Best movies like Doctor Faustus
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
A musician beds down a prostitute he knows is diseased in order to gain inspiration, an act he later believes to have been a tacit pact with Satan.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 140
Genere: Drama
Country: West Germany
Duration: 179 min
Plot tags: psychotronic
Best tv shows and movies like Doctor Faustus (1982):
Similar in 81%
Erfolg (1991)
Plot Summary:
For fans of history, this glimpse of Munich society in the 1920s will be a much-treasured event. The story revolves around an art-gallery manager who puts on a show featuring the scandalous works of a woman artist who committed suicide. He is unjustly accused of having committed adultery with her, and for some reason the authorities decide to make an example of him. He is imprisoned at about the same time that Hitler and the nascent Nazi party attempt the infamous Beer Hall Putsch, and the gallery manager's girlfriend and a Swiss writer valiantly (and unsuccessfully) attempt to get better justice for him. Nobody in authority, it seems, has the courage to take up the challenge of righting this particular injustice.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 21
Genere: Drama
Country: Germany
Duration: 265 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 76%
Gromozeka (2011)
Plot Summary:
In present day Moscow three childhood friends in their forties - former school band players - live their everyday lives of a police officer, a taxi driver and a surgeon. They have lost track of each other. Three stories of betrayal, love and ageing are told in parallel. In fact, unknown to our heroes, their paths cross and their lives become connected. But they are not aware of it even when they reunite for a breaking performance at their graduation anniversary.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 228
Genere: Drama
Country: Russia
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: dark comedy
Similar in 84%
Just a Gigolo (1978)
Plot Summary:
After World War I, a war hero returns to Berlin to find that there's no place for him--he has no skills other than what he learned in the army, and can only find menial, low-paying jobs. He decides to become a gigolo to lonely rich women.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: West Germany
Duration: 147 min
Plot tags: realistic, semi serious
Similar in 77%
Ulysses (1967)
Plot Summary:
Dublin; June 16, 1904. Stephen Dedalus, who fancies himself as a poet, embarks on a day of wandering about the city during which he finds friendship and a father figure in Leopold Bloom, a middle-aged Jew. Meanwhile, Bloom's day, illuminated by a funeral and an evening of drinking and revelry that stirs paternal feelings toward Stephen, ends with a rapprochement with Molly, his earthy wife.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 967
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 132 min
Plot tags: surreal, mythical, independent film, sincere, epic, serious, realistic, contemplative, talky, scatology
Similar in 78%
A Woman in Flames (1983)
Plot Summary:
Eva, an upper-class housewife, frustratedly leaves her arrogant husband and decides to enter the call girl business. She lets Yvonne, a prostitute, teach her the basics and both set out for prey together, until Eva starts an affair with Chris, who turns out to be a call boy, as well. Consequently, she moves into his penthouse, large enough for both to offer their services separately.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 623
Genere: Drama
Country: West Germany
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 80%
The Crown Jewels (2011)
Plot Summary:
Fragancia is arrested for the attempted murder of Richard Persson, the son of a powerful factory owner. During the interrogation her amazing and remarkable life story is revealed. We follow her through her impoverished childhood, her adolescence where she meets the great love of her life, ice hockey star Petterson-Jonsson and the lead up to the fatal night where the story begins.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: Sweden
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: touching, captivating, exciting, suspenseful, disturbing, crying
Similar in 89%
Summer in the City (1971)
Plot Summary:
Released from prison a man wanders through a new reality.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 330
Genere: Drama
Country: West Germany
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: student film
Similar in 85%
Everyone Dies Alone (1976)
Plot Summary:
When they start losing family members and neighbors due to WWII and the Nazi government's policies, a quiet married couple becomes disillusioned and begins spreading leaflets against the government - a crime punishable by death.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 262
Genere: Drama
Country: West Germany
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 78%
Red Rose White Rose (1994)
Plot Summary:
Chronicles the love life of a man, Zhenbao. He has a steamy fling with the wife of a friend, the saucy and exciting Red Rose. Even though he feels happy with her, he knows he will not end up with her. To maintain his reputation, he marries an antiseptic, frigid but classy lady of a prim and proper background (White rose). Dissonance abound when he finds his bride irritating.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 324
Genere: Drama
Country: Hong Kong, Taiwan
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 84%
Game of Seduction (1976)
Plot Summary:
In this modern retelling of the classic Dangerous Liaisons, a virtuous young woman becomes the target of the schemes of an amoral womanizer who is in the habit of wooing women and killing their lovers and husbands in duels. When she finally succumbs to him, she discovers his true nature, and her newly awakened joy in passion turns to dust.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 178
Genere: Drama
Country: France
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: erotic
Similar in 83%
Prince of the Himalayas (2006)
Plot Summary:
Set in ancient Tibet under the shadow of the Himalayas, the young prince Lhamoklodan learns of his father's mysterious death and returns to the Kingdom Jiaobo. Troubled by his mother's sudden remarriage to his uncle Kulo-ngam, he swears to find the truth of his father's death. His obsession of revenge overwhelms his spirit and shadows his love to Odsaluyang. When he points his sword at the new king, Queen Nanm finally tells her beloved son, Lhamoklodan, the true identity of his uncle. In the struggle to face his destiny and fight his demons, a new king is born.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 107
Genere: Drama
Country: China
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: exciting, sincere, serious, captivating, tragic ending, mystic
Similar in 75%
Gate of Flesh (1964)
Plot Summary:
After World War II, some Tokyo prostitutes band together with a strict code: no pimps, attack any street walker who comes into our territory, defend the abandoned building we call home, and punish whomever gives away sex (who falls in love). Maya, a young woman whose family has died, joins the group. Into the mix comes Shin, a thief who's killed a G.I. The women allow him to hide while recovering from wounds, but then he won't leave. Maya is drawn to him, discovering as she falls in love that she can feel again; she's now more fully human, but at the same time, she's endangered herself and her livelihood. Can she and Shin make it out of Tokyo to establish life as a couple?.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: erotic, sexy, grindhouse, erotic drama, tense, rough, bleak, serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 82%
Teenage Sex Report (1971)
Plot Summary:
In this one we look at the cases of a number of young women and their plumbing problems as seen through the eyes of the narrator, a moralizing but well meaning gynaecologist.
IMDB Rating: 4.7
IMDB Votes: 104
Genere: Drama
Country: West Germany
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: semi documentary, fake documentary
Similar in 86%
Color of a Brisk and Leaping Day (1996)
Plot Summary:
The Yosemite Valley Railroad, which runs through the breathtaking scenery and stunning vistas of Yosemite National Park, is on the brink of failure. The grandson of a Chinese railroad laborer embarks on a romantic, but ultimately doomed, quest to save this railroad from being sold for scrap. His love of trains finds him working as a railroad-man, instead of at his father's profitable business. He manages to locate a wealthy eccentric investor to help him acquire the railroad, but its financial inviability makes this a quixotic reprieve, at best. The film also portrays the anti-Asian racism present in America at the conclusion of World War II.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 178
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: black and white, independent film, sincere, atmospheric, serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 83%
Julia (1977)
Plot Summary:
At the behest of an old and dear friend, playwright Lillian Hellman undertakes a dangerous mission to smuggle funds into Nazi Germany.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: factual, atmospheric, captivating, realistic, political, touching, visually stunning, historical drama, serious, contemplative
Similar in 86%
Kings of the Road (1976)
Plot Summary:
Itinerant projection-equipment repairman Bruno Winter (Rüdiger Vogler) and depressed hitchhiker Robert Lander (Hanns Zischler)--a doctor who has just been through a break-up with his wife and a half-hearted suicide attempt--travel along the Western side of the East-German border in a repair truck, visiting worn-out movie theaters, learning to communicate across their differences. The film features stunning black-and-white cinematography from Robbie Muller and a pensive score from Improved Sound Limited.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama
Country: West Germany
Duration: 175 min
Plot tags: road movie, contemplative, black and white, spiritual, art house, postmodern, cult classic, poetic, psychological, atmospheric
Similar in 80%
The Marriage of Maria Braun (1979)
Plot Summary:
Near the end of World War II, Maria marries Hermann, who is immediately sent off to battle. When the war concludes, Maria believes that Hermann is dead. She starts working at an Allied bar, where she meets American soldier Bill. They start a relationship that is interrupted when Hermann returns alive. During a scuffle between the men, Maria accidentally kills Bill. Hermann takes the blame and goes to jail, while Maria begins a hard new life.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Drama
Country: West Germany
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: psychological, emotional, touching, serious, realistic, surreal, art house, thought provoking, retro, neo noir
Similar in 87%
Innocence (2000)
Plot Summary:
After more than forty years apart, Andreas and Claire embark on an affair as reckless and intense as when they were young lovers. Widowed musician Andreas decides to get back in touch with his one great love, Claire, who is still married to her first husband, John. Andreas and Claire find that the connection they shared when they were young is still there and they soon become involved in a rekindled love affair.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: Australia, Belgium
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: romantic, sincere, touching, emotional, romantic drama, atmospheric, serious, realistic, contemplative, erotic
Similar in 82%
Alexandria... Why? (1979)
Plot Summary:
Set against the panoramic backdrop of war-torn Egypt, director Youssef Chahine tells a highly personal tale of love and determination. Amid the poverty, death and suffering caused by World War II, 18 year-old Yehia, retreats into a private world of fantasy and longing. Obsessed with Hollywood, he dreams of one day studying filmmaking in America, but after falling in love and discovering the lies of European occupation, Yehia profoundly reevaluates his identity and allegiances.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: Egypt, Algeria
Duration: 133 min
Plot tags: semi autobiographical, psychological, serious, captivating, realistic, crying
Similar in 87%
Mr. & Mrs. Bridge (1990)
Plot Summary:
It's about a five member family. The father is a conservative and traditional person who directs the family. The mother is at home, she tries to hold together the family, while Mr. Bridge works as a lawyer. The children have just grown up, and the complications are derived from that they have a more modern view of life.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, USA, Canada
Duration: 126 min
Plot tags: talky, melancholic, sentimental, realistic, family saga, touching, gloomy, semi serious, crying, independent film
Similar in 90%
A Map of the World (1999)
Plot Summary:
School nurse Alice Goodwin lives with her husband and two daughters on a dairy farm in a small Wisconsin community. After an accident on her property involving a friend's child, the town turns against her and Alice finds herself fighting charges of child abuse.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA, Germany
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: black comedy, sincere, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, disturbing, contemplative, gloomy, crying
Similar in 79%
Another Round (2020)
Plot Summary:
Four high school teachers launch a drinking experiment: upholding a constant low level of intoxication.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 186000
Genere: Drama
Country: Denmark, Sweden, Netherlands
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: dark comedy, psychological, thought provoking, social, unusual plot structure, funny, ironic, art house, semi serious, humorous
Similar in 81%
The Life (2004)
Plot Summary:
An anthropology student exploring the nature of prostitution is drawn deeper into that profession than she ever expected.
IMDB Rating: 4.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: Spain
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: erotic, thought provoking, realistic, rough, serious, sexual, semi documentary, independent film, sexy, hot
Similar in 77%
Moritz, Dear Moritz (1978)
Plot Summary:
15-year-old Moritz lives in a posh area of Hamburg, but his parents did not care about it. The teenager suffers from ridicule of his classmates and finds refuge in his dreams and playing the saxophone. Only when he joins a band and began performing there Moritz pulled out of the vicious circle, and finds love with new friends.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 188
Genere: Drama
Country: West Germany
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 90%
As I Lay Dying (2013)
Plot Summary:
Based on the 1930 classic by Faulkner, it is the story of the death of Addie Bundren and her family's quest to honor her wish to be buried in the nearby town of Jefferson.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, captivating, realistic, gothic, southern gothic, teen, visually stunning, bleak, stylized
Similar in 80%
Christ Stopped at Eboli (1979)
Plot Summary:
In the fascist Italy of 1935, a painter trained as a doctor is exiled to a remote region near Eboli. Over time, he learns to appreciate the beauty and wisdom of the peasants, and to overcome his isolation.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: Italy, France
Duration: 150 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, sincere, uplifting, touching, serious, realistic, intellectual, crying, feel good
Similar in 88%
The Conformist (1970)
Plot Summary:
A weak-willed Italian man becomes a fascist flunky who goes abroad to arrange the assassination of his old teacher, now a political dissident.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 33000
Genere: Drama
Country: Italy, France, West Germany
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: political, art house, breathtaking, visual, neo noir, philosophical, cerebral, psychological, atmospheric, bleak
Similar in 87%
Mephisto (1981)
Plot Summary:
A German stage actor finds unexpected success and mixed blessings in the popularity of his performance in a Faustian play as the Nazis take power in pre-WWII Germany. As his associates and friends flee or are ground under by the Nazi terror, the popularity of his character supercedes his own existence until he finds that his best performance is keeping up appearances for his Nazi patrons.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Drama
Country: Hungary, West Germany, Austria
Duration: 146 min
Plot tags: political, art film, mind twisting, horror musical, tense, serious, realistic, disturbing, biting, expressionism
Similar in 82%
Secrets of the Heart (1997)
Plot Summary:
Javi and his friend Carlos visit an old house on the outskirts of a small Spanish village. According to his brother Juan this is a haunted house and one can hear the voices of the dead. Later he is intrigued with a room which is always closed (the room where his father was found dead). He is so interested in these mysteries that he starts to investigate all the secrets of these dead people and their stories.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: Spain, France, Portugal
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: emotional, sincere, touching, serious, realistic, crying
Similar in 84%
The Night Porter (1974)
Plot Summary:
In this unsettling drama from Italian filmmaker Liliana Cavani, a concentration camp survivor discovers her former torturer and lover working as a porter at a hotel in postwar Vienna. When the couple attempt to re-create their sadomasochistic relationship, his former SS comrades begin to stalk them. Operatic and disturbing, The Night Porter deftly examines the lasting social and psychological effects of the Nazi regime.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Drama
Country: Italy, France
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: psychological, serious, controversial, disturbing, art house, sexy, bleak, sexual, erotic, cult classic