tender backdrop

Movies with tender vibe

We Bought a Zoo

1. We Bought a Zoo

Drama Comedy Family Parody Animal Companion Family
7.0
20112h 4min

Overview

Benjamin has lost his wife and, in a bid to start his life over, purchases a large house that has a zoo – welcome news for his daughter, but his son is not happy about it. The zoo is in need of renovation and Benjamin sets about the work with the head keeper and the rest of the staff, but, the zoo soon runs into financial trouble.

Themes

Grief and renewal, Generational tension, Financial strain, Family resilience, Caretaking of animals, Community effort

Available on

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

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

2. Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Comedy Drama Romance Romantic Comedy Relationship Drama
7.4
20111h 58min

Overview

Cal’s perfect suburban life collapses into a lonely apartment and a barstool confessional. Trapped in middle-aged heartbreak, he lets a slick womanizer rebuild him from the ground up, one reckless pickup at a time, until his new persona crashes headfirst into the family he’s desperate not to lose.

Themes

Parental expectations, Marital strain, Midlife crisis, Friendship and loyalty, Mentorship and influence, Deceit in romance

Available on

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

Toast

3. Toast

Drama Comedy History Family Family Drama
6.5
20101h 36min

Overview

Young Nigel Slater has big culinary aspirations, even though all his mother knows how to make is toast. When his mother dies, relations grow strained between Nigel and his father, especially when he remarries a woman who wins his heart with a lemon meringue pie. Nigel enters culinary school, starts working in a pub, and finds himself competing with his stepmother - both in the kitchen and for his father's attention.

Themes

Sexual awakening, Ambition and loyalty, Family dynamics under strain, Maternal influence through cooking, Remarriage and adjustment, Nostalgia and craft

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Hoopla
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Colorful

4. Colorful

Animation Drama Family Family Animation Tragic Drama
7.3
20102h 7min

Overview

Upon reaching the train station to death, a dejected soul is informed that he is lucky and will have another chance at life. He is placed in the body of a 14-year-old boy named Kobayashi Makoto, who has just committed suicide. Watched over by a neutral spirit named Purapura, the soul must figure out what his greatest sin and mistake in his former life was, before his time limit in Makoto's body runs out. He also has a number of other lesser duties he must complete, such as understanding what led Makoto to commit suicide in the first place and learning how to enjoy his second chance at life.

Themes

Outsider acceptance, Belonging and isolation, Parental infidelity impact, Family strain and overwork, Second chances and responsibility, Social pressure and school life

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Flipped

5. Flipped

Romance Drama Passionate Romance Coming-of-Age Drama
7.7
20101h 29min

Overview

When Juli meets Bryce in the second grade, she knows it's true love. After spending six years trying to convince Bryce the same, she's ready to give up - until he starts to reconsider.

Themes

Family obligation, Multiple perspectives, Coming of age, Unrequited love, Pride and belonging, Miscommunication and misunderstandings

Available on

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

Charlie St. Cloud

6. Charlie St. Cloud

Drama Romance Tragic Drama Bittersweet Romance
6.4
20101h 39min

Overview

Accomplished sailor Charlie St. Cloud has the adoration of his mother Claire and his little brother Sam, as well as a college scholarship that will lead him far from his sleepy Pacific Northwest hometown. But his bright future is cut short when tragedy strikes and takes his dreams with it. After high school classmate Tess returns home unexpectedly, Charlie grows torn between honoring a promise he made four years earlier and moving forward with newfound love. As he finds the courage to let go of the past for good, Charlie discovers the soul most worth saving is his own.

Themes

Loss and memory, Family obligation, Romance amid loss, Ghostly companionship, Duty and self discovery, Promises vs moving on

Available on

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

Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue

7. Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue

Animation Adventure Family Fantasy Animated Fantasy Adventure
6.9
20101h 16min

Overview

During a summer stay on the mainland, Tinker Bell is accidentally discovered while investigating a little girl's fairy house. As the other fairies, led by the brash Vidia, launch a daring rescue in the middle of a fierce storm, Tink develops a special bond with the lonely, little girl.

Themes

Belief vs skepticism, Parental attention vs work, Growth and independence, Collective rescue effort, Intergenerational friendship

Available on

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

The Illusionist

8. The Illusionist

Animation Drama Family Animation Family Drama
7.4
20101h 20min

Overview

A French illusionist travels to Scotland to work. He meets a young woman in a small village. Their ensuing adventure in Edinburgh changes both their lives forever.

Themes

Economic precarity, Romantic tension, Deception and appearances, Stage life constraints, Disillusionment with performance, Adult child friendship

Available on

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

My Afternoons with Margueritte

9. My Afternoons with Margueritte

Drama Comedy Relationship Drama
7.2
20101h 22min

Overview

An illiterate and lonely man bonds with an older and well-read woman.

Themes

Intergenerational mentorship, Literacy as empowerment, Education as social bridge, Reading as connection, Companionship across generations, Resilience through learning

Available on

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

Dear John

10. Dear John

Drama Romance War Passionate Romance Modern Conflicts
6.3
20101h 48min

Overview

While Sergeant John Tyree is home on two weeks leave from Germany, he meets Savannah after he dives into the ocean to retrieve Savannah's purse that had fallen off a pier. John eventually falls in love with Savannah, who promises to write to him until he returns from overseas.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Long distance commitment, War interruption of romance, Caregiving and autistic family, Letters as lifeline, Community service and sacrifice

Available on

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