Best movies like Once in a Lifetime
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Mona Bergström is a sweet eurovision-obsessed woman in her 30's. She is married to a lazy husband and have 4 children, all named after her favorite Swedish eurovision popstars. Her brother is a crossdressing guy selftitled "Candy Darling". Mona works on a retirement home for disabled people, where she is responsible for taking care of a young man named David who suffers a movement restricting disease forcing him into a wheelchair. Davids parents has abandoned him as they wanted a normal child. Mona holds a big place in Davids heart, and vica versa. Davids goal is to get his parents to come and visit him, and he wants to show them that he is a great person, despite his handicap. Therefore he works with music on his computer, and his goal is to create a song, send it to "The Cardigans", a famous Swedish band and have them play the song and credit him, hoping his parents would spot it and want to visit him.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: Sweden, Denmark
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: feel good, sentimental, humorous, semi serious, captivating, realistic, witty, stylized
Best tv shows and movies like Once in a Lifetime (2000):
Similar in 85%
The Mozart Brothers (1986)
Plot Summary:
This is a comedy about people who work in the theater, live for the theater, think of nothing but the theater. The director seems crazy, the art director has idiotic ideas, and the acting coach is eccentric: they even look like brothers, related by their common obsession for the theater, linked as one with the actors. The new project is Mozart's Don Giovanni, in which the director insists to give it a brand new interpretation and an avant-garde treatment. Now, he has to deal with the violent objection from the actors, the musicians, the singing coach, the stage manager, and even the cafe bar attendants and the cleaners. The situation is further complicated as the director is such a womanizer like Don Juan... and his lovers and kids keep bugging him throughout the rehearsal.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 382
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: Sweden
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, experimental, witty, stylized, semi serious
Similar in 90%
David Brent: Life on the Road (2016)
Plot Summary:
A camera crew catches up with David Brent, the former star of the fictional British series, "The Office" as he now fancies himself a rockstar on the road.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: mockumentary, realistic, humorous, witty, cynical, not serious, captivating, funny, talky, sentimental
Similar in 79%
Podium (2004)
Plot Summary:
Bernand Fréderic is a mediocre bank executive. He's married and have a son. He used to have antother profession: to be French star Claude Francois. Now, with the Imitators Gala Night coming up, he must choose between his wife or the only thing that makes him fully happy: the applause.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: Belgium, France
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, semi serious, realistic, surprise ending
Similar in 87%
Everybody's Famous! (2000)
Plot Summary:
Jean is a family man and factory worker who dreams of becoming a songwriter. Pinning his hopes on his teenage daughter, Marva, he takes her to singing contests in which the awkward and overweight girl struggles to belt out a tune. When Jean is suddenly fired because of cut backs, he is ashamed and even more desperate to have his daughter succeed. In a chance meeting Jean kidnaps the most famous pop star in the country and holds her hostage demanding to be heard by the music industry. Catching the attention of the media and the eyes of the nation, Jean and Marva realize that the show must go on until everyone is famous.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: Belgium, Netherlands, France
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: touching, satirical, feel good, humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, funny, light, inspirational
Similar in 79%
Loins of Punjab Presents (2007)
Plot Summary:
A ruthless philantrophist. A bhangra rapper. An over-protected prodigy. A reckless actress. A lovelorn businessman. An entrepreneurial yogi. And a Loin King. Enter a roller-coaster world of seven strangers whose lives collide during a singing contest in a small New Jersey town.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 800
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: India, USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, captivating, offbeat, mockumentary
Similar in 79%
Gossip (2000)
Plot Summary:
Ten actresses test films for the title role of a remake of "Queen Christina".
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 832
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Sweden
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 81%
The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie (2005)
Plot Summary:
When a famous band called the Silver Boulders break up, Nat and Alex Wolff go into depression.
IMDB Rating: 4.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Family, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, exciting, sentimental, captivating, melancholic, mockumentary
Similar in 85%
Fleisch ist mein Gem?se (2008)
Plot Summary:
No overview found.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 881
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: Germany
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, romantic, offbeat, tragicomedy
Similar in 84%
Born To Sing (2013)
Plot Summary:
A movie directed by comedian Lee Kyeong-kyu about the laughter and inspiration of competitiors in the process of getting prepared for the singing comtest that has become one of Korea's representing event.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 87
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: South Korea
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: humorous, captivating, entertaining
Similar in 76%
Angel (2008)
Plot Summary:
Angelica "Angel" Holst was a celebrated rockstar in the 80's but since then her fame and popularity has faded. Now it's time to step back into the spotlight - but to reach the top again she needs media attention and the question is what price Angel is willing to pay to get there again.
IMDB Rating: 2.8
IMDB Votes: 621
Genere: Drama
Country: Sweden
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: realistic, not serious, captivating, humorous
Similar in 79%
Fierce (2020)
Plot Summary:
Talent and passion for music can take one to the very top. On the way, however, there are going to be showbiz traps.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: Poland
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, captivating, entertaining
Similar in 79%
Trust Me (2013)
Plot Summary:
Trust Me follows flailing Hollywood agent Howard, who seemingly strikes gold after signing the next big child star. What results is an unexpected ride through the nasty inner workings of Hollywood, as Howard desperately tries to make it in an industry that has no interest in recognizing his bumbling but ultimately genuine nature.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: humorous, cynical, semi serious, realistic, independent film, biting, surprise ending, suspense
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The American Mall (2008)
Plot Summary:
The executive producers of High School Musical keep the good times rolling with this upbeat musical comedy set in the one place every American teenager's home away from home - the local shopping mall. Ally (Nina Dobrev) is an optimistic adolescent singer/songwriter whose hard working mother owns the mall music shop frequented by every teen in town. When Ally shares her music with Joey (Rob Mayes), a janitor in the mall who harbors rock star ambitions, she is thrilled to find someone who can truly relate to her songs as well as her heart. Trouble looms on the horizon, however, in the form of the mall owner's spoiled rotten daughter Madison (Autumn Reeser). Madison is the kind of girl who's used to getting whatever she wants, and what she wants now could prove disastrous for both Ally's ambitions, and her mother's popular music store.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: touching, feel good, humorous, realistic, captivating, witty, semi serious, teen
Similar in 90%
Sunset Strip (2000)
Plot Summary:
A day in Hollywood, 1972, with young people looking for the 24 hours that will change their lives. Zach will open that night for a British rocker at Whisky a Go-Go; he lives in a canyon and plays impromptu duets with a mysterious guitarist he doesn't see. Tammy is a costume designer, open to quick sex with the various rockers she works with and loved from afar by Michael, a photographer recovering from a case of the clap. His good friend is Felix, a morose, alcoholic songwriter. On hand for comic relief is Marty Shapiro, a fast-talking record producer. Getting ready for the gig at the club, Zach's performance, and the early-morning aftermath comprise the film.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: captivating, semi serious, sentimental, humorous, realistic, sexy, erotic, sexual
Similar in 79%
Garbage (2012)
Plot Summary:
Two best friends, garbage truck drivers in Hollywood become celebrities overnight after they find Cuba Gooding Jr.’s Best Supporting Actor Oscar for JERRY MAGUIRE in the trash and suddenly their lives go topsy-turvy.
IMDB Rating: 4.7
IMDB Votes: 625
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, light, captivating, realistic, semi serious, independent film
Similar in 77%
Daydream Believers: The Monkees' Story (2000)
Plot Summary:
In 2000, VH-1 produced the television biopic Daydream Believers: The Monkees' Story. In 2002, the movie was released on DVD, and featured both commentaries and interviews with Dolenz, Jones and Tork. The aired version did differ from the DVD release as the TV version had an extended scene with all four Monkees but with a shortened Cleveland concert segment. It was also available on VHS.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 982
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: sentimental, realistic, semi serious, captivating
Similar in 88%
Four Last Songs (2007)
Plot Summary:
A comic drama set on a Mediterranean island, where a motley collection of characters is seeking musical redemption.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 712
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: Spain, UK
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, semi serious, realistic
Similar in 84%
2gether (2000)
Plot Summary:
A movie that spoofs boy bands like N*Sync, New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys, etc. It's the boy band version of Spinal Tap!.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Comedy, Music
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 82 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, not serious, realistic, witty, mockumentary, parody, spoof
Similar in 78%
Svengali (2013)
Plot Summary:
Svengali tells the story of Dixie, a postman from South Wales, and a music fanatic. All his life he’s dreamed of discovering a great band and then one day, trawling through YouTube, he finds them… ‘The Premature Congratulations’. He hunts them down and offers them his management services. They are young, arrogant, sexy and utterly magnificent. Putting their demo on a cassette tape, Dixie heads out onto the streets of London….
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, realistic, feel good, sincere
Similar in 83%
Out of Sync (2000)
Plot Summary:
Roger Deacon, a down-and-out record producer, is given the job of making a singing star out of an industry mogul's girlfriend, an attractive but talentless starlet. He discovers a housewife with a powerful singing voice and decides to secretly use her to lip sync the other woman's voice for record recordings as a path to fame for her and him.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 432
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, captivating, entertaining, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 77%
Where's Firuze? (2004)
Plot Summary:
Having failed incredibly many times in attempts to find a big talent and to be rich, the two producers and their only two contracted singers struggle to clean their debts and make their dreams come true, no matter what happens. Being in a tight spot, they rely on a gastarbeiter who they hear sing over the phone. They desperately invite him to Turkey. Then, out of the blue, an inspirational lady, Firuze, shows up and supports the gang both morally and financially. With the support they receive from Firuze, the gang start walking, slowly but decisively, towards their aim. Just when they think they really can turn things around, they learn that Firuze is actually a schizophrenic and they did it all by themselves.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: Turkey
Duration: 128 min
Plot tags: semi serious, feel good, humorous, witty, art house, realistic
Similar in 76%
1234 (2008)
Plot Summary:
Ian Bonar is Stevie, a wannabe musician whose look is a hybrid of Jarvis Cocker and early Elvis Costello. Working with his drummer pal Neil (Matthew Baynton) in a call centre, they dream of breaking into the indie music scene. To do this they require additional band members. Step forward the driven (and drinking) guitarist Billy (Kieran Bew) and slightly scatty bassist Emily (Lyndsey Marshal), who has a sideline in making sculpture from hair.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 132
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 82 min
Plot tags: sentimental, uplifting, touching, feel good, realistic, humorous, witty, semi serious
Similar in 86%
My Dinner with Jimi (2003)
Plot Summary:
The story of the night The Turtles met The Beatles and Howard Kaylan had dinner with Jimi Hendrix.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 265
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: sentimental, realistic, captivating, semi serious, sincere, touching, serious, contemplative, cult film
Similar in 89%
That Thing You Do! (1996)
Plot Summary:
A Pennsylvania band scores a hit in 1964 and rides the star-making machinery as long as it can, with lots of help from its manager.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 73000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: humorous, sentimental, feel good, light, sincere, period piece, touching, sexy, retro, emotional
Similar in 81%
Mr. Saturday Night (1992)
Plot Summary:
Buddy Young was the comic's comic, beloved by everyone. Now, playing to miniscule crowds in nursing homes, it seems like everybody but Buddy realizes that he should retire. As Buddy looks for work in show business, he realizes that the rest of the world has forgotten the golden days of Buddy Young, and that there just may not be room in the business for an old comic like himself.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: humorous, intense, captivating, realistic, stylized, sentimental, touching, factual, entertaining, independent film
Similar in 75%
Lisa Picard Is Famous (2000)
Plot Summary:
A documentarian decides to follow the career of New York actress Lisa Picard, believing she is on the brink of fame. Instead, he bears witness to Lisa's continued, humorous, struggles as an actress, as well as the conflict that arises when Lisa's best friend Tate hits it big with an off-Broadway one-man show.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 620
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, witty, cynical, semi serious, mockumentary, independent film, clever, offbeat, talky
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Uttama Villain (2015)
Plot Summary:
Superstar Manoranjan learns that he has only a few days to live and approaches his mentor, director Margadarisi to direct his next project — a folklore-ish comedy about a man who keeps cheating death and his role in saving a kingdom. Meanwhile, he has to sort out his personal lives, which involves an estranged son and a daughter from the love of his life.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: India
Duration: 171 min
Plot tags: sentimental, humorous, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 86%
Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story (2004)
Plot Summary:
Chronicles the rise and fall of pop king Michael Jackson.
IMDB Rating: 3.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: semi serious, touching, humorous, realistic
Similar in 76%
Stardom (2000)
Plot Summary:
A young girl is plucked from small-town obscurity and thrust into the spotlight of the glamorous world of super-models.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Comedy
Country: France, Canada
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: clever, stylized, captivating, realistic, cynical, humorous, mockumentary, touching, independent film, offbeat
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Detroit Metal City (2008)
Plot Summary:
Soichi Negishi moved to Tokyo to chase his dream of becoming a musician playing stylish, Swedish-style pop. Instead, he finds himself leading the death metal band Detroit Metal City, or DMC, as the costumed and grotesquely made-up "demon emperor" Johannes Krauser II. Although he hates the role and the things he has to do as a member of the band, he has a definite talent for it.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: Japan
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, anime, slapstick comedy, slapstick