Movies like The Vacation
The best movies like The Vacation are White Lie (2019), Sunshine State (2002) and Hungry Hearts (2015). If The Vacation hooked you with its drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
The Vacation
Quick picks
- Highest ratedWhat Maisie Knew (2013)7.1/10 from 466 votes
- NewestGoodbye June (2025)Released 2025
White Lie (2019)
Katie Arneson is faking cancer. A university dance major, Katie's falsified diagnosis and counterfeit fundraising have transformed her into a campus celebrity surrounded by the supportive community she's always dreamed of. But now dependent on a bursary for sick students to maintain her ruse, Katie learns the funding is in jeopardy unless she can provide copies of her medical records within the week.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSunshine State (2002)
A woman and her new husband returns to her hometown roots in coastal northern Florida, and must deal with family, business, and encroaching real estate development.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHungry Hearts (2015)
The relationship of a couple who meet by chance in New York City is put to the test when they encounter a life or death circumstance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Lords of Discipline (1983)
Will arrives for his last year at Military Academy, in the Deep South USA, in the 1960's. A black student, Pearce, has been accepted, for the first time and Will is asked to keep an eye out for the inevitable racism. The racists come in the form of The Ten, a secret group of the elite students. They want Pearce to leave on his own free will, but are prepared to torture him to make it 'his free will'. Will is forced to help Pearce and he is prepared to risk his own career to do so.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGoal II: Living the Dream (2007)
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.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisWhat Maisie Knew (2013)
In New York City, six-year-old Maisie is caught in the middle of a bitter custody battle between her self-absorbed parents—an aging rock singer mother and a distracted art dealer father. As both quickly marry new partners to strengthen their legal standing, Maisie is shuttled back and forth in an endless game of emotional point-scoring. Yet amid the chaos and upheaval, Maisie begins to find true comfort and affection in her new step-parents.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Congress (2013)
An aging, out-of-work actress accepts one last job, though the consequences of her decision affect her in ways she didn't consider.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOmaha (2025)
A young girl and her brother are awoken by their father and loaded into the car on an early morning in 2008. As they road trip across the American West, she discovers the truth about their seemingly spontaneous journey.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBobby Jones: Stroke of Genius (2004)
The story of golf icon and legend, Bobby Jones, who retired from competition at the tender age of 28.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisGoodbye June (2025)
Four siblings' lives change drastically when their ailing mother takes a turn for the worse over the holiday season.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHounddog (2008)
A drama set in the American South, where a precocious, troubled girl finds a safe haven in the music and movement of Elvis Presley.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWaiting for Anya (2020)
During the harrows of WWII, Jo, a young shepherd along with the help of the widow Horcada, helps to smuggle Jewish children across the border from southern France into Spain.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAbove the Rim (1994)
Story of a promising high school basketball star and his relationships with two brothers, one a drug dealer and the other a former basketball star fallen on hard times and now employed as a security guard.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGirl in the Box (2016)
The true story of 20-year-old Colleen Stan, a hitchhiking woman abducted by a young couple and held captive for seven years, during which time she's tortured and forced to live as a slave to her captors.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWinged Creatures (2009)
A psychotic man opens fire in a diner, murdering numerous people before killing himself. The survivors struggle in different ways following this horrendous event: a doctor doubts his own instincts and elects to use an experimental medical procedure on his wife, while a gambler believes he's on a lucky streak. A waitress begins engaging in promiscuous sex, and a young girl whose father is among the dead gains unexpected fame.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisSalomé (2013)
After the lewd and frenetic Dance of the Seven Veils, and with the solemn pledge from the very lips of Herod himself that she could have whatever her heart desires up to half his kingdom, wanton and proud young Salomé comes before her king with an unreasonable demand. Beguiled by John the Baptist, and then scorned for the sake of his god, lascivious Salomé—encouraged by her mother, the vindictive, Herodias—commands that John be executed and his head delivered on a silver platter.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEleanor the Great (2025)
94-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein tries to rebuild her life after the death of her best friend. As a result, she moves back to New York City after living in Florida for decades.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHome Run (2013)
A pro ball player with a substance abuse problem is forced into rehab in his hometown, finding new hope when he gets honest about his checkered past, and takes on coaching duties for a misfit Little League team
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCome Sunday (2018)
Evangelist Carlton Pearson is ostracized by his church for preaching that there is no Hell.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Pumpkin Eater (1964)
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.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSolo Mode (2021)
Inspired by the COVID 19 pandemics, a worried husband and father invents a professional family board game so he can strengthen the bonds of families in times of pandemics, but instead, he ends up locking his family members in separate rooms and creates “a board game for one”.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Alone (2020)
When an outbreak hits, Aidan barricades himself inside his apartment and starts rationing food. His complex is overrun by infected Screamers, and with the world falling apart into chaos, he is left completely alone fighting for his life.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisAntes de nós (2025)
1918, Castelao leaves his public position in Pontevedra to work as a doctor in Rianxo during the Spanish flu. A hero for the town, but an absent man for his wife, Virxinia. 1929, the couple travels through Brittany a few months after the loss of their only son. Two broken beings and a bond that is no longer understood. A trip will unite them forever and ever. Castelao before being Castelao. Galicia before the “xeración Nós”. Castelao and Virxinia before being “we”.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Strangers (TBA)
In March 2020, Belle Burden is safe and secure with her family at their house on Martha’s Vineyard, navigating the early days of the pandemic together — building fires in the late afternoons, drinking whisky sours, making roast chicken. Then, without warning or explanation, her husband of 20 years announces that he's leaving her.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Sandwich (2023)
A newly wed couple invites a woman for threesome. Unknown to them someone is watching their sexcapade. When the threesome becomes foursome, that's when chaos begins.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
The Road Ahead (Where do we go from here?) Director's cut (2023)
Leo gets abducted and carried around in the trunk of a car. The man who is holding him captive has a sinister plan. He gets Leo to bury corpses for him. In the process, Leo gets to speak with his ego and gets glimpses of his higher self. Will Leo get out of this alive?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Chinese Doctors (2021)
Based on real-life events, the film recounts the efforts of the Wuhan medical staff as they attempt to deal with the rising cases of Covid-19.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
No Place to Go (2022)
Michiko used to work as a live-in part-timer at an izakaya, but suddenly lost her job and her house at the same time due to COVID-19 pandemic. There are no new jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and diners and internet cafes are closed. Michiko is at her wits' end, but there in front of her is a bus stop that stands slightly brightly in the darkness, illuminated only by the streetlights.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Like The Vacation and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Vacation?
The closest matches to The Vacation are White Lie (2019), Sunshine State (2002) and Hungry Hearts (2015). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Vacation?
Start with White Lie (2019), the closest match to The Vacation.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Vacation?
What Maisie Knew (2013), rated 7.1/10 by 466 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Vacation?
Goodbye June (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to The Vacation chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Vacation, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.