Movies like How to Succeed (1996)
The best movies like How to Succeed (1996) are Let's Make Love (1960), StreetDance 2 (2012) and Step Up All In (2014). If How to Succeed hooked you, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedBreathe (2017)7.4/10 from 822 votes
- NewestAngelic Lie / Jubilee (2025)Released 2025
- In JapanesePhoenix Wright 2 -The Truth Reborn, Again… (2009)Also in Japanese
Let's Make Love (1960)
When billionaire Jean-Marc Clement learns that he is to be satirized in an off-Broadway revue, he passes himself off as an actor playing him in order to get closer to the beautiful star of the show, Amanda Dell.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStreetDance 2 (2012)
After suffering humiliation by the crew Invincible, street dancer Ash looks to gather the best dancers from around the world for a rematch.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStep Up All In (2014)
All-stars from previous installments convene in glittering Las Vegas, battling for a victory that could define their dreams and their careers.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBreathe (2017)
Based on the true story of Robin, a handsome, brilliant and adventurous man whose life takes a dramatic turn when polio leaves him paralyzed.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHigh Strung (2016)
When a hip hop violinist busking in the New York subway encounters a classical dancer on scholarship at the Manhattan Conservatory of the Arts, sparks fly. With the help of a hip hop dance crew they must find a common ground while preparing for a competition that could change their lives forever.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLes Misérables: 25th Anniversary in Concert (2010)
This concert, recorded to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the landmark musical Les Miserables, gathers the casts of the show's 2010 original production at the Queen's Theatre, the 1985 original production by the London company, and the 2010 production at the Barbican together for one performance. Together with talents like Michael Ball, Hadley Fraser, and John Owen-Jones, the performers present the play's musical numbers in a semi-theatrical style, fully costumed and with all the emotion of the musical's heyday.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisZiegfeld Follies (1945)
The late, great impresario Florenz Ziegfeld looks down from heaven and ordains a new revue in his grand old style.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHow to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
Three women set out to find eligible millionaires to marry, but find true love in the process.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHoney 3: Dare to Dance (2016)
While attending college in Cape Town, Melea Martin feels constrained by the school's strict policies, and decides to set out on her own. Searching for a way to use her talents as a dancer and inspire the community around her, Melea rents a failing theater in order to put on a Hip-Hop Romeo and Juliet performance. But much like the Capulets and Montagues, conflicts between cast members threaten to bring the whole performance to a halt...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBattle of the Year (2013)
A down-on-his-luck coach is hired to prepare a team of the best American dancers for an international tournament that attracts all the best crews from around the world, but the Americans haven't won in fifteen years.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisYou Got Served (2004)
At Mr. Rad's Warehouse, the best hip-hop crews in Los Angeles compete for money and respect. But when a suburban crew crashes the party, stealing their dancers — and their moves — two warring friends have to pull together to represent the street.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIt Happened at the World's Fair (1963)
Mike Edwards and Danny Burke fly a cropduster, but due to Danny's gambling debts, a local sheriff takes custody of it. Trying to earn money, they hitchhike to the World's Fair in Seattle and, while Danny tries to earn money playing poker, Mike cares for a small girl whose father has disappeared.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisHounddog (2008)
A drama set in the American South, where a precocious, troubled girl finds a safe haven in the music and movement of Elvis Presley.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCome Sunday (2018)
Evangelist Carlton Pearson is ostracized by his church for preaching that there is no Hell.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisStep Up 3D (2010)
A tight-knit group of New York City street dancers, including Luke and Natalie, team up with NYU freshman Moose, and find themselves pitted against the world's best hip-hop dancers in a high-stakes showdown that will change their lives forever.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHellzapoppin' (1941)
Olsen and Johnson, a pair of stage comedians, try to turn their play into a movie and bring together a young couple in love, while breaking the fourth wall every step of the way.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBroadway Melody of 1940 (1940)
Johnny Brett and King Shaw are an unsuccessful dance team in New York. A producer discovers Brett as the new partner for Clare Bennett, but Brett, who thinks he is one of the people they lent money to, gives him the name of his partner.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAnimal Crackers (1930)
The well-known explorer and hunter Captain Spaulding has just returned from Africa, and is being welcomed home with a lavish party at the estate of influential society matron Mrs. Rittenhouse when a valuable painting goes missing. The intrepid Captain Spaulding attempts to solve the crime with the help of his silly secretary Horatio Jamison, while sparring with the anarchic Signor Emanuel Ravelli and his nutty sidekick The Professor.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCats (1998)
"Jellicle" cats join for a Jellicle ball where they rejoice with their leader, Old Deuteronomy. One cat will be chosen to go to the "Heavyside Layer" and be reborn.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBehind the Candelabra (2013)
Based on the autobiographical novel, the tempestuous 6-year relationship between Liberace and his (much younger) lover, Scott Thorson, is recounted.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPhoenix Wright 2 -The Truth Reborn, Again… (2009)
A continuation of Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, which ran from February to March of this year at Bow Hall and Nippon Seinenkan. Based on the game "Phoenix Wright" which is highly popular with women — the story of a passionate lawyer who solves difficult cases, set in America. Phoenix Wright has proved the innocence of his lover, who was suspected of murdering a senator, and won back her love. As he must wait for her return, he goes back to his hometown in California. One day, a young girl comes to see him. She wants him to represent her mother, who is suspected of being involved in a certain incident. In California, a new turnabout drama for Phoenix Wright begins...
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Masquerade Hotel (2020)
Nitta Kousuke, a police inspector in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Force, is on the trail of a serial killer who leaves clues to the location of his next crime on his victims. Nitta uses the clues to discover that the Hotel Cortesia will be the site of the next killing, and goes undercover as a front desk clerk to help him unmask the killer. Yamagishi Naomi is the front desk clerk in charge of training him, and the two butt heads at every instance. Will they be able to unmask the killer before he strikes again?
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Phantom (2004)
Takarazuka Revue's Phantom based on the play by Maury Yeston and Arthur Kopit.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
A Second Fortuitous Meeting Next Generation -Midnight Girlfriend- / Gran Cantante!! (2022)
A Second Fortuitous Meeting Next Generation -Midnight Girlfriend- a romantic musical set in the Kingdom of Vespert, with a suprising twist! "Gran Cantante!!" is Spanish for "brilliant singer." The theme of this revue is a traditional Spanish festival, featuring enchanting Spanish dances and famous songs written about Spain. Enter the glamorous and passionate world of this revue that relies on the current dynamics of Star Troupe, showing off the talents of Rei Makoto, a well-rounded top star.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Angelic Lie / Jubilee (2025)
The story centers on Azazel, an angel who is the biggest liar in Heaven. His insatiable curiosity about humans, who are full of lies, leads him to touch the heavenly book that records all the deeds of humans on Earth. This act incurs the wrath of God. Azazel is stripped of his angelic title and all his powers, and then he is cast down to the human world.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Hit Me Anyone One More Time -Top Secret- / Tiara Azul -Destino- (2024)
The story centers on Prime Minister Keisuke Kuroda, who has been called the worst prime minister in history. One day, while giving an endorsement speech for an election candidate from his party, Kuroda is hit in the head by a rock thrown at him. He survives but loses his memory. His memories after becoming a politician are completely erased. Unable to remember himself, his wife Satoko, his family, and the people around him, Kuroda is not only confused but also terrified. If news of the unprecedented event of the current prime minister suffering from amnesia were to leak out, the political world would be thrown into chaos! Despite Kuroda’s fears, his secretaries, led by Isaka, treat the situation as top secret and push him to continue carrying out his official duties.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Prince of the Land of Roses (2011)
The King, a Queen with a noble spirit and the Prince lead a quiet life marked by admiration and appreciation of roses. One day marks the end to their days of peace and quiet. The King is transformed into a tyrant through a magical spell by the Queen's sister. The King loses interest in his once-tranquil existence and falls under the woman's spell, becoming addicted to extravagance and gambling. The King banishes the Queen and summons her sister to take her place. The King and the Queen's sister eventually give birth to a prince. A short time later, the King passes away. Eager that her own son becomes the new King, the woman uses her magic to turn the first-born Prince into a wild beast. The spell will be broken on the day he encounters a woman who is not bothered by outside appearances and is capable of seeing through to the truth.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Prisoner of Zenda / Jazzmania (2000)
The tiny European country of Ruritania in the later half of the 1800's. Rudolf the Fifth is crowned king amongst great fanfare, surrounded by the glittering majesty of the court.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Puck / Crystal Takarazuka -Crystal Image- (2014)
Takarazuka Revue's performance based on Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Danza Serenata (2012)
A man appears inside a nightclub that is abandoned and slated for demolition. His name is Isaque. He was once the top dancer while he performed in a show at the club. A sparkling stage, the music, the hustle and bustle of the customers — every day, he keeps the memories alive in his heart, of a time when he totally devoted himself to his dancing.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Like How to Succeed and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like How to Succeed?
The closest matches to How to Succeed are Let's Make Love (1960), StreetDance 2 (2012) and Step Up All In (2014). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after How to Succeed?
Start with Let's Make Love (1960), the closest match to How to Succeed.
What is the highest-rated movie like How to Succeed?
Breathe (2017), rated 7.4/10 by 822 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like How to Succeed?
Angelic Lie / Jubilee (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like How to Succeed?
Yes: Phoenix Wright 2 -The Truth Reborn, Again… (2009), Masquerade Hotel (2020) and Phantom (2004).
How are movies similar to How to Succeed chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside How to Succeed, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.