This list will guide you if you enjoy watching movies like dead poets society.
Dead Poets Society is the gold standard for motivating teacher dramas, emphasizing the value of thinking for yourself, finding your tribe, and appreciating the beauty in daily life.
It is thoughtful, emotive, and wonderfully stirring. Many young actors, notably Robert Sean Leonard, Josh Charles, and Ethan Hawke, had their careers start because of the movie’s enormous critical and financial success.
The movie explores feelings that we have all experienced. However, these are also emotions that our parents have had at some point in their life; maybe our children will also experience them.
For this reason, “Dead Poets Society” stands the test of TimeTime as an enduring coming-of-age movie.
It will constantly encourage children and adults to discover their passion and put it into action to lead a life they would enjoy.
Below is a list of movies like dead poets society.
1. Goodbye Lenin (2003)
- Director: Wolfgang Becker
- Cast: Daniel Brühl, Katrin Sass, Chulpan Khamatova, Florian Lukas, Maria Simon, Alexander Beyer, and Burghart Klaußner
- IMDb rating: 7.7/10
A fascinating, humorous, and somewhat weird movie that serves as an excellent introduction to German “new-wave” directing.
This movie occurred when the Berlin Wall collapsed, and East and West Berlin were still together.
It has a cast of young, brilliant performers and superb directing.
The Berlin Wall comes down, and Western capitalism encroaches on Christiane’s beloved East Berlin while she is in a coma. Christiane is a devoted socialist activist in East Berlin.
Her doctors caution her to be quiet and avoid shocks because they worry she could relapse into a coma after waking.
Her son Alex and his friend attempt to keep this information from her by fabricating news reports for the television, making excuses for a huge Coca-Cola banner, and other hilarious exploits.
Despite being categorized as a comedy, it gives an emotional account of a loving family undergoing a significant historical transition. This is one of the best movies like dead poets society.
2. The Belier Family (2014)
- Director: Éric Lartigau
- Cast: Karin Viard, François Damiens, Eric Elmosnino, Louane Emera, Roxane Duran, Ilian Bergala, and Luca Gelberg
- IMDb rating: 7.3/10
The French-language original, The Belier Family, which was recently remade, also has a strong fan base. It won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
By helping the young protagonist discover her voice in both the physical and figurative senses, the movie surpasses what could otherwise be a clichéd entry into the coming-of-age genre.
Paula, the only member of her family who can readily connect with the outside world, acts as a translator for her brother and deaf parents.
Paula’s family largely depends on her to manage their business and make ends meet.
When her teacher hears about her incredible singing voice and advises that she try out for an elite choir distance from her home, Paula is caught between her responsibilities and her passion.
Audiences are left with a tear in their eye and a song in their heart as the movie rises to a joyful end.
3. Rush (2013)
- Director: Ron Howard
- Cast: Daniel Brühl, Chris Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde, Alexandra Maria Lara, Pierfrancesco Favino, David Calder, and Natalie Dormer
- IMDb rating: 8.1/10
In every championship race they compete, James Hunt and Niki Lauda compete to outperform one another.
Unaware that while on that path, they are finding the best versions of themselves.
One of the most famous and acclaimed rivalries in sports history that is still spoken about today is the one between James Hunt and Niki Lauda.
This movie will teach you how to be a competitor both on and off the track and make other people envious of you by outdoing yourself whenever you can show yourself. This is one of the most inspiring movies like dead poets society.
4. Running on Empty (1988)
- Director: Sidney Lumet
- Cast: River Phoenix, Christine Lahti, Judd Hirsch, Jonas Abry, Martha Plimpton, Ed Crowley, and L.M. Kit Carson
- IMDb rating: 7.6/10
The movie Running on Empty is one of the best movies like dead poets society, that tackles several current issues, such as capitalism, education, and social class.
It depicts the story of a family that must live in hiding for the rest of their life and goes on the run.
A responsive and personal feeling dominates the whole movie thanks to director Sidney Lumet’s light touch with serious subjects.
River Phoenix’s portrayal, which he expertly executes as a controlled but impressive performance, is undoubtedly one of the main pleasures of the movie, apart from the fantastic storyline.
The excellent performances by Christine Lahti and Judd Hirsch further enhance the movie’s suspense.
In summary, Running on Empty is the sort of movie that demonstrates the bravery of fleeing when it is the proper choice of action.
5. To Sir, With Love (1967)
- Director: James Clavell
- Cast: Sidney Poitier, Judy Geeson, Christian Roberts, Suzy Kendall, Ann Bell, Geoffrey Bayldon, and Faith Brook
- IMDb rating: 7.6/10
Sidney Poitier plays Mark Thackeray, an engineering graduate who accepts a job teaching out of desperation in a role worthy of his Oscar-winning talents.
The students he teaches are disruptive and disobedient, which is not the profession he envisioned for himself.
Thackeray treats the students with respect and asks them to do the same in return because he wants to demonstrate their potential despite coming from the slums of London.
The movie captures the essence of being a teenager and how hopeless it may seem to feel like the world is against you.
6. Dangerous Minds (1995)
- Director: John N. Smith
- Cast: Michelle Pfeiffer, George Dzundza, Courtney B. Vance, Robin Bartlett, Beatrice Winde, John Neville, and Lorraine Toussaint
- IMDb rating: 6.5/10
Due to its unruly students and conformist ex-marine teacher Louanne Johnson, Dangerous Minds flips the dynamic of Poets. (Michelle Pfeiffer).
She first finds it difficult to relate to her students, but she finally succeeds by using unique strategies to earn their respect, such as handing them sweets and singing along to songs.
Similar to other inspiring teachers, Louanne encounters a school administration that is conflicted and more concerned with outdated regulations than the real needs of the students. This leads to a tragedy that almost causes Louanne to retire from teaching.
Despite critics criticizing the movie for having a conventional plot and clichéd characters, it was a surprise success for audiences when it was released.
7. Good Will Hunting (1997)
- Director: Gus Van Sant
- Cast: Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård, John Mighton, Rachel Majorowski, and Colleen McCauley
- IMDb rating: 8.3/10
This movie was written and stars Matt Damon as Will Hunting. He is a 20-year-old Boston laborer and self-described genius who, as part of a deferred prosecution agreement after assaulting a police officer, enrolls in therapy and studies advanced mathematics with an MIT professor.
With the difficult challenge of addressing his past and future, Will reexamine his relationships with his closest friend and personal life during therapy sessions.
As Damon’s therapist, Robin Williams gives an Oscar-winning performance that will live on forever.
She dramatically changes his life and makes him more compassionate.
One of the best conversations and monologues ever created in the history of movies is the one delivered by Robin Williams. This is one of the best movies like dead poets society.
8. Nobody (2009)
- Director: Jaco Van Dormael
- Cast: Jared Leto, Sarah Polley, Diane Kruger, Linh-Dan Pham, Rhys Ifans, Natasha Little, and Toby Regbo
- IMDb rating: 7.8/10
People in a world where death has been conquered gaze in wonder as the 118-year-old Nemo Nobody, the last human on Earth, approaches death.
He is asked about his life and recounts it at three different times: when he was nine years old, his parents divorced when he was 15 and first fell in love, and when he was 34 and an adult.
The three stories seem to be at odds with one another. Belgian director Jaco Van Dormael uses non-linear cinematography to portray each diverging path as a potential outcome. The outcome is a complex, intricate story.
Mr. Nobody has gained cult status due to this, and the ensemble cast includes Jared Leto, Sarah Polley, and Diane Kruger.
The soundtrack, consisting of several pieces of Eric Satie’s exquisitely featured music, is also regarded as a masterpiece.
This is the greatest kind of reflective, intimate, and hallucinogenic science fiction, while it is definitely not for everyone. This is one of the best movies like dead poets society.
9. Boyz N the Hood (1991)
- Director: John Singleton
- Cast: Cuba Gooding Jr., Laurence Fishburne, Hudhail Al-Amir, Lloyd Avery II, Angela Bassett, Miya McGhee, and Lexie Bigham
- IMDb rating: 7.8/10
In this story of three friends growing up in inner-city Los Angeles, you learn that growing up is much tougher when the bullets are flying.
Tre Styles, Ricky, and Doughboy all take different approaches to their challenging situations and find solace in their pursuits of academics, sports, and gangs.
Tre can’t escape the gang violence and shootings happening around him.
Also, even though Furious Styles (Laurence Fishburne) is determined to raise his son to be a forward-thinking and respectable citizen, the three friends suffer tragedy.
Despite the emotionally intense events, the movie is conceptually dense and blunt, choosing truth above romanticism.
10. The Imitation Game (2014)
- Director: Morten Tyldum
- Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Allen Leech, Rory Kinnear, Matthew Beard, and Charles Dance
- IMDb rating: 8.0/10
It was tough to solve Enigma. After Alan Turing cracked the Enigma code, the Second World War was over in two years.
Since he inhabits the role of Alan Turing so naturally, Benedict Cumberbatch’s fascinating depiction of the genius stands out from his earlier portrayals.
Even in real life, he had a nerdy appearance that really aided his portrayal of Turing in the movie.
The writing is filled with witty dialogue and scene placements that lead us astray throughout the movie.
11. A Brighter Summer Day (1991)
- Director: Edward Yang
- Cast: Chang Chen, Lisa Yang, Kuo-Chu Chang, Elaine Jin, Chuan Wang, Han Chang, and Hsiu-Chiung Chiang
- IMDb rating: 8.3/10
A Brighter Summer Day is one of the best movies like dead poets society.
This huge, masterfully created movie lasts over four hours, following young Xiao Si’r and his eventual involvement in almost everything, from politics to youth gangs to love.
While some of the plot, especially its terrifying ending, is inspired by real-life incidents, most of the movie is based on Edward Yang’s recollections of the period he grew up in.
The images are clear and accurate, with just enough nostalgia to counteract the harsh reality.
A Brighter Summer Day is more heartbreaking than most coming-of-age movies. It is also fundamental in its depth and specificity.
It is a must-see for everyone who enjoys movies like dead poets society.
12. About Time (2013)
- Director: Richard Curtis
- Cast: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Lydia Wilson, Lindsay Duncan, Richard Cordery, and Joshua McGuire
- IMDb rating: 7.8/10
Dead Poets Society may not immediately come to mind as a romantic comedy.
However, this movie goes beyond the usual clichés to convey a potent message about living each day to the fullest, showing your loved ones that you care, and reading as many books as you can.
About TimeTime follows Tim (Domhnall Gleeson) as he uses his recently acquired time-traveling abilities to search for and cling to the love of his life.
The Richard Curtis-written and -directed movie, which also stars Margot Robbie, Bill Nighy, and Rachel McAdams, will make you laugh, cry and sense unending optimism for the future.
13. Stand by Me(1986)
- Director: Rob Reiner
- Cast: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, Kiefer Sutherland, Casey Siemaszko, and Gary Riley
- IMDb rating: 8.1/10
Four young friends are followed in Stand By Me as they explore their small town in search of a presumed dead corpse. It seems to be moving like an adventure story.
These boys barely escape vicious adolescent gangs, speeding trains, leeches, and guard dogs.
A compelling coming-of-age story lies behind all the small-time excitement because they also learn a lot about each other along the way.
They learned particularly about the harsh truth of their home situations and the increasing depths of their inner problems.
Stand By Me is based on a novella by horror master Stephen King.
It is both terrifying in its ability to capture the particular thorniness of becoming adulthood and reassuring in its reminder of how common this emotion is.
14. You Can Count on Me (2000)
- Director: Kenneth Lonergan
- Cast: Laura Linney, Matthew Broderick, Amy Ryan, Michael Countryman, Adam LeFevre, Halley Feiffer, and Whitney Vance
- IMDb rating: 7.5/10
This is a lovely and touching drama about two brothers growing apart and reconciling later in life. It was written and directed by Academy Award-winning Kenneth Lonergan.
Sammy, a single mother in a small town who is fiercely protective of her 8-year-old son, is portrayed by Academy Award-nominated Laura Linney.
Sammy has to contend with conflicting feelings toward her younger, unstable brother Terry, whose sudden appearance threatens to upend her life as she knew it.
You Can Count on Me is one of the straightforward, insightful, and well-made movies like dead poets society that explores unconditional love in real life.
15. Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
- Director: Mel Gibson
- Cast: Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer, Richard Pyros, Jacob Warner, and Milo Gibson
- IMDb rating: 8.1/10
You sometimes hold certain beliefs. Beliefs that you can always put your confidence in.
However, increasing intolerance in your community may jeopardize your beliefs. American soldier Desmond Doss expressed such belief during World War 2.
His philosophy was known as nonviolence. His army instructors made fun of him, his friends made fun of his nonviolent core philosophy, and his father, who had lost his inner calm, forbade him from enlisting.
Desmond maintains his optimism despite having to navigate such a flaming route barefoot.
Breathing with his inner convictions, he enlists in the military, rises to the status of an idol among his fellow soldiers, and is given the Congressional Medal of Honor.
16. The Emperor’s Club (2002)
- Director: Michael Hoffman
- Cast: Kevin Kline, Emile Hirsch, Joel Gretsch, Embeth Davidtz, Rob Morrow, Edward Herrmann, and Harris Yulin
- IMDb rating: 6.9/10
Many instructors are motivated by chance to broaden students’ lives and minds while increasing their potential.
At an exclusive boarding school for affluent young men, William Hundert (Kevin Kline) is no exception; he enjoys his job as the history professor there.
He wishes to encourage his young students to develop into honorable and principled men.
However, instead, he encounters a rebellious student (Emile Hirsch) whose privilege and wealth have overshadowed the importance of morality and education.
The Emperor’s Club is one of the movies like dead poets society that demonstrates that not all students are open to the influence of a motivating teacher.
17. Stand and Deliver (1988)
- Director: Ramón Menéndez
- Cast: Edward James Olmos, Estelle Harris, Mark Phelan, Virginia Paris, Adelaida Alvarez, Will Gotay, and Patrick Baca
- IMDb rating: 7.3/10
This is one of the amazing movies like dead poets society. The story of a high school math instructor for students who the system has written off is based on the true story of Jaime Escalante.
He pushes his gang member students to achieve fantastic results on the calculus advanced placement exams, only to have the Educational Testing Service accuse them of cheating because of their sudden rise in grades.
Jaime Escalante, like John Keating, is an inspiring teacher and role model who has the power to influence students’ lives even after they leave the classroom.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter if the teacher is real or made up; viewers can all connect to having an inspirational person who pushes them to draw out the full depths of life and live remarkable lives.
