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Movies like The Red Ribbon (1999)

The best movies like The Red Ribbon (1999) are The History of Love (2016), The Sound Barrier (1952) and A Time to Love and a Time to Die (1958). If The Red Ribbon hooked you with its drama and war, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks

  1. The History of Love (2016)

    The story of a long-lost book that mysteriously reappears and connects an old man searching for his son with a girl seeking a cure for her mother's loneliness.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & romance

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  2. The Sound Barrier (1952)

    A young RAF pilot tests his father-in-law’s prototype supersonic aircraft to the limit, at a time of intense development in the field of aviation, just as commercial jet airliners are about to enter service.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & romance

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  3. A Time to Love and a Time to Die (1958)

    A German soldier home on leave falls in love with a girl, then returns to World War II.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & war

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  4. Dear John (2010)

    While Sergeant John Tyree is home on two weeks leave from Germany, he meets Savannah after he dives into the ocean to retrieve Savannah's purse that had fallen off a pier. John eventually falls in love with Savannah, who promises to write to him until he returns from overseas.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & romance

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  5. Battleground (1949)

    Members of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division are fighting for their country amidst the rugged terrain of Bastogne, Belgium, in December 1944. Holley and his American compatriots have already seen one of their own, Roderigues, perish under enemy fire. The men try to rebuff another series of Nazi attacks, but what they really need is a change in the weather. Without clear skies, they'll never get the air support they need.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & war

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  6. The Kill Team (2019)

    When Andrew Briggman — a young soldier in the US Army during the invasion of Afghanistan — witnesses the murderous behavior of fellow soldiers, under the direction of a malevolent Sergeant, he faces a moral dilemma. His increasingly-violent platoon becomes suspicious that someone in their ranks has turned on them, and Andrew begins to fear for his safety. A fictionalized dramatization based on a true story.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war & drama

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  7. Not Easily Broken (2009)

    A car accident and shifting affections test the bond between a married couple.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & romance

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  8. Field of Lost Shoes (2015)

    A group of teenage cadets sheltered from war at the Virginia Military Institute must confront the horrors of an adult world when they are called upon to defend the Shenandoah Valley.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war & drama

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  9. Maria's Lovers (1984)

    A World War II prisoner returns home to his childhood sweetheart. However, back home, he discovers that he has to compete to win her love.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & romance

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  10. The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell (1955)

    A dramatization of the American general and his court martial for publically complaining about High Command's dismissal and neglect of the aerial fighting forces.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & war

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  11. Salome (1953)

    In the reign of emperor Tiberius, Gallilean prophet John the Baptist preaches against King Herod and Queen Herodias. The latter wants John dead, but Herod fears to harm him due to a prophecy. Enter beautiful Princess Salome, Herod's long-absent stepdaughter. Herodias sees the king's dawning lust for Salome as her means of bending him to her will. But Salome and her lover Claudius are–contrary to Scripture–nearing conversion to the new religion.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & romance

  12. Chinese Box (1997)

    The story of Hong Kong, from New Year's Day to June 30th, 1997, when the British left their colony and turned it over to the People's Republic of China.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & romance

  13. Racing with the Moon (1984)

    In a small coastal California town, Henry and Nicky are pals from blue collar families with only a short time before they ship off to World War II. Henry begins romancing new-to-town Caddie Winger, believing her to be wealthy. Mischievous and irresponsible, Nicky gets into trouble which forces the other two to become involved, testing their relationship, as well as the friendship between the boys.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & romance

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  14. Jacknife (1989)

    A conflict develops between a troubled Vietnam veteran and the sister he lives with when she becomes involved romantically with the army buddy who reminds him of the tragic battle they both survived.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & war

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  15. The Secret: Dare to Dream (2020)

    A widow with three children hires a handyman to fix her house during a major storm. When not doing home repairs, he shares his philosophy of believing in the power of the universe to deliver what we want.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & romance

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  16. Outlaws - For Greater Glory (2012)

    A chronicle of the Cristeros War (1926-1929), which was touched off by a rebellion against the Mexican government's attempt to secularize the country.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & war

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  17. An Ordinary Man (2017)

    A war criminal in hiding forms a relationship with his only connection to the outside world - his maid.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & war

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  18. Seal Team Eight: Behind Enemy Lines (2014)

    Seal Team Eight must fight their way deep into Africa's Congo, decommission a secret uranium mine, and stop our most dangerous enemy from smuggling weapon's grade yellow-cake out of the country.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war & drama

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  19. A Journal for Jordan (2021)

    Based on the true story of First Sergeant Charles Monroe King, a soldier deployed to Iraq begins to keep a journal of love and advice for his infant son. Back at home, senior New York Times editor Dana Canedy revisits the story of her unlikely, life-altering relationship with King and his enduring devotion to her and their child.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama & romance

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  20. Play Dirty (1969)

    During World War II in North Africa, a group of British commandos disguised as Italian soldiers must travel behind enemy lines and destroy a vital Nazi oil depot.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both war & drama

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  21. Sheyda (1999)

    Farhad has lost his eyesight due to an injury sustained in battle. As part of his recovery, he is transferred to a temporary hospital, where he encounters young nurse Sheida. Sheida is surprised by his tolerance to the pain of his injury, but soon realises that her recitation of Quran verses has a miraculous calming effect on him. And as the two start to grow closer and Farhad begins to heal, they find themselves on the path between faith and hope, and the true nature of both is revealed to them.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & war

  22. Minoo Watch Tower (1996)

    Minoo who is married to Moosa recently, is moving to the new house. But Moosa receive a letter in which he being told to get back to the Minoo Island (a border island between Iran and Iraq), to dispatch a watch tower there from the period of war. Moosa who has a lot of memories of that place refuses to go there but his wife Minoo is insisting. Finally she manages to convince him and both go there.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & war

  23. The Immigrant (1990)

    A man who controls small airplanes to detect Iraq's front line, is put in danger not being able to return.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & war

  24. The Scout (1990)

    In Iran-Iraq's war, a young scout joins the front-line to help his comrades single-handed.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & war

  25. Dead Wave (2001)

    Even after ten years, Lieutenant Morteza Rashed still has nightmares of corpses and dolls floating around after the fall of the Airbus plane by those who served aboard USS Vincennes at 1988. He has been holding a grudge towards them ever since they attacked this plane, and is always looking for an opportunity to take revenge...

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & war

  26. The Scent of Joseph's Shirt (1995)

    َA father, Daei Ghafur, does not accept his son's death during 1980-1988 conflict between Iran and Iraq, and believes he is alive despite all evidence indicating otherwise. One day he meets a young lady, Shirin, at the airport who has travelled from Europe to Iran looking for his brother, Khosrow, a missing soldier at war. Both start searching their loved ones...

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & war

  27. Harold and Maude (1971)

    A deadpan young man obsessed with death meets an eccentric septuagenarian who teaches him to live life to the fullest.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama & romance

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  28. Brother (2000)

    A Japanese Yakuza gangster's deadly existence in his homeland gets him exiled to Los Angeles, where he is taken in by his little brother and his brother's gang.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  29. Winona (2020)

    Seems like an ordinary trip to a remote beach. Four young women enjoy the warmth of the sun, the coolness of the sea and one another's company. None of them is "Winona"

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama

  30. Head or Tails (2016)

    Lilly convinces her best friend René to join her on a nocturnal trespassing adventure. The two young women break into a zoo and enter an idiosyncratic animal kingdom where the boundaries between fear and desire begin to blur.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama

Like The Red Ribbon and something else?

Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best movies like The Red Ribbon?

The closest matches to The Red Ribbon are The History of Love (2016), The Sound Barrier (1952) and A Time to Love and a Time to Die (1958). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.

What should I watch after The Red Ribbon?

Start with The History of Love (2016), the closest match to The Red Ribbon.

What is the highest-rated movie like The Red Ribbon?

Harold and Maude (1971), rated 7.6/10 by 1,265 TMDB users.

What is the newest movie like The Red Ribbon?

A Journal for Jordan (2021) is the most recent release on this list.

How are movies similar to The Red Ribbon chosen?

First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Red Ribbon, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.

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