Best movies like Vacationland
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Filmmaker Todd Verow revisits his own youth for his latest work. The film's main character is Joe, who, like the director, grew up in Bangor in Maine. Joe, an 18 year old high school senior who longs to move away from poor white trash roots and this town, and dreams of attending art school, lives with his single mother and older sister Theresa on a notorious council estate called "Capehart Projects". Molested at the age of ten, Joe nevertheless decides to keep the incident to himself. He befriends an elderly disabled artist named Victor who hires him as houseboy/model. Joe moves in with Victor in his loft above the local opera house, hoping to escape Bangor with his help. He also works part time at a local market along with his sister, who wants to get out of town as much as he does. For most of high school, Joe has also had a crush on his best friend, Andrew, who plays on the high school football team.
IMDB Rating: 5.0
IMDB Votes: 675
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, touching, disturbing, independent film, sexual, sexy, queer cinema
Best tv shows and movies like Vacationland (2006):
Similar in 82%
Twisted Romance (2008)
Plot Summary:
Roberto is a bored young man living in the suburbs of Buenos Aires who begins a relationship with an older man named Raúl. Their romance takes a disturbing turn after Raúl catches Roberto with another man and turns increasingly abusive.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 271
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Argentina
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, suspenseful, disturbing, crying
Similar in 83%
White Frog (2012)
Plot Summary:
Story of a neglected teen with mild Asperger’s syndrome whose life is changed forever when tragedy hits his family.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Mystery, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, emotional, realistic, independent film, feel good, queer cinema
Similar in 76%
The Toilers and the Wayfarers (1995)
Plot Summary:
Phillip and Dieter nearly suffocate hiding their sexual identity in the face of puritanical small town values. Joined by a mysterious German relative, the three misfits escape to the big city searching for a place to belong.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 552
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 76 min
Plot tags: erotic, independent film, sincere, rough, touching, serious, realistic, contemplative, sexual, sexy
Similar in 82%
Bad Boy Street (2012)
Plot Summary:
Two men embark on an unconventional romance in Todd Verow's sexy Parisian-set drama. Claude finds a young man passed out in the street and, taking pity on him, decides to take him to his apartment to safely sleep. Awakening the next morning, the sexy stranger soon makes a play for his forty-something host, kick-starting a passionate romance. But will the chance meeting develop into more than just lust or will the pair's differences drive them apart? An accomplished, serious and very modern gay romance.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, sincere, captivating, lgbt cinema, parody, crying, independent film, queer cinema, bilingual
Similar in 81%
Back Soon (2007)
Plot Summary:
Back Soon is a story of love, loss, identity and hope. It follows the relationship between aspiring actor Logan Foster and reformed drug dealer Gil Ramirez, two men who find themselves inexplicably drawn together despite their disparate backgrounds, and the fact that they both regarded themselves as straight. However, their bond is soon threatened by Gil's mysterious past and a startling revelation about the true nature of their connection. Neither man is prepared for this, nor the impact it will have on their lives.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 865
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 83 min
Plot tags: sexy, realistic, psychological, captivating, emotional, touching, serious, independent film, sexual, hispanic
Similar in 83%
Mixed Kebab (2012)
Plot Summary:
Ibrahim chooses to fall for young and handsome Kevin over marrying his cute but expensive cousin Elif while kid brother Furkan converts to Islamic fundamentalism.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Belgium
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, serious, realistic, lgbt cinema, homoerotic, queer cinema, gay cinema
Similar in 75%
The Graffiti Artist (2004)
Plot Summary:
Adrift in the lush, nocturnal urban landscape of THE GRAFFITI ARTIST, Nick (Ruben Bansie-Snellman) is a post-modern urban hero asserting his anarchistic agenda on the endless maze of virgin exterior walls that comprise downtown Seattle and Portland. For this iconoclastic young visionary, the vast wall surfaces of deserted alleys and train yards are at once a daunting symbol of capitalist oppression and a texturally rich, seamless tableau ripe for exploitation to amplify his artistic dialectic of anger and rebellion.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 803
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 80 min
Plot tags: sincere, atmospheric, serious, realistic, erotic, contemplative, independent film, queer cinema
Similar in 89%
Harry + Max (2004)
Plot Summary:
Two brothers, 23 and 16, who are both teen idols, come to terms with their dysfunctional family past and deep affection for each other.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 74 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, captivating, emotional, erotic, sexy, sincere, realistic, contemplative, gloomy
Similar in 90%
Lost in Paradise (2011)
Plot Summary:
Khoi, a naive twenty-year-old, travels to Ho Chi Minh City from the countryside to begin a new life. It's his first time in the big city and he's looking for a place to live. He befriends Dong, a handsome extrovert who offers to share his apartment. When Khoi goes to check the place out, he meets Lam, who also appears to be living there. Khoi decides to stay, but while he showers, Dong and Lam - who turn out to be boyfriends - run off with all his cash and belongings.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 748
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Vietnam
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, emotional, realistic, gloomy, queer cinema
Similar in 86%
Like a Brother (2005)
Plot Summary:
Sebastien is a small town boy who moves to Paris and begins to explore the gay night life there. When a friend from back home calls to announce he's coming to Paris, Sebastien confronts some unrequited feelings.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: France
Duration: 54 min
Plot tags: homoerotic, serious, emotional, realistic, sexual, touching, erotic, lgbt cinema, independent film, sexy
Similar in 83%
Boys (2014)
Plot Summary:
BOYS tells the story of Sieger, a sporty, rather quiet 15-year-old boy who discovers love during the summer holidays. Sieger is training in the new athletics team for the national relay championships and meets the intriguing and unpredictable Marc. The friendship that develops seems nothing out of the ordinary, but Sieger secretly harbours stronger feelings for Marc. He engages in a lonely struggle with himself when it emerges that Marc is also in love with him.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 16000
Genere: Drama, Romance, Sport
Country: Netherlands
Duration: 78 min
Plot tags: touching, realistic, sentimental, lgbt cinema, captivating, disturbing, sexy, independent film, sexual, cute
Similar in 90%
Blue Citrus Hearts (2003)
Plot Summary:
A first love could quite possibly be the last for Sam, a Memphis teenager coming to terms with the romantic feelings he harbors for his best friend, Julian. Will the love he feels for this boy guide him through his struggles with his abusive father, ignorant girlfriend, and suicidal thoughts -- or will the conflict that his love for Julian stirs throughout his life prove to be more than one boy can handle?.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 315
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, atmospheric, touching, serious, realistic, contemplative, gloomy, crying, independent film
Similar in 77%
Redwoods (2009)
Plot Summary:
Both original and incredibly romantic, Redwoods tells the story of an already-partnered man whose love is tested when a mysterious drifter passes through his small Northern California town.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 82 min
Plot tags: realistic, touching, emotional, serious, lgbt cinema, sexual, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 84%
Between Something & Nothing (2008)
Plot Summary:
BETWEEN SOMETHING & NOTHING is based on filmmaker Todd Verow’s experiences at Rhode Island School of Design. After being accepted into a prestigious New England art school, sexy small-town JOE and townie mastermind JENNIFER quickly join forces. They are determined to succeed on a campus over-populated with jaded mega-rich kids awash in trust funds, abortions and drugs galore.
IMDB Rating: 4.9
IMDB Votes: 351
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, independent film, captivating, suspenseful, erotic, sexual, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 81%
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 80%
Five Dances (2013)
Plot Summary:
FIVE DANCES, written and directed by Alan Brown, is a creatively adventurous narrative feature film set in the New York 'downtown' modern dance world. The story follows the rocky emotional journey of an 18-year old dancer (the amazing Ryan Steele) with talent to burn, who must choose between his responsibility to his broken family in the Midwest, and forging a life and career for himself. The film features five of New York's most gifted dancers acting on film for the very first time, and performing the choreography of internationally acclaimed choreographer Jonah Bokaer.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Music, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 83 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, touching, realistic, heartbreaking, lgbt cinema, sexual, independent film, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 78%
Jitters (2010)
Plot Summary:
An unexpected first kiss causes Gabriel to feel the electrifying "jitters" of love and lust with the free-spirited Marcus; a perfect way to end a Summer studying abroad. Realizing he is gay, Gabriel returns home and is immediately scrutinized by his family and friends who notice he’s different. But as the school year launches with Gabriel distracted with parties and his friends’ own dramas, Marcus returns, reigniting the hot, thrilling emotions of one’s first crush. Jitters fires head-first into the topsy-turvy world of first love with an attractive cast and pulsating soundtrack, making it a smartly refreshing journey into the queer, teen experience.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Iceland
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, emotional, realistic, queer cinema
Similar in 84%
Shelter (2007)
Plot Summary:
Forced to give up his dreams of art school, Zach works dead-end jobs to support his sister and her son. Questioning his life, he paints, surfs and hangs out with his best friend, Gabe. When Gabe's older brother returns home for the summer, Zach suddenly finds himself drawn into a relationship he didn't expect.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 24000
Genere: Drama, Romance, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: touching, sexy, romantic, sweet, sincere, realistic, emotional, lgbt cinema, romantic drama, erotic
Similar in 87%
Sugar (2004)
Plot Summary:
Cliff has just turned 18 and his little sister has a gift for him: booze, a joint, a subway token and the command to have sex. Heading out on the town, Cliff finds friendship -- and more -- in the person of a young hustler named Butch. But Butch's dark side, along with a growing drug problem, leaves suburban family boy Cliff fearing for their future in this gay coming-of-age tale.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Canada
Duration: 78 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, sexual, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 84%
The Way He Looks (2014)
Plot Summary:
Leonardo is a blind teenager dealing with an overprotective mother while trying to live a more independent life. To the disappointment of his best friend, Giovana, he plans to go on an exchange program abroad. When Gabriel, a new student in town, arrives at their classroom, new feelings blossom in Leonardo making him question his plans.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 27000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Brazil
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: touching, cute, romantic, sweet, sexual, serious, realistic, lgbt cinema, romantic drama, spectacular
Similar in 81%
Romeos (2011)
Plot Summary:
Lukas, 20, is a prisoner in his own body. As a pre-op transgendered person, he is constantly finding himself trapped in uncomfortable, compromising positions. His best friend, Ine introduces him to the gay scene in Cologne where he meets the confident and gorgeous, Fabio. The two develop a romantic relationship that tests the boundaries of love. ROMEOS forgoes stereotypes and conventions to offer an honest and humorous examination of the most basic of human conditions: friendship, sex, and love.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Germany
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: emotional, touching, serious, realistic, suspenseful, lgbt cinema, crying, sincere, sexual, sexy
Similar in 76%
Tan Lines (2005)
Plot Summary:
Cute teen Midget Hollow wanders through life riding big waves and partying with surfer boys. When Midget's best friend's gay brother Cass arrives on the scene, the two quickly dive head first into a clandestine sea of sexual awakening.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Australia
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, touching, serious, offbeat, realistic, sexual, homoerotic, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 80%
The Journey of Jared Price (2000)
Plot Summary:
"The Journey of Jared Price" is a gay-themed coming-of-age 2000 film written, produced and directed by Academy Award winner Dustin Lance Black. Black won the Oscar award for Best Original Screenplay for "Milk". The Journey of Jared Price was Black's first feature film. A hustler for a roommate, a wealthy Hollywood executive for a boss, a lonely blind woman and a loveable new best friend make "The Journey of Jared Price" an adventure you will never forget. Jared Price is a small town boy who arrives in Hollywood with a few hundred bucks and a lifetime of dreams. See how he handles each situation he gets into and grows in his understanding of who he is. When what he thinks is his first love turns out to be false, see how he is helped and given the strength to stay in L.A. and try again. This film will remind you that love is worth waiting for and that there is always hope.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, touching, emotional, erotic, serious, realistic, sexual, independent film, sexy
Similar in 77%
You Are Not Alone (1978)
Plot Summary:
Young teenager Bo (Anders Agensø) is too sensitive for the hothouse atmosphere of a boarding school run by a cold, unfeeling would-be man of the cloth (an uncharacteristically grim Ove Sprogøe). Lonely and scared, he finds a soul mate in the headmaster's son (Peter Bjerg) and the two boys form a bond that slowly grows into a sexual relationship. Frank and unadorned, this Danish film concluded director Lasse Nielsen's youth-oriented trilogy that began with La' Os Være (1975) and continued with Måske Ku' Vi (1976). ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Denmark
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, erotic, serious, realistic, sexy, art house, grindhouse, romantic drama, sexual
Similar in 85%
Monster Pies (2013)
Plot Summary:
Mike has felt alienated and alone for as long as he can remember, until a new boy arrives at his school - awakening feelings and a world of possibilities he'd never before dared to dream of.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA, Australia
Duration: 85 min
Plot tags: realistic, touching, serious, psychological, captivating, lgbt cinema, cute, independent film, queer cinema
Similar in 84%
Rock Haven (2007)
Plot Summary:
The coastal California community of Rock Haven is the perfect place for cute eighteen-year-old Brady and his loving mother to begin a fresh start. Their mission: to spread the word of the Lord. But while roaming the beach one day, Brady meets Clifford, a young man who is the complete opposite of him: outgoing and athletic as well as incredibly handsome. Their initial encounter stirs up feelings of homo desire that Brady has been suppressing. Once Clifford makes it clear that their attraction is mutual, Brady's conflicting feelings of religious obligation and natural impulse go into overdrive, and the two young men must navigate their confusion, lust and beliefs in order to come to a mutual understanding.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: Canada
Duration: 78 min
Plot tags: psychological, sincere, touching, serious, sensual, realistic, contemplative, sexual, crying, sexy
Similar in 85%
Watercolors (2008)
Plot Summary:
Carter, a troubled teen stays with a friend of his dads and starts flirting with her son Danny. After the weekend school returns, however Carter a school jock tells Danny he does not want to be seen with him at school. Their relationship grows outside school hours though & soon enough Danny falls in love with Carter & after Danny is attacked romance ensures, but can it last.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: touching, sincere, emotional, serious, art house, realistic, sexual, sexy, queer cinema
Similar in 77%
Dream Boy (2008)
Plot Summary:
The story of Nathan, a young teenager who tries to flourish in a romantic relationship with neighbour Roy. The two young men will have to face the brutal reality of the rural south of the United States in the late 1970s.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: touching, sincere, sentimental, serious, realistic, lgbt cinema, sexy, gothic, art house, independent film
Similar in 87%
Edge of Seventeen (1998)
Plot Summary:
A gay teenager finds out who he is and what he wants, who his friends are, and who loves him, in this autobiographical tale set in middle U.S. in the 1980s. Growing up, learning about life, love, sex, friends, and lovers.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: teen, independent film, touching, realistic, sexual, crying, lgbt cinema, avant garde, sentimental, sincere
Similar in 75%
The Mudge Boy (2003)
Plot Summary:
Duncan Mudge, mid-teens, lives apart from his rural world populated by his distant father and rough local kids. His main companionship is a chicken left after his mother's death until the neighbor's son befriends him.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: disturbing, touching, serious, emotional, controversial, lgbt cinema, sad, art house, realistic, contemplative