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Movies like Empty Town (2006)

The best movies like Empty Town (2006) are Love Everlasting (2016), Newness (2017) and Return to Dust (2022). If Empty Town hooked you with its romance and drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.

Quick picks

  1. Love Everlasting (2016)

    Bridger is a young outsider who's always wanted more. He and his mother flee an abusive home, eventually finding a small town in the middle of nowhere. Once there, Bridger finds true acceptance with another misfit.

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

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  2. Newness (2017)

    In contemporary Los Angeles, two millennials navigating a social media–driven hookup culture begin a relationship that pushes both emotional and physical boundaries.

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

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  3. Return to Dust (2022)

    Humble, unassuming Ma and timid Cao have been cast off by their families and forced into an arranged marriage. They have to combine their strength and build a home to survive. In the face of much adversity, an unexpected bond begins to blossom, as both Ma and Cao, uniting with Earth's cycles, create a haven for themselves in which they can thrive.

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

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  4. Purple Hearts (2022)

    An aspiring musician agrees to a marriage of convenience with a soon-to-deploy Marine, but a tragedy soon turns their fake relationship all too real.

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

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  5. Under the Hawthorn Tree (2010)

    The daughter of a right-winger, schoolgirl Jing Qiu is sent to the countryside for reeducation, and tasked to help write a textbook. There she meets Lao San, a young soldier with a bright future ahead. Despite the class divide and parental disapproval, romance blooms against turbulent times.

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

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  6. The Fugitive Kind (1960)

    Val Xavier, a drifter of obscure origins, arrives at a small town and gets a job in a store run by Lady Torrence. Her husband, Jabe M. Torrance, is dying of cancer. Val is pursued by Carol Cutere, the enigmatic local tramp-of-good-family.

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

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  7. A Ring of Endless Light (2002)

    When 15-year-old Vicky Austin, her sister Suzy and little brother Rob visit their grandfather on Seven Bay Island, Vicky faces several unexpected challenges. Her beloved grandfather, retired Reverend Eaton, seems to be seriously ill, but tries to pretend that nothing is wrong. Vicky met the rich but emotionally troubled Zachary Gray the previous summer, and he reappears to renew the acquaintance. Another boy, 17-year-old Adam Eddington, recruits Vicky to help him with a research project, working with a dolphin called Basil. Vicky discovers she can communicate telepathically with the dolphin and his mate - and possibly with Adam as well

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

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  8. Gabriel's Inferno: Part II (2020)

    Professor Gabriel Emerson finally learns the truth about Julia Mitchell's identity, but his realization comes a moment too late. Julia is done waiting for the well-respected Dante specialist to remember her and wants nothing more to do with him. Can Gabriel win back her heart before she finds love in another's arms?

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

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  9. Gabriel's Inferno: Part III (2020)

    The final part of the film adaption of the erotic romance novel Gabriel's Inferno written by an anonymous Canadian author under the pen name Sylvain Reynard.

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

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  10. Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between (2022)

    Clare and Aidan make a pact to break up before college — no regrets, no broken hearts. But will one epic goodbye date offer them a last chance at love?

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

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  11. Man in Love (2021)

    A debt collector strikes a deal with a debt-ridden woman struggling to care for her ailing father: he will take care of her bills if she agrees to date him.

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

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  12. Gabriel's Inferno (2020)

    An intriguing and sinful exploration of seduction, forbidden love, and redemption, Gabriel's Inferno is a captivating and wildly passionate tale of one man's escape from his own personal hell as he tries to earn the impossible--forgiveness and love.

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

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  13. Time Is Up (2021)

    Vivien, an accomplished student with a passion for physics, and Roy, a troubled young man, are involved in an accident that forces them to reclaim their lives one minute at the time.

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

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  14. Mountains May Depart (2015)

    The life of Tao, and those close to her, is explored in three different time periods: 1999, 2014, and 2025.

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

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  15. Her Story (2024)

    Wang Tiemei, a single mother, loses her job and moves, befriending neighbor Xiaoye who appears cheerful but is depressed. Their bond grows as Tiemei navigates relationships with her ex-husband causing trouble.

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

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  16. Blind (2017)

    A novelist is blinded in a car crash that killed his wife and several years later rediscovers his passion for life and writing when he embarks on an affair with the neglected wife of an indicted businessman.

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

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  17. Game of Love (2022)

    Follows Vivien and Roy as their love story continues and leads them to Roy’s childhood home in Sicily to prepare for the sale of the family estate. During the visit, a mysterious woman arrives and befriends Vivien, much to Roy’s displeasure. Tensions build and lines are crossed as secrets from Roy’s past force the couple to face aspects of their relationship they did not know existed.

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

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  18. Sylvie's Love (2020)

    When a young woman meets an aspiring saxophonist in her father’s record shop in 1950s Harlem, their love ignites a sweeping romance that transcends changing times, geography, and professional success.

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

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  19. 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
  20. Nine Lives (2005)

    Captives of the very relationships that define and sustain them, nine women resiliently meet the travails and disappointments of life.

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

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  21. Strayed (2003)

    Fleeing the June 1940 arrival of Hitler's army in Paris, a young war widow and her two children are rescued from dive-bombing German fighters by a cocky, reckless teenager. He finds them refuge in an abandoned house, but despite the fact that the family quickly comes to be depending much on his cunning and survival abilities, their cohabitation proves uneasy.

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

  22. Sweet Land (2005)

    Set in 1920, Inge travels from Germany to rural Minnesota in order to meet the man destined to be her husband.

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

    Popcorn FlickMovies like this
  23. A Girl of Solbakken (1957)

    From Bjørnson's novels about romance in 19th century Norway. Thorbjörn Granliden is raised severely by his parents who notice that he is drawn to the sinister farmhand Aslak. After a fight with Thorbjörn's father, Aslak leaves the farm. Thorbjörn grows up and falls in love with the beautiful Synnöve.

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

  24. Rebecca (1940)

    Story of a young woman who marries a fascinating widower only to find out that she must live in the shadow of his former wife, Rebecca, who died mysteriously several years earlier. The young wife must come to grips with the terrible secret of her handsome, cold husband, Max De Winter. She must also deal with the jealous, obsessed Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper, who will not accept her as the mistress of the house.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both romance

    Absolute CinemaMovies like this
  25. D'Unbelievables D'Telly (1998)

    Irish Comedy Starring Jon Kenny & Pat Shortt

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama

  26. Midsummer Night's Fire (1939)

    After many years in Africa, a man returns to his village in East Prussia to marry his intended bride. However, he finds himself drawn to another girl and contemplates running away with her.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama

  27. Whistle Down the Wind (1961)

    When an injured wife-murderer takes refuge on a remote Lancashire farm, the farmer’s three children mistakenly believe him to be the Second Coming of Christ.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  28. Bepo (2016)

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama

  29. Suzaku (1997)

    Depicts the life of a family in a remote Japanese timber village. Family head Tahara Kozo lives with his mother Sachiko, wife Yasuyo, nephew Eisuke and young daughter Michiru. Economic recession and failed development plans cause tragedy in the family.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama

    Worth the HypeMovies like this
  30. Eureka (2001)

    In rural Japan, the survivors of a tragedy converge and attempt to overcome their damaged selves, all while a serial killer is on the loose.

    Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama

    Worth the HypeMovies like this

Like Empty Town and something else?

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

Frequently asked questions

What are the best movies like Empty Town?

The closest matches to Empty Town are Love Everlasting (2016), Newness (2017) and Return to Dust (2022). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.

What should I watch after Empty Town?

Start with Love Everlasting (2016), the closest match to Empty Town.

What is the highest-rated movie like Empty Town?

Gabriel's Inferno (2020), rated 8.4/10 by 2,485 TMDB users.

What is the newest movie like Empty Town?

Her Story (2024) is the most recent release on this list.

Are there Chinese movies like Empty Town?

Yes: Return to Dust (2022), Under the Hawthorn Tree (2010) and Man in Love (2021).

How are movies similar to Empty Town chosen?

First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Empty Town, 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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