Movies like Bonsai (2018)
The best movies like Bonsai (2018) are A Question of Faith (2017), Inside I'm Dancing (2004) and Hungry Hearts (2015). If Bonsai hooked you with its drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedInside I'm Dancing (2004)7.4/10 from 243 votes
- NewestEleanor the Great (2025)Released 2025
- In MalayalamIratta (2023)Also in Malayalam
A 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 thisInside I'm Dancing (2004)
Michael is a 24-year-old who has cerebral palsy and long-term resident of the Carrigmore Residential Home for the Disabled, run by the formidable Eileen. His life is transformed when the maverick Rory O'Shea moves in.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies 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 thisThe Color of Friendship (2000)
Mahree Bok lives on a farm in South Africa. Her father is a policeman who cannot hide his joy when activist Steve Biko is caught by the South African authorities. Piper Dellums is the daughter of a US congressman from California and who lives in a nice home in Washington DC. When Mahree is chosen to spend a semester at the Dellums' house, she doesn't expect that her host family would be black. Nor do her hosts suspect that she is not a black South African.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 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 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 thisIce Castles (2010)
Young, beautiful, talented Alexis Winston comes from nowhere to become a figure skating superstar. But her rise to stardom isn’t easy. She has to push herself, reinvent herself, and most painfully of all, leave her hometown boyfriend behind. When a tragic fall leaves her blind, she needs someone to believe in her, to love her; someone to convince her she has the strength to skate and dream again.
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 thisThe Christmas Shoes (2002)
Two separate stories mesh - in the first, a young music teacher, Maggie Andrews, begins dying of a heart condition and her son Nathan tries to get a pair of Christmas shoes for her before she dies. In the second, lawyer Robert Layton and his wife Kate are slowly drifting apart and the matter comes to a head during Christmas when Kate takes over for Maggie for the school choir.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBattleground (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
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSeeds of Yesterday (2015)
The Sheffield family reveal and go through some home truths as their middle child inherits the Foxworth mansion. The family's ghosts looming over, and more tragedies are in store as the curse lives on.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMansfield Park (2007)
Fanny Price is sent to live with her wealthy relatives, the Bertrams, where she is treated poorly by most except her cousin Edmund. Her life is complicated by the arrival of the worldly Mary and Henry Crawford
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBlue Chips (1994)
Pete Bell, a college basketball coach is under a lot of pressure. His team isn't winning and he cannot attract new players. The stars of the future are secretly being paid by boosters. This practice is forbidden in the college game, but Pete is desperate and has pressures from all around.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWon't Back Down (2012)
Jamie Fitzpatrick and Nona Alberts are two women from opposites sides of the social and economic track, but they have one thing in common: a mission to fix their community's broken school and ensure a bright future for their children. The two women refuse to let any obstacles stand in their way as they battle a bureaucracy that's hopelessly mired in traditional thinking, and they seek to re-energize a faculty that has lost its passion for teaching.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHurry Sundown (1967)
A ruthless Southern opportunist tries to buy his cousin's land, and when thwarted, brings several tragedies to the lives of his loved ones.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisIratta (2023)
After a cop is found dead, a policeman's investigation sparks a chilling search for the truth connected to his estranged twin and their fraught past.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisEdie (2018)
To try and overcome a lifetime of bitterness and resentment, 83-year-old Edie decides that it is never too late. After packing an old camping bag, she leaves her life behind and embarks on an adventure she never got to have... climbing the imposing Mount Suilven in Scotland.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRDX: Robert Dony Xavier (2023)
Once-menacing, anger fueled, trained martial arts fighters Robert, Dony and Xavier settle down to peaceful lives, after a significant event prompts them. Fate orchestrates their reunion and return from exile to their fighting ways, when their history linger ominously and one of them faces a violent attack.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGirl Fight (2011)
Inspired by a true story, Girl Fight recounts the harrowing story of a 16-year-old, stellar high school student whose life spirals downward when her former friends conspire to upload onto the Internet a shocking video of them beating her up.
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 Bonsai and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Bonsai?
The closest matches to Bonsai are A Question of Faith (2017), Inside I'm Dancing (2004) and Hungry Hearts (2015). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Bonsai?
Start with A Question of Faith (2017), the closest match to Bonsai.
What is the highest-rated movie like Bonsai?
Inside I'm Dancing (2004), rated 7.4/10 by 243 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Bonsai?
Eleanor the Great (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Malayalam movies like Bonsai?
Yes: Iratta (2023), RDX: Robert Dony Xavier (2023) and Rosapoo (2018).
How are movies similar to Bonsai chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Bonsai, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.