Best movies like Higher Ground
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Vera Farmiga's directorial debut, HIGHER GROUND, depicts the landscape of a tight-knit spiritual community thrown off-kilter when one of their own begins to question her faith. Inspired by screenwriter Carolyn S. Briggs' memoir This Dark World, the film tells the story of a thoughtful woman's struggles with belief, love, and trust - in human relationships as well as in God.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, atmospheric, serious, realistic, aesthetic, independent film
Best tv shows and movies like Higher Ground (2011):
Similar in 89%
Beverly Lewis' The Confession (2013)
Plot Summary:
Based on the novel by New York Times best-selling author Beverly Lewis, "The Confession" is the continuing story of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman who goes on a journey in search of her identity - only to find herself embroiled in a mystery that must be solved before she can be reunited with the "Englisher" mother who gave her up to adoption 20 years earlier. Written by Brian Bird.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 807
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, serious, realistic, sad, scenic
Similar in 85%
The Shunning (2011)
Plot Summary:
Beautiful Katie Lapp has always felt something missing in her simple Amish existence -- until a mysterious "Englisher" comes to Lancaster County looking for the baby girl she gave up for adoption 19 years ago.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, realistic, serious, captivating, christian film, sad, contemplative, period drama
Similar in 87%
Standing Firm (2010)
Plot Summary:
David, a widower, is working himself to death. Late nights doing paperwork and running on fumes is normal. Bills are piling up by the week, and foreclosure looms on the horizon. Blaming God for his wife's death, he ends his relationship with the church. Steven, the remaining Christian of the household, has been watching his father's unhealthy lifestyle with great concern. With help from his grandpa and best friend Maggie, Steven reaches out to his father in any way he can. Despite his grieving and worsening financial problems, David begins seeking an answer to the question haunting him since his wife's death...WHY? STANDING FIRM is a story of suffering, God's purpose in it, and being joyful despite it.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 230
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 81 min
Plot tags: christian film, serious, realistic, sentimental, touching
Similar in 88%
The Book of Ruth: Journey of Faith (2009)
Plot Summary:
The Book of Ruth, is a triumphant love story in the face of adversity. This selfless journey of love and devotion is seen through the eyes of a young widow. Choosing to leave her homeland of Moab, she follows her mother-in-law Naomi to Israel after the death of her husband. Upon reaching Bethlehem, she meets and marries a man named Boaz, who is of the Royal House of Judah. This chain of seemingly unrelated events, sets the stage for the future kings of the nation of Israel, and the glorious coming of the Messiah. A Biblical Cinderella story from the archives of the royal Jewish bloodline, this story reveals the redemption of their inheritance through the child Obed, who was the grandfather of King David.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 452
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, serious, biblical, realistic, christian film
Similar in 78%
Corpo celeste (2011)
Plot Summary:
After growing up in Switzerland, 13-year-old Marta returns to a city in southern Italy with her mother and older sister. Independent and inquisitive, she joins a catechism class at a local church. However, the games and religious pop songs she encounters there do not nearly satisfy her interest in faith. Struggling to find her place, Marta pushes the boundaries of the class, the priest, and the church.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: Italy, Switzerland, France
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, serious, realistic, sentimental, atmospheric, contemplative, gloomy
Similar in 77%
What Would Jesus Do? (2010)
Plot Summary:
The citizens of a small town lose their faith day by day. Poverty and hardships have been hard on them... when all of a sudden something changes. Their faith is reborn. And a question rises inside them: "What would Jesus do?".
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 863
Genere: Drama
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: christian film, realistic, serious, spiritual, inspirational, fable
Similar in 80%
Sarah's Choice (2009)
Plot Summary:
Sarah Collins is considering an abortion. Before she makes her final decision, she is presented with three visions causing her to think about the impact on her future.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 534
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: touching, uplifting, serious, realistic, christian film
Similar in 75%
The Perfect Stranger (2005)
Plot Summary:
'THE PERFECT STRANGER' tells the story of Nikki, a troubled attorney who one day receives a mysterious dinner invitation from a man claiming to be Jesus of Nazareth. Throughout their evening of conversation, arguments and spirited debate, Nikki learns things she never knew about life, the universe, and most importantly, herself.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 876
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: sincere, christian film, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, sexual, sexy
Similar in 83%
The Wager (2007)
Plot Summary:
An actor at the pinnacle of his Hollywood career finds himself buckling to temptation after he accepts the lead in a classic tale of good versus evil. Michael Steele has just been nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards. In the wake of that announcement, Michael is cast in what may be the role of a lifetime. He's set to play the lead in an incredible story of monumental conflict, but will all of the swirling gossip around Michael cause him to stumble on the path of righteousness? His marriage is in jeopardy and his career is on the line. This man who has always tried to do the right thing must find the courage and conviction needed to set his life straight.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 402
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 82 min
Plot tags: christian film, serious, realistic, thought provoking, contemplative, gloomy
Similar in 75%
Christmas at Maxwell's (2006)
Plot Summary:
A successful American family retreat to their summer home on the banks of Lake Erie to find meaning in life, illness, loss, and change this Christmas. With a successful career in the wine business, and two amazing children, what more can a family ask for. But this Christmas will change the Austin family forever with Suzie falling ill. With Andrew struggling over his wife's ill health and the children trying to find peace and solace on their own, only a miracle can help them through this Christmas.
IMDB Rating: 4.3
IMDB Votes: 124
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: uplifting, sentimental, sincere, touching, independent film, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 90%
Love Like Poison (2010)
Plot Summary:
Anna, a young teenager, comes home from her Catholic boarding school for the holidays and discovers her father has left. Her mother is devastated and confined in the company of the local priest, who is also a childhood friend. Anna clings to her beloved grandfather. She also grows close to Pierre, a free-spirited teenager who cares little about God. Anna is preparing for her confirmation, but her budding desire for Pierre shakes her faith. She longs to give herself over, body and soul... but doesn't know if it is to God, or something else?.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 812
Genere: Drama
Country: France
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: realistic, contemplative, psychological, sentimental, captivating, anthology, sincere, touching, serious
Similar in 77%
The Lost & Found Family (2009)
Plot Summary:
When her husband dies, Mrs. Ester Hobbes (Ellen Bry, TV's St. Elsewhere) learns that his wealth was just an illusion. Her only real inheritance is a run-down Southern home occupied by a foster family. Slowly, Mrs. Hobbes finds herself making unexpected connections with rebellious teen Justin (Lucas Till, Hannah Montana: The Movie) and the rest of the unwanted kids. Share the journey of discovery in this touching drama of lives transformed.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 329
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: christian film, sentimental, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, indie film
Similar in 89%
Gimme Shelter (2013)
Plot Summary:
After running away from her abusive mother, a streetwise teen seeks refuge with her father, but he rejects her when he learns that she's pregnant.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: emotional, psychological, rough, serious, sad, cult classic, teen, tear jerker, bleak, realistic
Similar in 88%
A Question of Faith (2017)
Plot Summary:
When Tragedy Strikes three Families, their Destiny forces them on a coverging path and mercy as the challenges of their fate could also resurrect their beliefs.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: psychological, atmospheric, touching, serious, captivating, realistic, christian film, sad, dramatic
Similar in 77%
Flywheel (2003)
Plot Summary:
Jay Austin wants to sell you a used car, but watch out! Many victims have fallen prey to his smiling face and hasty promises. Austin does everything his way until his dishonesty and manipulation are exposed. Like many men, he becomes disgusted by the masks he wears and the lies he tells. In every man's life, there can be a turning point. When Jay makes his turn, he never looks back.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: christian film, sincere, touching, serious, realistic, spiritual, inspirational, uplifting, biblical, indie film
Similar in 79%
Electrick Children (2012)
Plot Summary:
Electrick Children tells the story of Rachel, a rambunctious girl from a polygamist colony in southern Utah. On Rachel’s 15th birthday, she finds a forbidden cassette tape. Having never seen anything like it before, Rachel plays the cassette tape, and finds glorious rock & roll thereupon. Weeks later, Rachel realizes a miracle has occurred- and the cassette tape must have something to do with it. She leaves her family and runs away to the closest city: Las Vegas. There she searches for the singer of the band on the cassette tape. She has a wild adventure and ultimately discovers who she really is: an ELECTRICK CHILD.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: sentimental, serious, independent film, melancholic, psychological, experimental, mumblecore, artsy, teen, realistic
Similar in 89%
The Wise Kids (2011)
Plot Summary:
A vivid, dynamic Southern coming-of-age drama, takes place in the transitional space between high school and college, when life seems to be all questions and no answers, and the future is scarily wide open. Set in and around a Charleston, SC Baptist church, weaving through this ensemble piece are three main characters - Brea, an introspective pastor's daughter experiencing debilitating doubt, the hyperactive Laura, Brea's best friend and a devout believer, and Tim, the open-hearted son of a single father, confronting his homosexuality for the first time. Tensions and buried feelings abound, as colleges are chosen and adults behave badly, as Brea, Laura and Tim attempt to hang onto what they have, all the while yearning to break free.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic, contemplative, sexual, christian film, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 78%
God's Army (2000)
Plot Summary:
Life as a Mormon missionary isn't what 19-year-old Brandon Allen expected: so many rules and so few successes. Los Angeles is as unrepentant as Sodom and Gomorrah. He's forced to share a small apartment with five young prank-loving missionaries and, to top it off, his first companion, 29-year-old Marcus Dalton, proves to be a harsh mentor. After only one day as a missionary, Allen is ready to hang up his necktie and go home. Allen becomes a part of the drama occurring under the everyday surface of missionary life. After only a few intense days, Allen finds faith he didn't know he had, and courage he didn't know he lacked. He learns that the time has come to put away childish things, and to become more than just a man--to become a man of God.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, realistic, psychological, uplifting, serious, emotional, independent film, contemplative, christian film
Similar in 78%
The Last Sin Eater (2007)
Plot Summary:
In seeking her own redemption from the one man of whom she is most afraid, 10-year-old Cadi Forbes discovers a secret sin haunting her community of Welsh immigrants in 1850s Appalachia.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: emotional, christian film, sincere, touching, serious, spiritual, mysterious, realistic, independent film, period drama
Similar in 87%
Worlds Apart (2008)
Plot Summary:
The daughter of a Jehovah's Witness is forced to choose between religion and love when she falls for someone outside her faith.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: Denmark
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, realistic, psychological, contemplative, crying
Similar in 79%
Letters to God (2010)
Plot Summary:
A young boy fighting cancer writes letters to God, touching lives in his neighborhood and inspiring hope among everyone he comes in contact. An unsuspecting substitute postman, with a troubled life of his own, becomes entangled in the boy's journey and his family by reading the letters. They inspire him to seek a better life for himself and his own son he's lost through his alcohol addiction.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: christian film, sentimental, sincere, inspirational, touching, spiritual, sad, uplifting, teen, serious
Similar in 83%
The Genesis Code (2010)
Plot Summary:
A college hockey player and a female journalism student struggle to find common ground with their spiritual faith and scientific studies.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 701
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 138 min
Plot tags: uplifting, realistic, semi serious, christian film, mockbuster, contemplative, independent film, postmodern
Similar in 80%
Faith Like Potatoes (2006)
Plot Summary:
Frank Rautenbach leads a strong cast as Angus Buchan, a Zambian farmer of Scottish heritage, who leaves his farm in the midst of political unrest and racially charged land reclaims and travels south with his family to start a better life in KwaZulu Natal,South Africa.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: South Africa
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: christian film, uplifting, sincere, serious, touching, emotional, realistic, biblical, spiritual, captivating
Similar in 87%
Angus Buchan's Ordinary People (2012)
Plot Summary:
The plot follows the individual journeys of three ordinary South African men in the build up to their attendance of the 2010 Mighty Men Conference, where their lives are forever changed by God's message for them.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 146
Genere: Drama
Country: South Africa
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: uplifting, serious, emotional, realistic, art house, christian film, independent film
Similar in 78%
Do You Believe? (2015)
Plot Summary:
When a pastor is shaken by the visible faith of a street-corner preacher, he is reminded that true belief always requires action. His response ignites a journey that impacts everyone it touches in ways that only God could orchestrate.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: christian film, thought provoking, emotional, uplifting, serious, realistic, spiritual, independent film, biblical, disgusting
Similar in 88%
Billy: The Early Years (2008)
Plot Summary:
Most of us know Billy Graham as the self-assured and charismatic preacher who became one of the most important figures of 20th Century Christianity. Now, with the release of Billy: The Early Years, we meet Billy as the earnest and promising young man at the crossroads of faith and doubt, ultimately facing the moment of decision that launched one of history’s most powerful evangelistic careers.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 816
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: christian film, serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 83%
Courageous (2011)
Plot Summary:
As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, and their partners are confident and focused. They willingly stand up to the worst the streets have to offer. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood. They know that God desires to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, but their children are beginning to drift further and further away from them. When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a new found urgency help these dads draw closer to God ... and to their children? COURAGEOUS is the fourth release of Sherwood Pictures, the movie making ministry of Sherwood Church in Albany, Georgia.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 130 min
Plot tags: christian film, uplifting, inspirational, realistic, sentimental, feel good, melancholic, sincere, sad, emotional
Similar in 78%
The Encounter (2010)
Plot Summary:
When five strangers with nothing in common come together at a remote roadside eatery, they place their orders with the diner's omniscient owner, who seems to know everything about them ... and is eerily reminiscent of Jesus Christ.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: christian film, tense, uplifting, serious, emotional, realistic, biblical, spiritual, sad
Similar in 76%
Bilal's Stand (2010)
Plot Summary:
Bilal, a Muslim high school senior works at his family's long-owned taxi stand. "The Stand," as they call it, has been the source of all activity and money for the family for the last sixty years. It seems like Bílal is about to carry the torch. He secretly submits a college application and takes up the art of ice carving in order to win a scholarship. However, he is forced to decide whether he will continue working at the Stand - the only life he's ever known - or take a chance at social mobility.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 99
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, touching, realistic, independent film, uplifting, serious, captivating, spiritual, educational
Similar in 76%
My Father My Lord (2007)
Plot Summary:
"My Father My Lord" is an intimate and deeply disturbing story of the conflict between a father's love and his deep devotion to religion. A respected Orthodox Rabbi dotes on his only son but his religious strictures leave an emotional gap between the impish child and the stern father. When the father's all-consuming obsession with observing religious ritual inadvertently leads to tragedy, his previously subservient wife rages against both her husband and God. A dramatic retelling of the story of Abraham.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 492
Genere: Drama
Country: Israel
Duration: 72 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, touching, emotional, captivating, sad, thought provoking, serious, realistic, contemplative