Movies like Public Deb No. 1 (1940)
The best movies like Public Deb No. 1 (1940) are Cadet Kelly (2002), Rookie of the Year (1993) and Adventures in Public School (2018). If Public Deb No. 1 hooked you with its comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedMickey's House of Villains (2002)7.3/10 from 327 votes
- NewestThe Twits (2025)Released 2025
Cadet Kelly (2002)
Hyperactive teenager Kelly is enrolled into a military school when her new stepfather becomes the Commandant. At first she has problems fitting in and taking orders until she tries out for the drill team.
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 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 thisHow to Eat Fried Worms (2006)
During the first day of his new school year, a fifth grade boy squares off against a bully and winds up accepting a dare that could change the balance of power within the class.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Mouse That Roared (1959)
The Duchy of Grand Fenwick decides that the only way to get out of their economic woes is to declare war on the United States, lose and accept foreign aid. They send an invasion force (in chain mail, armed with bows and arrows) to New York and they arrive during a nuclear drill that has cleared the streets.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJerry Seinfeld: 23 Hours to Kill (2020)
Jerry Seinfeld takes the stage in New York and tackles talking vs. texting, bad buffets vs. so-called "great" restaurants and the magic of Pop Tarts.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStewie Griffin: The Untold Story (2005)
The maniacal baby of the Griffin family, Stewie, meets his future self. In doing this he discovers that his future image is not what he has anticipated because of a near death experience.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Anniversary (1968)
Mrs Taggart always celebrates her anniversary with her grown sons. It’s a tradition practised since the death of her husband and she is determined for it to continue. None of her three sons have dared to cross their ruthless domineering mother but this anniversary they intend to try. With cruel and brutal twists, the family get-together becomes a social nightmare beyond endurance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDennis the Menace (1993)
Mr. Wilson's ever-present annoyance comes in the form of one mischievous kid named Dennis. But he'll need Dennis's tricks to uncover a collection of gold coins that go missing when a shady drifter named Switchblade Sam comes to town.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Ladies Man (1961)
After his girl leaves him for someone else, Herbert gets really depressed and starts searching for a job. He finally finds one in a big house which is inhabited by many, many women. Can he live in the same home with all these females?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies 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
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Big Brawl (1980)
A young Asian American martial artist is forced to participate in a brutal formal street-fight competition.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisMVP 2: Most Vertical Primate (2001)
MVP 2 opens with the lovable Jack being ousted from his hockey team, the Seattle Simians, and having to hit the road after being falsely accused of league misconduct. Jack ends up in the city, where he's befriended by Ben, a homeless skateboarder, and Ollie, a skate shop owner. Jack proves to be as adept at mastering the half-pipe as he does at delivering a slap shot, and before long, he and Ben are crashing amateur skateboarder competitions all over the country.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisComedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber (2015)
Several roasters, and the master himself Kevin Hart, make fun of Justin Bieber.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Twits (2025)
When the meanest, nastiest villains pull a trick to take over their town, two brave children team up with a family of magical animals to bring them down.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisRecess: All Growed Down (2003)
T.J. and The Recess Gang are kidnapped by the Third Street School's kindergartners, who are in turn being bullied by a new kid in their class.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDiary of a Wimpy Kid (2010)
Greg Heffley is headed for big things, but first he has to survive the scariest, most humiliating experience of any kid’s life – middle school! That won’t be easy, considering he’s surrounded by hairy-freckled morons, wedgie-loving bullies and a moldy slice of cheese with nuclear cooties!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMickey's House of Villains (2002)
The villains from the popular animated Disney films are gathered at the House of Mouse with plans to take over. Soon, the villains take over the house and kick out Mickey, Donald and Goofy. It's all up to Mickey and his friends to overthrow evil and return the House of Mouse to normal--or as close to normal as it gets.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Boxtrolls (2014)
An orphaned boy raised by underground creatures called Boxtrolls comes up from the sewers and out of his box to save his family and the town from the evil exterminator, Archibald Snatcher.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition (2024)
A young, aspiring hero and superhero fan inadvertently unleashes a powerful new villain looking to rid the world of the Avengers.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMcLintock! (1963)
Aging rancher and self-made man, George Washington McLintock is forced to deal with numerous personal and professional problems. Seemingly everyone wants a piece of his enormous farmstead, including high-ranking government men and nearby Native Americans. As McLintock tries to juggle his various adversaries, his wife—who left him two years previously—suddenly returns. But she isn't interested in George; she wants custody of their daughter.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSpanked by a Ghost (2025)
Alone in her home, a woman is spanked by an unseen entity, awakening a force she cannot control.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
The Sprinkler Sprinkled (1895)
A boy steps on the hose a gardener is using to water his garden. The gardener, surprised to see the jet stop, examines the nozzle; at that moment the boy lifts his foot; the jet starts up again and the gardener gets water in the face; furious, he runs after the boy and gives him a beating.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWitch Academy (1995)
Members of an exclusive college sorority (where sadomasochism seems to rule the day) seek twisted new ways to humiliate a new pledge named Leslie Perkins, who they feel will never, ever fit in since she's something of a nerd and a prude. However the Devil has other plans and helps transform Leslie into a bodacious babe smokin' as all Hell. Only why is the Devil helping Leslie? You just got to know he has ulterior motives in mind.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Bellboy Donald (1942)
Donald tries his best to be polite and dignified as a hotel bellboy. But when his first guest is Pete Junior, the job is next to impossible.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Madea's Family Reunion (2006)
Southern matriarch Madea has a lot on her plate. Her nieces, Vanessa and Lisa, have relationship troubles - Vanessa moves into Madea's house with her 2 young children and Lisa is engaged to a controlling man that her mother set her up with. In addition, Madea has just been court-ordered to become the guardian of Nikki, a rebellious runaway teenager. Madea must keep the peace and her family together while simultaneously planning her clan's reunion.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama (1988)
Out to steal a trophy from a local bowling alley, a group of college students accidentally unleash the imp -- a sadistic little spirit that creates demons and loves sexy women.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisStrapped for Danger (2017)
When three male strippers pull off a heist, they find themselves being tracked down by a homophobic cop. Hiding out in a frat house, our three anti-heroes find themselves getting into more trouble than they were trying to escape.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Kiss Me Kate (1953)
A pair of divorced actors are brought together to participate in a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew. Of course, the couple seem to act a great deal like the characters they play, and they must work together when mistaken identities get them mixed up with the mafia.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNow That Summer Is Gone (1938)
Summer is gone, and throughout the forest young squirrels are working hard gathering acorns for the long cold winter ahead. But one such squirrel has a better idea: winning acorns by shooting dice.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Like Public Deb No. 1 and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Public Deb No. 1?
The closest matches to Public Deb No. 1 are Cadet Kelly (2002), Rookie of the Year (1993) and Adventures in Public School (2018). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Public Deb No. 1?
Start with Cadet Kelly (2002), the closest match to Public Deb No. 1.
What is the highest-rated movie like Public Deb No. 1?
Mickey's House of Villains (2002), rated 7.3/10 by 327 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Public Deb No. 1?
The Twits (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Public Deb No. 1?
Yes: Cadet Kelly (2002), Rookie of the Year (1993) and Adventures in Public School (2018).
How are movies similar to Public Deb No. 1 chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Public Deb No. 1, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.