earnest backdrop

Movies with earnest vibe

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

1. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

Animation Family Adventure Family Animation Adventure Epic
7.4
20191h 44min

Overview

As Hiccup fulfills his dream of creating a peaceful dragon utopia, Toothless’ discovery of an untamed, elusive mate draws the Night Fury away. When danger mounts at home and Hiccup’s reign as village chief is tested, both dragon and rider must make impossible decisions to save their kind.

Themes

Migration and belonging, Exploitation of wildlife, Coexistence under pressure, Guardianship and leadership, Trust across species, Secrecy versus openness

Available on

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

I Can Only Imagine

2. I Can Only Imagine

Music Drama Music Biopic Family Drama
7.3
20181h 50min

Overview

Growing up in Greenville, Texas, Bart Millard suffers physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his father, Arthur. When Arthur becomes terminally ill, he finds redemption by embracing his faith and rediscovering his love for his son. Years later, Bart's troubled childhood and mended relationship with his dad inspires him to write the hit song "I Can Only Imagine" as singer of the Christian band MercyMe.

Themes

Music as identity, Abusive father dynamics, Faith shaping choices, Independent film realism, Family reconciliation pressures, Biographical drama frame

Available on

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

A United Kingdom

3. A United Kingdom

Drama History Historical Drama Biographical History
6.9
20161h 51min

Overview

The inspiring true story of Seretse Khama, the King of Bechuanaland (modern Botswana), and Ruth Williams, the London office worker he married in 1948 in the face of fierce opposition from their families and the British and South African governments. Seretse and Ruth defied family, Apartheid and empire - their love triumphed over every obstacle flung in their path and in so doing they transformed their nation and inspired the world.

Themes

Colonial pressure dynamics, Interracial marriage politics, Local resource ownership, Racial policy instability, Independence negotiation tension, Royal legitimacy conflict

Available on

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

Don't Think Twice

4. Don't Think Twice

Comedy Drama Ensemble Comedy Entertainment Industry Drama
6.7
20161h 32min

Overview

An improv group deals with several crises, including the loss of their lease and one member hitting the big time.

Themes

Ambition and collaboration tension, Audience attention versus ensemble, Lease loss and space, Big time exposure, Fame versus group loyalty, Professional advancement vs friendship

Available on

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

Maudie

5. Maudie

Drama Romance Relationship Drama Passionate Romance
7.6
20161h 55min

Overview

Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis falls in love with a fishmonger while working for him as a live-in housekeeper.

Themes

Economic dependency, Public gaze and privacy, Art as livelihood, Romantic stigma, Disability and resilience, Secret adoption

Available on

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

The Man Who Knew Infinity

6. The Man Who Knew Infinity

Drama History Historical Drama Biographical History
7.2
20161h 48min

Overview

Growing up poor in Madras, India, Srinivasa Ramanujan Iyengar earns admittance to Cambridge University during WWI, where he becomes a pioneer in mathematical theories with the guidance of his professor, G.H. Hardy.

Themes

Mentorship under pressure, Economic hardship drives perseverance, Immigrant scholar integration, Racial prejudice in academia, Illness shapes work, Long-distance correspondence

Available on

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

War Room

7. War Room

Drama Family Drama
6.5
20152h

Overview

The family-friendly movie explores the transformational role prayer plays in the lives of the Jordan family. Tony and Elizabeth Jordan, a middle-class couple who seemingly have it all – great jobs, a beautiful daughter, their dream home. But appearances can be deceiving. In reality, the Jordan’s marriage has become a war zone and their daughter is collateral damage. With the help of Miss Clara, an older, wiser woman, Elizabeth discovers she can start fighting for her family instead of against them. Through a newly energized faith, Elizabeth and Tony’s real enemy doesn’t have a prayer.

Themes

Marital strain under pressure, Faith as intervention, Accountability and confession, Financial risk and resilience, Elder mentorship and guidance, Parenting and bonding

Available on

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

Testament of Youth

8. Testament of Youth

History Drama War Biographical History Tragic Drama
7.2
20152h 9min

Overview

Testament of Youth is a powerful story of love, war and remembrance, based on the First World War memoir by Vera Brittain, which has become the classic testimony of that war from a woman’s point of view. A searing journey from youthful hopes and dreams to the edge of despair and back again, it’s a film about young love, the futility of war and how to make sense of the darkest times.

Themes

War fuels pacifism, Trauma fosters resilience, Loss fuels memory, Education preserves agency, Care nurtures compassion, Gendered wartime roles

Available on

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

Overview

Virunga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is Africa’s oldest national park, a UNESCO world heritage site, and a contested ground among insurgencies seeking to topple the government that see untold profits in the land. Among this ongoing power struggle, Virunga also happens to be the last natural habitat for the critically endangered mountain gorilla. The only thing standing in the way of the forces closing in around the gorillas: a handful of passionate park rangers and journalists fighting to secure the park’s borders and expose the corruption of its enemies. Filled with shocking footage, and anchored by the surprisingly deep and gentle characters of the gorillas themselves, Virunga is a galvanizing call to action around an ongoing political and environmental crisis in the Congo.

Themes

Conservation under threat, Armed conflict pressure, Oil-driven exploitation, Watchful journalism, Biodiversity protection, Governance and corruption

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Rudderless

10. Rudderless

Music Drama Comedy Narrative Musical Family Drama
7.4
20141h 45min

Overview

A grieving father in a downward spiral stumbles across a box of his recently deceased son's demo tapes and lyrics. Shocked by the discovery of this unknown talent, he forms a band in the hope of finding some catharsis.

Themes

Parent child relationship, Memory and guilt, Authenticity in music, Mourning to catharsis, Rock band dynamics, Legacy within family

Available on

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