Best movies like Cradle Will Rock
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
A true story of politics and art in the 1930s USA, centered around a leftist musical drama and attempts to stop its production.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 132 min
Plot tags: talky, entertaining, intellectual, factual, serious, disturbing, realistic, clever, cult classic, sincere
Best tv shows and movies like Cradle Will Rock (1999):
Similar in 75%
Thurgood (2011)
Plot Summary:
This one-man play stars Laurence Fishburne in his Tony-nominated performance as Thurgood Marshall, the remarkable Civil Rights lawyer and Supreme Court Justice.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 587
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, minimal cast, one man show
Similar in 82%
Ragtime (1981)
Plot Summary:
A young black pianist becomes embroiled in the lives of an upper-class white family set among the racial tensions, infidelity, violence, and other nostalgic events in early 1900s New York City.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 155 min
Plot tags: clever, bleak, cult classic, independent film, sincere, touching, serious, captivating, realistic, disturbing
Similar in 88%
Shirley: Visions of Reality (2013)
Plot Summary:
A series of snapshots from the life of a fictional actress named Shirley serves to weave together thirteen paintings by Edward Hopper (e.g. "Office at Night", "Western Motel", "Usherette", "A Woman in the Sun") into a fascinating synthesis of painting and film, personal and political history. Each station in Shirley’s professional and private life from the 1930s to 1960s is precisely dated: It is always August 28/29 of the year in question, as the locations vary from Paris to New York to Cape Cod.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 990
Genere: Drama
Country: Austria
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: serious, atmospheric, realistic, contemplative, experimental, postmodern, offbeat, stylized, weird, beautiful
Similar in 89%
Opening Night (1977)
Plot Summary:
An actress suffers an emotional uproar in her personal life after a fan dies trying to see her.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 144 min
Plot tags: independent film, serious, thought provoking, art house, postmodern, cerebral, tense, clever, realistic, contemplative
Similar in 81%
Earthwork (2009)
Plot Summary:
In 1994, real-life crop artist Stan Herd traveled from Kansas to Manhattan's Upper West Side to create a massive environmental artwork on land owned by Donald Trump. The multi-acre artwork was made from soil, rock, plants and vegetation near an underground railway tunnel. Stan recruited a number of homeless individuals living in the tunnel to become his crew. Over the months it took to complete the earthwork, Stan dealt with a myriad of difficulties in bringing his unique, rural art form to an urban canvas and the many costs his art exacted upon his life. In the process, he unexpectedly encountered the true meaning of his art and it's ultimate, lasting rewards.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 882
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: uplifting, sentimental, sincere, realistic, serious, independent film
Similar in 77%
10,000 Black Men Named George (2002)
Plot Summary:
In the 1920s, the rights of American workers to join a labor union was still considered an open question, and African-Americans were routinely denied their civil and economic rights. 10,000 Black Men Named George, the title, refers to the fact Pullman porters were often called "George" by white passengers, which was considered a racial slur.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 349
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, captivating, disturbing, tense, sincere, serious, realistic, contemplative, entertaining
Similar in 84%
Last Exit to Brooklyn (1989)
Plot Summary:
A gritty Brooklyn story about union corruption, violence, taboos and social norms. The stories told are of the sailors, the prostitute, the union bosses, the hooligans and the gay community set in the early 50s.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, West Germany, USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: bleak, disturbing, rough, intense, social, tense, period piece, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 86%
Stage Beauty (2004)
Plot Summary:
Humble Maria, who outfits top London theater star Ned Kynaston, takes none of the credit for the male actor's success at playing women. And because this is the 17th century, Maria, like other females, is prohibited from pursuing her dream of acting. But when powerful people support her, King Charles II lifts the ban on female stage performers. And just as Maria aided Ned, she needs his help to learn her new profession.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, USA, Germany
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: period piece, stylized, humorous, semi serious, romantic, costume drama, historical drama, clever, witty, sexual
Similar in 88%
Blood Done Sign My Name (2010)
Plot Summary:
A drama based on the true story in which a black Vietnam-era veteran is allegedly murdered by a local white businessman who is later exonerated. The plot focuses on the role of a local high school teacher and the civil unrest that followed the acquittal.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 635
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 128 min
Plot tags: disturbing, serious, captivating, realistic, thought provoking, tense, bleak, contemplative, entertaining
Similar in 77%
The Front (1976)
Plot Summary:
A cashier poses as a writer for blacklisted talents to submit their work through, but the injustice around him pushes him to take a stand.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: clever, humorous, funny, offbeat, social, cult classic, thought provoking, touching, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 90%
Vendetta (1999)
Plot Summary:
Based on a true tale of power, corruption and murder, Christopher Walken stars in the story of the largest lynching in American history.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: independent film, sincere, rough, bleak, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic
Similar in 88%
September 11 (2002)
Plot Summary:
11 directors show their view on the terrorist attacks on the world trade center in New York.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, France, Egypt, Japan, Mexico, USA, Iran
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: disturbing, intellectual, talky, stylized, factual, emotional, bleak, serious, anthology, political
Similar in 88%
The Big Brass Ring (1999)
Plot Summary:
Blake Pellarin is on the campaign trail to become president of the United States. While making a stop in St. Louis, a chance encounter brings his past back to haunt him.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 831
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: independent film, psychological, serious, realistic
Similar in 81%
Dirty Pictures (2000)
Plot Summary:
A Cincinnati museum director goes on trial in 1990 for exhibiting sadomasochistic photographs taken by Robert Mapplethorpe.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 862
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: disturbing, serious, captivating, thought provoking, erotic, tense, realistic, talky, sexual, contemplative
Similar in 85%
True Colors (1991)
Plot Summary:
Two law school friends find themselves at odds when one becomes a Justice Department lawyer and the other goes into politics.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: political, talky, intense, realistic, serious, captivating, clever, tense, sincere, crime drama
Similar in 84%
Guilty by Suspicion (1991)
Plot Summary:
This compelling story vividly recreates Hollywood's infamous 'Blacklist Era'. The witch-hunt has begun and director David Merrill can revive his stalled career by testifying against friends who are suspected communists. Merrill's ex wife shares a whirlpool of scandals that draws them closer together while his chances for ever making movies again slips further away.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: political, cult classic, sincere, thought provoking, bleak, serious, realistic, disturbing
Similar in 88%
Inherit the Wind (1999)
Plot Summary:
Based on a real-life case in 1925, two great lawyers argue the case for and against a science teacher accused of the crime of teaching evolution.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: gothic, sincere, thought provoking, clever, serious, captivating, realistic, disturbing, contemplative, talky
Similar in 77%
Basquiat (1996)
Plot Summary:
Director Julian Schnabel illustrates the portrait of his friend, the first African-American pop artist Jean-Michel Basquiat who unfortunately died at a young age and just as he was beginning to make a name for himself in the art world. Alongside the biography of Basquiat are the artists and the art scene from early 1980’s New York.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: stylized, factual, inspirational, atmospheric, captivating, realistic, artsy, art house, thought provoking, dark
Similar in 84%
Full Body Massage (1995)
Plot Summary:
Nina, an art dealer, has her weekly massage appointment and is surprised to find out her usual masseur, Douglas, has sent a replacement named Fitch. The pair develop an easy rapport during the session, with talk about past relationships. As Nina lies topless on the massage table, Fitch also takes time to explain various massage techniques, including those used by Hopi medicine men.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: sexy, serious, realistic, talky, sincere, erotic, mystic, clever, contemplative, gloomy
Similar in 82%
Chinese Coffee (2000)
Plot Summary:
When Harry Levine, an aging, unsuccessful Greenwich Village writer is fired from his job as restaurant doorman, he calls on friend and mentor Jake, ostensibly to collect a long-standing debt. Harry solicits his opinion on his latest manuscript, a work of semi-fiction based on their longtime friendship. Although he initially denies having read it, Jake later attacks it on aesthetic grounds, and deep-seated feelings of betrayal and jealousy surface and lead to a traumatic confrontation.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: psychological, clever, serious, talky, existential, philosophical, cerebral, cult classic, independent film, realistic
Similar in 80%
Beat (2000)
Plot Summary:
The story of writer William Seward Burroughs and his wife.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: Mexico, USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: captivating, serious, realistic, independent film
Similar in 84%
Mandela and de Klerk (1997)
Plot Summary:
Sidney Poitier and Michael Caine both received Emmy nominations for their performances in this made-for-TV movie. The plot follows Nelson Mandela's 27-year struggle to end apartheid.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 667
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: tense, sincere, uplifting, thought provoking, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic, disturbing, contemplative
Similar in 77%
Bob Roberts (1992)
Plot Summary:
Mock documentary about an upstart candidate for the U.S. Senate written and directed by actor Tim Robbins. Bob Roberts is a folksinger with a difference: He offers tunes that protest welfare chiselers, liberal whining, and the like. As the filmmakers follow his campaign, Robbins gives needle-sharp insight into the way candidates manipulate the media.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: mockumentary, political, witty, cynical, talky, humorous, funny, satirical, independent film, parody
Similar in 85%
Ironweed (1987)
Plot Summary:
Albany, New York, Halloween, 1938. Francis Phelan and Helen Archer are bums, back in their birth city. She was a singer on the radio, he a major league pitcher. Death surrounds them: she's sick, a pal has cancer, he digs graves at the cemetery and visits the grave of his infant son whom he dropped; visions of his past haunt him, including ghosts of two men he killed. That night, out drinking, Helen tries to sing at a bar. Next day, Fran visits his wife and children and meets a grandson. He could stay, but decides it's not for him. Helen gets their things out of storage and finds a hotel. Amidst their mistakes and dereliction, the film explores their code of fairness and loyalty.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 143 min
Plot tags: emotional, touching, intense, sincere, serious, realistic, depressing, compassionate, cult classic, gloomy
Similar in 83%
The Seduction of Joe Tynan (1979)
Plot Summary:
Respected liberal Senator Joe Tynan is asked to to lead the opposition to a Supreme Court appointment. It means losing an old friend and fudging principles to make the necessary deals, as well as further straining his already part-time family life. But it could be a big boost to his career, so he takes it on. Helping him prepare the case is pretty southern researcher Karen Traynor, and their developing relationship further complicates and compromises his life.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: realistic, clever, serious, suspenseful, political, cynical, gloomy, biting, suspense
Similar in 80%
Harlan County War (2000)
Plot Summary:
A Kentucky woman whose mine-worker husband is nearly killed in a cave-in, and whose father is slowly dying of black lung disease, joins the picket lines for a long, violent strike.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 604
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, disturbing, rough, realistic, independent film, captivating, political, sincere, bleak, serious
Similar in 75%
Network (1976)
Plot Summary:
A TV network cynically exploits a deranged ex-TV anchor's ravings and revelations about the media for their own profit.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 167000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 121 min
Plot tags: talky, political, realistic, clever, dark comedy, biting, black comedy, captivating, absurd, intense
Similar in 83%
Power (1986)
Plot Summary:
Pete St. John is a powerful and successful political consultant, with clients spread around the country. When his long-time friend and client Ohio senator Sam Hastings decides to quit politics, he is rapidly drafted to help with the campaign of the man destined to succeed him, unknown and mysterious businessman Jerome Cade.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, clever, cynical, political, retro, talky
Similar in 83%
Bound for Glory (1976)
Plot Summary:
A biography of Woody Guthrie, one of America's greatest folk singers. He left his dust-devastated Texas home in the 1930s to find work, discovering the suffering and strength of America's working class.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 147 min
Plot tags: realistic, road movie, compassionate, talky, period piece, sentimental, touching, serious, political, sincere
Similar in 81%
Tetro (2009)
Plot Summary:
Bennie travels to Buenos Aires to find his long-missing older brother, a once-promising writer who is now a remnant of his former self. Bennie's discovery of his brother's near-finished play might hold the answer to understanding their shared past and renewing their bond.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA, Argentina, Spain, Italy
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: psychological, black and white, clever, enigmatic, talky, intense, serious, surreal, atmospheric, light