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Movies like

Paulie

Loved the vibe? Here are ten films that hit similar notes—with match scores, reasons to watch, and where to stream in the US.

Paulie poster

Why people love it

Paulie (1998) stuck because it commits to its drama premise without apologizing—viewers remember set pieces and momentum as much as plot. John Roberts's control of tone keeps the ride coherent. The drama and comedy blend is the engine: it lets the film shift registers without feeling like two different movies stitched together.

dramacomedyfamilyadventurerewatchable

Runtime 1h 31m · ★ 6.9

Your 10 recommendations

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Showing 10 of 10 picks

  1. 96match

    1.A Dog's Purpose (2017)

    7.6 · Adventure · Comedy · Fantasy · 1h 40m

    Why you'll love it

    A Dog's Purpose shares Paulie's gift for drama — the 2017 film delivers comedy without overstaying its welcome. Consider it required viewing once you've finished rewatching your first pick.

    Watch on

    • Wonder Project Amazon Channel
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    + Save for later
  2. 94match

    2.Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco (1996)

    6.6 · Adventure · Comedy · Drama · 1h 29m

    Why you'll love it

    Much of what makes Paulie compelling — the drama, the comedy — shows up in Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco (1996) in a slightly different form. Both films understand that funny storytelling works best when it trusts the audience.

    Watch on

    • Disney Plus
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    + Save for later
  3. 92match

    3.Rio 2 (2014)

    6.5 · Animation · Adventure · Comedy · 1h 41m

    Why you'll love it

    The comedy energy of Paulie is alive in Rio 2 (2014), filtered through a different story but the same emotional register. It earns its place on this list with a funny payoff that rivals the original pick.

    Watch on

    • Netflix
    • Disney Plus
    • Netflix Standard with Ads
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    + Save for later
  4. 90match

    4.Rugrats in Paris: The Movie (2000)

    6.7 · Family · Comedy · Adventure · 1h 19m

    Why you'll love it

    Rugrats in Paris: The Movie (2000) operates in the same comedy as Paulie, but with its own distinct voice and pacing. The funny payoff will feel satisfyingly familiar without retreading the same ground.

    Watch on

    • fuboTV
    • Paramount Plus Premium
    • Paramount Plus Essential
    • Paramount+ Amazon Channel
    • Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    + Save for later
  5. 88match

    5.Benji (2018)

    6.9 · Drama · Family · Adventure · 1h 27m

    Why you'll love it

    Benji (2018) belongs to the same conversation as Paulie — both anchor their drama in family emotion that doesn't let go. The uplifting undercurrent connects them more than any plot summary would suggest.

    Watch on

    • Netflix
    • Netflix Standard with Ads
    + Save for later
  6. 86match

    6.Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness (2022)

    7.3 · Animation · Adventure · Comedy · 1h 31m

    Why you'll love it

    If Paulie's comedy stayed with you, Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness (2022) delivers the same sensation through an entirely different story. The family through-line is the real common thread between them.

    Watch on

    • Netflix
    • Netflix Standard with Ads
    + Save for later
  7. 84match

    7.Robot & Frank (2012)

    6.9 · Science Fiction · Comedy · Drama · 1h 29m

    Why you'll love it

    Where Paulie excels in drama, Robot & Frank (2012) doubles down on comedy to comparable effect. The tonal similarities run deep enough that watching both back-to-back feels intentional.

    Watch on

    • Philo
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    + Save for later
  8. 82match

    8.The Wrong Trousers (1993)

    7.8 · Animation · Comedy · Family · 30m

    Why you'll love it

    The Wrong Trousers (1993) is the natural next step after Paulie: same comedy DNA, different perspective. The funny streak and family elevate it well above a simple genre exercise.

    + Save for later
  9. 80match

    9.The Secret Garden (1993)

    7.4 · Drama · Family · Fantasy · 1h 41m

    Why you'll love it

    Fans of Paulie who respond to its drama will find The Secret Garden (1993) immediately familiar. Both films share a family sensibility without ever feeling like carbon copies of each other.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    • Google Play Movies(Buy)
    + Save for later
  10. 78match

    10.Paper Moon (1973)

    7.9 · Comedy · Crime · Drama · 1h 42m

    Why you'll love it

    There's a reason Paulie fans keep landing on Paper Moon (1973) — the drama is unmistakably related even when the plots diverge. Both films operate on the same emotional frequency, especially in their third acts.

    Watch on

    • Criterion Channel
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    + Save for later

FAQ

What should I watch after Paulie?
Try A Dog's Purpose, Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco, Rio 2—each shares DNA with Paulie while changing the setting enough to feel fresh.
What genre is Paulie?
Paulie (1998) is best described as Drama, Comedy, Family, Adventure. Stores and algorithms use different labels, but that mix is what fans actually recognize on a rewatch.
Is Paulie worth revisiting?
Viewer scores sit around 6.9/10 on TMDB—high enough that replays are common for people who like this drama lane.

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