Movies like It's a Wonderful World: 20 to watch next
If you loved It's a Wonderful World (1939) — a comedy, romance and crime film directed by W.S. Van Dyke — these 20 movies are the closest matches.
The first picks are what fans of It's a Wonderful World most often go on to watch; the rest share its genres and themes like escape, police and kidnapping. 2 of them are streaming in India right now — each entry shows where.
Where to watch It's a Wonderful World →·Get picks for your whole taste →
- 1
My Favorite Brunette 1947★ 6.6
Shares: Comedy, Mystery, Romance
Ronnie Jackson is a lowly baby photographer who secretly fantasizes about being a private detective. When a lovely baroness actually mistakes him for one and asks him to help locate her missing husband, Baron Montay, Ronnie finds himself agreeing. Several days later he is on death row whiling away the hours until his execution by recounting to a group of reporters the bizarre tale of how he ended up there.
Stream in India on Artiflix, Brew, JustWatch TV Beta
- 2
The Mad Miss Manton 1938★ 6.4
Shares: Comedy, Crime, Mystery, Romance
When the murdered body discovered by beautiful, vivacious socialite Melsa Manton disappears, police and press label her a prankster until she and her group of friends prove them wrong.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 3
Another Thin Man 1939★ 7.1
Shares: Comedy, Mystery, Crime
Nick and Nora Charles are back - and this time, they have a baby, a wealthy new client, and another murder to solve! Retired detective Nick is enjoying family life with Nora and their young son, Nick Jr., when eccentric industrialist Colonel MacFay asks for protection after receiving threatening messages. When MacFay is found dead at his isolated estate, Nick and Nora spring into action, questioning a houseful of suspicious guests and uncovering greed, blackmail, family secrets, and a dangerous inheritance plot. With their trademark wit and sophistication, the glamorous couple balances parenthood, parties, and peril as they race to expose the killer.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 4
Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult 1994★ 6.5
Shares: Comedy, Crime
Frank Drebin is persuaded out of retirement to go undercover in a state prison. There he has to find out what top terrorist, Rocco, has planned for when he escapes. Adding to his problems, Frank's wife, Jane, is desperate for a baby.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 5
Song of the Thin Man 1947★ 6.7
Shares: Comedy, Crime, Mystery
While attending a glamorous jazz cruise on New York’s East River, Nick and Nora Charles witness the fatal shooting of a wealthy patron. When suspicion falls on a young bandleader and his musicians, the couple steps in to clear their friends and uncover the real killer. Their investigation leads through a lively world of jazz clubs, radio personalities, high society, and backstage rivalries, where almost everyone has a secret and the next clue may be hidden in the music.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 6
The Pink Panther Strikes Again 1976★ 6.9
Shares: Comedy, Crime
Charles Dreyfus, who has finally cracked over inspector Clouseau's antics, escapes from a mental institution and launches an elaborate plan to get rid of Clouseau once and for all.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 7
Shadow of the Thin Man 1941★ 7.0
Shares: Comedy, Crime, Mystery
While attending a major horse race with their young son, Nick Jr., Nick and Nora Charles witnesse a shocking murder from the crowded grandstand. What first appears to be an isolated killing soon leads to a maze of corruption, blackmail, gambling scandals, and criminal intrigue. As Nick investigates, he encounters suspicious bookmakers, dishonest officials, rival gangsters, and a mysterious killer determined to stay ahead of the law. Nora, as always, is never far from the action, bringing her quick wit and fearless curiosity to the case.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 8
Two-Way Stretch 1960★ 6.7
Shares: Comedy, Crime
Three criminals plan to break out of prison the day before their release in order to carry out a daring jewel robbery, intending to establish the perfect alibi by returning to jail afterwards. First however they must get out, a task made more difficult by a new, stricter prison officer.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 9
Take the Money and Run 1969★ 7.1
Shares: Comedy, Crime
Virgil Starkwell is intent on becoming a notorious bank robber. Unfortunately for Virgil and his not-so-budding career, he is completely incompetent.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 10
A Shot in the Dark 1964★ 7.2
Shares: Comedy, Mystery, Crime
Inspector Jacques Clouseau, smitten with the accused maid Maria Gambrelli, unwittingly turns a straightforward murder investigation into a comedic series of mishaps, testing the patience of his irritable boss Charles Dreyfus as casualties mount.
Stream in India on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Artiflix
- 11
The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother 1975★ 6.0
Shares: Comedy, Crime, Mystery
After spending decades living in the shadow of his more famous and successful sibling, Consulting Detective Sigerson Holmes is called upon to help solve a crucial case that leads him on a hilarious trail of false identities, stolen documents, secret codes... and exposed backsides.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 12
The Glass Key 1942★ 6.7
Shares: Crime, Mystery
A crooked politician finds himself being accused of murder by a gangster from whom he refused help during a re-election campaign.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 13
Fun with Dick and Jane 1977★ 6.6
Shares: Comedy, Crime
When an upwardly mobile couple find themselves unemployed and in debt, they turn to armed robbery in desperation.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 14
The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! 1988★ 7.3
Shares: Comedy, Crime
When the bumbling Lieutenant Frank Drebin investigates events following the shooting of his partner, he stumbles upon an attempt to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 15
Wrong Cops 2013★ 6.1
Shares: Crime, Comedy
A group of bad cops look to dispose of a body that one of them accidentally shot.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 16
The Blue Gardenia 1953★ 6.5
Shares: Crime, Mystery
Upon waking up to the news that the man she’d gone on a date with the previous night has been murdered, a young woman with only a faint memory of the night’s events begins to suspect that she murdered him while attempting to resist his advances.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 17
Porridge 1979★ 6.8
Shares: Comedy, Crime
Times are hard for habitual guest of Her Majesty Norman Stanley Fletcher. The new prison officer, Beale, makes MacKay look soft and what's more, an escape plan is hatching from the cell of prison godfather Grouty and Fletcher wants no part of it.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 18
The Mirror Crack'd 1980★ 6.1
Shares: Mystery, Crime
Jane Marple solves the mystery when a local woman is poisoned and a visiting movie star seems to have been the intended victim.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 19
Sex and the Single Girl 1964★ 6.5
Shares: Comedy, Romance
A womanizing reporter for a sleazy tabloid magazine impersonates his hen-pecked neighbor in order to get an expose on renowned psychologist Helen Gurley Brown.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 20
Lady in the Lake 1946★ 6.1
Shares: Mystery, Crime
Private eye Phillip Marlowe wants to get out of the detective racket and into crime writing. But when he's called to the office of editor Adrienne Fromsett, it's not to talk about his story ideas — she wants him to locate the missing wife of her boss, Mr. Kingsby. The assignment quickly becomes complicated when bodies start turning up.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now