Circus movies and TV shows

The list contains the best, new and most relevant circus movies ordered by relevance. The recommendation service has sorted out serious, stylized, cult classic, weird, realistic and humorous films and TV shows about / with circus, clown, acrobat, surrealism, carnival, friendship, love, elephant, escapades and magic plots mostly in Fantasy, Drama and Adventure genres shot in USA, UK, France and other countries.
circus
 484
circus movies
TOP 10 movies tagged as circus: The Greatest Showman (2017), Water for Elephants (2011), Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away (2012), Carnivàle (2003), The First of May (1999), Dumbo (2019), The Last Circus (2010), Freakshow (2007), Oz the Great and Powerful (2013), Freaks vs the Reich (2021).

List of circus movies

Watch Trailers From This List to Choose a Movie
The Greatest Showman (2017)
Genre: Biography, Drama, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min.
Story: The story of American showman P.T. Barnum, founder of the circus that became the famous traveling Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Style: inspirational, captivating, uplifting, costume drama, motivational ...
Audience: family outing, teens, chick flick, kids, date night
Plot: circus, social outcast, giant, singing, dancing, romantic relationship, taboo, children, success, father daughter relationship, love, outcast ...
Time: 2010s, 19th century, year 2017, victorian era, 1800s ...
Place: new york, london, buckingham palace
Is relevant ?
Water for Elephants (2011)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 122 min.
Story: In this captivating Depression-era melodrama, impetuous veterinary student Jacob Jankowski joins a celebrated circus as an animal caretaker but faces a wrenching dilemma when he's transfixed by angelic married performer Marlena.
Style: romantic, emotional, sexy, touching, stylized ...
Audience: chick flick, girls' night, date night, teens
Plot: circus, forbidden love, love story, love and romance, older woman younger man relationship, couple relations, lovers, performer's life, couples, abusive husband, artists and showbiz, older woman younger man ...
Time: year 2011, 2010s, 50s, 20th century, 1920s ...
Place: usa
Is relevant ?
Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away (2012)
Genre: Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min.
Story: An original story featuring performances by Cirque du Soleil. A young woman is entranced by an Aerialist. When they fall into the dreamlike world of Cirque du Soleil and are separated, they travel through the different tent worlds trying to find ...
Style: exciting, serious, surreal, stylized, visually stunning ...
Audience: kids
Plot: circus, disorder, dancer, fall in love, imaginary, young lovers, artists and showbiz, fish out of water, dancing, dance, cirque du soleil, art ...
Time: 21st century
Place: usa
Is relevant ?
 8.4
 47K
Carnivàle (2003)
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 55 min.
TV show
Story: Carnivàle is an American television series set in the United States during the Great Depression and Dust Bowl. In tracing the lives of two disparate groups of people, its overarching story depicts the battle between good and evil and the struggle ...
Style: atmospheric, serious, surreal, captivating, historical drama ...
Plot: circus, prophecy, healing power, god or devil, psychic, surrealism, evil, supernatural, clergy, self discovery, good versus evil, carnival ...
Time: 1930s, 20th century, year 1934, year 1935
Place: california, usa
Is relevant ?
Related movie lists
The First of May (1999)
Genre: Drama, Family, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min.
Story: Cory (Dan Byrd) is a foster child nobody wants. Carlotta (Academy Award-nominee Julie Harris) is an elderly woman the world has forgotten. Together, they find friendship and family when they join a traveling circus. Also features Mickey Rooney and ...
Style: independent film, semi serious, realistic, humorous, offbeat
Audience: pre-teens, kids, family outing, preschool
Plot: circus, youth, clown, boarding school life, baseball, retirement home, foster parent, chase, mysterious character, young heroes, hopes, heroes ...
Time: 90s
Is relevant ?
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009)
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Mystery
Country: UK, France, Canada
Duration: 123 min.
Story: A traveling theater company gives its audience much more than they were expecting.
Style: surreal, dark fantasy, fairy tale, offbeat, stylized ...
Audience: teens, kids, date night
Plot: surrealism, imaginary kingdom, deal with the devil, mysterious character, imagination, transformation, bet, steampunk, insanity, trippy, immortality, eccentricity ...
Time: year 2009, 2000s, year 2010
Place: britain, london
Is relevant ?
 6.3
 82K
Dumbo (2019)
Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Country: UK, Canada, Australia, USA
Duration: 112 min.
Story: Circus owner Max Medici enlists former star Holt Farrier and his children Milly and Joe to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the ...
Style: fairy tale, emotional, touching, sweet, sincere ...
Audience: kids, family friendly, family outing, adult
Plot: circus, elephant, boy, flying, train, children, family relations, experiment, wild animal, interwar period, magic realism, magical ...
Time: 1910s, edwardian era, year 2019, 20th century, year 1919
Place: florida, missouri, coney island brooklyn new york city
Is relevant ?
Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min.
Story: Darren Shan is a regular teenage kid. He and his friend Steve find out about a Freak Show coming to town and work hard at trying to find tickets. They do, and together they go to "Cirque du Freak" where they see many strange acts including ...
Style: stylized, scary, semi serious, teen, horror comedy ...
Audience: teens, family outing
Plot: vampire, circus, uninhibited rivalry, youth, supernatural ability, supernatural, young heroes, chosen one, transformation, immortality, friends, teenage life ...
Time: year 2009, 21st century
Is relevant ?
The Last Circus (2010)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Horror
Country: Spain, France
Duration: 107 min.
Story: The journey of Javier, the obese Sad Clown, starts during his childhood in the midst of the Spanish civil war in 1937. His father, one of Spain’s most prominent jesters, is detained and tortured by the fascist regime.
Style: disturbing, dark comedy, bleak, rough, psychological ...
Plot: clown, circus, rivalry, performer's life, uninhibited rivalry, life is a bitch, evil clown, killer clown, dark humor, sadism, graphic violence, violent content ...
Time: 2010s, year 2010, 70s, 20th century, 1930s ...
Place: europe, spain, madrid
Is relevant ?
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min.
Story: In a small American town, a diabolical circus arrives, granting wishes for the townsfolk, but twisted as only the esteemed Mr. Dark can make them. Can two young boys overcome the worst the devil himself can deal out?
Style: gothic, scary, atmospheric, christian film, suspenseful ...
Audience: family friendly, kids, teens, family outing, horror for children
Plot: carnival, witch, boy, circus, good versus evil, small town, supernatural, youth, black magic, coming of age, devil, greed ...
Time: 1930s, year 1983, 20th century, 80s
Place: illinois, usa
Is relevant ?
 3.3
 1K
Freakshow (2007)
Genre: Horror
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min.
Story: In a modern retelling of Tod Browning's "Freaks" (1932), "Freakshow" tells the story of a group of criminals who chose to hide out by working security at a traveling circus. At first, they plot with an insider to steal the ...
Style: suspense, suspenseful, tense, captivating, psychological ...
Plot: circus, revenge, mutilation, cons and scams, dishonesty, rivalry, murder, freakshow, danger, killer clown, amusement park, freak ...
Time: 1930s, 21st century
Place: usa
Is relevant ?
Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 130 min.
Story: Oscar Diggs, a small-time circus illusionist and con-artist, is whisked from Kansas to the Land of Oz where the inhabitants assume he's the great wizard of prophecy, there to save Oz from the clutches of evil.
Style: fairy tale, colorful, light, entertaining, visually appealing ...
Audience: family outing, kids, family friendly, date night, chick flick ...
Plot: witch, magic, imaginary kingdom, wizard of oz, good versus evil, circus, wizards and magicians, magic trick, prophecy, medieval, transformation, betrayal ...
Time: year 2013, 1900s
Place: kansas
Is relevant ?
Related movie lists
Freaks vs the Reich (2021)
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, War
Country: Italy, Belgium
Duration: 141 min.
Story: Four circus freaks with superpowers find themselves trapped in Nazi-occupied Rome after their owner and father figure goes missing in the aftermath of the 1943 surrender of Italy to the Allies.
Plot: circus, world war two, nazism, electricity, nazi occultism, superhero, hunting, piano, partisan, bee, swastika, sex scene ...
Time: 1940s, year 1943
Place: rome italy, italy
Is relevant ?
 6.0
 2K
Parade (1974)
Genre: Comedy, Family
Country: France, Sweden
Duration: 90 min.
Story: Two children go behind the scenes of a small circus.
Style: humorous, touching, feel good, semi serious
Audience: family outing
Plot: circus, european, art, little boy, musician, little girl, children, magician, juggling, juggler, showbiz, performer's life ...
Place: stockholm sweden
Is relevant ?
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Country: USA, India
Duration: 95 min.
Story: Animal pals Alex, Marty, Melman, and Gloria are still trying to make it back to New York's Central Park Zoo. They are forced to take a detour to Europe to find the penguins and chimps who broke the bank at a Monte Carlo casino. When French ...
Style: humorous, hilarious, funny, entertaining, witty ...
Audience: kids, family friendly, teens, family outing, toddlers ...
Plot: circus, penguins, zebra, getting home, talking animal, animal, friendship, villain, unlikely friendships, fantasy world, giraffe, silly humor ...
Time: year 2012, 2010s, 21st century
Place: madagascar, new york, africa, europe, monte carlo ...
Is relevant ?
 7.5
 26K
The Tin Drum (1979)
Genre: Drama, War
Country: West Germany, France, Poland
Duration: 142 min.
Story: Oskar is born in Germany in 1924 with an advanced intellect. Repulsed by the hypocrisy of adults and the irresponsibility of society, he refuses to grow older after his third birthday.
Style: surreal, controversial, disturbing, art house, harsh ...
Plot: world war two, fascism, coming of age, nazi, circus, boy, wartime life, magic realism, life is a bitch, political unrest, beach, against humanity ...
Time: 1930s, 1940s, 20th century, 1920s, year 1979 ...
Place: germany, middle east, israel, europe, central europe ...
Is relevant ?
7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964)
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Western
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min.
Story: An old Chinese man rides into the town of Abalone, Arizona and changes it forever, as the citizens see themselves reflected in the mirror of Lao's mysterious circus of mythical beasts.
Style: spiritual, horror comedy, mythical, uplifting, mystical ...
Audience: family outing
Plot: circus, magic, myth, creature, librarian, snake, monster, pagan, kaiju, fantasy world, medusa, animal ...
Place: arizona, usa
Is relevant ?
 7.1
 326K
Batman Returns (1992)
Genre: Action, Crime, Fantasy
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 126 min.
Story: Having defeated the Joker, Batman now faces the Penguin - a warped and deformed individual who is intent on being accepted into Gotham society. Crooked businessman Max Schreck is coerced into helping him become Mayor of Gotham and they both attempt ...
Style: gothic, stylized, intense, disturbing, psychological ...
Audience: kids, teens, family outing, boys' night, date night
Plot: superhero, villain, revenge, femme fatale, cat, christmas, batman, corruption, double life, vigilante, transformation, circus ...
Time: year 1992, 20th century, 90s
Place: usa
Is relevant ?
Related movie lists
My Name Is Joker (1970)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Country: India
Duration: 224 min.
Story: Raju is a joker, a clown. It is what he is and what he always shall be. As his life story unfolds in three chapters, from his school days to the circus to the streets, he must always make people laugh and be happy, no matter how unhappy he is ...
Style: realistic, inspirational, entertaining, retro, semi serious ...
Plot: circus, clown, unrequited love, tragic hero, unspoken love, single mother, loneliness, tragic event, sadness, doll, coming of age, social commentary ...
Time: 20th century, 60s, 70s
Place: india, bombay india
Is relevant ?
 7.2
 5K
The Clown (2011)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Country: Brazil
Duration: 88 min.
Story: The life of the owners of Circus Esperança, Puro Sangue e Pangaré, father and son, who plays two clowns. At a certain point, Pangaré starts showing tiredness and sadness for being an unhappy clown.
Style: touching, humorous, semi serious, realistic, offbeat
Plot: circus, self discovery, introspection, follow your dream, identity crisis, on the road, escapades, parents and children, family relations, countryside, clown, unfulfillment ...
Time: 2010s, 21st century
Place: brazil, latin america
Is relevant ?
 5.0
 13K
Open Season 3 (2010)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 75 min.
Story: Boog, Elliot, and their forest friends return with an all-new adventure, this time in a Big Top Circus! The comedy begins when Boog's pals choose their family obligations over the annual guy's trip, and a disappointed Boog decides to take ...
Style: computer animated, not serious, feel good, humorous, 3d animation ...
Audience: kids, family outing, pre-teens, preschool
Plot: circus, friendship, animal life, switching roles, bear, dog, escapades, rescue, nothing goes right, goofy hero, buddies, friends ...
Time: 2010s, 21st century
Place: usa
Is relevant ?
Billy Rose's Jumbo (1962)
Genre: Comedy, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min.
Story: The daughter of a circus owner fights to save her father from a takeover spearheaded by the man she loves.
Style: retro, semi serious, humorous, stylized, feel good ...
Plot: circus, carnival, elephant, gambling, bride and groom, fighting the system, opposites attract, espionage, fall in love, follow your dream, lifestyle, ambition ...
Time: 60s, 90s
Place: iowa
Is relevant ?
Psycho-Circus (1966)
Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK, West Germany
Duration: 91 min.
Story: A circus becomes the location for stolen loot and murder.
Style: slasher, suspense, grindhouse, cult classic, independent film ...
Plot: circus, serial killer, murder, manhunt, killer clown, amusement park, carnival, macabre, on the run, gang, vampire, rivalry ...
Time: year 1966, 60s, 20th century
Place: london, england
Is relevant ?
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Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)
Genre: Adventure, Family, Fantasy
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 134 min.
Story: Gellert Grindelwald has escaped imprisonment and has begun gathering followers to his cause—elevating wizards above all non-magical beings. The only one capable of putting a stop to him is the wizard he once called his closest friend, Albus ...
Style: mysterious, dark fantasy, breathtaking, atmospheric, exciting ...
Audience: teens, chick flick, family friendly, family outing, kids ...
Plot: magical, witch, fantasy world, wizards and magicians, wizard, magical creature, curse, harry potter, circus, sorcerer, witchcraft, giant animal ...
Time: 1920s
Place: paris france, london, france, new york, alps ...
Is relevant ?
 6.7
 24K
Mirrormask (2005)
Genre: Drama, Fantasy
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 101 min.
Story: In a fantasy world of opposing kingdoms, a 15-year old girl must find the fabled MirrorMask in order to save the kingdom and get home
Style: stylized, surreal, offbeat, visually stunning, mindfuck ...
Audience: teens, pre-teens, date night, teen fantasy, kids ...
Plot: fantasy world, circus, magic, imaginary kingdom, trippy, coming of age, alternate reality, alternate dimension, parallel universe, good versus evil, imaginary, save the kingdom ...
Time: year 2005
Place: brighton, england
Is relevant ?
 6.2
 1K
The Playboys (1992)
Genre: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, UK, Ireland
Duration: 117 min.
Story: A young woman, Tara Maguire (Robin Wright) scandalizes her provincial Irish village in the 1950s by having a baby out of a wedlock, and refusing to name the father. She has a rare beauty and every man in town desires her, especially Sergeant Hegarty ...
Style: serious, realistic, touching, sincere, captivating ...
Plot: love, circus, sin, society, fall in love, small town life, small town, social relations, human nature, pregnancy, beauty, theatrical troupe ...
Time: year 1992, 50s
Place: ireland, europe
Is relevant ?
Big Top Scooby-Doo! (2012)
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Mystery
Country: USA
Duration: 80 min.
Story: When Scooby and the gang hear of a werewolf plaguing a traveling circus, they go undercover as circus performers to get to the bottom.
Style: entertaining, captivating, humorous
Audience: kids, family outing, teens, horror for children
Plot: circus, scooby doo, talking dog, investigation, cartoon dog, gang, friendship, ghost, teenager, werewolf, anthropomorphic dog, elephant ...
Time: year 2016, 2010s
Place: atlantic city, new jersey
Is relevant ?
Wings of Desire (1987)
Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: West Germany, France
Duration: 128 min.
Story: Wings of Desire is Wim Wender’s artistically beautiful film about the lonely and immortal life of angels during a post-war Berlin. It’s a poetic journey from the perspective of the angels of which one falls in love with a living woman and wants ...
Style: atmospheric, surreal, meditative, lyrical, cerebral ...
Audience: date night
Plot: angel, immortality, dream, circus, love, existentialism, philosophy, mortality, library, loneliness, love story, visceral ...
Time: 20th century, 80s, year 1987
Place: germany, berlin germany, west germany, east germany, europe
Is relevant ?
Around a Small Mountain (2009)
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Country: France, Italy
Duration: 84 min.
Story: Biopic based on the life of author Raymond Roussel.
Style: realistic, captivating, emotional, humorous, serious ...
Audience: date night
Plot: haunted by the past, circus, homecoming, performer's life, fall in love, workplace, family business, circus performer, nostalgia, dark past, artists and showbiz, love and romance ...
Time: 2000s
Place: france, europe, south of france
Is relevant ?
 6.5
 112K
Octopussy (1983)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 131 min.
Story: James Bond is sent to investigate after a fellow “00” agent is found dead with a priceless Fabergé egg. James Bond follows the mystery and uncovers a smuggling scandal and a Russian General who wants to provoke a new World War.
Style: exciting, tense, stylized, suspenseful, serious ...
Audience: boys' night
Plot: james bond, cold war, secret agent, circus, 007, terrorism, race against time, espionage, agent, secret service, british secret service, kgb ...
Time: 80s, 20th century
Place: india, east germany, east berlin, fictional island, asia ...
Is relevant ?
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