Movies like The Refuge (2008)
The best movies like The Refuge (2008) are At Midnight (2023), 10 (1979) and A Perfect Plan (2012). If The Refuge hooked you, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
The Refuge
Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)8.0/10 from 1,424 votes
- NewestBaby Udon (2026)Released 2026
- In FrenchA Perfect Plan (2012)Also in French
At Midnight (2023)
Alejandro's life is disrupted when actress Sophie Wilder stays at his hotel. To their surprise, the two fall for one another, meeting at midnight.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like this10 (1979)
A Hollywood songwriter goes through a mid-life crisis and becomes infatuated with a sexy blonde newlywed.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisA Perfect Plan (2012)
Successful woman in love tries to break her family curse of every first marriage ending in divorce, by dashing to the altar with a random stranger before marrying her boyfriend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisQueer (2024)
In 1950s Mexico City, William Lee, an American ex-pat in his late forties, leads a solitary life amidst a small American community. However, the arrival in town of Eugene Allerton, a young student, stirs William into finally establishing a meaningful connection with someone.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Science of Sleep (2006)
A man entranced by his dreams and imagination is lovestruck with a French woman and feels he can show her his world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisReturn of the Seven (1966)
Chico, one of the remaining members of The Magnificent Seven, now lives in the town that they (The Seven) helped. One day someone comes and takes most of the men prisoner. His wife seeks out Chris, the leader of The Seven for help. Chris also meets Vin another member of The Seven. They find four other men and they go to help Chico.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Mexican (2001)
Jerry Welbach, a reluctant bagman, has been given two ultimatums: The first is from his mob boss to travel to Mexico and retrieve a priceless antique pistol, known as "the Mexican"... or suffer the consequences. The second is from his girlfriend Samantha to end his association with the mob. Jerry figures alive and in trouble with Samantha is better than the more permanent alternative, so he heads south of the border.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe (2023)
Two teenage Mexican-American loners in 1987 El Paso explore a new, unusual friendship and the difficult road to self-discovery.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisUnder the Autumn Moon (2018)
While visiting a dude ranch that is a potential acquisition for the outdoor adventure company she works for, Alex, an eager candidate for a big promotion discovers what matters most when she reignites her passion for the great outdoors; and becomes smitten with the ranch’s owner in the process.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Touch of Class (1973)
Steve, a happily married American man living in London meets Vicki, an English divorcée and run off to Marbella for a rollicking week of sex. They then return to London to set up a cozy menage, despite the fact that he loves his wife and children, and now realize that he and Vicki have also fallen in love.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDelicacy (2011)
A French woman mourning over the death of her husband three years prior is courted by a Swedish co-worker.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJust to Be Sure (2017)
Erwan, a strapping Breton who clears mines for a living, is shaken when he discovers that his father is not his father. Despite his affection for the man who raised him, he quietly sets out to find his biological father, and succeeds in locating Joseph, an endearing old codger he takes a liking to. Just when things look settled, another unexpected “bomb” hits Erwan in the form of Anna, an elusive nymph.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHis Kind of Woman (1951)
Career gambler Dan Milner agrees to a $50,000 deal to leave the USA for Mexico, only to find himself entangled with fellow guests at a luxurious resort and suspecting that the man who hired him may be the deported crime boss Nick Ferraro aiming to re-enter to the USA.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRevenge (1990)
Michael ‘Jay’ Cochran has just left the Navy after 12 years and he's not quite sure what he's going to do, except that he knows he wants a holiday. He decides to visit Tiburon Mendez, a powerful but shady Mexican businessman who he once flew to Alaska for a hunting trip. Arriving at the Mendez mansion in Mexico, he is immediately surprised by the beauty and youth of Mendez’s wife, Miryea.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisOff the Menu (2018)
An unlikely heir to a Mexican fast-food franchise goes 'cuisine' hunting for the next culinary big thing, and finds himself in a small, dusty New Mexican town where foodies come from all over to salivate over the culinary treats of a local, authentic, and feisty female chef.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisLove Is in the Air (2013)
Antoine is a lawyer living in New York. On his way back to France for the final round of a job interview, Antoine finds himself sitting right next to his ex-girlfriend Julie. With a seven-hour flight ahead of them, they are going to have to speak to each other.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDesperados (2020)
A panicked young woman and her two best friends fly to Mexico to delete a ranting email she sent to her new boyfriend. On arrival, they run into her former beau, who soon gets caught up in their frantic scheme.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisStranded in Paradise (2014)
When a driven HR exec loses her high-powered job, she travels to Puerto Rico in an attempt to save her career at a business conference. But as the trip quickly becomes a disaster and a hurricane shuts down the whole island, she meets a handsome world traveler who gives her a new perspective on finding passion in life and love.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisTrue Romance (1993)
Clarence marries hooker Alabama, steals cocaine from her pimp, and tries to sell it in Hollywood, while the owners of the coke try to reclaim it.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisDon Donald (1937)
Donald is courting Daisy (called Donna, here in her first appearance) Duck in Mexico. He arrives on a burro, which doesn't get along at all well with her; she convinces him to buy a car. They head through the desert, but the car breaks down, and throws Donald out, then takes off on its own with Daisy trapped inside the rumble seat. The car hits a rock, throwing Daisy into a mud puddle, to Donald's excessive amusement. Daisy pulls a unicycle from her purse, and rides off.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWings of Christmas (2013)
The film's protagonists get an opportunity to make a wish. Consequently, their lives take the path they themselves ordained. Several "coincidences" bring them everything they wanted and they have the chance to experience their wishes. We are not only responsible in our lives for everything that we do, but also for everything we say, we think and desire.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Baby Udon (2026)
Fanny Kondoh, a young Indonesian woman, falls in love with Hajime Kondoh, a Japanese man who comes to Indonesia for work. After getting married, Fanny and Hajime begin building a life together, embracing both its joys and challenges. As they struggle to fulfill their dream of having a child, they are faced with one heartbreaking trial after another, testing the strength of their love, especially when Hajime is diagnosed with cancer.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Ellipsis (2018)
In the middle of a crowded city the paths of two strangers, a man and a woman, collide. This accidental, chance occurrence sets in motion a chain of events that sees the two strangers embark on a night of adventure and connection that challenges their separate lives.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
I Know Everything (2022)
An unexpected text message interrupts Samer's unusual dream. The message says "I KNOW EVERYTHING". Helplessly, Samer tries to track down the number of the unknown sender throughout the night Is he scared of revealing something he did? Don't we all have something to hide.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
How a River Is Born (2025)
Ayla wakes up in a mountainous landscape, surrounded only by vegetation and a river. Driven by curiosity and a desire to get to know the place, she goes on a journey of discovery and diving. As she discovers where she is, she also discovers herself.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Those Left Behind (2017)
A family finally comes to terms with the grief over their son's suicide 25 years earlier.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967)
Bizarre tale of sex, betrayal, and perversion at a military post.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFriends (1971)
Paul, a rich English boy, and Michelle, an orphaned French girl, run away from home to a remote beach. Living on their own, their friendship grows into love.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
Two jobless Americans convince a prospector to travel to the mountains of Mexico with them in search of gold. But the hostile wilderness, local bandits, and greed all get in the way of their journey.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisThe Quiet Man (1952)
An American man returns to the village of his birth in Ireland, where he finds love and conflict.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Worth the HypeMovies like this
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Refuge?
The closest matches to The Refuge are At Midnight (2023), 10 (1979) and A Perfect Plan (2012). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Refuge?
Start with At Midnight (2023), the closest match to The Refuge.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Refuge?
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948), rated 8.0/10 by 1,424 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Refuge?
Baby Udon (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there French movies like The Refuge?
Yes: A Perfect Plan (2012), The Science of Sleep (2006) and Delicacy (2011).
How are movies similar to The Refuge chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Refuge, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.