Year: 2007
Runtime: 83 mins
Language: English
Directors: Víctor Maldonado, Adrià García
Tim, an orphan terrified of darkness, watches the sky dim as the stars vanish. Guided by the mysterious Cat Shepherd, he ventures into the hidden realm of night, meeting strange nocturnal beings and gradually confronting his fear, discovering wonder in the darkness.
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Tim, a young boy living in a dilapidated orphanage, is bullied for his fear of the dark. Each night he slips onto the roof to gaze at the stars, finding a rare calm as the city sleeps. The rooftop escape becomes his quiet ritual, a momentary shield from the taunts below and the creeping fear that haunts him when the lights fade.
When Tim is too afraid to retrieve a ball from the basement, the other children retaliate by stealing the doorknob he uses to gain access to the roof, forcing him to improvise a new route to the rooftop. After a careful, nerve-wracking climb, he finally makes it back up and discovers that one of his favorite stars has vanished from the sky, a mysterious loss that sparks his curiosity and resolve.
Shortly after, Tim meets a large, ape-like figure called the Cat Shepherd, who herds cats to protect children. A narcoleptic cat named Tobermory becomes Tim’s loyal guardian, always nearby when fear starts to creep in again. Tim asks the Cat Shepherd to help uncover what is happening to the stars, hoping that someone or something can explain the disappearances and restore the night to its familiar gleam.
The Cat Shepherd leads Tim to Sr. Moka, the guardian of the night within the Night World, whose initial attention to Tim’s pleas is scarce and cautious. Desperate for answers, Tim pleads for a path that might reveal the truth, and the Cat Shepherd agrees to guide him further toward the Lighthouse of the Stars, a rumored beacon that could hold the key to the strange phenomenon. With the Cat Shepherd and Tobermory by his side, Tim races through the streets of Nocturna, a vibrant, sprawling world where creatures of all shapes and sizes work tirelessly to craft the night as we know it. This nocturnal realm hums with activity and mystery, painting a vivid backdrop for Tim’s quest.
A looming threat, known as The Darkness, casts a pall over the night and its inhabitants, sowing restlessness in children and feeding on nightmares. As Tim dives deeper into the investigation of the missing stars, he uncovers a startling truth: The Darkness was created from his own fear of the dark. Faced with that realization, Tim confronts the approaching darkness, finds a way to bring it closer, and learns to temper his fear long enough to outwit it. In a decisive turn, he helps push back the menace, saving Nocturna from a fate ruled by shadow. The triumph is tempered by relief and growth, and the dawn of a new understanding colors Tim’s world. The next day, Tim surprises his friends by retrieving the ball from the basement; impressed, they invite him to join their game again, signaling a renewed sense of belonging and courage.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 15:10
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Young heroes venture into a hidden magical world to fix a cosmic disorder.If you liked Nocturna's story of a hero fixing the vanishing stars, you'll enjoy these movies. This collection features similar animated and family-friendly films where characters undertake imaginative journeys to restore balance to a magical world, blending adventure with personal growth.
Stories in this thread typically begin with a strange, external problem that signals a deeper issue in a secret world. The protagonist, often an outsider, is uniquely suited or chosen to intervene. The plot follows their linear journey through this strange new realm, where they meet allies, learn the true cause of the imbalance, and must use their newfound courage or understanding to set things right.
Movies are grouped here for their shared structure of a 'world repair' quest, their whimsical tone, and their blend of gentle mystery with a steady, purposeful pace. They all feature a childlike sense of wonder and a central theme of overcoming personal anxiety to achieve a greater good.
Lonely characters find belonging and courage among magical beings of the night.For viewers who loved the found family theme in Nocturna. These movies share a similar vibe, focusing on lonely protagonists who discover comfort and kinship in a magical, nighttime setting. If you enjoyed Tim's journey from fear to belonging, explore these heartfelt stories.
The narrative pattern involves a protagonist grappling with a significant fear or loneliness. Their journey into a mysterious, often dreamlike night world introduces them to a cast of unique beings who are initially strange but ultimately friendly. The conflict is internal and external—facing their fear while being welcomed into a new community—culminating in a heartfelt resolution where they find where they truly belong.
These films are connected by their strong emotional core of finding belonging, their atmospheric and slightly mysterious nocturnal settings, and their balanced mix of initial melancholy with a ultimately hopeful and happy resolution. They share a medium emotional weight and a comforting, magical vibe.
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Track the full timeline of Nocturna with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Nocturna. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
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Discover movies like Nocturna that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
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