Movies like Johnny Love (1988)
The best movies like Johnny Love (1988) are Salsa (1988), Roustabout (1964) and Brigadoon (1954). If Johnny Love hooked you with its music and romance, these 20 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedAnima (2019)7.3/10 from 502 votes
- NewestApple Music Live: Lady Gaga MAYHEM Requiem (2026)Released 2026
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 thisRoustabout (1964)
After losing his job at a coffee shop, Charlie Rogers finds employment at a struggling carnival, but his attempted romance with a teenager leads to friction with her father.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBrigadoon (1954)
Americans Jeff and Tommy, hunting in Scotland, stumble upon a village - Brigadoon. They soon learn that the town appears once every 100 years in order to preserve its peace and special beauty. The citizens go to bed at night and when they wake up, it's 100 years later. Tommy falls in love with a beautiful young woman, Fiona, and is torn between staying or going back to his hectic life in New York.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPress Play (2022)
Laura and Harrison have the picture-perfect romance built on the foundation of a shared love of music. After a deadly accident, Laura gets the chance to save the love of her life when she discovers that their mixtape can transport her back in time.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRunaway (2010)
A man falls in love with a half-woman/half-phoenix who fell to Earth from the sky.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & romance
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSummer Stock (1950)
To Jane Falbury's New England farm comes a troup of actors to put up a show, invited by Jane's sister. At first reluctant she has them do farm chores in exchange for food. Her reluctance becomes attraction when she falls in love with the director, Joe, who happens to be her sister's fiance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music & romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisModern Life Is Rubbish (2018)
Brought together by their shared love of music, Liam and Natalie reach a breaking point after ten years together, but as they attempt to separate and divide their prized record collection, the very soundtrack of their relationship continually draws them back to one another.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance & music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisApple Music Live: Lady Gaga MAYHEM Requiem (2026)
For Apple Music Live, Gaga presents MAYHEM Requiem, a celebration and musical reimagining of MAYHEM.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisSisters of the Groom (2017)
When Sarah needs to impress a corporate bigwig in order to help her sister's catering business, she finds herself agreeing to be his son’s pretend date to a family wedding
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Nutcracker (1993)
On Christmas Eve, a little girl named Marie falls asleep and dreams herself into a fantastic world in which her toys become larger than life. She meets up with the Nutcracker Prince who takes her on a journey to his kingdom and defends her from the Mouse King.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
SnoozefestMovies like thisForever in My Heart (2019)
Jenna and Charlie found love in Ireland but their dreams drove them apart. Five years later, they reunite and Jenna has to decide where her heart belongs—back home or in the Emerald Isle.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Country Wedding (2015)
A famous country singer set to marry a glamorous Hollywood actress returns to his small town roots. When he crosses paths with his childhood sweetheart and finally feels inspired to write songs again he reevaluates his life, his values and his opinion of true love. As his wedding day approaches, he must decide if he has chosen the right woman to be his wife.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGrease Live (2016)
After enjoying a holiday romance, high school students Danny and Sandy are unexpectedly reunited when she transfers to Rydell High, where she must contend with cynical Rizzo and the Pink Ladies.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLove to the Rescue (2019)
Two single parents come head to head when their kids want to adopt the same dog. Agreeing to co-foster, free-spirited Kate and type-A Eric must work together to find the dog's forever home.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLove in Winterland (2020)
Ally, a final contestant on a dating show, must face her high school sweetheart when she is chosen for the Hometown Date.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHoliday Date (2019)
When Brooke’s boyfriend, Ethan, breaks up with her just before the holidays, she agrees to go home with Joel, an actor who will pose as her boyfriend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSpin (2021)
Rhea discovers her passion for creating DJ mixes that blend the rich textures of her South Asian culture and the world around her. Her life revolves around her eclectic group of friends, her after-school coding club, her family’s Indian restaurant and her tight-knit, multigenerational family. Everything changes when she falls for aspiring DJ Max, and her long-lost fervor for music is re-ignited. Rhea discovers that she has a natural gift for creating beats and producing music but must find the courage to follow her true inner talent.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both music
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAutumn Dreams (2015)
With plans to leave their small town, teenage loves Annie and Ben elope. Their big city plans are halted, though, when Annie's parents have the marriage annulled. Ben moves to New York, while Annie stays in Iowa to help her family. Fifteen years later, both engaged to their respective fiancés, the two discover that their annulment was never finalized. They reunite to make their divorce legal, but begin to reminisce about what could have been. When romantic feelings resurface, Annie and Ben must decide if their past love could be the love of their future.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
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 · both music
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLove on a Limb (2016)
Aimie Roarke is always up for a cause and when the town’s beloved Oak tree is set to be cut down, she takes it upon herself try and save it. When the Mayor hires a handsome new landscaper to cut it down, she decides the only way to save the tree is to chain herself to it. As Kyle attempts to wait her out and the two start to spend more time together, they may find the Old Tree brings them both more than they could have imagined in life and love.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both romance
Popcorn FlickMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Johnny Love?
The closest matches to Johnny Love are Salsa (1988), Roustabout (1964) and Brigadoon (1954). Below are 17 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Johnny Love?
Start with Salsa (1988), the closest match to Johnny Love.
What is the highest-rated movie like Johnny Love?
Anima (2019), rated 7.3/10 by 502 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Johnny Love?
Apple Music Live: Lady Gaga MAYHEM Requiem (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to Johnny Love chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Johnny Love, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.