Movies like The Great Croton
The best movies like The Great Croton are He Who Gets Slapped (1924), The Circus (1928) and The Greatest Show on Earth (1952). If The Great Croton hooked you, these 20 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe Circus (1928)7.9/10 from 928 votes
- NewestShortcomings (2023)Released 2023
He Who Gets Slapped (1924)
After a baron steals his scientific discoveries, runs away with his wife, and slaps him in public, a man joins a Parisian circus sideshow as a clown whose act consists of being slapped repeatedly and becomes infatuated with a showgirl colleague whose father intends to marry her off to the baron.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Circus (1928)
Charlie, a wandering tramp, becomes a circus handyman - soon the star of the show - and falls in love with the circus owner's stepdaughter.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
To ensure a full profitable season, circus manager Brad Braden engages The Great Sebastian, though this moves his girlfriend Holly from her hard-won center trapeze spot. Holly and Sebastian begin a dangerous one-upmanship duel in the ring, while he pursues her on the ground.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWater for Elephants (2011)
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.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFerdinand (2017)
Ferdinand, a little bull, prefers sitting quietly under a cork tree just smelling the flowers versus jumping around, snorting, and butting heads with other bulls. As Ferdinand grows big and strong, his temperament remains mellow. But one day five men come to choose the "biggest, fastest, roughest bull" for the bullfights in Madrid— and Ferdinand is mistakenly chosen.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSabrina (1954)
After two years in Paris, chauffeur's daughter Sabrina returns home elegantly transformed and immediately catches the attention of David, the playboy son of her father's rich employers. David woos and wins Sabrina, who has always been in love with him, however their romance is threatened by David's serious older brother Linus, who runs the family business and is relying on David to marry an heiress in order for a crucial merger to take place.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisVicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Two girlfriends on a summer holiday in Spain become enamored with the same painter, unaware that his ex-wife, with whom he has a tempestuous relationship, is about to re-enter the picture.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCafé Society (2016)
The story of a young man who arrives in Hollywood during the 1930s hoping to work in the film industry, falls in love, and finds himself swept up in the vibrant café society that defined the spirit of the age.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStreet Angel (1928)
A spirited young woman finds herself destitute and on the streets before joining a traveling carnival, where she meets a vagabond painter.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMoscow on the Hudson (1984)
A Russian circus visits the US. A clown wants to defect, but doesn't have the nerve. His saxophone playing friend however comes to the decision to defect in the middle of Bloomingdales. He is befriended by the black security guard and falls in love with the Italian immigrant from behind the perfume counter. We follow his life as he works his way through the American dream and tries to find work as a musician.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAlfie (2004)
A tale of a philosophical womanizer who is forced to question his seemingly carefree existence.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisShortcomings (2023)
When his girlfriend leaves for New York City on a 3-month-long internship, a strongly opinionated Berkeley arthouse movie theater manager begins exploring life as a bachelor.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Ring (1927)
Both Jack Sander and Bob Corby are boxers in love with Mabel. Jack and Mabel wed, but their marriage is flat. The young wife looks to Bob for comfort.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Greatest Showman (2017)
The story of American showman P.T. Barnum, founder of the circus that became the famous traveling Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisAlmost Friends (2017)
A man in his mid-20s, still living at home with his mother and stepfather, puts all his eggs in one basket: the girl who works at his local coffee shop. The problem is, she has a serious boyfriend. As they become closer, the line between friendship and intimacy is blurred, and the situation forces both to examine where they are in their lives.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969)
A headstrong young teacher in a private school in 1930s Edinburgh ignores the curriculum and influences her impressionable 12-year-old charges with her over-romanticized worldview.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSt. Elmo's Fire (1985)
Reluctant to let go of college life, a close-knit team of seven friends--irresponsible saxophone player Billy, young Republican Alec, his girlfriend Leslie, struggling journalist Kevin, drama queen Jules, lovesick waiter Kirby, and Wendy, a social worker with a heart of gold--realise the party is over. And as the burdens of maturity close in on the young dreamers, the complexities of adulthood and the daily struggle of growing up put their sacred friendship to the test. But everyone knows life is not a bed of roses. It won't be easy, but when all is said and done, what will it take for St. Elmo's clique to find its place in the real world?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAt the Circus (1939)
Jeff Wilson, the owner of a small circus, owes his partner Carter $10,000. Before Jeff can pay, Carter's accomplices steal the money so he can take over the circus. Antonio Pirelli and Punchy, who work at the circus, together with lawyer Loophole try to find the thief and get the money back.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChinese Coffee (2000)
When Harry Levine, an aging, unsuccessful Greenwich Village writer, is fired from his job as restaurant doorman, he calls on friend and mentor Jake, ostensibly to collect a long-standing debt.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChuck & Buck (2000)
Chuck and Buck are childhood best friends whose lives have taken very different paths. While Chuck moved away and now has a real life, Buck stayed behind and developed a dangerous fixation—on Chuck's life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like this
Like The Great Croton and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Great Croton?
The closest matches to The Great Croton are He Who Gets Slapped (1924), The Circus (1928) and The Greatest Show on Earth (1952). Below are 17 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Great Croton?
Start with He Who Gets Slapped (1924), the closest match to The Great Croton.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Great Croton?
The Circus (1928), rated 7.9/10 by 928 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Great Croton?
Shortcomings (2023) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Great Croton?
Yes: He Who Gets Slapped (1924), The Circus (1928) and The Greatest Show on Earth (1952).
How are movies similar to The Great Croton chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Great Croton, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.



















