Movies like The Crab (2017)
The best movies like The Crab (2017) are Hounddog (2008), Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) and The River (1984). If The Crab hooked you with its drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedBeast (2026)7.5/10 from 227 votes
- NewestBeast (2026)Released 2026
- In MalayalamVirus (2019)Also in Malayalam
Hounddog (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 thisBastard 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 thisThe River (1984)
Tom and Mae Garvey are a Tennessee farming couple battling violent floods to save their land. In addition to natural disasters, the Garveys fight to stop a selfish land developer and a local corporation from foreclosing on their farm. While Mae stays at home to care for their children and tend to the crops, Tom finds work as a scab at a steel mill to preserve his family's property.
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 thisVirus (2019)
A real life account of the deadly Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala, and the courageous fight put on by several individuals which helped to contain the epidemic.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGracie (2007)
A teenager faces an uphill battle when she fights to give women the opportunity to play competitive soccer.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Nest (2020)
Rory is an ambitious entrepreneur who brings his American wife and kids to his native country, England, to explore new business opportunities. After abandoning the sanctuary of their safe American suburban surroundings, the family is plunged into the despair of an archaic '80s Britain and their unaffordable new life in an English manor house threatens to destroy the family.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBeast (2026)
MMA legend Patton James, now a commercial fisherman, is pulled back into the cage when his brother is in danger. Reuniting with his old coach Sammy, he commits to one final fight in one championship against the brutal champion Xavier Grau.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBrotherly Love (2015)
West Philadelphia basketball star Sergio Taylor deals with the pressures of fame while his brother and sister have their own issues with ambition.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisFast Girls (2012)
A street smart runner develops an intense rivalry with an equally ambitious wealthy young athlete.
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 thisDevil's Pond (2003)
After a brief courtship, Julianne marries her handsome boyfriend, Mitch. To celebrate their honeymoon, the couple travel to a remote cabin on a small island. When they arrive, however, Mitch becomes aggressive and physically abusive, and Julianne soon realizes he's not the ideal husband she once thought he was. Knowing that Mitch doesn't plan on ever letting her leave the island, Julianne, who is afraid of water, must find a way to escape.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThird Star (2010)
James and his three closest lifelong friends go on an ill-advised trip to the stunning coastal area of Barafundle Bay in West Wales. What follows is a touching and comical adventure dealing with friendship, heroism and love.
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 thisIron Jawed Angels (2004)
Defiant young activists take the women's suffrage movement by storm, putting their lives at risk to help American women win the right to vote.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Enforcer (2022)
A noir thriller set in Miami, the film follows an enforcer who discovers his femme fatale boss has branched out into cyber sex trafficking, putting a young runaway he’s befriended at risk. He sacrifices everything to save the young girl from the deadly organization he’s spent his life building.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies 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 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 thisHardball (2001)
An aimless young man who is scalping tickets, gambling and drinking, agrees to coach a Little League team from the Cabrini Green housing project in Chicago as a condition of getting a loan from a friend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like this44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shoot-Out (2003)
After a failed bank robbery, two heavily armed men hold the Los Angeles Police Department at bay for 44 minutes.
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 The Crab and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Crab?
The closest matches to The Crab are Hounddog (2008), Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) and The River (1984). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Crab?
Start with Hounddog (2008), the closest match to The Crab.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Crab?
Beast (2026), rated 7.5/10 by 227 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Crab?
Beast (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Malayalam movies like The Crab?
Yes: Virus (2019), Rosapoo (2018) and Kandam Becha Kottu (1961).
How are movies similar to The Crab chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Crab, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.