Movies like The Beatrice Arthur Special (1980)
The best movies like The Beatrice Arthur Special (1980) are Bo Burnham: What. (2013), Back to the Beach (1987) and Flight of the Conchords: Live in London (2018). If The Beatrice Arthur Special hooked you with its comedy and music, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedBo Burnham: What. (2013)7.8/10 from 284 votes
- NewestA Very Jonas Christmas Movie (2025)Released 2025
Bo Burnham: What. (2013)
Left brain and right brain duke it out and then belt out a tune in comedian Bo Burnham's quick and clever one-man show. As intelligent as he is lanky, Burnham cynically pokes at pop entertainment while offering unadulterated showmanship of his own.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBack to the Beach (1987)
A former beach boy and his wife go to California to visit their daughter and become part of the new beach scene.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
SnoozefestMovies like thisFlight of the Conchords: Live in London (2018)
New Zealand’s 4th Most Popular Parody Duo are back for a mutha-uckin’ special concert live at the London Apollo.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Very Jonas Christmas Movie (2025)
Kevin, Nick, and Joe Jonas face a series of escalating obstacles as they struggle to make it from London to New York in time to spend Christmas with their families.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRock 'n' Roll High School (1979)
A group of rock-music-loving students, with the help of the Ramones, take over their school to combat its newly installed oppressive administration.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies 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: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBeach Party (1963)
Anthropology Professor Robert Orwell Sutwell and his secretary Marianne are studying the sex habits of teenagers. The surfing teens led by Frankie and Dee Dee don't have much sex but they sing, battle the motorcycle rats and mice led by Eric Von Zipper and dance to Dick Dale and the Del Tones.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
SnoozefestMovies like thisAt the Circus (1939)
Jeff Wilson, the owner of a small circus, owes his partner Carter $10,000. Before Jeff can pay, Carter's accomplices steal the money so he can take over the circus. Antonio Pirelli and Punchy, who work at the circus, together with lawyer Loophole try to find the thief and get the money back.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChris Rock: Kill the Messenger (2008)
An HBO special edited from three performances from Chris Rock's 2008 comedy tour: London (dark suit, dark shirt), Johannesburg (black suit, white shirt) and New York (shiny jacket). Topics include the ongoing presidential campaign, the possibility of a black president, George W. Bush, gas prices, low-paid jobs, ringtones and bottled water, sex, relationships and the correct use of the n-word
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHow to Irritate People (1969)
A pre-Monty Python mockumentary, written by and presented by John Cleese, that provides tips on learning how to irritate people.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEddie Murphy: Delirious (1983)
Taped live and in concert at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. in August, 1983, Eddie Murphy: Delirious captures Eddie Murphy's wild and outrageous stand-up comedy act, which he performed in New York and eighteen other cities across the U.S. to standing-room-only audiences. Eddie's comedy was groundbreaking, completely new, razor sharp and definitely funny.Eddie Murphy pontificates in his own vulgarly hilarious fashion on everything from bizarre sexual fantasies to reliving the family barbecue, and is peppered with Eddie's one-of-a-kind wit. Laugh along as Eddie reminiscences of hot childhood days and the ice cream man intermixed with classic vocal parodies of top American entertainers.Experience Eddie Murphy at his best, live and red hot! Delirious! Uncensored and Uncut!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMonty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982)
Monty Python perform many of their greatest sketches at the Hollywood Bowl, including several from pre-Python days.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKevin Hart: Laugh at My Pain (2011)
Experience the show that quickly became a national phenomenon. Get an up-close and personal look at Kevin back in Philly where he began his journey to become one of the funniest comedians of all time.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWhitney Cummings: Can I Touch It? (2019)
In her fourth stand-up special, Whitney Cummings returns to her hometown of Washington, D.C., and riffs on modern feminism, technology and more.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChris Rock: Tamborine (2018)
Chris Rock takes the stage for his first comedy special in 10 years, filled with searing observations on fatherhood, infidelity and American politics.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKevin Hart: I'm a Grown Little Man (2009)
Fresh off the heels of appearing in movies like Superhero Movie and The 40 Year-Old Virgin, fast-talking comedian Kevin Hart stars in this live stand-up performance where he makes fun of everything and everybody - especially himself.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisRay Romano: Right Here, Around the Corner (2019)
Ray Romano first cut his stand-up teeth at the Comedy Cellar in New York. Now, in his first comedy special in 23 years, he returns to where it all began.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Parks and Recreation Special (2020)
Pawnee's most dedicated civil servant, Leslie Knope, is determined to stay connected to her friends in a time of social distancing.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies 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 thisThunderstruck (2012)
After NBA star Kevin Durant switches talent with 16 year old Brian, the teenager becomes the star of his high school team, but Durant starts struggling and eventually learns an important lesson.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWonderful 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 & comedy
Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical (2006)
From an ominous Lecturer, a small 1930s middle American community learns of the Harper Affair, in which young Jimmy Harper finds his life of promise turn into a life of debauchery and murder thanks to the new drug menace marijuana. Along the way, he receives help from his girlfriend Mary and Jesus Himself, but always finds himself in the arms of the Reefer Man and the rest of the denizens of the Reefer Den.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff Special (1971)
This was the first of two one-hour musical specials which were part of CBS' 1968 multi-million-dollar contract with Doris Day's production company, a contract that Day insists to this day was negotiated by her husband and manager Martin Melcher without her knowledge. When Melcher died suddenly in April 1968, Day chose to go ahead and honour the contract, appearing in both specials as well as starring in her eponymous sitcom for five seasons, from 1968-1973.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music & comedy
Julie and Carol: Together Again (1989)
Carol Burnett and Julie Andrews join forces for their third TV Special. Following the format of their first two specials, Julie and Carol: Together Again is an entertaining hour of comedy, song, and dance, featuring clips from their first performances together, an extended medley of 70s and 80s hit songs and even riotous a rap number!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music & comedy
Doris Day Today (1975)
America's sweetheart Doris Day offers songs and sketches with some of her famous friends in this smash hit television special from 1975. John Denver and Day sing a few entertaining duets, and funnyman Tim Conway joins in on a couple of skits. Then, Rich Little impersonates some of Day's legendary co-stars, including Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart and Jack Lemmon. Songs include selections from Love Me or Leave Me, Teacher's Pet, Calamity Jane and more.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy & music
Carlin at Carnegie (1983)
Recorded at Carnegie Hall, New York City in 1982, released in 1983. Most of the material comes from his A Place for My Stuff, the album released earlier that same year. The final performance of "Seven Dirty Words," his last recorded performance of the routine, features Carlin's updated list.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGeorge Carlin: What Am I Doing in New Jersey? (1988)
George Carlin changes his act by bringing politics into the act, but also talks about the People he can do without, Keeping People Alert, and Cars and Driving part 2.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGeorge Carlin: On Campus (1984)
George Carlin hits the boards with the former Hippie-Dippie Weatherman's take on Brooklynese pronunciations of the names of sexually transmitted disease ("hoipes"), plus a prayer for the separation of church and state, feuds between breakfast foods, and the absurdity of wearing jungle camouflage in a desert.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisOlivia Newton-John: Hollywood Nights (1980)
In this variety special, Olivia shares the evening with Andy Gibb, Elton John, Ted Knight, Gene Kelly and Toni Tennille. The special included songs from Grease and the Totally Hot album as well as some other artists' covers : the Eagles, Bob Seger, Elton John and Buddy Holly. Olivia also performed a parody of the jazz/blues classic Makin' Whoopee with Gene Kelly, changing the lyrics to Makin' Movies and dealing with Olivia's dream of producing a musical. The show was aired internationally and did very well in the ratings, as did her two previous US television specials on the same network. It is to be noted that Tina Turner's appearance on Olivia's special helped her sign a contract with then Olivia's manager Roger Davies, who ultimately helped her to go back into the spotlight.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Kathy Griffin: Straight to Hell (2007)
Kathy Griffin talks about her Emmy acceptance speech, Larry Craig, Paris Hilton, Paula Abdul, and "The View" (1997). Filmed live at the Chicago Theater - 175 N State St, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Beatrice Arthur Special?
The closest matches to The Beatrice Arthur Special are Bo Burnham: What. (2013), Back to the Beach (1987) and Flight of the Conchords: Live in London (2018). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Beatrice Arthur Special?
Start with Bo Burnham: What. (2013), the closest match to The Beatrice Arthur Special.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Beatrice Arthur Special?
Bo Burnham: What. (2013), rated 7.8/10 by 284 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Beatrice Arthur Special?
A Very Jonas Christmas Movie (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like The Beatrice Arthur Special?
Yes: Bo Burnham: What. (2013), Back to the Beach (1987) and Flight of the Conchords: Live in London (2018).
How are movies similar to The Beatrice Arthur Special chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Beatrice Arthur Special, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.