Best movies like Svengali
Last updated March 2024
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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
Best tv shows and movies like Svengali (2013):
Similar in 79%
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 86%
Get Ready to Be Boyzvoiced (2000)
Plot Summary:
Mockumentary which follows an up-and-coming three-man boyband which suffers a Milli Vanilli inspired media storm just before the release of their first album. Their only hope is to get their act together before the HitAwards Norwegian music awards show.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: Norway
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, not serious, captivating, cult classic, mockumentary, spoof, parody, fake documentary, queer cinema
Similar in 80%
Body Slam (1986)
Plot Summary:
M. Harry Smilac is a down-on-his-luck music manager who is having a hard time attracting talent and booking gigs for his band, Kicks (The most recent of the gigs is a Dairy Queen opening!!). When making arrangements for a campaign fund-raiser, he mistakes Rick Roberts, a professional wrestler, for a musician and hires him. At that moment he becomes a wrestling manager and starts to book matches for him and his teammate Tonga Tom. The team is a success, and Harry decides to take his wrestlers and his band on a "Rock n' Wrestling" tour. The tour is a success, and Harry feels what it is like to be a winner again.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Music, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, semi serious, realistic, independent film, slapstick
Similar in 90%
Having a Wild Weekend (1965)
Plot Summary:
Dinah (Barbara Ferris) is a famous model and actress who is getting tired of life in the limelight and wants to take a break. While shooting a commercial spot for meat, she meets Steve (Dave Clark), a stuntman. Dinah and Steve hit it off and decide to head to an island to get away from it all (bringing along four of Steve's friends, Mike Smith, Lenny Davidson, Denis West Payton, and Rick Huxley, who -- surprise! -- play music with him). Before long, Dinah is reported missing and everyone is looking for her, making their getaway anything but tranquil.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 833
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: road movie, period piece, clever, offbeat, feel good, humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, psychotronic
Similar in 88%
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 75%
A Bunch of Amateurs (2008)
Plot Summary:
Burt Reynolds stars as Jefferson Steel, a washed-up Hollywood action star desperate to revive his flagging career. When his sleazy agent signs him up for what he believes is a high-profile Royal Shakespeare Company production of King Lear at Stratford upon Avon, Steel thinks he has finally landed the plum role he has been waiting for. However, he soon discovers that he has been tricked into joining an amateur dramatics group for a charity production.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: feel good, semi serious, humorous, entertaining, realistic
Similar in 85%
Disco (2008)
Plot Summary:
Endetté jusqu'au cou dans une affaire de water bed, Didier Travolta, 40 ans, vit au Havre dans le quartier populaire du Grand Large chez sa maman : Madame Graindorge. Il reçoit une lettre de la mère de son fils Brian, 8 ans, qui vit en Angleterre, lui signifiant qu'il ne pourra pas recevoir le petit cette année s'il n'est pas capable de lui payer des vacances, des vraies vacances.
IMDB Rating: 4.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: France
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, stylized, semi serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 78%
She Wants Me (2012)
Plot Summary:
A neurotic writer working on his new film gets into a tricky situation when an A-list actress shows interest in the role intended for his girlfriend.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: semi serious, humorous, realistic, light, sincere, independent film
Similar in 85%
Marci X (2003)
Plot Summary:
A Jewish-American Princess is forced to take control of a hard-core hip-hop record label and tries to rein the one of the label's most controversial rappers.
IMDB Rating: 3.0
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: Germany, USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, semi serious, realistic, witty, spooky, satirical, controversial
Similar in 89%
The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch (2003)
Plot Summary:
Twenty-three years after the release of the original Beatles mockumentary, 'The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash', famous artists, actors and musicians speak out on how The Rutles influenced them.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 558
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: mockumentary, parody, humorous, realistic, not serious, witty, cynical, spoof, offbeat, biting
Similar in 88%
The Bros. (2007)
Plot Summary:
Wannabe "gangsta-rappers" resort to a crime spree in order to come up up with ten thousand dollars in order to finance a studio recording session.
IMDB Rating: 2.8
IMDB Votes: 258
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, independent film, offbeat, remake of american film
Similar in 89%
Stars 80 (2012)
Plot Summary:
Die-hard fans of the 1980s, Vincent and Antoine run a company that supplies doubles of faded stars throughout the whole of France. What starts out as a promising business venture ends up as a calamity when Vincent and Antoine have over forty engagements booked but no one to attend them. They then have a brainwave. Why not get in touch with the real stars of the 1980s and persuade them to make a comeback? Why make do with an imitation when you can have the real McCoy?.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 815
Genere: Comedy
Country: France, Belgium
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, semi serious, realistic
Similar in 80%
Eternity: The Movie (2014)
Plot Summary:
Big Hair. Guyliner. Someone lamenting by crashing waves on a beach or to their reflection in a fountain. Yes, we're talking about the 80s! Todd and BJ, two lonely wannabe artists, find one another and create the not-so-dynamic R&B duo "Eternity.".
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 62
Genere: Comedy, Music, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, not serious, captivating, independent film
Similar in 80%
When Inge Is Dancing (2013)
Plot Summary:
The ambitious punk rocker Max and the eco-activist Inge cannot stand each other, ever since Max publicly exposed her by singing the offensive song "When Inge is Dancing" in front of the whole school. But for Max and his classmates Fabio, Joscha and Lukas this song in particular has become a real hit at school as well as in the regional music scene: Their band called Systemfehler is on the verge of a breakthrough. But just before the important gig, which could get them a record deal, guitarist Josha is injured and can't play. Inge happens to be an excellent guitarist, and the only person who can fill in at such short notice. But when Max asks for her help, she imposes one non-negotiable condition: If she decides to play with the band, they will not perform the song "Wenn Inge tanzt".
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: Germany
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, semi serious, light, realistic
Similar in 80%
Tapeheads (1988)
Plot Summary:
The story of Ivan and Josh, two dim witted ex-security guards who love music videos. Out of work, with no job prospects, they form a music video production company. They soon learn the in's and out's of the business in LA and with some help from Mo Fuzz, they soon become hot property. But not all goes smoothly when they try to resurrect the career of their favorite R&B duo, the Swanky Modes.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: humorous, light, satirical, semi serious, cult classic, intense, offbeat, realistic, witty, independent film
Similar in 84%
Tamla Rose (2013)
Plot Summary:
Three teen girls in a Motown band embark on an emotional ride to hell and back.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, serious, realistic, feel good
Similar in 89%
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 76%
Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll (2015)
Plot Summary:
Johnny Rock is the aging lead singer of NYC's legendary early-'90s band The Heathens, who is trying to get both his band and his life back together. The aging and broke bad-boy rocker gets another shot at fame as a songwriter for a brash and talented young singer who's a big fan of his early work.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 21 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, realistic, sitcom, light, sentimental, feel good, entertaining
Similar in 78%
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 85%
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 83%
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
Similar in 89%
City of Rock (2017)
Plot Summary:
A young musician from a small town in China tries to save his town's treasured Rock Park by organizing a charity rock concert.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 681
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: China
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: sentimental, light, humorous, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 75%
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 84%
Down and Out with the Dolls (2001)
Plot Summary:
The raunchy, spunky tale of the rise and fall of an all-girl rock band from Portland, Oregon.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 215
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, suspense, erotic, offbeat, independent film, biting, campy
Similar in 79%
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 87%
Habana Blues (2005)
Plot Summary:
When Spanish record producers express interest in Cuban musicians Ruy and Tito, the longtime friends are faced with the prospect of leaving their loved ones behind. After years of hoping and dreaming, they've finally earned the opportunity to bring their music to the rest of the world. But are the emotional trade-offs worth it in the end?.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: Spain, Cuba, France
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, emotional, realistic, humorous, semi serious
Similar in 81%
Electric Apricot (2007)
Plot Summary:
Electric Apricot is a spoof of jam bands centered around the band, Electric Apricot, in the style of "This Is Spinal Tap".
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 673
Genere: Comedy, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, cynical, mockumentary, offbeat, semi serious, fake documentary
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Undiscovered (2005)
Plot Summary:
A group of aspiring entertainers try to establish careers for themselves in the city of Los Angeles.
IMDB Rating: 4.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy, Music, Romance
Country: Germany, USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, captivating
Similar in 89%
Spike Island (2012)
Plot Summary:
Teenage musicians travel to England's Spike Island in the hope of attending an outdoor performance by their favorite band, the Stone Roses.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, captivating, realistic, sad
Similar in 83%
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