Best tv shows like Smash
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Smash is an American musical drama television series created by playwright Theresa Rebeck and developed by Robert Greenblatt for NBC. Steven Spielberg served as one of the executive producers. The series was broadcast in the US by NBC and produced by DreamWorks Television and Universal Television. The series revolves around a fictional New York theater community and specifically the creation of a new Broadway musical. It features a large ensemble cast, led by Debra Messing, Jack Davenport, Katharine McPhee, Christian Borle, Megan Hilty, Jeremy Jordan, and Anjelica Huston. The show debuted on February 6, 2012, and its first season ended on May 14, 2012. Its second and final season premiered on February 5, 2013 and ended on May 26, 2013. NBC announced a change in their lineup in March 2013 and moved the show to Saturdays starting April 6, 2013. The series was officially cancelled on May 10, 2013. Second and final season executive producer/show runner Josh Safran said the final episode of season two would work as a series finale, should the series not be renewed. The series, particularly the pilot episode, enjoyed some critical success. The first season received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography amongst 4 nominations. The series was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy and a Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Drama, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 44 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, stylized, dramatic, teen, queer cinema
Best tv shows and movies like Smash (2012):
Similar in 81%
Jenni Rivera: Mariposa de Barrio (2017)
Plot Summary:
The inspiring and poignant story will follow in the footsteps of Jenni Rivera towards a dream of fame; An autobiographical journey from birth, based on her book "Unbreakable", as well as unpublished testimonies that reveal, as never before, her own family and explore her life as a daughter, mother, wife, lover and artist.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 286
Genere: Drama, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 45 min
Plot tags: captivating, disturbing
Similar in 86%
Instant Star (2004)
Plot Summary:
Instant Star is a Canadian television program which aired from September 2004 to June 2008. The series starred Alexz Johnson as adolescent music competition winner Jude Harrison. The show chronicles Harrison's experience in the recording industry whilst focusing upon character development. Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn of Epitome Pictures produced the show. The program began to air on CTV in Canada prior to being picked up by Viacom-owned teen network channel The N, now TeenNick, in the United States. The show became the second most popular program on The N with Degrassi: The Next Generation, a Canadian show also produced by Schuyler and Stohn, ranking as most popular. In 2005, after its first season, Instant Star was nominated for three Gemini Awards in the category of Best Children's or Youth Fiction Program or Series. Nominations included: Best Series; Best Performance; and Best Direction. The show won the award for Best Direction for the episode You Can't Always Get What You Want. On August 28, 2007, the show received three more Gemini Award nominations in the category of Best Children's or Youth Program or series. Alexz Johnson was again nominated for Best Performance, and there were two more nominations for Best Direction - Graeme Campbell, and Pat Williams.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: Canada
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: feel good, captivating, touching, humorous, teen, serious, realistic
Similar in 80%
Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway (2008)
Plot Summary:
Based on Puccini's opera La bohème, Rent tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive and create in New York City in the 1990s. This is a live recording of Rent's final performance after more than 12 years and 5000 shows.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 165 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, emotional, realistic
Similar in 86%
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 83%
Nashville (2012)
Plot Summary:
Rayna Jaymes and Juliette Barnes face personal and professional challenges as they navigate their paths as artists and individuals. Surrounding them, and often complicating their lives, are their family, friends and, in some cases, lovers, as well as the up-and-coming performers and songwriters trying to get ahead in the business. In Nashville, musicians and songwriters are at the heart of the storm driven by their own ambitions. Some are fueled by their creativity and passion for fame. Others struggle to cope with the pressures of success and are doing everything in their power to stay on top.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 27000
Genere: Drama, Music, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 43 min
Plot tags: captivating, sincere, realistic, sentimental, serious, soap opera, dramatic, game show
Similar in 83%
Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows (2001)
Plot Summary:
The film, which chronicles Garland's life from her first public performance in 1924 until her death in 1969, is divided into two parts: the first part depicts her rise to fame in the 1930s, her descent into drugs, and her fall from grace in the 1950s. The second part of the drama begins with her marriage to Sid Luft, and proceeds to chronicle her successful return to movies with A Star is Born, her personal issues and her death at the age of 47.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Musical
Country: Canada, Germany, USA
Duration: 170 min
Plot tags: realistic, touching, serious, captivating, emotional, gloomy, period drama, iconic
Similar in 86%
Blue Valley Songbird (1999)
Plot Summary:
Country singer Leana Taylor (Dolly Parton) struggles to escape from her controlling manager/boyfriend Hank (John Terry) as well as her troubled past. After turning to her guitarist (Billy Dean), Leanna finally faces her past, including her estranged mother and the death of her father. Through flashbacks, Leana deals with her past as she attempts to move her life forward and begin a recording career.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 346
Genere: Drama, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic, entertaining
Similar in 75%
The L.A. Complex (2012)
Plot Summary:
Six young performers having been dubbed “most likely to succeed” in their hometowns now face the challenges and opportunities of a lifetime in the City of Angels.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: Canada
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: realistic, serious, psychological, captivating, sexy, soap opera
Similar in 78%
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 83%
Queens (2021)
Plot Summary:
Estranged and out-of-touch, four women in their 40s reunite for a chance to recapture their fame and regain the swagger they had as the Nasty Bitches—their ‘90s group that made them legends in the hip-hop world.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Music, Musical
Country: USA
Duration:
Plot tags: captivating, entertaining, queer cinema
Similar in 85%
Fame L.A. (1997)
Plot Summary:
Fame L.A. is an American drama series that aired in syndication from 1997-1998. It told the story of a drama/dance school in Los Angeles where students honed their talents while overcoming various personal problems. It starred Christian Kane, Roselyn Sánchez, and William R. Moses. Its producers included Patricia Green. Among its directors were Sharron Miller and Nancy Malone. A total of 22 sixty-minute episodes were produced. 'RTÉ' Ireland's National public service broadcaster, is currently airing their own version of the show, titled, Fame: The Musical.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 246
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, feel good, serious, realistic
Similar in 77%
Hollywood Heights (2012)
Plot Summary:
Loren (Brittany Underwood) a smart, shy and independent high school senior who has ambitions of being a songwriter, secretly sends her song lyrics to her celebrity crush, rock superstar Eddie Duran (Cody Longo). Loren's wildest dreams come true when she not only wins a songwriting competition sponsored by Eddie, but strikes up a friendship with her idol. Eddie sees beyond Loren's potential as a songwriter and gives her a first break as a singer, and when the truth about his less-than-faithful girlfriend Chloe (Melissa Ordway) is revealed, Eddie and Loren's friendship blossoms.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: touching, realistic, captivating, psychological, teen, sentimental, serious, semi serious, telenovela
Similar in 79%
How to Make It in America (2010)
Plot Summary:
Trying to make a name for themselves in New York's competitive fashion scene, Ben Epstein and his friend and business partner Cam Calderon use their street knowledge and connections to bring their ambitions to fruition. With the help of Cam's cousin Rene, who is trying to market his own high-energy drink, and their well-connected friend Domingo, the burgeoning entrepreneurs set out to make it big, encountering obstacles along the way that will require all their ingenuity to overcome.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: semi serious, stylized, captivating, erotic, entertaining, sitcom, sensual, comedy drama, realistic, independent film
Similar in 85%
The Beautiful Life: TBL (2009)
Plot Summary:
The daily lives of young models living together in a models' residence in New York, while struggling to deal with the cutthroat competition and fleeting fame of the fashion world.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: sexy, realistic, serious, captivating, contemplative
Similar in 82%
Entourage (2004)
Plot Summary:
Film star Vince Chase navigates the vapid terrain of Los Angeles with a close circle of friends and his trusty agent.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 175000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 28 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, witty, realistic, not serious, entertaining, erotic, epic, sensual, explicit
Similar in 81%
A Chorus Line (1985)
Plot Summary:
A group of dancers congregate on the stage of a Broadway theatre to audition for a new musical production directed by Zach (Michael Douglas). After the initial eliminations, seventeen hopefuls remain, among them Cassie (Alyson Reed), who once had a tempestuous romantic relationship with Zach. She is desperate enough for work to humble herself and audition for him; whether he's willing to let professionalism overcome his personal feelings about their past remains to be seen.As the film unfolds, the backstory of each of the dancers is revealed. Some are funny, some ironic, some heartbreaking. No matter what their background, however, they all have one thing in common - a passion for dance.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Drama, Music, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: stylized, lyrical, sexy, clever, captivating, emotional, cult classic, sincere, touching, humorous
Similar in 81%
Fame (2009)
Plot Summary:
An updated version of the 1980 musical, which centered on the students of the New York Academy of Performing Arts.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: romantic, melancholic, intense, semi serious, sentimental, emotional, teen, realistic, exciting, inspirational
Similar in 84%
Go for It! (2011)
Plot Summary:
Carmen is a good student with a bad attitude who lives for dancing in the underground clubs of Chicago. She yearns to be 'somebody' but is afraid to believe in herself. Her immigrant Mexican, working-class parents want her to stay in school and get an education, so she attends junior college while working at a grocery store. Carmen's professor catches her performing one day in the neighborhood and challenges her to audition to a formal dance school in California. She gets into a fight with her chaotic family and runs away to her best friend Gina's place only to find out Gina's been getting beat up by her boyfriend. Meanwhile, Carmen's boyfriend, Jared wants her to commit and move in with him. Pulled apart in every direction, her dream of dancing fades. Can Carmen overcome her fears and take the biggest chance of her life, or will she succumb to her self-doubt?.
IMDB Rating: 3.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: touching, realistic, uplifting, serious, captivating, emotional, teen, independent film
Similar in 89%
Hit the Floor (2013)
Plot Summary:
Ahsha Hayes enters the wild world of professional basketball when she tries out for the elite L.A. Devil Girls dance team against the wishes of her mother Sloane, a former dancer herself.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: sexy, exciting, serious, realistic, soap opera
Similar in 77%
Make It Happen (2008)
Plot Summary:
Embarking on a journey to fulfill her dreams as a dancer, a young girl discovers a new style of dance that will prove to be the source of both conflict and self-discovery.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: sexy, teen, light, inspirational, uplifting, feel good, captivating, entertaining, erotic, cute
Similar in 83%
Fame (1980)
Plot Summary:
A chronicle of the lives of several teenagers who attend a New York high school for students gifted in the performing arts.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 24000
Genere: Drama, Music, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: inspirational, sincere, realistic, serious, captivating, teen, retro, sexual, epic, light
Similar in 87%
Fame (1982)
Plot Summary:
Fame is an American television series originally produced between 1982 and 1987. The show is based on the 1980 motion picture of the same name. Using a mixture of drama and music, it followed the lives of the students and faculty at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Although fictional, it was based heavily on the actual Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York. Most interior scenes were filmed in Hollywood, California. In all seasons except the 3rd, the show filmed several exterior scenes on location in New York City. The popularity of the series, particularly in the UK, led to several hit records and live concert tours by the cast. Despite its success, very few of the actors maintained high-profile careers after the series was cancelled. A number of the cast members were seen again briefly in Bring Back...Fame, a reunion special made for UK television in 2008.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Music, Musical, Romance
Country: Italy, UK, USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: feel good, realistic, serious, semi serious
Similar in 79%
Battlefield America (2012)
Plot Summary:
A young businessman hires an instructor to turn a group of misfit kids into a team on the underground dance competition circuit.
IMDB Rating: 2.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: realistic, inspirational, psychological, captivating, exciting, serious
Similar in 88%
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 85%
Glee (2009)
Plot Summary:
Glee is an American teen musical comedy-drama television series that airs on the Fox network in the United States. It focuses on the reconstituted William McKinley High School glee club, New Directions, which competes on the show choir competition circuit while its disparate members deal with relationships, sexuality, social issues, and learning to become an effective team.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 154000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 44 min
Plot tags: feel good, stylized, humorous, witty, semi serious, teen, suspense, funny, light, offbeat
Similar in 83%
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 77%
Star! (1968)
Plot Summary:
Gertrude Lawrence rises to stage stardom at the cost of happiness.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama, History, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 176 min
Plot tags: sentimental, serious, captivating, realistic, stylized, non-linear, tension, suspense, 70mm film, cult film
Similar in 85%
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 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 86%
Camp (2003)
Plot Summary:
Misfits in their lives back home, a group of young people live it up at musical-theater camp. While the sports counselor is completely ignored, the kids' spend all their time in rehearsal for a grueling schedule that involves a new show every two weeks. Several personal stories come to the fore.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Comedy, Musical, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: talky, feel good, humorous, touching, realistic, semi serious, teen, inspirational, epic, independent film