People who love Casablanca have a myriad of other movie options that use the same cinematic elements, tones, and storylines. Set in the French-controlled eponymous city in the year 1941, the award-winning film Casablanca follows the expat nightclub owner Rick Blaine (Humphrey Boggart) who must decide between keeping his former lover Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) and helping her resistance-leader husband Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreig) escape so he can fight against the German Nazis. Between Casablanca‘s emotional ending and stellar actors, the movie is iconic. Unsurprisingly, Casablanca has numerous accolades that make it so famous, even 81 years later.
The industry had low expectations for Casablanca, but the film is now considered one of the best classics out there. Its legacy altered the trajectory of the noir and political movie genres, laying the groundwork for other famous films. Additionally, based on the American Film Institute’s list of the most famous movie quotes, the classic romantic drama is the most quotable movie of all time. While no movie will ever capture the exact magic of the original, many movies similar to Casablanca exist that provide just as compelling characters and stories.
10 Algiers (1938)
Algiers tells the story of a thief named Pepe lo Moko (Charles Boyer), who evades police by staying in the Casbah section of Algiers. While hiding out, Pepe develops a love triangle with Ines (Sigrid Gurie) and Gaby (Hedy Lamarr), both of whom have other relationships. Though the classic movie is better known, Casablanca wouldn’t exist without Algiers, a forgotten film with similar themes and characters. Warner Bros. decided to rework Algiers using the same basic story elements. Both movies have love triangles, nihilism, and a character on the run. Still, Algiers includes slightly less tension because it didn’t involve Nazis.
9 The Conspirators (1944)
The romantic war movie The Conspirators follows resistance leader Vincent Van Der Lyn (Paul Henreid), who goes on the run from the Nazis and falls for a spy named Irene Von Mohr (Hedy Lamarr). Fans of Casablanca are bound to enjoy The Conspirators. The Conspirators reunited Paul Henreid, Sydney Greenstreet, and Peter Lorre, all of whom appeared in Casablanca. Additionally, the movie maintains the political noir undertone of Casablanca, weaving in a doomed romance that pulls at viewers’ heartstrings. However, it will also introduce Casablanca fans to the amazing actress Hedy Lamarr, who is just as skilled as Ingrid Bergman.
8 It Happened One Night (1934)
It Happened One Night tells the story of a cynical, roguish reporter named Peter Warne (Clark Gable), who ends up on a road trip with a runaway socialite named Ellie Andrews (Claudette Colbert) — the subject of his prospective article. At first glance, Casablanca couldn’t be more different than It Happened One Night. Casablanca is a noir and political thriller, while It Happened One Night falls into the screwball comedy genre. However, both include magnetic romances with such strong development that they feel real. Additionally, the movies make clever use of sound and pacing in the early years of the Golden Hollywood era.
7 Tilt (2011)
The Bulgarian romantic drama Tilt follows the relationship between Stash (Yavor Baharoff) and Becky (Radina Kardjilova), both of whom are separated after Stash and his friends are caught distributing illegal pornography and go on the run together. Stash spends his time trying to get back to Becky. The movie blends genres similarly to Casablanca. Tilt feels like equal parts thriller, noir, drama, and comedy. Additionally, both films include a main character on the run from the law. Ultimately, Tilt has more relatable moments for modern audiences. Casablanca is more like a time capsule.
6 Cabaret (1972)
In the movie Cabaret, American expat Sally Bowles (Liza Minnelli) performs at the Kit Kat Club in 1931 Berlin and develops a romance with a British academic named Brian Roberts (Michael York). This story is heavily influenced by the political tension and rising Nazi fascism in Berlin. Although Cabaret is a musical drama, it feels inextricably linked to Casablanca. The stories could easily exist within the same cinematic universe based on their tone and pacing. Also, both movies include deep romances torn apart by the rise of the Nazi party, but Cabaret is set between World War I and World War II.
5 An Affair To Remember (1957)
The classic romance film An Affair to Remember chronicles the budding relationship between a Lothario named Nickie Ferrante (Cary Grant) and former singer Terry McKay (Deborah Kerr), both of whom are in other relationships. They plan to meet on the top of the Empire State Building six months later to start their lives together, but a tragic accident derails their plans. An Affair to Remember carries similar romantic themes as Casablanca, showing the right people meeting at the wrong time. The romantic relationships in both movies aren’t all happy either, possessing many obstacles. However, An Affair to Remember features a much happier ending for the main couple.
4 Gone Girl (2014)
Gone Girl follows Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) as he becomes the main suspect of his wife Amy Dunne’s (Rosamund Pike) disappearance. Though Gone Girl lacks a romantic component, the movie possesses many film noir elements that make it appealing to people who love Casablanca. Gone Girl has a melodramatic plot with punchy narration. The cinematography includes moody lighting that helps set the tone, a good trade-off since it isn’t in black and white. Additionally, every decision in the movie feels high stakes, building effective tension. All of these elements present in Gone Girl also play a role in the success of Casablanca.
3 Gilda (1946)
In the noir/romance movie Gilda, Johnny Farrell (Glenn Ford) gets hired by Ballin Mundson (George Macready), the owner of an illegal Buenos Aires casino, who goes on to marry Farrell’s former lover, Gilda (Rita Hayworth). Gilda was created as an homage to Casablanca, a fact that’s visible in the storyline and style of the movie. Gilda and Casablanca both have similar love triangles at the heart of their plots. Additionally, they both include memorable dialogue with a similar cadence. Fans of Casablanca may be pleasantly surprised to find that they enjoy Gilda‘s pessimism and salaciousness, though, elements that set the movies apart.
2 The Philadelphia Story (1940)
The Philadelphia Story tells the tale of Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn), a wealthy socialite whose wedding to George Kittredge (John Howard) gets derailed when her ex-husband, C.K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant), and tabloid journalist Mike Conner (James Stewart) show up. This romantic comedy has a similar dynamic to Casablanca‘s love triangle, building the passion between Tracy and Dexter. Additionally, both movies make social commentary, with Casablanca‘s leaning toward war and politics while The Philadelphia Story covers social class. The movies’ similarities will appeal to Casablanca fans, while the differences will keep them mentally engaged.
1 Allied (2016)
Set during the same time period as Casablanca, Allied follows the brewing romance between a Canadian spy named Max Vatan (Brad Pitt) and a French Resistance fighter named Marianne Beauséjour (Marion Cotillard). Alongside Casablanca, Allied is considered one of the best love stories set during wartime. Allied makes a nod to the classic by setting part of the movie in Casablanca, Morrocco. Since both movies take place during World War II, the stakes and tension feel equally high. Ultimately, Allied will provide Casablanca lovers with an equally compelling romance influenced by war.
