Best movies like May 18
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
The citizens of Gwangju lead a relatively peaceful life, until one day the military takes over the city, accusing the residents of conspiracy and claiming that they are communist sympathisers preparing a revolution against the current government. Seeing as the soldiers beat defenceless people, mainly students, to death, the citizens are in for retaliation and form a militia.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, suspenseful, touching, disturbing
Best tv shows and movies like May 18 (2007):
Similar in 77%
The King and the Clown (2005)
Plot Summary:
Set in the late 15th century during the reign of King Yeonsan, two male street clowns and tightrope walkers, Jangsaeng (Gam Wu-seong) and Gong-gil (Lee Joon-gi), are part of an entertainer troupe. Their manager prostitutes the beautiful Gong-gil to rich customers, and Jangsaeng is sickened by this practice. After Gong-gil kills the manager in defense of Jangsaeng, the pair flee to Seoul, where they form a new group with three other street performers.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: serious, atmospheric, touching, sincere, bleak, political, sageuk, realistic, controversial, cynical
Similar in 79%
Assassin of the Tsar (1991)
Plot Summary:
A new doctor from Moscow arrives at a provincial mental institution. His interest is the peculiarities of the psyche of a patient who believes that he is Yakov Yurovsky, the man who assassinated the last Russian tsar. In the course of their conversations it transpires that the patient is a kind of philosopher, not without a gift for suggestion. In a while the doctor himself falls under his patient’s influence: he tends to relive that fatal night of June 16-17, 1918 when, without any investigation or trial, Tsar Nicholas II, who had recently abdicated, was murdered, together with his wife, daughters and incurably ill heir. Soon the doctor realizes that the tragedy of the last Russian tsar is in part his own tragedy, too.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 936
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Soviet Union, UK
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: psychological, mind bending, serious, realistic, suspenseful, disturbing, psychotronic
Similar in 89%
The President's Last Bang (2005)
Plot Summary:
On October 26, 1979, President Park Chung-hee, who had ruled South Korea since 1961, was assassinated by his director of intelligence. The film depicts the events of that night….
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: South Korea
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: dark comedy, serious, realistic, captivating, black comedy, neo noir, political, offbeat, biting, suspense
Similar in 76%
The Soldier's Star (2006)
Plot Summary:
A Russian guitarist was enlisted in 1984 in the Afghan war. Imprisoned, he will meet an Afghan musician and a French journalist.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 137
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: France, Germany, Afghanistan
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, realistic, disturbing, captivating
Similar in 76%
The Guillotines (2012)
Plot Summary:
During the Manchurian-ruled Qing Dynasty, Emperor Yong Zheng established a secret assassination squad known as the Guillotines to eliminate all who opposed him. Once heavily favored by the Emperor, the Guillotines are deemed expendable once Emperor Qian Long ascends to the throne and adopts Western ideas and technology. To consolidate his power under a new regime, the Emperor continues to use the Guillotines to persecute the conquered Han Chinese in a reign of terror and oppression. Written by Anynomous.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: China, Haiti, Hong Kong
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, realistic, suspenseful, captivating
Similar in 86%
Sword in the Moon (2003)
Plot Summary:
A series of high-ranking officials are being systematically eliminated by a sleek assassin and his female assistant, and arrogant master swordsman General Choi (Jo Jae-Hyeon) is charged with putting an end to the carnage. During a previous time of political upheaval, the Clear Wind, Shining Moon martial arts school was caught in the middle and its members ruthlessly slaughtered. Top student Choi swore allegiance to the usurpers and was spared; now, his former friend, Yun (Choi Min-Soo) is exacting vengeance on behalf of the victims.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama, Adventure
Country: South Korea
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, suspenseful, bleak, realistic
Similar in 86%
The Rainbow Warrior (1993)
Plot Summary:
Peter Wilcox (Voight), as skipper of the 'Rainbow Warrior', a Greenpeace ship, docks in Auckland, July 1985, preparing for a protest against French nuclear testing in the south pacific. When a bomb rips open the vessel, killing a crew member, he must convince the police superintendent (Neill) that this is an act of terrorism. Determined not to allow outside forces to threaten their harbor, the police embark on a pursuit of the persons responsible. The events that follow nearly bring down an allied nation's government.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 303
Genere: Drama
Country: New Zealand, USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: independent film, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 83%
Blades of Blood (2010)
Plot Summary:
In the 16th century in Chosun dynasty, HWANG Jung-hak and LEE Mong-hak create the “Grand Alliance” with the united dream of a better world. While the new leader LEE dreams of eradicating this world of all its corruption and becoming king himself, the legendary blind swordsman HWANG who had once been his comrade goes after him with the loss of his good friend at the hands of LEE. Just as the king abandoned his kingdom from Japanese invasion, the two come face-to-face inside the empty palace and begin their last battle they were destined to fight.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 834
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: South Korea
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, serious, tense, epic, realistic, stylized
Similar in 87%
The Paper Will Be Blue (2006)
Plot Summary:
Out of enthusiasm, a Militia soldier abandons his platoon and decides to fight for the cause of the Revolution. His Lieutenant and the rest of the crew look for him during the confused night of 22-23 December 1989.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: Romania
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, suspenseful, rough, realistic, biting, suspense
Similar in 77%
Operation Thunderbolt (1977)
Plot Summary:
In July 1976, an Air France flight from Tel-Aviv to Paris via Athens was hijacked and forced to land in Entebbe, Uganda. The Jewish passengers were separated and held hostage in demand to release many terrorists held in Israeli prisons. After much debate, the Israeli government sent an elite commando unit to raid the airfield and release the hostages.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: Israel
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 77%
No God, No Master (2013)
Plot Summary:
A plot to overthrow the United States government is uncovered in New York City in the summer of 1919 when William Flynn, a field agent for the Bureau of Investigation, is sent to investigate a bomb threat that has targeted some of America's most powerful politicians and leaders of commerce, New York millionaire John D. Rockefeller, Sr. among them. Flynn's investigation takes him on a journey into the underworld of homegrown terrorism and introduces him to a competitive culture of violence and murder. Greed, power, and politics are at the center of the story and Flynn must distinguish the villains from the merely discontented. Along the way, he discovers that terrorism has many faces and that a determination of guilt or innocence often lies in the psychology of fear that constricts individuals at every level of society. Sedona International Film Festival.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 943
Genere: Crime, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, suspenseful, independent film, art film, political drama
Similar in 87%
The Old Garden (2006)
Plot Summary:
Activist Hyun-woo is released from prison after a 17-year stint. Journeying back to the village where he spent some time as a fugitive he recalls the time spent with Yoon-hee, a woman who gave him shelter and companionship.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 432
Genere: Drama, History, Romance
Country: South Korea
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, sincere, touching
Similar in 78%
Press (2010)
Plot Summary:
The story of a Kurdish newspaper whose journalists are under the constant threat of being abducted and killed by the state security forces.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 711
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Turkey
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: captivating, realistic, thought provoking, serious, political thriller
Similar in 75%
Afterburn (1992)
Plot Summary:
Based on a true story, one woman takes on the U.S. military and General Dynamics; maker of the F-16, thought to be the very best tactical fighter in the world. Air Force Captain Theodore T. Harduvel was one of the best F-16 pilots the U.S. had to offer. After much digging, Janet Harduvel discovers a joint military and General Dynamic cover-up. She proves to be unwavering in her search for the truth to clear his name.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 670
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: captivating, disturbing, thought provoking, serious, suspenseful, realistic
Similar in 80%
Beginning of the Great Revival (2011)
Plot Summary:
A chronicle of the events that led to the founding of the Chinese Communist Party.
IMDB Rating: 3.1
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: China
Duration: 140 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, factual, banned
Similar in 83%
The Founding of a Republic (2009)
Plot Summary:
The Founding of a Republic is a Chinese historical film commissioned by China's film regulator and made by the state-owned China Film Group (CFG) to mark the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. The film retells the tale of the Communist ascendancy and triumph.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: China
Duration: 138 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, rough, realistic, disturbing, bleak, banned
Similar in 86%
The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968)
Plot Summary:
A chronicle of events that led to the British involvement in the Crimean War against Russia and which led to the siege of Sevastopol and the fierce Battle of Balaclava on October 25, 1854 which climaxed with the heroic, but near-disastrous calvary charge made by the British Light Brigade against a Russian artillery battery in a small valley which resulted in the near-destruction of the brigade due to error of judgement and rash planning on part by the inept British commanders.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: UK
Duration: 139 min
Plot tags: epic, factual, harsh, serious, exciting, realistic, patriotic, light, romantic, depressing
Similar in 87%
Operation Sunflower (2014)
Plot Summary:
Through the eyes of the scientist in charge of the operation, we see the events leading to Israel developing her nuclear option in the 1960's.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 52
Genere: Drama, History
Country: Israel, France
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, suspenseful, tense
Similar in 89%
23rd March 1931: Shaheed (2002)
Plot Summary:
Bhagat Singh, a freedom fighter, is arrested for killing the British official responsible for the death of his mentor Lala Lajpatrai. He is ultimately hanged for his misdeed.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 792
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: India
Duration: 188 min
Plot tags: disturbing, rough, serious, realistic, captivating
Similar in 80%
Masquerade (2012)
Plot Summary:
During the confusing and conspiratorial Joseon Dynasty King Gwang-hae orders his councilor, HEO Kyun, to find him a double in order to avoid the constant threat of assassination. HEO Kyun finds Ha-sun, a jester who looks remarkably like the king, and just as feared, Gwang-hae is poisoned. HEO Kyun proposes Ha-sun fill the role as the king until Gwang-hae recovers fully and grooms Ha-sun to look and act every bit the king. While assuming the role of the king at his first official appearance, Ha-sun begins to ponder the intricacies of the problems debated in his court. Being fundamentally more humanitarian than Gwang-hae, Ha-sun’s affection and appreciation of even the most minor servants slowly changes morale in the castle for the better. However, his chief opposition, PARK, notices the sudden shift in the king’s behavior and starts to ask questions.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: South Korea
Duration: 131 min
Plot tags: suspenseful, captivating, realistic, stylized, inspirational, serious, period drama, mad
Similar in 78%
Path to Paradise: The Untold Story of the World Trade Center Bombing. (1997)
Plot Summary:
The incredible story of the events leading up to the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York and the capture of the terrorists.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 490
Genere: Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: rough, thought provoking, bleak, serious, realistic, suspenseful, disturbing, contemplative
Similar in 90%
Pompeii: The Last Day (2003)
Plot Summary:
In 79 AD, one of the infamous natural disasters in human history occurred when Mount Vesuvius erupted. With speculative dramatizations of various inhabitants' final hours along with detailed documentation of the known facts concerning the eruption, the horrific day is vividly brought to life.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: UK, USA, Germany, France
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: rough, bleak, serious, captivating, realistic, suspenseful, psychotronic, semi documentary, period drama, disaster movie
Similar in 85%
The Warrior (2001)
Plot Summary:
In 1375, China was in chaos between Yuan Dynasty and Ming Dynasty. Coryo (an ancient kingdom of Korea then) sent a delegation of many diplomats, soldiers and a silent slave to make peace with the new Chinese government. However, this delegation got charged as spies and sent in exile to a remote desert.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Action, Drama, History, War
Country: South Korea, China
Duration: 158 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, suspenseful, stylized, epic, captivating, intense, serious, tense, sentimental
Similar in 79%
The Divine Weapon (2008)
Plot Summary:
During the reign of King Sejong in the 15th century, the Joseon Dynasty was the embodiment of the perfect state. To the Ming China, the aspiring imperial power, Joseon presented an obstacle to territorial expansion. To protect themselves from war, King Sejong develops a secret weapon to defend their territory and take back their land and supremacy.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 845
Genere: Adventure, Drama
Country: South Korea
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: epic, captivating, tense, suspense, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 85%
Rebellion (2011)
Plot Summary:
Dissidents in a French colony attack a police station and take hostages.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Drama, History
Country: France, New Caledonia
Duration: 136 min
Plot tags: tense, sincere, serious, thought provoking, realistic, political, stylized, gloomy
Similar in 84%
Benedict Arnold: A Question of Honor (2003)
Plot Summary:
On the glorious battlefields of the American Revolution, two great generals distinguished themselves; George Washington and Benedict Arnold. Washington is remembered as America's founding father, Arnold as America's most notorious traitor. Benedict Arnold rose from humble origins to become the most respected and feared of America's generals. He won brilliant military victories against the English colonists and was Washington's favorite soldier. But two conflicting forces battled inside Arnold's heart; a deep concern for his country and his passionate love for an enchanting and manipulative English woman, Peggy Shippen. Blinded by desire, Arnold defected to the English army, orchestrating an attempt to assassinate his own mentor, George Washington.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 535
Genere: Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, thought provoking, emotional, realistic, contemplative, gloomy
Similar in 77%
Sometimes in April (2005)
Plot Summary:
Debra Winger, Oris Erhuero and Idris Elba star in this drama framed by the Rwandan genocide.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: France, Rwanda, USA
Duration: 140 min
Plot tags: rough, bleak, serious, realistic, sad, disturbing, inspirational, political, informative, bilingual
Similar in 89%
Endgame (2009)
Plot Summary:
The time is the late '80s, a crucial period in the history of South Africa. President P.W. Botha is hanging on to power by a thread as the African National Congress (ANC) takes up arms against apartheid and the country tumbles toward insurrection. A British mining concern is convinced that their interests would be better served in a stable South Africa and they quietly dispatch Michael Young, their head of public affairs, to open an unofficial dialogue between the bitter rivals. Assembling a reluctant yet brilliant team to pave the way to reconciliation by confronting obstacles that initially seem insurmountable, Young places his trust in ANC leader Thabo Mbeki and Afrikaner philosophy professor Willie Esterhuyse. It is their empathy that will ultimately serve as the catalyst for change by proving more powerful than the terrorist bombs that threaten to disrupt the peaceful dialogue.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: UK, South Africa
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: tense, sincere, serious, captivating, exciting, thought provoking, epic, realistic, political, contemplative
Similar in 79%
Beyond Friendship (2006)
Plot Summary:
A tale of friendship between two men, one Jewish and the other Arab, as the state of Israel is being created.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 947
Genere: Drama, History
Country: France, UK, Italy, Greece, Israel, USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, disturbing, inspirational, sad, informative
Similar in 79%
Texas '46 (2002)
Plot Summary:
Based on a true story its the untold story of Italian World War II POW"S in Jan 1946. Luca Zingaretti stars as one of over 50,000 Italian Prisoners of War detained at POW camps in the U.S. Roy Schneider stars as Colonel Gartner, the Commander of the camp. Things take a turn for the worse when Manin is brought back from his most recent escape by a patrol force, only to realize that the camp has been evacuated while he was gone. Gartner is forced to keep Manin at the camp until another patrol force can come pick him up. However, no one ever comes. The phone lines get cut, and the two men realize they are completely isolated from the outside world. It is up to each man now to escape the camp.An untold and rarely known fact of US held Italian POW"S.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 235
Genere: Drama, History, War
Country: USA, Italy
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: rough, realistic, suspenseful, disturbing, exciting, bleak, serious, captivating