Best movies like It's a Wonderful Life
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
A holiday favourite for generations... George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the business's $8,000 is lost and George's troubles begin.
IMDB Rating: 8.6
IMDB Votes: 485000
Genere: Drama, Family, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 130 min
Plot tags: inspirational, feel good, touching, sentimental, uplifting, black and white, sweet, emotional, compassionate, spiritual
Best tv shows and movies like It's a Wonderful Life (1946):
Similar in 84%
The Ultimate Gift (2006)
Plot Summary:
When his wealthy grandfather finally dies, Jason Stevens fully expects to benefit when it comes to the reading of the will. But instead of a sizable inheritance, Jason receives a test, a series of tasks he must complete before he can get any money.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 20000
Genere: Drama, Family, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: inspirational, touching, sincere, emotional, romantic, christian film, tear jerker, biblical, feel good, spiritual
Similar in 86%
Rigoletto (1993)
Plot Summary:
Things are not going well in the depression-era town of Castle Gate. Mr. Ribaldi, a mysterious rich man with a disfigured face and an abrasive personality, has just bought and moved into a long-vacant mansion. Bonnie, an adolescent girl who loves to sing, ends up working for Ribaldi so that her family can stay in their house. But Ribaldi is quite an accomplished musician himself, and he is soon giving Bonnie voice lessons. Meanwhile, local businesses are being shut down by foreclosures, and the townspeople suspect Ribaldi is responsible.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Family, Drama, Musical
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: sad, independent film, uplifting, touching, feel good, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 79%
A Joyous Christmas (2017)
Plot Summary:
Just before Christmas, bestselling author Rachel Kennedy returns to her hometown to host an event for her upcoming book. Though being home is difficult since losing her parents and losing touch with her brother, David, she finds strength from unexpected sources, namely her local producer, Jack and a selfless stranger, Joy. Jack and Joy help Rachel connect with the community, reunite with her brother and reevaluate her motivational message. Rachel and Jack develop an undeniable bond, but Rachel is torn between their relationship and career pressure from her manager, Stuart. As the event approaches, Joy reveals a secret from her past that has a lasting impact on Jack, and Rachel must find a message that brings her fans — and herself – lasting joy.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Family, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, touching, feel good, humorous, sweet, entertaining, romantic drama
Similar in 84%
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 80%
Scrooged (1988)
Plot Summary:
In this modern take on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," Frank Cross (Bill Murray) is a wildly successful television executive whose cold ambition and curmudgeonly nature has driven away the love of his life, Claire Phillips (Karen Allen). But after firing a staff member, Eliot Loudermilk (Bobcat Goldthwait), on Christmas Eve, Frank is visited by a series of ghosts who give him a chance to re-evaluate his actions and right the wrongs of his past.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 112000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: light, humorous, parody, funny, talky, atmospheric, christmas horror, witty, semi serious, feel good
Similar in 78%
A Snow Globe Christmas (2013)
Plot Summary:
While clasping her favorite Christmas snow globe, a cynical, overworked TV executive rants about how the movies she produces lie, making you think dreams come can come true. Upset, she tries to smash the globe, but instead it bonks her on the head, knocking her out. She wakes up in a perfect snow-covered town like the one in her globe.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: light, sweet, touching, feel good, humorous, realistic, semi serious, romantic comedy
Similar in 87%
Scrooge (1970)
Plot Summary:
The classic Charles Dickens' Christmas ghost tale told in musical form.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Drama, Family, Fantasy, Musical, Romance, Thriller
Country: UK
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: christmas horror, christmas special, hilarious, offbeat, feel good, humorous, semi serious, independent film, sentimental, light
Similar in 90%
One Magic Christmas (1985)
Plot Summary:
Ginny Grainger, a young mother, rediscovers the joy and beauty of Christmas, thanks to the unshakable faith of her six-year-old daughter Abbie and Gideon, Ginny's very own guardian angel.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Family, Fantasy
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, emotional, surprise ending, feel good, humorous, semi serious, light, unusual plot structure, sweet
Similar in 87%
A Christmas Carol (1984)
Plot Summary:
An old bitter miser who makes excuses for his uncaring nature learns real compassion when three ghosts visit him on Christmas Eve.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, touching, sentimental, christmas horror, feel good, humorous, semi serious, christmas special, fairy tale, light
Similar in 84%
The Preacher's Wife (1996)
Plot Summary:
Good natured Reverend Henry Biggs finds that his marriage to choir mistress Julia is flagging, due to his constant absence caring for the deprived neighborhood they live in. On top of all this, his church is coming under threat from property developer Joe Hamilton. In desperation, Rev. Biggs prays to God for help - and help arrives in the form of an angel named Dudley.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: touching, christian film, uplifting, black comedy, sentimental, feel good, humorous, semi serious, light, inspirational
Similar in 80%
A Dream of Christmas (2016)
Plot Summary:
When a restless young married woman is granted a wish by a Christmas Angel to be single again, she soon discovers her new life isn't what she bargained for, and embarks on a quest to win her husband back.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: inspirational, thought provoking, feel good, humorous, sweet, emotional
Similar in 81%
Family for Christmas (2015)
Plot Summary:
At the height of her career, investigative journalist Hannah Dunbar finds herself wondering what would have been had she stayed with the love of her life, Ben, 10 years before. When Santa Claus hears her “what ifs?” as a Christmas wish, he transports Hannah to a version of her life where she and Ben started a family.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Family, Fantasy, Romance
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: inspirational, sincere, romantic, thought provoking, feel good, humorous, sweet, entertaining
Similar in 78%
The Odd Life of Timothy Green (2012)
Plot Summary:
A childless couple bury a box in their backyard, containing all of their wishes for an infant. Soon, a child is born, though Timothy Green is not all that he appears.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 48000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: touching, funny, sentimental, feel good, humorous, semi serious, sad, inspirational, melancholic, crying
Similar in 84%
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Plot Summary:
A small suburban town receives a visit from a castaway unfinished science experiment named Edward.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 516000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: gothic, fairy tale, surreal, touching, sentimental, atmospheric, dark fantasy, sad, visually stunning, visual
Similar in 82%
Meet Joe Black (1998)
Plot Summary:
When the grim reaper comes to collect the soul of megamogul Bill Parrish, he arrives with a proposition: Host him for a "vacation" among the living in trade for a few more days of existence. Parrish agrees, and using the pseudonym Joe Black, Death begins taking part in Parrish's daily agenda and falls in love with the man's daughter. Yet when Black's holiday is over, so is Parrish's life.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 259000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 178 min
Plot tags: touching, romantic, sentimental, philosophical, emotional, feel good, clever, tear jerker, serious, surprise ending
Similar in 80%
Click (2006)
Plot Summary:
A workaholic architect finds a universal remote that allows him to fast-forward and rewind to different parts of his life. Complications arise when the remote starts to overrule his choices.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 351000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: inspirational, humorous, funny, feel good, hilarious, romantic comedy, weeping, sad, surprise ending, romantic
Similar in 90%
Wonder (2017)
Plot Summary:
The story of August Pullman – a boy with facial differences – who enters fifth grade, attending a mainstream elementary school for the first time.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 175000
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA, Hong Kong, Canada
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: inspirational, uplifting, touching, sincere, thought provoking, motivational, sad, feel good, tear jerker, cute
Similar in 84%
About Time (2013)
Plot Summary:
The night after another unsatisfactory New Year party, Tim's father tells his son that the men in his family have always had the ability to travel through time. Tim can't change history, but he can change what happens and has happened in his own life – so he decides to make his world a better place... by getting a girlfriend. Sadly, that turns out not to be as easy as he thinks.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 377000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: touching, feel good, sincere, sentimental, reflective, melancholic, emotional, romantic, cute, humorous
Similar in 75%
Big Fish (2003)
Plot Summary:
Throughout his life Edward Bloom has always been a man of big appetites, enormous passions and tall tales. In his later years, he remains a huge mystery to his son, William. Now, to get to know the real man, Will begins piecing together a true picture of his father from flashbacks of his amazing adventures.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 454000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: surreal, feel good, sentimental, touching, visually stunning, fairy tale, offbeat, emotional, sad, visual
Similar in 83%
Groundhog Day (1993)
Plot Summary:
A narcissistic TV weatherman, along with his attractive-but-distant producer and mawkish cameraman, is sent to report on Groundhog Day in the small town of Punxsutawney, where he finds himself repeating the same day over and over.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 670000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: feel good, philosophical, romantic, humorous, sentimental, hilarious, surreal, clever, funny, sweet
Similar in 78%
Phenomenon (1996)
Plot Summary:
An ordinary man sees a bright light descend from the sky, and discovers he now has super-intelligence and telekinesis.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 83000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: inspirational, touching, sentimental, emotional, light, sincere, romantic, sad, twisted, philosophical
Similar in 86%
What Dreams May Come (1998)
Plot Summary:
Chris Neilson dies to find himself in a heaven more amazing than he could have ever dreamed of. There is one thing missing: his wife. After he dies, his wife, Annie killed herself and went to hell. Chris decides to risk eternity in hades for the small chance that he will be able to bring her back to heaven.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 113000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA, New Zealand
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: surreal, philosophical, touching, inspirational, spiritual, emotional, tear jerker, cerebral, reflective, thought provoking
Similar in 83%
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008)
Plot Summary:
Tells the story of Benjamin Button, a man who starts aging backwards with bizarre consequences.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 684000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 166 min
Plot tags: touching, philosophical, sentimental, dramatic, melancholic, atmospheric, cerebral, captivating, emotional, sad
Similar in 79%
The Lake House (2006)
Plot Summary:
A lonely doctor who once occupied an unusual lakeside home begins exchanging love letters with its former resident, a frustrated architect. They must try to unravel the mystery behind their extraordinary romance before it's too late.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 156000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: romantic, sentimental, sweet, sincere, touching, feel good, romantic drama, light, romantic comedy, cute
Similar in 79%
The Notebook (2004)
Plot Summary:
An epic love story centered around an older man who reads aloud to a woman with Alzheimer's. From a faded notebook, the old man's words bring to life the story about a couple who is separated by World War II, and is then passionately reunited, seven years later, after they have taken different paths.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 605000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: touching, romantic, emotional, sentimental, sweet, sad, tear jerker, inspirational, motivational, feel good
Similar in 90%
Little Women (1994)
Plot Summary:
With their father away as a chaplain in the Civil War, Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy grow up with their mother in somewhat reduced circumstances. They are a close family who inevitably have their squabbles and tragedies. But the bond holds even when, later, male friends start to become a part of the household.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 62000
Genere: Drama, Family, Romance
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: sentimental, uplifting, costume drama, period piece, tear jerker, sad, touching, serious, depressing, sex comedy
Similar in 87%
Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Plot Summary:
A little girl discovers dreams can come true if you really believe. Six-year-old Susan Walker has doubts about childhood's most enduring miracle - Santa Claus. Her mother told her the 'secret' about Santa a long time ago. But after meeting a special department store Santa who's convinced he's the real thing, Susan is given the most precious gift of all something to believe in.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 42000
Genere: Drama, Family, Fantasy
Country: USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: fairy tale, sentimental, touching, feel good, inspirational, uplifting, humorous, semi serious, independent film, light
Similar in 87%
The Family Man (2000)
Plot Summary:
Jack's lavish, fast-paced lifestyle changes one Christmas night when he stumbles into a grocery store holdup and disarms the gunman. The next morning he wakes up in bed lying next to Kate, his college sweetheart he left in order to pursue his career, and to the horrifying discovery that his former life no longer exists. As he stumbles through this alternate suburban universe, Jack finds himself at a crossroad where he must choose between his high-power career and the woman he loves.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 117000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: feel good, touching, inspirational, sweet, sentimental, sincere, contemplative, romantic, humorous, romantic comedy
Similar in 79%
City of Angels (1998)
Plot Summary:
When guardian angel Seth -- who invisibly watches over the citizens of Los Angeles -- becomes captivated by Maggie, a strong-willed heart surgeon, he ponders trading in his pure, otherworldly existence for a mortal life with his beloved. The couple embarks on a tender but forbidden romance spanning heaven and Earth.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 126000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Country: USA, Germany
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: sentimental, romantic, tear jerker, sincere, emotional, sad, heartbreaking, touching, romantic comedy, inspirational
Similar in 75%
Forrest Gump (1994)
Plot Summary:
A man with a low IQ has accomplished great things in his life and been present during significant historic events - in each case, far exceeding what anyone imagined he could do. Yet, despite all the things he has attained, his one true love eludes him. 'Forrest Gump' is the story of a man who rose above his challenges, and who proved that determination, courage, and love are more important than ability.
IMDB Rating: 8.8
IMDB Votes: 22000000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 142 min
Plot tags: inspirational, touching, feel good, sentimental, uplifting, dramatic, sincere, philosophical, epic, spiritual