Movies & Shows Like The Greatest Show on Earth

Description: A controversial film that portrays the lives of circus performers with disabilities, offering a raw and unfiltered look at their struggles and camaraderie.

Fact: The film was banned in several countries for decades due to its shocking content. Many of the performers were actual sideshow acts from the time.

Description: An animated classic that tells the story of a circus elephant who overcomes adversity with the help of his friends, highlighting themes of acceptance and the power of belief.

Fact: Dumbo was Disney's shortest animated feature at just 64 minutes. The 'Pink Elephants on Parade' sequence is one of the most surreal and iconic scenes in animation history.

Description: A fantastical tale filled with larger-than-life characters and stories, blending reality and imagination in a way that mirrors the wonder of a circus.

Fact: The film's fictional town of Spectre was built from scratch for the movie and left standing, becoming a tourist attraction. It's based on a novel by Daniel Wallace.

Description: A biographical drama about Howard Hughes, a visionary whose life was as extravagant and tumultuous as a circus, filled with grand ambitions and personal demons.

Fact: The film used a combination of practical effects and CGI to recreate the vintage aircraft. It won five Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Cate Blanchett.

Description: A period drama about a magician who uses his skills to win the love of a woman, blending romance, mystery, and the allure of performance.

Fact: The film is based on a short story by Steven Millhauser. Edward Norton learned sleight-of-hand magic for his role, performing many of the tricks himself.

Description: A gripping tale of rival magicians whose obsession with outdoing each other leads to dangerous consequences, mirroring the competitive and dramatic world of performance.

Fact: The film's nonlinear narrative was inspired by the structure of a magic trick. Christopher Nolan consulted with real magicians to ensure the authenticity of the illusions.

Description: A fantasy series that blends political intrigue with the lives of mythical creatures in a Victorian-inspired world, much like the eclectic mix of performers in a circus.

Fact: The show's elaborate sets and costumes were inspired by 19th-century European art and architecture. It was originally developed as a film script in

Description: Set in a traveling circus during the Great Depression, this film explores the behind-the-scenes drama, romance, and hardships of circus life.

Fact: The elephant used in the film, Tai, also appeared in other movies like 'Operation Dumbo Drop' and 'Larger Than Life'. The novel it's based on was a bestseller for over a year.

Description: A musical drama that celebrates the spectacle of show business, featuring grand performances, elaborate costumes, and a focus on the magic of entertainment.

Fact: The film was inspired by the life of P.T. Barnum, the famous showman who created the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Hugh Jackman trained for a year to perform the acrobatic stunts seen in the movie.

Description: A dark and twisted look at the world of carnival performers, exploring themes of ambition, deception, and the darker side of show business.

Fact: The film is a remake of the 1947 classic of the same name. Guillermo del Toro insisted on using practical effects for the carnival scenes to maintain authenticity.