Movies like Better Off Dead... (1985)
The best movies like Better Off Dead... (1985) are Grumpy Old Men (1993), Good Advice (2001) and The DUFF (2015). If Better Off Dead... hooked you with its comedy and romance, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedKnockin' on Heaven's Door (1997)7.7/10 from 641 votes
- NewestI Love Boosters (2026)Released 2026
Grumpy Old Men (1993)
For decades, next-door neighbors and former friends John and Max have feuded, trading insults and wicked pranks. When an attractive widow moves in nearby, their bad blood erupts into a high-stakes rivalry full of naughty jokes and adolescent hijinks.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGood Advice (2001)
An investment banker loses everything and must discover what's really important in life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe DUFF (2015)
Bianca's universe turns upside down when she learns that her high school refers to her as a ‘DUFF' (Designated Ugly Fat Friend). Hoping to erase that label, she enlists the help of a charming jock and her favorite teacher. Together they'll face the school's mean girl and remind everyone that we are all someone's DUFF… and that's totally fine.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCan't Buy Me Love (1987)
Nerdy high schooler Ronald Miller rescues cheerleader Cindy Mancini from parental punishment after she accidentally destroys her mother's designer clothes. Ronald agrees to pay for the $1,000 outfit on one condition: that she will act as though they're a couple for an entire month. As the days pass, however, Cindy grows fond of Ronald, making him popular. But when Ronald's former best friend gets left behind, he realizes that social success isn't everything.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNational Lampoon's Van Wilder (2002)
Van Wilder has been attending college for far too many years and is scared to graduate, but Van’s father eventually realizes what is going on. When he stops paying his son's tuition fees, Van must come up with the money if he wants to stay in college, so he and his friends come up with a great fund-raising idea – throwing parties. However, when the college magazine finds out and reporter Gwen is sent to do a story on Van Wilder, things get a little complicated.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Wrong Paris (2025)
Dawn thinks she's joining a dating show in Paris, France, only to land in Paris, Texas. She has an exit plan — until sparks fly with the cowboy bachelor.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLittle Italy (2018)
Former childhood pals Leo and Nikki are attracted to each other as adults—but will their feuding parents' rival pizzerias put a chill on their sizzling romance?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIt's a Boy Girl Thing (2006)
A visit to a natural history museum proves catastrophic for two high school rivals, an overachiever and a jock, when an ancient Aztec statue casts a spell that causes them to switch bodies and see exactly what it's like to walk in the other's shoes.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisScott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010)
As bass guitarist for a garage-rock band, Scott Pilgrim has never had trouble getting a girlfriend; usually, the problem is getting rid of them. But when Ramona Flowers skates into his heart, he finds she has the most troublesome baggage of all: an army of ex-boyfriends who will stop at nothing to eliminate him from her list of suitors.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSaving Silverman (2001)
A pair of buddies conspire to save their best friend from marrying the wrong woman, a cold-hearted beauty who snatches him from them and breaks up their Neil Diamond cover band.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
SnoozefestMovies like thisCan't Hardly Wait (1998)
It's graduation day at Huntington Hills High, and you know what that means - time to party. And not just any party, either. This one will be a night to remember, as the nerds become studs, the jocks are humiliated, and freshman crushes blossom into grown-up romance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisValentine's Day (2010)
Intertwining couples and singles in Los Angeles break-up and make-up based on the pressures and expectations of Valentine's Day.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Kissing Booth 2 (2020)
With college decisions looming, Elle juggles her long-distance romance with Noah, changing relationship with bestie Lee and feelings for a new classmate.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNational Lampoon's Vacation (1983)
Clark Griswold is on a quest to take his family to the Walley World theme park for a vacation, but things don't go exactly as planned.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDuplex (2003)
When a young couple buys their dream home, they have no idea what the sweet little old lady upstairs is going to put them through!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThunderstruck (2012)
After NBA star Kevin Durant switches talent with 16 year old Brian, the teenager becomes the star of his high school team, but Durant starts struggling and eventually learns an important lesson.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Three Stooges (2012)
Left on the doorstep of an orphanage run by nuns, three newborn knuckleheads grow up to be finger-poking, nyuk-nyuking janitors named Larry, Curly and Moe. When they learn that financial problems will soon force the only home they've ever known to close, the trio sets out to raise $830,000 in one month. Out in the world for the very first time, the three innocent bumblers become embroiled in a murder plot and find stardom on a TV reality show.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisFired Up! (2009)
Popular high schoolers and best friends Shawn and Nick decide to ditch football camp for cheerleader camp. For the girls and for the glory.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWayne's World (1992)
The adventures of two amiably aimless metal-head friends, Wayne and Garth. From Wayne's basement, the pair broadcast a talk-show called "Wayne's World" on local public access television. The show comes to the attention of a sleazy network executive who wants to produce a big-budget version of "Wayne's World"—and he also wants Wayne's girlfriend, a rock singer named Cassandra. Wayne and Garth have to battle the executive not only to save their show, but also Cassandra.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMistress America (2015)
A college freshman cures her disappointment and loneliness by allowing herself to be pulled into the wacky schemes of her future stepsister.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMoonstruck (1987)
37-year-old Italian-American widow Loretta Castorini believes she is unlucky in love, and so accepts a marriage proposal from her boyfriend Johnny, even though she doesn't love him. When she meets his estranged younger brother Ronny, an emotional and passionate man, she finds herself drawn to him. She tries to resist, but Ronny, who blames his brother for the loss of his hand, has no scruples about aggressively pursuing her while Johnny is out of the country. As Loretta falls for Ronny, she learns that she's not the only one in her family with a secret romance.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBeverly Hills Cop (1984)
Fast-talking, quick-thinking Detroit street cop Axel Foley has bent more than a few rules and regs in his time, but when his best friend is murdered, he heads to sunny Beverly Hills to work the case like only he can.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Simpsons Movie (2007)
After Homer accidentally pollutes the town's water supply, Springfield is encased in a gigantic dome by the EPA and the Simpsons are declared fugitives.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCharlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
A young boy wins a tour through the most magnificent chocolate factory in the world, led by the world's most unusual candy maker.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKnockin' on Heaven's Door (1997)
Two young men, Martin and Rudi, both suffering from terminal cancer, get to know each other in a hospital room. They drown their desperation in tequila and decide to take one last trip to the sea. Drunk and still in pajamas they steal the first fancy car they find, a 60's Mercedes convertible. The car happens to belong to a bunch of gangsters, which immediately start to chase it, since it contains more than the pistol Martin finds in the glove box.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like this51/50 Mall Cop (2005)
The only thing Frank has going for him is his job as a Mall Cop. One late night his world is shattered when a prowler breaks in, robs the joint and as Frank tries to be the hero – he loses his arm! Replaced by a sexy punk rocker Donna, Frank decides to solve the crime, win the girl and get his old job back! With the help of his nerdy best friend Chris, the ultra-strange White Wedding follow Frank’s adventure in this hilarious tale about love, limbs and Billy Idol!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
I Love Boosters (2026)
A group of shoplifters take aim at a cutthroat fashion maven by stealing from her stores and reselling them at a lower price — what they call 'fashion-forward philanthropy'.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Big Bad Fox and Other Tales (2017)
The countryside isn't always as calm and peaceful as it's made out to be, and the animals on this farm are particularly agitated: a fox who mothers a family of chicks, a rabbit who plays the stork, and a duck who wants to be Santa Claus.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOcean's Eleven (1960)
Danny Ocean and his gang attempt to rob the five biggest casinos in Las Vegas in one night.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisInspector Gadget (1999)
John Brown is a bumbling but well-intentioned security guard who is badly injured in an explosion planned by an evil mastermind. He is taken to a laboratory, where Brenda, a leading robotics surgeon, replaces his damaged limbs with state-of-the-art gadgets and tools. Named "Inspector Gadget" by the press, John -- along with his niece, Penny, and her trusty dog, Brain -- uses his new powers to discover who was behind the explosion.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Better Off Dead...?
The closest matches to Better Off Dead... are Grumpy Old Men (1993), Good Advice (2001) and The DUFF (2015). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Better Off Dead...?
Start with Grumpy Old Men (1993), the closest match to Better Off Dead....
What is the highest-rated movie like Better Off Dead...?
Knockin' on Heaven's Door (1997), rated 7.7/10 by 641 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Better Off Dead...?
I Love Boosters (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Better Off Dead...?
Yes: Grumpy Old Men (1993), Good Advice (2001) and The DUFF (2015).
How are movies similar to Better Off Dead... chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Better Off Dead..., then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.