Movies like The Best Years (2022)
The best movies like The Best Years (2022) are Camp Nowhere (1994), Theater Camp (2023) and High School Musical 2 (2007). If The Best Years hooked you with its comedy, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedBilly Elliot (2000)7.6/10 from 4,228 votes
- NewestThe State of Us (2026)Released 2026
- In ItalianMy Name Is Tanino (2003)Also in Italian
Camp Nowhere (1994)
Morris "Mud" Himmel has a problem. His parents desperately want to send him away to summer camp. He hates going to summer camp, and would do anything to get out of it. Talking to his friends, he realizes that they are all facing the same sentence: a boring summer camp. Together with his friends, he hatches a plan to trick all the parents into sending them to a camp of their own design.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTheater Camp (2023)
After the indomitable and beloved founder of a scrappy theater camp in upstate New York falls into a coma, the eccentric staff must band together with her clueless "crypto-bro" son to keep the thespian paradise afloat.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHigh School Musical 2 (2007)
The East High Wildcats are gearing up for big fun as they land the coolest summer jobs imaginable. Troy, Gabriella, Chad, and Taylor have scored sweet gigs at the Lava Springs Country Club owned by Sharpay and Ryan's family. Sharpay's first rule of business: Get Troy. As Troy experiences a life of privilege he's never known, will he give up the Wildcats and Gabriella to rise to the top?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMy Name Is Tanino (2003)
During a sun-soaked Sicilian summer, aimless filmmaking undergrad and back-seat radical Tanino has a fling with Sally, a dreamy American tourist from an upper background. When summer ends, Sally flies back home, without ever reaching out. Clueless, a smitten Tanino decides to pay her a surprise visit under the pretense of returning a camera she left behind. But when he gets there, he quickly realizes the reality of America—and his relationship with Sally's—is far from the idealized version his small-town boy imagination conjured.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCadet Kelly (2002)
Hyperactive teenager Kelly is enrolled into a military school when her new stepfather becomes the Commandant. At first she has problems fitting in and taking orders until she tries out for the drill team.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCamp Rock 2: The Final Jam (2010)
Mitchie can't wait to go back to Camp Rock and spend the summer making new music with her friends and superstar Shane Gray. But the slick new camp across the lake, Camp Star, has drummed up some serious competition – featuring newcomers Luke and Dana. In a sensational battle of the bands, with Camp Rock's future at stake, will Camp Star's flashy production and over-the-top antics win out, or will Camp Rockers prove that music, teamwork, and spirit are what truly matter?
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 thisRim of the World (2019)
Stranded at a summer camp when aliens attack the planet, four teens with nothing in common embark on a perilous mission to save the world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMeatballs (1979)
Tripper is the head counselor at a budget summer camp called Camp Northstar. In truth, he's young at heart and only marginally more mature than the campers themselves. Tripper befriends Rudy, a loner camper who has trouble fitting in. As Tripper inspires his young charges to defeat rival Camp Mohawk in the annual Olympiad competition, Rudy plays matchmaker between Tripper and Roxanne, a female counselor at Northstar.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies like thisLove & Slaps (2010)
A comedy about generational conflict between two parents who do not want to grow old and a seventeen year old daughter who wants to become an adult. During a weekend with some friends in their country house in Tuscany, Marcello and Marina, relieved that the love affair of their teenage daughter Rose with another boy, Luke, is over, prepare to meet their daughter's new boyfriend. The problem is that the two adults, who still feel pretty young, do not know what to expect, and what they are about to discover will leave them speechless ...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMagic Camp (2020)
Andy, at the urging of his former mentor and Magic Camp owner Roy Preston, returns to the camp of his youth hoping to reignite his career. Instead, he finds inspiration in his ragtag bunch of rookie magicians.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGoodnight, Ladies and Gentlemen (1976)
An episodic satire of the political and social status of Italy in the seventies, through the shows of one day of a television channel.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGood Kids (2016)
Four high school students look to redefine themselves after graduation.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisClass Rank (2017)
Two high school misfits join forces in an attempt to overtake the local school board. Guided by their families, they enter the perilous word of politics and, in the process, learn a thing or two about love.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisScooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster (2010)
Scooby-Doo and the gang are on the case when a mysterious lake monster starts scaring the guests at a summer resort in Erie Point, where Fred, Daphne, Velma and Shaggy have taken on seasonal jobs to pay for a barn they accidentally burned down. But in addition to sneaking suspicions, there's some romance in the air.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBagnomaria (1999)
In Pietrasanta all are excited for the annual party of summer end. Here we find four characters: Merigo, a naive guy passionate of bike; Pierre, son of the mayor; Simone, a pestiferous kid; Mario, lifeguard of "Bagnomaria".
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
SnoozefestMovies 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 thisWoody Woodpecker Goes to Camp (2024)
After getting kicked out of the forest, Woody thinks he's found a forever home at Camp Woo Hoo — until an inspector threatens to shut down the camp.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCiao, Professore! (1992)
A bureaucratic snafu sends Marco Tullio Sperelli, a portly, middle-aged northern Italian, to teach third grade in a poor town outside Naples
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFantozzi Retires (1988)
After thirty years in the big corporation, Ugo Fantozzi retires. Suddenly, he needs things to do in everyday life and he tries a number of activities: helping Pina shopping; babysitting grand-daughter Uga; a trip to Venice; learning golf. He then fakes documents to get a new job, but in the end he becomes a hypochondriac and doesn't even take a long-awaited chance with Miss Silvani.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBilly Elliot (2000)
County Durham, England, 1984. The miners' strike has started and the police have started coming up from Bethnal Green, starting a class war with the lower classes suffering. Caught in the middle of the conflict is 11-year old Billy Elliot, who, after leaving his boxing club for the day, stumbles upon a ballet class and finds out that he's naturally talented. He practices with his teacher Mrs. Wilkinson for an upcoming audition in Newcastle-upon Tyne for the royal Ballet school in London.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSnack Shack (2024)
Inseparable best friends AJ and Moose decide to run the local pool's snack shack after their plan to sell home-brewed beer goes down the drain. Things take a turn when they meet Brooke, an effortlessly cool lifeguard who puts their big plans, and friendship, at risk.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPillow Talk (2024)
A group of pre-teen girls, portrayed by 20-year-old men, navigate the rollercoaster of adolescence. As the faux-adolescents explore the awkwardness of puberty, crushes, and emotions, this short film delves into a comedic and thought-provoking exploration of societal expectations and the absurdity of gender norms.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Chameleon (2025)
After embarrassingly sitting with a full cup at the end of a game of Never Have I Ever, Maria sets out to live a little by doing all the things she's never done.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
The Biker Boys (2025)
Three boys go on one final cycle to celebrate their final day before summer ends, and they go in different directions, they get lost and true feelings emerge.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Edie Arnold Is a Loser (2026)
Timid dork Edie accidentally takes the spotlight when she starts a punk band with her fellow “turds”, becoming an icon to the rest of the losers at her all-girls Catholic school while managing to piss off the hot girls, the nuns, and the horniest altar boy you’ve ever seen.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
The State of Us (2026)
Tearaway Frankie breaks out his best friend Taylor for one final night out. Over a riotous few hours filled with laughter, heartbreak and some home truths, the boys will face the ultimate test.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Hot Seat (2017)
Teen Andrea uses a male stripper to gain the respect and admiration of cool girl Daphne. Hot Seat, which is based on a true story, explores coming-of-age sexuality and the complexities of relationships between teen girls.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popular Music (2004)
Matti and Niila, growing up in the mid-sixties in the harsh and conservative environment of a Finnish-speaking part of Tornedalen in Swedish Laponia, close to the Finnish border. Their big dream is to become rock stars. In the present the now grown-up Matti feels guilt for the death of his drug-addicted rock star friend Niila.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSummer Storm (2004)
Tobi and Achim, the pride of the local crew club, have been the best of friends for years and are convinced that nothing will ever stand in the way of their friendship. They look forward to the upcoming summer camp and the crew competition. Then the gay team from Berlin arrives and Tobi is totally confused. The evening before the races begin, the storm that breaks out is more than meteorological.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both comedy
Popcorn FlickMovies like this
Like The Best Years and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Best Years?
The closest matches to The Best Years are Camp Nowhere (1994), Theater Camp (2023) and High School Musical 2 (2007). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Best Years?
Start with Camp Nowhere (1994), the closest match to The Best Years.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Best Years?
Billy Elliot (2000), rated 7.6/10 by 4,228 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Best Years?
The State of Us (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Italian movies like The Best Years?
Yes: My Name Is Tanino (2003), Love & Slaps (2010) and Goodnight, Ladies and Gentlemen (1976).
How are movies similar to The Best Years chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Best Years, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.