Movies like Malabar (2018)
The best movies like Malabar (2018) are Bastard Out of Carolina (1996), Lila & Eve (2015) and Barron's Cove (2025). If Malabar hooked you with its drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedAll Together Now (2020)6.7/10 from 229 votes
- NewestBarron's Cove (2025)Released 2025
Bastard Out of Carolina (1996)
A poor, struggling South Carolinian mother and daughter face painful choices with their resolve and pride. Bone, the eldest daughter, and Anney her tired mother, grow both closer and farther apart: Anney sees Glen as her last chance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLila & Eve (2015)
Lila, a grief-stricken mother reeling from her son’s murder, attends a support group where she meets Eve, who urges her to take matters into her own hands to track down her son’s killers.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBarron's Cove (2025)
When his young son is viciously murdered by a classmate, a grieving father with a history of violence kidnaps the child responsible, igniting a frenzied manhunt fueled by a powerful politician -- the father of the kidnapped boy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisSergio (2020)
A sweeping drama set in the chaotic aftermath of the US invasion of Iraq, where the life of top UN diplomat Brazilian Sérgio Vieira de Mello hangs in the balance during the most treacherous mission of his career.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLady Driver (2020)
When a rebellious teen embarks on a solo summer journey to connect with her roots, she finds herself in a new world, geared up for the ride of her life, and discovers she had the drive in her all along.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAlex of Venice (2015)
After her stay-at-home husband leaves her, a workaholic lawyer finds that she is not completely up to the tasks of caring for her young son, ailing father and household all by herself.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisKisses (2008)
Two kids, Dylan and Kylie, run away from home on Christmas Day and spend a night of magic and terror on the streets of inner-city Dublin.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisStrange Weather (2016)
Years after her son's suicide, a woman longs to confront both the past and a friend of his who took his business idea.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Parts You Lose (2019)
An unlikely friendship unfolds between a young deaf boy, Wesley, and a fugitive criminal who takes refuge in an abandoned barn on the family’s rural North Dakota farm.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEmbattled (2020)
The eldest son of a ruthlessly tough MMA champion must fight his way out of the abusive cycle his father has continued.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Truth About Emanuel (2013)
A troubled young woman becomes obsessed with her mysterious new neighbor, who bears a striking resemblance to the girl's dead mother.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSky (2016)
A woman embarks on a journey alone across the United States after fleeing from her violent husband.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNo One Would Tell (1996)
Shy sixteen-year-old Stacy Collins can't believe that the most popular guy in school, an attractive athlete named Bobby Tennison, is interested in her. At first she is flattered by his constant attention, but then he becomes possessive and jealous-telling her who she can speak to and what she can wear. Threats escalate into violence when Bobby thinks Stacy has stepped out of line. Soon she is walking on egg shells and living in fear. Having seen the tell-tale bruises, Stacy's best friend convinces her to break things off with Bobby-but in a moment of weakness, Stacy goes to meet him. It will be the last time she is seen alive.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisAll Together Now (2020)
An optimistic, talented teen clings to a huge secret: she's homeless and living on a school bus. When tragedy strikes, can she learn to accept a helping hand?
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 thisA Question of Faith (2017)
When Tragedy Strikes three Families, their Destiny forces them on a coverging path and mercy as the challenges of their fate could also resurrect their beliefs
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisLorelei (2020)
A man is released from prison after 15 years. He reunites with his high school girlfriend, now a single mother of three. What follows is a lyrical take on love, regret and second chances.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRogue Agent (2022)
Conman Robert Freegard poses as an undercover MI5 agent and kidnaps countless victims amidst a high-stakes manhunt, until the woman who fell for him brings him to justice.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisI Am David (2003)
A 12-year-old boy manages to flee a Communist concentration camp on his own, through sheer will and determination. All he has in his possession is a loaf of bread, a letter to deliver to someone in Denmark, and a compass to help get him there.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAmerican Son (2019)
Time passes and tension mounts in a Florida police station as an estranged interracial couple awaits news of their missing teenage son.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSubhalekha (1982)
Sujatha, a lecturer, stands up against the dowry system when a rich man comes to her house with a marriage proposal. But she doesn't have the support of her family and her actions have serious consequences.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Tingu Rangadu (1982)
Tingu Rangadu is action drama based movie in which, Chiranjeevi is a carefree guy who lives with his grandmother (nirmalamma) and his cousin. One day he escapes from his house and landsup in a city. He gets into RamchandraRao (Jaggayya)’s house claiming to be his son, through his extra-marital relationship.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Bhoothakkannadi (1997)
Vidyadharan, a clocksmith, is a widower and lives for his only daughter. However, his life takes a turn for the worse when he kills a thug suspecting him for murdering a village girl.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Mukthi (1988)
Haridas is a district collector who tries to help people. However, he faces several challenges due to a rift between him and his brother who joins a corrupt political party.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Ponthan Mada (1994)
Set in 1940s,Ponthan Mada movie is about the irrational bonding of the low-caste Ponthan Mada with his colonial landlord Sheema Thampuran, who was expelled to British India from England during his youth for supporting the Irish Republican Army. Crossing the class boundaries, the two communicate through Thampuran's window, with Mada hanging from a palm tree.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Ival Droupadi (2014)
Ival Droupadi movie tells the story of Ajitha (Vani Viswanath) whose sister Anitha is brutally raped by a three member gang including a minister, a Police Commissioner and a rich businessman. (Anitha is in love with Sudhi (Shiju) who is a mimicry artist and their neighbour). As can be presumed, Anitha (Sujitha) commits suicide. The only witness to the brutal crime Raavunni (Mala Aravindhan) is murdered by the three-member gang. Ajitha, along with her father, tries to seek the help of the police, but to no avail. When she decides to take matters into her hands and seek vengeance for her sister`s death in her own way, her father, for the sake of her safety, dubs her a lunatic and manages to send her to a lunatic asylum.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Choodalani Vundi (1998)
Ramakrishna arrives in Kolkata and takes up residence in Padmavathi's housing colony. While at first he seems happy and easy-going, soon his real reason for returning to Kolkata is revealed. He wants revenge!
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Ooru Vittu Ooru Vanthu (1990)
Ooru Vittu ooru Vanthu is a 1990 Tamil film directed by Gangai Amaran. The film stars Ramarajan, Gouthami, Goundamani and Sangili Murugan in lead roles.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Thangamana Raasa (1989)
Chinnakaruppan goes to jail after accidentally killing his brother for cheating him. His son, Rasa, tries to make peace with his cousin who holds vengeance against his family for murdering his father.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Daddy (2001)
An audio company and dance school owner is a very rich man but also gullible. He gets married to the girl he loves; but loses all his money to his scheming friends. They lose their daughter to a heart disease following which his wife leaves him.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Like Malabar and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Malabar?
The closest matches to Malabar are Bastard Out of Carolina (1996), Lila & Eve (2015) and Barron's Cove (2025). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Malabar?
Start with Bastard Out of Carolina (1996), the closest match to Malabar.
What is the highest-rated movie like Malabar?
All Together Now (2020), rated 6.7/10 by 229 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Malabar?
Barron's Cove (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there English movies like Malabar?
Yes: Bastard Out of Carolina (1996), Lila & Eve (2015) and Barron's Cove (2025).
How are movies similar to Malabar chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Malabar, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.