Best movies like Shelter
Last updated March 2024
Looking for movies similar to Shelter? Provide your familiarity to steer others towards tv series and films you've watched before that they may also enjoy. Help enlarge the group of people suggesting videos to each other. We welcome your input!
Plot Summary:
With a catastrophic event rapidly approaching, 18 people vie for 10 spots in the small town's only bomb shelter.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 169
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: serious, suspenseful, epic, independent film, bleak, futuristic
Best tv shows and movies like Shelter (2008):
Similar in 81%
Home Before Dark (1997)
Plot Summary:
It's 1963 in rural Massachusetts, and Nora James has the usual worries of an eleven year-old girl:lipstick, first crushes, staying out of trouble at school...not easy when your teacher is the elderly Sister Concilia. And even harder when your parents are struggling to heal from an almost unbearable loss. Then tragedy strikes another Massachusetts family, the Kennedys, and shatters the fragile bonds holding the James family together, Nora, sent to live with her brittle Aunt Rose, soon learns who she is, what she wants, and what she must do to achieve it. She makes a decision that is both cruel and courageous. Nora's choice unlocks the way to what amounts to the rescue of her family. (Maureen Foley, writer/director of the film).
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 129
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: independent film, psychological, serious, realistic
Similar in 77%
Ballast (2008)
Plot Summary:
A single mother and her embattled son struggle to subsist in a small Mississippi Delta township. An act of violence thrusts them into the world of an emotionally devastated highway store owner, awakening the fury of a bitter and longstanding conflict.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: realistic, serious, psychological, emotional, captivating, suspense, southern gothic, sentimental, sincere, bleak
Similar in 80%
Midnight Clear (2006)
Plot Summary:
On Christmas Eve in the Arizona desert, a middle-aged man (Stephen Baldwin) and an old woman (K Callan) contemplate suicide. But through chance run-ins with strangers and perhaps some divine intervention, they cross paths and change each other's life forever.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 852
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: realistic, serious, captivating, suspenseful, christian film, humorous, semi serious
Similar in 84%
War Book (2014)
Plot Summary:
In a contemporary Commons briefing room, a government minister and several aids enact the ‘war book’ exercise: a protocol written in the 1950s which is periodically played out to test post-nuclear scenarios. Low-budget but high-concept, War Book is a terse drama of interpersonal politics with rat-a-tat-tat dialogue and sharp performances. (12 Angry Men, Sleuth and The Deal all feel like reference points.) Created by some of the UK’s most promising talents in down time between other projects, director/producer Tom Harper (Scouting Book for Boys, Woman in Black 2), screenwriter Jack Thorne (Skins, Scouting Book) and producer Lauren Dark bring together a top notch cast (including Sophie Okonedo, Ben Chaplin and Kerry Fox). Cold war anxiety is given contemporary relevance in this exploration of government arrogance and lack of accountability, and the terrifying fragility of world order when faced with the abyss of mutual destruction.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 703
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: serious, tense, thought provoking, bleak, suspenseful, realistic, apocalyptic, minimal cast
Similar in 87%
Ring the Bell (2013)
Plot Summary:
When high-powered sports agent Rob Decker arrives looking for his next major league prospect, he finds more than he bargained for at the Cooke Boys Ranch. As he works to secure Shawn Hart, the top high school baseball prospect in the country, he encounters a cast of characters who value happiness and common sense over dollars and cents.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 463
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, christian film, inspirational
Similar in 78%
The Genius Club (2006)
Plot Summary:
Seven geniuses, with IQs over 200, are plucked from their lives on Christmas Eve to try to solve the world's problems in one night.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, suspenseful, futuristic, realistic, christian film, minimal cast
Similar in 86%
Ladybug Ladybug (1963)
Plot Summary:
Staff and students at a rural school react to a warning of an imminent nuclear attack, not knowing whether it is real or mistaken.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 930
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 82 min
Plot tags: psychological, tense, thought provoking, bleak, serious, realistic, apocalyptic, psychotronic, allegory, disaster movie
Similar in 77%
On the Beach (2000)
Plot Summary:
The world has finally managed to blow itself up and only Australia has been spared from nuclear destruction and a gigantic wave of radiation is floating in on the breezes. One American sub located in the Pacific has survived and is met with disdain by the Australians. The calculations of Australia's most renowned scientist says the country is doomed. However, one of his rivals says that he is wrong. He believes that a 1000 people can be relocated to the northern hemisphere, where his assumptions indicate the radiation levels may be lower. The American Captain is asked to take a mission to the north to determine which scientist is right.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: Australia, USA
Duration: 195 min
Plot tags: tense, apocalyptic, serious, suspense, exciting, gloomy, psychotronic, disaster movie
Similar in 86%
Special Bulletin (1983)
Plot Summary:
A TV reporter and cameraman are taken hostage on a tugboat while covering a workers strike. The demands of the hostage-takers are to collect all the nuclear detonators in the Charleston, SC area so they may be detonated at sea. They threaten to detonate a nuclear device of their own of their demand isnt met.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: bad ending, psychological, rough, thought provoking, bleak, serious, captivating, realistic, suspenseful, disturbing
Similar in 85%
The Ark (2015)
Plot Summary:
Noah, a farmer and family man, is instructed by an angel to build an ark in the middle of a desert in order to save both his family and the faithful from a devastating flood. A seemingly impossible task, especially when his sons refuse to believe him and help, Noah risks ridicule and humiliation from the degenerate townsfolk as well as his loving but exasperated family, in his quest to carry out his God-given task.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 424
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: biblical, serious, captivating, epic, suspense, spiritual, touching
Similar in 82%
America Brown (2004)
Plot Summary:
A coming-of-age drama that centers on a young quarterback from West Texas, a priest in New York, and the two women in their lives.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 314
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: uplifting, touching, serious, realistic, sincere, contemplative, independent film
Similar in 79%
The River (1984)
Plot Summary:
Farming family battles severe storms, a bank threatening to reposses their farm, and other hard times in a battle to save and hold on to their farm.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: emotional, sincere, serious, realistic, gloomy, sentimental, inspirational, romantic, feel good, unusual plot structure
Similar in 83%
Hurricane (1974)
Plot Summary:
Two hurricane hunters track a huge, violent hurricane that is bearing down on a Gulf Coast town.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 213
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 74 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, realistic, suspenseful, psychotronic, disaster movie
Similar in 76%
Killer Flood: The Day the Dam Broke (2003)
Plot Summary:
When the dam in the town of Rutland starts to show signs of wear. David Powell, the architect who originally worked on the dam but was removed and who left town after he was black balled by Walker, the man who only cares about making a profit; returns. He insists that the dam be drained and inspected but Walker claims it would take too long and would be too costly. David goes to the dam and notices a few anomalies. He then tries to warn the deputy mayor who happens to be his estranged wife but out of anger she refuses to listen. Also David tries to reconnect with his son who resents his desertion.
IMDB Rating: 3.8
IMDB Votes: 627
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: serious, suspenseful, psychological, tense, suspense, disaster movie
Similar in 78%
Landslide (2005)
Plot Summary:
Manhattan fireman Mark Decker visits, for the first time, his Steven in his ex Emma's new apartment in one of her dad Donald Richardson's development estates, at the foot of Diamand-back Mountain. But Don's ambitious executive Stewart Hancock, who dreams of his own firm, has been cutting too many corners, at the expense of safety, causing a landslide. Mark gets trapped with Steven and the new concierge Harold, who knows everything about an additional danger: rattlesnakes awoken early from hibernation. Now Mark discovers artistic, nerdy Steven only did 'manly' stuff in the city because dad-son time is so rare. While they soldier on, landscape architect Emma discovers the truth and counters Stewart's plan B to literally cover it up.
IMDB Rating: 3.8
IMDB Votes: 338
Genere: Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, suspenseful, tense, disaster movie
Similar in 82%
Waterborne (2005)
Plot Summary:
Heera Bhatti, an American-Sikh, runs a corner store in Los Angeles with the help of her son, Vikram, and Gulu. She does not approve of Vikram's Caucasian girlfriend, Lillian, and would prefer that Vikram marry a Punjabi girl, but Vikram has made up his mind. Then the lives of all Californians are turned upside down when one morning eight people are dead after drinking contaminated tap water.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 777
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: psychological, serious, realistic, suspenseful, bleak, apocalyptic, captivating, intercultural, inter cultural
Similar in 90%
Atlantic. (2014)
Plot Summary:
A Moroccan fisherman sets off on an epic journey towards Europe on his wind surfboard. But the pursuit of dreams does not come without sacrifice.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 575
Genere: Drama
Country: Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Morocco, France
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, serious, realistic
Similar in 84%
Ordeal in the Arctic (1993)
Plot Summary:
Everybody expected military flight Boxtop 22 from Thule into the vast frozen wilderness of Canada's North Western territories to be boring routine, but in a matter of minutes a crash reduces Gulf War veteran pilot Captain John Couch's crew and passengers to ever-growing despair. First they consider themselves relatively lucky as 14 out of 18 aboard are alive, including Captain Wilma De Groot, a medical doctor, but as time progresses the merciless cold makes it seem hopeless to check on Bob and Sue, who cannot be moved near the only campfire, while rescue attempts on land from Alert ('only' about 10 miles) and by air from Edmonton (8 hours flying) take no less then 32 hours to reach the plane wreck.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 276
Genere: Drama
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 89%
The Grace Card (2010)
Plot Summary:
Everything can change in an instant ... and take a lifetime to unravel. When Mac McDonald loses his son in an accident, the ensuing 17 years of bitterness and pain erodes his love for his family and leaves him angry with God ... and just about everyone else. Mac's rage stonewalls his career in the police department and makes for a combustible situation when he's partnered with Sam Wright, a rising star on the force who happens to be a part-time pastor and a loving family man. Can they somehow join forces to help one another when it's impossible for either of them to look past their differences-especially the most obvious one? Every day, we have the opportunity to rebuild relationships and heal deep wounds by extending and receiving God's grace. Offer THE GRACE CARD ... and never underestimate the power of God's love.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: christian film, touching, uplifting, serious, emotional, realistic, inspirational, biblical, crying, contemplative
Similar in 87%
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 79%
Virgin (2003)
Plot Summary:
When a teenager finds herself pregnant, with no memory of having had sex, she determines that she is carrying the child of God.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 601
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: realistic, touching, psychological, captivating, erotic, sincere, serious, contemplative, independent film
Similar in 81%
White Water (2015)
Plot Summary:
White Water is the story of a 7 year-old black kid in segregated 1963 Opelika, Alabama who becomes obsessed with the desire to taste the water from the "white's only" drinking fountain and sets out on a quest to do the unthinkable: drink from it.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 209
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: touching, sentimental, serious, suspenseful, realistic
Similar in 78%
Soda Springs (2012)
Plot Summary:
The story of a man's struggle to claim his future by confronting his past. The road is not an easy one as old demons resurface to threaten everything Eden has fought to overcome.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 470
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, serious, realistic, independent film
Similar in 75%
Farewell to Harry (2002)
Plot Summary:
A down-and-out writer, Nick Sennet, runs into Harry, a man that, legend has it, died long ago. Together they attempt to revitalize a defunct factory as well as their lives.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 165
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic
Similar in 83%
Contagion (2002)
Plot Summary:
In the 21st Century, terrorists have developed a new way to strike: disease. Not only have they created a deadly Level Four Ebola virus, their first victim is the President of the United States. The virus is particularly contagious and is spreading. If a cure cannot be found, the only chance for saving the world from epidemic is for the army to destroy the hospital and the town where the victims, including the President, are currently contained. The clock is ticking. As doctors search for a cure the military seeks to annihilate them all in a race to stop the deadly path of the contagion. Can the spread be stopped before its too late?.
IMDB Rating: 4.1
IMDB Votes: 801
Genere: Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, suspenseful, bleak, intellectual, disaster movie
Similar in 78%
Earthquake (2016)
Plot Summary:
After the devastating Spitak earthquake of December 7th, Konstantin Berezhnoy, a 50-year-old Russian, and Robert Melkonyan, a 28-year-old Armenian, work together to rescue the desperate survivors.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: Armenia, Russia
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: psychological, tense, touching, suspense, suspenseful, disaster movie
Similar in 85%
Time of the Wolf (2003)
Plot Summary:
When Anna and her family arrive at their holiday home, they find it occupied by strangers. This confrontation is just the beginning of a painful learning process.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Drama
Country: France, Austria, Germany
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: disturbing, psychological, bleak, atmospheric, intense, apocalyptic, suspenseful, road movie, dark, stylized
Similar in 88%
20 Years After (2008)
Plot Summary:
In the middle of nowhere, 20 years after an apocalyptic terrorist event that obliterated the face of the world!.
IMDB Rating: 3.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: apocalyptic, bleak, serious, suspenseful, independent film, futuristic, dystopian, disaster movie
Similar in 80%
Testament (1983)
Plot Summary:
Nuclear war in the United States is portrayed in a realistic and believable manner. The story is told through the eyes of a woman who is struggling to take care of her family. The entire movie takes place in a small suburban town outside San Francisco. After the nuclear attack, contact with the outside world is pretty much cut off.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: depressing, bleak, disturbing, emotional, tense, apocalyptic, thought provoking, serious, touching, realistic
Similar in 84%
The Day After (1983)
Plot Summary:
The film portrays a fictional nuclear war between NATO forces and the Warsaw Pact that rapidly escalates into a full scale exchange between the United States and the Soviet Union, focusing on the residents of Lawrence, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri, as well as several family farms situated next to nearby nuclear missile silos.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 18000
Genere: Drama, Sci-Fi
Country: USA
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: disturbing, futuristic, apocalyptic, harsh, serious, thought provoking, psychotronic, suspense, bleak, rough