Movies like So You Want to Be an Actor (1949)
The best movies like So You Want to Be an Actor (1949) are Will Ferrell: You're Welcome America - A Final Night with George W. Bush (2009), Hollywood Shuffle (1987) and Seriously Single (2020). If So You Want to Be an Actor hooked you with its comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
So You Want to Be an Actor
Quick picks
- Highest ratedDave Chappelle: The Closer (2021)7.1/10 from 286 votes
- NewestShane Gillis: Beautiful Dogs (2023)Released 2023
Will Ferrell: You're Welcome America - A Final Night with George W. Bush (2009)
After playing George W. Bush on Saturday Night Live for many years, funny man Will Ferrell brings his impression to Broadway to send up the 43rd President of the United States of America.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHollywood Shuffle (1987)
Aspiring actor and hot-dog stand employee Bobby Taylor catches the ire of his grandmother for auditioning for a role in the regrettably titled exploitation film "Jivetime Jimmy's Revenge." When Tinseltown Studios casts Taylor in the title role, he has a series of conflicted dreams satirizing African-American stereotypes in Hollywood, and must reconcile his career goals with his desire to remain a positive role model for his little brother.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSeriously Single (2020)
While her free-living bestie urges her to embrace singlehood, a commitment-craving social media expert can't stop following the life of a former love.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisShane Gillis: Beautiful Dogs (2023)
In a rowdy stand-up set, Shane Gillis riffs on his girlfriend's Navy SEAL ex, touring George Washington's house and being bullied by an Australian Goth.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCunk on Shakespeare (2016)
Fresh from her triumphs on Charlie Brooker's Weekly Wipe investigating time, Winston Churchill, and Donald Trump, Philomena Cunk has finally been given her own show - about William Shakespeare. Cunk will leave no stone unturned as she gets to the bottom of the Bard, visiting his birthplace, exploring the Globe, studying priceless artefacts and interviewing literally six different experts.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013)
86-year-old Irving Zisman is on a journey across America with the most unlikely companion: his 8 year-old grandson, Billy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMe Time (2022)
With his family away, a devoted stay-at-home dad enjoys his first me time in years by joining his hard-partying old friend on a wild birthday adventure.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisGabriel Iglesias: Hot and Fluffy (2007)
Gabriel Iglesias is one of the fastest-rising comics today! With his unique brand of humor, lovable stage presence and wide range of voices and impressions, it's no wonder that he already has a huge fan following. Now you can see Comedy Central's "Comic of the Year" in his sold-out performance at the historic Fox Theatre in Bakersfield, California!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Three Stooges (2012)
Left on the doorstep of an orphanage run by nuns, three newborn knuckleheads grow up to be finger-poking, nyuk-nyuking janitors named Larry, Curly and Moe. When they learn that financial problems will soon force the only home they've ever known to close, the trio sets out to raise $830,000 in one month. Out in the world for the very first time, the three innocent bumblers become embroiled in a murder plot and find stardom on a TV reality show.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies 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 thisHollywood or Bust (1956)
The last movie with Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin together, is a satire of the life in Hollywood. Steve Wiley is a deceiver who cheats Malcolm Smith when he wins a car, claiming that he won it too. Trying to steal the car, Steve tells Malcolm that he lives in Hollywood, next to Anita Ekberg's. When Malcom hears that, they both set out for Hollywood and the adventure begins...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHannibal Buress: Comedy Camisado (2016)
He's a kamikaze gambler. A one-arm cuddler. And if his fly is down, so be it. A night of sly riffs and slow burns.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWanda Sykes: Not Normal (2019)
Wanda Sykes tackles politics, reality TV, racism and the secret she'd take to the grave in this rollicking, no-holds-barred stand-up special.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisIliza Shlesinger: War Paint (2013)
Her innocent appearance is just a cover for Last Comic Standing winner Iliza Shlesinger's acerbic, stream-of-conscious comedy that she unleashes on an unsuspecting audience in her hometown of Dallas in "War Paint," her first stand-up special.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Wedding Year (2019)
A commitment-phobic 27-year old’s relationship is put to the test when she and her boyfriend attend 7 weddings in the same year.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Patsy (1964)
Eccentric bellhop Stanley Belt is recruited unexpectedly by the comedy team of a recently deceased entertainer. Stanley struggles to become a song-and-dance man as the team grooms him to become a star. But as the date of a high-stakes appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show grows near, they begin to fear that the only astonishing thing about Stanley is his utter lack of talent.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMuch Ado About Nothing (2013)
A modern retelling of Shakespeare's classic comedy about two pairs of lovers with different takes on romance and a way with words.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDave Chappelle: The Closer (2021)
As he closes out his slate of comedy specials, Dave takes the stage to try and set the record straight — and get a few things off his chest.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHow to Be a Man (2013)
When former comedian Mark McCarthy is faced with a rare form of cancer, he hires a young, impressionable cameraman to document his crude and comical lessons on what it means to be a man for his unborn son.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJohn Mulaney: Baby J (2023)
A chaotic intervention. An action-packed stay in rehab. After a weird couple of years, John Mulaney comes out swinging in his return to the stage.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSo You Think You're a Nervous Wreck (1946)
Joe McDoakes attempts to deal with his myriad neuroses.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
So You Want to Go to a Convention (1952)
Joe has to find a way to go to a convention.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
So You Want to Be a Musician (1953)
Joe McDoakes can't find a job as a bassoonist, so he pawns his instrument.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
So You Want to Learn to Dance (1953)
Joe McDoakes is invited by his boss to a swanky dance. Joe admits he can't dance and the boss gives him a lesson in the office.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
So You Think You Can't Sleep (1953)
Average working man Joe McDoakes tries desperate measures to cure his chronic insomnia.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
So You Want to Be a Cowboy (1951)
Joe McDoakes and his wife Alice attend a western movie and George soon has himself in the movie shown on the screen as Jump-Along Skip-Along McGur
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
So You Want to Be a Paper Hanger (1951)
Joe McDoakes, ever obliging and always helpful, volunteers to hang the new wallpaper for his wife.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Edgar's Hamlet (1920)
Edgar and his schoolmates put on a production of Shakespeare's Hamlet such as the townsfolk have never seen.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Flying South (1947)
Heckel and Jeckle decide it is too much trouble and time-consuming, not to mention wear-and-tear on their wings, to fly south for the winter, so they will pose as orphans and find some kindly old grandmother to take care of them when the snow flies. They do. But the kindly old grandmother turns out to be a disguised-wolf who has an appetite for magpie soup. This is not at all what they had in mind.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
So You Want to Be Popular (1949)
Joe McDoakes takes advice on how to be more likeable from his only friend Homer Hotbox
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like So You Want to Be an Actor?
The closest matches to So You Want to Be an Actor are Will Ferrell: You're Welcome America - A Final Night with George W. Bush (2009), Hollywood Shuffle (1987) and Seriously Single (2020). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after So You Want to Be an Actor?
Start with Will Ferrell: You're Welcome America - A Final Night with George W. Bush (2009), the closest match to So You Want to Be an Actor.
What is the highest-rated movie like So You Want to Be an Actor?
Dave Chappelle: The Closer (2021), rated 7.1/10 by 286 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like So You Want to Be an Actor?
Shane Gillis: Beautiful Dogs (2023) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like So You Want to Be an Actor?
Yes: Will Ferrell: You're Welcome America - A Final Night with George W. Bush (2009), Hollywood Shuffle (1987) and Seriously Single (2020).
How are movies similar to So You Want to Be an Actor chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside So You Want to Be an Actor, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.