25 Best Drama Movies You’ll Be Thinking About for Days

This captivating crime drama about the powerful Corleone family’s involvement in the Mafia is considered not only one of the best dramas of all time, but one of the best movies of all time. Ree is one of those staunch supporters—it’s ranked at the top of her list of favorite films! “I became hooked on The Godfather movies after the birth of one of my babies, and my love for it is eternal,” she says. With top-notch performances and an intense storyline, this Oscar-winning film is a must-watch for every drama fan.

On the hunt for a drama movie that will tug at the heartstrings? Screen the beloved ‘90s romance drama Good Will Hunting, which follows a mathematically gifted janitor with an unstable upbringing who finally realizes his potential, thanks to mentorship from an MIT professor and counseling from a caring therapist (played by Robin Williams). It’s a heartwarming story about friendship, love, and healing, and it has a backstory that's equally compelling: Matt Damon and Ben Affleck co-wrote the screenplay in their early 20s and eventually starred in the film, which earned them an Academy Award. “This one made me forever pull for Matt Damon and Ben Affleck,” Ree gushes.

If you’re hoping for a drama movie that strikes a balance between hilarious and heartwarming, you’ll want to put Parenthood on your list. With an all-star cast (Steve Martin, Joaquin Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, and Dianne Wiest), a moving plot, and plenty of humorous moments, this comedy drama movie captures the messy emotional rollercoaster that is parenting. “The characters and the relationships are so imperfect and real,” Ree notes. “You can relate to almost every single one. I can’t watch it without tearing up.”

Speaking of emotional drama movies, we’d be remiss not to include The Color Purple. This '80s historical drama beautifully portrays the journey of a young Black woman living in the early 1900s South as she discovers resilience and self-worth through hardship and abuse. Incredible performances by Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey and an inspiring message make this drama movie an undeniable gem. Ree first saw the movie 40 years ago, but the impact has been long-lasting. “It was my first experience with Whoopi Goldberg, and it remains at the top of my list of 'favorite redemption movies of all time,'” Ree reveals.

The romance drama Sophie’s Choice captures another harrowing moment in American history: the Holocaust. In this war drama, an aspiring writer uncovers the traumatic story of a Polish survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp. It’s heavy and heart-wrenching but well worth your time. “This film version of William Styron’s searingly painful story of Polish Holocaust survivor Sophie will turn you inside out,” Ree says. If this isn’t a convincing enough reason to press play, Meryl Streep's breathtaking performance earned her an Oscar.

This is a comedy drama Ree loves for two reasons: Dustin Hoffman and the portrayal of his incomparable bond with his on-screen brother, played by Tom Cruise. In this touching flick, the two estranged brothers finally meet after Cruise’s character discovers Hoffman’s character is set to inherit their father’s fortune. The selfishly motivated quest turns out to be one of unexpected connection and personal growth.

Chariots of Fire is one of those drama movies that gets better with every watch. “I love it even more now than I did [when I first saw it in seventh grade],” Ree shares. Based on a true story, this sports drama tells the tale of two British athletes competing in the 1924 Olympics. They prove that purpose and passion are far more impactful than talent alone. Talk about an inspirational watch!

If you’re looking for a romance drama with plenty of depth, try Children of a Lesser God. What Ree describes as both “beautiful” and “heavy,” this movie unpacks the unfolding of a romantic relationship between a speech teacher at a deaf school and a deaf woman who refuses to conform to the standards of the hearing community. For an added bonus, Marlee Matlin, who stars as the film's protagonist Sarah Norman, made history as the first deaf actress to win an Oscar.

Sharply observant, universally relatable, and deeply nostalgic, The Big Chill recounts a group of college friends who come together after one of their friends tragically dies by suicide. The group spends the weekend post-funeral reminiscing on their glory days and questioning their lives since then. A huge selling point? A killer ‘60s soundtrack.

The war drama Schindler’s List is not for the weak of heart. This haunting narrative is based on the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over a thousand Jewish people during the Holocaust. The black-and-white coloring makes the retelling extra evocative.

For a drama movie that unpacks the painful fallout of divorce and that features two of Ree’s favorite actors, Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep, consider Kramer vs. Kramer. In this visual production, an unhappy wife leaves her husband and son, only to return at a later date to claim custody, which leads to a tumultuous court battle. It’s relatable and heartbreaking.

Filled with family drama and an unforeseen love story, The Prince of Tides spotlights an emotionally closed-off man who heads to New York to help his sister’s psychiatrist unpack their family’s turbulent past. Although the flick divided critics when it first aired, it stole Ree’s heart from the start. “At the time of the movie’s release, I remember that some people considered Nick Nolte’s performance over the top, and that’s exactly what I loved about it,” she says. “He was all in.”

If the goal of your next at-home watch is to leave feeling highly motivated, rent My Left Foot. In the comedy drama film, an Irish man with cerebral palsy who has zero control over his left foot overcomes his physical limitations and remarkably becomes a highly esteemed artist and writer. The star of the film, Daniel Day-Lewis, who won an Oscar for his performance, makes it a top-ranked movie in Ree’s book.

A more current drama (yet just as poignant as the others on our list), The Iron Claw, is a must-see for many reasons: First of all, the movie stars heartthrobs Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White, and secondly, it explores the tragic history of the the real-life Von Erich family. Told through the lens of the brothers’ experiences as professional wrestlers, the story takes a look at the immense physical and mental toll the competitive world of wrestling in the ‘80s took on the family.

For a stimulating and soul-stirring examination of religion, you’ll definitely want to give the spiritual drama Silence a watch. When two Jesuit priests travel to 17th-century Japan to find their missing mentor and spread Christianity, they’re taken on a journey that makes them question faith, doubt, and suffering. Although the subject matter is heavy, the visuals are stunning, and the message is profound.

If you’d prefer something a little more uplifting (yet just as substantial), Erin Brockovich is a movie to note. Lead actress Julia Roberts brings to life the retelling of a single mother who, despite having no official legal training, fights against a massive energy company that's accused of polluting a small town’s water supply. This legal drama has personality, tenacity, and character.

This drama, which was released in 2023, is intensely moving and quietly poetic. Past Lives portrays two childhood friends from South Korea with a deep connection, yet they're forced to separate once one of them immigrates to Canada. After decades apart, they finally meet again, and their long-overdue reunion is emotional, to say the least.

A present-day exploration of the institution of racism in America, The Help is enlightening and engrossing. When a white journalist sets out to write a book about Black maids working in white households, what follows is an uncovering of the injustice they face and the resilience they demonstrate. Viola Davis and Octavia Spencer make this film highly memorable.

Be sure to grab a box of tissues before sitting down to watch this devastating drama. In Manchester by the Sea, after his brother dies, a janitor becomes the legal guardian of his teenage nephew and must return to his Massachusetts hometown, which causes distressing memories from the past to resurface. Casey Affleck’s Oscar-winning delivery is simply incredible.

Aftersun might not be as loud or gripping as some of the others on this list, but its intimacy and depth makes it well worth a watch. In this film, a woman reflects on a summer trip to Turkey she took with her kindhearted father two decades prior. What unfolds is a subtle look at love and memory. Plus, who doesn't want to watch captivating acting by Paul Mescal?