Movies like Rent Control (2003)
The best movies like Rent Control (2003) are A Merry Christmas Wish (2022), Summer in the City (2016) and The Seven Year Hitch (2012). If Rent Control hooked you with its romance and comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe Apartment (1960)8.2/10 from 2,838 votes
- Newest40 Dates and 40 Nights (2026)Released 2026
A Merry Christmas Wish (2022)
Janie, a rising marketing executive living in The Big Apple, returns to her hometown of Woodland Falls when her Great-Uncle Randall passes away. Randall has even arranged for his farmhand, Dylan to help at the event, which is being held in the farm’s sprawling barn. Aware that her Manhattan boyfriend is anxious for her to return to the city so the pair can jet off to a previously planned holiday on the beach, Janie begins to feel an unexpected emotional tug about living life in a more authentic, meaningful way.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
SnoozefestMovies like thisSummer in the City (2016)
When a small town woman with southern charm is given a big promotion managing a store in the Big Apple, she tries to adopt a big city personality and it leads to disastrous results.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Seven Year Hitch (2012)
Jennifer and Kevin are childhood best friends who have lived together, platonically, as adults for many years. When Jennifer decides to marry her cheating, manipulative boyfriend, Bryce Kevin has to stop the wedding to protect her from making, what he believes is, a terrible mistake. With a little help from his brother and neighbor Kevin discovers that he and Jennifer are already legally married due to common law, having lived together for seven years and, as such, Jennifer can not marry Bryce.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLove on Harbor Island (2020)
Interior designer Lily returns home to help her Aunt Maggie run her marina-side bed and breakfast when she meets Marcus, a handsome seaplane pilot whose work delivering rescue dogs helps Lily discover that home really is where the heart is
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisYou Cast A Spell On Me (2015)
Despite agreeing to an arranged marriage to a childhood friend, a successful businessman tries to track down a beautiful woman that he met at a Halloween party.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisProm Pact (2023)
It's prom season, and high school senior Mandy and her best friend and fellow outsider Ben are surrounded by over-the-top "promposals." Mandy is only focused on getting into her dream school Harvard, but as she starts tutoring basketball all-star Graham, she must re-evaluate whether her dream school is worth the cost of everything she believes in.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBeauty and the Billionaire (2022)
Addison travels with a picky billionaire as an assistant in her brother's place so he doesn't lose his job. She clashes with the billionaire until both start to see more in each other than they thought.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like this40 Dates and 40 Nights (2026)
Ready to quit the dating scene altogether, burned-out Leah accepts her grandmother's outrageous challenge—40 dates in 40 nights in exchange for a year's rent—only to discover amidst the awkward dinners and unexpected sparks that her biggest obstacle to love is herself.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCorrina, Corrina (1994)
When Manny Singer's wife dies, his young daughter Molly becomes mute and withdrawn. To help cope with looking after Molly, he hires sassy housekeeper Corrina Washington, who coaxes Molly out of her shell and shows father and daughter a whole new way of life. Manny and Corrina's friendship delights Molly and enrages the other townspeople.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Lonely Guy (1984)
A writer for a greeting card company learns the true meaning of loneliness when he comes home to find his girlfriend in bed with another man.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJust Like Heaven (2005)
Shortly after David Abbott moves into his new San Francisco digs, he has an unwelcome visitor on his hands: winsome Elizabeth Masterson, who asserts that the apartment is hers -- and promptly vanishes. When she starts appearing and disappearing at will, David thinks she's a ghost, while Elizabeth is convinced she's alive.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)
Cecilia is a waitress in New Jersey, living a dreary life during the Great Depression. Her only escape from her mundane reality is the movie theatre. After losing her job, Cecilia goes to see 'The Purple Rose of Cairo' in hopes of raising her spirits, where she watches dashing archaeologist Tom Baxter time and again.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisEntergalactic (2022)
Ambitious artist Jabari attempts to balance success and love when he moves into his dream Manhattan apartment and falls for his next-door neighbor.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSomeone Great (2019)
An aspiring music journalist lands her dream job and is about to move to San Francisco when her boyfriend of nine years decides to call it quits. To nurse her broken heart, she and her two best friends spend one outrageous last adventure in New York City.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Owl and the Pussycat (1970)
Meek, owlish Felix and strident, catty Doris live in the same apartment building. His incessant typing bothers her; her gentlemen callers bother him. Felix informs the landlord of her activities, so Doris moves in on Felix. When they both get thrown out, they move in with Barney... until they drive him out! That's when Felix and Doris finally decide to put theory into practice. But do opposites attract?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCarolina (2003)
A young woman escapes her wildly eccentric family in search for a life of normalcy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Broken Hearts Gallery (2020)
Lucy is a young gallery assistant who collects mementos from her relationships. She discovers that she must let go of her past to move forward, and comes up with a lovely, artistic way to help herself and others who have suffered heartbreak.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Awful Truth (1937)
Unfounded suspicions lead a married couple to begin divorce proceedings, whereupon they start undermining each other's attempts to find new romance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHead Over Heels (2001)
Ordinary single girl Amanda Pierce unexpectedly finds herself sharing an awesome Manhattan apartment with four sexy supermodels. Determined to bring Amanda into their world, the models give her the ultimate makeover. The plan works fabulously as Amanda connects with next door charmer Jim Winston. That is, until one night while spying on him, Amanda thinks she sees the man of her dreams committing a cold blooded crime.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & comedy
SnoozefestMovies 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 thisVolver (2006)
Three generations of women deal with family secrets while surviving the east wind, fire, insanity, superstition, lies and even death.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBreakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
Holly Golightly is an eccentric New York City playgirl determined to marry a Brazilian millionaire. But when young writer Paul Varjak moves into her apartment building, her past threatens to get in their way.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Apartment (1960)
Bud Baxter is a minor clerk in a huge New York insurance company, until he discovers a quick way to climb the corporate ladder. He lends out his apartment to the executives as a place to take their mistresses. Although he often has to deal with the aftermath of their visits, one night he's left with a major problem to solve.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & romance
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisPocketful of Miracles (1961)
A New York gangster and his girlfriend attempt to turn street beggar Apple Annie into a society lady when the peddler learns her daughter is marrying royalty.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRebecca (1940)
Story of a young woman who marries a fascinating widower only to find out that she must live in the shadow of his former wife, Rebecca, who died mysteriously several years earlier. The young wife must come to grips with the terrible secret of her handsome, cold husband, Max De Winter. She must also deal with the jealous, obsessed Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper, who will not accept her as the mistress of the house.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Joel Barish, heartbroken that his girlfriend underwent a procedure to erase him from her memory, decides to do the same. However, as he watches his memories of her fade away, he realises that he still loves her, and may be too late to correct his mistake.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisSexo en el plató (2007)
How are the sex scenes filmed? What tricks are used to fake the desire? How do the interpreters prepare and feel? Spanish actors and directors talk about the most intimate side of acting, about the tricks and work methods when narrating exposed sex. In Spain the general rule is that there are no rules. Each film, each interpreter, faces it in very different ways.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Too Much Harmony (1933)
A singer is involved with two women in his life, one a "good" girl and one a "bad" one."
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Peacock Alley (1930)
Show dancer Claire finds herself in the New York hotel-suite with Stoddard Clayton, saying goodbye to him before her impending marriage the following day. When she returns to the hotel with her husband the following night, the house detective accuses her of prostitution and throws them out. Now Claire must explain everything to her unsympathetic husband.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Like Rent Control and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Rent Control?
The closest matches to Rent Control are A Merry Christmas Wish (2022), Summer in the City (2016) and The Seven Year Hitch (2012). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Rent Control?
Start with A Merry Christmas Wish (2022), the closest match to Rent Control.
What is the highest-rated movie like Rent Control?
The Apartment (1960), rated 8.2/10 by 2,838 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Rent Control?
40 Dates and 40 Nights (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Rent Control?
Yes: A Merry Christmas Wish (2022), Summer in the City (2016) and The Seven Year Hitch (2012).
How are movies similar to Rent Control chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Rent Control, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.