Movies like Retired Mother (2019)
The best movies like Retired Mother (2019) are Petulia (1968), The Little Death (2014) and Room for Rent (2019). If Retired Mother hooked you, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedMalena (2000)7.6/10 from 2,895 votes
- NewestHNBR-005 Widowed woman violated (2025)Released 2025
Petulia (1968)
Dr. Archie Bollen is having a midlife crisis. He's just divorced his wife and is establishing a new life for himself. One night, he catches the eye of Petulia Danner, a charming, free-spirited young woman. Petulia's vibrant personality hides her fear of her abusive husband, David, whose father is a powerful society figure. As Petulia and Archie's feelings for each other grow, they must decide what it is they truly want.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Little Death (2014)
A comedy film that looks into the loosely connected lives of people with strange sexual fantasies.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRoom for Rent (2019)
Lonely widow Joyce rents out a room in her house and becomes dangerously obsessed with one of her guests.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBand Aid (2017)
A couple who can't stop fighting embark on a last-ditch effort to save their marriage: turning their fights into songs and starting a band.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Man from Elysian Fields (2001)
A failed novelist's inability to pay the bills strains relations with his wife and leads him to work at an escort service, where he becomes entwined with a wealthy woman whose husband is a successful writer.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisFifty Shades Freed (2018)
Believing they have left behind shadowy figures from their past, newlyweds Christian and Ana fully embrace an inextricable connection and shared life of luxury. But just as she steps into her role as Mrs. Grey and he relaxes into an unfamiliar stability, new threats could jeopardize their happy ending before it even begins.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Last Time I Saw Paris (1954)
Reporter Charles Wills, in Paris to cover the end of World War II, falls for the beautiful Helen Ellswirth following a brief flirtation with her sister, Marion. After he and Helen marry, Charles pursues his novelistic ambition while supporting his new bride with a deadening job at a newspaper wire service. But when an old investment suddenly makes the family wealthy, their marriage begins to unravel — until a sudden tragedy changes everything.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSaturday Night Fever (1977)
Tony spends his Saturdays at a disco where his stylish moves raise his popularity among the patrons. But his life outside the disco is not easy and things change when he gets attracted to Stephanie.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1969)
After returning to Los Angeles from a group therapy session, documentary filmmaker Bob Sanders and his wife, Carol, find themselves becoming vigilante couples counselors, offering unsolicited advice to their best friends, Ted and Alice Henderson. Not wanting to be rude, the Hendersons play along, but some latent sexual tension among the four soon comes bubbling to the surface, and long-buried desires don't stay buried for long.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMammal (2016)
After Margaret, a divorcée living in Dublin, loses her teenage son, she develops an unorthodox relationship with Joe, a homeless youth. Their tentative trust is threatened by his involvement with a violent gang and the escalation of her ex-husband's grieving rage.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Voyeurs (2021)
When Pippa and Thomas move into their dream apartment, they notice that their windows look directly into the apartment opposite – inviting them to witness the volatile relationship of the attractive couple across the street. But what starts as a simple curiosity turns into full-blown obsession with increasingly dangerous consequences.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCarnal Knowledge (1971)
Two lifelong friends navigate complex sexual encounters and emotional entanglements, wrestling with societal norms and personal desires.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Dreamers (2003)
When Isabelle and Theo invite Matthew to stay with them, what begins as a casual friendship ripens into a sensual voyage of discovery and desire in which nothing is off limits and everything is possible.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMiddle of the Night (1959)
Jerry Kingsley is a wealthy garment manufacturer left lonely in his 50s when his wife dies. Despite the difference in their ages, he strikes up a romance with divorced 24-year-old receptionist Betty. The relationship is dismissed by his daughter, Lillian, discouraged by his sister, Evelyn, and denounced by Betty's mother. But when Jerry begins to mention marriage, even Betty is forced to confront her ambivalence.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGeorgy Girl (1966)
A homely but vivacious young woman dodges the amorous attentions of her father's middle-aged employer while attempting to please her glamorously stuck-up roommate Meredith.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisApril Apocalypse (2013)
Artie is pure bred trailer trash. He has zero ambition, is everyone's favorite punching back at school and bears the burden of his virginity in silence. And then April moves out of the state. She's his best friend and support since kindergarten and the love of his life. Three years later Artie finally has the courage to take to the road and go see April to tell her how he feels about her. One car-crash later Artie wakes up in the middle of the zombie apocalypse. But this time he's not going to hide. Artie's love for April doesn't give him wings, but does give him the courage to hack, slash, punch and kick himself a part towards the girl he loves. Time is of the essence, because that bite on his hand will make the difference between a French kiss and a bite out of April's brains.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBelow Her Mouth (2017)
An unexpected affair quickly escalates into a heart-stopping reality for two women whose passionate connection changes their lives forever.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisUnfaithful (2002)
A New York suburban couple's marriage goes dangerously awry when the wife indulges in an adulterous fling.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFacing Ali (2009)
Ten of Muhammad Ali's former rivals pay tribute to the three-time world heavyweight champion.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisKill for Me (2013)
Rent’s a bitch. And that is why, six months after her best friend went missing, Amanda finally gives in to getting another roommate, Hailey. The two college students turn out to have something in common, however: abusive men. For Hailey, it’s her dad. For Amanda, it’s a stalkery ex-boyfriend. But problems can be solved and, you know, you scratch my back, I scratch yours. In other words, Kill for Me, I kill for you.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisHNBR-005 Widowed woman violated (2025)
HNBR-005 Widowed woman violated in front of her husband's portrait and reaches a forbidden climax. Immoral sex with her late husband's illegitimate son, a man with a huge penis. Sayaka Minobe
Why it matches: Similar story and style
My Mistress (2014)
After the death of his father, a 16-year-old boy struggles with anger and instability, distancing himself from his mother. His search for escape leads him to a lonely dominatrix living nearby, a woman accustomed to giving and controlling pain. Drawn to her world, he seeks both solace and love, while she finds herself pulled into a bond that neither expected but both need.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
SnoozefestMovies like thisMalena (2000)
12-year-old Renato experiences three significant events on the same day: the beginning of the Second World War, getting a bike, and witnessing the arrival of the gorgeous Malèna. Through his eyes, we see the curse of beauty and loneliness of Malena, whose husband is presumed dead, and, through his soul, we see his love for her.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAlbino (2016)
Yashima is a woman who works as a plumber. She is also uncomfortable with her own sexuality. One day she visits a home for a job and meets Kyu. Yashima senses Kyu's eyes watching her. They become intimate, but a dark secret is soon revealed.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Arisan Brondong (2010)
Geng socialite mother; Lolita was a widow who became entrepreneurs due to expensive boutiques treasure Gono-gini ex-ex-husband, Anis rather an idiot, and Uut fat, often hold joint gathering costly. By the time the three get together, the mortal enemy of Lolita, Misye, while gathering brought a popcorn (the term to refer to youth aged bear) named Erik. Misye gaze is believed to be a challenge for Lolita, which eventually terkompori and with Anis and Uut, holding auditions looking for popcorn at the shop.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
That Night Changed You and Me (2017)
A group of youth who engage with a psychopathic woman who holds them captive over torture.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Remembering You (1996)
Orphaned from a young age, Jeong Shik runs away from the orphanage in hopes of making money. He roams the streets but soon he is caught for stealing bread. He is saved by Seong Gyu who, taking pity on him, invites him to live with him and his friend Min Wook. The three friends are invited one day to Soo Mi's birthday party. Soo Mi is a friend of Hye Ryun who is Min Wook's girlfriend. But they are ridiculed and verbally abused by Soo Mi's elder brother and so they leave the party. Jeong Shik becomes convinced that money is the answer to all his troubles. Meanwhile, Min Wook vows to take revenge on Kang Cheol who stole Hye Ryun from him only to dump her immediately. But he is no match for Kang Cheol and becomes a casualty of his own rage.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Made in Abyss: Journey's Dawn (2019)
First compilation movie of the TV series which covers episodes 1-8 with new scenes added for the introduction. It covers the period from when Riko descends into the Abyss with her robot companion Reg, reaching the second layer where they meet the White Whistle Ozen who reveals information about Riko's mother.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMade in Abyss: Wandering Twilight (2019)
Second compilation movie of the TV series which covers episodes 9-13. Riko and Reg descend to the third and fourth layer where Riko has her first experience of the Curse.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisAvunu 2 (2015)
The lustful spirit of Captain Raju stalks Mohini till the end in this continuation of the first part. A true part 2 in the sense that the second part picks up from exactly the same shot from where the first part ended.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Retired Mother?
The closest matches to Retired Mother are Petulia (1968), The Little Death (2014) and Room for Rent (2019). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Retired Mother?
Start with Petulia (1968), the closest match to Retired Mother.
What is the highest-rated movie like Retired Mother?
Malena (2000), rated 7.6/10 by 2,895 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Retired Mother?
HNBR-005 Widowed woman violated (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Retired Mother?
Yes: Petulia (1968), The Little Death (2014) and Room for Rent (2019).
How are movies similar to Retired Mother chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Retired Mother, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.