Best movies like Cotton Candy
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
1970's made-for-TV movies about high school teens embroiled in rock band drama have formed a sub-genre that holds immeasurable hypnotic powers over a lot of my generation. Worn copies of these types of movies are often traded amongst fans like rare gold (or drugs). One rarely seen example in that particular library is Cotton Candy. The film spins the pimple-ridden rhapsody of a group of high school misfits who form a good-time bubblegum rock band, named Cotton Candy, and are thrown into direct, vicious competition with the "cool kids" crowd; their classmate's popular hard rock act Rapid Fire. The awkward-years war reaches it's apex during a "battle of the bands" competition, sponsored by a local mall on a Saturday afternoon, in scenes filled with screaming high school girls in designer jeans and winged-hair (perhaps the first concert film footage alternated with cutaway shots of Orange Julius and Spencer Gifts signage). (cont. http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2007/03/ron_howards_cot.html).
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 318
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags:
Best tv shows and movies like Cotton Candy (1978):
Similar in 90%
Go Go 70's (2008)
Plot Summary:
A movie about the first Korean soul band in 1970's.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 202
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: South Korea
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags:
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Rock and Roll: The Movie (2016)
Plot Summary:
Rock and Roll the Movie follows fresh out of college guy David who moves to LA only to wind up in a bet with his teenage rock star agent idol, William Smythe over his cherished '59 T-Bird. To keep his car, David must convince a now washed-up rocker to return to the Rock and Roll spotlight for good.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 69
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 86%
The Phynx (1970)
Plot Summary:
A rock band becomes embroiled in foreign affairs when they're sent to go on tour in Albania as a cover to find hostages in a remote castle held by communist enemies of the USA.
IMDB Rating: 4.4
IMDB Votes: 350
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 81 min
Plot tags: psychotronic, spy comedy
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Miguel San Miguel (2012)
Plot Summary:
In the late 70s , during the military dictatorship , the film traces the beginnings of the musical group Los Prisioneros from the perspective of their drummer Miguel Tapia.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 88
Genere: Biography, Music
Country: Chile
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 82%
Cheerleaders Beach Party (1978)
Plot Summary:
Four amorous cheerleaders set out to save their ailing college football team by huddling up on the beach with the rival team...and scoring.
IMDB Rating: 3.1
IMDB Votes: 305
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, sex comedy, humorous, realistic, semi serious, independent film
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Liberty Mean (2017)
Plot Summary:
Mock and Roll is a comedic mockumentary that follows four ambitious yet clueless friends who form a band to parody the songs of their idols, the legendary Black Owls. Madness ensues as the friends become involved with one fundraising scheme after another in their quest to get on stage at a major music festival.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 16
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: parody, independent film, spoof, mockumentary, rockumentary
Similar in 77%
Du-beat-e-o (1984)
Plot Summary:
A filmmaker tries to finish editing a movie about all-girl rock band Runaways.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 85
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: psychotronic, experimental, independent film, cult film
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Kat and the Band (2019)
Plot Summary:
Seventeen year old, music obsessed school girl Kat Malone tricks her way into managing struggling band Dollar Days, pretending to be a band manager in her twenties.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 248
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, tense, unusual plot structure, suspense, suspenseful, contemplative, crying
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Miss Blue Jeans (2012)
Plot Summary:
Year 1977. Punk and new wave rock´n roll has arrived to remote Finland and a bleak small town Oulu where increasingly odd-looking youths began to appear in the street with a message. Their rebellion speaks to Välde (17). Välde dreams of joining a rock band and becoming famous. He wants to get drunk for the first time, and to win the love of Pike, the most beautiful girl in the class. When Pike wins the Miss Blue Jeans contest organised by the country´s leading (and only) pop music magazine Suosikki and takes as her boyfriend the bourgeois Henri Hakala, Välde puts all his eggs in one basket. He abandons his former self and begins purposefully constructing a new persona for himself. But everything doesn’t go as Välde wanted … The film is based on a novel by Kauko Röyhkä, an author and indie rock musician.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 893
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: Finland, Sweden
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: light, feel good, captivating, entertaining
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Miguel Wants to Fight (2023)
Plot Summary:
In a neighborhood where fighting is stitched into the fabric of everyday life, Miguel has never found himself in one. However, when a combination of events turn his life upside down, Miguel and his friends enter into a series of misadventures.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 403
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 75 min
Plot tags:
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Life Doesn't Scare Me (1999)
Plot Summary:
We follow how four ordinary little girls learn about life, love and all that sort of things.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 277
Genere: Comedy
Country: France, Switzerland
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: cult film
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Hunky Dory (2011)
Plot Summary:
Musical film about the trials and tribulations of an idealistic drama teacher as she tries to put on the end of year show.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: sincere, captivating, sentimental, touching, period piece, comedy drama, realistic, semi serious, independent film
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Leningrad Cowboys Go America (1989)
Plot Summary:
The Leningrad Cowboys, a group of Finnish musicians, and their manager, travel to America seeking fame and fortune. As they cross the country, trying to get to a wedding in Mexico, they are followed by the village idiot, who wishes to join the band.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: Finland, Sweden
Duration: 79 min
Plot tags: road movie, humorous, funny, light, satirical, surreal, cult classic, art house, offbeat, realistic
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Roadie (1980)
Plot Summary:
A young Texas good ol' boy has a knack with electronic equipment, and that talent gets him a job as a roadie with a raucous traveling rock-and-roll show.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: offbeat, funny, cult classic, feel good, humorous, realistic, semi serious, road movie, independent film, cult film
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Josie and the Pussycats (2001)
Plot Summary:
Josie, Melody and Val are three small-town girl musicians determined to take their rock band out of their garage and straight to the top, while remaining true to their look, style and sound. They get a record deal which brings fame and fortune but soon realize they are pawns of two people who want to control the youth of America. They must clear their names, even if it means losing fame and fortune.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 24000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: humorous, cult classic, feel good, witty, not serious, entertaining, teen, satirical, spoof, romantic comedy
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Get Crazy (1983)
Plot Summary:
Mega-promoter Colin Beverly plans to sabotage the New Year's 1983 concert of small-time operator Max Wolfe. Wolfe's assistants Neil Allen and Willie Loman find romance while trying to save the drugs, violence, and rock and roll from Beverly's schemes.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: humorous, not serious, realistic, surreal, cult classic, independent film, spoof, parody, cult film
Similar in 84%
Bandwagon (1996)
Plot Summary:
Tony gets fired from his job. He's not really sad about this because he prefers writing songs and playing the guitar. He meets the drummer Charlie and they decide to start a band, although Tony is afraid of playing in front of other people. He can't even play in front of Charlie. They find another guitarist, Wynn, who enjoys fishing if he's not playing the guitar. The final member of the band is Eric, the bass-player who is often unpredictable in his actions. They name the band Circus Monkey and want to get famous and rich. However, after some successful gigs, they begin to realize what all the big music and show business is about.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 671
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: independent film, offbeat, humorous, realistic, not serious
Similar in 82%
The St?ned Age (1994)
Plot Summary:
Determined to avoid another night of driving aimlessly around Torrance in the Blue Torpedo, Joe and Hubbs set out on a quest for fine chicks. Their paths soon cross with Tack, from whom they learn about a pair of foreign radical chicks hanging out near the Frankie Avalon place. Over Joe's objections, Hubbs worms Tack out of the deal, and the pair take a slow ride toward their destiny.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: funny, feel good, realistic, atmospheric, cult classic, independent film, humorous, semi serious, sex comedy, interesting
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Metal Lords (2022)
Plot Summary:
For teenage misfits Hunter and Kevin, the path to glory is clear: Devote themselves to metal. Win Battle of the Bands. And be worshipped like gods.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 32000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: captivating, entertaining, satirical, disturbing, semi serious, funny, feel good, emotional, teen, fun
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Killing Bono (2011)
Plot Summary:
Neil and Ivan McCormick, two Irish brothers who attempt to become rock stars but can only look on as their high school friends U2 become the biggest band in the world.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: UK, Ireland
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: feel good, semi serious, humorous, realistic, witty, freeze frame
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Up in Smoke (1978)
Plot Summary:
An unemployed pot-smoking slacker and amateur drummer, Anthony Stoner ditches his strict parents and hits the road, eventually meeting kindred spirit Pedro de Pacas. While the drug-ingesting duo is soon arrested for possession of marijuana, Anthony and Pedro get released on a technicality, allowing them to continue their many misadventures and ultimately compete in a rock band contest, where they perform the raucous tune "Earache My Eye.".
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 40000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: funny, grindhouse, cult classic, psychedelic, humorous, parody, road movie, mysterious, psychotronic, sexy
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The Rocker (2008)
Plot Summary:
Rob "Fish" Fishman is the drummer in '80s hair metal band Vesuvius. He's unceremoniously booted as the group signs a big record deal, is out of the music world for 20 years - and then receives a second chance with his nephew's band.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 40000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, funny, teen, light, entertaining, not serious, hilarious, slang, cute
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This Is Spinal Tap (1984)
Plot Summary:
"This Is Spinal Tap" shines a light on the self-contained universe of a metal band struggling to get back on the charts, including everything from its complicated history of ups and downs, gold albums, name changes and undersold concert dates, along with the full host of requisite groupies, promoters, hangers-on and historians, sessions, release events and those special behind-the-scenes moments that keep it all real.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 145000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 82 min
Plot tags: mockumentary, parody, spoof, funny, humorous, cult classic, satirical, hilarious, cynical, ironic
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Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)
Plot Summary:
The Bellas are back, and they are better than ever. After being humiliated in front of none other than the President of the United States of America, the Bellas are taken out of the Aca-Circuit. In order to clear their name, and regain their status, the Bellas take on a seemingly impossible task: winning an international competition no American team has ever won. In order to accomplish this monumental task, they need to strengthen the bonds of friendship and sisterhood and blow away the competition with their amazing aca-magic! With all new friends and old rivals tagging along for the trip, the Bellas can hopefully accomplish their dreams.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 168000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: feel good, funny, romantic, humorous, teen, melancholic, absurd, tricky, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 87%
Bratz (2007)
Plot Summary:
The popular Bratz dolls come to life in their first live-action feature film. Finding themselves being pulled further and further apart, the fashionable four band together to fight peer pressure, learn what it means to stand up for your friends, be true to oneself and live out your dreams.
IMDB Rating: 3.1
IMDB Votes: 25000
Genere: Comedy, Family, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: humorous, satirical, teen, semi serious, realistic, rough, sexy, feel good, unusual plot structure, sweet
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Wayne's World (1992)
Plot Summary:
When a sleazy TV exec offers Wayne and Garth a fat contract to tape their late-night public access show at his network, they can't believe their good fortune. But they soon discover the road from basement to big-time is a gnarly one, fraught with danger, temptation and ragin' party opportunities.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 168000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: funny, humorous, hilarious, parody, absurd, spoof, slapstick, cult classic, witty, buddy comedy
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Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
Plot Summary:
A group of rock-music-loving students, with the help of the Ramones, take over their school to combat its newly installed oppressive administration.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, cult classic, teen, psychotronic, humorous, funny, surreal, exciting, offbeat, feel good
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Wayne's World 2 (1993)
Plot Summary:
A message from Jim Morrison in a dream prompts cable access TV stars Wayne and Garth to put on a rock concert, "Waynestock," with Aerosmith as headliners. But amid the preparations, Wayne frets that a record producer is putting the moves on his girlfriend, Cassandra, while Garth handles the advances of mega-babe Honey Hornee.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 87000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: funny, spoof, absurd, buddy comedy, skit, romantic comedy, cult classic, feel good, humorous, realistic
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School of Rock (2003)
Plot Summary:
Fired from his band and hard up for cash, guitarist and vocalist Dewey Finn finagles his way into a job as a fifth-grade substitute teacher at a private school, where he secretly begins teaching his students the finer points of rock 'n' roll. The school's hard-nosed principal is rightly suspicious of Finn's activities. But Finn's roommate remains in the dark about what he's doing.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 324000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA, Germany
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: feel good, funny, entertaining, inspirational, humorous, hilarious, realistic, cult classic, teen, witty
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Detroit Rock City (1999)
Plot Summary:
In 1978, a Kiss concert was an epoch-making event. For the three teen fans in Detroit Rock City getting tickets to the sold-out show becomes the focal point of their existence. They'll do anything for tickets -- compete in a strip club's amateur-night contest, take on religious protesters, even rob a convenience store!.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 41000
Genere: Adventure, Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: feel good, road movie, funny, entertaining, teen, humorous, cult classic, period piece, realistic, semi serious