Movies like The Mad Twenties (1964)
The best movies like The Mad Twenties (1964) are Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), Paris Is Burning (1991) and Valentino (1977). If The Mad Twenties hooked you, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
The Mad Twenties
Quick picks
- Highest ratedParis Is Burning (1991)8.0/10 from 579 votes
- NewestTwiggy (2025)Released 2025
Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
A film of the life of the renowned musical composer, playwright, actor, dancer and singer George M. Cohan.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisParis Is Burning (1991)
Where does voguing come from, and what, exactly, is throwing shade? This landmark documentary provides a vibrant snapshot of the 1980s through the eyes of New York City's African American and Latinx Harlem drag-ball scene. Made over seven years, PARIS IS BURNING offers an intimate portrait of rival fashion "houses," from fierce contests for trophies to house mothers offering sustenance in a world rampant with homophobia, transphobia, racism, AIDS, and poverty. Featuring legendary voguers, drag queens, and trans women — including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, Dorian Corey, and Venus Xtravaganza.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisValentino (1977)
The untimely death of silent screen star Rudolph Valentino prompts the many women in his past to reminisce about his troubled rise to superstardom.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisThoroughly Modern Millie (1967)
Millie Dillmount, a fearless young lady fresh from Salina, Kansas, determined to experience Life, sets out to see the world in the rip-roaring Twenties. With high spirits and wearing one of those new high hemlines, she arrives in New York to test the "modern" ideas she had been reading about back in Kansas: "I've taken the girl out of Kansas. Now I have to take Kansas out of the girl!"
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBeing Julia (2004)
Julia Lambert is a true diva: beautiful, talented, weathly and famous. She has it all - including a devoted husband who has mastermined her brilliant career - but after years of shining in the spotlight she begins to suffer from a severe case of boredom and longs for something new and exciting to put the twinkle back in her eye. Julia finds exactly what she's looking for in a handsome young American fan, but it isn't long before the novelty fling adds a few more sparks than she was hoping for. Fortuately for her, this surprise twist in the plot will thrust her back into the greatest role of her life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Cat's Meow (2002)
Semi-true story of the Hollywood murder that occurred at a star-studded gathering aboard William Randolph Hearst's yacht in 1924.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Great Gatsby (2013)
Nick Carraway arrives in New York in 1922, an era of loose morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick encounters the mysterious millionaire Gatsby and his bewitching cousin Daisy. Soon, Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super-rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. Bearing witness to this new world, Nick pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and unforgettable tragedy -- mirroring our own times and struggles.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThere's No Business Like Show Business (1954)
Molly and Terry Donahue, plus their three children, are The Five Donahues. Youngest son Tim meets hat-check girl Vicky and the family act begins to fall apart.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBullets Over Broadway (1994)
After young playwright, David Shayne obtains funding for his play from gangster Nick Valenti, Nick's girlfriend Olive miraculously lands the role of a psychiatrist—but not only is she a bimbo who could never pass for a psychiatrist—she's a dreadful actress. David puts up with the leading man who is a compulsive eater, the grand dame who wants her part jazzed up, and Olive's interfering hitman/bodyguard—but, eventually he must decide whether art or life is more important.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRadio Days (1987)
The Narrator tells us how the radio influenced his childhood in the days before TV. In the New York City of the late 1930s to the New Year's Eve 1944, this coming-of-age tale mixes the narrator's experiences with contemporary anecdotes and urban legends of the radio stars.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCradle Will Rock (1999)
A true story of politics and art in the 1930s USA, centered around a leftist musical drama and attempts to stop its production.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTo Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995)
Veteran drag queens Vida Boheme and Noxeema Jackson take novice Chi-Chi Rodriguez under their wing on a madcap road trip across the country to compete in the Drag Queen of America pageant in Los Angeles.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNight Shift (1982)
A nebbish of a morgue attendant gets shunted back to the night shift where he is shackled with an obnoxious neophyte partner who dreams of the "one great idea" for success. His life takes a bizarre turn when a prostitute neighbor complains about the loss of her pimp. His partner, upon hearing the situation, suggests that they fill that opening themselves using the morgue at night.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisYoung Woman and the Sea (2024)
This is the extraordinary true story of Trudy Ederle, the first woman to successfully swim the English Channel. Through the steadfast support of her older sister and supportive trainers, she overcame adversity and the animosity of a patriarchal society to rise through the ranks of the Olympic swimming team and complete the 21-mile trek from France to England.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisHoodlum (1997)
In 1934, the second most lucrative business in New York City was running 'the numbers'. When Madam Queen—the powerful woman who runs the scam in Harlem—is arrested, Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson takes over the business and must resist an invasion from a merciless mobster.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNow and Then (1995)
Waxing nostalgic about the bittersweet passage from childhood to puberty, four childhood girlfriends — Teeny, Chrissy, Samantha and Roberta — recall the magical summer of 1970. During their walk down memory lane, they reconcile experiences with boys, secrets, bullies and more.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMrs. Henderson Presents (2005)
Recently widowed well-to-do Laura Henderson purchases the Windmill Theatre in London as a post-widowhood hobby. After starting an innovative continuous variety review, which is copied by other theaters, they begin to lose money. Mrs Henderson suggests they add risqué burlesque acts similar to the Moulin Rouge in Paris.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Last Days of Disco (1998)
Two young women and their friends spend spare time at an exclusive nightclub in 1980s New York.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Roaring Twenties (1939)
After World War I, Armistice Lloyd Hart goes back to practice law, former saloon keeper George Hally turns to bootlegging, and out-of-work Eddie Bartlett becomes a cab driver. Eddie builds a fleet of cabs through delivery of bootleg liquor and hires Lloyd as his lawyer. George becomes Eddie's partner and the rackets flourish until love and rivalry interfere.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBeast (2018)
A troubled woman living in an isolated community finds herself pulled between the control of her oppressive family and the allure of a secretive outsider suspected of a series of brutal murders.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisToukokuun taika (1948)
Tuija Suvi, who works as a model, is delivering a dress to the daughter of a commercial counselor, but she has an accident and ends up meeting musician Asko Kari. Asko assumes that Tuija is the daughter of the commercial counselor and ends up inviting her to a restaurant, where both try to pretend to be something they are not. Gradually, however, the couple begins to truly fall in love with each other.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Raising Helen (2004)
Helen Harris has a glamorous, big-city life working for one of New York's hottest modeling agencies. But suddenly her free-spirited life gets turned upside down when she must choose between the life she's always loved, and the new loves of her life!
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisVida, A Simple Life (TBA)
In 1926 Vida, a simple, young Slovenian woman leaves fascist Italy due of poverty. She emigrates as a wet nurse to Alexandria in Egypt to support her family. Her poor peasant existences changes to a life in luxury.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
The Woman of Wrath (1984)
A woman resorts to prostitution out of hunger and commits suicide shortly after, leaving her daughter to embark on an equally cruel path.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Carry On Screaming! (1966)
The sinister Dr. Watt has an evil scheme going—he's kidnapping beautiful young women and turning them into mannequins to sell to local stores. Fortunately for him, Detective Sergeant Bung is on the case, and he doesn't have a clue!
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTwiggy (2025)
Twiggy takes a comprehensive look at the life story of UK model and cultural icon Twiggy, real name Lesley Lawson, whose career kickstarted in the 1960s. It features interviews with Twiggy and her husband Leigh Lawson, as well as commentary from Erin O’Connor, Paul McCartney, Lulu, Poppy Delavigne, Brooke Shields, Pattie Boyd and Zandra Rhodes.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Love Thing (2012)
Love Thing captures the emerging multicultural spirit and personal freedom of the late 1970s with an outrageous attitude and experimental style. A work in progress now finally completed it's the last American musical comedy from that era which can be viewed today as a prophetic satire. Through its provocative, entertaining storyline highlighted by song and dance, the movie answers the burning question of our time, "What happens after the marriage?
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Malice in Wonderland: The Dolls Movie (2010)
This bawdy comedic film parodies the classics Alice in Wonderland, Wizard of Oz and Mommie Dearest. In the grand tradition of Shakespeare, all the roles are played by men (except two). The story opens with the hiring of a Joan Crawford look-a-like from Nanny Dearest, Incorporated. The relationship turns comedic tables with the cigarette smoking Alice in service to the demanding nanny. In a fit, 'Nanny Dearest' flushes Alice and her rabbit down the toilet. Alice is deposited in Wonderland, where she meets a multitude of strange characters while pursuing the rabbit; ending at the Red Queen's Orgy. Alice barely makes it out of Wonderland with her head. Awakening in bed with Nanny Dearest at her side, Alice realizes she has learned much from Nanny.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Maytime in Mayfair (1949)
Penniless man-about-town Michael Gore-Brown is delighted to hear he has been left a high-class Mayfair fashion salon. His intention is to sell it as quickly as possible, but on meeting Ellen, chief designer and manager, he quickly changes his mind and turns his attention to courting her.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Mad Twenties?
The closest matches to The Mad Twenties are Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), Paris Is Burning (1991) and Valentino (1977). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Mad Twenties?
Start with Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), the closest match to The Mad Twenties.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Mad Twenties?
Paris Is Burning (1991), rated 8.0/10 by 579 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Mad Twenties?
Twiggy (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Mad Twenties?
Yes: Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942), Paris Is Burning (1991) and Valentino (1977).
How are movies similar to The Mad Twenties chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Mad Twenties, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.