Best movies like Isadora
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
A biography of the dancer Isadora Duncan, the 1920s dancer who forever changed people's ideas of ballet. Her nude, semi-nude, and pro-Soviet dance projects as well as her attitudes on free love, debt, dress, and lifestyle shocked the public of her time.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: UK, France
Duration: 131 min
Plot tags: sad, historical drama, serious, captivating, realistic, sexual, crying, sexy, period drama, beautiful
Best tv shows and movies like Isadora (1968):
Similar in 83%
Mozart's Sister (2010)
Plot Summary:
A re-imagined account of the early life of Maria Anna 'Nannerl' Mozart, five years older than Wolfgang and a musical prodigy in her own right.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic, captivating, entertaining, heartbreaking, period piece, historical drama, gloomy, crying
Similar in 88%
Young Goethe in Love (2010)
Plot Summary:
After aspiring poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe fails his law exams, he's sent to a sleepy provincial court to reform. Instead, he falls for Lotte, a young woman who is promised to another man.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Romance
Country: Germany
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: sincere, realistic, serious, captivating, emotional, costume drama, intellectual, historical drama, crying, period drama
Similar in 90%
All the Mornings of the World (1991)
Plot Summary:
It's late 17th century. The viola da gamba player Monsieur de Sainte Colombe comes home to find that his wife died while he was away. In his grief he builds a small house in his garden into wich he moves to dedicate his life to music and his two young daughters Madeleine and Toinette, avoiding the outside world. Rumor about him and his music is widespread, and even reaches to the court of Louis XIV, who wants him at his court in Lully's orchestra, but Monsieur de Sainte Colombe refuses. One day a young man, Marin Marais, comes to see him with a request, he wants to be taught how to play the viol.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Music, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: visually stunning, emotional, stylized, romantic, gothic, spiritual, anthology, historical drama, mesmerizing, crying
Similar in 77%
Mahler (1974)
Plot Summary:
The film begins on a train journey with Gustav Mahler (Robert Powell) and his wife Alma (Georgina Hale) confronting their failing marriage. The story is then recounted in a series of flashbacks (some of which are surrealistic and nightmarish), taking one through Mahler's childhood, his brother's suicide, his experience with anti-semitism, his conversion from Judaism to Catholicism, his marital problems, and the death of his young daughter. The film also contains a surreal fantasy sequence involving the anti-Semitic Cosima Wagner (Antonia Ellis), widow of Richard Wagner, whose objections to his taking control of the Court Opera were supposedly removed by his conversion to Catholicism. In the process, the film explores Mahler's music and its relationship to his life.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: UK
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: road movie, psychedelic, art house, historical drama, psychological, sincere, atmospheric, serious, realistic, stylized
Similar in 83%
Mao's Last Dancer (2009)
Plot Summary:
At the age of 11, Li was plucked from a poor Chinese village by Madame Mao's cultural delegates and taken to Beijing to study ballet. In 1979, during a cultural exchange to Texas, he fell in love with an American woman. Two years later, he managed to defect and went on to perform as a principal dancer for the Houston Ballet and as a principal artist with the Australian Ballet.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: Australia
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: uplifting, touching, serious, emotional, independent film, powerful, captivating, realistic, stylized, crying
Similar in 81%
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 84%
La Vie en Rose (2007)
Plot Summary:
A swirling, impressionistic portrait of an artist who regretted nothing, writer-director Olivier Dahan's La Vie en Rose stars Marion Cotillard in a blazing performance as the legendary French icon Edith Piaf. From the mean streets of the Belleville district of Paris to the dazzling limelight of New York's most famous concert halls, Piaf's life was a constant battle to sing and survive, to live and love. Raised in her grandmother's brothel, Piaf was discovered in 1935 by nightclub owner Louis Leplee (Gerard Depardieu), who persuaded her to sing despite her extreme nervousness. Piaf became one of France's immortal icons, her voice one of the indelible signatures of the 20th Century.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 90000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: France, UK, Czech Republic
Duration: 140 min
Plot tags: touching, disturbing, atmospheric, gloomy, inspirational, depressing, melancholic, serious, period piece, sincere
Similar in 86%
Clara and Me (2004)
Plot Summary:
Antoine has what every young single man could wish: a promising career, true and loyal friends, and an apartment of his own. However, he's a lonely man, until he meets Clara, a beautiful and exciting woman, and deeply falls in love with her. All his loneliness turns into joy... but then he learns something that makes it all extremely complicated.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 756
Genere: Drama, Music, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 81 min
Plot tags: touching, emotional, realistic, serious, sexy, sexual
Similar in 77%
Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky (2009)
Plot Summary:
Paris 1913. Coco Chanel is infatuated with the rich and handsome Boy Capel, but she is also compelled by her work. Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring is about to be performed. The revolutionary dissonances of Igor's work parallel Coco's radical ideas. She wants to democratize women's fashion; he wants to redefine musical taste. Coco attends the scandalous first performance of The Rite in a chic white dress. The music and ballet are criticized as too modern, too foreign. Coco is moved but Igor is inconsolable.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, Music, Romance
Country: France, Japan, Switzerland
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: realistic, sexy, talky, intense, period piece, sentimental, stylized, romantic, heartbreaking, costume drama
Similar in 86%
Chopin: Desire for Love (2002)
Plot Summary:
The biography of world famous Polish composer Fryderyk Chopin.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 794
Genere: Drama, Romance, Music
Country: Poland
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: sentimental, serious, captivating, realistic, emotional, period drama
Similar in 76%
The Accompanist (1992)
Plot Summary:
In Nazi-occupied Paris, a young accompanist named Sophie Vasseur gets a job with famed singer Irene Brice. As Irene's husband Charles, a businessman collaborating with the Nazis, wrestles with his conscience, Sophie becomes obsessed with Irene, taking on the role of maid as well as accompanist, living life vicariously through Irene's triumphs and affairs.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 982
Genere: Drama, Music, Romance, War
Country: France
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: psychological, sincere, serious, realistic, crying
Similar in 80%
Nowhere Boy (2009)
Plot Summary:
The drama tells the story of Lennon's teenage years and the start of his journey to becoming a successful musician. The story also examines the impact on his early life and personality of the two dominant females in his childhood.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 38000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: sentimental, emotional, intense, sincere, touching, witty, feel good, realistic, semi serious, teen
Similar in 81%
Byron (2003)
Plot Summary:
Life and adventures of lord George Gordon Byron. BBC dramatization of the poet's final thirteen years.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 147 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, costume drama, crying, romantic drama, sexual, sexy, period drama
Similar in 86%
Introducing Dorothy Dandridge (1999)
Plot Summary:
An acclaimed stage performer, Dorothy still struggled with the challenge of her color, in a time that wouldn't let some stars in by the front door. Yet against the odds she beat out many more famous rivals for the role of "Carmen Jones", becoming the first black woman ever nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award. Marriages and affairs would break her heart, but her heart was strong. Seductive and easily seduced, she was born to be a star - with all the glory and all the pain of being loved, abused, cheated, glorified, undermined and undefeated. Here was a woman who wouldn't wait in the wings. Halle Berry stars as Dorothy Dandrige.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: cult classic, sentimental, sincere, thought provoking, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic, contemplative, entertaining
Similar in 87%
The Children of the Century (1999)
Plot Summary:
True tale of the tumultuous love affair between two French literary icons of the 19th Century, novelist George Sand and poet Alfred de Musset. But their affair falls apart during an excursion to Venice, Italy where Musset is distracted by drugs and Sand by a handsome doctor.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 135 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, sexy, captivating, stylized, erotic, romantic, visual, visually stunning, serious, emotional
Similar in 78%
Van Gogh (1991)
Plot Summary:
In late spring, 1890, Vincent moves to Auvers-sur-Oise, near Paris, under the care of Dr. Gachet, living in a humble inn. Fewer than 70 days later, Vincent dies from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. We see Vincent at work, painting landscapes and portraits. His brother Theo, wife Johanna, and their baby visit Auvers. Vincent is playful and charming, engaging the attentions of Gachet's daughter Marguerite (who's half Vincent's age), a young maid at the inn, Cathy a Parisian prostitute, and Johanna. Shortly before his death, Vincent visits Paris, quarrels with Theo, disparages his own art and accomplishments, dances at a brothel, and is warm then cold toward Marguerite.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Adventure, Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 158 min
Plot tags: anthology, psychological, sincere, atmospheric, serious, realistic, contemplative, gloomy
Similar in 80%
Bride of the Wind (2001)
Plot Summary:
A biopic of Alma Mahler, the wife of composer Gustav Mahler (as well as Walter Gropius and Franz Werfel), and the mistress of Oskar Kokoschka.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 692
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: UK, Germany, Austria
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, serious, captivating, realistic, heartbreaking, visual, visually stunning, independent film, period drama
Similar in 75%
Sid and Nancy (1986)
Plot Summary:
Following their breakout success in England, flagship punk rock band the Sex Pistols venture out on their first U.S. tour. Temperamental bassist Sid Vicious takes his troubled girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, along for the ride. Along the way, the couple's turbulent relationship strains the patience of bandmate Johnny Rotten and manager Malcolm McLaren, while plunging Sid and Nancy into the depths of drug addiction and co-dependency.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 34000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: bloody, cult classic, disturbing, independent film, psychedelic, serious, captivating, gloomy, offbeat, intellectual
Similar in 76%
Summer in February (2013)
Plot Summary:
The Newlyn School of artists flourished at the beginning of the 20th Century and the film focuses on the wild and bohemian Lamorna Group, which included Alfred Munnings and Laura and Harold Knight. The incendiary anti-Modernist Munnings, now regarded as one of Britain's most sought-after artists, is at the centre of the complex love triangle, involving aspiring artist Florence Carter-Wood and Gilbert Evans, the land agent in charge of the Lamorna Valley estate. True - and deeply moving - the story is played out against the timeless beauty of the Cornish coast, in the approaching shadow of The Great War.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, serious, emotional, retro, historical drama, realistic, stylized, costume drama, period drama
Similar in 84%
Prick Up Your Ears (1987)
Plot Summary:
Stephen Frears directs this biographical drama focusing on controversial British playwright Joe Orton, revealed in flashback after his murder by lover Kenneth Halliwell. Born in 1933 in Leicester, in the English Midlands, John 'Joe' Orton moves to London in 1951, to study at RADA, and enjoys an openly gay relationship with Halliwell in their famous Islington flat in the 1960s. However, when Orton achieves spectacular success with such plays as 'What the Butler Saw' and 'Loot', Halliwell begins to feel alienated and the pair's future looks increasingly uncertain.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: independent film, witty, dark comedy, black comedy, period piece, tense, clever, serious, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 76%
The Josephine Baker Story (1991)
Plot Summary:
Biography of the African-American who became a major performer in the Paris cabarets of the 1920's and 1930's. The film follows her life beginning as a struggling performer in 1917 St. Louis, her frustrations leading to her move to France, and follows to her death in 1975. Written by John Sacksteder.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Music, Romance
Country: USA, UK, Hungary
Duration: 130 min
Plot tags: captivating, realistic, emotional, serious, entertaining, crying, uplifting, black cinema
Similar in 77%
Bright Star (2009)
Plot Summary:
In 1818, high-spirited young Fanny Brawne finds herself increasingly intrigued by the handsome but aloof poet John Keats, who lives next door to her family friends the Dilkes. After reading a book of his poetry, she finds herself even more drawn to the taciturn Keats. Although he agrees to teach her about poetry, Keats cannot act on his reciprocated feelings for Fanny, since as a struggling poet he has no money to support a wife.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 28000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: Australia, UK, France
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: heartbreaking, period piece, romantic, touching, sad, costume drama, emotional, colorful, sentimental, witty
Similar in 84%
Georgia O'Keeffe (2009)
Plot Summary:
Biopic of American artist Georgia O'Keeffe and her husband, photographer Alfred Stieglitz.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 958
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: tense, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic, art film, stylized, crying
Similar in 84%
Carrington (1995)
Plot Summary:
The story of the relationship between painter Dora Carrington and author Lytton Strachey in a World War One England of cottages and countryside. Although platonic due to Strachey's homosexuality, the relationship was nevertheless a deep and complicated one. When Carrington did develop a more physical relationship with soldier Ralph Partridge, Strachey was able to welcome him as a friend, although Partridge remained somewhat uneasy, not so much with Strachey's lifestyle and sexual orientation as with the fact that he was a conscientious objector.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: UK, France
Duration: 121 min
Plot tags: costume drama, touching, emotional, talky, sexual, historical drama, independent film, sentimental, sincere, atmospheric
Similar in 79%
Total Eclipse (1995)
Plot Summary:
Young, wild poet Arthur Rimbaud and his mentor Paul Verlaine engage in a fierce, forbidden romance while feeling the effects of a hellish artistic lifestyle.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: UK, France, Belgium
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: serious, erotic, costume drama, cult classic, psychological, sexual, thought provoking, lgbt cinema, artsy, historical drama
Similar in 81%
Sylvia (2003)
Plot Summary:
Story of the relationship between the poets Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: depressing, emotional, realistic, psychological, serious, heartbreaking, romantic, neurotic, art house, period piece
Similar in 77%
Miss Potter (2006)
Plot Summary:
The story of Beatrix Potter, the author of the beloved and best-selling children's book, "The Tale of Peter Rabbit", and her struggle for love, happiness and success.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 31000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, period piece, costume drama, serious, realistic, sweet, romantic drama, motivational, intellectual
Similar in 88%
Colette (2018)
Plot Summary:
French novelist, Colette, overcomes an abusive marriage to emerge as a leading writer in her country and a candidate for the Nobel Prize in Literature.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 26000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: UK, USA, Hungary
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: captivating, costume drama, intellectual, inspirational, lyrical, period piece, erotic, social, art film, historical drama
Similar in 80%
The Last Station (2009)
Plot Summary:
A historical drama that illustrates Russian author Leo Tolstoy's struggle to balance fame and wealth with his commitment to a life devoid of material things. The Countess Sofya, wife and muse to Leo Tolstoy, uses every trick of seduction on her husband's loyal disciple, whom she believes was the person responsible for Tolstoy signing a new will that leaves his work and property to the Russian people.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: Germany, UK, Russia
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: sentimental, emotional, factual, period piece, touching, melancholic, serious, costume drama, sexy, sweet
Similar in 86%
Radioactive (2019)
Plot Summary:
Tells the story of Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie and her extraordinary scientific discoveries — through the prism of her marriage to husband Pierre — and the seismic and transformative effects their discovery of radium had on the 20th century.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: UK, France, USA, China, Hungary
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: uplifting, intellectual, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic, harsh, poignant, inspirational, historical drama