10 Movies Like Cruella (2021) You Should Watch

Published on Apr 2, 2026

A selection of films similar to “Cruella”, featuring strong and charismatic heroines and anti-heroines, struggles for influence and recognition, and conflicts with the system and injustice. The stories in this selection focus on female rivalry, tense relationships, and often trace the rise of vivid, complicated, and iconic women characters. The closest matches are “The Devil Wears Prada”, “I, Tonya”, “Maleficent”, “House of Gucci”, and “The Favourite”.

The Devil Wears Prada

1. The Devil Wears Prada

Drama Comedy
7.0

2006 · 1h 49min

Director: David Frankel

Young Andy dreams above all of becoming a professional journalist. To give her career a boost, she takes a job as the assistant to the very strict and demanding editor of one of the most popular fashion magazines, not yet knowing what challenges this job has in store for her.

Style similarity

Most similar in: fast pacing, strong humor, moderate complexity

Biggest differences: noticeably less action-heavy, noticeably more romantic, noticeably less violent


I, Tonya

2. I, Tonya

Drama Comedy
7.5

2017 · 2h

United States

Director: Craig Gillespie

American figure skater Tonya is one step away from Olympic glory. To make sure it happens, there’s only one thing left: get rid of her rival—and Tonya will stop at nothing on her way to fame.

Style similarity

Most similar in: fast pacing, strong humor, moderate action

Biggest differences: noticeably bleaker, noticeably darker tone, noticeably more complex

Shared keywords

Rivalry, Competition


House of Gucci

3. House of Gucci

Drama Crime History
6.6

2021 · 2h 38min

United States, Canada

Director: Ridley Scott

A biographical story about the life of Maurizio Gucci, heir to the famous fashion house. One day he meets Patrizia, a young woman from a modest family who has always longed for a life of luxury. As a romance blossoms between them and they eventually marry, Patrizia becomes increasingly drawn into the inner workings of the family business, seeking greater power and wealth.

Style similarity

Most similar in: moderate tension, moderate complexity, mild violence

Biggest differences: much more romantic, noticeably bleaker, noticeably less humorous

Shared keywords

Rivalry, Ambition, Family, Family Drama, Revenge, Orchestrated Revenge


101 Dalmatians

4. 101 Dalmatians

Family Comedy
5.8

1996 · 1h 43min

Director: Stephen Herek

The villainous Cruella de Vil kidnaps 15 little Dalmatian puppies to make herself a fur coat. The puppies’ parents, Perdy and Pongo, soon discover that many more have fallen victim to her and set out on a journey to rescue the little ones.

Style similarity

Most similar in: fast pacing, moderate tension, strong humor

Biggest differences: noticeably less bleak, noticeably lighter tone, noticeably less complex


Molly's Game

5. Molly's Game

Drama Crime
7.4

2017 · 2h 20min

United States

Director: Aaron Sorkin

A biographical drama about a former skier whose athletic career comes to an end, leading her to open an underground poker club in Los Angeles. Among its visitors are billionaires, celebrities, and even members of the criminal underworld. Before long, Molly’s operation attracts the attention of the FBI.

Style similarity

Most similar in: fast pacing, dark tone, mild hopelessness

Biggest differences: noticeably less humorous, noticeably more tense, noticeably more complex


The Favourite

6. The Favourite

History Comedy Drama
7.5

2018 · 2h

United States, Ireland

Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

This historical drama follows court intrigue in England, where two servants of the ailing Queen Anne compete to become her chief favourite, seeking power, access to money, and influence over politics.

Style similarity

Most similar in: strong humor, mild violence

Biggest differences: noticeably bleaker, much more romantic, noticeably darker tone

Shared keywords

Rivalry, Ambition, Revenge, Competition


The Dressmaker

7. The Dressmaker

Drama Comedy Western
7.0

2015 · 1h 58min

Australia, United Kingdom

Director: Jocelyn Moorhouse

Beautiful and talented dressmaker Tilly returns to her hometown, which she was once forced to leave because of a tragic incident for which she was unfairly blamed. While trying to reconcile with her ill mother, she also transforms the lives of local women through her talent for making dresses.

Style similarity

Most similar in: moderate tension, moderate complexity, mild violence

Biggest differences: much bleaker, noticeably darker tone, noticeably more romantic

Shared keywords

Family, Family Drama, Revenge


Maleficent

8. Maleficent

Fantasy Adventure Action Family Romance
6.9

2014 · 1h 37min

United States

Director: Robert Stromberg

A young sorceress lives in a magical realm filled with wonder and fantastical creatures. But when she places her trust in a young man who later betrays her and brings destruction to her world, Maleficent’s heart turns to stone, and she becomes cold and ruthless. As the conflict with the human kingdom grows, she casts a terrible curse on a newborn princess.

Style similarity

Most similar in: fast pacing, moderate tension, moderate complexity

Biggest differences: much less humorous


After breaking up with the Joker, Harley Quinn finds herself drawn into a dangerous clash with Gotham crime boss Roman Sionis. When the city’s criminals begin hunting both Harley and a valuable diamond, she joins forces with four other women who also have personal scores to settle with Roman.

Style similarity

Most similar in: moderate tension, moderate complexity, dark tone

Biggest differences: much more violent, much more action-heavy, slightly faster pacing


Joker

10. Joker

Crime Thriller Drama
8.3

2019 · 2h 2min

United States, Canada

Director: Todd Phillips

Arthur Fleck, a failed comedian, lives in a shabby apartment with his mother and suffers from mental disorders. Working as a clown, he faces cruelty from colleagues and random passersby every day, all too eager to humiliate him. After one such incident, he decides to respond with extreme violence.

Style similarity

Most similar in: story tropes, core conflict

Biggest differences: much bleaker, much darker tone, much less humorous

You might also like

Films like The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Films like The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

In this collection we gathered films for those who enjoyed The Devil Wears Prada (2006) — stylish stories about ambition, careers, and the struggle to find a place in the world of big business, where characters must adapt to the harsh rules of the industry in order to survive and succeed. These films combine striking fashion imagery and an atmosphere of glamour and elegance while exploring themes of professional growth, self-realization, and complicated workplace relationships in a highly competitive environment. The list includes well-known titles such as Cruella, Legally Blonde, The Intern, Morning Glory, and more.

Films like Marty Supreme (2025)

Films like Marty Supreme (2025)

This collection brings together films similar to Marty Supreme (2025): black comedies, crime dramas, and tense adventure stories centered on an amoral antihero who, in pursuit of success, gets pulled ever deeper into lies, risky schemes, betrayal, and moral compromise. Many of these films echo Marty Supreme not through their sports backdrop, but through their jittery, escalating tension, sense of chaos, and constant spiral of mounting problems — in the spirit of the Safdie brothers’ films.

10 Movies Like Emma. (2020): What to Watch Next

10 Movies Like Emma. (2020): What to Watch Next

This collection brings together charming romantic stories about self-assured heroines, filled with humor, romantic entanglements, and moments of self-discovery, that share the same mood and themes as (“Emma.”)[movie_id=556678]. Most of the films in this selection unfold in a historical setting. It includes both classic period dramas and more modern stories. The closest matches here are (“Love & Friendship”)[movie_id=296360], (“Pride & Prejudice”)[movie_id=4348], (“Clueless”)[movie_id=9603], and (“Mansfield Park”)[movie_id=10399].

About the movie Cruella

Year: 2021

Genres: Comedy, Crime, Adventure

Plot: Smart and resourceful orphan Estella lives on the streets and engages in petty scams together with her friends. With a talent for fashion and a refined sense of style, she one day gets the chance to work at the fashion house of a powerful and ruthless designer.

Keywords: Rivalry, Ambition, Family, Coming of Age, Family Drama, Self-Discovery, Revenge, Twist Ending, Secret Identity, Orchestrated Revenge