Best movies like Manila by Night
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
The hidden nightlife of ordinary people living in Manila unveils. Lovers and families conflict with each other as they live on the streets, which are rampant with drugs and prostitution.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 231
Genere: Drama
Country: Philippines
Duration: 150 min
Plot tags: tagalog, queer cinema
Best tv shows and movies like Manila by Night (1980):
Similar in 83%
Foster Child (2007)
Plot Summary:
Thelma (Cherry Pie Picache), together with her husband Dado (Dan Alvaro) and teenage sons Gerald (Alwyn Uytingco) and Yuri (Jiro Manio), are a poor urban family hired by a local foster care facility to provide temporary home and care to abandoned babies pending the latter's formal adoption. The inevitable separation is heart-rending for the foster family. Thelma's current foster child John-John (Kier Segismundo) is to be turned over to his adoptive American parents. Every moment with the 3-year-old John-John becomes more precious as Thelma goes through the day fulfilling her motherly duties for the last time—bathing John-John, feeding him, and bringing him to school where the boy participates in a school presentation.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 292
Genere: Drama
Country: Philippines
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 90%
Termini Station (1989)
Plot Summary:
Termini Station is a Canadian made drama, released in 1989 and directed by Allan King. The film stars Colleen Dewhurst and Megan Follows as Molly and Micheline Dushane, a mother and daughter living in a small Northern Ontario town. Molly is an alcoholic, which creates tension between her and Micheline and inspires Micheline's fantasies of escaping her stifling small-town life. The cast also includes Gordon Clapp and Debra McGrath as Molly's son and daughter-in-law. Termini Station was the only film besides the Anne of Green Gables movies in which Follows and Dewhurst worked together. The film was nominated for six awards at the 11th Genie Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actress nods for both Dewhurst and Follows. Filmed on location in Kirkland Lake Ontario.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 99
Genere: Drama
Country: Canada
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 83%
Bona (1980)
Plot Summary:
A scorned teenager gets revenge on the aging gigolo who took advantage of her while pursuing other women.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 106
Genere: Drama
Country: Philippines
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 87%
Pigs (1984)
Plot Summary:
Grim tale of marginalized souls in an apocalyptic Dublin inner city. Jimmy takes up residence in a derelict and once elegant house in a no-go inner area. He is soon joined by other squatters, George a business man trying to retain some dignity, Ronnie a drug dealer, Tom a paranoiac, Orwell a Jamaican pimp and his prostitute Mary.
IMDB Rating: 4.0
IMDB Votes: 50
Genere: Drama
Country: Ireland
Duration: 78 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 83%
The Seventies (2002)
Plot Summary:
A middle-class Filipino family struggles to survive in the era of dictatorship.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 581
Genere: Drama
Country: Philippines
Duration: 128 min
Plot tags: political, tagalog
Similar in 80%
Garbage, the City and Death (2012)
Plot Summary:
Romi (Gabriela Mícová), a prostitute, is anything but successful at her job: she is of far too gentle a nature for her clients. The more obstinately she is pushed to the streets by her pimp Franz (Stanislav Majer), the closer she is to a complete breakdown. One day Romi is addressed by a property speculator referring to himself as a "wealthy Jew" (Martin Finger). He does not demand any sexual services of her. He satisfies himself with Romi telling him stories, for which he lavishly rewards her. However, no one shares the sudden happiness with Romi. Her work-mates and current clients turn their backs on her, as does Franz, with whom Romi is in love. The whole story takes place in the setting of a dilapidated city, during the clean-up of which politicians openly split their profit with speculators and lobbyists, all under protection from the police.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 77
Genere: Drama
Country: Czech Republic
Duration: 74 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, disturbing, compassionate, queer cinema
Similar in 84%
Desperate Lives (1982)
Plot Summary:
A brother and sister get caught up in the drug scene in their local high school, with tragic results.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 226
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 76%
Hollow (2011)
Plot Summary:
In the outskirts of the city, where crime is a way of life, the paths of four desperate people collide. Jordan Coleman, a local drug dealer, finds himself at a crossroads when his friend and mentor gets in too deep with a ruthless gangster and club owner. Chelsea Hammond, an exotic dancer, finds herself being pushed into the dark world of adult entertainment as she fights to regain control of her life. Narcotics detective Sam Riley struggles with an online addiction he has tried to keep hidden from his wife. Reformed street thug Harrison Green goes back to his old neighborhood to try and connect with a street brother he left behind. These four will face their ultimate test at the hands of Copernicus Jones, a ruthless gangster who will let nothing stand in his way.
IMDB Rating: 3.8
IMDB Votes: 104
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: tense, unusual plot structure, captivating, suspense, suspenseful, christian film, controversial
Similar in 80%
Summer Heat (2006)
Plot Summary:
The story is set in Guagua, Pampanga a decade after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo which ravaged the province with lahar. It follows the lives of Rodolfo "Mang Rudy" Manansala, a woodcarver, and his three daughters and their relationships with the people close to them in the span of seven summers.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 90
Genere: Drama
Country: Philippines
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 82%
God Made Man (2020)
Plot Summary:
Leading double lives and seeking redemption, a transgender man, a drag queen and a corrupt lawyer collide in this urban purgatory.
IMDB Rating:
IMDB Votes:
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration:
Plot tags: neo noir, independent film, queer cinema
Similar in 88%
Twilight Dancers (2006)
Plot Summary:
Current most popular performer at a gay club in the Philippines (though it’s patronized by an awful lot of ogling straight women), Dwight (Tyron Perez) has a crush on a collegiate girl and an eye on better prospects working abroad. But he unwisely gets involved with boytoy-hungry Madame Loca (Cherry Pie Pichache), a ruthless, corrupt businesswoman. Her disillusioned ex-dancer bodyguard Bert (Lauren Novero) tries in vain to warn Dwight. Meanwhile, past-prime-at-28 Alfred (Allen Dizon) struggles to find legit work to support his wife and child.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 90
Genere: Drama
Country: Philippines
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: psychological, disturbing, queer cinema
Similar in 87%
Mano Po 2: My Home (2003)
Plot Summary:
Antonio Chan, a prominent Chinese businessman, has three women in his life v Sol, a Filipina; Lu Shui, a Chinese; and Belinda, a Filipino-Chinese. Antonio has children with all three women. A crisis shakes up the over-extended Tsinoy family prompting all the members to re-examine their values, their relationships, and confront issues that they have refused to face all these years. With Mano Po 2, My Home, Regal Entertainments continues the tradition established by the critical and box-office hit Mano Po. Features strong dramatic performances from a stellar ensemble cast, lush visuals, a reverberating musical score, an unforgettable theme song, and a heart-warming screenplay that eloquently captures the rich Tsinoy culture. Laugh, cry, and be touched by this family story about forgiveness, healing and undying love.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 78
Genere: Drama
Country: Philippines
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 87%
Moment of Truth: Why My Daughter? (1993)
Plot Summary:
After a young prostitute is murdered and left in a rubbish heap, her mother does everything to track down the killer.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 368
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: sad
Similar in 86%
Loser (1996)
Plot Summary:
23 year old Jame Dean Ray is a small time drug dealer bent on self destruction. The product of a broken home, Jimmy refuses help from those around him and spends his final hours hanging out and selling drugs with of course and occasional robbery.
IMDB Rating: 4.1
IMDB Votes: 181
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 80%
Nightbeats (2009)
Plot Summary:
A contemporary noir set entirely at night Nightbeats is an homage to the classic noirs of the 1940's, though told as a contemporary drama, not a gumshoe satire, Nightbeats follow the lives of five people over four nights. Over these nights there are a series of deaths, suicides at first glance. Or are they?.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 38
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: neo noir, detective
Similar in 78%
Whore 2 (1994)
Plot Summary:
Jack sets himself up in the Hotel St James to work on his book on prostitution in New York. Along the way he meets and grows fond of Mary Lou.
IMDB Rating: 4.7
IMDB Votes: 258
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: semi documentary, social documentary, independent film, fake documentary
Similar in 75%
The Whores (1994)
Plot Summary:
The prostitutes of Palermo are pictured in this episodic Italian drama. The film lacks a real unifying thread as it presents scenes from the lives of 7 hookers. Five are women. One is a man, and one is a transvestite. In one episode, an aging ill-mannered Neapolitan, Orlanda, entertains North African visitors in her home. They do not seem to mind her constant barrage of racist comments. One of her clients falls for her and protects her from a client who stalks her. She is surprised. The male prostitute finds himself becoming violent after his client is too attentive. Liucca gets beaten in lieu of a payment. A mother struggles with her profession and homelife. Grimaldi dehumanizes clients.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 158
Genere: Drama
Country: Italy
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: erotic, gay cinema
Similar in 77%
Holiday Heart (2000)
Plot Summary:
A drag queen takes in a drug addict and her daughter and helps raise the daughter.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: captivating, entertaining, queer cinema, black cinema
Similar in 84%
Memoirs of a French Whore (1979)
Plot Summary:
A girl, Marie is led into prostitution by her pimp boyfriend, Gerard. She must not only give money to him but to the gangsters that explore him as well. Marie, together with a friend, Maloup, will try to become independent. They start to work the streets on their own but they will meet physical and sexual violence. They return to the brothels, and Marie goes back to her pimp, but Gerard has his caprices and wants more and more – he's in a spiral downwards and he's leading Marie with him. There's seems to be no escape.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 658
Genere: Drama
Country: France
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 75%
Macho Dancer (1988)
Plot Summary:
A former American soldier becomes an exotic dancer and male prostitute in Manila.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 445
Genere: Drama
Country: Philippines
Duration: 136 min
Plot tags: erotic, rough, sexy, serious, realistic, disturbing, sexual, independent film, queer cinema
Similar in 76%
Glamour Girls (2022)
Plot Summary:
Their life as luxury escorts offered these women glamour, money and a chance to reinvent themselves…until a murder and a robbery ruined everything.
IMDB Rating: 3.6
IMDB Votes: 208
Genere: Drama
Country: Nigeria
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 76%
Kamikaze Hearts (1986)
Plot Summary:
Alternately distressing, instructive, contestable, and fascinating, Juliet Bashore's 1986 documentary about a lesbian couple working in the porn industry—a cynical older woman (Sharon “Mitch” Mitchell), who is a seasoned porn star, and her lover (known as Tigr), who is an uneasy newcomer to this world, where drugs play a significant role—offers a disturbing glimpse of the modification of bodies, feelings, and lives.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 299
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: retro, sensual, independent film, queer cinema
Similar in 87%
Go Ask Alice (1973)
Plot Summary:
A 14-year-old girl in late 1960's America is inadvertently sucked into an odyssey of sex and drugs. She eventually seeks help.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 74 min
Plot tags: psychedelic, sincere, touching, bleak, serious, emotional, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 78%
Twist (2003)
Plot Summary:
In a gritty retelling of the Dickens's classic, Twist takes Oliver and the Artful Dodger out of the poorhouse and onto the streets, where junk is the currency and hustling is the game.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: Canada
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, crying, queer cinema
Similar in 87%
Lilet Never Happened (2012)
Plot Summary:
Lilet Never Happened is the rollercoaster story of how a young girl, struggling to survive in the streets of Manila, spirals down into child prostitution. She is a fighter. She is a dreamer. She is a rebel and she thinks she can handle the world with her wits. But she has to face up to reality when she runs out of innocent dreams.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 281
Genere: Drama
Country: Netherlands, UK, Philippines
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, serious, realistic, disturbing, bleak, emotional
Similar in 82%
Gigola (2010)
Plot Summary:
George, a charismatic and adventurous young woman, born from an old, catholic family, falls in love, in her teens, with a female teacher named Sybil. Devastated by her lover's eventual suicide, some years later, George embarks on an exciting and reckless journey to the depths of Pigalle's nightlife, circa 1960. After an encounter with a very wealthy, still attractive, but older woman, Odete, who offers her money and gifts in return for sexual favours, George becomes Gigola, a kind of gigolo for women only.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 435
Genere: Drama
Country: France
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: sexy, controversial, stylized, serious, captivating, realistic, suspenseful, sexual, erotic, queer cinema
Similar in 83%
Magnifico (2003)
Plot Summary:
With a daughter who suffers from cerebral palsy and a son who's lost his much-needed scholarship, an impoverished married couple begins to abandon their faith and courage in the face of such misfortune. But when a gifted young boy called Magnifico uses his goodness to magically transform their lives for the better, the family's belief in miracles is restored. Suddenly, living with adversity doesn't seem like such a burden.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 930
Genere: Drama
Country: Philippines
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, emotional, uplifting, serious, realistic, surprise ending, sad, tagalog, contemplative
Similar in 75%
Electra (1990)
Plot Summary:
Born with the beauty of the gods, Electra's lust for sexual gratification is exceeded only by her lust for vengeance. Enter a world of forbidden family love, betrayal and murder.
IMDB Rating: 3.0
IMDB Votes: 83
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 85%
Longing Nights (2013)
Plot Summary:
Aitana, Pierrick, Rita and Jorge are all in their twenties and all look for ways to make their nights in the city of Madrid a little less lonely. Aitana is a sweet girl trapped in a men’s body; Pierrick is a cute French gay; Rita doesn't much care about her partner, Carolina, and walks through life with no expectations; Jorge is trapped in a relationship with no future: the one he has with Maria. Set against a background of drugs, sex, multiple partners and differing sexualities, Longing Nights follows the individual stories of these young people. A candid portrait of four relationships highly loaded with eroticism from beginning to end. Four stories told without no borders between fiction and reality.
IMDB Rating: 4.2
IMDB Votes: 167
Genere: Drama
Country: Spain, Portugal
Duration: 70 min
Plot tags: sexy, psychological, romantic, touching, unusual plot structure, melancholic, contemplative, eros, gay cinema, queer cinema
Similar in 85%
Samaritan Girl (2004)
Plot Summary:
Yeo-jin and Jae-yeong are two teenage girls who are trying to earn money for a trip to Europe. To reach this end, Jae-yeong is prostituting herself while Yeo-jin acts as her pimp, setting her up with the clients and staying on guard for the police. Things take a turn for the worse when Yeo-jin gets distracted from her duty and the police raid the motel where Jae-yeong is meeting with a client. To avoid getting caught, Jae-yeong jumps out of a window, fatally injuring herself.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Drama
Country: South Korea
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, captivating, realistic, erotic, psychological, sincere, romantic, depressing, spiritual