10 Movies and TV Shows Similar to Casablanca (1943)

Description: While lighter in tone, 'The Philadelphia Story' shares with 'Casablanca' a love triangle and themes of redemption and second chances. Both films feature sparkling dialogue and strong performances from their ensemble casts.

Fact: Katharine Hepburn bought the film rights to the play to revive her career. James Stewart won his only Oscar for this role. The film was remade as the musical 'High Society'.

Description: Like 'Casablanca', 'The Maltese Falcon' is a quintessential film noir with themes of intrigue, betrayal, and moral ambiguity. Both films feature Humphrey Bogart in a leading role, adding a similar tough yet romantic protagonist. The storytelling is tight, with sharp dialogue and a focus on character-driven plots.

Fact: This was the third film adaptation of Dashiell Hammett's novel. It marked John Huston's directorial debut. The falcon prop used in the film was auctioned for over $4 million in

Description: While not a noir, 'Now, Voyager' shares with 'Casablanca' a focus on a transformative romance and themes of self-sacrifice. Both films feature Bette Davis in a powerful performance and have become classics of Hollywood's golden age.

Fact: The famous line 'Don't let's ask for the moon...' was ad-libbed. Davis' transformation was achieved with minimal makeup. The film was based on a novel by Olive Higgins Prouty.

Description: This film noir, like 'Casablanca', features a doomed romance and themes of fate and moral compromise. Both films are known for their tight scripts, atmospheric lighting, and strong performances.

Fact: The screenplay was co-written by Raymond Chandler. It was nominated for seven Oscars but won none. The film was based on a true crime story.

Description: This British film, like 'Casablanca', centers on a brief but intense romantic encounter with lasting emotional impact. Both films explore themes of love, duty, and sacrifice, with a restrained yet powerful emotional tone.

Fact: The film was based on a one-act play by Noël Coward. It was shot almost entirely in a train station. The Rachmaninoff score was a key element of the film's emotional impact.

Description: This film noir, like 'Casablanca', stars Humphrey Bogart and features Lauren Bacall, creating similar on-screen chemistry. Both films have intricate plots with elements of mystery and romance, and both are celebrated for their sharp, witty dialogue.

Fact: The plot is so complex that even the screenwriters couldn't explain who killed one character. Bogart and Bacall's real-life romance began during filming. The film was adapted from Raymond Chandler's novel.

Description: 'Gilda' shares with 'Casablanca' a love triangle set in an exotic location (Argentina), with themes of passion, betrayal, and redemption. Both films feature strong, charismatic leads and a moody, atmospheric tone.

Fact: Rita Hayworth's performance made her an icon. The 'Put the Blame on Mame' number was censored in some markets. The film was shot in just 36 days.

Description: Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, 'Notorious' shares with 'Casablanca' a blend of romance and espionage, set against a backdrop of World War II. Both films explore themes of love, sacrifice, and duty, with strong female leads and complex emotional dynamics.

Fact: The famous kissing scene between Ingrid Bergman and Cary Grant was designed to circumvent the Hays Code's restrictions. The film's MacGuffin is uranium ore, a rare subject for the time. Hitchcock makes a cameo drinking champagne at a party.

Description: Another Bogart film, 'Key Largo' echoes 'Casablanca' in its tense, confined setting and themes of moral choices under pressure. Both films feature Bogart as a reluctant hero caught in a web of larger conflicts, with strong supporting casts.

Fact: The film marks the fourth and final pairing of Bogart and Bacall. Edward G. Robinson's character is loosely based on real-life gangster Lucky Luciano. The hurricane scenes were filmed using massive wind machines and water tanks.

Description: Like 'Casablanca', 'The Third Man' is set in a post-war European city (Vienna) and deals with themes of loyalty and betrayal. Both films feature iconic scores and a blend of romance and intrigue, with a morally ambiguous protagonist.

Fact: The zither score was a last-minute addition. Orson Welles' famous cuckoo clock speech was improvised. The sewer chase was filmed on location in Vienna.