A Better Life

Movies Like

A Better Life (2011)

Drama

If you loved A Better Life, you'll love these similar films. Handpicked based on shared themes, genre, and feel.

The Book of Henry

The Book of Henry

2017 ★ 7.5

Susan, a single mother of two, works as a waitress in a small town. Her son, Henry, is an 11-year-old genius who not only manages the family finances but acts as emotional support for his mother and younger brother. When Henry discovers that the girl next door has a terrible secret, he implores Susan to take matters into her own hands.

Dad

Dad

1989 ★ 6.4

A busy executive learns during a meeting that his mother may be dying and rushes home to her side. He ends up being his father's caretaker and becomes closer to him than ever before. Estranged from his own son, the executive comes to realize what has been missing in his own life.

The Legend of Zorro

The Legend of Zorro

2005 ★ 6.1

Despite trying to keep his swashbuckling to a minimum, a threat to California's pending statehood causes the adventure-loving Don Alejandro de la Vega and his wife, Elena, to take action.

Short Term 12

Short Term 12

2013 ★ 7.8

Grace, a compassionate young supervisor at a foster care facility, helps at-risk teens. But when a new charge dredges up memories of her own troubled past, Grace's tough exterior begins eroding.

Black or White

Black or White

2015 ★ 6.8

A grieving widower is drawn into a custody battle over his granddaughter, whom he helped raise her entire life.

Horse Sense

Horse Sense

1999 ★ 6.8

After treating his rancher cousin shoddily in L.A. Michael Woods is sentenced by his parents to spending a month on the ranch with his cousin and aunt.

Normal

Normal

2003 ★ 6.7

A Midwestern husband and father announces his plan to have a sex change operation.

What Maisie Knew

What Maisie Knew

2013 ★ 7.1

In New York City, a young girl is caught in the middle of her parents' bitter custody battle.

Mr. Majestyk

Mr. Majestyk

1974 ★ 6.8

A melon farmer battles organized crime and a hit man who wants to kill him.

Man from Reno

Man from Reno

2014 ★ 6.4

A mystery outside of San Francisco brings together small-town sheriff Paul Del Moral, Japanese author Aki Akahori, and a traveler from Reno who soon disappears, leaving behind his suitcase and a trail of questions.

Barbarosa

Barbarosa

1982 ★ 5.9

Karl Westover, an inexperienced farm boy, runs away after unintentionally killing a neighbor, whose family pursues him for vengeance. He meets Barbarosa, a gunman of near-mythical proportions, who is himself in danger from his father-in-law Don Braulio, a wealthy Mexican rancher. Don Braulio wants Barbarosa dead for marrying his daughter against the father's will. Barbarosa reluctantly takes the clumsy Karl on as a partner, as both of them look to survive the forces lining up against them.

John Q

John Q

2002 ★ 7.1

John Quincy Archibald is a father and husband whose son is diagnosed with an enlarged heart and then finds out he cannot receive a transplant because HMO insurance will not cover it. Therefore, he decides to take a hospital full of patients hostage until the hospital puts his son's name on the donor's list.

The River

The River

1984 ★ 6.4

Tom and Mae Garvey are a Tennessee farming couple battling violent floods to save their land. In addition to natural disasters, the Garveys fight to stop a selfish land developer and a local corporation from foreclosing on their farm. While Mae stays at home to care for their children and tend to the crops, Tom finds work as a scab at a steel mill to preserve his family's property.

The Pumpkin Eater

The Pumpkin Eater

1964 ★ 6.7

Jo, the mother of seven children, divorces her second husband in order to marry Jake, a successful but promiscuous screenwriter. Though they are physically and emotionally compatible, they are slowly torn apart.

Come Sunday

Come Sunday

2018 ★ 5.8

Evangelist Carlton Pearson is ostracized by his church for preaching that there is no Hell.

Tigertail

Tigertail

2020 ★ 6.7

A man reflects on the lost love of his youth and his long-ago journey from Taiwan to America as he begins to reconnect with his estranged daughter.

Roman J. Israel, Esq.

Roman J. Israel, Esq.

2017 ★ 6.3

Hard-nosed liberal lawyer Roman J. Israel has been fighting the good fight forever while others take the credit. When his partner – the firm's frontman – has a heart attack, Israel suddenly takes on that role. He soon discovers some unsettling truths about the firm – truths that conflict with his values of helping the poor and dispossessed – and finds himself in an existential crisis that leads to extreme actions.

A Million Miles Away

A Million Miles Away

2023 ★ 7.6

The life of engineer and former NASA astronaut José M. Hernández, the first migrant farmworker to go to space.

Gnomeo & Juliet

Gnomeo & Juliet

2011 ★ 5.9

A version of Shakespeare's play, set in the world of warring indoor and outdoor gnomes. Garden gnomes Gnomeo and Juliet have as many obstacles to overcome as their quasi namesakes when they are caught up in a feud between neighbors. But with plastic pink flamingos and lawnmower races in the mix, can this young couple find lasting happiness?

Goal II: Living the Dream

Goal II: Living the Dream

2007 ★ 6.0

Tempted away from Newcastle United to join Real Madrid, rising star Santiago Munez finds this latest change of fortune the greatest challenge yet - personally as well as professionally. He is reunited with Gavin Harris, though they must compete to be on the team, and estranged from fiancee Roz, whose nursing career keeps her back home.

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