SimilarScreen
The Toy

The Toy

When Jackie Gleason told his son he could have any present he wanted, he picked the most outrageous gift of all...Richard Pryor.

19825.91h 42m

Overview

On one of his bratty son Eric's annual visits, the plutocrat U.S. Bates takes him to his department store and offers him anything in it as a gift. Eric chooses a black janitor who has made him laugh with his antics. At first the man suffers many indignities as Eric's "toy", but gradually teaches the lonely boy what it is like to have and to be a friend.

Directed by Richard Donner
Written by Carol Sobieski, Francis Veber
Produced by Phil Feldman, Ray Stark
Box OfficeBudget: $28.0MRevenue: $47.1M

Top Cast

Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor

Jack Brown

Jackie Gleason

Jackie Gleason

Ulysses Simpson 'U.S.' Bates

Ned Beatty

Ned Beatty

Sydney Morehouse

Scott Schwartz

Scott Schwartz

Eric Bates

Teresa Ganzel

Teresa Ganzel

Fancy Bates

Wilfrid Hyde-White

Wilfrid Hyde-White

Barkley

Tony King

Tony King

Clifford

Annazette Chase

Annazette Chase

Angela

Don Hood

Don Hood

O'Brien

Karen Leslie-Lyttle

Karen Leslie-Lyttle

Fraulein

Themes & Keywords

department storerich kidtrophy wifeemployment terminationrichard pryor

About The Toy

The Toy is a comedy, family film released in 1982 exploring themes of department store, rich kid, trophy wife, employment termination, richard pryor. Directed by Richard Donner, it stars Richard Pryor, Jackie Gleason, Ned Beatty. On one of his bratty son Eric's annual visits, the plutocrat U.S. Bates takes him to his department store and offers him anything in it as a gift. Eric chooses a black janitor who has made him laugh with his antics. At first the man suffers many indignities as Eric's "toy", but gradually teaches the lonely boy what it is like to have and to be a friend.

Movies Similar to The Toy

Discover titles like The Toy — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to The Toy

If you enjoyed The Toy, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of The Toy.

Blank Check
27% Match

Bullied by his siblings and nagged by his parents, 11-year-old Preston Waters is fed up with his family — especially their frugality. But he gets his chance to teach them a lesson when a money-laundering criminal nearly bulldozes Preston with his car and compensates the boy with a blank check. Preston makes the check out for $1 million and goes on a spending spree he'll never forget.

Miracle on 34th Street
22% Match

Kris Kringle, seemingly the embodiment of Santa Claus, is asked to portray the jolly old fellow at Macy's following his performance in the Thanksgiving Day parade. His portrayal is so complete that many begin to question if he truly is Santa Claus, while others question his sanity.

Who's Minding the Store?
22% Match

Jerry Lewis plays Norman Phiffer, a proud man in a humble life, who doesn't know that his girlfriend, Barbara, is heir to the Tuttle Department Store dynasty. Mrs. Tuttle, Barbara's mother, is determined to split the two lovers, and hires Norman in an attempt to humiliate him enough that Barbara leaves him. Will she ruin their love, or will he ruin her store?

Bluebeard's 8th Wife
21% Match

American multi-millionaire Michael Brandon marries his eighth wife, Nicole, the daughter of a broke French Marquis. But she doesn't want to be only a number in the line of his ex-wives and undertakes her own strategy to tame him.

The New Toy
20% Match

Samy lives happily with his wife, Alice, in a poor urban housing project amongst friends and neighbours. For his son’s birthday, the richest man in France throws open his grand department store, offering the boy whatever he wants. Alexandre chooses Samy, the night watchman, as his new toy…

Peep World
20% Match

Peep World(2010)

Movie4.7/10

On the day of their Father's 70th birthday party, four siblings come to terms with the publication of a novel written by the youngest sibling, that exposes the family's most intimate secrets.

Mannequin
20% Match

Mannequin(1987)

Movie6.8/10

Jonathan Switcher, an unemployed artist, finds a job as an assistant window dresser for a department store. When Jonathan happens upon a beautiful mannequin he previously designed, she springs to life and introduces herself as Emmy, an Egyptian under an ancient spell. Despite interference from the store's devious manager, Jonathan and his mannequin fall in love while creating eye-catching window displays to keep the struggling store in business.

Simply Irresistible
19% Match

After her mother's death, mediocre chef Amanda Shelton is having trouble attracting customers to her family's restaurant. While shopping for ingredients, she is given a magical crab by mysterious Gene O'Reilly. Afterward, Amanda's dishes suddenly become excellent, inducing strong emotional reactions in everyone who eats them. Tom Bartlett, who is preparing to open his own eatery, tries her cooking and falls in love.

Serendipity
19% Match

Although strangers Sara and Jonathan are both already in relationships, they realize they have genuine chemistry after a chance encounter – but part company soon after. Years later, they each yearn to reunite, despite being destined for the altar. But to give true love a chance, they have to find one another again.

Ladies in Black
19% Match

Adapted from the bestselling novel by Madeleine St John, Ladies in Black is an alluring and tender-hearted comedy drama about the lives of a group of department store employees in 1959 Sydney.

Some Kind of Wonderful
19% Match

Keith Nelson, an artsy high school outcast, tries to land a date with popular girl Amanda Jones with some help from his tomboy best friend, Watts. However, Watts realizes she likes Keith as more than just a friend and tries to convince him to stop pursuing Amanda. Matters are further complicated when Keith's invitation draws the ire of Amanda's rich yet snobby ex-boyfriend, Hardy Jenns, who makes plans to get even.

The Devil and Miss Jones
19% Match

The wealthiest man in the world, John P. Merrick, is a private person who likes to stay anonymous. One of his many assets is Neeley's Department Store. There is labor unrest at the store, and the employees' anger is directed at him, who they hang in effigy outside the store despite not knowing what he looks like. Merrick, not happy at what he sees going on, decides to mete out the rabble-rousers. So he goes undercover as a sales clerk in the shoe department.

Career Opportunities
19% Match

Josie, the daughter of the town's wealthiest businessman, faces problems at home and wishes to leave town but is disoriented. Her decision is finalized after she falls asleep in a Target dressing room. She awakens to find herself locked in the store overnight with the janitor, Jim, the town "no hoper" and liar.