10 Best Movies Like Netflix’s Incoming

There are a solid number of good movies similar to Incoming, which wears its influences on its sleeve. The raunchy new Netflix teen comedy, which follows a group of four incoming freshmen who prepare to attend what they believe will be a life-changing party, has already become a hit on the platform, debuting at No. 2 on the streamer’s weekly global chart of the most-watched English language movies in its first three days.

The Incoming cast is led by up-and-coming stars Mason Thames, Ramon Reed, Raphael Alejandro, and Bardia Seiri alongside a supporting cast of familiar faces that includes Kaitlin Olson (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), Isabella Ferreira (Love, Victor), and Bobby Cannavale (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle). While co-directors Dave and John Chernin made their feature debut with the 2024 title and thus have no other movies to pursue afterward, there are plenty of other teen comedy movies, particularly those centered around parties, that are similar to the Netflix offering.

A side by side image features Ally Wong in the Netflix original Comedy Always Be My Maybe alongside Elijah Wood and Melanie Lynskey in the Netflix original comedy I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore Related 25 Best Netflix Original Comedy Movies

The best Netflix original comedy movies offer a diverse line-up of dark comedies, ensemble films, kids movies, and even a Western anthology.

10 Blockers (2018)

A Raunchy Parents Vs. Teenagers Romp

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Blockers is a 2018 comedy from director Kay Cannon starring Leslie Mann, John Cena, Ike Barinholtz, Kathryn Newton, Geraldine Viswanathan, Gideon Adlon, and Ramona Young. The film’s premise revolves around a group of parents who are trying to prevent their daughters from having sex and losing their virginity on prom night.

Director Kay Cannon Release Date March 14, 2018 Cast John Cena , Geraldine Viswanathan , Leslie Mann , Ramona Young , Miles Robbins , Ike Barinholtz , Graham Phillips , Kathryn Newton , Colton Dunn Runtime 102 minutes

While Incoming reviews trended negative, earning it a Rotten Tomatoes score of 27%, the raunchy 2018 comedy Blockers bowled critics over. The movie earned a Certified Fresh score of 83% in addition to to becoming a solid commercial success, earning $94 million against a $21 million budget and outgrossing other major comedies from the year, including The Spy Who Dumped Me, Love, Simon, and Life of the Party.

Blockers is somewhat different from Incoming in that its premise – which follows a group of parents who want to prevent their teenage daughters from losing their virginities – necessitates that the adults (played by stars Leslie Mann, Ike Barinholtz, and John Cena) get more or less equal screen time with the teenagers (played by Kathryn Newton, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Gideon Adlon). However, it still offers its fair share of over-the-top teen movie antics, similarly centered around a single event, in this case the prom.

9 Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008)

An Epic Teenage Odyssey Over One Wild Night

Michael Cera playing the bass in Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is another movie that won over critics, earning a Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes score of 75%. The 2008 title, which is based on the 2006 novel of the same name co-written by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, also earned a 65% audience score on what has now been dubbed the Popcornmeter by the review aggregator platform.

The movie’s premise fits in perfectly with Incoming, as it follows a group of teenagers over the course of a wild unchaperoned night in the city trying to find the location of a secret show being performed by the band Where’s Fluffy? The movie also features a cast that is studded with teen stars from the time period including Juno‘s Michael Cera, Disturbia‘s Aaron Yoo, Undeclared‘s Jay Baruchel, and Raise Your Voice‘s Kat Dennings.

8 Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982)

A Seminal 1980s Teen Movie

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Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a 1982 comedy based on the book Fast Times at Ridgemont High: A True Story by Cameron Crowe. The film stars Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Judge Reinhold. Fast Times at Ridgemont High is a simple story detailing the escapades of teenagers in Southern California who center their lives around sex, drugs, and rock music.

Director Amy Heckerling Release Date August 13, 1982 Cast Phoebe Cates , Ray Walston , Jennifer Jason Leigh , Brian Backer , Judge Reinhold , Sean Penn , Robert Romanus Runtime 90 minutes

Another movie that is a precursor to Incoming is 1982’s Fast Times at Ridgemont High, an ensemble-led teen movie from the early 1980s that is one of the earliest entries in the teen movie boom of the era. The beloved title is another Certified Fresh entry with a 78% Rotten Tomatoes score on top of its 80% Popcornmeter score. Its reputation as a teen classic has endured over the decades, and in 2005 it was selected for preservation by the National Film Registry.

In addition to being a raunchy comedy that acknowledged many realities of teen sexuality, the movie – which was directed by Clueless‘ Amy Heckerling – examined the inner lives of teenagers in a uniquely heartfelt and earnest way. The Fast Times at Ridgemont High cast is also stacked with future icons of the 1980s and beyond, including Sean Penn, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Judge Reinhold, Phoebe Cates, and – in very small roles – Forest Whitaker and Nicolas Cage.

7 Calendar Girl (1993)

A Wacky Teen Road Trip Comedy

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Calendar Girls is a comedy-drama directed by Nigel Cole, centered on a Women’s Institute group in Yorkshire. Helen Mirren and Julie Walters star as two friends who initiate the creation of an unconventional calendar to raise funds for leukemia research. The film explores themes of friendship, community, and the humorous challenges faced by the women as they break from tradition.

Director Nigel Cole Release Date September 2, 2003 Cast Helen Mirren , Julie Walters , John Alderton , Linda Bassett , Annette Crosbie Runtime 108 Minutes

Despite being a period piece set in 1962, it has many similarities to
Incoming

Calendar Girl follows three teenagers (played by Jerry O’Connell, Gabriel Olds, and Beverly Hills, 90210 star Jason Priestley) who go on a road trip to Hollywood, believing that they can go on a date with – and possibly go to bed with – Marilyn Monroe. Despite being a period piece set in 1962, it has many similarities to Incoming, including the misguided approach the main characters take to their own sex lives at the beginning of the movie.

The arcs of the characters also take a similar shape to those from Incoming as the bond between the core group of friends, as well as respect for women as human beings, begins to triumph over their base physical needs. While much maturing takes place over the course of their coming-of-age journey, it is still rife with raunchy screwball comedy moments along the way, including a visit to a nude beach.

6 Good Boys (2019)

An Aged-Down Coming-Of-Age Comedy

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Written and directed by Gene Stupnitsky, with writing help from Lee Eisenberg, Good Boys is a Comedy starring Jacob Tremblay, Brady Noon, and Keith L. Williams. The 2019 film follows three sixth-graders that end up in a series of situations while trying to attend a party.

Director Lee Eisenberg , Gene Stupnitsky Release Date August 14, 2019 Cast Millie Davis , Keith L. Williams , Benita Ha , Molly Gordon , Midori Francis , Lina Renna , Jacob Tremblay , Enid-Raye Adams , Josh Caras , Brady Noon , Lil Rel Howery , Chance Hurstfield , Matt Ellis Runtime 95 minutes

Good Boys is another movie that was both a critical and commercial success. Critics and audiences both agreed on Rotten Tomatoes, with the raunchy comedy offering earning a Certified Fresh Tomatometer score of 81% and an even better Popcornmeter score of 86%. It was also a smash hit at the box office, earning $111.2 million at the box office against its $20 million budget, outgrossing other 2019 comedies such as The Hustle, What Men Want, Long Shot, and Isn’t It Romantic.

Good Boys has an extremely similar premise to Incoming, except its main characters (played by Jacob Tremblay, Keith L. Williams, and Brady Noon) are considerably younger. They have just entered sixth grade, but the new stage in their lives nevertheless sends each of them into a tailspin as they attempt to accomplish their individual goals and come of age without losing sight of their bond as a trio.

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5 House Party (1990)

An Iconic Teen Party MovieTwo Characters Standing with a Microphone in House Party 1990

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House Party (1990) is a comedy film directed by Reginald Hudlin, featuring Christopher Reid and Christopher Martin of Kid ‘n Play fame. The plot follows a high school student whose plans for a house party are complicated by his disciplinary problems at school and interference from his strict father. The film is noted for its lively dance sequences and humorous portrayal of teenage social dynamics.

Director Reginald Hudlin Release Date March 9, 1990 Runtime 100 minutes

1990’s House Party is another early offering that won over critics, earning 94% on Rotten Tomatoes with a similarly glowing 81% score from audience reviews on the Popcornmeter. It was also a success in theaters. While it didn’t become one of the highest-grossing movies of the year, its $26.4 million gross far exceeded its scant $2.5 million budget, launching a robust franchise that now includes two theatrical sequels, two direct-to-video sequels, and a 2023 reboot produced by and co-starring LeBron James. In 2022, the movie was also selected for preservation by the United States National Film Registry.

House Party provided a road map for many later party-based comedy movies – including Incoming – to follow, introducing a constellation of storylines and characters that spins around a central pair of characters (in this case played by Christopher Reid and Christopher Martin of the hip hop duo Kid ‘n Play) as they attempt to use a single event to accomplish their own goals.

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4 Project X (2012)

A Raucous Found Footage Party Movie

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Project X is a found-footage comedy film that follows three high school seniors, Costa, J.B., and Thomas, as they throw a wild party at Thomas’s newly vacated house, which quickly gets out of control. The film is presented through the perspective of a handheld camera, capturing the chaos and debauchery of the party as it spirals into chaos.

Director Nima Nourizadeh Release Date March 1, 2012 Cast Thomas Mann , Oliver Cooper , Jonathan Daniel Brown , Dax Flame , Kirby Bliss Blanton Runtime 88 Minutes

While the found footage party comedy Project X does not enjoy a solid critical reputation, earning a splat on Rotten Tomatoes with a 29% score from critics, its Popcornmeter results show that audiences are significantly warmer on the movie with a 61% score. The title was also a hit when it premiered in 2012, grossing $102.7 million against its $12 million budget.

The movie is a rare comedy in the found footage medium, which is still most commonly used within the horror genre and was at the time having a boom with hit movies such as Paranormal Activity, Cloverfield, The Devil Inside, The Last Exorcism, and Quarantine. In addition to being unique in its format, it features an early performance from Me and Earl and the Dying Girl star Thomas Mann and appearances from Miles Teller, Jimmy Kimmell, and Jillian Reynolds as themselves.

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3 Booksmart (2019)

A Party Comedy About Breaking Out Of One’s Shell

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Booksmart is a comedy film directed by Olivia Wilde and follows two studious and by-the-book high school seniors who decide on their final day of school to shake up the formula and break some rules. Having lamented missing four potential years of fun and friendship, the best friends attempt to cram four years of the “high school experience” into a single night. 

Director Olivia Wilde Release Date May 24, 2019 Cast Lisa Kudrow , Michael Patrick O’Brien , Beanie Feldstein , Diana Silvers , Will Forte , Eduardo Franco , Kaitlyn Dever , Mason Gooding , Jessica Williams , Molly Gordon , Noah Galvin , Jason Sudeikis , Billie Lourd , Skyler Gisondo Runtime 105 minutes Expand

Booksmart was a runaway critical success in 2019, earning a Certified Fresh badge with a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 96%. Its Popcornmeter score is also solid, with audiences giving it 77%. The movie would go on to be nominated for a Golden Globe and two BAFTAs, helping to launch the careers of co-stars Kaitlyn Dever (Unbelievable, Dopesick, No One Will Save You) and Beanie Feldstein (American Crime Story: Impeachment, Drive-Away Dolls, Merrily We Roll Along).

There are many overt similarities between Incoming and Booksmart, including the fact that both movies hinge upon the characters trying to get into parties that they believe will be life-changing. In this case, however, the characters are at the end of their high school careers rather than the beginning, and are attempting to prevent themselves from having not taken advantage of the opportunities that high school presents to a teenager.

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2 Superbad (2007)

An Iconic Early Seth Rogen Movie

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Written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and produced by Judd Apatow, Superbad follows high school seniors Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera), two best friends who are desperate to join the popular kids’ party before heading off to college. After asking their friend Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) – A.K.A. McLovin – to use his fake ID to purchase alcohol, Seth and Evan end up getting drawn into a night of criminal misfortunes that threatens the very fabric of their friendship.

Release Date August 17, 2007 Cast Seth Rogen , Bill Hader , Jonah Hill , Christopher Mintz-Plasse , Michael Cera , Emma Stone Runtime 113 minutes

The movie earned a whopping $170.8 million worldwide against its roughly $20 million budget

Superbad, which was co-written by future major Hollywood player Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and is loosely based on their own teenage years, is one of the biggest teen hits of the 2000s. Another Certified Fresh title with an 88% Rotten Tomatoes score and a nearly matching 87% Popcornmeter score, the movie earned a whopping $170.8 million worldwide against its roughly $20 million budget. It was the 33rd highest-grossing movie of the year, outranking major titles such as Resident Evil: Extinction, Saw IV, Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, Zodiac, and Halloween.

Superbad is one of the movies that likely had the most influence over the shape of Incoming. Following friends Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan (Michael Cera) and weirdo hanger-on Fogell (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) as they prepare for a major party in their senior year, its signature approach to R-rated high school comedy shaped many movies to come.

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1 American Pie (1999)

A Groundbreaking Raunchy Teen Comedy

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American Pie is a raucous teen comedy and the film that launched a revival of the genre. It follows a group of high school friends determined to lose their virginity before graduation and delves into the misadventures of the four boys as they navigate the complexities of relationships, peer pressure, and parental mishaps. You’ll never look at warm apple pie the same again.

Director Paul Weitz , Chris Weitz Release Date July 9, 1999 Cast Jason Biggs , Chris Klein , Thomas Ian Nicholas , Alyson Hannigan , Shannon Elizabeth , Tara Reid Runtime 95 minutes

The first of the American Pie movies was reasonably well received critically, earning 62% from critics and 61% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the movie – which featured future comedy superstars including Schitt’s Creek’s Eugene Levy and The White Lotus’ Jennifer Coolidge – was a runaway smash commercially, grossing $235.5 million against an $11 million budget, spawning a franchise that now includes four theatrical movies and five direct-to-DVD spinoff movies.

It seems entirely likely that neither Superbad nor Incoming, nor any other number of male-led teen comedies would exist without the influence of American Pie. Its structure, which follows four teenagers (played by Jason Biggs, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, and Eddie Kaye Thomas) pledging to lose their virginities before prom, was influential, but so was its unabashedlyraunchy humor and its heartwarming approach to the emotional arcs, including those of the majority of the female characters.

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