Best movies like No Big Deal
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
A school takes on a troublesome boy from juvenile hall, in order to try to help him settle back in to normal life. But everything seems to be mounted against him, including a drunken mother.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 92
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: independent film
Best tv shows and movies like No Big Deal (1983):
Similar in 76%
Kick (1999)
Plot Summary:
A champion high school rugby player has a secret desire to be a ballet dancer, having spent 11 years in ballet school. Seizing an opportunity to audition for a local company's presentation of "Romeo and Juliet", he nonetheless fears what will happen to his reputation if the other kids in his school find out. Adding the practices to his already burgeoning schedule quickly starts to create problems with his friends, his teachers, his coach, his play director, and his ballet partner. Of course, it all comes together on the stage of the Sydney Opera House.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 284
Genere: Drama
Country: Australia
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 78%
Rockabilly Requiem (2016)
Plot Summary:
West Germany, 1982: Hubertus and Sebastian are fighting for their Future against their fathers. Their unconditional love for Punk Princess Debbie and the raw power of Alternative Rockabilly Music are the only statements of Freedom in this little nowhere town. Everything else around them is boundaries and pressure. But they decide to run and live their truth. Big cast, Great Young Actors, emotional and intense, Original Soundtrack by German Rockabilly Bands.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 69
Genere: Drama
Country: Germany
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 87%
The Tree We Hurt (1986)
Plot Summary:
Shot over a capricious summer, this film reveals a world of innocence shattered for some children in their school by corporal punishment. It moves at its own pace to reveal a world of children and adults with animals, birds, nature and sea. The film bears a strong imprint of Greek identity with old chairs, priests with black robes and old dilapidated houses. Dimos Avdeliodis shows that children are not just made for mischief as they are shown to earn money in the form of coins which they earn by carrying the cross during funerals. As the children's gang grows bigger, there is a marked increase in the intensity of their mischievous behavior.For example : a hilarious scene is about how small children run for cover after having hurled mud cakes smeared with urine on wasps. The entire film is replete with scenes of this kind but in the end getting beaten by elders for waywardness and experiences of first love might be counted by viewers as their favorite moments of this film.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 332
Genere: Drama
Country: Greece
Duration: 75 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 79%
Between Two Women (1986)
Plot Summary:
When shy school teacher Val and Harry, the son of an aged opera singer, get married, Val quickly discovers that Harry's mother, Barbara, is not very happy with their union. In fact, Barbara tries to separate the couple. But, when Barbara suffers a debilitating stroke, Val's compassion and empathy mend the rift between two women, giving Barbara the will to survive. But will Barbara learn to love her daughter-in-law?.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 246
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: queer cinema
Similar in 83%
Potential Inertia (2014)
Plot Summary:
Declan Holmes is graduating college, a hard enough time as it is, and heading out into the real world. The loss he experiences is like nothing he has ever known before. 'Potential Inertia' is the story of his journey through a very difficult time, and the relationships that can either build you up or tear you apart.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 49
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 79 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 90%
The Young Runaways (1968)
Plot Summary:
Three unhappy teenagers run away from home, only to discover living on their own isn't as idyllic as they imagined.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 256
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: psychedelic
Similar in 76%
R.P.M. (1970)
Plot Summary:
R.P.M. stands for (political) revolutions per minute. Anthony Quinn plays a liberal college professor at a west coast college during the hedy days of campus activism in the late 1960s. Radical students take over the college, the president resigns, and Quinn's character, who has always been a champion of student activism, is appointed president. As the students continue to push the envelope of revolution, Quinn's character is faced with the challenge of restoring order or abetting the descent into anarchy.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 676
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: political
Similar in 84%
The Last Passport (2009)
Plot Summary:
THE LAST PASSPORT takes place in a passport office...or so you think. George Miller is a 70 year old man who through a variety of encounters, takes us on a journey through his mysterious past to show us we are not all that different.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 99
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 79%
Tagged! (2011)
Plot Summary:
A teenage girl, raised on her schizophrenic mother's tales of galactic wars, believes she is an alien princess in hiding and forms a Lazer Tag team to train bodyguards. When her estranged father, disfigured and crippled in the Iraqi war, returns to ask forgiveness for staying away, she suffers a mental crisis. Can the love of a troubled young man bring her into the real world or will her fantasies finally win out and drive her into total insanity?.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 9
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: cult film
Similar in 87%
Dusty (1983)
Plot Summary:
Plot The eponymous Dusty is an appropriately named dingo, or wild dog. Roaming the fertile fields of Australia, Dusty is captured as a puppy. Though dingoes are normally averse to human companionship, Dusty attaches himself to an old, worn-out shepherd, played by Bill Kerr. The dog gives Kerr a reason for living, and vice versa. Be sure to have plenty of Kleenex handy for some of the mistier passages of Dusty.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 133
Genere: Drama
Country: Australia
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 79%
The Winter of Our Discontent (1983)
Plot Summary:
This story tells those self-denials of an honest man what necessary to reach his object of life.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 156
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 76%
Travis McGee (1983)
Plot Summary:
Travis McGee is a world-weary private eye trying to help boat skipper friend Van Harder salvage his reputation that sank when his boat ran aground, resulting in a death that might have been faked.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 152
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 79%
Natural Selection (2016)
Plot Summary:
Tyler is a young man who is desperately seeking direction from a world that seems to have abandoned him. Searching for answers he looks to his new friend Indrid who appears to have it all figured out.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: suspense, exciting, captivating, suspenseful, dark
Similar in 80%
When He's Not a Stranger (1989)
Plot Summary:
At a California university, Lyn goes to meet her best friend Melanie in the dorm room of Melanie's boyfriend Ron, a football star. When Lyn arrives, Melanie is not there. Ron forces himself on Lyn. When she resists, Ron throws her on the bed and rapes her. Lyn initially tries to forget about it, but when she does decide to pursue a university hearing, the pressure of Melanie, Ron, and the school is brought to bear.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 269
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 78%
Safe Harbor (2009)
Plot Summary:
Doug and Robbie are about to set sail on a long trip when they unexpectedly find themselves foster parenting a group of troubled teenage boys. The experience changes their lives for the better, and they decide to stay in town and run the foster home for boys permanently.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 479
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: psychological, sincere, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 84%
Her Last Chance (1996)
Plot Summary:
Drug adict teen gets out of rehab only to be accused of her boyfriend's death.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 434
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 83%
The Red Thread (2008)
Plot Summary:
Mei has been in love with Yuya all her life. They've grown up together. But when they reach their second year of middle school, Yuya suddenly professes his love for her older sister, Haruna.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 152
Genere: Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 76%
Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway (1976)
Plot Summary:
15 year old Dawn runs away from what she feels is an intolerable home life. In the big city, she ends up turning to prostitution when she is unable to get a job due to her age.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 386
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: controversial, learning, cult film
Similar in 78%
6A (2016)
Plot Summary:
As if immersed in the situation, the viewer witnesses a distressing encounter between angry parents, a helpless teacher and three schoolgirls. It soon becomes clear that certain things are going wrong in their class. There have been complaints of bullying. The parents are mainly concerned with defending their own children. They throw around neurotic accusations and make untenable demands. Using a camera which itself seems to participate in the discussion, scene after scene is dissected with refreshing malice and a sense for the dark side of human nature. Desperate attempts to resolve things unleash an avalanche of other problems. It takes a long time before Denise, Bella and Mina can have their say.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 117
Genere: Drama
Country: Sweden
Duration: 61 min
Plot tags: tense, suspense, unusual plot structure, captivating, suspenseful, contemplative, juvenile
Similar in 80%
Making Maya (2003)
Plot Summary:
Basketball is the backdrop against which this coming of age lesbian Indie flick is set. A touching story of young ladies irresistibly drawn together against their will.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 63
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 88%
White Mama (1980)
Plot Summary:
A poor, elderly white woman living in a tenement in a black ghetto is befriended by a neighborhood boy, and the two of them form a mutually beneficial relationship: he provides her companionship and protection, and she becomes the mother he never had.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 783
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: sincere, uplifting, thought provoking, touching, serious, realistic
Similar in 75%
The Golden Seal (1983)
Plot Summary:
A lonely 10-year-old boy living with his parents in a remote coastal part of Alaksa, spontaneously finds a legendary golden seal and her newborn pup. But the greed for her valuable pelt sets off the hunters, including his own father, the local natives, and an ambitious poacher in pursuit the seal. The golden seal and her cub are hunted for a huge bounty on her head and the mythological legend.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 366
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: independent film, sentimental, touching, feel good, semi serious
Similar in 80%
Marvin & Tige (1983)
Plot Summary:
Marvin, a heavy-drinking widower meets Tige, an 11-year-old orphan. With nowhere else to go, Tige moves in with Marvin and they develop a close friendship. Marvin wants to adopt Tige but knows that he is too poor to give him a good home. Then he discovers who Tige's father is a rich suburbanite who doesn't even know Tige exists. Should Marvin, and can he, give up the boy he loves, and who loves him, in favor of a stranger with the right genes and bank balance?.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 238
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: independent film, psychological, sincere, touching, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 87%
And Then I Go (2017)
Plot Summary:
Two teenage outsiders are demoralized daily at school, until an idea for vengeance offers them a terrifying release.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: suspense, unusual plot structure, psychological, thought provoking, suspenseful, disturbing, independent film, queer cinema
Similar in 80%
Breaking Free (1995)
Plot Summary:
When troubled, cynical teen Rick chooses service at a camp for the blind over serving time at a correctional facility, he thinks he's found the easy way out. Instead, it's the way to a new life. Friendship. Step by step, as Rick helps a blinded Gymnast rediscover the joys of competition through equestrian show jumping, they begin to take control of the most important journey of all... a journey called life.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 346
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: independent film, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 80%
Firelight (2012)
Plot Summary:
Incarcerated women join a band of volunteers who battle forest fires and assist during natural disasters.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 631
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: emotional, realistic, sincere, touching, serious, psychological, captivating
Similar in 88%
A Touch of Fate (2003)
Plot Summary:
One night in a small town in North Carolina, fate brings together three lives: an entertainment lawyer returning home to his dying mother after years in escape of his past, a woman trying to reclaim her supposed love, and a boy with a penchant for the sixth sense who struggles with the death of his father and overbearing love of his single mother. When the past and future suddenly bind these people together on a journey of need, forgiveness and discovery, they realize they've gained something when they least expected it.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 216
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic, independent film
Similar in 85%
Mom, Dad and Her (2008)
Plot Summary:
Sydney is a troubled teen heading for trouble. After being caught shoplifting and a case of alcohol poisoning, Sydney's desperate single mother sends her off to the country to live with her father, Ben, and his new pregnant wife, Emma. Sydney misses her boyfriend, her city life and doesn't get on with her dad or stepmom. Slowly she starts to settle in as she makes friends with Jess, a local girl whose mother died of cancer. Sydney makes a couple of mistakes but after her grandfather's death the extended family start to heal.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 405
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: sentimental, atmospheric, serious, realistic
Similar in 80%
Wild Tigers I Have Known (2006)
Plot Summary:
A lyrical telling of the coming of age of a 13-year-old boy who learns to cope with his new found sexuality and his unrequited love for the cool kid in school.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: surreal, serious, sentimental, sincere, touching, realistic, erotic, art house, independent film, queer cinema
Similar in 79%
Up the Down Staircase (1967)
Plot Summary:
Sylvia Barrett is a rookie teacher at New York's inner-city Calvin Coolidge High: her lit classes are overcrowded, a window is broken, there's no chalk, books arrive late. The administration is concerned mainly with forms and rules (there's an up and and a down staircase); bells ring at the wrong time. Nevertheless, she tries. How she handles the chaos and her despair in her first semester makes up the film: a promising student drops out, another sleeps through class, a girl with a crush on a male teacher gets suicidal, and a bright but troublesome student misunderstands Sylvia's reaching out. A discussion of Dickens, parents' night, and a mock trial highlight the term. Can she make it?.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: esoteric, independent film, rough, bleak, serious, realistic, disturbing, gloomy