Best movies like The Magic of Belle Isle
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
In an effort to tap into his original talent, a wheelchair-bound author moves to a rural town, where he befriends a single mother and her three kids, who help reignite his passion for writing.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 20000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: touching, sincere, sentimental, realistic, semi serious, psychological, funny, inspirational, romantic, feel good
Best tv shows and movies like The Magic of Belle Isle (2012):
Similar in 84%
Where Hope Grows (2014)
Plot Summary:
Calvin Campbell is a former professional baseball player sent to an early retirement due to his panic attacks at the plate. Even though he had all the talent for the big leagues, he struggles with the curveballs life has thrown him. Today, he mindlessly sleepwalks through his days and the challenge of raising his teenager daughter. His life is in a slow downward spiral when it is suddenly awakened and invigorated by the most unlikely person – Produce, a young-man with Down syndrome who works at the local grocery store.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: touching, sentimental, sincere, uplifting, inspirational, humorous, realistic, semi serious, independent film, religious drama
Similar in 89%
A Dog Year (2009)
Plot Summary:
Jon Katz is close to burnout. He's a writer with writer's block; his wife has left for her sister's because he's emotionally distant; he rarely answers his phone. A kennel sends him a border collie that's undisciplined because of abuse. Despite a series of mishaps, Jon decides to keep trying with the dog, and he rents a dilapidated farm house to give the dog room to run. A local handyman refers Jon to a woman who might be able to help him train the dog. Reluctantly, Jon gives her a try. Is the dog the problem, or the owner?.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: touching, sentimental, sincere, humorous, realistic, semi serious, independent film
Similar in 83%
Smoke (1995)
Plot Summary:
Writer Paul Benjamin is nearly hit by a bus when he leaves Auggie Wren's smoke shop. Stranger Rashid Cole saves his life, and soon middle-aged Paul tells homeless Rashid that he wouldn't mind a short-term housemate. Still grieving over his wife's murder, Paul is moved by both Rashid's quest to reconnect with his father and Auggie's discovery that a woman who might be his daughter is about to give birth.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 38000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Germany, Japan, USA
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: cult classic, independent film, sentimental, clever, touching, intellectual, feel good, mumblecore, anthology, art house
Similar in 77%
Happy Hour (2003)
Plot Summary:
Set in present day New York City, "Happy Hour" is a literate and often funny story of love and how to receive it. Tulley, a once-promising literary star now biding his time as an advertising copy editor, moves from cynicism to acceptance as he secretly hopes to write a great novel only to learn that his life of booze will end all too soon. Levine, his best friend and Natalie, the woman who might have saved him, suffer the pain of Tulley's anger and rejection.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 441
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, touching, emotional, serious, realistic, independent film
Similar in 77%
A Long Way Down (2014)
Plot Summary:
Four lost souls decide to end their lives on the same night, New Year's Eve. When they meet unintentionally at the same suicide hotspot, they mutually agree to call off their plans for six weeks, forming an unconventional, dysfunctional family.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 34000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK, Germany
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: touching, dark comedy, emotional, talky, humorous, sincere, semi serious, teen, black comedy, offbeat
Similar in 83%
Beeswax (2009)
Plot Summary:
A marvelous new film from Andrew Bujalski, one of the brightest stars in indie film, Beeswax revolves around the personal and professional entanglements of twin sisters Jeannie and Lauren – played by extraordinary newcomers Tilly and Maggie Hatcher – living in Austin, Texas. Jeannie co-owns a vintage clothing store with Amanda, a semi-estranged friend who she fears is trying to end their partnership. Lauren leads a looser, less tethered existence and is considering getting out of the country altogether. When Jeannie receives an email from Amanda threatening a lawsuit, she calls her law student ex-boyfriend Merrill for help. Eager for distraction from his own problems, he begins helping the sisters with theirs. Imbued with an innate charm, Beeswax is a story about families, friends, lovers and those awkward moments that bring all of them together.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 875
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: mumblecore, humorous, semi serious, captivating, psychological, sentimental, sincere, touching, realistic, witty
Similar in 85%
A Grandpa for Christmas (2007)
Plot Summary:
An old-time movie-star singer/ hoofer rebonds with his estranged daughter and 9-year-old granddaughter.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 84 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, humorous, semi serious, sincere, realistic
Similar in 89%
Man in the Chair (2007)
Plot Summary:
The story of an aspiring young filmmaker's encounter with a grumpy fount of movie lore.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, serious, realistic, sincere, cult classic, masterpiece
Similar in 85%
My Favorite Year (1982)
Plot Summary:
Benjy Stone is the junior writer on the top rated variety/comedy show, in the mid 50s (the early years). Alan Swann, an Erol Flynn type actor with a drinking problem is to be that weeks guest star.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: funny, touching, humorous, witty, parody, sincere, offbeat, sentimental, feel good, realistic
Similar in 75%
Jake Squared (2013)
Plot Summary:
A filmmaker sets out to make a new project in order to figure out how he's screwed up every relationship he's ever had.
IMDB Rating: 4.2
IMDB Votes: 631
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: psychological, humorous, contemplative, semi serious, light, captivating, offbeat, mind bending, realistic, independent film
Similar in 85%
Smitty (2012)
Plot Summary:
SMITTY is a family film about a rescue dog. When life gets tough for Ben, a friendly paw is all it takes to pull him through. Mischievous thirteen-year-old Ben is sent to his grandfather's farm for the summer, where he crosses paths with a lovable mutt. With help from the unlikely canine companion, Ben learns the importance of friendship, family and responsibility.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 659
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: sincere, captivating, light, feel good, touching, humorous, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 76%
The Kitchen (2012)
Plot Summary:
Jennifer's thirtieth birthday party is supposed to be a special day. But what starts out as a day of celebration quickly spirals into a most ill-fated day Jennifer wishes she could forget, in this ensemble comedy set entirely in a kitchen.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, sentimental, realistic, talky, mumblecore, sincere, independent film
Similar in 80%
Author! Author! (1982)
Plot Summary:
A broadway playwright is burning the candle at both ends. He is dealing with pressure from a production nearing premiere, a wife who is leaving him, and 5 children 4 of which belong to her.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: humorous, sentimental, touching, romantic, intense, light, feel good, captivating, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 83%
Country Remedy (2007)
Plot Summary:
In order to secure the position of Head of Pediatrics at a top Chicago hospital, a young, highly accomplished, pediatrician agrees to spend a summer setting up a clinic in a small town in the North Carolina mountains. Clashing against the ways of the small community he is forced to deal with the recent loss of his wife while reconnecting with his 9 year old son, and learning a different pace of life.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 669
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: sentimental, uplifting, touching, emotional, independent film, serious, realistic
Similar in 78%
Mrs Palfrey at The Claremont (2005)
Plot Summary:
All but abandoned by her family in a London retirement hotel, an elderly woman strikes up a curious friendship with a young writer.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: touching, sentimental, humorous, semi serious, hilarious, powerful, clever, realistic, crying
Similar in 77%
Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story (2011)
Plot Summary:
Magic Beyond Words: The J.K. Rowling Story is a made-for-TV film starring Australian actress Poppy Montgomery. The film, which was shot in B.C. Canada locations altered to look like British locations, details the journey of struggling single mother J. K. Rowling, her bid to become a published author, and her rise to fame that followed the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The film aired on Lifetime on July 18th and was criticized for being too lacklustre (mainly down to the fiercely private author having no say in the production) but it also shed some light on her personal life and featured scenes such as her highly abusive first husband and the death of her mother. The eponymous J.K. Rowling is the world's first billionaire (in terms of US dollars) author and the films inspired by her books have been the highest grossing films of all time. Poppy Montgomery reportedly got blue contact lenses to play the role of the highly influential author.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: sentimental, serious, sincere, touching, realistic, inspirational, art film, ridiculous
Similar in 85%
Intimate Stories (2002)
Plot Summary:
Three people and a baby set off on separate journeys, along the same road; their disparate dreams and stories intertwine amidst the breathtaking deserted Patagonic route.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Argentina, Spain
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: road movie, sentimental, humorous, realistic, sincere, touching, semi serious, anthology
Similar in 87%
The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom (2011)
Plot Summary:
Elizabeth Alison Gray is just your average suburban 11-year old waiting for adolescence to arrive when she finds out her whole life has been a lie. With only her imagination to guide her, she runs away to find the truth.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 632
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Canada
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, feel good, humorous, realistic, semi serious, psychological, sincere, captivating
Similar in 89%
10 Items or Less (2006)
Plot Summary:
An actor who is considering the role of a supermarket manager arrives at a grocery store on the outskirts of Los Angeles to do some field research. He subsequently becomes stranded, without a car or cell phone, and accepts a ride home with Scarlet, a cashier who is about to interview for a new job. The actor rediscovers the essence of his craft while helping Scarlet gain the confidence she needs to change her life.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 82 min
Plot tags: feel good, road movie, humorous, touching, clever, light, semi serious, realistic, psychological, funny
Similar in 78%
Dad (1989)
Plot Summary:
A busy executive (Ted Danson) learns during a meeting that his mother may be dying and rushes home to her side. He ends up being his father's caretaker and becomes closer to him (Jack Lemmon) than ever before. Estranged from his own son (Ethan Hawke), the executive comes to realize what has been missing in his own life.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, emotional, feel good, uplifting, inspirational, sincere, thought provoking, poignant, comedy drama
Similar in 83%
A Man Called Otto (2022)
Plot Summary:
A cranky retired man strikes up an unlikely friendship with his boisterous new neighbors. A remake of the 2015 Swedish film.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 144000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: Sweden, USA
Duration: 126 min
Plot tags: humorous, captivating, sincere, touching, feel good, entertaining, realistic, spiritual, comedy drama, independent film
Similar in 79%
Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
Plot Summary:
The story of an old Jewish widow named Daisy Werthan and her relationship with her colored chauffeur Hoke. From an initial mere work relationship grew in 25 years a strong friendship between the two very different characters in a time when those types of relationships where shunned upon. Oscar winning tragic comedy with a star-studded cast and based on a play of the same name by Alfred Uhry.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 116000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: realistic, sentimental, touching, feel good, inspirational, emotional, witty, talky, intense, period piece
Similar in 76%
Benji: Off the Leash! (2004)
Plot Summary:
Benji and his friends try to save his mother from a puppy mill.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 668
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, feel good, humorous, semi serious
Similar in 77%
Kit Kittredge: An American Girl (2008)
Plot Summary:
The Great Depression hits home for nine year old Kit Kittredge when her dad loses his business and leaves to find work. Oscar nominee Abigail Breslin stars as Kit, leading a splendid cast in the first ever "American Girl" theatrical movie. In order to keep their home, Kit and her mother must take in boarders - paying house - guests who turn out to be full of fascinating stories. When mother's lockbox containing all their money is stolen, Kit's new hobo friend Will is the prime suspect. Kit refuses to believe that Will would steal, and her efforts to sniff out the real story get her and friends into big trouble. The police say the robbery was an inside job, committed by someone they know. So if it wasn't Will, then who did it.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: sentimental, melancholic, inspirational, stylized, feel good, touching, humorous, realistic, semi serious, crying
Similar in 90%
Motherhood (2009)
Plot Summary:
Motherhood is a comedy written and directed by Katherine Dieckmann, and stars Uma Thurman, Anthony Edwards and Minnie Driver. Shot on location in New York’s West Village, focuses on the dilemmas of motherhood, such as marriage, work, and self, shown in the trials and tribulations of one pivotal day.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: feel good, humorous, realistic, touching, semi serious, independent film, neurotic
Similar in 85%
We Bought a Zoo (2011)
Plot Summary:
Benjamin has lost his wife and, in a bid to start his life over, purchases a large house that has a zoo – welcome news for his daughter, but his son is not happy about it. The zoo is in need of renovation and Benjamin sets about the work with the head keeper and the rest of the staff, but, the zoo soon runs into financial trouble.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 150000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: feel good, inspirational, sincere, touching, romantic, sentimental, emotional, uplifting, funny, light
Similar in 90%
Under the Tuscan Sun (2003)
Plot Summary:
After a rough divoce, Frances, a 35 year old book editor from San Francisco takes a tour of Tuscany at the urgings of her friends. On a whim she buys Bramasole, a run down villa in the Tuscan countryside and begins to piece her life together starting with the villa and finds that life sometimes has unexpected ways of giving her everything she wanted.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 57000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA, Italy
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: feel good, sentimental, romantic, scenic, touching, humorous, inspirational, entertaining, romantic comedy, culinary
Similar in 80%
The Bucket List (2007)
Plot Summary:
Corporate billionaire Edward Cole and working class mechanic Carter Chambers are worlds apart. At a crossroads in their lives, they share a hospital room and discover they have two things in common: a desire to spend the time they have left doing everything they ever wanted to do and an unrealized need to come to terms with who they are. Together they embark on the road trip of a lifetime, becoming friends along the way and learning to live life to the fullest, with insight and humor.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 257000
Genere: Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: feel good, inspirational, thought provoking, sentimental, touching, philosophical, sad, emotional, tear jerker, road movie
Similar in 75%
The Intern (2015)
Plot Summary:
70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker has discovered that retirement isn't all it's cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 269000
Genere: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 121 min
Plot tags: feel good, inspirational, light, sweet, touching, emotional, funny, sentimental, motivational, entertaining
Similar in 75%
Flipped (2010)
Plot Summary:
When Juli meets Bryce in the second grade, she knows it's true love. After spending six years trying to convince Bryce the same, she's ready to give up - until he starts to reconsider.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 96000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: touching, sweet, feel good, romantic, emotional, sentimental, realistic, romantic comedy, teen, cute