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Movies like The Dreamers (1985)

The best movies like The Dreamers (1985) are All That Breathes (2022), Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet (2002) and Van Gogh: Painted with Words (2010). If The Dreamers hooked you with its documentary and drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks

  1. All That Breathes (2022)

    Against the darkening backdrop of New Delhi's apocalyptic air and escalating violence, two brothers devote their lives to protecting one casualty of the turbulent times: the bird known as the black kite.

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

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  2. Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet (2002)

    Ten Minutes Older is a 2002 film project consisting of two compilation feature films entitled The Trumpet and The Cello. The project was conceived by the producer Nicolas McClintock as a reflection on the theme of time at the turn of the Millennium. Fifteen celebrated film-makers were invited to create their own vision of what time means in ten minutes of film.

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

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  3. Van Gogh: Painted with Words (2010)

    A drama-documentary presented by Alan Yentob, with Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead role. Every word spoken by the actors in this film is sourced from the letters that Van Gogh sent to his younger brother Theo, and of those around him. What emerges is a complex portrait of a sophisticated, civilised and yet tormented man.

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

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  4. Joker: Put on a Happy Face (2020)

    Featuring interviews with filmmakers and industry legends, discover the origins and evolution of The Joker, and learn why The Clown Prince of Crime is universally hailed as the greatest comic-book supervillain of all time.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  5. One Soldier's Story: The Journey of American Sniper (2015)

    Join director Clint Eastwood and his creative team, along with Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller, as they overcome enormous creative and logistic obstacles to make a film that brings the truth of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle's story to the screen.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

  6. Being James Bond (2021)

    Daniel Craig candidly reflects on his 15 year adventure as James Bond. Including never-before-seen archival footage from Casino Royale to the upcoming 25th film No Time To Die, Craig shares his personal memories in conversation with 007 producers, Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  7. Extremis (2016)

    A purely observational non-fiction film that takes viewers into the ethically murky world of end-of-life decision making in a public hospital.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  8. Embrace the Panda: Making Turning Red (2022)

    A feature length documentary about the all-women team at the helm of Pixar's original feature, Turning Red. With unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to Director Domee Shi and her core leadership crew, this story shines a light on the powerful professional and personal journeys that brought this incredibly comical, utterly relatable, and deeply heartfelt story to the screen.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  9. As I Was Moving Ahead Occasionally I Saw Brief Glimpses of Beauty (2000)

    A compilation of over 30 years of private home movie footage shot by Lithuanian-American avant-garde director Jonas Mekas, assembled by Mekas "purely by chance", without concern for chronological order.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  10. Seduced and Abandoned (2013)

    SEDUCED AND ABANDONED combines acting legend Alec Baldwin with director James Toback as they lead us on a troublesome and often hilarious journey of raising financing for their next feature film. Moving from director to financier to star actor, the two players provide us with a unique look behind the curtain at the world's biggest and most glamourous film festival, shining a light on the bitter-sweet relationship filmmakers have with Cannes and the film business. Featuring insights from directors Martin Scorsese, 'Bernando Bertolucci' and Roman Polanski; actors Ryan Gosling and Jessica Chastain and a host of film distribution luminaries.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  11. The Godfather Family: A Look Inside (1990)

    A documentary on the making of the three Godfather films, with interviews and recollections from the film makers and cast. This feature also includes the original screen tests of some of the actors for "The Godfather" film, and some candid moments on the set of "The Godfather: Part III."

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  12. Seven Up! (1985)

    A group of British children aged 7 from widely ranging backgrounds are interviewed about a range of subjects. The filmmakers plan to re-interview them at 7 year intervals to track how their lives and attitudes change as they age.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  13. Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20 (2022)

    An inside look at one of the most anticipated movie sequels ever with James Cameron and cast.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  14. 42 Up (1999)

    Director Michael Apted revisits the same group of British-born adults after a 7 year wait. The subjects are interviewed as to the changes that have occurred in their lives during the last seven years.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  15. Come See Me in the Good Light (2025)

    In an intimate and joyful story of love in the face of loss, celebrated poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley find strength—and unexpected hilarity—in what might be their final year together.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  16. Directed by John Ford (1971)

    A documentary about the life and films of director John Ford.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  17. A Toxic Love Story (2026)

    A string of threatening emails escalates into a revenge plot involving a newly married US marshal and his ex-girlfriend.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  18. The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story (2019)

    A documentary chronicling Queen and Lambert's incredible journey since they first shared the stage together on "American Idol" in 2009.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  19. Deliver Us from Evil (2006)

    Documentary filmmaker Amy Berg investigates the life of 30-year pedophile Father Oliver O'Grady and exposes the corruption inside the Catholic Church that allowed him to abuse countless children. Victims' stories and a disturbing interview with O'Grady offer a view into the troubled mind of the spiritual leader who moved from parish to parish gaining trust ... all the while betraying so many.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  20. Very Nice, Very Nice (1961)

    Arthur Lipsett's first film is an avant-garde blend of photography and sound. It looks behind the business-as-usual face we put on life and shows anxieties we want to forget. It is made of dozens of pictures that seem familiar, with fragments of speech heard in passing and, between times, a voice saying, "Very nice, very nice." The film was nominated for an Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film.

    Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both documentary

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  21. Scherzo (2002)

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama

  22. Pulsar (2005)

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama

  23. The Mousetrap (2016)

    Baptiste is a gay man who can't stop dreaming about a woman who works at a local pub. His desire for her makes him go on a journey that he could had never imagined.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama

  24. Across My Land (2017)

    Father and son 'minutemen' patrol the American/Mexican border near their home in Nogales, Arizona.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama

  25. Lunch Time (2017)

    A 16 year old girl has come to the hospital to identify the body of her mother. The people in charge at the hospital - due to her young age - won't let her into the morgue. After she insists that most of her family is in jail for criminal activities, they acquiesce...

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama

  26. Ninety-Five Senses (2022)

    A heartfelt depiction of a man facing his own mortality while reflecting on the grave mistakes of his youth.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama

  27. Learning Disabilities in Primary Care (2022)

    People with learning disabilities often experience worse physical and mental health. This film is a starting point to address these inequalities.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both documentary

  28. Tidal Time (2018)

    After a boat accident where he puts his son Flavio’s life at risk, fisherman Capudemazza decides to never go fishing again. Ten years later a discovery about his son awakens a feeling in him that had been buried.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama

  29. In This Town (2015)

    A group of youngsters gathers in Noryangjin, tucking their lives behind. They are here with a same goal to pass the exam, but it can't be done by everyone. They live a repetition of the same routine every day.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama

  30. Agreement (2017)

    Se-young goes to an agreement with the woman her husband raped.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama

Like The Dreamers and something else?

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

Frequently asked questions

What are the best movies like The Dreamers?

The closest matches to The Dreamers are All That Breathes (2022), Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet (2002) and Van Gogh: Painted with Words (2010). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.

What should I watch after The Dreamers?

Start with All That Breathes (2022), the closest match to The Dreamers.

What is the highest-rated movie like The Dreamers?

Deliver Us from Evil (2006), rated 7.2/10 by 216 TMDB users.

What is the newest movie like The Dreamers?

A Toxic Love Story (2026) is the most recent release on this list.

Are there English movies like The Dreamers?

Yes: All That Breathes (2022), Ten Minutes Older: The Trumpet (2002) and Van Gogh: Painted with Words (2010).

How are movies similar to The Dreamers chosen?

First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Dreamers, 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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