Best movies like Mr. Holland's Opus
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
In 1965, passionate musician Glenn Holland takes a day job as a high school music teacher, convinced it's just a small obstacle on the road to his true calling: writing a historic opus. As the decades roll by with the composition unwritten but generations of students inspired through his teaching, Holland must redefine his life's purpose.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 41000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 143 min
Plot tags: inspirational, emotional, touching, sentimental, sincere, serious, realistic, dramatic, sad, motivational
Best tv shows and movies like Mr. Holland's Opus (1995):
Similar in 81%
The Sandy Bottom Orchestra (2000)
Plot Summary:
The young-adult novel by Garrison Keillor and Jenny Lind Nilsson gets a lively update in this Showtime feature about an unusual family in Sandy Bottom, Wisconsin. The Greens share musical aspirations, but daughter Rachel (Madeline Zima), a talented violinist, is the one most likely to achieve them. Norman (Tom Irwin) is a dairy farmer and Ingrid (Glenne Headly) is a choir director who abandoned the piano when she married and settled down, but the Greens are a happy family, for the most part. The trick is finding a way to reconcile their dreams with a reality that may hold more riches than they realize. When Norman gets a chance to conduct the local orchestra for the Dairy Days celebration, it's an opportunity for the family to come together, not just with each other, but with a community they had never fully appreciate.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 267
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, feel good, serious, realistic
Similar in 84%
Madame Sousatzka (1988)
Plot Summary:
The relationship between a demanding piano teacher and her student, an Indian prodigy.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: UK, Canada
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, multicultural, serious, realistic, light, inspirational, sexy, enigmatic, unusual plot structure
Similar in 88%
Beyond Silence (1996)
Plot Summary:
Beyond Silence is about a family and a young girl’s coming of age story. This German film looks into the lives of the deaf and at a story about the love for music. A girl who has always had to translate speech into sign language for her deaf parents yet when her love for playing music grows strong she must decide to continue doing something she cannot share with her parents.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: Germany
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: touching, realistic, spiritual, sad, crying, sentimental, sincere, serious, emotional, sexy
Similar in 75%
A Time for Dancing (2002)
Plot Summary:
Their love of dance, and their friendship, is challenged for two high school girls when one is diagnosed with cancer.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 952
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: sincere, emotional, sentimental, touching, sad, serious, realistic
Similar in 88%
Tender Mercies (1983)
Plot Summary:
Alchoholic former country singer Mac Sledge makes friends with a young widow and her son. The friendship enables him to find inspiration to resume his career.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, emotional, realistic, atmospheric, sincere, serious, christian film, depressing, philosophical
Similar in 83%
CODA (2021)
Plot Summary:
As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Ruby is the only hearing person in her deaf family. When the family's fishing business is threatened, Ruby finds herself torn between pursuing her love of music and her fear of abandoning her parents.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 157000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: France, Canada, USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: psychological, thought provoking, motivational, sad, teen, sincere, captivating, funny, romantic, sexy
Similar in 88%
Children of a Lesser God (1986)
Plot Summary:
James is a new speech teacher at a school for the deaf. He falls for Sarah, a pupil who decided to stay on at the school rather than venture into the big bad world. She shuns him at first, refusing to read his lips and only using signs. Will her feelings change over time?.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: touching, realistic, sentimental, emotional, compassionate, heartbreaking, melancholic, sincere, uplifting, serious
Similar in 83%
Footloose (1984)
Plot Summary:
When teenager Ren and his family move from big-city Chicago to a small town in the West, he's in for a real case of culture shock.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 89000
Genere: Drama, Music, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: teen, cult classic, serious, captivating, inspirational, retro, epic, emotional, romantic comedy, colorful
Similar in 85%
The Bélier Family (2014)
Plot Summary:
The whole Bélier family is deaf, except for sixteen year old Paula who is the important translator in her parents' day to day life especially when it comes to matters concerning the family farm. When her music teacher discovers she has a fantastic singing voice and she gets an opportunity to enter a big Radio France contest the whole family's future is set up for big changes.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 29000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Music
Country: France, Belgium
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: touching, suspenseful, emotional, semi serious, humorous, sincere, sexy, feel good, sad, tear jerker
Similar in 81%
The Competition (1980)
Plot Summary:
The movie centers on a piano competition whose winner is assured of success. It is Paul's last chance to compete, but newcomer Heidi may be a better pianist. Can romance be far away? Will she take a dive despite the pressure to win from her teacher, Greta, or will she condemn Paul to obscurity?.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: romantic, sentimental, uplifting, touching, serious, realistic, light, inspirational, sexy, feel good
Similar in 88%
La Bamba (1987)
Plot Summary:
Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of singer Ritchie Valens whose life was cut short by a plane crash.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 36000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: inspirational, touching, hispanic, intense, suspense, sentimental, serious, sincere, captivating, emotional
Similar in 87%
Once (2007)
Plot Summary:
A vacuum repairman moonlights as a street musician and hopes for his big break. One day a Czech immigrant, who earns a living selling flowers, approaches him with the news that she is also an aspiring singer-songwriter. The pair decide to collaborate, and the songs that they compose reflect the story of their blossoming love.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 120000
Genere: Drama, Music, Romance
Country: Ireland, USA
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, emotional, inspirational, independent film, romantic, heartbreaking, light, melancholic, talky
Similar in 87%
Boychoir (2014)
Plot Summary:
Stet, a troubled and angry 11-year-old orphan from a small Texas town, ends up at a Boy Choir school back East after the death of his single mom. Completely out of his element, he finds himself in a battle of wills with a demanding Choir Master who recognizes a unique talent in this young boy as he pushes him to discover his creative heart and soul in music.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: sentimental, serious, touching, realistic
Similar in 88%
Together (2002)
Plot Summary:
When a violin prodigy Xiaochun and his father head to Beijing seeking fame and fortune, they soon discover a fierce world of cutthroat ambition. But when Xiaochun is "adopted" by a famous music tutor, success finally seems within reach - until a shocking discovery begins to unravel his entire world, and the boy must make the most difficult choice of his life. Can he achieve the fame his father had always hoped for without losing the extraordinary passion that sets him apart?.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: China, South Korea
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, emotional, stylized, uplifting, atmospheric, sincere, depressing, sad, feel good
Similar in 77%
Vitus (2006)
Plot Summary:
Vitus tells the story of a highly-gifted boy (played by real-life piano prodigy Teo Gheorghiu) whose parents have demanding and ambitious plans for him.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: Switzerland
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, feel good, realistic, semi serious, inspirational, spiritual, educational, cute, contemplative
Similar in 75%
Billy Elliot (2000)
Plot Summary:
Set against the background of the 1984 Miner's Strike, Billy Elliot is an 11 year old boy who stumbles out of the boxing ring and onto the ballet floor. He faces many trials and triumphs as he strives to conquer his family's set ways, inner conflict, and standing on his toes!.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 141000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: UK, France
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: inspirational, touching, feel good, uplifting, emotional, crying, sweet, sentimental, captivating, realistic
Similar in 76%
Music of the Heart (1999)
Plot Summary:
Story of a schoolteacher's struggle to teach violin to inner-city Harlem kids.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, uplifting, emotional, inspirational, serious, realistic, feel good, spiritual, cult classic
Similar in 83%
Won't Back Down (2012)
Plot Summary:
Two determined mothers, one a teacher, look to transform their children's failing inner city school. Facing a powerful and entrenched bureaucracy, they risk everything to make a difference in the education and future of their children.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 121 min
Plot tags: touching, uplifting, realistic, serious, emotional, inspirational
Similar in 86%
Take the Lead (2006)
Plot Summary:
A former professional dancer volunteers to teach dance in the New York public school system and, while his background first clashes with his students' tastes, together they create a completely new style of dance. Based on the story of ballroom dancer, Pierre Dulane.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 26000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: inspirational, sexy, entertaining, captivating, feel good, teen, spiritual, epic, educational, sincere
Similar in 77%
To Sir, with Love (1967)
Plot Summary:
Idealistic engineer-trainee and his experiences in teaching a group of rambunctious white high school students from the slums of London's East End.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 20000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: touching, inspirational, educational, sentimental, realistic, social, retro, political, hood, black and white
Similar in 77%
Lean on Me (1989)
Plot Summary:
When principal Joe Clark takes over decaying Eastside High School, he's faced with students wearing gang colors and graffiti-covered walls. Determined to do anything he must to turn the school around, he expels suspected drug dealers, padlocks doors and demands effort and results from students, staff and parents. Autocratic to a fault, this real-life educator put it all on the lin.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 23000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: inspirational, feel good, hood, realistic, motivational, political, non fiction, sincere, atmospheric, rough
Similar in 79%
Selena (1997)
Plot Summary:
In this biographical drama, Selena Quintanilla is born into a musical Mexican-American family in Texas. Her father, Abraham, realizes that his young daughter is talented and begins performing with her at small venues. She finds success and falls for her guitarist, Chris Perez, who draws the ire of her father. Seeking mainstream stardom, Selena begins recording an English-language album which, tragically, she would never complete.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 31000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: touching, sad, factual, sincere, emotional, hispanic, sentimental, historical drama, informative, uplifting
Similar in 86%
Whiplash (2014)
Plot Summary:
Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity.
IMDB Rating: 8.5
IMDB Votes: 952000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: motivational, dramatic, psychological, realistic, intense, inspirational, independent film, melancholic, harsh, exciting
Similar in 88%
October Sky (1999)
Plot Summary:
Based on the true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes, and eventually became a NASA scientist.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 97000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: inspirational, touching, realistic, feel good, sentimental, emotional, uplifting, period piece, exciting, motivational
Similar in 82%
The Chorus (2004)
Plot Summary:
Set in 1940's France, a new teacher at a school for disruptive boys gives hope and inspiration.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 66000
Genere: Drama, Music
Country: France, Switzerland, Germany
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: touching, inspirational, uplifting, emotional, sentimental, feel good, educational, realistic, epic, art house
Similar in 77%
Stand and Deliver (1988)
Plot Summary:
Jaime Escalante is a mathematics teacher in a school in a hispanic neighbourhood. Convinced that his students have potential, he adopts unconventional teaching methods to try and turn gang members and no-hopers into some of the country's top algebra and calculus students.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: inspirational, sentimental, uplifting, touching, realistic, hispanic, motivational, intellectual, spiritual, political
Similar in 88%
Finding Forrester (2000)
Plot Summary:
Gus van Sant tells the story of a young African American man named Jamal who confronts his talents while living on the streets of the Bronx. He accidentally runs into an old writer named Forrester who discovers his passion for writing. With help from his new mentor Jamal receives a scholarship to a private school.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 89000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 136 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, feel good, uplifting, sincere, inspirational, psychological, philosophical, intense, motivational
Similar in 88%
Front of the Class (2008)
Plot Summary:
"Front of the Class" is based on the true story of Brad Cohen -- played in the movie by Jimmy Wolk -- who, "after being challenged by Tourette's syndrome from a very young age, defies all odds to become a gifted teacher.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: inspirational, touching, realistic, sentimental, emotional, sweet, talky, sincere, thought provoking, spiritual
Similar in 80%
Pay It Forward (2000)
Plot Summary:
Like some other kids, 12-year-old Trevor McKinney believed in the goodness of human nature. Like many other kids, he was determined to change the world for the better. Unlike most other kids, he succeeded.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 123000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: touching, emotional, inspirational, motivational, sentimental, sincere, uplifting, tear jerker, sad, thought provoking
Similar in 89%
The Emperor's Club (2002)
Plot Summary:
William Hundert is a passionate and principled Classics professor who finds his tightly-controlled world shaken and inexorably altered when a new student, Sedgewick Bell, walks into his classroom. What begins as a fierce battle of wills gives way to a close student-teacher relationship, but results in a life lesson for Hundert that will still haunt him a quarter of a century later.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: touching, realistic, inspirational, emotional, contemplative, sincere, serious, educational, philosophical, feel good