Movies Like Public Deb No. 1

If you liked Public Deb No. 1 (1940), a comedy movie directed by Gregory Ratoff, 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
Cadet Kelly (2002)
★ 6.2/10Also comedy
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.
2
Rookie of the Year (1993)
★ 6.2/10Also comedy
When the cast comes off his once broken arm, a 12-year-old boy can throw a 100-mile-an-hour fastball, and the Chicago Cubs want him as their new pitcher.
3
Dennis the Menace (1993)
★ 5.9/10Also comedy
Mr. Wilson's ever-present annoyance comes in the form of one mischievous kid named Dennis. But he'll need Dennis's tricks to uncover a collection of gold coins that go missing when a shady drifter named Switchblade Sam…
4
How to Eat Fried Worms (2006)
★ 6.2/10Also comedy
During the first day of his new school year, a fifth grade boy squares off against a bully and winds up accepting a dare that could change the balance of power within the class.
5
The Mouse That Roared (1959)
★ 6.4/10Also comedy
The Duchy of Grand Fenwick decides that the only way to get out of their economic woes is to declare war on the United States, lose and accept foreign aid. They send an invasion force (in chain mail, armed with bows…
6
Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story (2005)
★ 6.9/10Also comedy
The maniacal baby of the Griffin family, Stewie, meets his future self. In doing this he discovers that his future image is not what he has anticipated because of a near death experience.
7
The Rocker (2008)
★ 6.1/10Also comedy
In the 1980s, a drummer is abandoned by his band just before they become rock superstars. Twenty years later, the drummer sees his second chance at stardom arise when he is asked to perform with his teenage nephew's…
8
The Twits (2025)
★ 5.8/10Also comedy
When the meanest, nastiest villains pull a trick to take over their town, two brave children team up with a family of magical animals to bring them down.
9
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010)
★ 6.3/10Also comedy
Greg Heffley is headed for big things, but first he has to survive the scariest, most humiliating experience of any kid’s life – middle school! That won’t be easy, considering he’s surrounded by hairy-freckled morons…
10
LEGO Marvel Avengers: Mission Demolition (2024)
★ 6.5/10Also comedy
A young, aspiring hero and superhero fan inadvertently unleashes a powerful new villain looking to rid the world of the Avengers.
11
The Boxtrolls (2014)
★ 6.7/10Also comedy
An orphaned boy raised by underground creatures called Boxtrolls comes up from the sewers and out of his box to save his family and the town from the evil exterminator, Archibald Snatcher.
12
Mickey's House of Villains (2002)
★ 7.3/10Also comedy
The villains from the popular animated Disney films are gathered at the House of Mouse with plans to take over. Soon, the villains take over the house and kick out Mickey, Donald and Goofy. It's all up to Mickey and…
13
The Big Brawl (1980)
★ 5.9/10Also comedy
A young Asian American martial artist is forced to participate in a brutal formal street-fight competition.
14
Fun with Dick and Jane (1977)
★ 6.6/10Also comedy
When an upwardly mobile couple find themselves unemployed and in debt, they turn to armed robbery in desperation.
15
The Ladies Man (1961)
★ 6.3/10Also comedy
After his girl leaves him for someone else, Herbert gets really depressed and starts searching for a job. He finally finds one in a big house which is inhabited by many, many women. Can he live in the same home with…
16
Airborne (1993)
★ 6.1/10Also comedy
Good-natured teen surfer Mitchell Goosen finds himself staying with his aunt and uncle in Cincinnati, Ohio when his parents head to Australia for work. There he meets his cousin, Wiley, and together they try to…
17
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
★ 6.7/10Also comedy
A quartet of humanoid turtles, trained by their mentor in Ninjutsu, must learn to work together to face the menace of Shredder and the Foot Clan.
18
Sneakerella (2022)
★ 5.9/10Also comedy
When El, an aspiring sneaker designer from Queens, meets Kira King, the fiercely independent daughter of legendary basketball star and sneaker tycoon Darius King, sparks fly as the two bond over their mutual affinity…
19
Problem Child 2 (1991)
★ 6/10Also comedy
Junior and his father, Ben, move from Cold River to Mortville. Junior becomes threatened by Ben's desire to date again and find a new mother for Junior, and sabotages each of his dates.
20
Adventures in Public School (2018)
★ 6.3/10Also comedy
A socially-awkward, home-schooled kid forces his way into public school against his suffocating, but loving, mother's wishes.