Movies like The Vortex (2025)
The best movies like The Vortex (2025) are Be Kind Rewind (2008), Maverick (1994) and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023). If The Vortex hooked you with its drama and comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedAngels with Dirty Faces (1938)7.5/10 from 373 votes
- NewestBeach-O (2025)Released 2025
Be Kind Rewind (2008)
A man whose brain becomes magnetized unintentionally destroys every tape in his friend's video store. In order to satisfy the store's most loyal renter, an aging woman with signs of dementia, the two men set out to remake the lost films.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMaverick (1994)
Bret Maverick is a gambler who would rather con someone than fight them, and needs an additional $3k in order to enter a winner-takes-all poker game beginning in a few days. He joins forces with a woman with a marvelous Southern accent, and the two try and enter the game.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023)
A rich man learns about a guru who can see without using his eyes. He sets out to master the skill in order to cheat at gambling.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like this5 Against the House (1955)
Former war-time Army buddies now students in college decide to rip off a Reno casino.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisVegas Vacation (1997)
The Griswold family hits the road again for a typically ill-fated vacation, this time to the glitzy mecca of slots and showgirls—Las Vegas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJohnny O'Clock (1947)
When an employee at an illegal gambling den dies suspiciously, her sister, Nancy, looks into the situation and falls for Johnny O'Clock, a suave partner in the underground casino. Selfish and non-committal by nature, Johnny slowly begins to return Nancy's affection and decides to run away with her, but conflict within his business threatens their plans. As Johnny tries to distance himself from the casino, his shady past comes back to haunt him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRat Race (2001)
In an ensemble film about easy money, greed, manipulation and bad driving, a Las Vegas casino tycoon entertains his wealthiest high rollers -- a group that will bet on anything -- by pitting six ordinary people against each other in a wild dash for $2 million jammed into a locker hundreds of miles away. The tycoon and his wealthy friends monitor each racer's every move to keep track of their favorites. The only rule in this race is that there are no rules.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Set-Up (1949)
Expecting the usual loss, a boxing manager takes bribes from a betting gangster without telling his fighter.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Night in Casablanca (1946)
The Marx Brothers are employed at a hotel in postwar Casablanca, where a ring of Nazis is trying to recover a cache of stolen treasure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNightmare Alley (1947)
A roustabout joins a traveling carny and schemes to figure out the mind-reading act of Mademoiselle Zeena and her alcoholic husband.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAngels with Dirty Faces (1938)
Childhood chums Rocky Sullivan and Jerry Connelly grow up on opposite sides of the fence: Rocky matures into a prominent gangster, while Jerry becomes a priest, tending to the needs of his old tenement neighborhood.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Apple Dumpling Gang (1975)
A roving bachelor gets saddled with three children and a wealth of trouble when the youngsters stumble upon a huge gold nugget. They join forces with two bumbling outlaws to fend off the greedy townspeople and soon find themselves facing a surly gang of sharpshooters.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRoom Service (1938)
Broke Gordon Miller tries to land a backer for his new play while he has to deal with with the hotel manager trying to evict him and his cast.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Air Up There (1994)
Jimmy Dolan is a college basketball coach who wants a big promotion. To get it, he needs to make a dramatic find. He ends up deep in Africa, hoping to recruit Saleh, a huge basketball prodigy Jimmy glimpsed in a home movie. But Saleh is the chief's son and has responsibilities at home, since the tribe's land is threatened by a mining company with its own hotshot basketball team.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMerry Christmas, Drake & Josh (2008)
Step brothers Drake and Josh must give a foster family the best Christmas ever or face years in jail for a Christmas party gone wrong.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Burlesque on Carmen (1915)
A gypsy seductress is sent to sway a goofy officer to allow a smuggling run.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisSupport Your Local Gunfighter (1971)
A con artist arrives in a mining town controlled by two competing companies. Both companies think he's a famous gunfighter and try to hire him to drive the other out of town.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisShanghaied (1915)
A shipowner intends to scuttle his ship on its last voyage to get the insurance money. Charlie, a tramp in love with the owner's daughter, is grabbed by the captain and promises to help him shanghai some seamen. The daughter stows away to follow Charlie. Charlie assists in the galley and attempts to serve food during a gale.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
When illegal card dealer and recovering heroin addict Frankie Machine gets out of prison, he decides to straighten up. Armed with nothing but an old drum set, Frankie tries to get honest work as a drummer. But when his former employer and his old drug dealer re-enter his life, Frankie finds it hard to stay clean and eventually finds himself succumbing to his old habits.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTrailer Park Boys: Don't Legalize It (2014)
Out of jail and broke, Julian concocts an outrageously greasy scheme to get rich and, to make it even greasier, he will have to deliver his product to his arch-enemy, Cyrus, who’s waiting in Montreal to close the dirty deal. Meanwhile, Ricky’s dope growing business is under a major threat when the government announces a plan to legalize marijuana. Bubbles reluctantly joins them on his own quest to claim an inheritance left to him by his long-lost parents.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMonday (2017)
The 50+ time award-winning short film, MONDAY, follows a day in the life of a young hustler who ‘code-switches’ through disparate cliques while being everyone's one-stop-shop for all things illicit. His reasons for the hustle aren’t apparent, but as he maneuvers through his neighborhood, he’ll confront racism as well as question the morality of his occupation.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & comedy
Fritz the Cat (1972)
In late 1960s New York City, fed up with monotonous college life and police repression, free-spirited Fritz, an impenitent seducer and unrestrained party-animal, decides to explore the world. And just like that, as he flees NYC, heading to San Francisco, Fritz embarks on an endless adventure of illumination. Immersed in a world surrounded by drugs and sex, Fritz participates in mad orgies, brings about a revolution, incites mass urban riots, and crosses paths with drug-addled Nazi bikers.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFinding Amanda (2008)
A television producer with a penchant for drinking and gambling is sent to Las Vegas to convince his troubled niece to enter rehab.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Curiosity of Chance (2006)
It’s the ‘80s once again, new wave angst and genderbending fashion are all the rage, but new kid at school, Chance Marquis, is trying to find new ways to stand out. Being an odd and somewhat awkward teenager makes him the target of the school bully. To deal with this dilemma, Chance turns to the opposite ends of the high school spectrum for help. On one side is the flamboyant drag queen and at the other, the varsity jock, Levi Sparks with whom Chance develops a unique friendship.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & drama
SnoozefestMovies like this3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)
It was an ingenious enough plan: rob the Riviera Casino's count room during an Elvis impersonator convention. But Thomas Murphy decided to keep all the money for himself and shot all his partners, including recently-freed ex-con Michael Zane. With $3.2 million at stake, the Marshals Service closing in, Michael must track down Murphy.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisCasino Royale (1967)
Sir James Bond is called back out of retirement to stop SMERSH. In order to trick SMERSH, James thinks up the ultimate plan - that every agent will be named 'James Bond'. One of the Bonds, whose real name is Evelyn Tremble is sent to take on Le Chiffre in a game of baccarat, but all the Bonds get more than they can handle.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisMaailma on suuri valintamyymälä (1987)
Recent graduate Repa Utriainen explores the world.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Vegas: Based on a True Story (2008)
The film takes place away from the glittering strip of mega casinos, but the greed of Sin City is just as pervasive on the desert outskirts. This is where a happy family learns of a forgotten fortune that may be buried beneath their home. Their lives are turned upside down. A sophisticated study of just how far people are able and willing to go if faced with the tempting prospect of easily acquired wealth.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Beach-O (2025)
This 16mm short film is an homage to the campy beach movies of the 1960s, set within a late 90s time capsule. Shot in 1998 and completed in 2025, the music-driven film features performances by DC and Boston indie rock legends The Make Up, Victory At Sea, and The Wicked Farleys. The film follows Greg and Lesley as they enjoy a summer’s day at the beach. After they befriend a group of locals, their day takes an unexpected turn when everyone gets hungry…
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Factory Girl (2006)
In the mid-1960s, wealthy debutant Edie Sedgwick meets artist Andy Warhol. She joins Warhol's famous Factory and becomes his muse. Although she seems to have it all, Edie cannot have the love she craves from Andy, and she has an affair with a charismatic musician, who pushes her to seek independence from the artist and the milieu.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Vortex?
The closest matches to The Vortex are Be Kind Rewind (2008), Maverick (1994) and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Vortex?
Start with Be Kind Rewind (2008), the closest match to The Vortex.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Vortex?
Angels with Dirty Faces (1938), rated 7.5/10 by 373 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Vortex?
Beach-O (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Vortex?
Yes: Be Kind Rewind (2008), Maverick (1994) and The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (2023).
How are movies similar to The Vortex chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Vortex, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.