Superbad
2007USA★ 7.35 pt match
Both films sit with belonging, longing, and figuring out who you are. Both circle the same ground: family wounds passed down. Both move the same way too, dark comedy, warm, escalating, and episodic.
About a Boy
2002UKLanguage: EnglishDirected by Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz★ 6.7
Available in English: subtitled
Will Freeman is a good-looking, smooth-talking bachelor whose primary goal in life is avoiding any kind of responsibility. But when he invents an imaginary son in order to meet attractive single moms, Will gets a hilarious lesson about life from a bright, but hopelessly geeky 12-year-old named Marcus. Now, as Will struggles to teach Marcus the art of being cool, Marcus teaches Will that you're never too old to grow up.
Themes and style
Tone
warmdark comedymelancholichopeful
Pacing
episodicslow burnescalating
Story
con deceptionunravelingreunionjourney
Emotion
belongingthe family you choosefiguring out who you arelongingloss of innocenceguiltredemption
Themes
class and moneyfamily dutyfamily wounds passed down
Feel
crowd pleasercatharticrewatchablerewatchable
Violence
noneWhere to watch
Hollywood films like About a Boy
If About a Boy hit you the right way, here are Hollywood films that share its DNA. Same emotional weight, same kind of stories, same kind of payoff.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
1987USA★ 7.35 pt match
What ties these together is belonging, the family you choose, and loss of innocence. Both circle the same ground: class and money and family duty. Same energy: dark comedy, warm, episodic, and escalating.
The 40-Year-Old Virgin
2005USA★ 6.45 pt match
Like About a Boy, this one is rooted in belonging, figuring out who you are, and the family you choose. Same energy: warm, dark comedy, episodic, and escalating.
School of Rock
2003USA★ 7.14.5 pt match
Like About a Boy, this one is rooted in belonging, figuring out who you are, and the family you choose. They share the same lens on class and money, family wounds passed down, and family duty. Both move the same way too, warm, dark comedy, escalating, and episodic.
Elf
2003USA★ 6.73.5 pt match
Like About a Boy, this one is rooted in belonging, figuring out who you are, and the family you choose. The world both films live in revolves around family duty, family wounds passed down, and class and money. Same energy: warm, hopeful, episodic, and escalating.