Debapriya Bhattacharya
Based on the graphic novels by French author and illustrator Emile Bravo, ‘7 Bears’ reimagines the classic fairy tales such as Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, and Snow White, with the titular fuzz balls. The seven bear cubs are on a never-ending quest to find a magic potato, and are obsessed with the vegetable in general. Living in their cosy little home, devouring potatoes for every meal, their lives take a turn when Snow White shows up to be their roommate. Going outside, they catch up with other fairy tale beings, from the three little pigs to the Wicked Witch, causing mayhem wherever they go.
Led by showrunner Robert Vargas, the adorable show is perfect to introduce the young ones to the magical world. If you’re looking to continue on the journey, here are some movies similar to ‘7 Bears’ that make sure the tales do not end.
10. Over the Hedge (2006)
Directed by Tim Johnson and Karey Kirkpatrick, ‘Over the Hedge’ tells the story of a raccoon named RJ who lives in a picnic area in Chesterton, Indiana. Failing to find food for himself, RJ has the bright idea to steal from a stockpile of Vincent, a bear who is in hibernation. However, he spectacularly fails to execute his plan, as Vincent wakes up in the commotion and the food is destroyed in the process. As the furious bear charges at the raccoon, the latter promises to replace his food by the next full moon. With only one week in hand, RJ decides to stay close to the suburbs and steal food from humans. He even convinces other animals to join his plan. Like the ‘7 Bears,’ the film focuses on tiny furballs hatching plans and following through.
9. The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales (2017)
Originally titled ‘Le grand méchant renard et autres contes,’ Benjamin Renner and Patrick Imbert’s ‘The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales’ is an anthology of three short stories set on a rural farm in France, where animals lead a chaotic life. When the stork is unable to carry a baby, the trio of pig, rabbit, and duck takes over. A fox saves little chickens from being devoured by a big, bad wolf. A plastic Santa Claus figure in the barn gets destroyed by the rabbit and duck, convincing them that Christmas is in danger. The animals embark on fun adventures, much like ‘7 Bears,’ trying to help their fellow creatures the best they can.
8. Ernest & Celestine (2012)
‘Ernest & Celestine,’ directed by Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, and Benjamin Renner, is based on an eponymous children’s book series by Gabrielle Vincent. It revolves around a young mouse, Celestine, who meets a starving grizzly bear, Ernest, while trying to collect lost teeth. She helps him break into a candy store and eat his fill, while he assists her with her tooth hunt. Pursued by the police following their adventure, the pair goes into hiding together. Like ‘7 Bears,’ the film depicts the heartwarming adventures, but adds layered commentary on societal issues.
7. Alice in Wonderland (1951)
Lewis Carroll’s 1865 novel ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ was brought to life in the animated film directed by Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, and Hamilton Luske. It follows young and restless Alice, who falls down the rabbit hole into a nonsensical land ruled by the tyrannical Queen of Hearts. She meets numerous odd characters, such as the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter, before leading them against the Queen. The film embraces the magical world created by Carroll, just like ‘7 Bears’ does with fairy tales.
6. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
The first animated feature film to be created in the US, ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ by David Hand, recreated the popular fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm on screen about a young princess whose beauty made her stepmother, the Queen, jealous. She orders her to be killed by the huntsman, who leaves Snow White in the forest. There she comes across seven dwarves, and starts to live with them. Soon, the Queen realizes that Snow White is alive and starts plotting to get rid of her again. Snow White, as well as the seven dwarves, are intricately linked with the story of ‘7 Bears.’
5. Blinky Bill the Movie (2015)
Inspired by characters created by Dorothy Wall for a children’s book series, Deane Taylor’s ‘Blinky Bill the Movie’ follows the titular young koala, Blinky Bill, who sets off on an adventure to find his father, Mr. Bill. Traveling through the dangerous Australian outback, Blinky makes new friends, including Nutsy, a girl koala, and Jacko, a lizard. Much like the cubs in ‘7 Bears,’ Blinky and his friends work together to stop Mayor Cranklepot, a goanna, from becoming the ruler of his hometown, Greenpatch.
4. The Gruffalo (2009)
Based on a picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, ‘The Gruffalo’ tells the story of a mouse who outwits a fox, an owl, and a snake by telling them a made-up story about an animal called the Gruffalo when they want to eat him. However, when he comes across the real gruffalo, the mouse finds himself in a pickle as he desperately tries to stay alive. Similar to how the ‘7 Bears’ are obsessed with potatoes, the mouse adores nuts and journeys to the nut tree itself.
3. Back to the Outback (2021)
Directed by Clare Knight and Harry Cripps, ‘Back to the Outback’ chronicles the escape of some of Australia’s deadliest creatures from the zoo. The escaped animals include the poisonous snake and team leader Maddie, self-assured Thorny Devil lizard Zoe, lovelorn spider Frank, sensitive scorpion Nigel, and the obnoxious koala, Pretty Boy. With the zookeeper on their trail, the animals take on a dangerous trip through the Australian landscape. The adventure they share is similar to what the ‘7 Bears’ experience after Snow White pushes them out of their home.
2. Hoodwinked! (2005)
Helmed by Cory Edwards, ‘Hoodwinked!’ reimagines the story of Little Red Riding Hood as a police procedural. When officers Grizzly and Stork investigate a disturbance at Granny’s house, they come across Granny, her granddaughter Little Red Riding Hood, a Big Bad Wolf, and a Woodsman. As they interview the lot, they realize that no one is really how they appear to be. Granny and Red may be involved in stealing pastry recipes, Wolf is an investigative reporter, and the Woodsman is simply an actor. The fresh take on the classic fairy tale characters makes the film reminiscent of ‘7 Bears.’
1. Shrek (2001)
Loosely inspired by William Steig’s children’s picture book of the same name, ‘Shrek’ by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson follows the titular antisocial ogre who is seemingly happy with his life in the swamp. All of a sudden, he finds the place overrun by fairy tale creatures who have been banished by the egomaniacal and narcissistic ruler Lord Farquaad from the capital city of Duloc. Accompanied by Donkey, Shrek comes into an agreement with Farquaad to rescue Princess Fiona in exchange for getting back control of his swamp. With the presence of nearly all fairy tale creatures and deconstruction of their tropes, Shrek closely mirrors the storyline of ‘7 Bears.’ Both movies also have the protagonists set out on an adventure following the arrival of the said characters at their home.
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