Best movies like The Fabelmans
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
A coming-of-age story about a young man’s discovery of a shattering family secret and an exploration of the power of movies to help us see the truth about each other and ourselves.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 109000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA, India
Duration: 151 min
Plot tags: semi autobiographical, dramatic, inspirational, uplifting, serious, captivating, realistic, reflective, meta, informative
Best tv shows and movies like The Fabelmans (2022):
Similar in 80%
Armageddon Time (2022)
Plot Summary:
A deeply personal story about the strength of family, the complexity of friendship, and the generational pursuit of the American Dream.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA, Brazil
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: semi autobiographical, psychological, captivating, disturbing, period drama
Similar in 90%
Not Fade Away (2012)
Plot Summary:
Set in suburban New Jersey in the 1960s, a group of friends form a rock band and try to make it big.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: sincere, sentimental, touching, captivating, atmospheric, serious, realistic, independent film, whimsical, period drama
Similar in 82%
For Ellen (2012)
Plot Summary:
After an overnight long-distance drive, Joby has a special meeting—with lawyers and his ex-wife. A struggling musician with the prerequisite tattoos, slimy hair, goatee, and his head firmly floating in the clouds, Joby hasn’t been around to be a dad. Now is his last chance to fight for shared custody of his daughter, Ellen.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: touching, captivating, realistic, serious, independent film, road movie
Similar in 81%
All Together Now (2020)
Plot Summary:
An optimistic, talented teen clings to a huge secret: she's homeless and living on a school bus. When tragedy strikes, can she learn to accept a helping hand?.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: captivating, thought provoking, touching, psychological, uplifting, inspirational, emotional, teen
Similar in 90%
Minari (2020)
Plot Summary:
A Korean-American family moves to Arkansas in search of their own American Dream. With the arrival of their sly, foul-mouthed, but incredibly loving grandmother, the stability of their relationships is challenged even more in this new life in the rugged Ozarks, testing the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 93000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: sad, independent film, sincere, captivating, thought provoking, offbeat, breathtaking, social, period piece, deep
Similar in 88%
Columbus (2017)
Plot Summary:
When a renowned architecture scholar falls suddenly ill during a speaking tour, his son Jin finds himself stranded in Columbus, Indiana - a small Midwestern city celebrated for its many significant modernist buildings. Jin strikes up a friendship with Casey, a young architecture enthusiast who works at the local library.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 20000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, serious, captivating, sentimental, philosophical, sweet, experimental, artsy, independent film
Similar in 79%
The Great Santini (1979)
Plot Summary:
As he approaches manhood, Ben Meechum struggles to win the approval of his demanding alpha male father, an aggressively competitive, but frustrated marine pilot.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: emotional, realistic, serious, captivating, independent film, touching, feel good, unusual plot structure, heartbreaking, dramatic
Similar in 88%
Cowards (2008)
Plot Summary:
A young victim of bullying at school realizes that even the adult world is dominated by fear similar to his own. He pays a high price when he decides to fight back.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 596
Genere: Drama
Country: Spain
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, touching, captivating, hispanic
Similar in 75%
C'mon C'mon (2021)
Plot Summary:
Johnny and his young nephew forge a tenuous but transformational relationship when they embark on a cross-country trip to see life away from Los Angeles.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 37000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: black and white, psychological, sincere, captivating, funny, inspirational, philosophical, thought provoking, serious, art house
Similar in 85%
Too Young to Be a Dad (2002)
Plot Summary:
When 15-year-old, Matt Freeman, gets his girlfriend, Francesca, pregnant her family decides to put the unborn baby up for adoption. Matt agrees to the decision, but begins to rethink it. This movie is taken from the father's point of view.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 899
Genere: Drama
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, emotional, realistic, sentimental, captivating
Similar in 82%
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 88%
The Dynamiter (2011)
Plot Summary:
All fourteen-year-old Robbie Hendrick ever wanted was a family. Yet as another Mississippi summer begins, his wayward mother has run off again fearing a breakdown and he's left to burn the days caring for his half brother, Fess. As the deep days and nights pass without her return and with older brother Lucas dangerously in their lives again, Robbie must face the fact that his dream of a family may only be a dream and he might just lose the only family he's ever had: Fess.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 609
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 73 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, touching, serious, realistic, sentimental, sincere, feel good, gothic, gloomy, independent film
Similar in 78%
Radio Flyer (1992)
Plot Summary:
A father reminisces about his childhood when he and his younger brother moved to a new town with their mother, her new husband and their dog, Shane. When the younger brother is subjected to physical abuse at the hands of their brutal stepfather, Mike decides to convert their toy trolley, the "Radio Flyer", into a plane to fly him to safety.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: emotional, touching, sentimental, serious, realistic, sad, suspense, scary, depressing, epic
Similar in 78%
The Derby Stallion (2005)
Plot Summary:
An alcoholic former horse-trainer perceives in a fifteen-year-old boy a unique gift of horsemanship and makes it possible for the boy to conceive his dream and pursue it.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: touching, feel good, serious, realistic
Similar in 78%
The Namesake (2006)
Plot Summary:
American-born Gogol, the son of Indian immigrants, wants to fit in among his fellow New Yorkers, despite his family's unwillingness to let go of their traditional ways.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA, India, Japan
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: emotional, sentimental, touching, sincere, captivating, realistic, offbeat, entertaining, sad, independent film
Similar in 89%
Wildlife (2018)
Plot Summary:
14-year-old Joe is the only child of Jeanette and Jerry—a housewife and a golf pro—in a small town in 1960s Montana. Nearby, an uncontrolled forest fire rages close to the Canadian border, and when Jerry loses his job—and his sense of purpose—he decides to join the cause of fighting the fire, leaving his wife and son to fend for themselves. Suddenly forced into the role of an adult, Joe witnesses his mother's struggle as she tries to keep her head above water.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 31000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: melancholic, suspenseful, thought provoking, serious, disturbing, indie film, captivating, inspirational, social, art house
Similar in 77%
12 and Holding (2005)
Plot Summary:
Three pre-adolescents with virginal and eager-of-signals naivety, hit headlong against monstrous and inhospitable loneliness, in the incandescent fire among the ashes of their own inocence.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: touching, realistic, emotional, heartbreaking, sad, sentimental, serious, depressing, harsh, art house
Similar in 77%
A River Runs Through It (1992)
Plot Summary:
A River Runs Through is a cinematographically stunning true story of Norman Maclean. The story follows Norman and his brother Paul through the experiences of life and growing up, and how their love of fly fishing keeps them together despite varying life circumstances in the untamed west of Montana in the 1920's.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 64000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: touching, emotional, sentimental, melancholic, intense, tense, atmospheric, serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 89%
Boyhood (2014)
Plot Summary:
The film tells a story of a divorced couple trying to raise their young son. The story follows the boy for twelve years, from first grade at age 6 through 12th grade at age 17-18, and examines his relationship with his parents as he grows.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 364000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 165 min
Plot tags: melancholic, emotional, independent film, depressing, serious, realistic, philosophical, touching, sincere, inspirational
Similar in 85%
Life as a House (2001)
Plot Summary:
When a man is diagnosed with terminal cancer, he takes custody of his misanthropic teenage son, for whom quality time means getting high, engaging in small-time prostitution, and avoiding his father.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 45000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: emotional, sentimental, touching, sincere, sad, inspirational, tear jerker, realistic, feel good, captivating
Similar in 90%
Manchester by the Sea (2016)
Plot Summary:
After his older brother passes away, Lee Chandler is forced to return home to care for his 16-year-old nephew. There he is compelled to deal with a tragic past that separated him from his family and the community where he was born and raised.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 305000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 137 min
Plot tags: sad, depressing, heartbreaking, psychological, emotional, touching, independent film, compassionate, realistic, cerebral
Similar in 80%
Ordinary People (1980)
Plot Summary:
Beth, Calvin, and their son Conrad are living in the aftermath of the death of the other son. Conrad is overcome by grief and misplaced guilt to the extent of a suicide attempt. He is in therapy. Beth had always preferred his brother and is having difficulty being supportive to Conrad. Calvin is trapped between the two trying to hold the family together.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 56000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: psychological, emotional, depressing, realistic, sentimental, compassionate, crying, serious, existential, inspirational
Similar in 84%
Jack (2004)
Plot Summary:
Jack, in full puberty, not only has to deal with his parents' divorce, but also feels his world is falling apart when his dad tells him he is living with a man. He slowly comes to terms with his own feelings when the girl he has a crush on turn out to have a gay dad as well and his best friend's parents end up not having the perfect marriage Jack thought they had.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 576
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: sentimental, humorous, realistic, sincere, touching, emotional, semi serious, melancholic, clever, queer cinema
Similar in 90%
Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
Plot Summary:
Ted Kramer is a career man for whom his work comes before his family. His wife Joanna cannot take this anymore, so she decides to leave him. Ted is now faced with the tasks of housekeeping and taking care of himself and their young son Billy.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 152000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: touching, sentimental, sad, realistic, clever, emotional, inspirational, crying, scary, philosophical
Similar in 82%
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
Similar in 79%
What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
Plot Summary:
Gilbert has to care for his brother Arnie and his obese mother, which gets in the way when love walks into his life.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 250000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: melancholic, emotional, touching, depressing, sad, independent film, crying, compassionate, bleak, heartbreaking
Similar in 75%
There Will Be Blood (2007)
Plot Summary:
Ruthless silver miner, turned oil prospector, Daniel Plainview moves to oil-rich California. Using his adopted son to project a trustworthy, family-man image, Plainview cons local landowners into selling him their valuable properties for a pittance. However, local preacher Eli Sunday suspects Plainviews motives and intentions, starting a slow-burning feud that threatens both their lives.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 629000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 158 min
Plot tags: serious, suspense, disturbing, cerebral, epic, atmospheric, realistic, tense, visual, breathtaking
Similar in 81%
White Oleander (2002)
Plot Summary:
A teenager journeys through a series of foster homes after her mother goes to prison for committing a crime of passion.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 34000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: emotional, intense, touching, disturbing, serious, realistic, erotic, sentimental, gothic, social
Similar in 89%
Pay It Forward (2000)
Plot Summary:
Like some other kids, 12-year-old Trevor McKinney believed in the goodness of human nature. Like many other kids, he was determined to change the world for the better. Unlike most other kids, he succeeded.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 123000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: touching, emotional, inspirational, motivational, sentimental, sincere, uplifting, tear jerker, sad, thought provoking
Similar in 77%
Flight (2010)
Plot Summary:
After being abandoned for eight straight years in boarding school, Rohan returns to the small industrial town of Jamshedpur and finds himself closeted with an authoritarian father and a younger half brother who he didn't even know existed. Forced to work in his father's steel factory and study engineering against his wishes, he strives to forge his own life out of his given circumstances and pursue his dream of being a writer.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 47000
Genere: Drama
Country: India
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: sincere, sentimental, touching, captivating, inspirational, offbeat, realistic, light, intellectual, social