Best movies like Xuan Zang
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Buddhism-themed Chinese-Indian historical adventure film based on Xuanzang's seventeen-year overland journey to India during the Tang dynasty in the seventh century. Xuan Zang (c. 602 - 664), was a Chinese Buddhist monk, scholar, traveler, and translator who described the interaction between China and India in the early Tang dynasty. From boyhood, he took to reading religious books, including the Chinese classics and the writings of ancient sages. He later travelled throughout China in search of sacred books of Buddhism. Subsequently, he developed the desire to visit India. This is when he became famous for his seventeen-year overland journey to India, which is recorded in detail in the classic Chinese text Great Tang Records on the Western Regions.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 496
Genere: Biography, History
Country: China, India
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: psychological, thought provoking, captivating
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My People, My Country (2019)
Plot Summary:
Anthology of short films directed by several different directors.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: China
Duration: 154 min
Plot tags: anthology, realistic, suspenseful, experimental, contemplative
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Sri Siddhartha Gautama (2013)
Plot Summary:
Sri Siddhartha Gautama is a Sinhala movie released on 24 January, 2013. The movie is directed by Saman Weeraman and featured Anchal Singh and Gagan Malik as lead characters.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 261
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Sri Lanka
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: sinhala, spiritual
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Yuli: The Carlos Acosta Story (2018)
Plot Summary:
Yuli is the nickname given to Carlos Acosta by his father, Pedro, who considers him the son of Ogun, an African god and a fighter. As a child Yuli avoids discipline and education, learning from the streets of an impoverished and abandoned Havana. His father, however, has other ideas, and knowing that his son has a natural talent for dance, sends him to the National Ballet School of Cuba. Despite his repeated escapes and initial poor behaviour, the boy is inevitably drawn to the world of dance, and begins to shape his legendary career from a young age, becoming the first black dancer to be cast in some of the most prestigious ballet roles, originally written for white dancers, in companies such as the Houston Ballet or the Royal Ballet in London.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Music
Country: Spain, Cuba, UK, Germany
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: psychological, thought provoking, captivating, disturbing, inspirational
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God's mighty servant (2011)
Plot Summary:
The story of Sister Pascalina Lehnert, who was the personal confidant and secretary to Pope Pius XII for forty years, when he was the papal nuncio in Germany, and then for his whole pontificate. The Pope had great confidence in her wisdom, energy, and loyalty, and she became known as "the most powerful woman in the history of the Vatican.".
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 86
Genere: Biography, History
Country: Germany
Duration: 180 min
Plot tags: psychological, sincere, captivating, christian film
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Berenshtein (2021)
Plot Summary:
The unbelievable story of Leonid Bernshtein, a young Jewish soldier who rose to become the leader and led the operation to destroy the secret facility of the notorious Nazi V2 ballistic missiles.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 409
Genere: Biography, History, War
Country: Israel
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, captivating, suspense, suspenseful, disturbing
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The Little Comrade (2018)
Plot Summary:
In the midst of Stalinist tyranny, six-year-old Leelo's mother is sent to a prison camp. Haunted by her mother's last words telling her to be a good kid, Leelo vows to be on her best behaviour in the confusing grown-up world in the hope that it will bring her mother back.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Estonia
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, suspense, disturbing
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A Dangerous Practice (2022)
Plot Summary:
Based on a true story. Arigo, an uneducated man, happily married, father of six, is chosen by a mysterious force to rise up as a spiritually and supernaturally gifted surgeon. Miraculously healing thousands of desperate people, he now faces the scorn of the medical profession and his beloved Catholic church. Charged with crimes against the people his future is uncertain. Arigo, a simple, caring and deeply loving man who never sought fame or fortune, and whose encounters with multitudes of people, rich and poor, resulted in extraordinary healings beyond the explanation of medical science. The contrasting worlds of small town life in Brazil, politics, the Church and a penetrating voyage into the unknown, are played against a story line exposing the vulnerability of the human condition in all its characteristics and an eventual triumph against accepted beliefs.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 214
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Brazil
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, disturbing, psychotronic, independent film
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A.L.Zh.I.R (2019)
Plot Summary:
The wife of the aircraft designer, Olga Pavlova, the head of the Moscow garment factory, and the wife of the director of the opera house, the famous Soviet opera singer Sofia Ter-Ashaturova, meet in the prison car of the train. Together they will go to Akmola camp of the wives of traitors of the Motherland, where there will be representatives of the most different strata of the population. Heroes will need strength of spirit and endurance to pass all the terrible ordeals on their way and remain human.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 32
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Russia
Duration:
Plot tags: psychological, thought provoking, captivating, suspense
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Persona Non Grata (2015)
Plot Summary:
The story of a Japanese diplomat, sometimes called the Schindler of Japan, and his life lading up to and after his decision to issue over 2,000 visas to Jewish refugees in Kaunas, Lithuania resulting in saving the lives of over 6,000 people. This is the story of a man who believed in doing all he could do for the benefit of his beloved Japan, including trying to keep her from becoming embroiled in a worldwide conflict he saw as inevitable. Along the way, he came face to face with the plight of the European Jews as they tried to escape the onslaught of the Nazi's and the rapidly advancing German army. Caught between the unbending policies of his country now bound by treaty with Nazi Germany and his awakening moral responsibilities, we follow his life from his early days in Manchuria to his eventual posting in Lithuania and his appointment with destiny which would forever brand him a hero.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 244
Genere: Adventure, Biography, History, War
Country: Japan, Poland, USA
Duration: 139 min
Plot tags: psychological, thought provoking, captivating, suspense, disturbing
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Coming Through the Rye (2015)
Plot Summary:
Coming Through the Rye, set in 1969, is a touching coming of age story of sensitive, 16 year old Jamie Schwartz, who is not the most popular kid at his all boys' boarding school. Disconnected from students and teachers, he believes he is destined to play Holden Caulfield, the main character of The Catcher in the Rye, and has adapted the book as a play.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, suspense, disturbing, road movie
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Zen (2009)
Plot Summary:
In the early 1200s, Dogen brought Chinese Zen philosophy to Japan, and established the Japanese Zen sect of Buddhism. He taught that a person was capable of realizing Buddhahood within himself, by way of Zazen. Zazen is extended hours of sitting and meditating to achieve a state of “Mu” (nothingness, or empty existence).
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Japan
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: spiritual, psychological, atmospheric, captivating, contemplative, inspirational, independent film, thinking, esoteric
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23rd March 1931: Shaheed (2002)
Plot Summary:
Bhagat Singh, a freedom fighter, is arrested for killing the British official responsible for the death of his mentor Lala Lajpatrai. He is ultimately hanged for his misdeed.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 792
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: India
Duration: 188 min
Plot tags: disturbing, rough, serious, realistic, captivating
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Rudhramadevi (2015)
Plot Summary:
Rudraba, daughter of Ganapatideva, the emperor of the Kakatiya dynasty, was officially designated a son through the ancient Putrika ceremony and given the name Rudradeva so that she could succeed her father after his death. Despite opposition, she became of the most prominent rulers of the Kakatiya dynasty and one of the few ruling queens in Indian history.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: India
Duration: 157 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, captivating, disturbing
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The Romanovs: An Imperial Family (2000)
Plot Summary:
The story of the last year and a half of Tsar Nicholas II and his family from the February Revolution of 1917 to their execution in July 1918.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 352
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Russia
Duration: 140 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, captivating
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The Meanest Man in Texas (2017)
Plot Summary:
Convicted murderer Clyde Thompson receives the death penalty for shooting two men in Texas in 1928. When the governor spares his life, Thompson gains a reputation as the meanest man in the state while working hard labor in prison.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 301
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: psychological, captivating, disturbing
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Lou Andreas-Salomé, The Audacity to be Free (2016)
Plot Summary:
Lou Andreas-Salomé, the woman who enraptured 19th century Europe’s greatest minds, recounts her life to Ernst Pfeiffer in this German film directed by Cordula Kablitz-Post. A published novelist, poet and essayist, Salomé’s desire to live a life free from convention scandalized society but spurred genius and passion in others, including Friedrich Nietzsche, Paul Rée and her lover, the poet Rainer Maria Rilke. Under the tutelage of Sigmund Freud, she became the first female psychoanalyst.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 620
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: psychological, thought provoking, captivating, disturbing
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Killing Jesus (2015)
Plot Summary:
Jesus of Nazareth’s life and ministry were subject to seismic social and political events that led to his execution and changed the world forever.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 132 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, biblical, psychological, spiritual, esoteric, historical drama
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On Wings of Eagles (2016)
Plot Summary:
Eric Liddell - China's first gold medalist and one of Scotland's greatest athletes - returns to war-torn China.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Sport, War
Country: China, Hong Kong, USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: tense, thought provoking, captivating, suspense, christian film
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Zuzu Angel (2006)
Plot Summary:
"Zuzu Angel" covers the last years of the famous Brazilian fashion designer in her doomed quest for justice in the case of her activist son Stuart's arrest, torture, murder and subsequent corpse disposal by the military forces in early 1970s Rio de Janeiro, during the darkest era of Brazilian military regime and media censorship. Not even the fact that she was a widely known public figure saved her from being killed in a car crash in 1976, in one of the regime's favorite elimination techniques (many other similar "car crashes" still have to be re-investigated).
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Brazil
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: disturbing, psychological, serious, suspenseful, thought provoking, captivating, realistic
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Forever Enthralled (2008)
Plot Summary:
A biographical account of Mei Lanfang, China's greatest opera star.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: China, Hong Kong
Duration: 150 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, stylized, epic
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Ip Man 2 (2010)
Plot Summary:
Having defeated the best fighters of the Imperial Japanese army in occupied Shanghai, Ip Man and his family settle in post-war Hong Kong.Struggling to make a living, Master Ip opens a kung fu school to bring his celebrated art of Wing Chun to the troubled youth of Hong Kong. His growing reputation soon brings challenges from powerful enemies, including pre-eminent Hung Gar master, Hung Quan. However, when corrupt colonial officials stage a life-or-death contest with formidable British boxer, Twister, to humiliate the Chinese people, the masters quickly forget their differences. Soon, the eyes of the nation are on the one man capable of securing a victory-Grandmaster Ip Man!.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 110000
Genere: Action, Biography, Drama, History
Country: Hong Kong, China
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: heroic, exciting, suspenseful, tense, rough, captivating, action packed, epic, stylized, spiritual
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Gandhi, My Father (2007)
Plot Summary:
With Gandhi My Father, producer Anil Kapoor and director Feroz Abbas Khan have shed light onto Gandhi the person, rather than Gandhi the icon. Using Gandhi’s political career as a canvas, the film paints a picture of his intricate, complex, and strained relationship with his son Harilal Gandhi.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: India, UK, South Africa, USA
Duration: 136 min
Plot tags: sincere, uplifting, touching, emotional, captivating, gujarati, serious, realistic, cult film
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Winnie Mandela (2011)
Plot Summary:
A drama that chronicles the life of Winnie Mandela from her childhood through her marriage and her husband's incarceration.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 880
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: South Africa, Canada
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, serious, captivating, realistic, political
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Unbroken: Path to Redemption (2018)
Plot Summary:
Zamperini returns to California where he wound up marrying Cynthia Applewhite while wrestling with untreated PTSD, suffering constant nightmares, angry, bitter and deeply depressed, his wife convinces Zamperini to attend the 1949 Billy Graham Crusade.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: uplifting, tense, sentimental, thought provoking, captivating, inspirational, spiritual, christian film
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Confucius (2010)
Plot Summary:
In 500 B.C., during Chinas famed 'Spring and Autumn Period', Kong Ze (Confucius), a commoner reverred for his outstanding wisdom, is made Minister of Law in the ancient Kingdom of Lu. Under his inspired leadership, Lu ascends to new heights but becomes a target of conquest for the warlike nation of Qi. Threatened with annihilation by their powerful neighbour, a desperate people turn to their greatest teacher to lead their most powerful army. When Confucius delivers a stunning victory against all odds, a jealous aristocracy sets out to destroy him, but they should never under-estimate a remarkable man whose wisdom is more powerful than the sword.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: China
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: contemplative, atmospheric, epic, serious, captivating, realistic, inspirational, art film
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Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
Plot Summary:
Austrian mountaineer, Heinrich Harrer journeys to the Himalayas without his family to head an expedition in 1939. But when World War II breaks out, the arrogant Harrer falls into Allied forces' hands as a prisoner of war. He escapes with a fellow detainee and makes his way to Llaso, Tibet, where he meets the 14-year-old Dalai Lama, whose friendship ultimately transforms his outlook on life.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 153000
Genere: Adventure, Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: USA, UK
Duration: 136 min
Plot tags: inspirational, captivating, epic, breathtaking, dramatic, scenic, uplifting, serious, philosophical, realistic
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Kundun (1997)
Plot Summary:
The Tibetans refer to the Dalai Lama as 'Kundun', which means 'The Presence'. He was forced to escape from his native home, Tibet, when communist China invaded and enforced an oppressive regime upon the peaceful nation. The Dalai Lama escaped to India in 1959 and has been living in exile in Dharamsala ever since.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 30000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: Monaco, Morocco, USA
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: philosophical, epic, spiritual, cerebral, thought provoking, touching, captivating, stylized, controversial, fairy tale
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Kingfish: A Story of Huey P. Long (1995)
Plot Summary:
A look at the life and career of controversial Louisiana governor Huey Long, whose nickname was "The Kingfish.".
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 512
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: political, sincere, thought provoking, serious, captivating, realistic, disturbing
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The Front Runner (2018)
Plot Summary:
Gary Hart, former Senator of Colorado, becomes the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1987. Hart's intelligence, charisma and idealism makes him popular with young voters, leaving him with a seemingly clear path to the White House. All that comes crashing down when allegations of an extramarital affair surface in the media, forcing the candidate to address a scandal that threatens to derail his campaign and personal life.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: political, psychological, sentimental, thought provoking, captivating, social, cult classic, political drama
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The Last Emperor (1987)
Plot Summary:
A dramatic history of Pu Yi, the last of the Emperors of China, from his lofty birth and brief reign in the Forbidden City, the object of worship by half a billion people; through his abdication, his decline and dissolute lifestyle; his exploitation by the invading Japanese, and finally to his obscure existence as just another peasant worker in the People's Republic.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 110000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History
Country: China, Italy, UK, France
Duration: 163 min
Plot tags: visually stunning, epic, political, breathtaking, visually appealing, period piece, emotional, historical drama, historically accurate, erotic