Movies like Swapnadanam (1976)
The best movies like Swapnadanam (1976) are Hungry Hearts (2015), Blindfire (2020) and Farming (2018). If Swapnadanam hooked you with its drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedUnthinkable (2010)6.8/10 from 1,564 votes
- NewestMexicali (2026)Released 2026
- In MalayalamRosapoo (2018)Also in Malayalam
Hungry 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 thisBlindfire (2020)
A police officer who while responding to a violent hostage call, kills the African American suspect only to later learn of his innocence. Sensing this was a set-up, and facing repercussions, he must track down the person responsible while examining his own accountability and the ingrained racism which brought him to this point.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFarming (2018)
Based on the writer/director's childhood, FARMING tells the story of a young Nigerian boy, 'farmed out' by his parents to a white British family in the hope of a better future. Instead, he becomes the feared leader of a white skinhead gang.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRise of the Footsoldier 3 (2017)
In the late 1980s, Pat Tate journeys from peddling pills in Marbella to his time in prison, where he solidifies his power before his release to reclaim his turf.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisXiu Xiu: The Sent-Down Girl (1998)
Young teen girl Xiu Xiu is sent away to a remote corner of the Sichuan steppes for manual labor in 1975 (sending young people to there was a part of Cultural Revolution in China). A year later, she agrees to go to even more remote spot with a Tibetan saddle tramp Lao Jin to learn horse herding.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPimp (2018)
An urban love story set on the hard streets of the Bronx. A struggling female pimp, named Wednesday, grows up learning the game from her dad. Once he's gone she's left to look out for her prostitute mother and girlfriend Nikki.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisConvict (2014)
Set in the dark and old Parramatta prison built by the original convicts our lead character Ray a war veteran finds himself serving 18 months for manslaughter after defending his fiance. He soon realizes that the prison boss has it in for him and does everything possible to break Ray even going after his fiance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLuckiest Girl Alive (2022)
A successful woman in New York City finds her life upended when she is forced to confront a dark truth that threatens to unravel her meticulously crafted life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisUnthinkable (2010)
The government gets wind of a plot to destroy America involving a trio of nuclear weapons for which the whereabouts are unknown. It's up to a seasoned interrogator and an FBI agent to find out exactly where the nukes are.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLockdown (2000)
Avery (Jones) returns to college as a competitive swimmer after getting his life back on track. But his life takes another unexpected turn when he and his two friends (Bonds, Casseus) are wrongly accused of murder and end up in prison.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMexicali (2026)
A former special forces contractor is forced out of retirement as an avocado farmer in Mexico when local gangsters try to force him and his family off their farm.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisCrimes of Passion (1984)
Fashion designer Joanna Crane leads a double life. By night she is China Blue, a prostitute who's attracted the attention of a sexually frustrated private detective, and a psychopathic priest in possession of a murderous sex toy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNo Retreat, No Surrender 3: Blood Brothers (1990)
Two feuding brothers of differing political views, one a policeman, the other a martial artist, join forces to avenge the death of their father, a retired agent who was brutally murdered by the mafia.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSuburbia (1984)
When household tensions and a sense of worthlessness overcome Evan, he finds escape when he clings with the orphans of a throw-away society. The runaways hold on to each other like a family until a tragedy tears them apart.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain (2021)
Based on the true story of the events that led to the death of Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., an elderly African American veteran with bipolar disorder, who was killed during a conflict with police officers who were dispatched to check on him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Rookie (1990)
Veteran cop Nick Pulovski is used to playing musical partners; many of the partners he's had in the past have died on the job, and often as a result of Nick's risky tactics. But the rookie who's been assigned to help Nick bust a carjacking ring is almost as hotheaded as he is … and when Nick gets kidnapped, his newbie partner is his only hope.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisStranger on the Third Floor (1940)
Newspaper reporter Michael Ward plunges into a nightmare of guilt, fearing that his "evidence" has sentenced the wrong man to death.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWalking Tall: Lone Justice (2007)
In Dallas, witnesses against a drug-lord are murdered in a safe-house.The testimony of FBI agents becomes the only chance to keep him in prison. They are lodged in another safe-house, but the place is invaded and the agents are executed. However, Kate is only wounded, and her boyfriend Nick believes there is a traitor in the agency and takes her to his ranch to protect her life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisI Smile Back (2015)
Laney is an attractive, intelligent suburban wife and devoted mother of two adorable children. She has the perfect husband who plays basketball with the kids in the driveway, a pristine house, and a shiny SUV for carting the children to their next activity. However, just beneath the façade lie depression and disillusionment that send her careening into a secret world of reckless compulsion. Only very real danger will force her to face the painful root of her destructiveness and its crumbling effect on those she loves.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
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 · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRosapoo (2018)
Shajahan and Ambros are two youngsters who struggle to make ends meet. Already neck deep in debt, they try a variety of businesses without much success in any. Following a friend's advice, they decide to try their luck in making an adult film as a last resort.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Kandam Becha Kottu (1961)
The film focused mainly on the evil of dowry system which was rampant in the Muslim community of Kerala
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Nalla Thanka (1950)
Nalla Thanka , the only sister of Nallannan , the King of Madhurapuri, is wedded to Somanathan , the king of the neighbouring kingdom Ratnapuri. Alankari, the wicked wife of Nallannan becomes envious of the prosperity of Ratnapuri and the happy married life of Nalla Thanka.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Rarichan Enna Pauran (1956)
The story is about a young orphan boy who steals money to help the daughter of his benefactress to marry.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Chippy (2017)
Chippy is all about a bunch of school going kids from Thalassery, a coastal area in Kerala, who want to make a short film revolving around their distasteful experiences in life.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Chakkara Maavin Kombathu (2017)
Uthaman and Jentry, who folloow Aalimammookka, a kind and helpful soul who loves the village and village folk. Both Uthaman and Jentry have a troubled childhood, whilst the former who comes from a very poor family aspires to enjoy luxuries, the latter yearns for parental love. The story takes a twist when Uthaman's father, Dasan tells him that Aalimammookka has many treasures and as Uthaman goes in the pursuit of the treasure, a series of interesting events unfold.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Paathi: The Half (2017)
Kammaran, an artist who volunteers at the local health centre, is haunted by his past deeds of helping with foeticides. To escape reality, he immerses himself in Theyyam, a ritual form of dance.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Passu (2017)
Rambhadran, an ardent lover of animals and nature, along with his cows moves to a new place where he is helped by a local to settle down. Soon, rumors spread that a leopard is spotted in the nearby forest. Fearing for the life of the cows, Rambhadran decides to sell the cows but he is threatened by the 'Cow protection committee'. Unable to cope with the situation, Rambhadran leaves the cows in the forest and returns, however, a few days later Rambhadran is mysteriously found dead.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Melle (2017)
Uma, a young and bright student and her father, Job, an excellent musician living a happy and peaceful life together in Kolkata on the east bank of the Hugli River. However, Job, who is always yearning to go back to his homeland, finally returns as Uma agrees to go with him but little do both know that their life would turn upside-down as Uma finds upsetting and disturbing things about her father. She finds solace in an unlikely ally who not helps her mend the relationship with her father but also becomes her soulmate.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Like Swapnadanam and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Swapnadanam?
The closest matches to Swapnadanam are Hungry Hearts (2015), Blindfire (2020) and Farming (2018). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Swapnadanam?
Start with Hungry Hearts (2015), the closest match to Swapnadanam.
What is the highest-rated movie like Swapnadanam?
Unthinkable (2010), rated 6.8/10 by 1,564 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Swapnadanam?
Mexicali (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Malayalam movies like Swapnadanam?
Yes: Rosapoo (2018), Kandam Becha Kottu (1961) and Nalla Thanka (1950).
How are movies similar to Swapnadanam chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Swapnadanam, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.