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.

Overview

When a gunman enters an Apple Store in the heart of Amsterdam, the police face a delicate challenge to resolve the standoff.

Themes

Crisis negotiation under pressure, Time pressure and decision making, Hostage dynamics under threat, Crowd safety vs procedural control, Police response coordination, High-stakes demands and leverage

Available on

Netflix
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Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Surfer

2. The Surfer

Thriller Drama Domestic Thriller Family Drama
6.0
20251h 40min

Overview

A man returns to the idyllic beach of his childhood to surf with his son. When he is humiliated by a group of locals, the man is drawn into a conflict that keeps rising and pushes him to his breaking point.

Themes

Localism versus outsiders, House obsession, Survival under pressure, Power through intimidation, Fragile family bonds, Trust in authority questioned

Available on

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

The King of Kings

3. The King of Kings

Animation Family Fantasy Drama Adventure
6.8
20251h 42min

Overview

Charles Dickens tells his young son Walter the greatest story ever told, and what begins as a bedtime tale becomes a life-changing journey. Through vivid imagination, the boy walks alongside Jesus, witnessing His miracles, facing His trials, and understanding His ultimate sacrifice.

Themes

Intergenerational storytelling, Imagination as pedagogy, Narrative as moral pedagogy, Religious imagery in family tales, Childhood wonder and doubt, Transmission of belief

Available on

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

The Luckiest Man in America

4. The Luckiest Man in America

Drama History Comedy
6.2
20251h 30min

Overview

1984; Michael Larson, an unemployed ice-cream truck driver from Ohio, steps onto the game show "Press Your Luck" harboring a secret: the key to endless amounts of money. But his winning streak is threatened when the executives in the control room start to uncover his real motivations.


Eden

5. Eden

Thriller Drama Survival Thriller Psychological Drama
6.5
20252h 9min

Overview

A group of disillusioned outsiders abandon modern society in search of a new beginning. Settling on a remote, uninhabited island, their utopian dream quickly unravels as they discover that the greatest threat isn’t the brutal climate or deadly wildlife, but each other.

Themes

Deception within alliances, Survival ethics, Power through manipulation, Utopian ideal vs reality, Isolation and power struggles, Group fragmentation under scarcity

Available on

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

The Ballad of Wallis Island

6. The Ballad of Wallis Island

Comedy Drama Music High-Concept Comedy Entertainment Industry Drama
7.4
20251h 40min

Overview

An eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island tries to make his fantasies come true by getting his favourite musicians to perform at his home.

Themes

Isolation and longing, Creativity under pressure, Money versus art, Reunion and memory, Pay disparity and bargaining, Public performance private life

Available on

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

The Penguin Lessons

7. The Penguin Lessons

Drama Historical Drama
7.1
20251h 51min

Overview

In 1976, as Argentina descends into violence and chaos, a world-weary English teacher regains his compassion for others thanks to an unlikely friendship with a penguin.

Themes

Class inequality, Penguin as catalyst, Based on memoir or autobiography, American football coach authority, School teacher mentorship, Animal human friendship

Available on

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

The Life List

8. The Life List

Romance Comedy Drama
6.8
20252h 3min

Overview

When her mother sends her on a quest to complete a teenage bucket list, a young woman uncovers family secrets, finds romance — and rediscovers herself.


The Match

9. The Match

Drama History
6.9
20251h 55min

Overview

When a legendary Go master loses his title to a one-time friend and protégé, he sets out to reclaim it in a high-stakes battle of wits and skill.


Magazine Dreams

10. Magazine Dreams

Drama
6.9
20252h 3min

Overview

Aspiring bodybuilder Killian Maddox struggles to find human connection in an exploration of celebrity and violence. Nothing deters him from his fiercely protected dream of superstardom, not even the doctors who warn him of the permanent damage he causes to himself with his quest.