Movies like What a Life (1939)
The best movies like What a Life (1939) are Sometimes Always Never (2019), Where the Money Is (2000) and Better Living Through Chemistry (2014). If What a Life hooked you with its drama and comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedLouis C.K.: Hilarious (2010)7.8/10 from 320 votes
- NewestSpotless (2024)Released 2024
Sometimes Always Never (2019)
Alan is a stylish tailor with moves as sharp as his suits. He has spent years searching tirelessly for his missing son Michael who stormed out over a game of Scrabble. With a body to identify and his family torn apart, Alan must repair the relationship with his youngest son and solve the mystery of an online player who he thinks could be Michael, so he can finally move on and reunite his family.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWhere the Money Is (2000)
Henry Manning has come up with a new way to break out of prison: fake a stroke and get transferred to a nursing home. It's a perfect plan, except for one thing: the woman assigned to take care of him at the nursing home, Carol Ann McKay, has a plan of her own.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisBetter Living Through Chemistry (2014)
A straight-laced pharmacist's uneventful life spirals out of control when he starts an affair with a trophy wife customer who takes him on a joyride involving sex, drugs and possibly murder.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisMadea Goes to Jail - The Play (2006)
Madea returns in another hilarious story in which she gets sent to the big house. But regardless of the circumstances, she gives her trademark advice and wisdom to her friends and family as they learn the importance of letting go, moving on, and forgiveness.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisChang Can Dunk (2023)
Chang, a 16-year-old, Asian American, bets the high school basketball star that he can dunk by Homecoming. The bet leads 5' 8" Chang on a quest to learn to dunk—not only to impress his crush, Kristy, but to gain the respect of his high school peers too. But before he can rise up and truly throw one down, he'll have to reexamine everything he knows about himself, his friendships and his family.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDon't Think Twice (2016)
An improv group deals with several crises, including the loss of their lease and one member hitting the big time.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThree Wise Men and a Baby (2022)
Three brothers get the surprise of their lives when they are forced to work together to care for a baby over the holidays. As they slowly get the hang of things, they find themselves on unexpected journeys of self-discovery and begin to rebuild their relationships as brothers, as well as the damaged romantic and professional relationships in their respective lives…all while rediscovering their love of Christmas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWild Oats (2016)
Everything changes for Eva when she receives an insurance settlement check accidentally made out for $5,000,000 instead of the expected $50,000. She and her best friend take the money and head out for the adventure of a lifetime.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChloe and Theo (2015)
A young woman, Chloe, living by her wits on the streets of New York City, has a chance meeting with a wise Inuit Eskimo, Theo, who was sent to New York by his elders to provide a message to the people of the world – We either change our destructive was or be destroyed by them. Chloe, who has been searching for something to believe in, becomes inspired by Theo and , with the help of a kind lawyer, Monica, the three of them present Theo’s story to the United Nations in hopes of creating a better future for all of us.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisMr. Morgan's Last Love (2013)
A widowed professor living in Paris develops a special relationship with a younger French woman.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFree Rein: The Twelve Neighs of Christmas (2018)
As Bright Fields preps for its Mistletoe Ball, a broken ornament leads Zoe to a family secret, while Gaby finds herself at the mercy of new boss Mia.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBandslam (2009)
A new kid in town assembles a fledgling rock band — together, they achieve their dreams and compete against the best in the biggest event of the year, a battle of the bands.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisFeel the Beat (2020)
After failing to make it on Broadway, April returns to her hometown and reluctantly begins training a misfit group of young dancers for a competition.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWrong Cops (2013)
A group of bad cops look to dispose of a body that one of them accidentally shot.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLouis C.K.: Hilarious (2010)
In this unique and dynamic live concert experience, Louis C.K.'s exploration of life after 40 destroys politically correct images of modern life with thoughts we have all had...but would rarely admit to.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAdventures in Public School (2018)
A socially-awkward, home-schooled kid forces his way into public school against his suffocating, but loving, mother's wishes.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSwitched (2020)
Tired of being bullied, Cassandra Evans prays that her nemesis, Katie Sharp, the queen bee of social media, would know what it’s like to walk a day in her shoes. Her prayer is answered in an unexpected way when they get switched.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAirborne (1993)
Good-natured teen surfer Mitchell Goosen finds himself staying with his aunt and uncle in Cincinnati, Ohio when his parents head to Australia for work. There he meets his cousin, Wiley, and together they try to navigate the perils of high school—avoid the bullies, get the girl, and win a little respect.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRookie of the Year (1993)
When the cast comes off his once broken arm, a 12-year-old boy can throw a 100-mile-an-hour fastball, and the Chicago Cubs want him as their new pitcher.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Girl Most Likely To... (1973)
An ugly girl undergoes plastic surgery and becomes beautiful. She then takes revenge on all the people who mistreated her when she was ugly.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSpotless (2024)
Gloria sneaks into a stranger's house and examines every corner until she finds what she is looking for. The excitement of the dirt and chaos around her produces a rhythmic orgasm.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & drama
Only one night (2022)
Tamer has a one night stand. He never sees the woman he was with again. His wife, Begüm, becomes suspicious of his behavior and makes him confess his crime. Tamer begs for forgiveness.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & comedy
Dunny (2006)
An obese 11-year-old attempts to give a love letter to his elementary school crush and winds up at dinner with her intensely suburban family and her new flame.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & drama
Henry Aldrich Swings It (1943)
Teenager Henry Aldrich decides to take matters into his own hands when his high school principal forbids the student band from playing swing music.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Henry Aldrich Gets Glamour (1943)
Teenager Henry Aldrich becomes a hometown celebrity when he wins a date with a sexy movie star. The sixth entry in the "Henry Aldrich" series of eleven films.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Henry Aldrich Haunts a House (1943)
Henry Aldrich and his high-school pals investigate a local haunted house.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Henry Aldrich, Boy Scout (1944)
Henry and his pal Dizzy become Boy Scout leaders, but a spoiled brat in their troop quickly proves to cause them no end of trouble.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Henry Aldrich's Little Secret (1944)
Teenager Henry Aldrich and his pal Dizzy decide to try and earn extra money by starting a babysitting service.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Henry Aldrich Plays Cupid (1944)
High-school student Henry Aldrich hopes to improve his grades by finding a sweetheart for his unmarried teacher.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Henry and Dizzy (1942)
After accidentally sinking a borrowed motorboat, teenager Henry Aldrich scrambles to raise the replacement cash the boat's owner demands. The catch: Henry only has two days to come up with the funds, or the boat's angry owner will turn him over to the police.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Like What a Life and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like What a Life?
The closest matches to What a Life are Sometimes Always Never (2019), Where the Money Is (2000) and Better Living Through Chemistry (2014). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after What a Life?
Start with Sometimes Always Never (2019), the closest match to What a Life.
What is the highest-rated movie like What a Life?
Louis C.K.: Hilarious (2010), rated 7.8/10 by 320 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like What a Life?
Spotless (2024) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like What a Life?
Yes: Sometimes Always Never (2019), Where the Money Is (2000) and Better Living Through Chemistry (2014).
How are movies similar to What a Life chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside What a Life, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.