Drama backdrop

Drama movies

Emotional and character-driven narratives that explore the complexities of the human condition and relationships.

Subgenres include: Psychological Drama, Professional Drama, Entertainment Industry Drama.

A Love Song for Bobby Long

1871. A Love Song for Bobby Long

Drama Family Drama
7.1

20041h 59min

United States

Director: Shainee Gabel

A headstrong young woman returns to New Orleans after the death of her estranged mother.

Themes

Caregiving under strain, Memory shaping identity, Unconventional family dynamics, Substance dependence and codependency, Education as aspiration, Inheritance and belonging

Available on

The Roku Channel
Tubi TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

36th Precinct

1872. 36th Precinct

Crime Drama Thriller
7.1

20041h 51min

France

Director: Olivier Marchal

In Paris, two cops are competing for the vacant job of chief of police, in the middle of the search for a gang of violent thieves. The movie is directed by Olivier Marchal, a former police officer who spent 12 years with the French police before creating this story, taken in part from real events of the 1980s.


Being John Malkovich

1873. Being John Malkovich

Comedy Drama Fantasy High-Concept Comedy Psychological Drama
7.7

19991h 53min

United States

Director: Spike Jonze

One day at work, unsuccessful puppeteer Craig finds a portal into the head of actor John Malkovich. The portal soon becomes a passion for anybody who enters its mad and controlling world of overtaking another human body.

Themes

Control through embodiment, Desire and rejection, Ownership and autonomy, Identity collision, Immortality via bodies, Betrayal and manipulation

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Kikujiro

1874. Kikujiro

Comedy Drama
7.7

19992h 1min

Japan

Director: Takeshi Kitano

Brash, loudmouthed and opportunistic, Kikujiro is the unlikely companion for Masao who is determined to see the mother he has never met. The two begin a series of adventures which soon turns out to be a whimsical journey of laughter and tears with a wide array of surprises and unique characters along the way.


The Road Home

1875. The Road Home

Drama Romance
7.7

19991h 29min

China, Hong Kong SAR China

Director: Zhang Yimou

Prompted by the death of his father and the grief of his mother, a man recalls the story of how they met in flashback.


Vantage Point

1876. Vantage Point

Drama Action Thriller Crime Political Thriller
6.6

20081h 30min

United States, Mexico

Director: Pete Travis

During an historic counter-terrorism summit in Spain, the President of the United States is struck down by an assassin's bullet. Eight strangers have a perfect view of the kill, but what did they really see? As the minutes leading up to the fatal shot are replayed through the eyes of each eyewitness, the reality of the assassination takes shape.

Themes

Multiple perspectives, Media influence, Betrayal within security, Crowd anxiety under threat, Eyewitness fragmentation, Leadership under duress, Counterterrorism stakes

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Australia

1877. Australia

Adventure Romance Drama Adventure Epic Romantic Epic
6.6

20082h 45min

Australia, United Kingdom

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Set in northern Australia before World War II, an English aristocrat who inherits a sprawling ranch reluctantly pacts with a stock-man in order to protect her new property from a takeover plot. As the pair drive 2,000 head of cattle over unforgiving landscape, they experience the bombing of Darwin by Japanese forces firsthand.

Themes

Duty vs desire, Trust under pressure, Land ownership conflict, Economic monopoly, Racial prejudice and kinship, War disruption and evacuation

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

To Live

1878. To Live

Drama Romance War
8.3

19942h 13min

China, Hong Kong SAR China

Director: Zhang Yimou

Married couple Fugui and Jiazhen endure tumultuous events in mid-20th century mainland China as their personal fortunes move from wealthy landownership to peasantry.


Facing Windows

1879. Facing Windows

Drama Romance Relationship Drama Bittersweet Romance
7.2

20031h 46min

United Kingdom, Italy

Director: Ferzan Özpetek

Overburdened and stuck in a greying marriage, Giovanna takes to caring for a Jewish Holocaust survivor her husband brings home. As she begins to reflect on her life, she turns to the man who lives across from her.

Themes

Caregiving under strain, Duty vs desire, Memory vs forgetting, Past relationships resurfacing, Family stability and change, Intimate tension vs responsibility

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Hairspray

1880. Hairspray

Comedy Romance Drama Romantic Comedy Satire
6.7

20071h 57min

United Kingdom, United States

Director: Adam Shankman

Pleasantly plump teenager Tracy Turnblad auditions to be on Baltimore's most popular dance show - The Corny Collins Show - and lands a prime spot. Through her newfound fame, she becomes determined to help her friends and end the racial segregation that has been a staple of the show.

Themes

Body image pressure, Media influence, Racial integration, Family tension, Protest for change, Entertainment bias

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.