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Must-Watch List Comparable to the Style of Around the Horn in a Squ...

Author

Senior Film Conservator

17 August 2026

4 min read

Ever since Around the Horn in a Square Rigger hit screens in 1933, fans have sought that same cinematic excellence, it's essential to look at the contemporaries that shared this cinematic excellence. Prepare to discover your next favorite movie in our hand-picked collection.

The Around the Horn in a Square Rigger Phenomenon

Whether it's the cinematic excellence or the thematic depth, this film to leave an indelible mark on the history of United States film.

AROUND THE HORN IN A SQUARE RIGGER was filmed by noted sailor, author and photographer Alan Villiers documenting the record-breaking 83-day voyage of the 1902 barque Parma from Australia to England in the 1933 Grain Race. Villiers writes, "We wanted to make a picture that would capture some of the stirring beauty of these ships... some glimmer of understanding of the attraction which they hold over those who sail in them."

Critical Consensus

6.2/10

Critics widely regard Around the Horn in a Square Rigger as a cult-favorite piece of Short cinema. Its cinematic excellence is frequently cited as its strongest asset, solidifying its place in United States's film legacy.

'A mala nova scene — Scene from 'A mala nova

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of 'A mala nova perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Must-Watch List Comparable to the Style of Around the Horn in a Square Rigger

Based on the unique cinematic excellence of Around the Horn in a Square Rigger, our vault has identified these titles as the most compelling follow-up experiences for fans of Short cinema:

'A mala nova

1. 'A mala nova 1920

Dir: Eduardo Notari

A crime drama in the Gennariello-series. The police detective in Naples that is confronted with modern gangsters and crime events.

How Not to Dress

2. How Not to Dress 1920

Dir: Lasse Ring

How Not to Dress scene — Scene from How Not to Dress

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of How Not to Dress perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Mr and Mrs Stockholm visit the Paul U. Bergström (PUB) department store to buy a new wardrobe for a journey. They visit different departments, where the future Greta Garbo (Gustafson at the time) is one the models showing outfits for Mrs Stockholm.

Chicken à la Cabaret

3. Chicken à la Cabaret 1920

Dir: Victor Heerman

The night of the Policeman's Benefit is at hand and all the coppers with their wives are in the audience. On the stage is a magician. Everything goes well until he asks for the officers' watches. Presumably he will turn them into eggs or something. He has a charming confederate and both enter compartments. When they don't reappear, the curtains are lifted and the fakirs are absent. They escaped through a trap in the stage. Then the chase is on.

On Strike

4. On Strike 1920

Dir: Bud Fisher

Chicken à la Cabaret scene — Scene from Chicken à la Cabaret

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Chicken à la Cabaret perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Mutt and Jeff go on strike and make their own film.

Cinderella Cinders

5. Cinderella Cinders 1920

Dir: Frederick J. Ireland

An unemployed cook takes her shot at working for an upper class family. When none of their fancy guests show up to a party, she and the butler impersonate them.

Lunatics in Politics

6. Lunatics in Politics 1920

Dir: Richard Smith

On Strike scene — Scene from On Strike

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of On Strike perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

Two female candidates for Chief of Police live across the hall from each other, and their political rivalry follows them home, leading to plenty of hi-jinks.

Don't Weaken!

7. Don't Weaken! 1920

Dir: Malcolm St. Clair

A dancing instructor gets involved with a newly rich family.

The Land of Opportunity

8. The Land of Opportunity 1920

Dir: Ralph Ince

Cinderella Cinders scene — Scene from Cinderella Cinders

A visual fragment from the archive: The thematic resonance of Cinderella Cinders perfectly mirrors the editorial trajectory of our deep dive.

A fascinating piece of cinema that shares thematic elements.

Kids Is Kids

9. Kids Is Kids 1920

Dir: Charley Chase

A young married couple volunteer to take charge of several orphans after the asylum has burned down. Of course they find their hands full with their troublesome charges.

The Great Cheese Robbery

10. The Great Cheese Robbery 1920

Dir: Vernon Stallings

Krazy Kat is held in jail and Ignatz finally bails him out after encountering "guilt".

Cinematic Comparison Matrix

Analysis relative to Around the Horn in a Square Rigger

Film Title	Atmosphere	Complexity	Similarity
'A mala nova	Surreal	Layered	92% Match
How Not to Dress	Gothic	Abstract	96% Match
Chicken à la Cabaret	Tense	Linear	86% Match
On Strike	Gothic	Linear	92% Match
Cinderella Cinders	Tense	Dense	96% Match

* This matrix is generated based on structural DNA and genre proximity to the 1933 classic Around the Horn in a Square Rigger.

This guide was algorithmically generated using the cinematic metadata of A.J. Villiers's archive. Last updated: 8/17/2026.

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