15 Movies Like The Pursuit of Unhappiness

Loved The Pursuit of Unhappiness? Based on its unique Cinema DNA—including its pacing, themes, and emotional tone—we've curated the ultimate list of what you should watch next.

14 and Under
#1

14 and Under

This episodic film is a close relative of Wolf Hartwig's schoolgirl report movies, made by the same people, in a similar style, around similar topics. However, this one specifically focuses on the coming-of-age aspects, to an extent that it also touches on delicate issues such as paedophilia.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to The Pursuit of Unhappiness.

Siegfried
#2

Siegfried

The tale of Siegfried, a fearless dragon slayer who wins the heart of Celtic beauty Kriemhild.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to The Pursuit of Unhappiness.

The Amorous Sisters
#3

The Amorous Sisters

Comedy about some schoolgirls being taught anatomy (of the sexual nature) by the sexually frustrated Barbara Moose. In bed at nighttime the girls practice their daily lessons on each other and on any unsuspecting visitors of the night. When they're not in class they enjoy frolicking around outside (naked most of the time!) experiencing the joys of nature.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to The Pursuit of Unhappiness.

Pornorama
#4

Pornorama

A free-wheeling chronicle of the Munich sex film industry in the 1970s.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to The Pursuit of Unhappiness.

Grand Prix of Europe
#5

Grand Prix of Europe

Edda, a young mouse and the daughter of fairground operator Erwin, dreams of becoming a race car driver. Ahead of the 50th anniversary of the European Grand Prix, Edda gets the opportunity to meet her idol, racing star Ed, and to help her father save his failing business. But to do so, she'll have to get behind the wheel herself.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to The Pursuit of Unhappiness.

Eat Pray Bark
#6

Eat Pray Bark

In this tumultuous comedy, five eccentric dog owners seek help in dealing with their four-legged friends. Their last hope: an intensive course with the charismatic and legendary dog trainer Nodon in the Tyrolean mountains.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to The Pursuit of Unhappiness.

Ach, diese Lücke, diese entsetzliche Lücke
#7

Ach, diese Lücke, diese entsetzliche Lücke

Twenty-year-old Joachim is unexpectedly accepted at drama school in Munich and moves into his grandparents' upper-class villa. From then on, he tries to find his identity as a young man between the world of theater and the everyday life of his eccentric grandparents.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to The Pursuit of Unhappiness.

Rookie of the Year
#8

Rookie of the Year

12-year-old Henry Rowengartner, whose late father was a minor league baseball player, grew up dreaming of playing baseball, despite his physical shortcomings. After Henry's arm is broken while trying to catch a baseball at school, the tendon in that arm heals too tightly, allowing Henry to throw pitches that are as fast as 103 mph. Henry is spotted at nearby Wrigley Field by Larry "Fish" Fisher, the general manager of the struggling Chicago Cubs, after Henry throws an opponent's home-run ball all the way from the outfield bleachers back to the catcher, and it seems that Henry may be the pitcher that team owner Bob Carson has been praying for.

💡Why it's a match: A highly-rated genre match based on the viewing habits of people who liked The Pursuit of Unhappiness.

Look Who's Back
#9

Look Who's Back

When Adolf Hitler reawakens at the site of his former bunker in present-day Berlin, he is mistaken for a comedian and quickly becomes a media phenomenon.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to The Pursuit of Unhappiness.

Cadet Kelly
#10

Cadet Kelly

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's a match: A highly-rated genre match based on the viewing habits of people who liked The Pursuit of Unhappiness.

The Minor's Wife ... Takes Her Pick
#11

The Minor's Wife ... Takes Her Pick

Heiner works in a mine, drinks beer, and goes to bed with other women, except from his wife, because of his baby son and the neighbours downstairs. But she does not feel like giving up all the fun for so long.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to The Pursuit of Unhappiness.

Duplex
#12

Duplex

When a young couple buys their dream home, they have no idea what the sweet little old lady upstairs is going to put them through!

💡Why it's a match: A highly-rated genre match based on the viewing habits of people who liked The Pursuit of Unhappiness.

Afire
#13

Afire

Self-important author Leon joins his best friend on a summer holiday near the Baltic Sea to complete his novel. When they arrive, they find their house is already occupied by a carefree woman who challenges Leon to open up. Meanwhile, forest wildfires rage around them and impending disaster looms.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to The Pursuit of Unhappiness.

Sketch
#14

Sketch

When a young girl’s sketchbook falls into a strange pond, her drawings come to life—chaotic, real, and on the loose. As the town descends into chaos, her family must reunite and stop the monsters they never meant to unleash.

💡Why it's a match: A highly-rated genre match based on the viewing habits of people who liked The Pursuit of Unhappiness.

Im Gasthaus zum scharfen Hirschen
#15

Im Gasthaus zum scharfen Hirschen

Hannelore Reitzler elopes with her boyfriend to the Hotel Liebesnest but he leaves her during the night after failing to take her virginity. Not wanting to return home, Hannelore takes job as a chambermaid which also involves giving sexual favors to the guests at an extra charge. Meanwhile, a female cat burglar visits Das Liebesnest every night and each time she gets caught, she offers her body to the captor to keep them quiet.

💡Why it's a match: A fantastic follow-up watch to The Pursuit of Unhappiness.