Best movies like Swimming Upstream
Last updated March 2024
Looking for movies similar to Swimming Upstream? Use your insights to guide others towards tv series and movies you've watched that they may enjoy too. Help expand the group of people recommending videos to one another. We value your input!
Plot Summary:
This is a heart-wrenching story about a happy-go-lucky 17 year-old boy with a passion for life and love. Under his free spirit are problems that he must deal with. His mother died, his alcoholic father is unapproachable, and ...the biggest problem of all... he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. The only support he receives is from a sister who also lives a fractured life, his immature best friend, and his girlfriend. "Swimming Upstream" is a moving and honest look at life's painful realities and how this teen deals with them.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 206
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: tear jerker, tearjerker
Best tv shows and movies like Swimming Upstream (2002):
Similar in 82%
The Lika Cinema (2008)
Plot Summary:
A godforsaken mountain village is the only home that a young football player, a miser peasant and a fat girl have. This isolated part of the country finds itself in the middle of the referendum for or against the EU. Our characters couldn't care less - they are absorbed in their problems. The young football player who accidentally killed his mother doesn't want to join a rich foreign football team and is willing to risk his father's love because of it. The lonely fat girl is so desperate for a friend and for a lover that she will end up seeking both in the pig-sty. The miser peasant will find out that the real misery is in loneliness.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 648
Genere: Drama
Country: Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 83%
The Balloon Vendor (1974)
Plot Summary:
A young boy tries to make living out of a puppet show when his mother abandons him and his father.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 99
Genere: Drama
Country: Italy
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: tear jerker, tearjerker
Similar in 86%
The Chimp (2001)
Plot Summary:
The Chimp is the nickname of a teenage boy (with large ears) who lives in the small town of Balyktchy, Kirghizstan, a former part of the USSR in central Asia. His family is being torn apart by his dad's alcoholism, his emotions are being torn as he sees his friends pair off into couples, and his job working on the railtracks is uninspiring.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 129
Genere: Drama
Country: France, Kyrgyzstan, Japan
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 75%
Sweet Thing (2020)
Plot Summary:
For Billie and Nico, life with their father is a roller-coaster ride of playfulness and unease. When he is in the grip of alcohol, tears flow and their apparently idyllic family life collapses. Their mostly absent and irresponsible mother is not much help either. But their friendship with Malik, a boy of Billie’s age, frees them from their shackles. Together they embark on a journey full of intense moments of freedom. The colourful, emotional world of the three young people is depicted in kaleidoscopic black and white imagery, which opens space for their own notions of childhood. Alexandre Rockwell's tale portrays a profound sense of solidarity and deep love: for cinema and Billie Holiday, and also for risk and adventure.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: captivating, black and white, entertaining
Similar in 82%
Shattered Glass (2002)
Plot Summary:
Un hombre enfermo de leucemia busca desesperadamente un donador de médula.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 196
Genere: Drama
Country: Germany
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 90%
Blinded by the Light (1980)
Plot Summary:
David Bowers is a teenager who runs away from home to join a quasi-religious cult. His sister Janet is determined to find him, but almost winds up getting brainwashed by the cult herself.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 126
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 89%
The Christmas Tree (1969)
Plot Summary:
A French-American millionaire (William Holden), his girlfriend (Virna Lisi) and his war buddy (Andre Bourvil) try to grant his dying son's every wish.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 720
Genere: Drama
Country: France, Italy
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 83%
Two Voices (1997)
Plot Summary:
Sybil, a housewife with breast cancer has to be subjected to a mastectomy after which will silicone implants. Another woman, Kathleen also uses a breast implant for cosmetic reasons. Sybil start having problems with implants and the surgeon advised other intervention. By knowing that the same thing happens Kathlen, begins investigating similar cases.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 167
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 76%
Umbrella (2016)
Plot Summary:
Alexander Way, a secondary school teacher with a fractured personal life, finds himself attempting to rescue a woman from a violent sexual attack. Alexander finds himself overpowered, beaten & taken to hospital. Jesiah Jarvus, a famous British musician who is frequently touring, has lost his goal in life. Having not spoken with his father in over 20 years, troubling news offers them the chance to reconcile & move forward in both their lives. Theodore Smith attempts to bury the sadness that threatens to engulf his childhood upon hearing the news that his parents will be separating. Elethea Conall, a newly qualified nurse, continues to look after her patients whilst attempting to escape from her past. What do they all have in common?.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 16
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: psychological, sentimental, touching, captivating, independent film
Similar in 81%
Josie & Jack (2019)
Plot Summary:
Raised in a decaying old Pennsylvania mansion and home schooled by their tyrannical professor father, Josie and Jack Raeburn have never had anyone but each other to depend on. Set in the 1990s.
IMDB Rating: 4.7
IMDB Votes: 303
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 88%
The Pact (2002)
Plot Summary:
A pair of young lovers, one depressed, decide to end their lives together in a suicide pact.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 556
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, suspenseful, touching, sad, cult film
Similar in 87%
Oscar and the Lady in Pink (2009)
Plot Summary:
Listening in to a conversation between his doctor and parents, 10-year-old Oscar learns what nobody has the courage to tell him. He only has a few weeks to live. Furious, he refuses to speak to anyone except straight-talking Rose, the lady in pink he meets on the hospital stairs. As Christmas approaches, Rose uses her fantastical experiences as a professional wrestler, her imagination, wit and charm to allow Oscar to live life and love to the full, in the company of his friends Pop Corn, Einstein, Bacon and childhood sweetheart Peggy Blue. Written by American Film Market.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: France, Belgium, Canada
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: touching, uplifting, serious, realistic
Similar in 78%
Calm at Sunset (1996)
Plot Summary:
The struggle between a father and son at odds over the youths career choice. The 18 years old James Pfeiffer quits college and decides to become a fisherman like his father. Margaret and Russell are very upset with their son's decision. They had a lot of hopes for him, finishing law school and, like his older brother Joseph, make a decent living on shore rather than an uncertain and dangerous career at sea. But James dreams of having his own boat and is determined to persevere.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 131
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 80%
Princes In Exile (1990)
Plot Summary:
Diagnosed as having a brain tumor, seventeen-year-old Ryan is angrily resigned to the fact that he may not live to see another year. With time running out, he clings to two goals: publishing his journal and losing his virginity. But as Ryan finds fresh strength from his new friends' optimism and defiant refusal to surrender to cancer, his perspective changes.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 162
Genere: Drama
Country: Canada
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 88%
The Late Liz (1971)
Plot Summary:
Religion changes a woman's attitude towards alcohol.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 101
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: christian film, independent film
Similar in 82%
Cross My Heart and Hope to Die (1994)
Plot Summary:
The young teenager Otto is entering the summer holidays in 60'ies Oslo, without getting a real holiday, and he is not accepted in the gang or the football team. But then he meets exciting mysterious Frank, which changes everything.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 687
Genere: Drama
Country: Norway
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, contemplative, gloomy
Similar in 77%
A Family Upside Down (1978)
Plot Summary:
An elderly married couple find that as their physical and mental health deteriorates, they find themselves dependent more and more upon their grown children.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 156
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 75%
Two Kinds Of Love (1983)
Plot Summary:
Two kinds of love are experienced by young Ricky Schroder in this made-for-TV drama. One kind is the tenuous affection he extends to his estranged father when Schroder's mother unexpectedly dies. The other kind consists of the teasing sensations felt by Schroder whenever he approaches a girl his own age.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 94
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 76%
Consenting Adult (1985)
Plot Summary:
Young and shy Jeff discovers his attraction to men. After struggling with himself he comes out to his parents. Mum eventually listens to his son and tries to understand his feelings, but his Dad would rather die - which, in the end, he really does, leaving behind a mother, her son and his friend to work those things out Jeff and his Dad had never the courage to talk about.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 439
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: sad, crying, hentai, yuri
Similar in 82%
Top Hearts! (1999)
Plot Summary:
A woman (Karin Viard) in the fourth month of her first pregnancy fights to save the baby while being treated for breast cancer.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 448
Genere: Drama
Country: France, Belgium
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 86%
Hidden in America (1996)
Plot Summary:
Story of a man Bill Januson whose pride in being the head of his family won't let him accept help from his sick daughters doctor. He has to prove to his kids that even with the death of his wife and the loss of his job that they can and will survive. After hitting brick wall after brick wall comes a glimmer of hope.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 538
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: crying, sincere, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, disturbing, gloomy
Similar in 79%
Hoovey (2015)
Plot Summary:
HOOVEY is the true and inspiring story of the Elliott family, who refused to surrender, instead turning to one another and their faith in the worst of circumstances, to rebuild their lives, their boy, and their dreams... together. Step by grueling step, with faith, love, and the tireless work of a mother and father to save their family, their farm, their dream, Hoovey learns to walk again. To read again. To dribble and shoot a basketball again. And yes, to dream again himself. Then stepping out in his faith, back onto the hard court, to live that dream of playing this game once more.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: christian film
Similar in 80%
Wit (2001)
Plot Summary:
A renowned professor is forced to reassess her life when she is diagnosed with terminal ovarian cancer.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: depressing, sincere, emotional, touching, sentimental, thought provoking, contemplative, sad, christian film, clever
Similar in 79%
Off the Black (2006)
Plot Summary:
An aging, disillusioned alcoholic (Nick Nolte) gets a younger friend (Trevor Morgan) and wants him to pose as his son at a school reunion.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: sentimental, serious, touching, realistic
Similar in 88%
Giant Little Ones (2018)
Plot Summary:
Two popular teen boys, best friends since childhood, discover their lives, families, and girlfriends dramatically upended after an unexpected incident occurs on the night of a 17th birthday party.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Drama
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: captivating, emotional, realistic, thought provoking, lgbt cinema, independent film, freeze frame, indie film, meditative, queer cinema
Similar in 84%
Let There Be Light (2017)
Plot Summary:
An atheist goes through a near-death experience in an auto accident before converting to Christianity.
IMDB Rating: 4.5
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: christian film, rough, thought provoking, captivating, melancholic, disgusting, complex
Similar in 79%
Bang the Drum Slowly (1973)
Plot Summary:
The story of a New York pro baseball team and two of its players. Henry Wiggen is the star pitcher and Bruce Pearson is the normal, everyday catcher who is far from the star player on the team and friend to all of his teammates. During the off-season, Bruce learns that he is terminally ill, and Henry, his only true friend, is determined to be the one person there for him during his last season with the club. Throughout the course of the season, Henry and his teammates attempt to deal with Bruce's impending illness, all the while attempting to make his last year a memorable one.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, emotional, inspirational, depressing, melancholic, talky, intense, sincere, serious
Similar in 84%
Marvin's Room (1996)
Plot Summary:
A leukemia patient attempts to end a 20-year feud with her sister to get her bone marrow.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 30000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: touching, emotional, sentimental, sincere, realistic, semi serious, sad, talky, compassionate, epic
Similar in 84%
The Doctor (1991)
Plot Summary:
Jack McKee is a doctor with it all: he's successful, he's rich, and he has no problems.... until he is diagnosed with throat cancer. Now that he has seen medicine, hospitals, and doctors from a patient's perspective, he realises that there is more to being a doctor than surgery and prescriptions.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: psychological, sentimental, touching, emotional, uplifting, scary, depressing, sincere, serious, realistic
Similar in 79%
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
Plot Summary:
A coming-of-age story based on the best-selling novel by Stephen Chbosky, which follows 15-year-old freshman Charlie, an endearing and naive outsider who is taken under the wings of two seniors. A moving tale of love, loss, fear and hope - and the unforgettable friends that help us through life.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 539000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: touching, sincere, teen, melancholic, romantic, emotional, realistic, feel good, heartbreaking, independent film