14 Must-Watch Movies Similar to ‘To Be or Not to Be’

Lady by Choice is reminiscent of To Be or Not to Be in its comedic and dramatic elements. Both movies feature strong female leads, with Carole Lombard delivering captivating performances in both films. While To Be or Not to Be explores the Nazi occupation of Poland and the power of art in challenging oppressive regimes, Lady by Choice focuses on the unlikely friendship between a brash drunk and a controversial dancer. Both movies showcase Lombard's ability to bring depth and charm to her characters, creating a strong emotional connection with the audience. However, Lady by Choice lacks the political satire and historical context present in To Be or Not to Be. Instead, it relies on Lombard's chemistry with May Robson and the fun dialogue to entertain the viewers. Despite their differences, fans of Lombard's talent and comedic timing will find Lady by Choice to be a delightful watch.

We're Not Dressing is reminiscent of To Be or Not to Be in its comedic tone and romantic storyline. Both movies use humor to tackle serious subjects, with To Be or Not to Be satirizing the Nazis and We're Not Dressing subverting social class differences. While To Be or Not to Be focuses on the Nazi occupation of Poland during World War II, We're Not Dressing takes place on a deserted island, emphasizing the escapism that comedy provides. Both films feature talented casts, with Carole Lombard starring in both movies, showcasing her comedic skills. To Be or Not to Be also stars Jack Benny and Robert Stack, while We're Not Dressing features Bing Crosby, George Burns, and Gracie Allen. Despite their similarities, the two movies have distinct storylines, with To Be or Not to Be delving deeper into politics and war, while We're Not Dressing prioritizes music, dancing, and comedy.

Hands Across the Table is reminiscent of To Be or Not to Be in its screwball comedy genre and romantic plotline. Both movies feature strong, charismatic female leads who are involved in complicated love triangles. While To Be or Not to Be takes place during the Nazi occupation of Poland and delves into the political climate of the time, Hands Across the Table is set in a more light-hearted world of millionaires and hotels. The main characters in both films are driven by their desire to marry someone wealthy, but they find themselves falling for someone unexpected. Carole Lombard shines in both movies, displaying her comedic talent and charm. While To Be or Not to Be uses satire and clever dialogue to tackle serious subjects like Nazism, Hands Across the Table focuses more on the romantic and comedic aspects of the story. Both films are captivating in their own way, and if you enjoyed the wit and charm of To Be or Not to Be, Hands Across the Table is definitely worth a watch.

The Princess Comes Across is a delightful comedy-mystery that will remind you of the classic film To Be or Not to Be. Both movies feature the talented Carole Lombard, who showcases her incredible range of comedic skills. In To Be or Not to Be, Lombard plays the role of a Polish actress during the Nazi occupation, while in The Princess Comes Across, she takes on the guise of an American actress pretending to be a Swedish princess.
While To Be or Not to Be focuses on the serious subject of war and the resistance against the Nazis, The Princess Comes Across takes a more lighthearted approach with its comedy and mystery elements. The plot revolves around Lombard's character attempting to get aboard a cruise ship by pretending to be royalty. The film also gives us a glimpse of pre-World War II politics, with detectives from different countries on board.

Nothing Sacred is reminiscent of To Be or Not to Be in its witty and clever script, as well as its delightful performances. Both movies belong to the screwball comedy genre and showcase the comedic talents of Carole Lombard, who shines in both films. While To Be or Not to Be takes place during the Nazi occupation of Poland and uses satire to mock the Nazis, Nothing Sacred tells the story of an eccentric woman who feigns sickness for her own profit. The main difference between the two movies lies in their plot and setting. To Be or Not to Be is set in World War II and uses the backdrop of war to explore themes of art, heroism, and deception, while Nothing Sacred takes place in a small town and focuses on the battle of the sexes. Despite their differences, both movies are highly entertaining and showcase the comedic brilliance of Carole Lombard.

"Fools for Scandal" is a delightful comedy that will surely remind you of "To Be or Not to Be". Both movies belong to the screwball comedy genre and feature strong female leads. In "Fools for Scandal", Carole Lombard shines as an incognito Hollywood star in Paris, while in "To Be or Not to Be", she delivers a memorable performance as the greatest actress of Poland.
While the two films share the same genre and star, they differ in their plots and settings. "To Be or Not to Be" takes place during the Nazi occupation of Poland and follows an acting troupe caught up in espionage, whereas "Fools for Scandal" is set in Paris and revolves around a penniless marquis relentlessly pursuing a famous actress.
Despite their differences, both films showcase Lombard's comedic talent and offer a mix of romance and humor.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith is reminiscent of To Be or Not to Be in that they are both screwball comedies with a touch of romance. While To Be or Not to Be takes place during the Nazi occupation of Poland and revolves around an acting troupe's efforts to track down a German spy, Mr. & Mrs. Smith tells the story of a married couple who, after three years of marriage, discover that their marriage is not legally valid. Both films feature strong comedic performances from their lead actors, Carole Lombard and Robert Montgomery, who were known for their talent in screwball comedies. However, while To Be or Not to Be delves into the political backdrop of World War II and satirizes the Nazis, Mr. & Mrs. Smith focuses more on the comedic situations arising from the couple's discovery and their subsequent interactions with each other and other characters. Although Alfred Hitchcock directed Mr. & Mrs.

Cinderella Jones is reminiscent of To Be or Not to Be in its screwball comedy style and its setting during World War II. However, while To Be or Not to Be focuses on an acting troupe caught up in the Nazi occupation of Poland, Cinderella Jones takes a lighter approach. The plot revolves around Judy Jones, a talented singer who also works at an aircraft plant. After participating in a "missing heirs" radio program, she discovers that she is an heiress with a time limit to get married in order to inherit her fortune. The movie then explores her dilemma of choosing between two rivals, Tommy Coles and Bart Williams, to determine if they love her for herself or her wealth.
While To Be or Not to Be uses satire and clever dialogue to tackle the serious subject of Nazism, Cinderella Jones opts for a more lighthearted approach with musical numbers and comedic situations.

The Great Profile is reminiscent of To Be or Not to Be in its portrayal of the theater world and the comedic situations that arise from it. Both films explore the lives of actors and the challenges they face in their craft. While To Be or Not to Be takes place during the Nazi occupation of Poland and uses satire to mock the Nazis, The Great Profile focuses on the personal struggles of a famous actor named Evan Garrick, played by John Barrymore, who is given to drink and nearly destroys a show. Both films feature a leading lady who plays a crucial role in saving the show. In To Be or Not to Be, it is Maria Tura, brilliantly portrayed by Carole Lombard, who uses her acting skills to outwit the Nazis and help the Polish resistance. In The Great Profile, it is Mary Maxwell, played by Anne Baxter, who tries to reform Evan Garrick and helps him find his passion for acting again.

First Love is reminiscent of To Be or Not to Be because both movies fall under the genre of screwball comedy and feature a strong-willed female protagonist. While To Be or Not to Be takes place during World War II and involves a theater troupe's efforts to track down a German spy, First Love tells the story of an orphaned boarding-school graduate who secretly attends a prestigious ball and falls in love with the boyfriend of her snobbish cousin. Both films explore themes of love, deception, and the triumph of the underdog. However, they differ in their historical context, with To Be or Not to Be focusing on the Nazi occupation of Poland and First Love taking place in 1930s New York City. Additionally, the films have different tones, with To Be or Not to Be having a darker undertone due to its subject matter, while First Love is light-hearted and charming.

"The Miracle of Morgan's Creek" is a hilarious screwball comedy that will leave you in stitches. Just like its predecessor, "To Be or Not to Be," it takes a satirical approach to a serious topic. While "To Be or Not to Be" tackled the Nazis, "The Miracle of Morgan's Creek" uses comedy to navigate the restrictions of Hollywood censorship during the 1940s. The film cleverly circumvents the rules while still maintaining decorum, making it a fascinating watch for anyone interested in the history of cinema. The cast, including Betty Hutton and Eddie Bracken, deliver their performances with gusto, and William Demarest steals the show with his knockabout and farcically violent antics. The film's plot revolves around a small-town girl who wakes up married and pregnant, but with no memory of her husband's identity, leading to hilarious and chaotic situations.

I Was a Male War Bride: Howard Hawks proves once again why he is considered to be the director's director. The story is fairly simplistic, but with the help of brilliant actors and ingenious dialogue he turned it into a masterpiece and a classic. And it's a damn funny movie, too. The chemistry between Ann Sheridan and Cary Grant is amazing, and Ann is so damn sexy. I particularly enjoyed her role as a strong yet sensuous woman, who, in contrast with many other female roles of the time, comes across as plenty fresh and modern. The movie is a light-hearted comedy for the first half, and then suddenly turns into an almost Kafkaian nightmare for the rest. Grant really shows us his thespic stuff when he's battling being turned into a woman for bureaucratic reasons. I'm giving this only nine points because I want to leave me some room for improvement. But it's a brilliant and very enjoyable movie, which is sadly underrated.

Third Finger, Left Hand is reminiscent of To Be or Not to Be in its witty and fast-paced screwball comedy style. Both movies feature clever dialogue, humorous situations, and charismatic performances from their lead actors. While To Be or Not to Be is set during the Nazi occupation of Poland and uses satire to tackle serious themes, Third Finger, Left Hand takes a lighter approach, focusing on a single magazine editor pretending to be married to avoid advances from her male colleagues. Despite their differences in plot and setting, both movies share a delightful blend of romance, comedy, and sharp wit that will leave you entertained from start to finish. So, if you enjoyed To Be or Not to Be and are in the mood for another charming and funny classic, Third Finger, Left Hand is definitely worth a watch.

Mr. and Mrs. North is reminiscent of To Be or Not to Be, albeit with a different comedic style and tone. Both movies fall into the category of screwball comedies, but while To Be or Not to Be cleverly satirizes the Nazis during World War II, Mr. and Mrs. North takes a lighter approach as a comedic mystery. The similarities lie in the use of witty dialogue and comedic situations to drive the plot forward. However, To Be or Not to Be delves into deeper themes such as the power of art and the human condition in the face of tragedy, while Mr. and Mrs. North focuses more on the comedic dynamic between the titular couple and their friends. If you enjoyed To Be or Not to Be's smart humor and want a lighthearted mystery with a delightful cast, Mr. and Mrs. North is the perfect choice.

"The Gay Bride" is reminiscent of "To Be or Not to Be" in its screwball comedy genre and its focus on relationships and romantic entanglements. Both movies feature charismatic and talented leading ladies, with Carole Lombard in "To Be or Not to Be" and her luminous self, and the plot of "The Gay Bride" could easily have been played by Lombard in later years. While "To Be or Not to Be" takes place during the Nazi occupation of Poland and revolves around a Polish acting troupe, "The Gay Bride" is set in the world of bootleggers and gangsters. However, both films share a similar energy and humor that keeps the audience engaged and entertained. So if you enjoyed the witty banter and comedic timing of "To Be or Not to Be," you'll definitely find "The Gay Bride" to be a delightful and charming comedy that will leave you smiling.