Best movies like Ode to Joy
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Three stories of young disillusioned Poles of different background and region of origin. What binds them together is that they all meet on the bus to London shortly after Poland's entry into EU.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 238
Genere: Drama
Country: Poland
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: anthology
Best tv shows and movies like Ode to Joy (2005):
Similar in 84%
A Single Rider (2017)
Plot Summary:
Promising fund manager Jae-hoon is at the brink of losing everything when his company goes bankrupt. Overwhelmed by despair, he takes an impulsive trip to Australia where his wife and son live. As his trip nears its unexpected end, Jae-hoon gets a chance to look back on his life.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 993
Genere: Drama
Country: South Korea, Australia
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 84%
The Winner (2011)
Plot Summary:
Oliver (Pawel Szajda) is a talented young pianist of Polish American heritage. After breaking off his European tournée, he is forced to repay the tour organizers 250 thousand Euros. On his journey, he meets the very colorful character of (Janusz Gajos) a retired high school math teacher and a great enthusiast of the horse races. He dreams of returning to America as a somebody, but can only do so after wining a momentous prize. From then on the two friends endeavor to gain success. They discover true friendship. Together they fulfill Franks dream of winning at the horse races, which in turn allows Oliver to buy back his personal freedom. Having recovered from a dramatically ended marriage, the young man is able to open up to a new love.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 328
Genere: Drama
Country: Poland, USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 84%
John, 316 (2020)
Plot Summary:
A psychiatric hospital is turned upside down when a mysterious drifter is admitted and assigned to room 316. Known only as John Doe, the other patients believe that he bears an uncanny resemblance to Jesus Christ.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 125
Genere: Drama
Country: Canada
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 88%
The Land of Rain Trees (2015)
Plot Summary:
Nobuyuki Sakisaka (Yuta Tamamori) is a salaryman. When he was in middle school student, he read light novel "Fairy Game”. He still has that light novel, because he was so shocked by the ending. One day, Nobuyuki Sakisaka browses the internet and comes across the blog "Rein Tsuri no Kuni.” He learns that the blog writer, Rika Hitomi (Mariya Nishiuchi), also was shocked by the ending in light novel "Fairy Game." Nobuyuki and Rika soon begin to exchange emails. Nobuyuki wants to meet Rika, but she refuses due to her secret.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 82
Genere: Drama
Country: Japan
Duration:
Plot tags: crying
Similar in 90%
Call Girl '88 (1988)
Plot Summary:
A depressing tale dealing with five women involved with prostitution and the effects it has on their love and family lives. High class or low class, each is just as sad.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 90
Genere: Drama
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: erotic, depressing
Similar in 80%
We the Coyotes (2018)
Plot Summary:
Amanda and Jake are in love and want to start a new life in Los Angeles. Will they make the right decisions? The first 24 hours of their new life take them all around the city, bringing them more surprises and frustrations than expected.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 367
Genere: Drama
Country: France, USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, disturbing
Similar in 79%
Love Rome (2004)
Plot Summary:
Vignettes about four different couples in New York City coming to terms with their lives six months after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 121
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: anthology, semi documentary
Similar in 78%
If You Were Me (2003)
Plot Summary:
Anthology film of six shorts by leading Korean directors. Park Chan-Wook, tackles racial prejudice and the economic exploitation of immigrant workers through the real-life story of a Nepalese woman in Korea. Jeong Jae-Eun, tackles the plight of a paedophile released into the community. Yeo Gyun-Dong, invites disabled actor Kim Moon-Joo to re-enact his most famous protest. Im Soon-Rye, goes for the engrained sexism of Korean men with superb wit and, Park Jin-Pyo, confronts the horror of children forced into oral surgery to improve their English-speaking ability.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 656
Genere: Drama
Country: South Korea
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: anthology
Similar in 86%
Terror Tales of the Crimson Creeper (2019)
Plot Summary:
Three Macabre tales told by the Crimson Creeper that opens up the mind to Madness and Fear. Horror Anthology that will leave you Screaming for More.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 32
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration:
Plot tags: anthology
Similar in 78%
Women & Men 2: In Love There Are No Rules (1991)
Plot Summary:
Three short stories about women & men relationship.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 331
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: anthology
Similar in 80%
The Pension (2018)
Plot Summary:
The four stories that possibly or impossibly can be happened in the pension; The parents who lost their child go to the pension with poison where the killer stays with his family; The husband and wife on a trip who are growing tired of their married life and the wife’s hidden secret reveals when they reach the pension; A woman who demands to stay a night at a particular suite to save her kidnapped child; A man who is asked to manage the pension for a night, he organizes fantastic night with his girlfriend, but things go wrong….
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 49
Genere: Drama
Country: South Korea
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: anthology
Similar in 90%
The Son of Joseph (2016)
Plot Summary:
A young man who lives with his mother and has never known his father, heads off to look for him. He finds a cynical and Machiavellian man who works as a publisher in Paris. After he attempts to kill him, he finds filial love thanks to his uncle.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 888
Genere: Drama
Country: France, Belgium
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: allegory, biblical
Similar in 76%
The Long Excuse (2016)
Plot Summary:
A recently widowed writer whose wife died in a bus crash comes to terms with his grief—or lack of it—in caring for the children of a working man who also lost his wife in the same accident.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 89%
Petal Dance (2013)
Plot Summary:
Four women, who have their own different sorrows, embark on a road trip. They look back at their past and restart their lives... Jinko (Aoi Miyazaki) and Motoko (Sakura Ando) have been friends since their university days. One day, they hear a rumor about their former classmate and friend Miki (Kazue Fukiishi). The rumor is that Miki ran into the sea, but got out safely. Jinko and Motoko decide to visit Miki to see if she is OK. In addition, Haraki (Shiori Kutsuna), who Jinko met at the library where she works, joins their trip as a driver. Their one night and two days road trip begins.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 420
Genere: Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: romantic, uplifting
Similar in 76%
Zeta (2016)
Plot Summary:
Alex, a poor italian guy living on the streets of Rome finally realizes his dream of becoming a rap singer, known as Zeta. He will find himself in the world of hip-hop in a flash, having to struggle against the severity of the real world and his demons to discover what he really wants.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 342
Genere: Drama
Country: Italy
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 87%
Drifting (1982)
Plot Summary:
Robi is a young Israeli who lives his grandparents and works at their store. He dreams of finding true love and becoming a movie director, both of which seem increasingly difficult. His film career stalls, until he can get financial backing and his love life seems to be in similar shape. While the urban city has places to cruise for sex, Robi struggles to find an organized gay community and a committed relationship.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 85
Genere: Drama
Country: Israel
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 78%
Down with the King (2021)
Plot Summary:
Sent to the Berkshires to focus on his next album, disillusioned rap star Money Merc abruptly announces his retirement on Twitter. After Merc's announcement, his manager rushes to the countryside to lure him back into the music industry.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 449
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: tense, captivating, suspense, disturbing
Similar in 86%
Danmark (2017)
Plot Summary:
22-year-old Norge lives a careless life as a bachelor in the province. The slacker idyll meets a sudden end when 16-year-old Josephine turns up after a one-night-stand and tells him she’s pregnant.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 192
Genere: Drama
Country: Denmark
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 87%
The World of Ludovic (1993)
Plot Summary:
Ludovic, a young boy neglected by his artsy parents, falls in love with Sophie, the daughter of a piano teacher. They meet in secret places in the city. Not long after Sophie's father finds them naked together in her room, Ludovic is sent away to spend time with his grandparents. Sophie runs away from home to join him, and they hide along the seashore and in abandoned buildings. After they are found, their parents try to keep them separate, but they both fall into deep depressions.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 199
Genere: Drama
Country: Belgium, Netherlands, France
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 82%
The Wall of Words (2014)
Plot Summary:
A mother struggles to hold her family together after her son succumbs to a disease that leaves him disabled.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 24
Genere: Drama
Country: Cuba
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 88%
Over 18... and Ready! (1969)
Plot Summary:
A teenage girl sets out to active fame in Hollywood as an actress, only a sleazy producer's wife has other plans for her.
IMDB Rating: 3.8
IMDB Votes: 124
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 70 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 80%
Lola (2006)
Plot Summary:
The film is a French-Spanish production and most of the dialog is in French. 'Lo que se de Lola' - in English 'What I know about Lola' - is about a lonely guy, living an uneventful life in Paris. He takes care of his mother. One day, a girl with a more exciting life moves in his apartment building.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 249
Genere: Drama
Country: Spain, France
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 76%
In Another Country (2012)
Plot Summary:
A three-tiered story centered on a trio of French tourists visiting the same seaside resort.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: South Korea
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: contemplative, semi serious, clever, humorous, realistic, anthology, eros, offbeat, student film
Similar in 85%
Henri (2013)
Plot Summary:
The meeting of two lonely, marginal souls. There is Henri, a man in his 50s, limp, resigned, somewhat alcoholic. And Rosette, a (slightly) retarded woman who dreams of love, sexuality, normality.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 274
Genere: Drama
Country: France, Belgium
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 84%
Melody (2014)
Plot Summary:
Melody, 28 years old, a confused child born under the name X, decides to rent out her body in order to get the money she needs to realize her dream: opening a hair-dressing salon. To do so, she accepts to carry the child of Emily, a rich English woman 48 years old who can no longer have children. To make sure everything goes well and keep an eye on her future child, Emily decides to welcome Melody into her home and stay by her side throughout the pregnancy. Although they first appear to come from completely different worlds, the two women end up adopting each other: Melody finds in Emily the mother she never had, and Emily sees in Melody the daughter she always wanted to have. Evidently, the bonds that emerge during this double maternity create all sorts of doubts and questions.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 256
Genere: Drama
Country: Belgium, Luxembourg, France
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: touching, atmospheric, serious, realistic, contemplative, non-linear
Similar in 83%
120 Beats Per Minute (2017)
Plot Summary:
Paris, in the early 1990s: a group of young activists is desperately tied to finding the cure against an unknown lethal disease. They target the pharmaceutical labs that are retaining potential cures, and multiply direct actions, with the hope of saving their lives as well as the ones of future generations.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Drama
Country: France
Duration: 143 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, art house, psychological, sentimental, captivating, disturbing, political, lgbt cinema, social, gay cinema
Similar in 80%
United States of Love (2016)
Plot Summary:
Poland, 1990. The first euphoric year of freedom, but also of uncertainty for the future. Four apparently happy women of different ages decide it's time to change their lives, and fulfill their desires.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: Poland, Sweden
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: psychological, tense, touching, contemplative, social, visually appealing
Similar in 79%
The Beautiful Occasion (2017)
Plot Summary:
A fun fair, on a wasteland, on the outskirts of a small provincial town in the south of France.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 17
Genere: Drama
Country: France
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 89%
Scratch (2003)
Plot Summary:
A story of young love and early life choices.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 553
Genere: Drama
Country: Denmark
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, captivating, realistic, semi serious, humorous
Similar in 86%
One of a Kind (2013)
Plot Summary:
When Frédi loses his mother, he realizes she has passed her healing gift on to him. Frédi rejects it totally, tangled up in his own unhappiness, until a fatal accident changes everything. He is forced to acknowledge that he had healing hands.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 224
Genere: Drama
Country: France
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, sincere, captivating