Best movies like In the Heights
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
The story of Usnavi, a bodega owner who has mixed feelings about closing his store and retiring to the Dominican Republic or staying in Washington Heights.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 51000
Genere: Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 143 min
Plot tags: sincere, captivating, entertaining, anamorphic, visual, hispanic
Best tv shows and movies like In the Heights (2021):
Similar in 88%
West Side Story (2021)
Plot Summary:
A remake of the 1961 film about two youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 93000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 156 min
Plot tags: suspenseful, surprise ending, captivating, disturbing, grim, anamorphic, visual, tense, weird
Similar in 88%
Absolute Beginners (1986)
Plot Summary:
A musical adaptation of Colin MacInnes' novel about life in late 1950s London. Nineteen-year-old photographer Colin is hopelessly in love with model Crepe Suzette, but her relationships are strictly connected with her progress in the fashion world. So Colin gets involved with a pop promoter and tries to crack the big time. Meanwhile, racial tension is brewing in Colin's Notting Hill housing estate.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: offbeat, cult classic, sentimental, serious, realistic, witty, crying, independent film, light, clever
Similar in 75%
Uncertainty (2008)
Plot Summary:
Every choice has a consequence. But what if the flip of a coin could trigger two separate but parallel destinies? Bobby (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and Kate (Lynn Collins) are a young New York couple at a crossroads whose lives are about to take very different directions. A seemingly ordinary July 4th is cleaved in two by the flip of a coin. One path leads them to gentle discoveries about family, loss and each other on a visit to Brooklyn, and the other plunges them into an urban nightmare of pursuit, suspense and murder in Manhattan.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, Romance, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, clever, captivating, erotic, experimental, offbeat, independent film, suspense, crying
Similar in 75%
Dear Evan Hansen (2021)
Plot Summary:
Film adaptation of the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. The story follows Hansen, a high schooler with social anxiety. He unintentionally gets caught up in a lie after the family of a classmate who committed suicide mistakes one of Hansen’s letters for their son’s suicide note.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Drama, Musical
Country: USA, Japan, China
Duration: 137 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, disturbing, interactive
Similar in 89%
Hairspray Live! (2016)
Plot Summary:
A teenage girl living in Baltimore in the early 1960s dreams of appearing on a popular TV dance show.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, captivating, entertaining
Similar in 81%
Sunshine State (2002)
Plot Summary:
A woman and her new husband returns to her hometown roots in coastal northern Florida, and must deal with family, business, and encroaching real estate development.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 141 min
Plot tags: witty, sincere, touching, independent film, realistic, cult classic, serious, contemplative, philosophical, thought provoking
Similar in 75%
Sweet Charity (1969)
Plot Summary:
Taxi dancer Charity continues to have Faith in the human race despite apparently endless disappointments at its hands, and Hope that she will finally meet the nice young man to romance her away from her sleazy life. Maybe, just maybe, handsome Oscar will be the one to do it.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 149 min
Plot tags: stylized, funny, freeze frame, touching, feel good, humorous, realistic, semi serious, sentimental, light
Similar in 84%
Sylvie's Love (2020)
Plot Summary:
When a young woman meets an aspiring saxophonist in her father’s record shop in 1950s Harlem, their love ignites a sweeping romance that transcends changing times, geography, and professional success.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, Music, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: romantic, captivating, emotional, entertaining, period drama
Similar in 89%
Lovely, Still (2008)
Plot Summary:
A holiday fable that tells the story of an elderly man discovering love for the first time.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: sentimental, feel good, realistic, semi serious, sad, psychological, emotional, humorous, independent film, fable
Similar in 78%
West Side Story (1961)
Plot Summary:
In the slums of the upper West Side of Manhattan, New York, a gang of Polish-American teenagers called the Jets compete with a rival gang of recently immigrated Puerto Ricans, the Sharks, to "own" the neighborhood streets. Tensions are high between the gangs but two kids, one from each rival gang, fall in love leading to tragedy.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 119000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 153 min
Plot tags: stylized, tear jerker, motivational, retro, depressing, spiritual, bad ending, suspense, hood, technicolor
Similar in 76%
In the Family (2011)
Plot Summary:
In the town of Martin, Tennessee, Chip Hines, a precocious six year old, has only known life with his two dads, Cody and Joey. And a good life it is. When Cody dies suddenly in a car accident, Joey and Chip struggle to find their footing again. Just as they begin to, Cody's will reveals that he named his sister as Chip's guardian. The years of Joey's acceptance into the family unravel as Chip is taken away from him. In his now solitary home life, Joey searches for a solution. The law is not on his side, but friends are. Armed with their comfort and inspired by memories of Cody, Joey finds a path to peace with the family and closer to his son.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 969
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 169 min
Plot tags: lgbt cinema, sincere, sexy, independent film, freeze frame, queer cinema, gay cinema
Similar in 80%
The Last Five Years (2014)
Plot Summary:
In New York, a struggling actress and a successful writer sing about their failed marriage from two perspectives.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: melancholic, romantic, surreal, lyrical, sentimental, humorous, semi serious, romantic drama, sex comedy, teen
Similar in 77%
Love After Love (2017)
Plot Summary:
A sixty-something mother and her two adult sons cope and move onward following the death of their larger-than-life father/husband.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: psychological, suspenseful, contemplative, unusual plot structure
Similar in 81%
Funny Girl (1968)
Plot Summary:
The life of comedienne Fannie Brice, from her early days in the Jewish slums of the Lower East Side, to the height of her career with the Ziegfeld Follies, including her marriage to and eventual divorce from her first husband, Nick Arnstein.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 25000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 151 min
Plot tags: light, witty, touching, feel good, humorous, captivating, funny, controversial, hilarious, romantic drama
Similar in 89%
And Then We Danced (2019)
Plot Summary:
Merab has been training since a young age at the National Georgian Ensemble with his dance partner Mary. His world is suddenly turned upside down when the charismatic and carefree Irakli arrives and becomes both his strongest rival and desire. In this conservative setting Merab finds himself having to break free and risk it all.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Sweden, Georgia, France
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: disturbing, captivating, psychological, romantic, social, art house, independent film, cute, romantic drama, queer cinema
Similar in 76%
Hairspray (2007)
Plot Summary:
Pleasantly plump teenager, Tracy Turnblad and her best friend, Penny Pingleton audition to be on The Corny Collins Show – and Tracy wins. But when scheming Amber Von Tussle and her mother plot to destroy Tracy, it turns to chaos.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 137000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: USA, UK, Canada
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: feel good, romantic, entertaining, lyrical, humorous, light, cute, teen, thought provoking, captivating
Similar in 88%
Our Friend (2019)
Plot Summary:
After learning that his terminally ill wife has six months to live, a man welcomes the support of his best friend who moves into their home to help out.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: sad, captivating, touching, family comedy, cult classic, entertaining
Similar in 87%
The Prom (2020)
Plot Summary:
After the PTA of a conservative high school in Indiana bans same-sex couples from attending the annual prom, a gang of flamboyant Broadway stars try to boost their image by showing up to support two lesbian students.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 29000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 130 min
Plot tags: inspirational, sentimental, sincere, thought provoking, captivating, funny, comedy drama, satirical, lgbt cinema, queer cinema
Similar in 78%
Dreamgirls (2006)
Plot Summary:
Three young women – Deena Jones, Effie White and Lorrell Robinson – dream of becoming pop stars and they get their wish when they're chosen to be backup singers for the legendary James 'Thunder' Early.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 76000
Genere: Drama, Music, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 130 min
Plot tags: stylized, emotional, lyrical, melancholic, sentimental, visually appealing, inspirational, uplifting, hood, serious
Similar in 77%
The Immigrant (2013)
Plot Summary:
In 1921 New York. an immigrant woman is tricked into a life of burlesque and vaudeville until a dazzling magician tries to save her and reunite her with her sister who is being held in the confines of Ellis Island.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 33000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, harsh, emotional, suspenseful, serious, captivating, period piece, costume drama, stylized, romantic
Similar in 90%
The Great Gatsby (1974)
Plot Summary:
Nick Carraway, a young Midwesterner now living on Long Island, finds himself fascinated by the mysterious past and lavish lifestyle of his neighbor, the nouveau riche Jay Gatsby. He is drawn into Gatsby's circle, becoming a witness to obsession and tragedy.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 26000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 144 min
Plot tags: captivating, period piece, stylized, visual, serious, spiritual, social, realistic, crying, sentimental
Similar in 81%
Great Expectations (1998)
Plot Summary:
Loosely based on the Charles Dickens' classic novel, "Great Expectations" is a sensual tale of a young man's unforgettable passage into manhood, and the three individuals who will undeniably change his life forever. Through the surprising interactions of these vivid characters, "Great Expectations" takes a unique and contemporary look at life's great coincidences.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 56000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: romantic, heartbreaking, emotional, sexy, touching, light, melancholic, serious, realistic, erotic
Similar in 77%
Brooklyn (2015)
Plot Summary:
In 1950s Ireland and New York, young Ellis Lacey has to choose between two men and two countries.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 148000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, Canada, Ireland
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, romantic, sweet, realistic, emotional, period piece, heartbreaking, light, semi serious
Similar in 75%
All My Life (2020)
Plot Summary:
A couple's wedding plans are thrown off course when the groom is diagnosed with liver cancer.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, China
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: romantic, heartbreaking, sentimental, touching, captivating, compassionate, tear jerker, freeze frame, tearjerker
Similar in 89%
The Greatest (2009)
Plot Summary:
Teenagers Rose and Bennett were in love, and then a car crash claimed Bennett's life. He left behind a grieving mother, father and younger brother, and Rose was left all alone. She has no family to turn to for support, so when she finds out she's pregnant, she winds up at the Brewer's door. She needs their help, and although they can't quite admit it, they each need her so they can begin to heal.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: touching, sincere, captivating, realistic, serious, emotional, breathtaking, cult classic, gloomy, independent film
Similar in 85%
The Meddler (2015)
Plot Summary:
An aging widow from New York City follows her daughter to Los Angeles in hopes of starting a new life after her husband passes away.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: romantic, melancholic, sentimental, sincere, captivating, funny, light, feel good, social, romantic comedy
Similar in 78%
Everything, Everything (2017)
Plot Summary:
A teenager who's lived a sheltered life because she's allergic to everything, falls for the boy who moves in next door.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 42000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: romantic, sincere, captivating, romantic drama, sentimental, intellectual, heartbreaking, scenic, multicultural, teen
Similar in 75%
Princess Cyd (2017)
Plot Summary:
High school athlete Cyd Loughlin lives alone with her depressive father in South Carolina, perpetually longing to get away from it all. When her aunt, famous novelist Miranda Ruth, agrees to host her for a few weeks during the summer, Cyd jumps at the opportunity. While there, she falls for a girl in the neighborhood, even as she and her aunt gently challenge each other in the realms of sex and spirit.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, captivating, disturbing, erotic, social, crying, queer cinema
Similar in 77%
The Spectacular Now (2013)
Plot Summary:
A hard-partying high school senior's philosophy on life changes when he meets the not-so-typical "nice girl.".
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 160000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: touching, teen, sincere, melancholic, emotional, independent film, romantic, feel good, sweet, heartbreaking
Similar in 86%
The Choice (2016)
Plot Summary:
Travis and Gabby first meet as neighbors in a small coastal town and wind up in a relationship that is tested by life's most defining events.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 45000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: romantic, touching, emotional, sweet, scenic, sentimental, serious, realistic, tear jerker, romantic comedy