Movies Like I Want to Be

If you liked I Want to Be (1987), a movie directed by Yang Li-kuo, here are 20 movies with a similar feel, based on TMDB's recommendations. Each one links to its cast, trailer and where it's streaming.

1
In America (2003)
★ 7.1/10
A family of Irish immigrants adjusts to life on the mean streets of Hell's Kitchen while also grieving the death of a child.
2
The Addams Family (1991)
★ 7.1/10
When a man claiming to be long-lost Uncle Fester reappears after 25 years lost, the family plans a celebration to wake the dead. But the kids barely have time to warm up the electric chair before Morticia begins to…
3
Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)
★ 6.7/10
Aliens disguised as clowns crash land on Earth in a rural town to capture unsuspecting victims in cotton candy cocoons for later consumption.
4
Overboard (1987)
★ 6.9/10
Heiress Joanna Stayton hires carpenter Dean Proffitt to build a closet on her yacht—and refuses to pay him for the project when it's done. But after Joanna accidentally falls overboard and loses her memory, Dean sees…
5
FernGully: The Last Rainforest (1992)
★ 6.4/10
When a sprite named Crysta shrinks a human boy, Zak, down to her size, he vows to help the magical fairy folk stop a greedy logging company from destroying their home: the pristine rainforest known as FernGully. Zak…
6
Thirteen (2003)
★ 6.7/10
When 13-year-old Tracy befriends Evie, the most popular girl in school, her life is turned upside down as Evie introduces her to a world of sex, drugs, and money. But it isn’t long before Tracy’s new lifestyle begins…
7
To Have and Have Not (1945)
★ 7.4/10
A Martinique charter boat skipper gets mixed up with the underground French resistance operatives during WWII.
8
The Cider House Rules (1999)
★ 7.1/10
Homer is an orphan who was never adopted, becoming the favorite of orphanage director Dr. Larch. Dr. Larch imparts his full medical knowledge on Homer, who becomes a skilled, albeit unlicensed, physician. But Homer…
9
Goofy and Wilbur (1939)
★ 6.6/10
Goofy goes fishing with his best friend, Wilbur, a grasshopper.
10
The Navigator (1924)
★ 7.1/10
The wealthy and impulsive Rollo Treadway decides to propose to his beautiful socialite neighbor, Betsy O'Brien. Although Betsy turns Rollo down, he still opts to go on the cruise that he intended as their honeymoon…
11
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
★ 7.2/10
The infamous story of Benjamin Barker, a.k.a Sweeney Todd, who sets up a barber shop down in London which is the basis for a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett. Based on the hit Broadway musical.
12
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
★ 7.5/10
An alien is left behind on Earth and saved by the 10-year-old Elliott who decides to keep him hidden in his home. While a task force hunts for the extra-terrestrial, Elliott, his brother, and his little sister Gertie…
13
The Three Stooges (2012)
★ 5.8/10
Left on the doorstep of an orphanage run by nuns, three newborn knuckleheads grow up to be finger-poking, nyuk-nyuking janitors named Larry, Curly and Moe. When they learn that financial problems will soon force the…
14
Untamed Heart (1993)
★ 6.9/10
Caroline, a young waitress who seems to have bad taste in men, is on her way home one night when thugs attempt to rape her. Adam, the mysterious busboy who works at the same diner, helps fight off the assailants, and…
15
Icefall (2025)
★ 6.6/10
A young Indigenous game warden arrests an infamous poacher only to discover that the poacher knows the location of a plane carrying millions of dollars that has crashed in a frozen lake. When a group of criminals and…
16
Clean (2004)
★ 6.4/10
After she ends up in prison and loses custody of her son, a woman struggles to assimilate outside her former life and remain clean long enough to regain custody of her son.
17
The Boogeyman (2023)
★ 6.4/10
Still reeling from the tragic death of their mother, a teenage girl and her younger sister find themselves plagued by a sadistic presence in their house and struggle to get their grieving father to pay attention before…
18
Lord Jim (1965)
★ 6.8/10
After being discredited as a coward, a 19th century seaman lives for only one purpose: to redeem himself. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment in 2000.
19
The Brave (1997)
★ 6/10
A down-on-his-luck American Indian recently released from jail is offered the chance to "star" as the victim of a snuff film, the resulting pay of which could greatly help his poverty stricken family.
20
The Hot Spot (1990)
★ 6.3/10
Upon arriving to a small town, a drifter quickly gets into trouble with the local authorities — and the local women — after he robs a bank.