Movies like The Grinding Machine (2004)
The best movies like The Grinding Machine (2004) are Eleanor the Great (2025), Hounddog (2008) and The Girl in the Book (2015). If The Grinding Machine hooked you with its drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedThe Good Neighbor (2022)6.7/10 from 215 votes
- NewestMardini (2026)Released 2026
- In MarathiTango Malhar (2025)Also in Marathi
Eleanor 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 thisHounddog (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 thisThe Girl in the Book (2015)
The story of a young writer's transformation when her past invades her present.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisLorelei (2020)
A man is released from prison after 15 years. He reunites with his high school girlfriend, now a single mother of three. What follows is a lyrical take on love, regret and second chances.
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 thisThe Safety of Objects (2002)
In a suburban landscape, the lives of several families interlace with loss, despair and personal crisis. Esther Gold has lost focus on all but caring for her comatose son, Paul, and neglects her daughter and husband. Lawyer Jim Train is devoted to his career, not his family. Helen Christianson wants to find a new spark in life, while Annette Jennings tries to rebuild hers.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Truth About Emanuel (2013)
A troubled young woman becomes obsessed with her mysterious new neighbor, who bears a striking resemblance to the girl's dead mother.
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 thisStrange Weather (2016)
Years after her son's suicide, a woman longs to confront both the past and a friend of his who took his business idea.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
SnoozefestMovies 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 Visit (1964)
Carla Zachanassian had a child by Serge Miller as a teenager. When Serge refused to marry her, she was driven out of town. By her own wit and cunning, she has returned as a multi-millionaire for a visit. The town lays out the red carpet expecting big things from Carla, only to learn that her sole purpose is to see Serge Miller killed...
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJungleland (2020)
Stanley manages his boxer brother Lion but when a devastating loss in the ring leaves the pair in debt, an opportunity to recoup the cash leads to a series of misadventures that threaten to break the bond between them.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisA Dry White Season (1989)
During the 1976 Soweto uprising, a white school teacher's life and values are threatened when he asks questions about the death of a young black boy who died in police custody.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLucky Them (2013)
More interested in partying and flirting with young musicians than work, veteran rock journalist Ellie Klug has one last chance to prove her value to her magazine’s editor: a no-stone-unturned search to discover what really happened to long lost rock god, Matt Smith, who also happens to be her ex-boyfriend. Teaming up with an eccentric amateur documentary filmmaker, Ellie hits the road in search of answers.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Good Neighbor (2022)
A nightmarish evening unfolds for neighbors David and Robert when they accidentally hit a woman on her bike and flee the scene. While David is increasingly plagued by feelings of guilt, Robert shows no remorse and becomes overbearing and possessive.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRogue Agent (2022)
Conman Robert Freegard poses as an undercover MI5 agent and kidnaps countless victims amidst a high-stakes manhunt, until the woman who fell for him brings him to justice.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies 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 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 thisThe Carpetbaggers (1964)
Jonas Cord is a disagreeable young tycoon who's building planes, directing films, and catting around on the corporate make in 1930s Hollywood.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisGigi & Nate (2022)
A young man with a bright future suffers a near-fatal accident and recreates his new life with the help of an unlikely animal friend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisTango Malhar (2025)
When Malhar, an auto driver, accidentally discovers Argentine Tango, he finds himself torn between his conservative roots and an elite dance community. Along the way he uncovers connection, awakening something beyond his mundane existence
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
The Muse (2019)
A boy discovers that certain things are irreplaceable, as a chance encounter with his once lover and muse for his poetry sets a restless day for him.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
The Real Millionaire (2011)
A call from 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire' transforms the life of a humble Indian farmer, as he, along with his family and village, embarks on a journey to discover the true meaning of winning.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Mardini (2026)
A mother seeks justice after being cheated, embarking on a journey to correct the wrongs done to her in this emotionally driven narrative.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Once There Was A Clown (1992)
Aburao, the son of a troupe dancer, has grown-up to become a brilliant clown. His talent brings him fame but also alienates him from his ideals and his loved ones.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Sir Sir Sarla (2021)
*Sir Sir Sarla* explores the complexities of love through three interconnected lives. University students Sarla and Phanidhar share a deep affection for their professor, Palekar, but in very different ways. Sarla is romantically in love with him and dreams of a future together, while Phanidhar's feelings are a conflicted mix of admiration, resentment, and blame. He believes the professor's decision to distance Sarla and encourage her marriage to Keshav has left all their lives unfulfilled. As Sarla finds herself neglected in her marriage, old wounds resurface, leading to a series of confrontations that leave the audience questioning whether Professor Palekar's choices were truly the right ones.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Jaaniv (TBA)
As seen today 'Money' is an integral part of everyone's life, the idea behind making this film was to portray the complexities between the multiple characters (Chetan, his mother & father) in a very realistic way regards to their point of view on money. The film shows us three different perspectives of how money makes one feel.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Ramchandra Purushottam Joshi (2013)
The movie is based on the play 'Shraaddha'. It is a story of a dead man named Ramchandra Purshottam Joshi, who is given a bonus offer from the doors of hell and permitted by Yamaraj to revisit his family for eight hours. Watch how his family members react when Ramchandra revisits them.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Vanilla, Strawberry & Chocolate (2018)
This is a story of a 10th Std girl, 'Teju' and her best friend 'Vanilla', who is a female dog. This film not only entertains you but it gives a social message. It says, Love animals, adopt a pet.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Ghost's Brother (1989)
A simple man killed in his village turns into ghost and comes to the city find his long lost mother and brother and wants his brother to come along with him to revenge his killers but the killers have laid some different trap.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Grinding Machine?
The closest matches to The Grinding Machine are Eleanor the Great (2025), Hounddog (2008) and The Girl in the Book (2015). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Grinding Machine?
Start with Eleanor the Great (2025), the closest match to The Grinding Machine.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Grinding Machine?
The Good Neighbor (2022), rated 6.7/10 by 215 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Grinding Machine?
Mardini (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Marathi movies like The Grinding Machine?
Yes: Tango Malhar (2025), The Muse (2019) and The Real Millionaire (2011).
How are movies similar to The Grinding Machine chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Grinding Machine, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.