Best movies like The Pickle
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Director Paul Mazursky (Scenes From a Mall) takes a bite out of Hollywood with a hilarious look at the artistic sell-out. Starring Danny Aiello, Dyan Cannon Shelly Winters, Jerry Stiller, Chris Penn, and Ally Sheedy, this merciless comedy exposes the underside of themovie land commercialism with a crisp sense of humor, a knowing edge, and supporting cast boasting the talents of Clotilde Courau, Barry Miller, Little Richard, Spalding Gray, and a host of celebrity cameos. Harry Stone (Aiello) always dreamed of making "The Great American Movie." Instead he made The Pickle - a teenage sci-fi flick about a flying cucumber. Harry just wanted to get out of debt;and now everyone he's ever known, loved and neglected is standing in line for tickets. In the angst-filled hours before the lights go down for the New York premiere, his mother, children, agent, ex-wives and girlfriend lend their support in this high-pressure comedy. Harry has no choice but to pucker up and laugh along.
IMDB Rating: 4.4
IMDB Votes: 703
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: independent film, humorous, realistic, witty, cynical, semi serious, cult film
Best tv shows and movies like The Pickle (1993):
Similar in 77%
29th Street (1991)
Plot Summary:
Based on the life of Frank Pesce (Danny Aiello), an actor who won $6 million in the first New York State Lottery in 1976, this comedy focuses on the tight-knit Italian-American neighborhood in Brooklyn where Pesce grew up. It's also the story of how those gigantic winnings ended up becoming a curse of sorts (a case of "be careful what you wish for").
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Japan, USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: hilarious, offbeat, humorous, realistic, semi serious, detective, cult film
Similar in 76%
Alex in Wonderland (1970)
Plot Summary:
Bohemian Alex Morrison has just finished directing his first feature length movie. In its previews, the movie is considered a critical, artistic and surefire commercial success. As such, Alex seemingly has his choice of what his next project will be. Alex has a few thoughts in mind, such as a biopic of Lenny Bruce, or a movie about a black uprising in Los Angeles. As he makes the rounds both in the Hollywood community and European movie centers for ideas, he fantasizes about movie scenarios of those everyday situations he is in. These fantasies are influenced by his movie idols, some who he meets such as Italian director Federico Fellini and French actress Jeanne Moreau. Concurrently, he is considering what to do about his personal life. He is wondering if he and his middle-class family should "move up". The need for commercial success may ultimately take artistic control out of his hands.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 970
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: psychedelic, offbeat, humorous, realistic, surreal, witty, semi serious, cult film
Similar in 85%
These Old Broads (2001)
Plot Summary:
"These Old Broads" is a 2001 television film written by Carrie Fisher and starring her mother Debbie Reynolds, as well as Shirley MacLaine, Joan Collins, and Elizabeth Taylor in her final starring film role. Network television executive Gavin (Nestor Carbonell) hopes to reunite celebrated Hollywood stars Piper Grayson (Reynolds), Kate Westbourne (MacLaine), and Addie Holden (Collins) in a TV special after their 1960s movie musical "Boy Crazy" is re-released in the 1990s. Though the three women share the same agent, Beryl Mason (Taylor), Gavin's seemingly insurmountable obstacle is that they all cannot stand each other.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, witty, semi serious, realistic, biting, suspense
Similar in 79%
Two Days (2003)
Plot Summary:
Paul Miller (Paul Rudd - Friends, The Cider House Rules) has struggled as an actor in Hollywood for years, and now he's had enough. But not just of show business-of life. In two days, he's going to kill himself. But in true Hollywood style, he's hired a film crew to chronicle his last moments and the events leading up to them; it's the role of a lifetime. Often ironic and darkly comical, this is the story of a man searching for meaning and hope. This is the story of two days in the life of Paul Miller. The only question is, will they be his last?.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 996
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: realistic, witty, semi serious, humorous, cerebral, offbeat, crying, mockumentary, documentary filmmaking
Similar in 79%
I Ought to Be in Pictures (1982)
Plot Summary:
Grandmother has nothing to say when Libby tells her that she is off to LA to look up Dad, a Hollywood screenwriter. Grandmother has been in a New York cemetery for six years and Dad has been out of Libby's life for 16 of her 19 years. Libby arrives in LA on a Tuesday and phones Dad the one night that Stephanie, who does Jane Fonda's hair, stays over. Stephanie is there the next morning when Libby decides she needs to tell her story face-to-face.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: sentimental, clever, touching, humorous, emotional, realistic, witty, semi serious
Similar in 77%
Whiskey with Vodka (2009)
Plot Summary:
A renowned actor named Otto is the epitome of the problematic but beloved ladies man. Even when drunk he still knows more about filmmaking than does the amateur who is directing him in his latest movie. But what should the unreliable star do when a local actor joins the crew as his understudy? Comic situations arise not only because of the well-known environment, but also from an inclination to authentically capture the various relationships.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 529
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Germany
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, contemplative, semi serious, offbeat
Similar in 88%
Blockbuster (2013)
Plot Summary:
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IMDB Rating: 3.5
IMDB Votes: 669
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Spain
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, black and white
Similar in 85%
Childstar (2004)
Plot Summary:
Childstar is about an egotistical 12-year-old named Taylor Brandon Burns who has skyrocketed to fame at that young age. His relationship with his driver, Rick, takes a turn when Taylor confides in him about the problems of celebrity and the fears of his impending teenage years. When Taylor disappears with his new girlfriend, Rick attempts to find the boy and help him through this troubling period.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Canada
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, light, captivating, thought provoking, clever, offbeat, realistic, witty, independent film
Similar in 79%
Almost You (1984)
Plot Summary:
Alex and Erica Boyer are a young couple in crisis. Alex, despite his loving wife, beautiful home and high-paying job, feels trapped. When Erica has an accident that leaves her temporarily confined to a wheelchair and requiring the services of a private nurse, the beautiful Lisa enters the Boyers' lives. A complicated situation develops as Alex sees Lisa as the cure for his own problems as well as his wife's.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 254
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: independent film, humorous, realistic, talky, cynical, semi serious, biting, suspense
Similar in 79%
Hollywood Dreams (2006)
Plot Summary:
The tale of a young girl fresh off the bus from Iowa, who falls in love with a sexy and promising young actor, though their relationship threatens to complicate her own obsessive goal of becoming a famous actress. The film perfectly captures the delightful and desperate lives of those chasing dreams in Hollywood: One day they are shuffling down a boardwalk with too many suitcases, and the next they are lounging in contemporary hillside homes with a view of the city. Though neither state is permanent the more desirable one fuels the dream. The story's extraordinary execution portrays Hollywood as the fantastic and insane place that it is. Written by Lane Kneedler, American Film Institute Magazine.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 251
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: semi serious, captivating, psychological, emotional, sex comedy, independent film, humorous, realistic, witty, talky
Similar in 79%
The Last Producer (2000)
Plot Summary:
An old-time mogul struggles to reenter the club where power and money make the rules.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 356
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, independent film
Similar in 80%
Cannes Man (1997)
Plot Summary:
Film producer Sy Lerner makes a bet with a fellow film executive that he can turn any nobody into a star at the Cannes Film Festival. A New York cab driver who is visiting the festival is chosen as the test subject to settle the bet and Sy uses his skills of hype and manipulation to try and turn the cab driver named Frank into the talk of the town. Many celebrities make cameos throughout the film.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 708
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: parody, mockumentary, clever, offbeat, humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, independent film
Similar in 75%
Memories of Me (1988)
Plot Summary:
After a heart attack, Abbie Polin (Crystal), a New York doctor, goes to Los Angeles to see his father, Abe (King), who works in Hollywood as the "king of the extras." Their relationship has been strained for several years. This was the first movie directed by Henry Winkler, and much of it was filmed inside the MGM Studios in Culver City, California, only a few miles from Hollywood. Lisa, the romantic interest in Abbie's life, also comes for a visit and bonds with Abe, who gets along famously with everyone but his son. Abe begins having memory loss and eventually is diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. He and his son grow closer in time and, before it's too late, Abbie tries to get Abe a speaking role in a film.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: independent film, sentimental, touching, humorous, emotional, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 75%
Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Mork & Mindy' (2005)
Plot Summary:
An inside look at the ABC sitcom which turned Robin Williams into a star in 1978.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 489
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, sentimental, sitcom
Similar in 82%
Next Stop, Greenwich Village (1976)
Plot Summary:
An aspiring Jewish actor moves out of his parents' Brooklyn apartment to seek his fortune in the bohemian life of Greenwich Village in 1953.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: funny, romantic comedy, sentimental, touching, humorous, realistic, semi serious, semi autobiographical
Similar in 84%
Queen of the Lot (2010)
Plot Summary:
An electronic ankle bracelet and being under house arrest aren't about to stop up-and-coming actress Maggie Chase (Tanna Frederick) from the two things she craves the most: real fame and true love. With more "Google points" than her Iowa hometown, but far less than Angelina Jolie, Maggie is desperate to claw her way off the B-list of action/adventure pictures and into major movie stardom.
IMDB Rating: 4.7
IMDB Votes: 169
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, humorous, realistic, talky, semi serious, independent film
Similar in 75%
The Ape (2005)
Plot Summary:
A young writer, nearing a mental breakdown caused by his family and boss, moves into an apartment occupied by a walking, talking, foul-mouthed ape in a Hawaiian shirt and Converse High Tops.
IMDB Rating: 4.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, realistic, captivating, tense, offbeat, cynical, biting, exciting, suspense
Similar in 78%
The Man Who Came to Dinner (2000)
Plot Summary:
Broadcast of a live performance of the Roundabout Theater Company's 2000 New York revival of the classic Kaufman-Hart comedy, about a famous (and famously acid-tongued) theater critic who is forced to stay in a Midwestern couple's home and the havoc that ensues.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 349
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 176 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, offbeat
Similar in 88%
Man of the Year (2002)
Plot Summary:
Bill is the guest of honor as the "Man of the Year". A very successful head of a large energy firm, he is a man with many dark secrets. His best friend, Stuart, hosts the party at his ritzy ultra modern Hollywood Hills home. During the course of the night, secrets will be revealed, trusts will be broken and relationships will change forever.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 236
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, talky, semi serious, clever, biting
Similar in 75%
I'll Do Anything (1994)
Plot Summary:
Matt Hobbs is a talented but unsuccessful actor. When estranged (and strange) ex-wife Beth dumps their daughter Jeannie on Matt, father and daughter have a lot of adjusting to do. His budding relationship with attractive production assistant Cathy Breslow is made complicated, while the precocious child is overly accustomed to getting her own way. Matt eventually faces the choice of family vs career in a particularly difficult way.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: humorous, witty, satirical, sad, sentimental, touching, feel good, realistic, semi serious, clever
Similar in 77%
Pittsburgh (2006)
Plot Summary:
Jeff Goldblum put his Hollywood actor life on hold to star alongside his new girlfriend in a Pittsburgh regional theater production of The Music Man. Co-directors Bradley and LaBrache tread a surprisingly elegant line between genuine documentary and outright self-parody improv in this deliciously deadpan comedy.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 517
Genere: Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: realistic, witty, semi serious, humorous, mockumentary, clever, talky
Similar in 77%
Mistress (1992)
Plot Summary:
A comedy about a screenwriter (Wuhl) whose old movie script is read by a producer (Landau) and the search for financial backers begins. But it seems that each money source (Aiello, DeNiro, Wallach) has his own mistress that he wants put into the film. Gradually, the screenwriter is forced to make changes to his script to accommodate these backers until he finally sees no semblance of his original ideas in the writing.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: humorous, cynical, light, captivating, cult classic, exciting, independent film, realistic, witty, talky
Similar in 80%
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
Similar in 89%
Jake Squared (2013)
Plot Summary:
A filmmaker sets out to make a new project in order to figure out how he's screwed up every relationship he's ever had.
IMDB Rating: 4.2
IMDB Votes: 631
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: psychological, humorous, contemplative, semi serious, light, captivating, offbeat, mind bending, realistic, independent film
Similar in 89%
Mind the Gap (2004)
Plot Summary:
Five seemingly unrelated people decide to take huge risks in their personal lives in an effort to find happiness.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 997
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: humorous, talky, semi serious, captivating, sincere, sentimental, clever, touching, offbeat, realistic
Similar in 86%
State and Main (2000)
Plot Summary:
A Hollywood Film unit invades a small Vermont town leading to wholesale abandonment of values and virtue. A smart, warm and funny movie - and not just for movie buffs. Tagline: When a film crew came to Waterford, Vermont - They Shot First And Asked Questions Later.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, talky, funny, melancholic, cynical, stylized, realistic, clever, witty
Similar in 77%
Celebrity (1998)
Plot Summary:
The career and personal life of writer Lee are at a standstill, so he divorces his bashful wife, Robin, and dives into a new job as an entertainment journalist. His assignments take him to the swankiest corners of Manhattan, but as he jumps from one lavish party to another and engages in numerous empty romances, he starts to doubt the worth of his work. Meanwhile, top TV producer Tony falls for Robin and introduces her to the world of celebrity.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 28000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: black and white, stylized, satirical, humorous, realistic, semi serious, independent film, clever, art house, motivational
Similar in 90%
S.O.B. (1981)
Plot Summary:
A movie producer who made a huge flop tries to salvage his career by revamping his film as an erotic production, where its family-friendly star takes her top off.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: funny, clever, humorous, witty, cynical, sex comedy, black comedy, meta, offbeat, tragicomedy
Similar in 83%
What Just Happened (2008)
Plot Summary:
During the course of an ordinary week in Hollywood, movie producer Ben (Robert De Niro) must navigate his way through shark-infested waters as he struggles to complete his latest projects. A demanding studio boss (Catherine Keener) demands extensive changes to a movie starring Sean Penn, while another chief won't greenlight a project unless star Bruce Willis shaves his beard. Meanwhile, Ben tries to reconcile with his wife and maintain a relationship with his young daughter.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 28000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: melancholic, stylized, witty, humorous, realistic, satirical, black comedy, dark comedy, indie film, clever
Similar in 82%
Brooklyn Lobster (2005)
Plot Summary:
Giorgio's Lobster Farm has been a tradition in Brooklyn for over 65 years. Manned by an eccentric crew and serving the best seafood in the state.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 489
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: humorous, emotional, atmospheric, captivating, sentimental, sincere, touching, realistic, semi serious, semi autobiographical