Best movies like Heart of Steel
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
A steel factory that employs most of the town shuts down, leaving a man desperate to keep his family and friends together while alcohol consumes him in this depressing drama.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 127
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags:
Best tv shows and movies like Heart of Steel (1983):
Similar in 89%
Bankett für Achilles (1975)
Plot Summary:
For thirty years, Karl Achilles has been working at the chemical collective in Bitterfeld. But now his last day as a master at the plant has come. He is about to retire; even if Karl, who finds ending his working life difficult, wanted to stay on, it would not be possible. Karl’s colleagues have arranged a farewell dinner for the retiring master at an outdoor restaurant. But on his last day of work, before the farewell dinner, he meets all sorts of people: both colleagues and people, who do not work at the plant. A mosaic of the biography of a person who found fulfilment in his work and now has to look for the meaning of his life anew.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 26
Genere: Drama
Country: East Germany
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: amateur film
Similar in 79%
My Last Year as a Loser (2018)
Plot Summary:
Špela graduated in Art History and has never had a steady job. Unlike her two best friends, who have moved out of Slovenia years ago with no plans to return, she is determined to stay in Ljubljana. When even her longtime boyfriend gets a job abroad she moves back in with her parents and her grandma. But Špela wants to grow up and cut the cord instead of delaying her already well overdue adulthood any longer.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 300
Genere: Drama
Country: Slovenia
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 84%
Return of a Citizen (1986)
Plot Summary:
Returning rich from the Gulf to find his brothers and sisters relationships falling apart.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 158
Genere: Drama
Country: Egypt
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 80%
Forever Tomorrow (2016)
Plot Summary:
'Forever Tomorrow' weaves a narrative out of the speeches given in AA meetings, the interrupted life of a party girl, a young couple who have lost their connection to one another, and the relationships Aaron, a rent boy, and his clients maintain. With alcoholism and life choices used as a backdrop, the film explores the various unwelcomed roads traveled by people as they attempt to redeem themselves from addiction.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 174
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 81%
The Luck of Ginger Coffey (1964)
Plot Summary:
An out-of-work Irish immigrant in Montreal remains hopeful that his luck is about to change but his disillusioned family grow tired of his pigheadedness and instability.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 305
Genere: Drama
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 85%
Dreamer: The Movie (2004)
Plot Summary:
Armed with a shoestring budget and a dream, independent filmmaker George A. Johnson set out to write, shoot, direct, produce and edit a full-length feature film using simple home video equipment and his imagination. The result is an inspirational story told from a Christian perspective about complex characters who resist embracing God's plans for them because they're too wrapped up in what society wants them to be.
IMDB Rating: 8.6
IMDB Votes: 30
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 75%
Sweet Thing (2020)
Plot Summary:
For Billie and Nico, life with their father is a roller-coaster ride of playfulness and unease. When he is in the grip of alcohol, tears flow and their apparently idyllic family life collapses. Their mostly absent and irresponsible mother is not much help either. But their friendship with Malik, a boy of Billie’s age, frees them from their shackles. Together they embark on a journey full of intense moments of freedom. The colourful, emotional world of the three young people is depicted in kaleidoscopic black and white imagery, which opens space for their own notions of childhood. Alexandre Rockwell's tale portrays a profound sense of solidarity and deep love: for cinema and Billie Holiday, and also for risk and adventure.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: captivating, black and white, entertaining
Similar in 79%
The Humans (2021)
Plot Summary:
Erik Blake has gathered three generations of his Pennsylvania family to celebrate Thanksgiving at his daughter’s apartment in lower Manhattan. As darkness falls outside and eerie things start to go bump in the night, the group’s deepest fears are laid bare.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: suspenseful, independent film, existential, adaptation directed by original author
Similar in 82%
Dockers (1999)
Plot Summary:
Jimmy McGovern's depiction of the mid 90s Liverpool dockers strike. Featuring script contributions from Irvine Welsh and the real dockers themselves.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 180
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 83%
Strikebound (1984)
Plot Summary:
Via the New York Times: "...reconstructs the true story of a coal miners' strike in the small town of Korumburra in the mid-30's... based on the real-life story of two remarkable characters, Wattie Doig, a miner who became a militant Communist activist, and his wife, Agnes, who progressed from staunch Presbyterianism to membership in the Salvation Army and, finally, to labor organization.".
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 68
Genere: Drama
Country: Australia
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 77%
Between The Walls (2006)
Plot Summary:
Peter King discovers that his father had audio recorded everything that happened in his childhood home. This comes as Pete and his family clean out the house before it is repossessed. With only five days left, he must reconcile with a past that has always kept him from his future and the God he learned to despise in his childhood. Written by Nick Staron.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 105
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 72 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 78%
Maria My Love (2011)
Plot Summary:
Ana (Judy Marte) is a young woman trying to reimagine her life after her mother’s death during the course of one California spring. Filled with resentment over her father’s mistakes, Ana feels disconnected from herself and everyone around her. Swept up by new romance (Brian Rieger) and a warm reunion with her half-sister (Lauren Fales), Ana is so taken by the newfound support and love in her life that she sets out to find someone—anyone other than herself—to help. She finds a volunteer project in Maria (Karen Black), a reclusive hoarder who has alienated her own family with her compulsive behavior. As the two become unlikely friends and confidantes, Ana finds herself in an emotionally complex relationship that reveals some uncomfortable truths about herself.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 92
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: psychological, touching, serious, realistic, independent film, emotional, crying
Similar in 79%
The Migrants (1974)
Plot Summary:
A look at the lives of migratory farm workers, focusing on one family.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 112
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 90%
What Breaks the Ice (2020)
Plot Summary:
A coming of age thriller about two 15-year-old girls, Sammy and Emily, who hark from different worlds but strike up a quick and deep friendship. But what should be the best summer of their lives takes an unexpected turn when they become accidental accomplices in a fatal crime.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 80%
Caroline? (1990)
Plot Summary:
Hallmark Hall of Fame presents the story of a mysterious woman claiming to be the deceased daughter of a rich man tries to solve the problems of his untrusting son and supposedly physically and mentally handicaped daughter. But one question stands in her way: is she really Caroline?.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 508
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: psychological, tense, atmospheric, mind bending, serious, realistic, suspenseful, gloomy, surprise ending
Similar in 90%
Beyond Honor (2004)
Plot Summary:
A strikingly bold portrait of oppression and high tension in suburban America. It is the story of Sahira Abdel-Karim (Osuna), a young Egyptian-American woman in a California wedged between two distinct worlds, haunted by memory and bount by tradition. Beyond Honor is an emotionally resonant meditation on gender roles and the dynamics of power within a small community.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 107
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 88%
The Iceman Cometh (1973)
Plot Summary:
Set in 1912, the entire film takes place inside a dive bar named The Last Chance Saloon, where its destitute patrons eagerly await the arrival of Hickey, who arrives annually and props everyone up with free drinks and spirited stories of his travels. However, when Hickey does show up this year, it is with a message of temperance and an exhortation to give up hopeless dreams and face reality.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 239 min
Plot tags: talky, serious, realistic, thought provoking, independent film, clever, gloomy, detective
Similar in 84%
Midnight Clear (2006)
Plot Summary:
On Christmas Eve in the Arizona desert, a middle-aged man (Stephen Baldwin) and an old woman (K Callan) contemplate suicide. But through chance run-ins with strangers and perhaps some divine intervention, they cross paths and change each other's life forever.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 852
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: realistic, serious, captivating, suspenseful, christian film, humorous, semi serious
Similar in 78%
Walker Payne (2006)
Plot Summary:
A small-town father is forced to make difficult, heartbreaking decisions in order to save his two daughters.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 473
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: realistic, serious, psychological, emotional, gloomy
Similar in 89%
Road Movie (1973)
Plot Summary:
Gil and Hank are two independent truckers who run into problems when they are forced to pay off traffic managers to get loads. They also have to pay off highway cops when their rigs are overweight and bank loans but consider themselves lucky just to be able to keep up the interest payments. Add to that a small, frizzy-wigged highway hooker named Janice, who tempts them with her lurid charms.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 177
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: road movie, crying, independent film
Similar in 84%
Trucker (2008)
Plot Summary:
Loner Diane Ford (Michelle Monaghan) is a truck driver with an 11-year-old son, Peter (Jimmy Bennett), whom she never sees, and that's fine with her. But, when Peter's father, Len (Benjamin Bratt), falls ill, he asks Diane to take care of their son for a while. Eventually, Diane reluctantly agrees, but she quickly realizes that caring for a child interferes with her independent lifestyle -- and Peter isn't all that thrilled with the arrangement, either.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: sincere, realistic, serious, emotional, erotic, cult classic, touching, contemplative, independent film
Similar in 78%
The Brave (1997)
Plot Summary:
A down-on-his-luck American Indian recently released from jail is offered the chance to "star" as the victim of a snuff film, the resulting pay of which could greatly help his poverty stricken family.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, disturbing, suspenseful, suspense, surreal, controversial, cult classic, spectacular, independent film
Similar in 76%
3:13 (2014)
Plot Summary:
From living a normal life to surviving homelessness in the city of Miami, Peter is a victim of the turbulent U.S. recession during late 2000's. A drama based on true events.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 78
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, serious, realistic, bleak
Similar in 87%
The Dollmaker (1984)
Plot Summary:
Jane Fonda gives an Emmy-winning performance as Gertie Nevels, a pioneer woman and the mother of five from the Kentucky hills who is forced to uproot her children to follow her husband Clovis (Levon Helm) to Detroit when he finds work during World War II. One setback follows another and shattering tragedy strikes the family. It's all up to Gertie to find new strength, courage and determination to keep her family together and strong.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 946
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 142 min
Plot tags: sentimental, uplifting, touching, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic
Similar in 75%
A Father's Choice (2000)
Plot Summary:
The fast-paced city life of two sisters is turned upside down when they are sent to live in the country with their father after their mother is killed.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 721
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic, captivating, sincere, entertaining
Similar in 76%
Shattered Spirits (1986)
Plot Summary:
Martin Sheen plays an alcoholic father who loses his family.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 355
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: spiritual, sincere, bleak, serious, emotional, realistic, contemplative, gloomy, sexual, sexy
Similar in 79%
The Company Men (2010)
Plot Summary:
Bobby Walker lives the proverbial American dream: great job, beautiful family, shiny Porsche in the garage. When corporate downsizing leaves him and two co-workers jobless, the three men are forced to re-define their lives as men, husbands and fathers.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 48000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: realistic, depressing, thought provoking, sincere, serious, inspirational, philosophical, feel good, social, educational
Similar in 87%
Norma Rae (1979)
Plot Summary:
Norma Rae is a southern textile worker employed in a factory with intolerable working conditions. This concern about the situation gives her the gumption to be the key associate to a visiting labor union organizer. Together, they undertake the difficult, and possibly dangerous, struggle to unionize her factory.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: inspirational, political, touching, philosophical, feel good, sad, aesthetic, sincere, uplifting, thought provoking
Similar in 85%
Long Road Home (1991)
Plot Summary:
A drama depicting the trials of a family of share croppers.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 219
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 78 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 84%
...And the Earth Did Not Swallow Him (1994)
Plot Summary:
Twelve-year-old Mexican-American Marcos (Jose Alcala) recalls the hardships of the previous year, reflecting on the arduous trek his migrant-worker family made from Texas to the Midwest during harvest season. Along the way, Marcos learns plenty about the harsh realities of bigotry and the power of family in America of the 1950s. The coming-of-age Chicano drama is based on Tomas Rivera's semiautobiographical 1971 novella.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 165
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: independent film, sincere, touching, serious, emotional, realistic