Dynamic Watchlist Hub: Jan 26, 2026

10 Best Movies Like It Happened in the Penitentiary

If you loved It Happened in the Penitentiary, we've curated the perfect watchlist for you based on shared genres, themes, and directorial style.

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Expert Review & Ratings

See our full critical analysis and audience score for It Happened in the Penitentiary.

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#1
Soap and Water

Soap and Water

1983★ 6.7

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to It Happened in the Penitentiary for fans of Comedy. It captures a similar light-hearted atmosphere.

A school janitor pretends to be a priest in order to give private lessons to a young top model....

#2
The Widower

The Widower

1959★ 7.4

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to It Happened in the Penitentiary for fans of Comedy. It captures a similar light-hearted atmosphere.

Alberto Nardi is a Roman businessman who fancies himself a man of great capabilities, but whose factory teeters perennially on the brink of catastrophe. Alberto is married to a ric...

#3
Goon

Goon

2012★ 6.4

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to It Happened in the Penitentiary for fans of Comedy. It captures a similar light-hearted atmosphere.

Doug Glatt, a slacker who discovers he has a talent for brawling, is approached by a minor league hockey coach and invited to join the team as the "muscle." Despite the fact that G...

#4
Burn!

Burn!

1969★ 6.8

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to It Happened in the Penitentiary for fans of History. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

The professional mercenary Sir William Walker instigates a slave revolt on the Caribbean island of Queimada in order to help improve the British sugar trade. Years later he is sent...

#5
Piccola posta

Piccola posta

1955★ 6.5

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to It Happened in the Penitentiary for fans of Comedy. It captures a similar light-hearted atmosphere.

Polish countess Lady Eva is the authoritative signature of the correspondence of an Italian women's magazine; behind the fascinating name hides a Roman girl whose advice will creat...

#6
Il marito

Il marito

1958★ 6.3

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to It Happened in the Penitentiary for fans of Comedy. It captures a similar light-hearted atmosphere.

Alberto's marriage is a complete failure: his wife Elena is a hard woman influenced by her mother and sister who live with the married couple. Alberto is also experiencing financia...