Movies Like Whiplash (2013)

Whiplash is a 2013 drama, music film from Damien Chazelle with a MovieMagicScore of 7.8/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Whiplash and Shiva Baby.

Drama Music

Whiplash

2014

Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity.

8.4

MagicScore

Shiva Baby

2018

At a shiva with her parents, a college student runs into her sugar daddy.

7.0

MagicScore

Tango Tangles

1914

In a dance hall, two members of the orchestra and a tipsy dancer fight over the hat check girl.

5.1

MagicScore

American Pop

1981

The history of American popular music runs parallel with the history of a Russian Jewish immigrant family, with each male descendant possessing different musical abilities.

6.9

MagicScore

Bigger Than Life

1956

A friendly, successful suburban teacher and father grows dangerously addicted to cortisone, resulting in his transformation into a household despot.

7.2

MagicScore

Blues in the Night

1941

A struggling band find themselves attached to a fugitive and drawn into a series of old feuds and love affairs, as they try to stay together and find musical success.

6.2

MagicScore

Pete Kelly's Blues

1955

In 1927, a Kansas City, Missouri cornet player and his band perform nightly at a seedy speakeasy until a racketeer tries to extort them in exchange for protection.

6.1

MagicScore

Hard Candy

2005

Hayley’s a smart, charming teenage girl. Jeff’s a handsome, smooth fashion photographer. An Internet chat, a coffee shop meet-up, an impromptu fashion shoot back at Jeff’s place. Jeff thinks it’s his lucky night. He’s in for a surprise.

6.8

MagicScore

Diary of a Mad Black Woman

2005

Charles, an attorney, and Helen, his devoted wife, seem to have everything – money, a beautiful mansion – the American Dream. However, as Helen prepares to celebrate their 18th wedding anniversary, her life takes an unexpected twist when she comes home to find her clothes packed up in a U-Haul van parked in the driveway. Charles is divorcing her and kicks her out. Helen moves in with her grandmother Madea, an old woman who doesn't take any lip from anyone. Madea helps Helen through these tough times by showing her what is really important in life. Helen is forced to rediscover love, life, and religion in her pursuit for happiness.

6.5

MagicScore

#10

Why Did I Get Married?

2007

Eight married college friends plus one other non-friend (all of whom have achieved middle to upper class economic status) go to Colorado for their annual week-long reunion, but the mood shifts when one couple's infidelity comes to light. As secrets are revealed, each couple begins to question their own relationship.

6.5

MagicScore

#11

Chasing Trane

2017

An account of the life of the brilliant jazz musician John Coltrane (1926-67), a gifted saxophonist, an extraordinarily talented thinker whose original, avant-garde work has impacted and influenced people all over the world. A story about music's ability to entertain, inspire and transform.

7.3

MagicScore

#12

Jam Session

1942

Duke Ellington and Orchestra perform 'C Jam Blues'.

6.2

MagicScore

#13

Second Chorus

1941

Danny O'Neill and Hank Taylor are rival trumpeters with the Perennials, a college band, and both men are still attending college by failing their exams seven years in a row. In the midst of a performance, Danny spies Ellen Miller who ends up being made band manager. Both men compete for her affections while trying to get the other one fired.

5.8

MagicScore

#14

Swimming with Sharks

1994

Guy is a young film executive who's willing to do whatever it takes to make it in Hollywood. He begins working for famed producer Buddy Ackerman, a domineering, manipulative, coldhearted boss. When Guy also finds out that his cynical girlfriend, Dawn, has been using sex as a career move, he reaches his limit. Guy decides to exact revenge on Buddy by kidnapping him and subjecting him to cruel and unusual punishment.

6.6

MagicScore

#15

CODA

2021

As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Ruby is the only hearing person in her deaf family. When the family's fishing business is threatened, Ruby finds herself torn between pursuing her love of music and her fear of abandoning her parents.

7.9

MagicScore

#16

Dixieland Droopy

1954

John Pettibone (Droopy), a dog whose love of Dixieland music is not appreciated by those around him, has a lucky meeting with Pee-Wee Runt and his All-Flea Dixieland band at the circus.

6.9

MagicScore

#17

The Nutty Professor

1963

A timid, nearsighted chemistry teacher discovers a magical potion that can transform him into a suave and handsome Romeo. The Jekyll and Hyde game works well enough until the concoction starts to wear off at the most embarrassing times.

6.5

MagicScore

#18

Mr. Holland's Opus

1995

In 1965, passionate musician Glenn Holland takes a day job as a high school music teacher, convinced it's just a small obstacle on the road to his true calling: writing a historic opus. As the decades roll by with the composition unwritten but generations of students inspired through his teaching, Holland must redefine his life's purpose.

6.9

MagicScore

#19

The Music Teacher

1988

Aging opera singer Joachim Dallayrac retires from the stage and retreats to the countryside to school two young singers. Although the rigorous training takes its toll on both teacher and students, there is plenty of time for relationships to develop between the three.

6.9

MagicScore

#20

Music of the Heart

1999

After Roberta Guaspari separates from her husband, she receives encouragement from her mother to take up a job of a music teacher at the Central Park East School in East Harlem.

6.7

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like Whiplash?

The top films similar to Whiplash by MovieMagicScore are Whiplash (8.4), Shiva Baby (7.0), Tango Tangles (5.1). Each shares drama/music themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is Whiplash worth watching?

Whiplash holds a MovieMagicScore of 7.8/10 from 384 viewer ratings, putting it among the better-reviewed titles in its genre.

What kind of movie is Whiplash?

Whiplash (2013) is a drama, music film directed by Damien Chazelle, starring Johnny Simmons, J.K. Simmons, Nate Lang.

Where can I find more recommendations like Whiplash?

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

Keep exploring

Movies like Whiplash Movies like Shiva Baby Movies like Tango Tangles Movies like American Pop Movies like Bigger Than Life Movies like Blues in the Night

About movies like Whiplash

This ranked list pairs Whiplash (2013), a drama and music film from Damien Chazelle, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Johnny Simmons 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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