Movies like Playing Dead
The best movies like Playing Dead are Ruthless People (1986), Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979) and Sing 2 (2021). If Playing Dead hooked you with its comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedSing 2 (2021)7.8/10 from 4,957 votes
- NewestPizza Movie (2026)Released 2026
Ruthless People (1986)
Sam Stone hates his wife Barbara so much that he wants her dead. He's ecstatic when she's taken by a duo of kidnappers who want $500,000 ransom in exchange for her life. Fully intending to ignore every one of the kidnappers' demands in the hopes that they do him a favor and murder her for him, the two confused kidnappers have to figure out how they're going get their money, and what they're going to do with the overbearing Barbara.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
A group of rock-music-loving students, with the help of the Ramones, take over their school to combat its newly installed oppressive administration.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSing 2 (2021)
Buster and his new cast now have their sights set on debuting a new show at the Crystal Tower Theater in glamorous Redshore City. But with no connections, he and his singers must sneak into the Crystal Entertainment offices, run by the ruthless wolf mogul Jimmy Crystal, where the gang pitches the ridiculous idea of casting the lion rock legend Clay Calloway in their show. Buster must embark on a quest to find the now-isolated Clay and persuade him to return to the stage.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisProblem Child (1990)
Ben Healy and his social climbing wife Flo adopt fun-loving seven year old Junior. But they soon discover he's a little monster as he turns a camping trip, a birthday party and even a baseball game into comic nightmares.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSpinal Tap II: The End Continues (2025)
The now estranged bandmates of Spinal Tap are forced to reunite for one final concert, hoping it will solidify their place in the pantheon of rock 'n' roll.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLove and Monsters (2020)
Seven years since the Monsterpocalypse began, Joel Dawson has been living underground in order to survive. But after reconnecting over radio with his high school girlfriend Aimee, Joel decides to venture out to reunite with her, despite all the dangerous monsters that stand in his way.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHelp! (1965)
An obscure Eastern cult that practices human sacrifice pursues Ringo after he unknowingly puts on a ceremonial ring (that, of course, won't come off). On top of that, a pair of mad scientists, members of Scotland Yard, and a beautiful but dead-eyed assassin all have their own plans for the Fab Four.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAirheads (1994)
The Lone Rangers have heavy-metal dreams and a single demo tape they can't get anyone to play. The solution: Hijack an FM rock radio station and hold the deejays hostage until they agree to broadcast the band's tape.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTake the Money and Run (1969)
Virgil Starkwell is intent on becoming a notorious bank robber. Unfortunately for Virgil and his not-so-budding career, he is completely incompetent.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWayne's World 2 (1993)
A message from Jim Morrison in a dream prompts cable access TV stars Wayne and Garth to put on a rock concert, "Waynestock," with Aerosmith as headliners. But amid the preparations, Wayne frets that a record producer is putting the moves on his girlfriend, Cassandra, while Garth handles the advances of mega-babe Honey Hornée.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPizza Movie (2026)
A group of college students go downstairs to their dorm lobby to get a delivery pizza. There's only one issue: They're insanely high on a homemade drug, turning their simple journey down two sets of stairs into a mind-bendingly transformative quest.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHigh School Musical 2 (2007)
The East High Wildcats are gearing up for big fun as they land the coolest summer jobs imaginable. Troy, Gabriella, Chad, and Taylor have scored sweet gigs at the Lava Springs Country Club owned by Sharpay and Ryan's family. Sharpay's first rule of business: Get Troy. As Troy experiences a life of privilege he's never known, will he give up the Wildcats and Gabriella to rise to the top?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Day at the Races (1937)
Doctor Hugo Hackenbush, Tony, and Stuffy try and save Judy's sanitarium by winning a big race with a finicky horse owned by Judy's boyfriend Gil. There are a few problems. Hackenbush, who was recently put in charge of the sanitarium, isn't really a doctor, he's a veterinarian.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBig Trouble (2002)
The story of how a mysterious suitcase brings together, and changes, the lives of a divorced dad, an unhappy housewife, two hitmen, a pair of street thugs, two love struck teens, two FBI men and a psychedelic toad. Based on Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist Dave Barry's best-selling first novel, "Big Trouble."
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBlue's Big City Adventure (2022)
When Josh gets the opportunity of a lifetime to audition for Rainbow Puppy’s Broadway musical, Josh and Blue skidoo to NYC for the very first time where they meet new friends and discover the magic of music, dance, and following one’s dreams.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFun with Dick and Jane (1977)
When an upwardly mobile couple find themselves unemployed and in debt, they turn to armed robbery in desperation.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBandidas (2006)
When a ruthless robber baron takes away everything they cherish, a rough-and-tumble, idealistic peasant and a sophisticated heiress embark on a quest for justice, vengeance…and a few good heists.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBottle Rocket (1993)
Dysfunctional friends Dignan and Anthony plan and execute a robbery with their pot-growing friend, Bob. The short film that inspired Wes Anderson’s feature debut.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Mighty Wind (2003)
Three eclectic, never-quite-famous folk bands come together for the first time in decades following the death of their manager to put on an reunion concert in his honor, at the request of his son.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWelcome to Collinwood (2002)
Five hapless inner-city low-lifes attempt to burgle a pawnbroker's safe, but end up being plagued by bad luck.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRoman Frayssinet : Ô delà (2026)
After venturing “Ô dedans”, the second installment of Roman Frayssinet’s trilogy of shows invites us to go “Ô delà” —to step back and observe life from a distance in order to make peace with it. It’s a new, funny, and surreal journey during which Roman Frayssinet casts his gaze upon the world in search of nuance, beauty, balance, and above all, laughter.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
The 'Burbs (1989)
When secretive new neighbors move in next door, suburbanite Ray Peterson and his friends let their paranoia get the best of them as they start to suspect the newcomers of evildoings and commence an investigation. But it's hardly how Ray, who much prefers drinking beer, reading his newspaper and watching a ball game on the tube expected to spend his vacation.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFierce Creatures (1997)
Ex-policeman Rollo Lee is sent to run Marwood Zoo, the newly acquired business of a New Zealand tycoon. In order to meet high profit targets and keep the zoo open, Rollo enforces a new 'fierce creatures' policy, whereby only the most impressive and dangerous animals are allowed to remain in the zoo. However, the keepers are less enthusiastic about complying with these demands.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisI Love/Hate The Aide (2026)
A night with the boisterous, Norwich based post-punk band "The Aide." Love them or hate them, they have a movie now.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Aaltra (2004)
In this pitch black comedy the rivalry between two neighbors escalates into an all out war. Through a maintenance error on a tractor they both end up, paralyzed, in a wheelchair. It seems they are doomed to stay together. They no longer focus their rage on each other but on the manufacturer of the tractor, in Helsinki. So get ready for a hilarious wheelchair road movie.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAre You The Rat? (TBA)
Three gang members are tasked with uncovering a rat within their crew, but one of them is an undercover cop trying to survive without blowing his cover
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Home Sweet Hell (2015)
Don Champagne seems to have it all, but when his wife, Mona, learns of his affair with a pretty new salesgirl, she will stop at nothing to maintain their storybook life.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisFestival de Viña del Mar 2025: Chiqui Aguayo (2025)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
O Inquilino (2025)
Although César, a real estate agent aspiring to be a motivational speaker, and his wife Vanessa are about to move out, he cannot ignore the constant provocations from Emílio, the building superintendent. What once were mere disagreements during condo meetings have escalated into a direct and personal conflict. Everything gets worse when César delivers a mysterious donut.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Like Playing Dead and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Playing Dead?
The closest matches to Playing Dead are Ruthless People (1986), Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979) and Sing 2 (2021). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Playing Dead?
Start with Ruthless People (1986), the closest match to Playing Dead.
What is the highest-rated movie like Playing Dead?
Sing 2 (2021), rated 7.8/10 by 4,957 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Playing Dead?
Pizza Movie (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Playing Dead?
Yes: Ruthless People (1986), Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979) and Sing 2 (2021).
How are movies similar to Playing Dead chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Playing Dead, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.