Best movies like The Mistress of Spices
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Tilo, the titular "Mistresses of Spices" is a shopkeeper and an immigrant from India who helps customers satisfy their needs and desires with spices. Her life changes when she falls in love with an American man.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, UK, India
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: touching, sexy, culinary, sincere, captivating, serious, crying, intercultural, fable, inter cultural
Best tv shows and movies like The Mistress of Spices (2005):
Similar in 77%
You Have My Heart (2000)
Plot Summary:
Inspired by the Telegu (southern Indian) film, "Pelli Chuskundam," the plot follows the life of a rape victim (Aishwarya Rai). Now, a disgrace to her family, she is turned away from her house after the sexual assault. But she finds shelter in the character played by Anil Kapoor.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Drama, Romance
Country: India
Duration: 165 min
Plot tags: touching, realistic, serious, melancholic, tense, sincere, sexual, sexy
Similar in 86%
Serenades (2001)
Plot Summary:
A girl is born to an Aboriginal mother and an Afgan father.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 105
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Australia
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: serious, touching, sincere, captivating, tense, realistic, independent film
Similar in 82%
Storm (1975)
Plot Summary:
J.K. is a hotel Manager in a scenic location in India. One day he gallantly comes to the rescue of a drunk daughter, Aarti, of a politician, and chooses to be discrete about it. When she recovers, she and he fall in love; get married in a small marriage ceremony, have a daughter, and thereafter differences arise to such an extent that they decide to separate. Years pass J.K. and Aarti meet again when she is an established politician, both are still attracted to each other, but she does not want her name to be tarnished and stigmatized as a "separated" woman.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: India
Duration: 133 min
Plot tags: realistic, retro, touching, serious, banned, banned film
Similar in 80%
Partition (2007)
Plot Summary:
Determined to leave the ravages of war behind, 38 year old Gian Singh resigns from the British Indian Army to a quiet life. His world is soon thrown in turmoil, when he suddenly finds himself responsible for the life of a 17 year old girl, traumatized by the events that separated her from her family.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, UK, Canada, South Africa, India, Pakistan
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, inspirational, political, informative, atmospheric, epic
Similar in 86%
Umrao Jaan (2006)
Plot Summary:
Bollywood film about the famous courtesan of the title. Aishwarya Rai stars in the lead role. The film is directed by J.P. Dutta and also stars Shabana Azmi, Sunil Shetty, Abhishek Bachchan, Divya Dutta, Himani Shivpuri and Kulbhushan Kharbanda.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: India
Duration: 188 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, captivating, emotional, serious, realistic, stylized
Similar in 78%
What's Cooking? (2000)
Plot Summary:
In LA's Fairfax district, where ethnic groups abound, four households celebrate Thanksgiving amidst family tensions. In the Nguyen family, the children's acculturation and immigrant parents' fears collide. In the Avila family, Isabel's son has invited her estranged husband to their family dinner. Audrey and Ron Williams want to keep their own family's ruptures secret from Ron's visiting mother. In the Seelig household, Herb and Ruth are unwilling to discuss openly their grown daughter's living with her lover, Carla. Around each table, things come to a head. A gun, an affair, a boyfriend, and a pregnancy precipitate crises forcing each family to find its center.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, humorous, semi serious, clever, realistic, talky, independent film, romantic, feel good
Similar in 77%
My Heart Is Yours (2002)
Plot Summary:
Some twenty years ago Sarita promised to raise her husband's love child (Shalu) together with their own daughter (Nimmi). The girls grow up as the best of friends but Sarita has never been able to forgive Shalu her background. It doesn't make it better when she sees Shalu getting close to the man Nimmi is also in love with.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: India
Duration: 210 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, touching, captivating, romantic drama
Similar in 84%
Raincoat (2004)
Plot Summary:
Tells the story of two lovers, separated by destiny, who meet again one day. This encounter allows each to realize the truth about the lives they are living.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: India
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: touching, sentimental, serious, realistic, philosophical, offbeat, twist ending, art film, parallel cinema, gloomy
Similar in 82%
White Nights (2006)
Plot Summary:
For a fee of Rs.200/- Ankush Ramdev acted as one among four witnesses to couples who come to register their marriages at the Registrar of Marriages in Dariyaganj, Delhi. One day he comes across a single woman from Nainital and offers his services, but the girl tells him that she is waiting for her to-be groom, Dheeraj Ansaria. At the end of the day, when he does not show up, Ankush feels sorry for her, Megha Joshi, and offers to assist her until he gets back. They spend the night at a Dargah, and then go to wait for Dheeraj, who does not show. A penniless and tearful Megha now asks Ankush to help, he helps her again, and falls in love with her, so much so that he considers learning English and re-locating to Bombay. Then he comes across a young man, who later identifies himself as Dheeraj, who is desperately looking for his bride-to-be. Watch what Ankush does or does not do to assist Dheeraj.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: India
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, realistic, captivating, serious
Similar in 90%
Devdas (2002)
Plot Summary:
Devdas is sent away by his father so he can improve himself but upon his return his father still doesn’t welcome him back. Devdas and Paro are in love but Paro is a lower caste and is set to be married to an older widower. Devdas is devastated & leaves home. He becomes an alcoholic womanizer and falls in love with a courtesan. Paro tries to get Devdas away from drinking before he self destructs.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 46000
Genere: Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: India
Duration: 185 min
Plot tags: touching, emotional, weeping, sentimental, serious, captivating, romantic, rough, sincere, thought provoking
Similar in 77%
Those Seven Days (1983)
Plot Summary:
Maya, coming from poor family, is married to the affluent Dr. Anand; but she tries to commit suicide on the nuptial night. She tells Anand that she was in love with Prem whose ambition was to be a music director. He too was in love with her but thought she would not be happy as his wife. Anand tells Maya that he had married her only for his mother who was on her death bed. When the mother dies Anand wants to unite Prem and Maya but Prem says it is against Hindu culture and disappears from their life.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: India
Duration: 139 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 83%
Mississippi Masala (1991)
Plot Summary:
An Indian family is expelled from Uganda when Idi Amin takes power. They move to Mississippi and time passes. The Indian daughter falls in love with a black man, and the respective families have to come to terms with it.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: romantic, light, talky, realistic, touching, serious, sexy, emotional, sex comedy, multicultural
Similar in 78%
The Request (2010)
Plot Summary:
Ethan, a magician rendered paralyzed in an accident, sets off a furor when he makes a petition to the court to end his own life.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: India
Duration: 126 min
Plot tags: touching, sentimental, uplifting, thought provoking, emotional, contemplative, captivating, inspirational, romantic, offbeat
Similar in 90%
Before the Rains (2007)
Plot Summary:
Set in southern India in the late 1930s, this provocative tale traces the story of three people caught in an inexorable web of forbidden romance and dangerous secrets. After a British spice planter falls in love with his alluring servant, an idealistic young man finds himself torn between his ambitions and his family, his village and his past.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, History, Romance, Thriller
Country: USA, India, UK
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, sentimental, disturbing, romantic, suspense, costume drama, serious, realistic, crying
Similar in 81%
As Long as I Live (2012)
Plot Summary:
An ex-army man, leading a double life in London, must choose between his wife and muse. Jab Tak Hai Jaan movie is a love triangle,and also marks the return of Yash Chopra as a director after eight years. In Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Shahrukh Khan plays the character of Samar who is an angry, unforgiving, with loads of emotional baggage. His role will span two ages, one in his late twenties as a musician based in London and the other at an older age as an introverted, composed, dutiful army officer in Kashmir. Katrina as Meera play as a seductress, an unattainable beauty. And Anushka as Akira who is 21 year old and works for Discovery Channel and makes documentaries.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 58000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: India
Duration: 198 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, emotional, romantic, serious, entertaining, sad, scenic, fast, cute
Similar in 88%
The Playboys (1992)
Plot Summary:
A young woman, Tara Maguire (Robin Wright) scandalizes her provincial Irish village in the 1950s by having a baby out of a wedlock, and refusing to name the father. She has a rare beauty and every man in town desires her, especially Sergeant Hegarty (Albert Finney). The arrival of a dramatic troupe stirs things up even more, especially when she falls in love with one f the "Playboys", Tom Casey (Aidan Quinn).
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, UK, Ireland
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic, sentimental, sincere, captivating, independent film
Similar in 76%
The Sleeping Dictionary (2003)
Plot Summary:
A young Englishman is dispatched to Sarawak to become part of the British colonial government. He encounters some unorthodox local traditions, and finds himself faced with tough decisions of the heart involving the beautiful Selima, the unwitting object of his affections.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, Germany, USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: romantic, sexy, erotic, scenic, captivating, serious, period piece, fairy tale, touching, art film
Similar in 83%
Love's Kitchen (2011)
Plot Summary:
Rob Haley (Dougray Scott), an up-and-coming chef and restaurateur in London, is grief-stricken when he loses his wife. With encouragement from his infamous friend and real life TV Chef Gordon Ramsay, Rob decides to spice up his life by turning a run-down country pub into a gourmet restaurant. His food catches the eye - and taste buds - of beautiful American food critic Kate Templeton (Claire Forlani) and they soon both write a recipe for love that leaves both their hearts - and their stomachs - in full.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, feel good, humorous, semi serious, culinary, realistic
Similar in 87%
Sweet November (2001)
Plot Summary:
Nelson is a man devoted to his advertising career in San Francisco. One day, while taking a driving test at the DMV, he meets Sara. She is very different from the other women in his life. Nelson causes her to miss out on taking the test and later that day she tracks him down. One thing leads to another and Nelson ends up living with her through a November that will change his life forever.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 94000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: romantic, touching, sentimental, sad, emotional, sexy, realistic, tear jerker, thought provoking, romantic drama
Similar in 88%
Like Water for Chocolate (1992)
Plot Summary:
Tita is passionately in love with Pedro, but her controlling mother forbids her from marrying him. When Pedro marries her sister, Tita throws herself into her cooking and discovers she can transfer her emotions through the food she prepares, infecting all who eat it with her intense heartbreak.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 19000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Mexico
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: touching, sentimental, compassionate, romantic, sweet, emotional, melancholic, intense, atmospheric, sensual
Similar in 85%
Fire (1996)
Plot Summary:
In a barren, arranged marriage to an amateur swami who seeks enlightenment through celibacy, Radha's life takes an irresistible turn when her beautiful young sister-in-law seeks to free herself from the confines of her own loveless marriage.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Canada, India
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: touching, controversial, sexy, romantic, offbeat, art house, art film, sincere, serious, realistic
Similar in 79%
A Walk in the Clouds (1995)
Plot Summary:
World War II vet Paul Sutton falls for a pregnant and unwed woman who persuades him -- during their first encounter -- to pose as her husband so she can face her family.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 36000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, Mexico
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: romantic, touching, realistic, sentimental, uplifting, sweet, tear jerker, emotional, epic, cult classic
Similar in 89%
Bride & Prejudice (2004)
Plot Summary:
A Bollywood update of Jane Austen's classic tale, in which Mrs. Bakshi is eager to find suitable husbands for her four unmarried daughters. When the rich single gentlemen Balraj and Darcy come to visit, the Bakshis have high hopes, though circumstance and boorish opinions threaten to get in the way of romance.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 22000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: UK, USA, India, France
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: romantic, feel good, light, romantic comedy, scenic, colorful, humorous, funny, inspirational, happy
Similar in 90%
Chocolat (2000)
Plot Summary:
A fable of emotional liberation and chocolate. A mother and daughter move to a small French town where they open a chocolate shop. The town, religious and morally strict, is against them as they represent free-thinking and indulgence. When a group of Boat Gypsies float down the river the prejudices of the Mayor leads to a crisis.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 199000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 121 min
Plot tags: feel good, romantic, sentimental, sweet, fairy tale, romantic comedy, period piece, melancholic, art film, inspirational
Similar in 79%
Straight from the Heart (1999)
Plot Summary:
Indian-based traditional family of Pundit Darbar (Vikram Gokhale) gets a visit from Sameer Rafilini (Salman Khan), from Italy, who has come as a pupil to learn music and singing. Darbar and his family accept him. Sameer meets Nandini (Aishwarya Rai), Darbar's daughter, and both fall in love. But Darbar wants Nandini to wed Vanraj (Ajay Devgan), and has Sameer swear that he will leave India.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 20000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Musical, Romance
Country: India, Hungary
Duration: 188 min
Plot tags: sentimental, realistic, romantic, touching, humorous, semi serious, entertaining, sad, crying, mesmerizing
Similar in 86%
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995)
Plot Summary:
Raj is a rich, carefree, happy-go-lucky second generation NRI. Simran is the daughter of Chaudhary Baldev Singh, who in spite of being an NRI is very strict about adherence to Indian values. Simran has left for India to be married to her childhood fiancé. Raj leaves for India with a mission at his hands, to claim his lady love under the noses of her whole family. Thus begins a saga.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 75000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: India
Duration: 189 min
Plot tags: romantic, touching, entertaining, feel good, sentimental, humorous, semi serious, light, sincere, captivating
Similar in 77%
The Choice (2016)
Plot Summary:
Travis and Gabby first meet as neighbors in a small coastal town and wind up in a relationship that is tested by life's most defining events.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 45000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: romantic, touching, emotional, sweet, scenic, sentimental, serious, realistic, tear jerker, romantic comedy
Similar in 85%
The Notebook (2004)
Plot Summary:
An epic love story centered around an older man who reads aloud to a woman with Alzheimer's. From a faded notebook, the old man's words bring to life the story about a couple who is separated by World War II, and is then passionately reunited, seven years later, after they have taken different paths.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 605000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 123 min
Plot tags: touching, romantic, emotional, sentimental, sweet, sad, tear jerker, inspirational, motivational, feel good
Similar in 85%
Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
Plot Summary:
A sweeping romantic epic set in Japan in the years before World War II, a penniless Japanese child is torn from her family to work as a maid in a geisha house.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 158000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, Japan, France
Duration: 145 min
Plot tags: romantic, sentimental, captivating, dramatic, stylized, serious, touching, emotional, atmospheric, costume drama
Similar in 75%
The Lunchbox (2013)
Plot Summary:
A mistaken delivery in Mumbai's famously efficient lunchbox delivery system (Mumbai's Dabbawallahs) connects a young housewife to a stranger in the dusk of his life. They build a fantasy world together through notes in the lunchbox. Gradually, this fantasy threatens to overwhelm their reality.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 60000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: India, France, Germany, USA, Canada
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: realistic, touching, light, melancholic, sweet, heartbreaking, emotional, serious, romantic, independent film