Best movies like The Greatest Showman
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
The story of American showman P.T. Barnum, founder of the circus that became the famous traveling Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 303000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: inspirational, uplifting, captivating, motivational, sincere, romantic, suspense, suspenseful, costume drama, feel good
Best tv shows and movies like The Greatest Showman (2017):
Similar in 75%
The World We Make (2019)
Plot Summary:
18 year old Lee (a spirited equestrian) and Jordan (an academic and football standout) are at the threshold of building a life together. But their character is tested when racial bias surfaces in their otherwise progressive small town.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 756
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, suspense, disturbing, christian film, romantic
Similar in 87%
Fast Forward (1985)
Plot Summary:
Eight young people from Ohio who are dancers, come to New York, to compete in a major talent competition. But when they get there, they learn that they have to wait some time before they take part in it. So they try to do their best to survive in the Big Apple before competition, and get some lessons about the real World.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 772
Genere: Drama, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, realistic, stylized, semi serious, campy, cult film
Similar in 82%
Gypsy (1993)
Plot Summary:
Based on the autobiography of Gypsy Rose Lee, this made-for-TV movie - previously a Broadway smash and a 1962 film - depicts the life and times of a stripper and her domineering mother.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 153 min
Plot tags: humorous, captivating, realistic, stylized, semi serious, entertaining
Similar in 82%
tick, tick... BOOM! (2021)
Plot Summary:
On the cusp of his 30th birthday, Jonathon Larson, a promising young theater composer, navigates love, friendship, and the pressures of life as an artist in New York City.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 117000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: touching, emotional, sincere, sweet, inspirational, artsy, anamorphic, cult classic, powerful, semi autobiographical
Similar in 83%
Diana (2021)
Plot Summary:
A princess is thrust onto the world stage. The tabloid media is captivated by her beauty and vulnerability. The globe's most celebrated monarchy is disrupted. This is the story of the most princess woman of the modern age as she struggles to endure a spotlight brighter than any the world had ever known.
IMDB Rating: 4.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 76%
Adam (2020)
Plot Summary:
A hard-living salesman becomes a quadriplegic after an accident.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: sincere, thought provoking, touching, disturbing, romantic, captivating, melancholic
Similar in 90%
The Sound of Music Live! (2013)
Plot Summary:
This new version of "The Sound of Music" will be a faithful adaptation of the original stage musical, to retell the story for a whole new generation. And more than that, it will be broadcast LIVE, adding a whole new level of immediacy and excitement. Get ready to reintroduce your family to the most joyful, most emotional and most musical family adventure of them all. Three-hour live event.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Family, History, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 180 min
Plot tags: feel good, sentimental, touching, captivating, uplifting, serious, realistic
Similar in 87%
Rocketman (2019)
Plot Summary:
The story of Elton John's life, from his years as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music through his influential and enduring musical partnership with Bernie Taupin.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 190000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Musical
Country: UK, USA, Canada
Duration: 121 min
Plot tags: inspirational, uplifting, touching, stylized, compassionate, retro, atmospheric, sad, visual, historical drama
Similar in 90%
Rock of Ages (2012)
Plot Summary:
A small town girl and a city boy meet on the Sunset Strip, while pursuing their Hollywood dreams.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 81000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: entertaining, feel good, sexy, romantic, visually appealing, light, stylized, humorous, sentimental, inspirational
Similar in 78%
Burlesque (2010)
Plot Summary:
The Burlesque Lounge has its best days behind it. Tess, a retired dancer and owner of the venue, struggles to keep the aging theater alive, facing all kinds of financial and artistic challenges. With the Lounge's troupe members becoming increasingly distracted by personal problems and a threat coming from a wealthy businessman's quest to buy the spot from Tess, the good fortune seems to have abandoned the club altogether. Meanwhile, the life of Ali, a small-town girl from Iowa, is about to change dramatically. Hired by Tess as a waitress at the Lounge, Ali escapes a hollow past and quickly falls in love with the art of burlesque. Backed by newfound friends amongst the theater's crew, she manages to fulfill her dreams of being on stage herself. Things take a dramatic turn though when Ali's big voice makes her become the main attraction of the revue.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 92000
Genere: Drama, Music, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: sexy, romantic, light, teen, entertaining, melancholic, inspirational, feel good, stylized, lyrical
Similar in 79%
High School Musical 2 (2007)
Plot Summary:
The East High Wildcats are ready to have the time of their lives. Troy (Zac Efron) is thrilled when he’s offered a job in a country club, but it’s all part of Sharpay’s (Ashley Tisdale) plot to lure him away from Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens). How will it all turn out? All questions are answered on the night of the club’s Talent Show.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 65000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family, Music, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: teen, melancholic, sentimental, feel good, humorous, touching, romantic, entertaining, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 83%
High School Musical (2006)
Plot Summary:
Troy (Zac Efron), the popular captain of the basketball team, and Gabriella (Vanessa Anne Hudgens), the brainy and beautiful member of the academic club, break all the rules of East High society when they secretly audition for the leads in the school's musical. As they reach for the stars and follow their dreams, everyone learns about acceptance, teamwork, and being yourself. And it's all set to fun tunes and very cool dance moves!.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 95000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family, Music, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: romantic, teen, sentimental, feel good, humorous, funny, mockbuster, cult classic, hilarious, realistic
Similar in 89%
Dreamgirls (2006)
Plot Summary:
Three young women – Deena Jones, Effie White and Lorrell Robinson – dream of becoming pop stars and they get their wish when they're chosen to be backup singers for the legendary James 'Thunder' Early.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 76000
Genere: Drama, Music, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 130 min
Plot tags: stylized, emotional, lyrical, melancholic, sentimental, visually appealing, inspirational, uplifting, hood, serious
Similar in 80%
Hamilton (2020)
Plot Summary:
Presenting the tale of American founding father Alexander Hamilton, this filmed version of the original Broadway smash hit is the story of America then, told by America now.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 109000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 160 min
Plot tags: epic, feel good, period drama
Similar in 82%
Gypsy (1962)
Plot Summary:
Based on the Broadway hit about the life and times of burlesque dancer Gypsy Rose Lee and her aggressive stage mother, Mama Rose.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 143 min
Plot tags: retro, sentimental, touching, humorous, captivating, realistic, stylized, semi serious, entertaining, light
Similar in 76%
All That Jazz (1979)
Plot Summary:
Joe Gideon is at the top of the heap, one of the most successful directors and choreographers in musical theater. But he can feel his world slowly collapsing around him - his obsession with work has almost destroyed his personal life, and only his bottles of pills keep him going.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 34000
Genere: Drama, Music, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: surreal, touching, captivating, humorous, depressing, ironic, visually appealing, cerebral, mind bending, stylized
Similar in 89%
Beyond the Sea (2004)
Plot Summary:
Based on the life and career of legendary entertainer, Bobby Darin, the biopic moves back and forth between his childhood and adulthood, to tell the tale of his remarkable life. Kevin Spacey did his own singing for Beyond the Sea, recreating Bobby Darin's vocal style with uncanny accuracy.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Musical
Country: UK, Germany, USA
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, stylized, intense, realistic, inspirational, indie film, serious, independent film, light
Similar in 76%
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019)
Plot Summary:
An award-winning cynical journalist, Lloyd Vogel, begrudgingly accepts an assignment to write an Esquire profile piece on the beloved television icon Fred Rogers. After his encounter with Rogers, Vogel's perspective on life is transformed.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 87000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA, China
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: motivational, inspirational, thought provoking, sad, psychological, sincere, enigmatic, captivating, disturbing, uplifting
Similar in 76%
Les Misérables (2012)
Plot Summary:
An adaptation of the successful stage musical based on Victor Hugo's classic novel set in 19th-century France, in which a paroled prisoner named Jean Valjean seeks redemption.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 342000
Genere: Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 158 min
Plot tags: inspirational, epic, emotional, period piece, suspense, historical drama, harsh, stylized, lyrical, heartbreaking
Similar in 86%
Water for Elephants (2011)
Plot Summary:
In this captivating Depression-era melodrama, impetuous veterinary student Jacob Jankowski joins a celebrated circus as an animal caretaker but faces a wrenching dilemma when he's transfixed by angelic married performer Marlena.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 120000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: romantic, emotional, sexy, touching, stylized, scenic, melancholic, intense, realistic, inspirational
Similar in 86%
The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio (2005)
Plot Summary:
Based on the true story of Evelyn Ryan, a midwestern housewife who managed to rescue her family from debt by entering contests for ad slogans sponsored by consumer product companies.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: inspirational, sentimental, touching, sincere, uplifting, semi serious, stylized, emotional, intense, motivational
Similar in 86%
Ray (2004)
Plot Summary:
Born on a sharecropping plantation in Northern Florida, Ray Charles went blind at seven. Inspired by a fiercely independent mom who insisted he make his own way, He found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard. Touring across the Southern musical circuit, the soulful singer gained a reputation and then exploded with worldwide fame when he pioneered couping gospel and country together.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 155000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 152 min
Plot tags: inspirational, touching, sincere, emotional, captivating, sentimental, dramatic, psychological, motivational, romantic
Similar in 86%
What's Love Got to Do with It (1993)
Plot Summary:
A film about the singer Tina Turner and how she rose to stardom with her abusive husband Ike Turner and how she gained the courage to break free.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 24000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: inspirational, sincere, intense, serious, emotional, touching, intellectual, hood, captivating, realistic
Similar in 89%
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Plot Summary:
A celebration of love and creative inspiration takes place in the infamous, gaudy and glamorous Parisian nightclub, at the cusp of the 20th century. A young poet, who is plunged into the heady world of Moulin Rouge, begins a passionate affair with the club's most notorious and beautiful star.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 296000
Genere: Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: Australia, USA
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sexy, visually stunning, romantic, colorful, postmodern, period piece, visual, atmospheric, emotional
Similar in 85%
The Elephant Man (1980)
Plot Summary:
A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity. Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the film), a severely deformed man in 19th century London.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 254000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: emotional, psychological, touching, surreal, poignant, black and white, sad, heartbreaking, cult classic, harsh
Similar in 85%
Becoming Jane (2007)
Plot Summary:
A biographical portrait of a pre-fame Jane Austen and her romance with a young Irishman.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 64000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: UK, Ireland
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: romantic, touching, costume drama, period piece, sweet, intellectual, emotional, factual, historical drama, romantic drama
Similar in 81%
Remember the Titans (2000)
Plot Summary:
After leading his football team to 15 winning seasons, coach Bill Yoast is demoted and replaced by Herman Boone – tough, opinionated and as different from the beloved Yoast as he could be. The two men learn to overcome their differences and turn a group of hostile young men into champions.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 228000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: inspirational, sentimental, touching, uplifting, feel good, emotional, motivational, factual, sincere, sad
Similar in 77%
October Sky (1999)
Plot Summary:
Based on the true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes, and eventually became a NASA scientist.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 97000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: inspirational, touching, realistic, feel good, sentimental, emotional, uplifting, period piece, exciting, motivational
Similar in 78%
The Blind Side (2009)
Plot Summary:
Oversized African-American, Michael Oher, the teen from across the tracks and a broken home, has nowhere to sleep at age 16. Taken in by an affluent Memphis couple, Michael embarks on a remarkable rise to play for the NFL.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 355000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 129 min
Plot tags: touching, inspirational, emotional, sentimental, motivational, uplifting, realistic, feel good, captivating, christian film
Similar in 90%
The Aviator (2004)
Plot Summary:
A biopic depicting the life of filmmaker and aviation pioneer Howard Hughes from 1927 to 1947, during which time he became a successful film producer and an aviation magnate, while simultaneously growing more unstable due to severe obsessive-compulsive disorder.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 379000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA, Germany
Duration: 170 min
Plot tags: realistic, epic, stylized, period piece, captivating, suspense, factual, visual, visually stunning, compassionate