Movies Like Desperate Living (1977)

Desperate Living is a 1977 comedy, crime film from John Waters with a MovieMagicScore of 6.4/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Coyote vs. Acme and Moana.

Comedy Crime

Coyote vs. Acme

2026

After Acme products fail him one too many times in his dogged pursuit of the Roadrunner, Wile E. Coyote decides to hire a billboard lawyer to sue the Acme Corporation.

7.6

MagicScore

Moana

2026

Teenage Moana answers the Ocean's call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with infamous demigod Maui on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people.

7.0

MagicScore

Mayday

2026

When a U.S. Navy pilot on a top-secret mission during the Cold War gets trapped behind enemy lines, his only chance at survival is to form an alliance with an eccentric ex-KGB agent.

7.9

MagicScore

Clash of the Thundermans

2026

When Chloe develops a destructive new superpower, the Hero League orders her to an elite boarding school for superheroes to learn control of her abilities. Faced with the prospect of sending Chloe away for years, the Thundermans split apart, with Phoebe, Barb and Billy taking her into hiding. Max, Hank, and Nora track their rogue family members, until the two factions face off against each other in a full-on battle for the Thundermans’ future.

6.7

MagicScore

Ghost in the Cell

2026

In a notorious prison, an invisible force begins killing inmates brutally, compelling enemy gangs and corrupt guards to work together as they try to survive the mounting bloodshed.

7.2

MagicScore

Toy Story 5

2026

When Bonnie receives a Lilypad tablet as a gift and becomes obsessed, Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang's jobs become exponentially harder when they have to go head to head with the all-new threat to playtime.

8.3

MagicScore

Facing El Chapo

2026

Two Mexican officers must survive the final hours of their shift after crossing a ruthless cartel boss.

8.8

MagicScore

Minions & Monsters

2026

This is the rambunctious, ridiculous and totally true story of how the Minions conquered Hollywood, became movie stars, lost everything, unleashed monsters onto the world and then banded together to try and save the planet from the mayhem they had just created.

7.6

MagicScore

Above & Below

2026

A group of friends set off for an unforgettable vacation. What begins as an adventure of partying and diving quickly turns into a nightmare when they are attacked by criminals in open waters.

6.3

MagicScore

#10

The Whisper Man

2026

When his young son vanishes, a widower enlists help from his estranged father, a retired detective who put away the serial killer now linked to the case.

6.8

MagicScore

#11

Rosebush Pruning

2026

When an American heir living in a luxurious Spanish villa decides to move in with his girlfriend, his departure triggers a family collapse as his brother uncovers the truth behind their mother's tragic death.

6.2

MagicScore

#12

Cavegirl

1985

On a class excursion to a cave with stone age paintings the clumsy Rex gets lost. A mysterious crystal opens a gateway in time and sets him back to the stone ages, where he meets a group of prehistoric fellows and the gorgeous Eba. While teaching her English and doing some pseudo-research on her fellows, his main goal is to get her sleeping with him. However the curiosity of the clan chief disturbs his attempts.

4.0

MagicScore

#13

One Night Only

2026

Two love-starved strangers crash into each other on the one night of the year when single people are allowed to have sex.

6.7

MagicScore

#14

Animals

2026

Four couples sail the thin line between desire and search for authenticity, in a world where truth is as fragile as their relationships.

6.1

MagicScore

#15

Practical Magic 2

2026

The Owens sisters must confront the dark curse that threatens to unravel their family once and for all.

6.3

MagicScore

#16

The Shawshank Redemption

1994

Imprisoned in the 1940s for the double murder of his wife and her lover, upstanding banker Andy Dufresne begins a new life at the Shawshank prison, where he puts his accounting skills to work for an amoral warden. During his long stretch in prison, Dufresne comes to be admired by the other inmates -- including an older prisoner named Red -- for his integrity and unquenchable sense of hope.

8.7

MagicScore

#17

Scary Movie

2026

Twenty-six years after outrunning a suspiciously familiar masked killer, the Core Four are back in the killer's crosshairs and no horror movie IP is safe.

6.4

MagicScore

#18

Elephant

2003

Several ordinary high school students go through their daily routine as two others prepare for something more malevolent.

7.0

MagicScore

#19

Transylvania 6-5000

1985

Two reporters travel to a strange castle in Transylvania to investigate the apparent reappearance of Frankenstein, and encounter the sensitive Wolfman, the Vampiress Odette and a whole cast of other weirdos.

5.3

MagicScore

#20

The Shadow's Edge

2025

Macau Police brings the tracking expert police officer out of retirement to help catch a dangerous group of professional thieves.

8.2

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like Desperate Living?

The top films similar to Desperate Living by MovieMagicScore are Coyote vs. Acme (7.6), Moana (7.0), Mayday (7.9). Each shares comedy/crime themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is Desperate Living worth watching?

Desperate Living holds a MovieMagicScore of 6.4/10 from 115 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is Desperate Living?

Desperate Living (1977) is a comedy, crime film directed by John Waters, starring Mink Stole, Jean Hill, Susan Lowe.

Where can I find more recommendations like Desperate Living?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more comedy recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like Coyote vs. Acme Movies like Moana Movies like Mayday Movies like Clash of the Thundermans Movies like Ghost in the Cell Movies like Toy Story 5

About movies like Desperate Living

This ranked list pairs Desperate Living (1977), a comedy and crime film from John Waters, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Mink Stole take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

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