Movies like Arabesque (1989)
The best movies like Arabesque (1989) are Scooby-Doo! and the Legend of the Vampire (2003), Drumline: A New Beat (2014) and Afterlife of the Party (2021). If Arabesque hooked you with its comedy and fantasy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex (2013)7.9/10 from 1,096 votes
- NewestCode 3 (2025)Released 2025
Scooby-Doo! and the Legend of the Vampire (2003)
The Yowie Yahoo starts kidnapping musicians at a concert attended by Scooby and the gang in Vampire Rock, Australia.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDrumline: A New Beat (2014)
A girl from New York attends a college in Atlanta to join their once-famous marching band.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAfterlife of the Party (2021)
A social butterfly who dies during her birthday week is given a second chance to right her wrongs on Earth.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe People's Joker (2024)
An aspiring clown grappling with her gender identity combats a fascistic caped crusader.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)
A childless couple bury a box in their backyard, containing all of their wishes for an infant. Soon, a child is born, though Timothy Green is not all that he appears.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCode 3 (2025)
A burned-out paramedic tries to survive his last 24 hours on the job while training a new recruit.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBilo the Banker (1980)
Bilo is a goodhearted man who wants to marry the cutest girl in the village but needs money to take the consent from her father. His best friend Mahmut offers him a way to go to Germany and work in a factory to save up the money he needs.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & comedy
Worth the HypeMovies 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 thisThe Clique (2008)
A young girl tries to fit in with a clique of popular middle school girls after moving into the guest house of one of their homes.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisNightingale (1979)
The comical story of Şaban, who came to Istanbul to earn his dowry and, by chance, became a famous folk singer known as Şaban Ballıses.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSecret Society of Second-Born Royals (2020)
A rebellious teenage princess discovers she has superhuman abilities and joins a secret society of extraordinary second-born royals tasked with protecting the world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & fantasy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe 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 thisPardon (2005)
Based on a true event, Pardon tells the tragicomic story of three friends who end up in prison when they are mistaken as members of a terrorist organization. Ibrahim's fear of uniforms makes him runaway whenever he sees one. Because of this, police mistakes him with a terrorist and takes him and his friend Muzo into custody. Fooled by the police during the interrogation they name another friend, Aydin, in hope of saving themselves. As they all end up in prison, they remember the families and lovers they left behind.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Willoughbys (2020)
When the four Willoughby children are abandoned by their selfish parents, they must learn how to adapt their Old-Fashioned values to the contemporary world in order to create something new: The Modern Family.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFamily Weekend (2013)
A 16-year-old girl takes her parents hostage after they miss her big jump-roping competition.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Cable Guy (1996)
When recently single Steven moves into his new apartment, cable guy Chip comes to hook him up—and doesn't let go. Initially, Chip is just overzealous in his desire to be Steven's pal, but when Steven tries to end the 'friendship', Chip shows his dark side. He begins stalking Steven, who's left to fend for himself because no one else can believe Chip's capable of such behaviour.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Chaos Class (1975)
A group of affluent private school slackers enjoy a prankster lifestyle until a tough new disciplinarian headmaster arrives.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisKermit's Swamp Years (2002)
At 12 years old, Kermit the Frog and best friends Goggles and Croaker travel outside their homes in the swamps of the Deep South to do something extraordinary with their lives.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both fantasy & comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex (2013)
While trying to prove to her family she can be mature and responsible, teen wizard Alex Russo conjures up a spell to rid herself of her bad qualities, unintentionally creating a Good and Evil Alex. When Evil Alex gets involved in a plan to take over the world by a dark wizard, Good Alex must find a way to save her family, humankind, and ultimately herself in an epic Good vs. Evil battle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & fantasy
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisSlumberland (2022)
A young girl discovers a secret map to the dreamworld of Slumberland, and with the help of an eccentric outlaw, she traverses dreams and flees nightmares, with the hope that she will be able to see her late father again.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & fantasy
Worth the HypeMovies 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: Similar story and style · both comedy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStuart (2023)
An episodic short that details the heartbreak of nine individuals
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & drama
Bad News (1983)
A documentary crew films heavy metal band Bad News as they have trouble starting their van, pick up a schoolgirl groupie, and meet up with rock journalist Sally at a motorway service station where they argue about the cost of sausage and chips.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & music
More Bad News (1988)
Four years after they were last the subject of a documentary, the heavy metal band Bad News get back together again for another film of their exploits, beginning with a reunion gig at the Flying Horse.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & music
Frankenstein General Hospital (1988)
A mad doctor puts together a new body by using body parts he steals from a mortuary at the hospital where he works.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)
Robin Hood comes home after fighting in the Crusades to learn that the noble King Richard is in exile and that the despotic King John now rules England, with the help of the Sheriff of Rottingham. Robin Hood assembles a band of fellow patriots to do battle with King John and the Sheriff.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHisashi Eguchi's Kotobuki Goro Show (1991)
In this anthology of animation parodies based on the manga of Hisashi Eguchi, an obscene family ascends to Japanese high society; a boxing prodigy faces his sex-crazed rival in the ring; and scientists get caught in a game of rock-paper-scissors with increasingly dangerous giant monsters.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Jesse James vs. Lokum Shekerov (1966)
American filmmakers associated with the mafia are concerned about the great success of Bulgarian films around the world. They decided to send a big spy, Jesse James, to Bulgaria. His task is to blow up the film studios. But the Bulgarian inspector Lokum Shekerov is at his post.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
This Girl for Hire (1983)
In this pilot for a proposed TV series, B.T. Brady is a flippant, but somewhat klutzy female private detective in Hollywood who sets out to solve the murder of a obnoxious mystery writer. Along the way, Brady gets help from her flamboyant mother Zandra, a washed-up actress, as well as Brady's live-in boyfriend Wolfe who runs a memorabilia shop.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
VeggieTales: Tomato Sawyer & Huckleberry Larry's Big River Rescue (2008)
Meet Tomato Sawyer and Huckleberry Larry a two friends homesteading along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. Tom and Huck look forward to owning their own land, building a home and opening Huckas Jerkyland and Tomas Tax Preparation. But everything changes when they meet a mysterious stranger who is on the run and trying to find his mama. Will Huck and Tom risk losing all theyave worked for in order to help someone they hardly know? Find out in this exciting river rescue that reminds kids of the importance of helping others.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Like Arabesque and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Arabesque?
The closest matches to Arabesque are Scooby-Doo! and the Legend of the Vampire (2003), Drumline: A New Beat (2014) and Afterlife of the Party (2021). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Arabesque?
Start with Scooby-Doo! and the Legend of the Vampire (2003), the closest match to Arabesque.
What is the highest-rated movie like Arabesque?
The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex (2013), rated 7.9/10 by 1,096 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Arabesque?
Code 3 (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to Arabesque chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Arabesque, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.