional catharsis. The hybrid animation/live-action style of 'A Monster Calls' creates a similar dreamlike quality to 'The Tiger Rising''s magical realism. They share themes of processing a parent's illness and the blurred line between reality and imagination in childhood trauma.

Fact: The monster's voice actor Liam Neeson also performed motion capture for its movements. Author Patrick Ness adapted his own novel after the original writer Siobhan Dowd died of cancer. The watercolor animation sequences took over a year to complete by hand.

Description: This unconventional drama mirrors 'The Tiger Rising' in its portrayal of a precocious child confronting adult-sized problems. Both films involve protective relationships (Henry shielding Christina/Rob protecting the tiger) and explore how children process complex moral dilemmas. The small-town settings enhance the intimate, character-driven narratives.

Fact: Director Colin Trevorrow made this between 'Jurassic World' films. The script sat on Hollywood's 'Black List' of best unproduced screenplays for years. Jacob Tremblay ('Room') was considered for the lead role eventually given to Jaeden Martell.