Movies like The Compleat Al (1985)
The best movies like The Compleat Al (1985) are The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978), A Song Is Born (1948) and This Is Spinal Tap (1984). If The Compleat Al hooked you with its comedy and music, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedBo Burnham: What. (2013)7.8/10 from 283 votes
- NewestBlood Sugar (2026)Released 2026
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978)
The story of the rise and fall of the Pre-Fab Four.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Song Is Born (1948)
The story of seven scholars in search of an expert to teach them about swing music. They seem to have found the perfect candidate in winsome nightclub singer Honey Swanson. But Honey's gangster boyfriend doesn't want to give her up.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThis Is Spinal Tap (1984)
"This Is Spinal Tap" shines a light on the self-contained universe of a metal band struggling to get back on the charts, including everything from its complicated history of ups and downs, gold albums, name changes and undersold concert dates, along with the full host of requisite groupies, promoters, hangers-on and historians, sessions, release events and those special behind-the-scenes moments that keep it all real.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHead (1968)
In this surrealistic and free-form follow-up to the Monkees' television show, the band frolic their way through a series of musical set pieces and vignettes containing humor and anti-establishment social commentary.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Girl Can't Help It (1956)
A down-and-out gangster hires a down-on-his-luck agent to make his girlfriend a recording star within six weeks.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCB4 (1993)
A "rockumentary", covering the rise to fame of MC Gusto, Stab Master Arson, and Dead Mike: members of the rap group "CB4". We soon learn that these three are not what they seem and don't appear to know as much about rap music as they claim... but a lack of musical ability in an artist never hurts sales, does it? You've just got to play the part of a rap star...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
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 & music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Big Store (1941)
A detective is hired to protect the life of a singer, who has recently inherited a department store, from the store's crooked manager.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFootlight Parade (1933)
A fledgling producer finds himself at odds with his workers, financiers and his greedy ex-wife when he tries to produce live musicals for movie-going audiences.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBo Burnham: What. (2013)
Left brain and right brain duke it out and then belt out a tune in comedian Bo Burnham's quick and clever one-man show. As intelligent as he is lanky, Burnham cynically pokes at pop entertainment while offering unadulterated showmanship of his own.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
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 & music
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 & music
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 & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBabes in Arms (1939)
Mickey Moran, son of two vaudeville veterans, decides to put up his own vaudeville show with his girlfriend Patsy Barton. But child actress Rosalie wants to make a comeback and replace Patsy both professionally and as Mickey's girl.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
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 · both comedy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBuck Privates (1941)
Petty con artists Slicker Smith and Herbie Brown mistakenly join the Army evading the cops. The cop chasing them winds up as their drill instructor. A rich young man and his former working class chauffeur are not only in the same unit, they're vying for a pretty girl who seems attracted to both.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBye Bye Birdie (1963)
A singer goes to a small town for a performance before he is drafted.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Rocker (2008)
In the 1980s, a drummer is abandoned by his band just before they become rock superstars. Twenty years later, the drummer sees his second chance at stardom arise when he is asked to perform with his teenage nephew's high school rock band.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisArlo the Alligator Boy (2021)
Upon learning that he is from New York City, a wide-eyed boy, who is half human and half alligator, decides to leave his sheltered life in the swamp and search for his long lost father. A musical adventure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKevin Hart: I'm a Grown Little Man (2009)
Fresh off the heels of appearing in movies like Superhero Movie and The 40 Year-Old Virgin, fast-talking comedian Kevin Hart stars in this live stand-up performance where he makes fun of everything and everybody - especially himself.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBack On Crack | The Cracked Tiles Documentary (2024)
In the mid 1990's Mr. Ball managed a band called The Cracked Tiles. Thanks to his Certificate III in Business (Administration) and his superior intuitive powers, Mr. Ball acquired the rights to their album 'Hi-Vis Factory'. Due to various circumstances, which Mr. Ball would rather not comment on, the album was never released. As a last ditch attempt to make some money he is now releasing it after 25-30 years, no one seems to be sure on the maths for some reason. Probably because we don't know when it will actually come out.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & music
The Nowhere Inn (2021)
When St. Vincent sets out to make a documentary about her music, the goal is to both reveal and revel in the unadorned truth behind her on-stage persona. But when she hires a close friend to direct, notions of reality, identity, and authenticity grow increasingly distorted and bizarre.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music & comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisRiding in Cars with Boys (2001)
In 1965, a young woman with dreams of becoming a writer has a son at the age of 15 and struggles to make things work with the drug-addicted father.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEterna (2022)
Eterna is a 2022 Spanish documentary film directed by Juanma Sayalonga and David Sainz about the life of feminist rapper-poet Gata Cattana.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Blood Sugar (2026)
Desperate to reinstate himself as cinema's top vampire, Dracula sells his castle to finance a vanity project that stars his roomate, a popular vampire influencer named Ishmael.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Paradise Falls (2011)
The whole film was created in 48 hours as part of the "48 Hour Film Project - Dubai" competition. With his debut work 'The Bridge of Time' spending seven weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list, Karim Mushtak was once hailed as the most promising Arab novelist of his generation. And then he disappeared from the public eye. A group of filmmakers find him in a run down residential compound where he is the last remaining tenant, refusing to move out as he tries to complete perhaps the most difficult of all second novels.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Multiple Personalities (2006)
This experimental film plays like the one man stage shows done by many great comics. Alan Putts has died but who is he? His friends, family, and those who knew him get together to tell his life story from beginning to end. Some have nice things to say some do not. We learn that he was a war hero, factory worker, radio DJ, had a dog name Poo, was addicted to sugar packets, and could whistle out of his... well you'll find out.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
My Mother's Castle (1990)
To his chagrin, young Marcel Pagnol and his family move back to their home in Marseille, France, far from their pastoral holiday cottage in the hills. Determined, Marcel makes the long voyage back to the cottage on foot and lands himself in trouble. One day Marcel's father discovers a shortcut to the cottage, but it requires trespassing. Despite their trepidations, Marcel and his family begin using the secret trail to reach their cottage.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMy Brother Anastasia (1973)
Don Salvatore Anastasia, a priest in a seminary in Tropea, Calabria (Italy), gets a ticket to visit his brother in New York. He has never known him, because the brother emigrated illegally in the U.S.A. years before. Upon his arrival in America, he is greeted with much respect, as well as his brother, also from the Italian-American community of Little Italy. Enthusiastic of that, he decided to stay on as assistant pastor in the church of Saint Lucia and bring it to a new shine. Accompanied in New York, his last name, Anastasia, commands respect and, above all, opens the door hitherto locked: his brother, really, is the infamous mob boss Albert Anastasia.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Farce of the Penguins (2006)
In this spoof of "March of the Penguins," nature footage of penguins near the South Pole gets a soundtrack of human voices. Carl and Jimmy, best friends, walk 70 miles to the mating grounds where the female penguins wait. The huddled masses of females - especially Melissa and Vicki - talk about males, mating, and what might happen this year. Carl, Jimmy, and the other males make the long trek talking about food, fornication and flatulence. Until this year, Carl's sex life has been dismal, but he falls hard for Melissa. She seems to like him. A crisis develops when Jimmy comes upon something soft in the dark. Can friends forgive? Does parenthood await Carl and Melissa?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Compleat Al?
The closest matches to The Compleat Al are The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978), A Song Is Born (1948) and This Is Spinal Tap (1984). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Compleat Al?
Start with The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978), the closest match to The Compleat Al.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Compleat Al?
Bo Burnham: What. (2013), rated 7.8/10 by 283 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Compleat Al?
Blood Sugar (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Compleat Al?
Yes: The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978), A Song Is Born (1948) and This Is Spinal Tap (1984).
How are movies similar to The Compleat Al chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Compleat Al, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.