Best movies like The Book of Life
Last updated March 2024
Looking for movies like The Book of Life? Use your familiarity to navigate others towards tv series and movies you've watched that they may enjoy too. Help expand the group of people recommending videos to one another. We value your input!
Plot Summary:
The end of the millenium has taken on a certain significance in modern day prophecies. What happens if Jesus Christ has second thoughts about the Apocalypse? It is December 31, 1999 and New Year's Eve takes on new meaning when the Devil, Jesus Christ, and Christ's assistant Magdelina discuss and debate the end of the world, the opening of the seven seals, and the essence of being human.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy
Country: France, USA
Duration: 63 min
Plot tags: humorous, enigmatic, surreal, futuristic, philosophical, indie film, offbeat, witty, semi serious, biting
Best tv shows and movies like The Book of Life (1998):
Similar in 80%
Apocalypse, CA (2011)
Plot Summary:
Wry, cynical and full of off-beat humor, 'Apocalypse, CA' is the story of friends as they prepare for certain death at the hands of a massive asteroid, sex-inducing drugs, a three-hundred foot giant, and a horde of other absurd problems.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 113
Genere: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: sexy, humorous, contemplative, cynical, semi serious, offbeat, independent film
Similar in 86%
Savages (1972)
Plot Summary:
A tribe of primitive "mudpeople" encounter a croquet ball, rolling through their forest. Following it, they find themselves on a vast, deserted Long Island estate. Entering, they begin to become civilized and assume the stereotypical roles and dress of people at a weekend party. There follows an allegory of upper-class behavior. At last, they begin to devolve toward their original status, and after a battle at croquet, they disappear into the woods.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 396
Genere: Fantasy, Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: independent film, clever, offbeat, humorous, realistic, witty, cynical, semi serious, biting, experimental
Similar in 76%
Asylum Seekers (2009)
Plot Summary:
Six people on the verge of a breakdown decide to check themselves into an insane asylum, only to discover there is just room for one.
IMDB Rating: 4.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, surreal, semi serious, surprise ending, mindfuck, cult classic, independent film, offbeat, cult film
Similar in 79%
No Such Thing (2001)
Plot Summary:
Tells the story of Beatrice (Sarah Polley), a tabloid journalist whose fiancé is killed by a monster in Iceland. She ends up falling in love with the monster in the end. The monster is immortal, but longs to die. Beatrice helps him achieve this by contacting a scientist who can destroy matter painlessly.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Country: USA, Iceland
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: fairy tale, satirical, stylized, humorous, cult classic, independent film, allegory, black comedy, dark comedy, cult horror
Similar in 78%
Ultrachrist! (2003)
Plot Summary:
What would Jesus do if he returned to Earth and discovered he could no longer relate to the youth of today?.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 322
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: humorous, witty, semi serious, captivating, independent film, clever, offbeat, biting, suspense, campy
Similar in 80%
Amateur (1994)
Plot Summary:
A man wakes up in an alley, bleeding and with no memory of who he is. He stumbles into a coffee shop and is befriended by a charitable ex-nun who is failing in her attempts to write marketable pornography.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Comedy, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, UK, France
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: art house, clever, humorous, dark comedy, independent film, erotic, offbeat, realistic, contemplative, semi serious
Similar in 82%
Mantecoza (2014)
Plot Summary:
The story of office drone Sebastian King's tongue-in-cheek adventures in the magically steampunk world of Mantecoza. Using the magical ring and a magical word, Sebastian travels between worlds, trying to save both from the evil machinations of Lord Barr.
IMDB Rating:
IMDB Votes:
Genere: Action, Comedy, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration:
Plot tags: exciting, humorous, witty, semi serious, offbeat
Similar in 80%
Oh, God! Book II (1980)
Plot Summary:
Second 'Oh God' movie has God appearing before 11-year-old Tracy Richards to ask for her help to spread his word and influence over the world which she suggests the slogan 'Think God.' Naturaly, Tracy's divorced parents Paula and Don think Tracy's just crazy and plot to halt her 'heaven-sent' mission to spread God's word. Written by Matthew Patay.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, semi serious, funny, inspirational, biblical, unusual plot structure, stylized, idiotic, wistful
Similar in 75%
The Brand New Testament (2015)
Plot Summary:
God lives in Brussels. On earth though, God is a coward, with pathetical morals and being odious with his family. His daughter, Ea, is bored at home and can't stand being locked up in a small apartment in ordinary Brussels, until the day she decides to revolt against her dad.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 34000
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy
Country: Belgium, France, Luxembourg
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: philosophical, surreal, dark comedy, meditative, sentimental, talky, cynical, stylized, funny, touching
Similar in 82%
Wholly Moses! (1980)
Plot Summary:
Harvey and Zoey, two tourists in Israel, discover an ancient scroll about Herschel, the man who was almost Moses. Herschel receives the command from God to free his people from slavery, but Moses keeps getting all the credit.
IMDB Rating: 4.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: parody, biblical, spoof, humorous, offbeat, witty, not serious, independent film, funny, light
Similar in 87%
Oh, God! (1977)
Plot Summary:
When God appears to an assistant grocery manager as a good natured old man, the Almighty selects him as his messenger for the modern world.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: funny, clever, humorous, entertaining, grindhouse, feel good, semi serious, hilarious, sentimental, inspirational
Similar in 81%
Bedazzled (2000)
Plot Summary:
Elliot Richardson, suicidal techno geek, is given seven wishes to turn his life around when he meets up with a very seductive Satan. The catch: his soul. Some of his wishes include a 7 foot basketball star, a rock star, and a hamburger. But, as could be expected, the Devil must put her own little twist on each his fantasies.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 111000
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy
Country: Germany, USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: funny, light, feel good, hilarious, sexy, humorous, clever, psychotronic, erotic, parody
Similar in 75%
This Is the End (2013)
Plot Summary:
While attending a party at James Franco's house, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel and many other celebrities are faced with the apocalypse.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 430000
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: funny, parody, dark comedy, entertaining, not serious, hilarious, horror comedy, feel good, apocalyptic, humorous
Similar in 79%
Henry Fool (1997)
Plot Summary:
An egocentric bum transforms the lives of a shy New Jersey garbageman and his sister.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 137 min
Plot tags: independent film, philosophical, cult classic, dark comedy, offbeat, humorous, talky, stylized, allegory, black comedy
Similar in 75%
The Nine Lives of Tomas Katz (2000)
Plot Summary:
The last day of creation. A stranger arrives in London. No one knows who he is or where he has come from. By the time he leaves, the entire universe will have been erased.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery
Country: UK, Germany
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: surreal, exciting, mind bending, humorous, futuristic, suspenseful, semi serious, disturbing, clever, offbeat
Similar in 88%
Oh, God! You Devil (1984)
Plot Summary:
George Burns is back as God, but oops, here he is as Satan, too. A young rock star is ready to sell his soul to Satan, and Satan is all too happy to oblige. Oops! Seems the fellow was watched over by God as a baby, so now the almighty and his nemesis have to duke it out over the soul. Written by Steve Derby.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, semi serious, independent film, black comedy, dark comedy, inspirational, sexy, touching, unusual plot structure
Similar in 83%
Switch (1991)
Plot Summary:
Steve Brooks, a sexist womanizer, is killed by a group of his angry former lovers. In heaven, he makes a bargain with God for redemption and agrees to return to Earth. Once there, he must have a sincere relationship with a female and make her fall in love with him. If not, Steve's soul will become the property of the devil. But the devil hedges his bet, and Steve is reincarnated as a woman named Amanda Brooks.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: humorous, sexy, satirical, semi serious, funny, inspirational, sex comedy, parody, anamorphic, feel good
Similar in 78%
The Hudsucker Proxy (1994)
Plot Summary:
A naive business graduate is installed as president of a manufacturing company as part of a stock scam.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 84000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Country: UK, Germany, USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: feel good, light, surreal, cult classic, visually stunning, satirical, humorous, dark comedy, cerebral, visual
Similar in 85%
Trust (1990)
Plot Summary:
After being thrown away from home, pregnant high school dropout Maria meets Matthew, a highly educated and extremely moody electronics repairman. The two begin an unusual romance built on their sense of mutual admiration and trust.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: independent film, dark comedy, surreal, cult classic, clever, humorous, realistic, witty, talky, retro
Similar in 85%
Shortcut to Happiness (2003)
Plot Summary:
In Manhattan, the aspirant writer Jabez Stone is a complete loser: he is not able to sell his novels, he lives in a lousy apartment and he does not have success with women. When one of his friends Julius Jenson sells his novel for US$ 190,000.00 to an editor, Jabez fells envy and promises to sell his soul to the devil for success and accidentally kills a woman with his typing machine. The Devil knocks on his door, fixes the situation and seals a contract with Jabez. His low quality novels have bad reviews but become best-sellers; Jabez enriches; has success with women, but has no time for his friends. Jabez meets with the publisher Daniel Webster who offers him a chance to break the contract with the devil.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: clever, humorous, witty, semi serious, hilarious, teen, offbeat
Similar in 87%
Surviving Desire (1992)
Plot Summary:
Jude, a college professor, is obsessed with Sophie, his student. She, in turn, is intrigued by his scholarly charm. Flirtation turns to lust and the two become lovers.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 53 min
Plot tags: retro, art house, clever, offbeat, humorous, realistic, witty, contemplative, talky, semi serious
Similar in 84%
I Was a Teenage Faust (2002)
Plot Summary:
15 year old Brendan Willy hates himself for being un-cool when he falls in love with the girl of his dreams. Enter Mr. Five, a no good tempter from hell, which in his last attempt to ensnare a soul before being fried for eternity, transforms Brendan into the coolest kid in Indiana, only to find out that this contract isn't going to be easy at all.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 425
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, captivating, offbeat
Similar in 75%
Rapture-Palooza (2013)
Plot Summary:
Two teens battle their way through a religious apocalypse on a mission to defeat the Antichrist.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: funny, parody, humorous, surreal, absurd, stylized, apocalyptic, teen, offbeat, not serious
Similar in 79%
Monkeybone (2001)
Plot Summary:
After a car crash sends repressed cartoonist Stu Miley (Fraser) into a coma, he and the mischievous Monkeybone, his hilariously horny alter-ego, wake up in a wacked-out waystation for lost souls. When Monkeybone takes over Stu's body and escapes to wreak havoc on the real world, Stu has to find a way to stop him before his sister pulls the plug on reality forever!.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: stylized, humorous, absurd, not serious, cult classic, black comedy, dark comedy, surreal, funny, adult animation
Similar in 85%
Bruce Almighty (2003)
Plot Summary:
Bruce Nolan toils as a "human interest" television reporter in Buffalo, N.Y. Despite his high ratings and the love of his beautiful girlfriend, Grace, Bruce remains unfulfilled. At the end of the worst day in his life, he angrily ridicules God -- and the Almighty responds, endowing Bruce with all of His divine powers.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 426000
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: feel good, funny, humorous, light, inspirational, parody, hilarious, touching, absurd, sentimental
Similar in 86%
Little Nicky (2000)
Plot Summary:
After the lord of darkness decides he will not cede his thrown to any of his three sons, the two most powerful of them escape to Earth to create a kingdom for themselves. This action closes the portal filtering sinful souls to Hell and causes Satan to wither away. He must send his most weak but beloved son, Little Nicky, to Earth to return his brothers to Hell.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 111000
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: funny, parody, humorous, not serious, absurd, slapstick, hilarious, predictable, romantic, feel good
Similar in 89%
Liar Liar (1997)
Plot Summary:
Fletcher Reede is a fast-talking attorney and habitual liar. When his son Max blows out the candles on his fifth birthday he has just one wish - that his dad will stop lying for 24 hours. When Max's wish comes true, Fletcher discovers that his mouth has suddenly become his biggest liability.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 328000
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: funny, light, humorous, hilarious, slapstick comedy, slapstick, predictable, feel good, entertaining, inspirational
Similar in 84%
The Invention of Lying (2009)
Plot Summary:
Set in a world where the concept of lying doesn't exist, a loser changes his lot when he invents lying and uses it to get ahead.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 147000
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: philosophical, funny, humorous, romantic, satirical, clever, ironic, spectacular, cynical, light
Similar in 80%
Made in Heaven (1987)
Plot Summary:
A romantic, occasionally funny, drama about two souls who consummate their marriage literally in "Heaven". Mike Shea, in his first life dies as a young man performing a heroic rescue. Shortly after arriving in "Heaven" he meets a new soul, Annie Packert, who has never lived on Earth before. The drama centers around their separation soon after being wedded and the burning question is whether they will reunite on Earth before time runs out or whether they are fated to eternal soul-searching.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: touching, offbeat, spiritual, humorous, semi serious, fairy tale, independent film, sentimental, light, romantic
Similar in 76%
Interstate 60 (2002)
Plot Summary:
An aspiring painter meets various characters and learns valuable lessons while traveling across America.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 36000
Genere: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Fantasy
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: road movie, surreal, witty, enigmatic, offbeat, independent film, mindfuck, psychological, black comedy, dark comedy