Best movies like Absolute Beginners
Last updated March 2024
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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
Best tv shows and movies like Absolute Beginners (1986):
Similar in 80%
Starstruck (1982)
Plot Summary:
A new-wave extravaganza in which a young woman wants to become the next big singer with the help of her friends and despite the wishes of her working class family.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Musical
Country: Australia
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: realistic, erotic, psychotronic, offbeat, feel good, humorous, semi serious, independent film, light, romantic
Similar in 84%
We'll Take Manhattan (2012)
Plot Summary:
We’ll Take Manhattan explores the explosive love affair between Sixties supermodel, Jean Shrimpton, and photographer, David Bailey. Focusing on a wild and unpredictable 1962 Vogue photo shoot in New York, the drama brings to life the story of two young people falling in love, misbehaving and inadvertently defining the style of the Sixties along the way.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sexy, realistic, stylized, serious, period piece, period drama
Similar in 83%
Darling (1965)
Plot Summary:
A beautiful but amoral model sleeps her way to the top of the London fashion scene at the height of the Swinging Sixties.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 128 min
Plot tags: independent film, clever, witty, cynical, biting, psychological thriller, humorous, realistic, semi serious, crying
Similar in 82%
AKA (2002)
Plot Summary:
A story of a disaffected youth's search for love, status, and identity in late 1970s Britain. 18-year old Dean is handsome and bright, but feels hampered by his working-class background and by his family. In order to make something of himself, Dean assumes another identity and manages to enter high society. As he navigates this decadent new world, he meets a host of characters, including David, an older gay man who desires him, and Benjamin, a young hustler from Texas who has also managed to find a place among the aristocracy. Can Dean find love while living a lie? How much is he willing to sacrifice in order to pull off his charade? Presented through three simultaneous frames rather than one.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: psychological, serious, realistic, captivating, contemplative, sexual, crying, detective, sexy
Similar in 86%
Moonlight Serenade (2009)
Plot Summary:
A jazz musician performs alongside a coat check girl with a beautiful voice in this musical drama from director Giancarlo Tallarico. By day Nate earns his living as a financial manager, but when night falls, he helps the girl with her singing career at the jazz club, where she performs one night a week. In time both realize they share something special other than the music.
IMDB Rating: 4.7
IMDB Votes: 716
Genere: Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: sexy, serious, sentimental, realistic, stylized, independent film
Similar in 84%
Mrs Dalloway (1997)
Plot Summary:
As society hostess Clarissa Dalloway prepares for another of her legendary parties, she finds herself haunted by figures and scenes from her passionate adolescence.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, USA, Netherlands
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: talky, historical drama, psychological, atmospheric, touching, serious, realistic, contemplative, gloomy, independent film
Similar in 78%
Up at the Villa (2000)
Plot Summary:
Superficial people are revealed and drastically changed by circumstance or luck in this a tale of death, seduction, blackmail and theft among British and Americans in Florence in the turbulent days just before World War II.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: serious, atmospheric, suspenseful, stylized, romantic, realistic, crying, independent film, fairy tale, sentimental
Similar in 89%
Mahogany (1975)
Plot Summary:
Tracy, an aspiring designer from the slums of Chicago puts herself through fashion school in the hopes of becoming one of the world's top designers. Her ambition leads her to Rome spurring a choice between the man she loves or her newfound success.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: retro, hood, sentimental, atmospheric, serious, captivating, realistic, black cinema, campy
Similar in 78%
These Foolish Things (2006)
Plot Summary:
As war looms on the horizon, a hopeful ingenue (Zoe Tapper) finds herself caught between the warring affections of a playwright (David Leon) and a director (Andrew Lincoln) in 1930s London. Director Julia Taylor-Stanley's heartwarming ensemble piece features zesty performances by Anjelica Huston as an eccentric investor, Mark Umbers as a vain matinee idol, and Terence Stamp as a tart butler. And don't miss the immortal Lauren Bacall in a small role.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 568
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, captivating, emotional, serious, realistic, crying
Similar in 80%
A Merry War (1997)
Plot Summary:
Gordon Comstock is a copywriter at an ad agency, and his girlfriend Rosemary is a designer. Gordon believes he is a genius, a marvelous poet and quits the ad agency, trying to live on his poems, but poverty soon comes to him.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: cult classic, clever, humorous, witty, realistic, semi serious, independent film, sexy, thought provoking, intellectual
Similar in 88%
Rent (2005)
Plot Summary:
This rock opera tells the story of one year in the life of a group of bohemians struggling in modern day East Village, New York, USA. The story centers around Mark and Roger, two roommates. While a former tragedy has made Roger numb to life, Mark tries to capture it through his attempts to make a film. In the year that follows, the group deals with love, loss, HIV/AIDS, and modern day life.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 55000
Genere: Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 135 min
Plot tags: emotional, sentimental, stylized, lyrical, captivating, semi serious, romantic, depressing, sex comedy, period piece
Similar in 86%
Nine (2009)
Plot Summary:
Arrogant, self-centered movie director Guido Contini finds himself struggling to find meaning, purpose, and a script for his latest film endeavor. With only a week left before shooting begins, he desperately searches for answers and inspiration from his wife, his mistress, his muse, and his mother.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 45000
Genere: Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: emotional, clever, lyrical, captivating, sentimental, stylized, retro, art film, sensual, serious
Similar in 85%
An Awfully Big Adventure (1995)
Plot Summary:
Liverpool. 1947. A star-struck young girl learns about the grown-up world of the theater.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: bleak, clever, offbeat, humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious, biting, crying, independent film
Similar in 87%
Sammy and Rosie Get Laid (1987)
Plot Summary:
Sammy and Rosie are an unconventional middle-class London married couple. They live in the midst of inner-city chaos, surround themselves with intellectual street people, and sleep with everybody - except each other! Things become interesting when Sammy's father, Raffi, who is a former Indian government minister, comes to London for a visit. Sammy, Rosie, and Raffi try to find meaning through their lives and loves.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: talky, clever, humorous, realistic, witty, cynical, semi serious, biting, independent film, tense
Similar in 78%
Rock of Ages (2012)
Plot Summary:
A small town girl and a city boy meet on the Sunset Strip, while pursuing their Hollywood dreams.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 81000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: entertaining, feel good, sexy, romantic, visually appealing, light, stylized, humorous, sentimental, inspirational
Similar in 76%
Oh, My Love (2007)
Plot Summary:
Orphaned and homeless Ranbir Raj re-locates to a small town and orders a glass of milk in the RK Bar. He befriends a prostitute by the name of Gulabji, who invites him to spend the night with her, and when he refuses, she re-directs him to Lillian who rents out rooms. Ranbir meets with Lillian, who has been living alone for 37 years after her son, Vincent, left to join the army and did not return.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: India, USA
Duration: 142 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, serious, realistic, stylized, visual, visually stunning, modern day adaptation
Similar in 88%
Devdas (2002)
Plot Summary:
Devdas is sent away by his father so he can improve himself but upon his return his father still doesn’t welcome him back. Devdas and Paro are in love but Paro is a lower caste and is set to be married to an older widower. Devdas is devastated & leaves home. He becomes an alcoholic womanizer and falls in love with a courtesan. Paro tries to get Devdas away from drinking before he self destructs.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 46000
Genere: Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: India
Duration: 185 min
Plot tags: touching, emotional, weeping, sentimental, serious, captivating, romantic, rough, sincere, thought provoking
Similar in 78%
Angel (2007)
Plot Summary:
Edwardian England. A precocious girl from a poor background with aspirations to being a novelist finds herself swept to fame and fortune when her tasteless romances hit the best seller lists. Her life changes in unexpected ways when she encounters an aristocratic brother and sister, both of whom have cultural ambitions, and both of whom fall in love with her.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France, Belgium, UK
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: clever, serious, realistic, witty, talky, period piece, romantic, costume drama, crying, period drama
Similar in 79%
In My Country (2004)
Plot Summary:
An American reporter and an Afrikaans poet meet and fall in love while covering South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, Ireland, South Africa
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: sincere, thought provoking, serious, emotional, political, realistic, political thriller, crying
Similar in 79%
After the Rain (1999)
Plot Summary:
Steph, an Afrikaner, struggles with his past and heritage in the new South Africa. When his girlfriend befriends a black South African man called Vusisizwe trouble brews.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 278
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: South Africa, USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, crying, tragic
Similar in 82%
Heat and Dust (1983)
Plot Summary:
The parallel story of Anne and her grand-aunt Olivia in their experiences in India.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 130 min
Plot tags: realistic, costume drama, romantic drama, historical drama, serious, contemplative, crying, independent film, baroque, period drama
Similar in 79%
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 90%
Clapham Junction (2007)
Plot Summary:
Set in the Clapham district of south London, England, the film is inspired by true events. The paths of several men intersect during a dramatic thirty-six hours in which their lives are changed forever.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, rough, melancholic, homoerotic, depressing, twisted, touching, lgbt cinema, crying
Similar in 88%
Head On (1998)
Plot Summary:
Nineteen-year-old Ari confronts both his sexuality and his Greek family. Ari despises his once-beloved parents, former radical activists, for having entombed themselves in insular tradition. Ari is obsessed with gay sex, although he does make an unenthusiastic attempt to satisfy the sister of one of his best friends. While all of this is going on, he's facing problems with his traditional Greek parents, who have no clue about his sexual activities.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Australia
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: independent film, lgbt cinema, terrifying, sincere, touching, serious, realistic, erotic, rough, sexy
Similar in 77%
Beyond the Sea (2004)
Plot Summary:
Based on the life and career of legendary entertainer, Bobby Darin, the biopic moves back and forth between his childhood and adulthood, to tell the tale of his remarkable life. Kevin Spacey did his own singing for Beyond the Sea, recreating Bobby Darin's vocal style with uncanny accuracy.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Musical
Country: UK, Germany, USA
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, stylized, intense, realistic, inspirational, indie film, serious, independent film, light
Similar in 84%
The Great Gatsby (2000)
Plot Summary:
Stock broker Nick Carraway consents to play Cupid for his rich married first cousin Daisy Buchanen and her former love, successful bootlegger and forger Jay Gatsby.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: sentimental, captivating, stylized, serious, realistic, gloomy, period drama
Similar in 89%
Full Speed (1996)
Plot Summary:
A brief extract of four kids' lives somewhere in France. Quentin, who won a writers contest and now pays more attention to his career as an author than to his friends, beautiful Julie, his girl-friend, much more mature than she looks, falling in love with Quentin's very best friend Jimmy, who is kind of stuck in his unability of self-expression and grown up under bad social circumstances. And there is the shy boy Samir, exiled from Algeria, who lost his "brother" and only friend some time ago. Samir heavily falls in love with Quentin, but he can't handle it.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 877
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: erotic, sincere, serious, realistic, contemplative, gloomy, sexual, sexy, gay cinema, queer cinema
Similar in 78%
Paris 36 (2008)
Plot Summary:
A star is born in a time of both celebration and instability in this historical drama with music from director Christophe Barratier. In the spring of 1936, Paris is in a state of uncertainty; while the rise of the Third Reich in Germany worries many, a leftist union-oriented candidate, Léon Blum, has been voted into power, and organized labor is feeling its new power by standing up to management.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Music, Musical, Romance
Country: France, Germany, Czech Republic
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: sincere, realistic, inspirational, colorful, period piece, visual, visually stunning, sentimental, touching, serious
Similar in 89%
The Governess (1998)
Plot Summary:
When the father of privileged Rosina da Silva violently dies, she decides to pass herself off as a gentile and finds employment with a family in faraway Scotland. Soon she and the family father, Charles, start a passionate secret affair.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: enigmatic, emotional, colorful, period piece, costume drama, atmospheric, scenic, serious, historical drama, realistic
Similar in 83%
The Heart of Me (2002)
Plot Summary:
Drama set in 1930s London with two sisters, Madeleine married to Rickie, and Dinah, who falls in love with him. Rickie and Dinah begin an affair which is to have repercussions throughout all their lives.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, Germany
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, serious, emotional, romantic drama, clever, erotic, romantic, spiritual, cult classic