Best movies like Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
15 year old Dawn runs away from what she feels is an intolerable home life. In the big city, she ends up turning to prostitution when she is unable to get a job due to her age.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 386
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: controversial, learning, cult film
Best tv shows and movies like Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway (1976):
Similar in 76%
The Young Runaways (1968)
Plot Summary:
Three unhappy teenagers run away from home, only to discover living on their own isn't as idyllic as they imagined.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 256
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: psychedelic
Similar in 80%
Little Ladies of the Night (1977)
Plot Summary:
The sister of ex-pimp and current Los Angeles Police detective Lyle York was murdered working the streets a few years ago. Since his reform, he has teamed with Officer Russ Garfield to clear the streets of under-age girls working in prostitution. Pretty, young runaway Hailey Atkins has been turned out. Down deep she wants to go straight but has had great difficultly escaping her pimp and doesn't even have a place to go. York and Garfield go out on a limb to try and help.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 199
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: cult film
Similar in 82%
Scarred (1983)
Plot Summary:
A 16 year old girl turns to prostitution to support her baby and encounters a treacherous underworld of pimps, hookers and johns while doing her best to maintain her hopes and dignity.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 108
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 76%
Night Comes On (2018)
Plot Summary:
Angel LaMere is released from juvenile detention on the eve of her 18th birthday. Haunted by her past, she embarks on a journey with her 10 year-old sister that could destroy their future.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: psychological, realistic, tense, rough, independent film, queer cinema
Similar in 77%
Evergreen (2004)
Plot Summary:
A young girl seduced by a boy's affluent seemingly idyllic family and goes to extremes to gain acceptance.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 202
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: crying
Similar in 90%
Fyre (1979)
Plot Summary:
After an innocent country girl is violently raped, her family is killed in a car accident before she can come to terms with what happened. As her feelings of shame grow into self-degradation, she turns to prostitution.
IMDB Rating: 4.4
IMDB Votes: 108
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, sexual, independent film, sexy
Similar in 75%
Sixteen (1972)
Plot Summary:
Hickspoiltation film from the early 1970s ostensibly starring Oscar nominee Mercedes McCambridge, but really more a film looking for an excuse to show off Simone Griffeth's beauty. She plays a daughter of a swamp family. The whole family goes to a carnival where she is seduced by an older male performer, while her teen brother is seduced by an older female performer.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 207
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, independent film
Similar in 82%
That Special Summer (2007)
Plot Summary:
The year is 1984. It's summer, and the rebellious 12-year-old girl Kid wants to stay in Gothenburg, but her mother has other plans. Kid discovers that summer vacation in Finland isn't as bad as first feared. In a few hot weeks she discovers her dawning sexuality, and experience her first crush.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 585
Genere: Drama
Country: Sweden, Finland
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, disturbing, independent film
Similar in 85%
Hala (2019)
Plot Summary:
Meet 17-year-old Hala, who struggles to balance being a suburban teenager with her traditional Muslim upbringing. As she comes into her own, Hala finds herself grappling with a secret that threatens to unravel her family.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, disturbing, inspirational
Similar in 88%
The Hard Road (1973)
Plot Summary:
A cautionary tale. At 17, Sherman Oaks high schooler Pam Banner has a baby out of wedlock. The baby is adopted, but Pam's too embarrassed to go back to school, so her dad gets her a job as the receptionist for a talent agent. A rock star takes her to a party, seduces and abandons her; that starts a spiral of partying, free love, and drug use. Pam becomes friends with Jeannie, a hooker who supports Jimmy, a useless druggie. Soon the three of them are living together, and Jimmy seems appealing to Pam. She's missing work more and more often, Jeannie wants out of the life, Jimmy is going through withdrawal, and Pam is in the middle of a maelstrom. Is there any exit for Pam?.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 153
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, psychedelic, psychotronic, tragic ending, independent film, cult film
Similar in 77%
Nowhereland (2016)
Plot Summary:
Born into the seedy, underground world of prostitution, 15-year-old Shara has known no other life. Her mother is an aging, career escort, who is now looking to Shara to make the kind of money she made in her youth.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, bleak, serious, realistic, compassionate, dark, independent film
Similar in 89%
Go Ask Alice (1973)
Plot Summary:
A 14-year-old girl in late 1960's America is inadvertently sucked into an odyssey of sex and drugs. She eventually seeks help.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 74 min
Plot tags: psychedelic, sincere, touching, bleak, serious, emotional, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 76%
Chop Shop (2007)
Plot Summary:
Alejandro, a tough and ambitious Latino street orphan on the verge of adolescence, lives and works in an auto-body repair shop in a sprawling junkyard on the outskirts of Queens, New York. In this chaotic world of adults, young Alejandro struggles to make a better life for himself and his 16-year-old sister, Isamar.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: touching, bleak, sincere, rough, serious, realistic, feel good, political, social, multicultural
Similar in 81%
It Felt Like Love (2013)
Plot Summary:
Fourteen-year-old Lila is experiencing an ennui-filled Brooklyn summer. She awkwardly wears a Kabuki-esque mask of sunscreen at the beach and plays third wheel to Chiara, her more experienced friend, and Chiara’s boyfriend, Patrick. Determined to have a love interest of her own, a bravado-filled Lila pursues Sammy, a tough but handsome older boy.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 82 min
Plot tags: emotional, touching, realistic, erotic, sexy, captivating, underground film, psychological, social, sincere
Similar in 78%
The Poker House (2008)
Plot Summary:
Agnes and her two sisters struggle through a day in a home overrun by gamblers, thieves, and johns.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: realistic, rough, serious, emotional, dark, teen, bleak, tear jerker, tearjerker
Similar in 85%
Welcome to the Rileys (2010)
Plot Summary:
Years after their teenage daughter’s death, Lois and Doug Riley, an upstanding Indiana couple, are frozen by estranging grief. Doug escapes to New Orleans on a business trip. Compelled by urgencies he doesn’t understand, he insinuates himself into the life of an underage hooker, becoming her platonic guardian.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 25000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: emotional, touching, erotic, depressing, psychological, realistic, visually appealing, serious, sad, anime
Similar in 75%
Share (2019)
Plot Summary:
After discovering a disturbing video from a night she doesn’t remember, sixteen-year-old Mandy must try to figure out what happened and how to navigate the escalating fallout.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: captivating, suspense, disturbing, dark, social, cult classic
Similar in 89%
Whore (1991)
Plot Summary:
This melodrama investigates the life of a prostitute in a pseudo-documentary style.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: erotic, harsh, sincere, serious, bleak, sexy, controversial, stylized, sexual, independent film
Similar in 75%
Gardens of the Night (2008)
Plot Summary:
After being abducted as children, and suffering years of abuse, a teenage boy and girl find themselves living on the street.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: bleak, serious, sincere, touching, depressing, teen, romantic, sexy, grindhouse, crime drama
Similar in 85%
Last Summer (1969)
Plot Summary:
During summer vacation on Fire Island, three young people--a girl and two guys--become so close that they form a sort-of threesome. When an uncool girl tries to infiltrate the trio's newly found relationship, they construct an elaborate plot that has violent results.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: disturbing, slasher, controversial, sexual, spooky, independent film, psychological, sincere, serious, realistic
Similar in 77%
Old Enough (1984)
Plot Summary:
The 12 years old well-bred Lonnie meets the impudent Karen on the street. They spend some time together and Karen teaches Lonnie some of her favorite occupancies, like make-up, shoplifting, skipping school and lying to the parent about it, but confessing to the priest later. But Karen also learns some honesty from Lonnie. A film about social differences and growing up.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 895
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: independent film, sentimental, touching, humorous, emotional, realistic, semi serious, slasher
Similar in 82%
Little Birds (2011)
Plot Summary:
Lily and Alison face a life-changing event after they leave their Salton Sea home and follow the boys they meet back to Los Angeles.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: touching, sincere, serious, captivating, independent film, teen, depressing, artsy, indie film, aesthetic
Similar in 90%
Little Darlings (1980)
Plot Summary:
Two 15-year old girls from different sides of the tracks compete to see who will be first to lose their virginity while at camp.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: cult classic, sex comedy, teen sex comedy, funny, deep, feel good, humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious
Similar in 81%
The Florida Project (2017)
Plot Summary:
The story of a precocious six year-old and her ragtag group of friends whose summer break is filled with childhood wonder, possibility and a sense of adventure while the adults around them struggle with hard times.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 124000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: touching, sincere, captivating, social, aesthetic, inspirational, anamorphic, visually stunning, funny, political
Similar in 82%
Foxes (1980)
Plot Summary:
A group of friends come of age in the asphalt desert of the San Fernando Valley, as set to a blazing soundtrack and endless drinking, drugs and sex.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: stylized, social, sexual, rough, serious, realistic, gloomy, scary, road movie, sexy
Similar in 85%
Faces (1968)
Plot Summary:
An old married man leaves his wife for a younger woman. Shortly after, his ex-wife also begins a relationship with a younger partner.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 130 min
Plot tags: intense, art house, black and white, independent film, talky, biting, existential, visually stunning, aesthetic, psychological
Similar in 78%
Midnight Cowboy (1969)
Plot Summary:
A naive male prostitute and his sickly friend struggle to survive on the streets of New York City.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 118000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: disturbing, realistic, depressing, controversial, cult classic, psychological, rough, serious, bleak, grim
Similar in 75%
Grandview, U.S.A. (1984)
Plot Summary:
Life in the small town of Grandview, Illinois is one that is just like any other city or town. Tim Pearson, soon to be graduating high school wants to go to Florida to study oceanography. He meets Michelle "Mike" Cody and is attracted to her. She runs the local Demolition Derby place. Ernie "Slam" Webster is on of the drivers in the derby who's wife is cheating on him and wants to later on be with Mike. Tim falls for Mike and a big love triangle is about to happen.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, humorous, captivating, independent film, retro, offbeat, realistic, semi serious, feel good
Similar in 75%
White Oleander (2002)
Plot Summary:
A teenager journeys through a series of foster homes after her mother goes to prison for committing a crime of passion.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 34000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: emotional, intense, touching, disturbing, serious, realistic, erotic, sentimental, gothic, social
Similar in 78%
Thirteen (2003)
Plot Summary:
Tracy is a normal 13-year-old trying to make it in school. After befriending the most popular girl at school, Evie, Tracy's world is turned upside down when Evie introduces her to a world of sex, drugs and cash. But it isn't long before Tracy's new world and attitude finally takes a toll on her, her family, and old friends.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 96000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: teen, sincere, realistic, tense, disturbing, emotional, intense, serious, depressing, bleak