Movies like Anarkali (1953)
The best movies like Anarkali (1953) are Brigadoon (1954), Press Play (2022) and Salsa (1988). If Anarkali hooked you with its history and romance, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedCold Mountain (2003)6.9/10 from 2,052 votes
- NewestBeauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration (2022)Released 2022
- In HindiMadhosh (1994)Also in Hindi
Brigadoon (1954)
Americans Jeff and Tommy, hunting in Scotland, stumble upon a village - Brigadoon. They soon learn that the town appears once every 100 years in order to preserve its peace and special beauty. The citizens go to bed at night and when they wake up, it's 100 years later. Tommy falls in love with a beautiful young woman, Fiona, and is torn between staying or going back to his hectic life in New York.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPress Play (2022)
Laura and Harrison have the picture-perfect romance built on the foundation of a shared love of music. After a deadly accident, Laura gets the chance to save the love of her life when she discovers that their mixtape can transport her back in time.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSalsa (1988)
Fatherless barrio Puerto Rican Rico is a menial car mechanic by day, but lives for the nights, when he dances and dates hot dancing girls, cockily convinced the title of Salsa king in fancy nightclub La Luna's upcoming contest is to be his. He encourages his best friend, courteous gentleman Ken, to date his sister Margarita so he gets a free hand with her flirtatious classmate Lola. The reigning salsa queen Luna's interest in Rico as dance-partner threatens his on-off relationship with Vicki. More jealous trouble follows when Ken and Margarita fall in true love.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRoustabout (1964)
After losing his job at a coffee shop, Charlie Rogers finds employment at a struggling carnival, but his attempted romance with a teenager leads to friction with her father.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHelen of Troy (1956)
Prince Paris of Troy, shipwrecked on a mission to the king of Sparta, meets and falls for Queen Helen before he knows who she is. Rudely received by the royal Greeks, he must flee...but fate and their mutual passions lead him to take Helen along. This gives the Greeks just the excuse they need for much-desired war.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & history
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIronclad (2011)
In the year 1215, the rebel barons of England have forced their despised King John to put his royal seal on the Magna Carta, a seminal document that upheld the rights of free men. Yet within months of pledging himself to the great charter, the King reneged on his word and assembled a mercenary army on the south coast of England with the intention of bringing the barons and the country back under his tyrannical rule. Barring his way stood the mighty Rochester castle, a place that would become the symbol of the rebel's momentous struggle for justice and freedom.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & history
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBeauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration (2022)
In honor of the 30th anniversary of the animated classic, this animated and live-action blended special showcases the fan-favorite movie, along with new musical performances, sets and costumes inspired by the classic story.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSouth Pacific (1958)
Can a girl from Little Rock find happiness with a mature French planter she got to know one enchanted evening away from the military hospital where she is a nurse? Or should she just wash that man out of her hair? Bloody Mary is the philosopher of the island and it's hard to believe she could be the mother of Liat who has captured the heart of Lt. Joseph Cable USMC. While waiting for action in the war in the South Pacific, sailors and nurses put on a musical comedy show. The war gets closer and the saga of Nellie Forbush and Emile de Becque becomes serious drama.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOklahoma! (1955)
There's a box social coming up, and Curly asks Laurey if she'll be his date. Trouble is, Laurey thinks he's waited too long, and in a fit of pique accepts an offer from the boorish ranch hand Jud instead. Meanwhile, Laurey's friend Ado Annie is also torn between two men: cowboy Will and foreign peddler Ali Hakim. Both women struggle to know their own hearts before it's too late.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Pride and the Passion (1957)
During the Napoleonic Wars, when the French have occupied Spain, some Spanish guerrilla soldiers are going to move a big cannon across Spain in order to help the British defeat the French. A British officer is there to accompany the Spanish and along the way, he falls in love with the leader's girl.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both history & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 · both history & music
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Slipper and the Rose (1976)
Prince Edward wants to marry for love, but the King and court of the Kingdom of Euphrania are anxious for the Prince to wed no matter what. When the Prince meets Cinderella at a ball, he's sure she's the one, and when she loses her slipper upon exiting the dance, the Prince is determined to find and marry her.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGay Purr-ee (1962)
Mewsette is a starry-eyed cat who grows weary of life on a French farm and heads for the excitement of 1890s Paris. Her tomcat suitor, Jaune-Tom, and his furry cohort, Robespierre, chase after Mewsette, but she's already fallen under the spell of a feline modeling-school racket run by Madame Rubens-Chatte and her slimy assistant, Meowrice.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCamelot (1967)
The plot of his illegitimate son Mordred to gain the throne, and Guinevere's growing attachment to Sir Lancelot, threatens to topple King Arthur and destroy his "round table" of knights.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEaster Parade (1948)
On the day before Easter in 1911, Don Hewes is crushed when his dancing partner (and object of affection) Nadine Hale refuses to start a new contract with him. To prove Nadine's not important to him, Don acquires innocent new protege Hannah Brown, vowing to make her a star in time for next year's Easter parade.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCold Mountain (2003)
In this classic story of love and devotion set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, a wounded Confederate soldier named W.P. Inman deserts his unit and travels across the South, aiming to return to his young wife, Ada, who he left behind to tend their farm. As Inman makes his perilous journey home, Ada struggles to keep their home intact with the assistance of Ruby, a mysterious drifter sent to help her by a kindly neighbor.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both history & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCinderella (1965)
After the success of the live 1957 Cinderella on CBS (with Julie Andrews), the network decided to produce another television version. The new script hewed closer to the traditional tale, although nearly all of the original songs were retained and performed in their original settings. Added to the Rodgers and Hammerstein score was "Loneliness of Evening", which had been composed for South Pacific but not used.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSummer Stock (1950)
To Jane Falbury's New England farm comes a troup of actors to put up a show, invited by Jane's sister. At first reluctant she has them do farm chores in exchange for food. Her reluctance becomes attraction when she falls in love with the director, Joe, who happens to be her sister's fiance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIvanhoe (1952)
Sir Walter Scott's classic story of the chivalrous Ivanhoe who joins with Robin of Locksley in the fight against Prince John and for the return of King Richard the Lionheart.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & history
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBeauty and the Beast (1987)
To save her father, a girl who always puts others before herself promises to live her life in a lavish castle with a strange beast.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMadhosh (1994)
Much to his disapproval, a wealthy man finds history repeating itself when his daughter falls in love with a poor boy, who also happens to be the son of a past enemy.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance & music
Aaj Aur Kal (1963)
An over-bearing oppressive emperor continues to preside over a region in post-independent India along with his subdued children.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Shukriyaa (1988)
Young and playful Neema's prank with a live electric wire kills her mother, and leaves her dad, Dayal, angered and devastated by Neema and his wife's death respectively. Dayal begins to resent his daughter so much so that he cannot stand the sight of her. Neema grows up to be nervous and insecure young woman, klutz-like, and terrified of her father. Things change for the better , when she meets the owner of a restaurant, Ajay Singh, and both fall in love w When Dayal comes to know of this, his anger knows no bounds, and he forbids her to ever see Ajay again. When Ajay finds out about Dayal's plan to marry Neema elsewhere, he is determined to marry Neema at all costs - and so is Neema, who now seems to have given up her timidity. What Neema does not know is that Ajay does not love her - all he is interested is humiliating and possibly killing Dayal - to set right a devastating incident that changed his life forever when he was a child. Will Ajay be able to carry out his deadly task?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Benazir (1964)
Sibling rivalry abounds in this film about two privileged brothers, Anwar and Nawab, and the women who come between them. Nawab, although a married man and father, engages in frequent secret rendezvous with his mistress, Benazir. Meanwhile, Anwar declares his love for a woman named Shahida, whom he desires to wed. So when Nawab witnesses Anwar in the arms of the lovely Benazir, he's outraged -- and puzzled -- by the brotherly betrayal.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Hamara Khandaan (1988)
Vishal (Rishi Kapoor) comes from a wealthy Hindu family. His father is well known Chandraprakash Singh (Amrish Puri), and his mom is a housewife, Sharda (Asha Parekh). Vishal falls in love with a young Catholic girl, Ruby Miranda (Farha). While Ruby's dad (Alok Nath) approves of the marriage, Chandraprakash does not, and will not even hear of his son marrying someone not of equal status in wealth, leave alone a different religion. He is all the more enraged when he learns that Vishal is not really his son.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Dilwaala (1986)
Ravi Kumar is the younger brother of Judge Soumitra Devi and Mohan Kumar. He and his sister have different views and ideas. They lack understanding and that is why he decides to be apart from his sister. Raghu is the son of MLA Raj Shekhar. He marries Kamla, daughter of a poor man Ganesh on the wish of his father who wants to take political advantage of the marriage. But things go wrong and Kamla is killed by Raghu. Now, he makes different attempts to save his son from law. Now all the movie tells his attempts to save his son and Ravi's attempts to give his son the punishment. There are also other small things happening in life of other characters.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa (2002)
U.S. settled Esha (Esha Deol) is attracted to fellow-student Rahul (Tushar Kapoor). Rahul too is attracted to Esha. Esha returns home to India and tells her parents (Raj Babbar, Nina Kulkarni) about her love for Rahul. The family is pleased, and proceeds to finalize the marriage. They accompany Esha to Rahul's house. Rahul's parents (Rajesh Khanna, Smita Jaykar) approve of Esha. But when they ask Rahul, to everyone's shock, he refuses to marry Esha under any circumstances.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Chingaari (2006)
Mithun Chakraborty plays a powerful and domineering priest who rules his temple and the surrounding village with an iron fist, all supposedly for the sake of religion. He becomes enamored with a prostitute (Sushmita Sen) from a local brothel and begins spending more and more time with her. But when the village postman (Anuj Sawhney) takes a liking to her as well, the priest is forced to deal with him and a growing village rebellion.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Sharada (1957)
After Shekhar (Raj Kapoor) falls for beautiful Sharada (Meena Kumari), he makes her promise that she'll wait for him while he goes abroad on a business trip. But when Shekhar's plane goes down in flames, Sharada finds comfort in the arms of another man, not knowing that he's Shekhar's widowed father (Raj Mehra). Trouble is, Shekhar survived the crash and soon returns home, only to discover that Sharada has become … his mother!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Zid (1994)
Jay is the only child and has been brought up with his grandmother, who pampers him, and never refuses him anything. When Jay wants a horse, she gets one, and he names it "Didaara". But Jay's love for the horse becomes a obsession, he becomes an ardent though inexperienced rider, and suffers an injury. His grandmother decides that it is time that she gave away Dildaara. When Jay finds that his horse is missing, he confronts his grandmother, and is shocked to learn that she has given away his horse. His grandmother does not know that by giving away his horse, she has changed her's and his lives forever - for Jay leaves and never returns. But how can Jay, a young man, without any skills, survive any single day without his grandmother's support?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
Like Anarkali and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Anarkali?
The closest matches to Anarkali are Brigadoon (1954), Press Play (2022) and Salsa (1988). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Anarkali?
Start with Brigadoon (1954), the closest match to Anarkali.
What is the highest-rated movie like Anarkali?
Cold Mountain (2003), rated 6.9/10 by 2,052 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Anarkali?
Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration (2022) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Hindi movies like Anarkali?
Yes: Madhosh (1994), Aaj Aur Kal (1963) and Shukriyaa (1988).
How are movies similar to Anarkali chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Anarkali, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.