If you loved
Onward
Dan Scanlon · Film · 2020
What hooked you in Onward was the way it anchors epic, magical quests within the deeply intimate, messy bonds of brotherhood and family.
Books on the same thread
The Ironwood Tree
Tony DiTerlizzi, Holly Black · Book · 2004
Shares a thread with Onward: Urban Fantasy.
Like Onward, this story grounds its supernatural dangers in the immediate reality of sibling devotion as characters navigate hidden worlds to rescue a family member from an unexpected threat.
Shannara
Terry Brooks · Book · 1977
Explores: Good vs Evil, Quest, Magic.
If the brotherly bond in Onward resonated with you, this epic journey follows two siblings who must rely on each other to master ancient magic and defeat a looming evil.
The Land of Stories
Colfer Chris Dorman Brandon · Book · 2014
Explores: Siblings, Good vs Evil, Magic.
This adventure mirrors the heart of Onward by forcing twins into a dangerous, magical world where their survival depends entirely on their ability to work together as a team.
Frozen (Little Golden Book)
RH Disney · Book · 2014
Explores: Sisterhood, Self-acceptance, Overcoming Fear.
Much like Onward, this journey focuses on the profound power of sibling relationships as characters traverse a magical landscape to overcome obstacles and bridge the distance between them.
Series on the same thread
The Owl House
Dana Terrace · Series · 2020
Explores: Coming-of-age, Found Family, Acceptance.
The themes of coming-of-age and finding one's place in a magical world seen in Onward are echoed here as a teenager navigates a strange realm with newfound companions.
Adventure Time: Distant Lands
Pendleton Ward · Series · 2020
Explores: Friendship, Self-Discovery, Nostalgia.
These specials capture the same spirit of exploration found in Onward, blending expansive world-building with quiet moments of self-discovery and the existential weight of growing up in a magical land.
Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia
Guillermo del Toro · Series · 2016
Explores: Chosen One, Secret World, Coming of Age.
This series captures the suburban fantasy tension of Onward by showing how an ordinary teenager must balance the mundane realities of youth with the sudden, overwhelming responsibilities of a hidden world.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End
Series · 2023
Explores: Mortality, The Value of Time, Regret and Remembrance.
If the emotional weight of loss in Onward touched you, this story offers a similar meditation on the passage of time, regret, and the lingering memories of those we love.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Adventure Zone
The McElroys · Podcast · 2026
Explores: improvised storytelling, group dynamics, high fantasy satire.
The collaborative, improvised nature of this podcast mirrors the dynamic sibling chemistry in Onward, turning a high fantasy quest into a comedy about group bonds and unexpected heroic feats.
The Orphans
The Light and Tragic Company · Podcast · 2025
While the setting shifts to science fiction, the core focus on love, loss, and survival among castaways mirrors the emotional stakes that drive the brothers' quest in Onward.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Onward a movie about magic?
Yes, Onward is a 2020 film directed by Dan Scanlon that follows two teenage elf brothers living in a suburban fantasy world. The story centers on their extraordinary quest to discover if there is still a little magic remaining in their world.
Who directed the movie Onward?
The movie Onward was directed by Dan Scanlon. Released in 2020, the film tells the story of two teenage elf brothers who go on a quest to find magic in their suburban fantasy setting.
What is the plot of Onward?
In Onward, two teenage elf brothers embark on an extraordinary quest to see if magic still exists. The film is set in a suburban fantasy world and was directed by Dan Scanlon for its 2020 release.
When was the movie Onward released?
Onward was released in 2020. Directed by Dan Scanlon, the film follows two teenage elf brothers who live in a suburban fantasy world and travel on a quest to find out if there is still magic left out there.