Movies like First Express (2006)
The best movies like First Express (2006) are Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square (2020), Drumline: A New Beat (2014) and The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978). If First Express hooked you with its music and tv movie, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedHigh Strung Free Dance (2018)7.3/10 from 244 votes
- NewestA Very Jonas Christmas Movie (2025)Released 2025
Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square (2020)
A rich and nasty woman returns to her hometown to evict everyone but discovers the true meaning of Christmas thanks to the local townsfolk – and an actual angel. Features 14 original songs with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
SnoozefestMovies 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
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 music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHoliday Harmony (2022)
A likeable and talented underdog gets momentarily sidelined from chasing her musical dreams when her van breaks down in a welcoming small town just before Christmas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSneakerella (2022)
When El, an aspiring sneaker designer from Queens, meets Kira King, the fiercely independent daughter of legendary basketball star and sneaker tycoon Darius King, sparks fly as the two bond over their mutual affinity for sneakers. With a little nudge from his best friend and a sprinkle of Fairy Godfather magic, El finds the courage to use his talent to pursue his dream of becoming a ‘legit’ sneaker designer in the industry.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
SnoozefestMovies like thisAn American in Paris (1951)
Jerry Mulligan is an exuberant American expatriate in Paris trying to make a reputation as a painter. His friend Adam is a struggling concert pianist who's a long time associate of a famous French singer, Henri Baurel. A lonely society woman, Milo Roberts, takes Jerry under her wing and supports him, but is interested in more than his art.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisA Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish (2019)
Kat is an aspiring singer-songwriter who dreams of making it big. However, her dreams are stalled by her reality: a conniving and cruel stepfamily and a demoralizing job working as a singing elf at billionaire Terrence Wintergarden’s Santa Land.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPicture a Perfect Christmas (2019)
An extreme-sports photographer returns home for the holiday to take care of her grandmother, only to have a neighbor grab her attention as he needs assistance watching his young nephew.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThree Wise Men and a Baby (2022)
Three brothers get the surprise of their lives when they are forced to work together to care for a baby over the holidays. As they slowly get the hang of things, they find themselves on unexpected journeys of self-discovery and begin to rebuild their relationships as brothers, as well as the damaged romantic and professional relationships in their respective lives…all while rediscovering their love of Christmas.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSave the Last Dance (2001)
After the death of her mother, Sara moves to the South Side of Chicago to live with her father and gets transferred to a majority-black school. Her life takes a turn for the better when befriends Chenille and her brother Derek, who helps her with her dancing skills.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special (2020)
The cast of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” delivers an abundance of feel-good holiday cheer as they perform their favorite Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s songs and share their fondest holiday memories.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStar! (1968)
Gertrude Lawrence rises to stage stardom at the cost of happiness.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHaul Out the Holly (2022)
Emily arrives home, hoping to visit her parents, only to discover that they are leaving on a trip of their own. As she stays at their house for the holidays, their HOA is determined to get Emily to participate in the neighborhood’s many Christmas festivities.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJohn Mulaney & The Sack Lunch Bunch (2019)
John Mulaney and his kid pals tackle existential topics for all ages with catchy songs, comedy sketches and special guests in a nostalgic variety special.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHollywood Stargirl (2022)
When Stargirl's mother is hired as the costume designer on a movie, they relocate to L.A., where Stargirl quickly becomes involved with an eclectic assortment of characters.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHigh Strung Free Dance (2018)
Zander Raines, a dazzling and tempestuous young choreographer, gives the break of a lifetime to two hopeful artists when he casts a stunning contemporary dancer, Barlow, and innovative pianist, Charlie, in New York’s most-anticipated new Broadway show: Free Dance. But the move throws off the show’s delicate creative balance when Charlie falls hard for Barlow, while Zander embraces her as his muse.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe 12 Days of Christmas Eve (2022)
When Brian Conway, a successful businessman whose family relationships have suffered, gets in a car accident on Christmas Eve, Santa gives him twelve chances to redo the day and repair the relationships in his life, including with his daughter Michelle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKristin's Christmas Past (2013)
Kristin, a cynical 34-year-old, drinks a mysterious champagne on Christmas Eve and wakes up seventeen years in the past, sharing a room with her 17-year-old self. Given the chance to change the worst Christmas of her life, she attempts to fix past mistakes, only to discover surprising truths about her family that may help her mend her present-day relationships.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisChristmas...Again?! (2021)
Rowena "Ro" is a high-spirited 11-year-old hoping to add more spunk to her Christmas celebrations when her parents’ divorce is going anything but smoothly.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisProm Party Massacre (2025)
A gay high school student throws a swinging prom party in the hopes of finally wooing the football captain - but when popular kids start turning up dead, the partygoers discover a slasher killer amongst the student body!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert (2024)
Featuring a 40-piece orchestra and international stars of the stage and screen, My Favorite Things: The Rodgers & Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert was filmed on 12 December 2023 at London’s newly restored Theatre Royal Drury Lane – the same venue that premiered the original West End productions of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific and The King and I.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Mônica Salmaso - Alma Lírica Ao Vivo (2012)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Yellow Submarine (1968)
The wicked Blue Meanies take over Pepperland, eliminating all color and music. As the only survivor, the Lord Admiral escapes in the yellow submarine and journeys to Liverpool to enlist the help of the Beatles.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNew York, New York (1977)
An egotistical saxophone player and a young singer meet on V-J Day and embark upon a strained and rocky romance, even as their careers begin a long uphill climb.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage! (2019)
SpongeBob and all of Bikini Bottom face catastrophe—until a most unexpected hero rises to take center stage.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Monte Cristo (2002)
The original Czech musical based on Alexandre Dumas' novel was followed by composer Karel Svoboda, Zdeněk Borovec, and Richard Hes, who built on the success of their previous musical, Dracula. The musical Monte Cristo was also performed at the Prague Congress Center and achieved an impressive 444 performances between December 13, 2000, and December 21, 2002, when the final performance took place. The show was seen by 600,000 viewers during that time. Thanks to the Czech Television recording, you too can be there. The musical took almost two years to create, and composer Karel Svoboda once again proved that he is one of our best musical creators today, with a tremendous sense of musicality. He relied on the excellent work of lyricist, librettist, and co-creator of the theme and script, the late master of words Zdeněk Borovec. Richard Hes was the co-creator of the theme and script and, most importantly, the choreographer.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Victor/Victoria (1982)
A struggling female soprano finds work playing a male female impersonator, but it complicates her personal life.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisHamlet 2 (2008)
Failed actor-turned-worse-high-school-drama-teacher Dana Marschz rallies his Tucson students as he conceives and stages a politically incorrect musical sequel to Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
SnoozefestMovies like thisBolletjes Blues (2006)
Spike, an aspiring rapper, gets sucked into a criminal environment and ends up in jail for smuggling drugs.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both music
Like First Express and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like First Express?
The closest matches to First Express are Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square (2020), Drumline: A New Beat (2014) and The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after First Express?
Start with Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square (2020), the closest match to First Express.
What is the highest-rated movie like First Express?
High Strung Free Dance (2018), rated 7.3/10 by 244 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like First Express?
A Very Jonas Christmas Movie (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to First Express chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside First Express, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.