Best movies like Powwow Highway
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Buddy Red Bow is struggling, in the face of persecution, by greedy developers and political in-fighting, to keep his nation on a Montana Cheyenne Reservation financially solvent and independent. Philbert, a simple-minded friend of Buddy's, ardently pursues Native American/First Nation wisdom and lore wherever he can find it--even on Bonanza--in order to earn his warrior name. He's even got his war pony, Protector: a beat-up old wreck of a car. Buddy's sister has been arrested in Santa Fe, and together Buddy and Philbert set off on a road trip to look after her kids and go bail her out. However, Bonnie's arrest has something strange about it as her friend Rabbit points out. As the miles roll by, Philbert's faith challenges Buddy's hard-edged view of the world (and occasional bout of reckless violence), and together they face the realities and dreams of being Cheyenne in the modern-day US as they fight to free Bonnie and her children and elude the Feds.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Adventure, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: road movie, independent film, psychedelic, sincere, touching, humorous, realistic, semi serious, fairy tale, inspirational
Best tv shows and movies like Powwow Highway (1988):
Similar in 77%
Leaving No Trace (2000)
Plot Summary:
A woman steals from her drug-dealer boyfriend and runs away. She meets a sympathetic woman on the way who helps her escape.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 456
Genere: Drama
Country: Spain, Mexico
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: touching, feel good, humorous, semi serious, realistic
Similar in 75%
The North (1983)
Plot Summary:
Brother and sister Enrique and Rosa flee persecution at home in Guatemala and journey north, through Mexico and on to the United States, with the dream of starting a new life.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Adventure, Drama
Country: USA, UK, Mexico
Duration: 141 min
Plot tags: depressing, bleak, political, realistic, independent film, road movie, spiritual, heartbreaking, sad, disturbing
Similar in 87%
Cinema, Aspirins and Vultures (2005)
Plot Summary:
1942, in the middle of Northeastern Brazil, two very different men meet along the road: Johan, an aspirin salesman avoiding the German draft, and Ranulpho, a rural Brazilian seeking escape from the drought.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Adventure, Drama
Country: Brazil
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, serious, emotional, road movie, realistic, neo noir
Similar in 88%
Up & Away (2012)
Plot Summary:
This is a story about two homeless brothers (Zana, 7) and (Dana, 10) who live on the edge of survival. In the beginning of the story they catch a glimpse of Superman through a hole in the wall at the local cinema. Zana and Dana decide that they want to go to America and live with Superman. Once they get there he can solve all their problems, make their lives easy and punish everyone that has been mean to them. Zana, the younger brother, starts to make a list of all people he is going to tell Superman to punish. On top of the list is Saddam Hussein. Dana on the other hand makes a concrete plan for what they need to get there; money, passports, transportation and a way to get across the boarder. Unfortunately they have neither of those. But in spite of everything they decide to follow the dream. Written by Karzan Kader.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Adventure, Drama
Country: Sweden, Finland
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: road movie, realistic, sincere, serious, inspirational, thought provoking, sad, tear jerker, independent film, islamic
Similar in 78%
Skins (2002)
Plot Summary:
An inspirational tale about the relationship between two Sioux Indian brothers living on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, rough, serious, realistic, contemplative, gloomy
Similar in 80%
Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee (1994)
Plot Summary:
Mary Crow Dog, daughter of a desperately poor Indian family in South Dakota, is swept up in the protests of the 1960s and becomes sensitized to the injustices that society inflicts on her people. She aids the Lakota in their struggle for their rights: a struggle that culminates in an armed standoff with US government forces at the site of an 1890 massacre.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 324
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 86%
Naturally Native (1998)
Plot Summary:
Naturally Native follows the lives, loves, pain, joy and relationships of three sisters as they attempt to start their own business. Of American Indian ancestry, but adopted by white foster parents as young children, each sister has her own identity issues and each has chosen a very different career path. Now dedicated to starting a Native cosmetic business, they attempt to overcome obstacles both in the business world and in the home. A touching love story of family and culture, Naturally Native also interweaves a subtle, but strong wake-up call regarding the treatment of Native people in corporate America. Naturally Native also provides some insight into tribal infrastructure and gaming issues.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 166
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 83%
Barking Water (2009)
Plot Summary:
Frankie is dying. Irene hasn't forgiven him. And they are racing against time to find their way home. Frankie needs help and Irene is the one he turns to. He must go home one last time. And, like so many times before, Irene is extending herself beyond her common sense. The two set out on a journey that becomes more than getting home; confronting the past, love, understanding, and self discovery. Barking Water is a tale of great love that looks at what brings us all together. It's a tale of home...and what it takes to get there.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 212
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: emotional, realistic, captivating, psychological, road movie, serious
Similar in 89%
Winter in the Blood (2013)
Plot Summary:
A young, self-destructive Montana Blackfoot Indian, his mind groggy with alcohol and tormented by childhood memories, discovers that his wife has left him, taking with her his prize rifle. He sets out to find her, but what he's really searching for is his own uncertain identity and a glimpse of salvation.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 270
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: serious, contemplative, psychological, atmospheric, captivating, realistic, offbeat, gloomy, independent film, neo western
Similar in 76%
Shouting Secrets (2011)
Plot Summary:
Shouting Secrets is a hopeful and heartwarming, universal story taking place in a present day Native American family. It's a story that is at once about the constancy and the fragility of love, as well as the importance of family.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 220
Genere: Drama
Country: USA, Switzerland
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, captivating, realistic, independent film, interesting
Similar in 87%
Dance Me Outside (1994)
Plot Summary:
Explores the sensitive, and tense, relationship between life on an First Nations reservation and life in the outside world. When Native Canadian Silas Crow is forced to write a personal essay in order to get a much-desired job, he tells the story of the rape and murder of an Indian girl by a drunken thug. When the killer received a lenient two-year sentence for manslaughter, the First Nations community felt shock and anger -- and tried desperately to deal with the after-effects of this lack of justice.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Canada
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: independent film, sincere, atmospheric, clever, serious, realistic, contemplative, stylized, gloomy, cult film
Similar in 76%
DreamKeeper (2003)
Plot Summary:
In South Dakota, in an Indian reservation, an old storyteller Indian asks his grandson Shane, who is in trouble owing money to some bad guys, to take his old pony and him to Albuquerque to the great powwow, an Indian meeting. While traveling, Grandpa tells mysterious Indian tales of love, friendship and magic.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy
Country: USA, Canada, Germany
Duration: 174 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, touching, sentimental, feel good, philosophical, spiritual, epic, independent film, esoteric, semi serious
Similar in 78%
Me and Will (1999)
Plot Summary:
Two women with a passion for motorcycles meet while going through rehab. When they discover they've both longed to ride Captain America's red, white, and blue chopper from Easy Rider, they escape the rehab clinic and hit the highway in search of their dream bike.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 522
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: road movie, independent film, sincere, touching, offbeat, humorous, realistic, contemplative, semi serious
Similar in 83%
Black Cloud (2004)
Plot Summary:
Black Cloud, is an inspirational story about a young Navajo, Native American boxer, who overcomes personal challenges as he comes to terms with his heritage, while fighting his way for a spot on the US Olympic boxing team.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 545
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: uplifting, sincere, touching, serious, colorful, emotional, realistic
Similar in 88%
Africa United (2010)
Plot Summary:
"Africa United" tells the extraordinary story of three Rwandan children who attempt to realize the dream of their life: to attend the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2010 at Johannesburg. But the problems begin when Fabrice, Dudu and Béatrice get on the wrong bus and end up in Congo. Without papers, without money, they are brought into a children's refugee camp. But with incredible ingenuity, a some guts and a poster for the World Cup as a map, our heroes escape from the camp and leave to pursue their dreams, bringing with them a "dream team" of refugee children to help them through a series of exciting adventures. During this journey of 5000 km through seven countries, the film reveals an unseen Africa.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Country: UK, South Africa, Rwanda
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: semi serious, sincere, touching, humorous, realistic, road movie, educational
Similar in 77%
Juanita (2019)
Plot Summary:
Fed up with her deadbeat grown kids and marginal urban existence, Juanita takes a Greyhound bus to Paper Moon, Montana - where she reinvents herself and finds her mojo.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: touching, humorous, captivating, feel good, light, sincere
Similar in 78%
Strangers in Good Company (1990)
Plot Summary:
A busload of women become stranded in an isolated part of the Canadian countryside. As they await rescue, they reflect on their lives through a mostly ad-libbed script.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Adventure, Drama
Country: Canada
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, humorous, realistic, talky, semi serious, independent film
Similar in 79%
Smoke Signals (1998)
Plot Summary:
Young Indian man Thomas is a nerd in his reservation, wearing oversize glasses and telling everyone stories no-one wants to hear. His parents died in a fire in 1976, and Thomas was saved by Arnold. Arnold soon left his family, and Victor hasn't seen his father for 10 years. When Victor hears Arnold has died, Thomas offers him funding for the trip to get Arnold's remains.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 12000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: road movie, touching, feel good, sincere, offbeat, independent film, funny, sentimental, realistic, witty
Similar in 90%
Patagonia (2010)
Plot Summary:
Patagonia narrates the journeys of two women - one looking for her past, the other for her future. The film inter-cuts between their stories, in which one of them travels south to north through the Welsh springtime and the other east to west through the Argentine autumn.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 628
Genere: Adventure, Drama
Country: Argentina, UK
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: road movie, atmospheric, touching, sincere, uplifting, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 87%
The Lucky Ones (2008)
Plot Summary:
The story revolves around three soldiers — Colee, T.K. and Cheaver — who return from the Iraq War after suffering injuries and learn that life has moved on without them. They end up on an unexpected road trip across the U.S.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Romance, War
Country: USA
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: road movie, sentimental, sincere, semi serious, touching, humorous, realistic, profound, contemplative, feel good
Similar in 85%
Grand Theft Parsons (2003)
Plot Summary:
There are times when it's right and proper to simply bury the dead. This is not one of those times... Gram Parsons was one of the most influential musicians of his time; a bitter, brilliant, genius who knew Elvis, tripped with the Stones and fatally overdosed on morphine and tequila in 1973. And from his dying came a story. A story from deep within folklore; a story of friendship, honour and adventure; a story so extraordinary that if it didn't really happen, no one would believe it. Two men, a hearse, a dead rock star, five gallons of petrol, and a promise. And the most extraordinary chase of modern times.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, humorous, semi serious, road movie, dark comedy, dark, offbeat, realistic, black comedy
Similar in 78%
Get on the Bus (1996)
Plot Summary:
Get On the Bus follows several Black men on a cross country bus trip to the Million Man March. On the bus are an eclectic set of characters including a laid off aircraft worker, a former Gang Banger, a Hollywood actor, a cop who is of mixed racial background, and a White bus driver, all make the trek discussing issues surrounding the march, manhood, religion, politics, and race.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: road movie, uplifting, talky, compassionate, thought provoking, touching, realistic, serious, political, light
Similar in 79%
Travelers and Magicians (2003)
Plot Summary:
A young government official, named Dondup, who is smitten with America (he even has a denim gho) dreams of escaping there while stuck in a beautiful but isolated village. He hopes to connect in the U.S. with a visa out of the country. He misses the one bus out of town to Thimphu, however, and is forced to hitchhike and walk along the Lateral Road to the west, accompanied by an apple seller, a Buddhist monk with his ornate, dragon-headed dramyin, a drunk, a widowed rice paper maker, and his beautiful daughter, Sonam.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Adventure, Drama
Country: Bhutan
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: road movie, atmospheric, serious, captivating, spiritual, independent film, inspirational, philosophical, poignant, anthropological
Similar in 78%
A Man Called Horse (1970)
Plot Summary:
In 1825 an English aristocrat is captured by Indians. He lives with them and begins to understand/accept their lifestyles. Eventually he is accepted as part of the tribe and becomes their leader.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Western
Country: USA, Mexico
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: suspense, scenic, intense, exciting, serious, captivating, epic, realistic, historical drama, independent film
Similar in 85%
Follow the River (1995)
Plot Summary:
Mary Ingles is pregnant when she and her two sons are captured from their homestead in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains by Shawnee Indians. Her husband, Will, narrowly escapes death during the attack. Impressed by her grace under the pressure of captivity, Wildcat, the Shawnee chief, confers special privileges on Mary and her children, eventually proposing that Mary become his mate. Surprised by her attraction to the handsome brave, Mary nonetheless opts to remain faithful to Will and engineers a plan for her escape. Separated from her children, Mary joins another female settler, and together they embark on a harrowing homeward trek. Her odyssey comes full circle more than a decade later when she is finally reunited with her long-lost children.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 494
Genere: Adventure, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, realistic, suspenseful, epic
Similar in 78%
Windwalker (1980)
Plot Summary:
An ancient Indian warrior who has reached the end of his life is brought back from his 'death' to save his family from a raiding party of enemy Indians in this unique story of 'Indians without a single cowboy.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Western
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: independent film, sincere, serious, realistic
Similar in 76%
Before Tomorrow (2008)
Plot Summary:
Two isolated families meet for a summertime celebration. Food is abundant and the future seems bright, but Ningiuq, a wise old woman, sees her world as fragile and moves through it with a pervasive sense of dread. Ningiuq and her grandson Maniq are dropped off on a remote island, where, every year, the family dries the catch and stores it for winter. The task is soon finished. As summer turns to fall, they wait in vain for the others to pick them up. Written by Anonymous (IMDb.com).
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 200
Genere: Drama
Country: Canada
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: sincere, atmospheric, serious, captivating, realistic, contemplative, gloomy, crying
Similar in 79%
Easy Rider (1969)
Plot Summary:
A cross-country trip to sell drugs puts two hippie bikers on a collision course with small-town prejudices.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 116000
Genere: Adventure, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: road movie, psychedelic, avant garde, cult classic, offbeat, independent film, atmospheric, surreal, dark comedy, realistic
Similar in 85%
Dances with Wolves (1990)
Plot Summary:
Wounded Civil War soldier, John Dunbar tries to commit suicide – and becomes a hero instead. As a reward, he's assigned to his dream post, a remote junction on the Western frontier, and soon makes unlikely friends with the local Sioux tribe.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 285000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Western
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 181 min
Plot tags: scenic, touching, breathtaking, sentimental, epic, sincere, emotional, period piece, inspirational, melancholic
Similar in 84%
Dead Man (1995)
Plot Summary:
On the run after murdering a man, accountant William Blake encounters a strange North American man named Nobody who prepares him for his journey into the spiritual world.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 102000
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Western
Country: USA, Germany, Japan
Duration: 121 min
Plot tags: bleak, atmospheric, black and white, gloomy, captivating, offbeat, art house, surreal, tense, melancholic