Best movies like The River Within
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Jason returns home to get away while he studies for the upcoming bar exam. After visiting his oldest friend, a "coulda-been-girlfriend" who is now engaged, and a pushy preacher, his easygoing summer becomes filled with unwanted drama. Over the few months he's there, he begins to question what life is about, and what is his purpose in it? Written by Barley.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 205
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, inspirational, independent film, crying
Best tv shows and movies like The River Within (2009):
Similar in 80%
Beyond the Farthest Star (2015)
Plot Summary:
A twist of fate brings the national spotlight to a forgotten Texas town and a once famous preacher has an opportunity to regain his former glory or seize one last chance to restore his fractured family. Narrated by his fifteen-year-old daughter, Beyond the Farthest Star tells the story of Pastor Adam Wells, a minister driven by the prospect of achieving greatness as the next nationally syndicated TV Evangelist who must decide whether to give up his opportunity at “celebrity” and, even his own life, in order to become something even greater… A loving husband and father to his wife and daughter.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 291
Genere: Drama, Family, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: serious, emotional, realistic, suspenseful, christian film, independent film
Similar in 88%
Before We Say Goodbye (2010)
Plot Summary:
This is a milestone film that creates bridges of understanding between cultures, with its insightful and intimate portrayal of Hispanic-American life. It is a story about Ramona Garcia, a Hispanic-American mother of four grown children who works hard to keep her family together and who never loses faith, even when it appears that her husband, Carlos, may soon die. And it is about Carlos, a good man who has lived a good life with nothing to regret, and who is filled with peace as he wraps up his affairs with dignity, courage and grace.
IMDB Rating: 8.3
IMDB Votes: 106
Genere: Drama, Family, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, emotional, realistic, hispanic
Similar in 83%
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 86%
Higher Ground (2011)
Plot Summary:
Vera Farmiga's directorial debut, HIGHER GROUND, depicts the landscape of a tight-knit spiritual community thrown off-kilter when one of their own begins to question her faith. Inspired by screenwriter Carolyn S. Briggs' memoir This Dark World, the film tells the story of a thoughtful woman's struggles with belief, love, and trust - in human relationships as well as in God.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, atmospheric, serious, realistic, aesthetic, independent film
Similar in 90%
Standing Firm (2010)
Plot Summary:
David, a widower, is working himself to death. Late nights doing paperwork and running on fumes is normal. Bills are piling up by the week, and foreclosure looms on the horizon. Blaming God for his wife's death, he ends his relationship with the church. Steven, the remaining Christian of the household, has been watching his father's unhealthy lifestyle with great concern. With help from his grandpa and best friend Maggie, Steven reaches out to his father in any way he can. Despite his grieving and worsening financial problems, David begins seeking an answer to the question haunting him since his wife's death...WHY? STANDING FIRM is a story of suffering, God's purpose in it, and being joyful despite it.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 230
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 81 min
Plot tags: christian film, serious, realistic, sentimental, touching
Similar in 84%
The Letter Writer (2011)
Plot Summary:
When a teenager receives a mysterious letter in the mail, she sets out to find the author. It's a journey that will change her life forever.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: touching, humorous, realistic, semi serious, inspirational, road movie
Similar in 85%
Welcome to Paradise (2007)
Plot Summary:
When big-city preacher Debbie Laramie (Crystal Bernard) moves to the small town of Paradise with her son Hayden (Bobby Edner), she finds the local community unreceptive to her message of love and forgiveness. Determined to get through to her stubborn congregation, Debbie uses unique methods to shake the churchgoers out of their indifference, such as inviting a homeless man to sing during one of the services. Brian Dennehy co-stars.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 452
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: realistic, uplifting, inspirational, captivating, touching, serious
Similar in 83%
The Maldonado Miracle (2003)
Plot Summary:
A story about a small, dying town in need of hope until one day a young boy gives them something to believe in.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 492
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, serious, realistic, feel good
Similar in 81%
Christmas at Maxwell's (2006)
Plot Summary:
A successful American family retreat to their summer home on the banks of Lake Erie to find meaning in life, illness, loss, and change this Christmas. With a successful career in the wine business, and two amazing children, what more can a family ask for. But this Christmas will change the Austin family forever with Suzie falling ill. With Andrew struggling over his wife's ill health and the children trying to find peace and solace on their own, only a miracle can help them through this Christmas.
IMDB Rating: 4.3
IMDB Votes: 124
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: uplifting, sentimental, sincere, touching, independent film, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 76%
The Lost & Found Family (2009)
Plot Summary:
When her husband dies, Mrs. Ester Hobbes (Ellen Bry, TV's St. Elsewhere) learns that his wealth was just an illusion. Her only real inheritance is a run-down Southern home occupied by a foster family. Slowly, Mrs. Hobbes finds herself making unexpected connections with rebellious teen Justin (Lucas Till, Hannah Montana: The Movie) and the rest of the unwanted kids. Share the journey of discovery in this touching drama of lives transformed.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 329
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: christian film, sentimental, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, indie film
Similar in 87%
Johnny (2010)
Plot Summary:
When Dr. Drew Carter tragically loses his ten-year old son in a car accident, he didn’t expect to lose his whole family as well. Since the accident, his wife (Julia) has become emotionally absent towards him and their daughter. When Johnny, a terminally ill foster child with leukemia, is referred to Drew he sees a chance to heal his family. With Julia against the idea, Drew takes matters into his own hands and adopts Johnny. Johnny doesn’t know what he is in for, but believes he is here for a special mission.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 393
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: realistic, christian film, psychological, sentimental, touching, captivating, contemplative, serious
Similar in 84%
The Grace Card (2010)
Plot Summary:
Everything can change in an instant ... and take a lifetime to unravel. When Mac McDonald loses his son in an accident, the ensuing 17 years of bitterness and pain erodes his love for his family and leaves him angry with God ... and just about everyone else. Mac's rage stonewalls his career in the police department and makes for a combustible situation when he's partnered with Sam Wright, a rising star on the force who happens to be a part-time pastor and a loving family man. Can they somehow join forces to help one another when it's impossible for either of them to look past their differences-especially the most obvious one? Every day, we have the opportunity to rebuild relationships and heal deep wounds by extending and receiving God's grace. Offer THE GRACE CARD ... and never underestimate the power of God's love.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: christian film, touching, uplifting, serious, emotional, realistic, inspirational, biblical, crying, contemplative
Similar in 84%
Flying Lessons (2010)
Plot Summary:
With her life at a crossroads, 25 year old Sophie Conway returns home to the small town she always wanted to forget. Once home, she is faced with the friends and lovers she left behind, a tangled relationship with her Mother, and Harry Pleasant, an Alzheimer's Disease patient who, in an opposing way, shares Sophie's struggle to remember.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 441
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, realistic, serious, inspirational
Similar in 78%
The Wise Kids (2011)
Plot Summary:
A vivid, dynamic Southern coming-of-age drama, takes place in the transitional space between high school and college, when life seems to be all questions and no answers, and the future is scarily wide open. Set in and around a Charleston, SC Baptist church, weaving through this ensemble piece are three main characters - Brea, an introspective pastor's daughter experiencing debilitating doubt, the hyperactive Laura, Brea's best friend and a devout believer, and Tim, the open-hearted son of a single father, confronting his homosexuality for the first time. Tensions and buried feelings abound, as colleges are chosen and adults behave badly, as Brea, Laura and Tim attempt to hang onto what they have, all the while yearning to break free.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic, contemplative, sexual, christian film, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 82%
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 78%
The Black Tulip (2010)
Plot Summary:
The Mansouri family opens up a new restaurant after the fall of the Taliban in Kabul, Afghanistan only to be subsequently targeted by factional Taliban elements.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 112
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: sentimental, serious, emotional, realistic, islamic, contemplative, independent film
Similar in 75%
The Way Home (2010)
Plot Summary:
An inspirational true story about how a rural community rallied around a distraught family to search for their missing two year-old boy and through doing so changed the lives of many of those involved.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 816
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, christian film, uplifting, emotional, serious, realistic
Similar in 80%
Louder Than Words (2013)
Plot Summary:
After the unexpected death of their daughter, a couple work to build a state of the art children's hospital where families are welcomed into the healing process.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: touching, emotional, sentimental, serious, captivating, realistic, uplifting
Similar in 84%
Taliesin Jones (2000)
Plot Summary:
Not quite a religious film, not quite a coming-of-age story, not quite a kiddie flick, and not quite a supernatural horror movie, Taliesin Jones's identity crisis nonetheless reveals a sweet examination of one child and his thoughts on God.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 263
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: touching, sentimental, serious, realistic, independent film
Similar in 82%
The Sound of the Spirit (2012)
Plot Summary:
Beautiful and precocious Rivka is a twelve-year-old Jewish girl who believes in Jesus. She and her father attend a Messianic Jewish congregation in their community. But when her father suddenly dies, Rivka's life changes forever. She ends up moving in with her traditional Jewish relatives and attending their synagogue. From her stormy relationship with her uncle, to a meeting with the synagogue’s senior rabbi, to the attention of the cutest boy in the synagogue, Rivka learns life lessons that stir her faith to new levels, touching the hearts of those whose lives she has reluctantly impacted. "The Sound of the Spirit" is the never-before-told story of a young girl caught in the crossfire of strong feelings between two faith communities. It’s told with humor, compassion, and grace.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 158
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 129 min
Plot tags: serious, touching, realistic, emotional, christian film, independent film
Similar in 85%
Spin (2003)
Plot Summary:
"Spin" tells the story of a boy who loses his parents in a plane crash, is taken in by his uncle (Tucci), who then leaves him for ten years in the care of his Hispanic ranch hand (Blades) and his wife (Delany). Once in high school, Eddie (Merriman) reconnects with a girl from his past (Garces), and their growing interracial relationship teaches the sometimes-sullen Eddie to think of others before himself.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 537
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, independent film
Similar in 87%
Charlie & Me (2008)
Plot Summary:
When her beloved grandfather Charlie suddenly falls ill, twelve year-old Casey finds herself making some life or death decisions - and learning to live with the consequences.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 248
Genere: Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: uplifting, feel good, sentimental, touching, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 78%
Lebanon, Pa. (2010)
Plot Summary:
Will, a charming 35-year-old Philadelphia ad man, heads to Lebanon, Pa. to bury his recently deceased father. He forms an unexpected friendship with CJ, his bright, newly pregnant 17-year-old cousin. As Will becomes interested in CJ's married teacher and CJ confronts her conflicted father, both struggle with formidable decisions about the path their lives will take. Can we vault our differences and meet in the middle? This bittersweet comic drama tenderly explores the cultural divide in America through the lives of one extended family.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 584
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: realistic, sentimental, psychological, captivating, sincere, clever, touching, serious, independent film
Similar in 85%
Heaven Is for Real (2014)
Plot Summary:
Heaven is for Real recounts the true story of a small-town father who must find the courage and conviction to share his son's extraordinary, life-changing experience with the world. Four-year-old Colton shares the details of his amazing journey with childlike innocence and speaks matter-of-factly about things that happened before his birth... things he couldn't possibly know.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 28000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Family
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: christian film, inspirational, touching, sentimental, emotional, uplifting, realistic, serious, spiritual, factual
Similar in 79%
Desert Bloom (1986)
Plot Summary:
The story involves Rose Chismore's youth. She flashes back and remembers her coming-of-age. Her recollections are sometimes less than sweet, particularly those of her troubled and alcoholic step-father. Her memories of Robin, her first-love, are much happier and she also recalls her colorful Aunt Starr -- who's visit is fun but also detrimental to her family's health. The setting of 1950s Las Vegas' bomb testing is increasingly significant to the development of the story.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Family, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, emotional, sincere, serious, realistic, light, thought provoking, enigmatic, feel good
Similar in 89%
Love Finds A Home (2009)
Plot Summary:
In this sequel, Lillian has been adopted and it's several years later. Annie, married and pregnant, visits her fellow doctor friend, Dr. Owen. Dr Owen desperately wants a baby, but seems unable to become pregnant. Lillian finds a love interest, an assistant to her adoptive dad, the latter has become quite overprotective.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Family, Western
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: sentimental, realistic, touching, serious, emotional, historical romance, uplifting, period drama
Similar in 83%
Tully (2000)
Plot Summary:
Tully Jr. and Earl live on their father's Nebraska ranch, proud and independent to a fault. While the shy, reclusive Earl spends his free time watching movies, the cockier Tully works his way through a succession of short-term affairs and an off-again, on-again relationship with April, a stripper in town. When their childhood friend Ella returns to town to start a veterinary practice, however, Tully falls for her -- although the townsfolk have their doubts that he could ever commit to one woman.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: emotional, sentimental, touching, serious, independent film, realistic, romantic, social, sincere, thought provoking
Similar in 78%
Face (2002)
Plot Summary:
Genie, a Chinese-American teenager, develops feelings for a charming African-American DJ, but her grandmother forbids their romance forcing Genie to choose between family and love.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 350
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, emotional, sentimental, serious, realistic, contemplative
Similar in 86%
My Father My Lord (2007)
Plot Summary:
"My Father My Lord" is an intimate and deeply disturbing story of the conflict between a father's love and his deep devotion to religion. A respected Orthodox Rabbi dotes on his only son but his religious strictures leave an emotional gap between the impish child and the stern father. When the father's all-consuming obsession with observing religious ritual inadvertently leads to tragedy, his previously subservient wife rages against both her husband and God. A dramatic retelling of the story of Abraham.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 492
Genere: Drama
Country: Israel
Duration: 72 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, touching, emotional, captivating, sad, thought provoking, serious, realistic, contemplative
Similar in 85%
The Spitfire Grill (1996)
Plot Summary:
Percy, upon being released from prison, goes to the small town of Gillead, to find a place where she can start over again. She is taken in by Hannah, to help out at her place, the Spitfire Grill. Percy brings change to the small town, stirring resentment and fear in some, and growth in others.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: christian film, sentimental, touching, emotional, serious, realistic, gloomy, crying, tear jerker, inspirational