Movies Like California Dreaming

If you liked California Dreaming (1979), a comedy and drama movie directed by John D. Hancock, 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
The Last Summer (2019)
★ 6/10Also romance and comedy
Standing on the precipice of adulthood, a group of friends navigate new relationships, while reexamining others, during their final summer before college.
2
The Best You Can (2025)
★ 7/10Also comedy and romance
Cynthia Rand is a buttoned-up New Yorker married to a brilliant professor 25 years her senior. She begins feeling the effects of her husband’s advancing age on their relationship, just as her world is turned upside…
3
He Said, She Said (1991)
★ 5.9/10Also comedy and drama
Womanising, right-wing Dan Hanson and quiet, liberal Lorie Bryer work for the Baltimore Sun. Rivals for the job of new writer of a vacant column, the paper ends up instead printing their very different opinions…
4
We Are Your Friends (2015)
★ 6.8/10Also drama and romance
Young Cole Carter dreams of hitting the big time as a Hollywood disc jockey, spending his days and nights hanging with buddies and working on the one track that will set the world on fire. Opportunity comes knocking…
5
Why Did I Get Married Again? (2026)
★ 6.8/10Also comedy and romance
The couples reunite for the destination wedding of Marcus and Angela's daughter, bringing drama old and new as they ask, "Why did we get married again?"
6
Love Don't Co$t a Thing (2003)
★ 7.7/10Also comedy and drama
A high school outcast pays a cheerleader to pose as his girlfriend so he can be considered cool.
7
Newness (2017)
★ 6.1/10Also romance and drama
In contemporary Los Angeles, two millennials navigating a social media–driven hookup culture begin a relationship that pushes both emotional and physical boundaries.
8
Sideways (2004)
★ 7.1/10Also comedy and drama
Two middle-aged men embark on a spiritual journey through Californian wine country. One is an unpublished novelist suffering from depression, and the other is only days away from walking down the aisle.
9
Delirious (2007)
★ 6.3/10Also comedy and drama
Les, a small-time celebrity photographer desperate to make it big, befriends Toby, a homeless young man with no direction except a vague desire to become an actor. When by chance, Toby becomes romantically involved…
10
Voicemails for Isabelle (2026)
★ 8.3/10Also romance and comedy
A young woman's hilariously confessional voicemails to her late sister are unknowingly redirected to a stranger, who begins to fall in love from afar.
11
Playing It Cool (2014)
★ 5.9/10Also comedy and romance
A young man meets and instantly falls in love with an engaged woman.
12
Numb (2007)
★ 5.9/10Also comedy and drama
Hudson Milbank is a successful Hollywood screenwriter who suddenly and strangely finds himself without any emotional feelings. He tries doctor after doctor and shrink after shrink, but nothing works. The Golf Channel…
13
ATL (2006)
★ 7/10Also drama and comedy
As four friends prepare for life after high school, different challenges bring about turning points in each of their lives. The dramas unfold and resolve at their local rollerskating rink, Cascade.
14
Cyrus (2010)
★ 5.9/10Also comedy and drama
With John's social life at a standstill and his ex-wife about to get remarried, a down on his luck divorcée finally meets the woman of his dreams, only to discover she has another man in her life - her son. Before…
15
Young People Fucking (2007)
★ 5.9/10Also comedy and drama
On a Tuesday night, five couples have separate sexual adventures. Matt and Kris, friends for years, want to have an only-once, no-strings good time. Abby and Andrew, married, celebrate his birthday, but it's marred by…
16
All About Nina (2018)
★ 5.8/10Also comedy and drama
Nina Geld's passion and talent have made her a rising star in the comedy scene, but she's an emotional mess offstage. When a new professional opportunity coincides with a romantic one, she is forced to confront her own…
17
CQ (2001)
★ 5.9/10Also comedy and drama
A young filmmaker in 1960s Paris juggles directing a cheesy sci-fi debacle, directing his own personal art film, coping with his crumbling relationship with his girlfriend, and a new-found infatuation with the sci-fi…
18
Irreplaceable You (2018)
★ 7/10Also comedy and drama
A stunning cancer diagnosis spurs Abbie to seek a future girlfriend for fiancé and childhood sweetheart Sam, who's clueless when it comes to dating.
19
St. Elmo's Fire (1985)
★ 6.1/10Also drama and romance
Reluctant to let go of college life, a close-knit team of seven friends--irresponsible saxophone player Billy, young Republican Alec, his girlfriend Leslie, struggling journalist Kevin, drama queen Jules, lovesick…
20
Enemies, a Love Story (1989)
★ 6.2/10Also comedy and drama
A ghostwriter finds himself romantically involved with his current wife, a married woman and his long-vanished wife.