Movies like Reel 1 (1971)
The best movies like Reel 1 (1971) are Airplane! (1980), Fear of a Black Hat (1994) and A Day at the Races (1937). If Reel 1 hooked you, these 20 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Reel 1
Quick picks
- Highest ratedTony (2026)7.4/10 from 204 votes
- NewestTony (2026)Released 2026
Airplane! (1980)
An ex-fighter pilot is forced to take over the controls of an airliner when the flight crew succumbs to food poisoning.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFear of a Black Hat (1994)
Chronicling the controversial career of bad boys N.W.H. (Niggaz With Hats), this uproarious 'mockumentary' lampoons all of hardcore rap's hot-button issues. This underground laugh riot recounts the rise, fall and resurrection of a clueless bunch of would-be rappers, Ice Cold, Tone-Def & Tasty Taste performing as N.W.H.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Day at the Races (1937)
Doctor Hugo Hackenbush, Tony, and Stuffy try and save Judy's sanitarium by winning a big race with a finicky horse owned by Judy's boyfriend Gil. There are a few problems. Hackenbush, who was recently put in charge of the sanitarium, isn't really a doctor, he's a veterinarian.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTony (2026)
A 19-year-old Anthony Bourdain travels to Provincetown and stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen, setting off a summer that will shape the course of his life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisUHF (1989)
The eccentric new manager of a UHF television channel tries to save the station from financial ruin with an odd array of programming.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
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
Popcorn FlickMovies 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
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAsylum (1972)
A young psychiatrist applies for a job at a mental asylum and must pass a test by interviewing four patients. He must figure out which of the patients, is in fact, the doctor that he would be replacing if hired.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBo Burnham: Words, Words, Words (2010)
Bo Burnham is back with a new one-man show full of his patented songs and wordplay, as well as haikus, dramatic readings, blasphemy, and so much more in his first hour-long special, shot live in his home town of Boston.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Mighty Wind (2003)
Three eclectic, never-quite-famous folk bands come together for the first time in decades following the death of their manager to put on an reunion concert in his honor, at the request of his son.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAnima (2019)
In a short musical film directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, Thom Yorke of Radiohead stars in a mind-bending visual piece. Best played loud.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHot Shots! (1991)
The gang that created Airplane! and The Naked Gun sets its sights on Top Gun in this spoof. Topper Harley is a talented but unstable fighter pilot with an axe to grind: clearing the family name. His mission is to avenge his father and save a mission sabotaged by greedy weapons manufacturers. He also gets involved in a relationship with Ramada Thompson, a woman with an unusually talented stomach. Hot Shots! makes fun of a variety of other films, from Dances with Wolves to The Fabulous Baker Boys.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJoe's Apartment (1996)
A nice guy has just moved to New York and discovers that he must share his run-down apartment with a couple thousand singing, dancing cockroaches.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisIsn't It Romantic (2019)
For a long time, Natalie, an Australian architect living in New York City, had always believed that what she had seen in rom-coms is all fantasy. But after thwarting a mugger at a subway station only to be knocked out while fleeing, Natalie wakes up and discovers that her life has suddenly become her worst nightmare—a romantic comedy—and she is the leading lady.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJackass 3D (2010)
Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O, Wee Man and the rest of their fearless and foolhardy friends take part in another round of outrageous pranks and stunts. In addition to standing in the path of a charging bull, launching themselves into the air and crashing through various objects, the guys perform in segments such as "Sweatsuit Cocktail," "Beehive Tetherball" and "Lamborghini Tooth Pull."
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWaffle Street (2015)
The true story of Jimmy Adams, a V.P. of a $30 billion hedge fund, who loses his job and winds up working as a waiter at a waffle shop. Amidst the greasy madness of the 24-hour diner, Jimmy befriends Edward, an ex-con grill master who serves up hard lessons about life, finance, and grits.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisComedy Central Roast of Charlie Sheen (2011)
It's Charlie Sheen's turn to step in to the celebrity hot seat for the latest installment of The Comedy Central Roast.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRichard Pryor: Omit the Logic (2013)
Mike Epps, Richard Pryor Jr. and others recount the culture-defining influence of Richard Pryor - one of America's most brilliant, iconic comic minds.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCB4 (1993)
A "rockumentary", covering the rise to fame of MC Gusto, Stab Master Arson, and Dead Mike: members of the rap group "CB4". We soon learn that these three are not what they seem and don't appear to know as much about rap music as they claim... but a lack of musical ability in an artist never hurts sales, does it? You've just got to play the part of a rap star...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEddie's Million Dollar Cook Off (2003)
Junior high school student Eddie Ogden is an aspiring baseball player, but what he truly loves is cooking. Although he receives plenty of athletic encouragement from his father, who also serves as his team's coach, Eddie can't resist pursuing his culinary skills, and this decision ends up interfering with baseball. Despite the disappointment expressed by his father and friends, Eddie presses on with his cooking and enters a high-profile competition.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Reel 1?
The closest matches to Reel 1 are Airplane! (1980), Fear of a Black Hat (1994) and A Day at the Races (1937). Below are 17 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Reel 1?
Start with Airplane! (1980), the closest match to Reel 1.
What is the highest-rated movie like Reel 1?
Tony (2026), rated 7.4/10 by 204 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Reel 1?
Tony (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Reel 1?
Yes: Airplane! (1980), Fear of a Black Hat (1994) and A Day at the Races (1937).
How are movies similar to Reel 1 chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Reel 1, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.