Best movies like Pardon
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Based on a true event, Pardon tells the tragicomic story of three friends who end up in prison when they are mistaken as members of a terrorist organization. Ibrahim's fear of uniforms makes him runaway whenever he sees one. Because of this, police mistakes him with a terrorist and takes him and his friend Muzo into custody. Fooled by the police during the interrogation they name another friend, Aydin, in hope of saving themselves. As they all end up in prison, they remember the families and lovers they left behind.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 23000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Turkey
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, humorous, cynical, dark comedy, comedy drama, realistic, semi serious, biting, black comedy
Best tv shows and movies like Pardon (2005):
Similar in 78%
Betsy & Leonard (2012)
Plot Summary:
When DJ Alex is placed under house arrest, he is forced to live together with his ex-girlfriend Karen.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 57
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, realistic, semi serious, independent film
Similar in 84%
Gangs from Rosario (2001)
Plot Summary:
City of Rosario. After three decades in prison together in the same cell, Tito and Castor are released. Outside the youth's friends await, as well as mines, tango, nights of drunkenness and a suitcase full of money hidden in the Parana River. They will try to seize the time and live every second trying to retrieve each of those thirty years behind bars. And when things become complicated they will cover each other as they always did.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 162
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Argentina
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, exciting
Similar in 87%
How to Get Rid of the Others (2007)
Plot Summary:
A satirical drama revealing the consequences of the Danish government's "New Copenhagen Criteria", a new policy aiming at securing the nation's survival. Citizens who fail to meet the criteria - those who have received more from society than what they have contributed - are eliminated.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Denmark
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, thought provoking, suspenseful, semi serious
Similar in 87%
A Fool and His Money (1989)
Plot Summary:
Sandra Bullock and Jonathan Penner star in this hilarious, sexy comedy. New York advertising executive Morris Codman (Penner) seems to have it all - lots of talent and a beautiful girlfriend, Debbie (Bullock). When he loses his job he decides to use his advertising expertise to create, package and market a shady product that will make him millions. Debbie tries to convince him that money isn't everything and she loves him just the way he is. Morris' bizarre antics in promoting his product surprisingly lead to a fortune, but can love survive his quest for the almighty dollar?.
IMDB Rating: 3.7
IMDB Votes: 629
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: independent film, offbeat, humorous, realistic, cynical, semi serious, biting, suspense
Similar in 80%
Our Women (2015)
Plot Summary:
Max, Paul and Simon have been friends for 35 years. They take great pleasure in their one vacation a year together without their partners and meet-up regularly to spend evenings drinking or playing cards. Each has a successful career and they all appear to have perfect lives until the night Simon announces to his friends that he has just strangled his wife, Estelle after a blazing row. Max and Paul are horrified by Simon's confession, but worse is to come when Simon asks them to lie and provide him with an alibi for the time Estelle was killed. Both men are torn between lying or turning over their best friend to the police.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 559
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: France
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: humorous, cynical, semi serious, captivating, realistic, talky
Similar in 88%
Bread and Chocolate (1974)
Plot Summary:
Italian immigrant tries to become a member of Swiss society but fails as a waiter and even as a chicken plucker. He then becomes involved with shady wealthy character and tries to hide his Italian identity. He refuses to give up no matter how awful his situation.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Italy
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, black comedy, funny, inspirational, sexy, thought provoking, touching, enigmatic
Similar in 78%
Madea Goes to Jail (2009)
Plot Summary:
At long last, Madea returns to the big screen in TYLER PERRY'S MADEA GOES TO JAIL. This time America's favorite irreverent, pistol-packin' grandmomma is raising hell behind bars and lobbying for her freedom...Hallelujer!.
IMDB Rating: 4.5
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, realistic, witty, christian film, black comedy, teen, happy, black cinema, adaptation directed by original author
Similar in 90%
Getting Away with Murder (1996)
Plot Summary:
When the very moralistic college ethics instructor Jack Lambert finds himself living next door to an accused German death camp commander, he takes it upon himself to rid the world of this man.
IMDB Rating: 4.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: humorous, witty, realistic, semi serious, dark comedy, independent film, cynical, black comedy, funny, light
Similar in 87%
Happy 140 (2015)
Plot Summary:
A group of friends and family reunite at the fancy new holiday home of a woman who is about to turn 40.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Spain
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: humorous, cynical, semi serious, light, touching, captivating, suspense, realistic
Similar in 76%
The Wedding (2004)
Plot Summary:
Wojnar is a wealthy man who is marrying off his beautiful daughter Kasia, in a small town in present day Poland. Wojnar had to bribe the groom with a fancy car, since Kasia was pregnant by another man. At the end of the ceremony, the car is delivered by a gangster, who immediately demands the promised money and the deed to land from Kasia's grandfather. Unfortunately grandpa is unwilling to let go of the land. Meanwhile each of the workers at the reception demand to be paid, so Wojnar, who is very reluctant to part with his money, tries to haggle and bribe his way out of all the situations.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Poland
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: humorous, captivating, semi serious, black comedy, dark comedy, realistic
Similar in 82%
The Kidnapping of Michel Houellebecq (2014)
Plot Summary:
In September 2011 writer Michel Houellebecq briefly disappeared off the face of the earth. Wild rumours began circulating on the Internet that he’d been abducted by Al-Qaeda or aliens from outer space. Some Twitter users even expressed relief that the controversial author was suddenly no longer around. This film now reveals what really happened: Three tough guys variously with impressive hairstyles and bodybuilder physiques carried off the star intellectual, taking him out of the daily stress of dodging autograph hunters and having his flat renovated and bringing him to a beautiful rural underdog idyll, full of dog grooming, bodybuilding demonstrations, junk cars and Polish sausages. But who was to pay the ransom?.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: France
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: humorous, cynical, semi serious, deep, clever, offbeat, realistic, witty, contemplative, talky
Similar in 81%
Whitewash: The Clarence Brandley Story (2002)
Plot Summary:
Based on the true story of Clarence Brandley, a black man wrongly accused in 1980 of the murder of a 16-year-old white high school girl named Cheryl Ferguson. Brandley worked at Conroe High School, where Ferguson was visiting as a member of the Belleville High School volleyball team. Three days after her body was discovered, Brandley was arrested as the murderer. Jew Don Boney, a popular activist and Houston city council member, leads the fight to uncover the truth about the Ferguson murder. Mike DeGeurin, a Texas attorney, is brought in to act as the head defense attorney for Brandley, and is joined by a former minister, Jim McCloskey. The lawyers discover that not only is there a complete lack of evidence against Brandley, but the District Attorney, James Keeshan, has been strategizing with the presiding judge. After nine years in prison, three trials and a stay of execution that saved Brandley's life, justice finally prevails as Brandley is granted his freedom.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 165
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: disturbing, emotional, realistic, suspenseful, tense, serious
Similar in 81%
A Matter of Heart (2009)
Plot Summary:
Garage owner Angelo and big-time film producer Alberto find themselves occupying neighbouring beds in a Rome hospital after suffering heart attacks. Alberto is a gregarious joker - and chain smoker - who has a strong effect on the impressionable Angelo. However, as one of the men's condition deteriorates, the other becomes more deeply involved in his personal life.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 875
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Italy
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, humorous, realistic, semi serious, offbeat
Similar in 78%
The Pope's Toilet (2007)
Plot Summary:
A small South American village is in a flurry over the Pope's 1988 visit.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Uruguay, Brazil, France
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, realistic, touching, captivating, hispanic, biting, suspense
Similar in 87%
Miracle in Cell No. 7 (2013)
Plot Summary:
A story about a mentally ill man wrongfully accused of murder and his relationship with his lovingly adorable 6 year old daughter.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 23000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: South Korea
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: touching, emotional, semi serious, sad, sincere, feel good, bad ending, crying, psychological, psychological thriller
Similar in 76%
Wonderful Times (1991)
Plot Summary:
Michel Berthier, cadre supérieur d'une entreprise de matelasserie, vient d'être licencié. Comme il n'ose pas avouer la vérité à Juliette, sa compagne, il s'endette pour maintenir le niveau de la famille qu'il couvre de cadeaux. Mais il ne peut bientôt plus mentir et il décide alors de quitter la maison. Après avoir perdu son argent, sa voiture et ses chaussures, il rencontre Toubib, Mimosa et Crayon, trois «Sans Domicile Fixe» qui font leur toilette dans les lavabos de la gare de l'Est. Ils le prennent sous leur aile et l'entraînent à aller cambrioler son ancienne entreprise afin de se munir de duvets et de lits.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: France
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: semi serious, touching, humorous, realistic, sexy, cult film
Similar in 84%
Very Well, Thank You (2007)
Plot Summary:
The tough lives of two ordinary individuals: Alex, an accountant and his wife Béatrice, a taxi driver.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 336
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: France
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, biting, suspense
Similar in 90%
Moola (2007)
Plot Summary:
Just as the business which Steve helped create, American Lightsticks, is on the brink of collapse, a huge 'deal' suddenly materializes, and he and his partners are sure that their lives have changed forever. A true-to-life comedy inspired by actual events.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 425
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious, contemplative
Similar in 84%
The Witness (1969)
Plot Summary:
Known as the best satire about communism, banned for over a decade in Hungary. 'The Witness' has become a cult classic, well received by critics and general audiences when it was finally released outside of Hungary. 'The Witness' takes place during the height of the Rákosi Era, which was closely modeled after the ruthless and brutal Stalin regime. The film follows the life of an ordinary dike keeper, József Pelikán, who has been caught for illegally slaughtering his pig, Dezsõ. Instead of doing hard time for his "heinous" crime, Pelikán is elevated into an important position, generally reserved for the communist elite. His new benefactor, the mysterious Comrade Virág, is reluctant to reveal the real reason behind Pelikán's preferential treatment. Thus, begins Pelikán's hilarious adventure deep within the "sophisticated" communist society... Until one day, when he gets called for to return the "favour" by falsely testifying against his long-time friend in a mock-up show trial.
IMDB Rating: 8.7
IMDB Votes: 8000
Genere: Drama, Comedy
Country: Hungary
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: satirical, parody, black comedy, cult classic, dark comedy, thought provoking, clever, offbeat, humorous, realistic
Similar in 83%
Dark Horse (2011)
Plot Summary:
Abe is a man who is in his thirties and who lives with his parents. He works regretfully for his father while pursuing his hobby of collecting toys. Aware that his family doesn't think highly of him, he tries to spark a relationship with Miranda, who recently moved back home after a failed literary/academic career. Miranda agrees to marry Abe out of desperation, but things go awry.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: humorous, dark comedy, semi serious, bleak, disturbing, controversial, black comedy, clever, offbeat, realistic
Similar in 90%
The Guatemalan Handshake (2006)
Plot Summary:
A mysterious power failure in a small mountain town coincides with the disappearance of one of its most eccentric young residents. Mystery piles upon mystery as his family and friends search for him, fail, and ultimately try to forget about him, an undertaking that results in many unexpected, and in some cases bizarre, effects on the town's already peculiar community.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 379
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: stylized, humorous, realistic, surreal, semi serious, mumblecore, independent film, offbeat, black comedy, dark comedy
Similar in 89%
Trial and Error (1962)
Plot Summary:
After nearly 40 years of waiting for his big chance, Wilfred Morgenhall (Sellers) is given the case of defending Herbert Fowle (Attenborough) who is accused of murdering his wife (Beryl Reid). Despite Fowle's insistence of guilt, Moregenhall will not let go of the opportunity to plead his client as innocent and be a star in the courtroom.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 597
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: black comedy, black and white, clever, humorous, realistic, witty, cynical, semi serious, independent film
Similar in 77%
Homeland (2013)
Plot Summary:
Farid, a young 26-year-old Frenchman, must travel to Algeria to save his father's house. While discovering this country in which he had never before set foot, he succumbs to the charms of a host of astonishing characters whose humour and simplicity affect him deeply. Amongst these is his cousin, a bright and lively young man who has the dream of one day going to France.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 680
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: France, Morocco, Belgium
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: touching, humorous, realistic, semi serious, road movie
Similar in 78%
The Gilded Cage (2013)
Plot Summary:
In the beautiful area of Paris, Maria and José Ribeiro lived for almost thirty years on the ground floor of a Haussmann building, in their dear little lodge.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: France
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: humorous, touching, semi serious, realistic, intercultural, masterpiece
Similar in 75%
Here and There (2009)
Plot Summary:
Here and There (Serbian: Tamo i ovde) is a Serbian film which was premiered at the Belgrade Film Festival FEST 2009. Here and There follows two interconnected stories on two different continents. Robert (Thornton), a depressed New Yorker, tries to make quick cash and ends up in Serbia, where instead of money he finds his soul. At the same time, a young Serbian immigrant, Branko (Trifunović), struggles in an unforgiving New York, desperately trying to bring his girlfriend from Serbia to the United States. Mirijana Karanović plays Branko's mother.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Serbia, USA, Germany
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: sentimental, clever, humorous, realistic, semi serious, offbeat, cynical
Similar in 77%
The Kitchen (2012)
Plot Summary:
Jennifer's thirtieth birthday party is supposed to be a special day. But what starts out as a day of celebration quickly spirals into a most ill-fated day Jennifer wishes she could forget, in this ensemble comedy set entirely in a kitchen.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, sentimental, realistic, talky, mumblecore, sincere, independent film
Similar in 75%
Life (1999)
Plot Summary:
Two men in 1930s Mississippi become friends after being sentenced to life in prison together for a crime they did not commit.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 54000
Genere: Comedy, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: funny, humorous, entertaining, semi serious, feel good, hilarious, hood, black comedy, retro, realistic
Similar in 77%
Amar Akbar & Tony (2015)
Plot Summary:
Amar, Akbar & Tony follows the lives and loves of three childhood friends through twists and turns as the characters face sudden and unforeseen changes to their idealistic and trouble-free young lives. With hilarious and sometimes tragic consequences, the brotherly bond shared by the trio is forced to come to terms with some unexpected challenges. Interracial marriage, near fatal accidents and stints in prison will test old friendships and family values. A coming of age comedy drama showing the absurdities of life can also be the most amusing.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 299
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, humorous, semi serious, realistic, witty
Similar in 77%
The Falling (2010)
Plot Summary:
Natha a poor farmer from Peepli village in the heart of rural India is about to lose his plot of land due to an unpaid bank loan. A quick fix to the problem is the a government program that aids the families of indebted farmers who have committed suicide. As a means of survival Farmer Natha can choose to die. His brother is happy to push him towards this unique 'honour' but Natha is reluctant. Local elections are around the corner and what might have been another unnoticed event turns into a 'cause celebre' with everyone wanting a piece of the action. Political bigwigs, high-ranking bureaucrats, local henchmen and the ever-zealous media descend upon sleepy Peepli to stake their claim. The question on everyone's lips - "Will he or Won't he?" As the mania escalates, nobody seems to care how Natha really feels.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 13000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: India
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: black comedy, semi serious, offbeat, suspenseful, dark comedy, psychological, light, entertaining, satirical, social
Similar in 78%
Mind the Gap (2007)
Plot Summary:
Two girls of different background, one a immigrant from Turkey and the other a girl that needs to get out of her fathers shadow both apply to the police academy were they become close friends.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Sweden
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: sentimental, humorous, realistic, semi serious