Those who loved the multiple timelines and emotional turmoil of Tom Hanks' 2024 drama,Here, should check out the following ten movies, which also pull on family, love, and the passage of time. Based on a graphic novel by Richard McGuire,Hereis set in a single house in an American suburb, where different families love, mourn, and experience life together. In particular,the core ofHere’scastis Richard Young (played by Hanks), who spends his entire life in the house, facing the highs and lows of his family, and his own fears and failures.
Hereis the definition of an emotional family drama, but it also has many features that make it stand out among other films in the genre. For example,Herenot only takes place in one house over many decades, but the camera stays at the same angle for most of the movie. Furthermore,Hereuses CGI technology to ageand de-age its actors, allowing audiences to stay with certain characters over the entire course of their life. In this way,the best movies to watch afterHereare those that play with time and reality, while also exploring relationships.
A recent drama that could scratch the same itch asHereis 2023’sPast Lives.This movie centers on Nora, a woman who is born in South Korea but moves to the United States during her childhood. This move forces Nora to leave behind her close friend, Hae Sung, until they reconnect online in their early 20s. Eventually,when the two are older, they meet in real life and must decide whether to unpack their old connectionor move on with the new lives they’ve built.
Nora and Hae Sung’s relationship is a masterclass in showing how people can move in and out of each other’s lives in shocking and painful ways.
Past Livesmay be lacking the family aspect thatHerefocuses on, but the movie still has plenty of emotional punch, alongside themes of time and loss. Nora and Hae Sung’s relationship is a masterclass in showing how people can move in and out of each other’s lives in shocking and painful ways.Nora’s struggle to balance her old life with her new one will almost certainly hit audiencesin the gut. Plus,Past Livesoffers an interesting intercultural element thatHeredoes not have.
Another family epicthat goes beyond the norm isBig Fish.Released in 2003, this movie is about Will Bloom, a young man who travels to be with his dying father. All his life,Will has resented his father’s colorful stories, which Will is convinced are not real. However, once he begins looking into what his father says, he realizes that perhaps these tall tales hold more water than he ever could have imagined.Big Fishstars Ewan McGregor and Billy Crudup.
LikeHere,Big Fishis not satisfied with just being a family drama. Instead, the movieinfuses family with fantasy elements and vivid cinematography that makes the film feel more like an adventure than a drama. Of course, that isn’t to say thatBig Fishisn’t emotional, because it will definitely pull on audiences' heartstrings. But if viewers are seeking another generational drama that is on the quirkier side,Big Fishis the way to go.
AmongHere’smany plotlines, there is a specific focus on parent-child relationships. Those who want more of that should definitely check outAftersun.In this movie,a woman named Sophie looks back on the last vacation she spent with her father, when she was 11-years-old. At the time, Sophie couldn’t grasp the difficulties her young father was facing, but as an adult, she has a better sense of who he was and the parts of him that she was never truly able to see as a child.Aftersunstars rising Hollywood star, Paul Mescal.
Aftersun Ending Explained: What Happened To Calum?
The Aftersun ending needs to be explained to fully understand the heartwrenching and nostalgic drama, which earned Paul Mescal an Oscar nomination.
Aftersunis an absolute heartbreaker of a movie. At first glance, the film simply follows a vacation between a young girl and her father, but the subtext that is revealed is deeply emotional. LikeHere,the movie delves into the complicated dynamics between children and their parents, as each party tries to understand where the other is coming from.Aftersunis incredibly emotional, but the pain is worth suffering through for an incredibly meaningful story.
A second movie that revolves around children and parents in 1980’sOrdinary People.In this film, a teenager struggles with grief and guilt after the accidental death of his older brother. Following an attempt to take his own life,the boy returns home and tries to rekindle his relationship with his parents, both of whom are coping in their own ways.As the title suggests,Ordinary Peopleexplores how grief can break apart those who used to be incredibly close to one another.
InHere,audiences see the tragedies that strike families, andOrdinary Peopleis a way to really see these moments through.
Ordinary Peopleis a great companion toHerebecause of how it portrays the darkest of moments for families. From death to mental illness,Ordinary Peopleis compassionate yet realistic, unafraid to explore these difficult themes. InHere,audiences see the tragedies that strike families, andOrdinary Peopleis a way to really see these moments through. Ultimately, this is a classic family drama that more people should see.
When it comes to family dramas, sibling dynamics are just as important as those between parent and child. A fantastic movie to see these play out isHis Three Daughters.The movie centers onthree women who reunite in New York City to care for their ailing father.After so much time apart, the women rehash old arguments and finally explore issues that may have been ignored in the past, all while coping with their father’s declining health and inevitable death. The movie stars Elzabeth Olsen, Natasha Lyonne, and Carrie Coon.
Thoughthe premise ofHis Three Daughtersmay seem simple, the execution of the film is impeccable. With a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, this movie perfectly encapsulates the dark humor and tragedy of grief, alongside the strange relationships maintained between adult siblings. All threeHis Three Daughtersactresses give stunning performancesthat never verge on the melodramatic. Overall,His Three Daughtersdives into a small subsection ofHere’sstory in wonderful detail.
Those who want a family drama that diverges from the typical Western story may be interested in 2020’sMinari.In this film,a Korean family moves to the United States, hoping to find the American Dream. After settling in Arkansas with a plan to become farmers, the family struggles to make their ambitions come true. Amidst prejudice and culture shock, they must learn to rely on each other more than ever. Steven Yeun takes on the lead role in the movie.
Where Is The House Located In Here? It’s Complicated
Robert Zemeckis' Here revolves around a single house and the families who live in it, but where it is located is complicated by the different stories.
In many ways,Minaritells the same story thatHeredoes, but within a certain time frame and focused on a very particular family.Both the Yi family and the Youngs have to face difficult momentsthat are both personal and societal that not only weigh on them in the current day, but trickle down into the younger generations as well.Minariis a heartwrenching story that will give audiences a good look atthe immigrant storyand what it means to make your family your everything.
One of the most devastating movies on this list has to beAll of Us Strangers.Released in 2023, this movie follows a writer named Adam, whose chance encounter with his neighbor causes him to reflect on his childhood, which was marred by the deaths of his parents. Soon enough,Adam revisits his childhood home, only to find his parents inside, stuck in the time right before they diedand willing to talk to him in a way they never could before.Andrew Scott takes on the lead role, alongside Paul Mescal, Claire Foy, and Jamie Bell.
All Of Us Strangersis very similar toHerein its use of timeand speculative elements. Adam’s relationship with his parents is odd and unlikely, but it also leads to incredible moments of growth. The movie offers audiences sneak peeks into a story that they would never get in real life, which makes it even more satisfying. Then again, the movie is also completely heartbreaking and doesn’t pull any punches, so sensitive viewers should proceed with caution.
A major aspect ofHereis the suburban setting. Another movie that focuses on the benefits and drawbacks of American suburbia isRevolutionary Road.The 2008 movie is about Frank and April,a young couple in the 1950s who believe themselves to be better than the average suburban couple. However, once they settle down, the pair realize that the lives they always wanted may be out of reach. This spurs them to create a plan for escape that may just pull them apart completely. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio take on the leading roles.
Similar toHere, Revolutionary Roadis based on a novel by Richard Yates.
Revolutionary Roadcan be a bit of a slow-burn, but it is a story that is worth seeing through. The story of April and Frank is so powerful and moving, and their struggles are perfectly portrayed by Winslet and DiCaprio. In many ways,their story reflects that of Richard and Margaret inHere.The two couples love each other and have the best intentions, but become bogged down by societal expectations and their own preconceived notions. Those who enjoyed seeing Richard and Margaret toil with these problems should most definitely try outRevolutionary Road.
One of thegreatest time travel drama moviesto ever hit the big screen isAbout Time.Tim is a seemingly average young man whose life turns upside down when he discovers that the men in his family, including him, can travel back in time. Desperate for love,Tim uses his abilities to try and start a romantic relationship. However, as time goes on, he realizes that his powers cannot fix everything, and that life will inevitably throw curveballs that you can’t avoid.
About Timeis a beautiful movie about romance, family, and the turmoil of life. LikeHere,it is funny and joyful, but also deeply sad. Tim may have time travel abilities, but his story is all too relatable to audience members. Because of this,About Timeis a must-watch movie, even for those who aren’t crazy about romance. Ultimately,About Timeis a more indie version ofHere,with plenty of quirk and charm.
A perfect movie to watch for fans ofHereisBoyhood.This film focuses on a young boy named Mason and his familyover the course of 12 years. Unlike other movies, which would show the passage of time through increasingly older actors,Boyhoodactually takes place over 12 years, withdirector Richard Linklaterreturning every year to capture a new vignette of Mason and his family. In the same vein asHere, Boyhoodplays with time in a delightful and groundbreaking way.
Boyhoodis proof that family dramas do not have to be traditional or predictable.
Boyhoodis proof that family dramas do not have to be traditional or predictable. Although the movie pulls on the same themes as any other family drama, it plays with audience’s expectations by making truly awesome directorial moves.Boyhoodmay use different techniques thanHere,but both movies accomplish the same featof reinventing one of the most moving and pivotal genres. Those who lovedHerewill almost certainly love this movie too.
