Best movies like The Boat Builder
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
A grumpy old sailor wants only to finish building his boat so he can set out to sea. But from local officals to troubled fosters kid, the world keeps intervening to test his determination to make something of his golden years.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 300
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags:
Best tv shows and movies like The Boat Builder (2017):
Similar in 83%
Before the World Ends (2009)
Plot Summary:
The countryside of Rio Grande do Sul, and high-school student, Daniel, spends a normal adolescence life with his family, studying, riding his bicycle, playing games on the Internet and expecting one day to move to the big city of Porto Alegre. Daniel has a crush on his girlfriend Mim, who has just broken up with him but is still his friend, and his best friend, Lucas, is one of the best students in São Lucas High-School. Daniel is the son of Elaine and the photographer Daniel, who left Elaine when she was pregnant and moved alone to Thailand. Daniel is raised by Elaine and his stepfather Antônio, and shares a house with his half-sister, Maria Clara. One day, Daniel receives a letter from his biological father, who has malaria, and he is reluctant to open the envelope.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 315
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: Brazil
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 89%
Renfroe's Christmas (1997)
Plot Summary:
A little boy growing up on a farm in rural Louisiana in the 1930s wishes for a White Christmas and must do a selfless act in the spirit of giving in order to get his wish.
IMDB Rating: 4.2
IMDB Votes: 23
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 72 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 77%
American Girl: Corinne Tan (2023)
Plot Summary:
13-year-old Corrine deals with her parents' recent divorce while everyone else is already adapted to their new roles as a blended family, challenging herself to train a rambunctious puppy as she discovers her new purpose.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 42
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 61 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 76%
The Dull-Ice Flower (1989)
Plot Summary:
Ku Ah-ming is a 4th grader at Chungshan Elementary School in Shuiyu Township, Taiwan. Despite being not very good in most subjects at school, he is very talented in art and has a great imagination, though most teachers don't know what he's expressing in his artwork.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 428
Genere: Family, Drama
Country: Taiwan
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 83%
Tiger Cruise (2004)
Plot Summary:
On its last leg homeward, from Pearl Harbour (Hawaii) to San Diego, the USS Constellation hosts a jolly 'tiger cruise' for USNavy, Marines and USNAF relatives, mainly minors ('Navy brats'). Attitudes and emotions vary from simple joy to open frustration, the worst brat being XO commander Gary Dolan's daughter Maddie, who wants him to refuse a promotion to command for a shore job. Then the news of the WCC terror crisis changes everything, as the crew is recalled to war footing.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: sad
Similar in 81%
Decision (2012)
Plot Summary:
A family in despair rediscovers its faith in this uplifting drama from the producers of WWJD: What Would Jesus Do?.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 86
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: christian film
Similar in 76%
Wind Dancer (1993)
Plot Summary:
When a young girl is injured by a riding accident, she overcomes her injury with the help of her family and her beloved horse.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 237
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: independent film
Similar in 75%
Wild About Harry (2009)
Plot Summary:
British widower Harry Goodhart (Tate Donovan) decides to make a fresh start and moves with his teenage daughters (Danielle Savre and Skye McCole Bartusiak) to Cape Cod in 1973. But Harry can't leave behind the secret that threatens to tear his family apart. Adjusting to their new lives proves difficult for the girls when they discover that the connection between their dad and his partner (Adam Pascal) is more than just a working relationship.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 227
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: touching, humorous, realistic, semi serious, offbeat, sexual, crying, sexy
Similar in 81%
The Whiz Kid and the Mystery at Riverton (1974)
Plot Summary:
A 13-year-old brainiac invents an ingenious listening device, which he uses to bring a crooked city official and his pals to justice.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 73
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 88%
Our Little Sister (2015)
Plot Summary:
A story that revolves around three sisters who live in their grandmother's home and the arrival of their 13-year-old half sister.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: Japan
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: touching, sincere, realistic, captivating, independent film, inspirational, offbeat, manga, poignant, art house
Similar in 76%
Homecoming (1996)
Plot Summary:
When their mother disappears, a group of siblings are forced to fend for themselves, and make their way on their own. They eventually meet their grandmother, a loner who is reluctant to take them in. Based on the novel by Cynthia Voigt.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: sentimental, uplifting, touching, feel good, serious, realistic, crying
Similar in 77%
Orphan Horse (2018)
Plot Summary:
A retired horse trainer finds a young runaway girl in his barn. Skeptic at first, he let's her stay and a friendship develops while he discovers her heart and talent for horses.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 602
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: sincere, captivating, disturbing, inspirational, touching
Similar in 85%
My Friend Joe (1996)
Plot Summary:
During the course of one summer, a young Irish lad named Chris befriends an American boy named Joe. The two couldn't be more different, yet they become inseparable. Things turn horribly wrong however, when Chris discovers his new best friend isn't a he, but a she. The sadness only begins as Chris learns why Joe's gender must be kept a secret.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 302
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: UK, Germany, Ireland
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: independent film, touching, emotional, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 83%
Monet: Shadow and Light (1999)
Plot Summary:
Monet's glorious summer of painting ends abruptly with harsh attacks from his father and art critics. He intends to abandon everything, but is convinced otherwise by aspiring young artist Daniel. Having been abandoned by his own father, Daniel refuses to let Monet do the same to his son. As Monet shows Daniel a new way of seeing the world through art, Daniel helps Monet see the importance of family.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 96
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: Canada
Duration: 54 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 84%
Saint Maybe (1998)
Plot Summary:
A lonely teen troubled by a past family tragedy is suspicious of his sister-in-law, believing she is being unfaithful. His confrontation with his brother sets off a series of tragic events.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 483
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, feel good, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 83%
Second Glance (1992)
Plot Summary:
Dan Burgess is a Christian. Dan Burgess thinks he's not impacting anyone for the LORD. Dan Burgess thinks he's missing out on "all the fun". Dan Burgess wants out of the Christian life. Then... one day... Dan Burgess is forced to take a [Second Glance].
IMDB Rating: 3.8
IMDB Votes: 518
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 50 min
Plot tags: christian film, campy
Similar in 85%
Home for the Holidays (2005)
Plot Summary:
After their parents are killed in a terrible accident, the four McMurrin children live with their loving Aunt Martha. Martha wants to adopt the children but the town's bitter old banker stands in their way. However, the children's courage and ingenuity triumph and they become a family just before the holidays.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 272
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, captivating, melancholic
Similar in 78%
A Place Called Home (2004)
Plot Summary:
Tula Jetters is a stubborn widow living her older years in a huge, yet crumbling, country house. Wary of visitors, her routine is shaken by two con artists, Hank Ford and his daughter Cali, who are eying up Tula as their next victim.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 368
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: captivating, light, sincere, emotional, touching, serious, realistic
Similar in 79%
Jake's Corner (2008)
Plot Summary:
The fictional story of an ex-football star, Johnny Dunn, who moves far from the spotlight after a family tragedy to a small, desert town he owns called Jake's Corner. This dramatic comedy is a cross between Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) and "Northern Exposure" (1990). Set in the real town of Jake's Corner, Arizona, it is a rest stop for travelers making their way through the Arizona desert, but for the people who live there, it's a rest stop for life. Johnny and the eclectic ensemble that live and work in the town occupy trailers behind the Corner Store and Jake's Corner Bar. Through the years, this cast of misfits has become closer than most families - they are kin. The dynamic of the town is changed forever when Johnny's young nephew comes to live with him.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 240
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: sentimental, semi serious, sincere, psychological, captivating, touching, humorous, realistic, independent film
Similar in 75%
The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry (2008)
Plot Summary:
The lives of three 12-year-old buddies -- sharing a carefree existence in the summer of 1970 -- suddenly change when one of them, Dustin, makes an unexpected friend after cutting the lawn of 75-year-old Jonathan Sperry. As Jonathan shares lessons in faith with Dustin and his pals, a spiritual transformation occurs in this Christian drama.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: christian film, thought provoking, sincere, serious, realistic, contemplative, biblical, uplifting
Similar in 82%
Sylvester (1985)
Plot Summary:
Charlie is a 16-year-old orphan struggling to raise her two younger brothers when she endeavors to train a wild horse she names Sylvester and turn him into an Olympic jumping champion.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 491
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: fairy tale, uplifting, touching, feel good, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 80%
Saving Shiloh (2006)
Plot Summary:
In this third movie about Shiloh, Judd Travers is accused of killing a man he once fought in a bar. Everyone in the town consider Judd to be guilty except Marty Preston, but even him has some doubts. Trying to clear Judd's name Marty and his friend searches the woods to find the criminal.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 930
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: serious, sincere, touching, captivating, saga
Similar in 90%
Walking Thunder (1995)
Plot Summary:
In the 1850's, a young boy and his family on their way West become stranded in the Rockies. With the help of a local mountain man, a Sioux medicine man, and a legendary bear knows as "Walking Thunder," the boy learns to become a man, and his family's survival is secured.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 274
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: independent film, exciting, serious, realistic
Similar in 78%
A Painted House (2003)
Plot Summary:
A young boy, his family, and the migrant workers they hire to work their cotton farm struggle against difficult odds to raise and sell the crop. Meanwhile, the boy dreams of living in better conditions. However, with this particularly tough farming season, the boy learns that his challenges guide him in discovering who he really is.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: uplifting, sentimental, touching, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 90%
Truth or Dare (1997)
Plot Summary:
Summer holiday is over. Nora begins sixth grade and is drawn to intrigues and doesn't really know what side she's on. Or wants to be on. On one hand she feels sorry for the bullied Karin, one the other hand she wants to be friends with tough Fanny and Sabina.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 758
Genere: Family, Drama
Country: Sweden
Duration: 77 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 77%
Follow Me, Boys! (1966)
Plot Summary:
Lem Siddons is part of a traveling band who has a dream of becoming a lawyer. Deciding to settle down, he finds a job as a stockboy in the general store of a small town. Trying to fit in, he volunteers to become scoutmaster of the newly formed Troop 1. Becoming more and more involved with the scout troop, he finds his plans to become a lawyer being put on the back burner, until he realizes that his life has been fulfilled helping the youth of the small town.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 131 min
Plot tags: retro, touching, feel good, humorous, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 78%
The Secret Garden (1987)
Plot Summary:
When a spoiled English girl living in 19th century India loses both parents in a cholera epidemic, she is sent back to England to live in a country mansion. The lord is a strange old man-- frail and deformed, immensely kind but so melancholy. She wishes to discover what has caused him so much sorrow and to bring joy back to the household. It all must have something to do with the screams and wails which echo through the house at night and no one wants to talk about.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Family, Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: touching, sincere, sentimental, light, captivating, disturbing, sad, fairy tale, atmospheric, serious
Similar in 85%
Rent-a-Kid (1995)
Plot Summary:
Harry Habert, owner of a rent office has an original idea: To rent babies from a nearby orphanage to the local families. He rents the Ward brothers to his first customers.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Family, Comedy
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: humorous, funny, light, melancholic, touching, slapstick, independent film, realistic, semi serious, slapstick comedy
Similar in 83%
Call of the Wild (2009)
Plot Summary:
Self-centered and status-conscious, ten year old Ryann Hale journeys to Montana to visit her down-to-earth grandpa, Bill Hale. Ryann bonds with a wolf-dog, Buck, and schemes to save him from a cruel dogsledder.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 881
Genere: Adventure, Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic, captivating, contemplative
Similar in 76%
Alabama Moon (2009)
Plot Summary:
After the unexpected death of his survivalist father, an eleven year old boy raised in the Alabama wilderness must learn how to make a home in the modern world.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: touching, realistic, exciting, serious, inspirational, feel good