Movies like The Musical, or The Way to Happiness (2016)
The best movies like The Musical, or The Way to Happiness (2016) are Salsa (1988), Make Your Move (2013) and Shawn Mendes: Live in Concert (2020). If The Musical, or The Way to Happiness hooked you with its romance and music, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedGhost (1990)7.3/10 from 6,312 votes
- NewestTaylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show (2025)Released 2025
Salsa (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 thisMake Your Move (2013)
A pair of star-crossed dancers in New York find themselves at the center of a bitter rivalry between their brothers' underground dance clubs.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
SnoozefestMovies like thisShawn Mendes: Live in Concert (2020)
In his hometown of Toronto, Shawn Mendes pours his heart out on stage with a live performance in a stadium packed with adoring fans.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisVirginia City (1940)
Union officer Kerry Bradford escapes from a Confederate prison and races to intercept $5 million in gold destined for Confederate coffers. A Confederate sympathizer and a Mexican bandit, each with their own stake in the loot, stand in his way.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOlivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour (2024)
At a sold-out concert in her hometown of LA, Olivia Rodrigo pours her heart into an electrifying night of chart-topping hits and pop-rock power ballads.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSecret Millionaire (2018)
When a bored millionaire (Steve Lund) is mistaken for a parking attendant by a beautiful girl (Siobhan Williams) who is protesting against his family’s intention of closing a local park, he uses the misunderstanding to get to know her better.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAll of My Heart: Inn Love (2017)
Brian and Jenny are preparing for the grand opening of their bed and breakfast, Emily's Country Inn, when a big storm hits Buck County. Brian agrees to go back to Wall Street to boost their funds, while Jenny scrambles to keep the opening on track.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPoinsettias for Christmas (2018)
It’s just weeks before Christmas when Ellie gets a call to return home to help her father on the family’s poinsettia farm. The family business is on the line to deliver tens of thousands of plants for the town’s annual parade. The problem is — the poinsettias have yet to turn red! As Ellie searches for the solution, she is reminded of where her heart truly lies as she falls in love with both her roots and a local botanist.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNight Train to Lisbon (2013)
Raimund Gregorius, having saved a beautiful Portuguese woman from leaping to her death, stumbles upon a mesmerizing book by a Portuguese author, which compels him to suddenly abandon the boring life he has led for years and to embark on an enthralling adventure. In search of the author, Gregorius acts as detective, pulling together pieces of a puzzle that involves political and emotional intrigue and the highest possible stakes. His voyage is one that transcends time and space, delving into the realms of history, medicine and love, all in search of true meaning to his life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSafe Haven (2013)
A young woman with a mysterious past lands in Southport, North Carolina where her bond with a widower forces her to confront the dark secret that haunts her.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Royal Christmas (2014)
A young working girl with a blue-collar background is surprised when her new fiancé announces he is actually a prince of a small sovereign country in Europe. After the couple quickly takes off to spend the holidays at his family’s sprawling, royal castle, she must work hard to win over her disapproving and unaccepting future mother-in-law—the Queen—and find out if love truly can conquer all.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOne Direction: Where We Are - The Concert Film (2014)
Where We Are: Live from San Siro Stadium features the entire 23 track concert filmed at San Siro Stadium in Milan in June 2014, as well as 24 minutes of bonus content including backstage footage of One Direction and their crew.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMadonna: The Immaculate Collection (1990)
The Immaculate Collection is the first commercially released greatest videos compilation by singer Madonna. Released on November 13, 1990 to accompany the audio CD, it contained hits spanning 1983-1990. The collection won "Best Long Form Video" category at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards. Includes the following videos: 1. Lucky Star 2. Borderline 3. Like a Virgin 4. Material Girl 5. Papa Don't Preach 6. Open Your Heart 7. La Isla Bonita 8. Like a Prayer 9. Express Yourself 10. Cherish 11. Oh Father 12. Vogue 13. Vogue (1990 MTV Awards Show Performance)
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisTaylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show (2025)
Filmed at the end of Taylor Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour in Vancouver, B.C., this complete, in-depth 45-song concert includes the complete 'The Tortured Poets Department' set and special mashups.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisGhost (1990)
After a young man is murdered, his spirit stays behind to warn his lover of impending danger, with the help of a reluctant psychic.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Tourist (2010)
American tourist Frank meets mysterious British woman Elise on the train to Venice. Romance seems to bud, but there's more to her than meets the eye.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both 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 music
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisMoonwalker (1988)
This fantastical movie inspired by the music of Michael Jackson features imaginative interpretations of hit tracks from the iconic 1987 album “Bad”.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBad Date Chronicles (2017)
Leigh runs the website "Bad Date Chronicles," which allows people to anonymously post horrible date experiences. When rival blogger Conner becomes the subject of one of her posts, they agree to date each other to see which one is the "bad dater."
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPrince Charming (2001)
After an extramarital indiscretion, a fairy-tale prince and his sidekick are turned into frogs for all eternity or until the prince can convince a maiden to kiss and then marry him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSnow Lotus (2008)
A Tibetan girl, who’d be a bride, could sing the traditional folk song Ganglamedo magically and elegantly. Her name was the same as the name of the song. But she disappeared in the night of her wedding. 60 years later, An Yu, a singer of Han nationality, became hot for singing Ganglamedo. But she lost her voice in a performance and then she disappeared, too. Is Ganglamedo a beautiful curse?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance & music
Bikini Beach (1964)
A millionaire sets out to prove his theory that his pet chimpanzee is as intelligent as the teenagers who hang out on the local beach, where he is intending to build a retirement home.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music & romance
The Csardas Princess (1934)
Sylva Varescu is an operetta singer performing Kálmán's Die Czardasfürstin through Europe with great success. Before going to Vienna she meets handsome Prinz Weylerstein and they fall in love. Offered a contract for America, she doubts until she finds out that he is already engaged to a countess.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music & romance
Wonderful Town (1958)
Ruth Sherwood and her sister, Eileen, have moved to 1935 Greenwich Village. They're surrounded by colorful Village characters (including an out-of-work football player known as the Wreck, and Mr. Appopolous, a modern painter and their landlord) and embark on various New York adventures. Ruth, who's trying to make it as a writer, meets up with a sleazy newspaper writer named Chick and a kindly editor named Bob, both of whom take an interest in both her career and her.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music & romance
Marina (1960)
Several young music enthusiasts find a helpful supporter of their passion—singing and making music—in the endearing, friendly elderly gentleman Mr. Herzlieb, who works as a night watchman at a pawnshop specializing in musical instruments. Using a shortwave transmitter, they are even able to broadcast their pop songs all the way to Brazil, after which the music lovers are offered a gig. A German "Schlager-Film" (a musical comedy with popular songs).
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music & romance
Octet (TBA)
Eight internet-obsessed people meet in a church basement and lock their phones in a box. They follow the octet as they struggle with digital dependency, charting their compulsions using only the analog vibrancy of their own voices.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Bran Nue Dae (2009)
In the Summer of 1965 a young man is filled with the life of the idyllic old pearling port Broome - fishing, hanging out with his mates and his girl. However his mother returns him to the religious mission for further schooling. After being punished for an act of youthful rebellion, he runs away from the mission on a journey that ultimately leads him back home.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance
The Little Black Fish (2025)
The Little Black Fish tells the tale of a small, inquisitive fish who dares to question the limitations of her world—the stream where generations of fish have lived without exploring beyond. Driven by curiosity and a thirst for truth, she embarks on a brave journey beyond the known waters, encountering various creatures, dangers, and wonders. Her journey becomes a powerful metaphor for resistance, growth, and the importance of independent thought.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Not Far From Heaven (1987)
A folk musical about a musician named Šimaľ, who goes to heaven after death. He gradually discovers that the other world is actually just a mirror image of the earthly world and that he can only find true paradise in his native land.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
The Portrait (2018)
A musical tale about two impoverished sisters' anguish over whether or not to sell the final masterpiece of their recluse father days before the second world war, in Manila.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Like The Musical, or The Way to Happiness and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Musical, or The Way to Happiness?
The closest matches to The Musical, or The Way to Happiness are Salsa (1988), Make Your Move (2013) and Shawn Mendes: Live in Concert (2020). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Musical, or The Way to Happiness?
Start with Salsa (1988), the closest match to The Musical, or The Way to Happiness.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Musical, or The Way to Happiness?
Ghost (1990), rated 7.3/10 by 6,312 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Musical, or The Way to Happiness?
Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to The Musical, or The Way to Happiness chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Musical, or The Way to Happiness, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.