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20 best movies like 12 Years a Slave (2013)

List of the best movies like 12 Years a Slave (2013): The Birth of a Nation, Mary Shelley, Cleveland Abduction, Free State of Jones, Roots, Colonia, Victoria & Abdul, Amazing Grace, Lincoln, Anthropoid.

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Markimdb: 6.4
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryUSA, Canada
Duration02:42
CharactersPoor
PlotOn real events, Slavery, Death, Justice, Freedom
PlaceUSA
Time19th century
StyleInspirational

Nat Turner, a former slave in America, leads a liberation movement in 1831 to free African-Americans in Virgina that results in a violent retaliation from whites.

Markimdb: 6.5
Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom, Luxembourg, USA, Republic of Ireland, Australia
Duration02:05
CharactersStrong women, Family, Pregnant, Fathers, Sisters
PlotOn real events, Death, Love triangle, Jealousy, Ghosts
PlaceParty, Cemetery, Scotland, Mansions
Time19th century
StyleAtmospheric, Touching, Serious

The love affair between poet Percy Shelley and Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin resulted in the creation of an immortal novel, “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus.”

Markimdb: 6.7
Genredrama, crime, biography
CountryUSA
Duration01:00
CharactersFriends, Single mothers
PlotOn real events, Survival, Abduction, Cars, Friendship
PlaceUSA
StylePsychological problems, Action, Depressive, Serious

A single mother becomes Ariel Castro's first kidnapping victim, and finds herself trapped in his home with two other women for 11 years.

Markimdb: 6.9
Genreaction, drama, western, military, biography, history
CountryUSA
Duration02:49
CharactersDogs, Snake, Slaves
PlotWar, On real events, Survival, Revenge, Slavery
PlaceCourt
Time19th century
StyleExciting, Action, Fascinating, Tense, Makes me think

In 1863, Mississippi farmer Newt Knight serves as a medic for the Confederate Army. Opposed to slavery, Knight would rather help the wounded than fight the Union. After his nephew dies in battle, Newt returns home to Jones County to safeguard his family but is soon branded an outlaw deserter. Forced to flee, he finds refuge with a group of runaway slaves hiding out in the swamps. Forging an alliance with the slaves and other farmers, Knight leads a rebellion that would forever change history.

Markimdb: 7.9
Genredrama, military, biography, history
CountryUSA
Duration02:42
CharactersFamily, Slaves
PlotSlavery, Fear
PlaceUSA
Time18th century
StyleSoulful, By books, Fascinating, Heavy, Tense

An adaptation of Alex Haley's "Roots", chronicling the history of an African slave, Kunta Kinte sold to America and his descendants.

Markimdb: 7.1
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryGermany, France, Luxembourg, United Kingdom, USA
Duration01:05
CharactersDogs, Horses, Military, Students, Soldier
PlotLove, On real events, Survival, Abduction, Slavery
PlacePrison, Aircraft, Forest
StylePsychological problems, Action, Atmospheric, Tense, Touching

A young woman's desperate search for her abducted boyfriend that draws her into the infamous Colonia Dignidad, a sect nobody ever escaped from.

Markimdb: 6.8
Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, USA
Duration02:45
CharactersKings, Friends, Soldier
PlotLove, On real events, Relationship, Friendship, Death
PlaceEngland, India, Scotland
Time19th century
StyleBy books, Atmospheric, Touching

Queen Victoria strikes up an unlikely friendship with a young Indian clerk named Abdul Karim.

Markimdb: 7.4
Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
CountryUSA, United Kingdom
Duration01:58
CharactersMusicians
PlotOn real events, Slavery, Friendship, Political, Freedom
PlaceEngland, London
Time19th century, 18th century
StyleSoulful, Serious

The true story of William Wilberforce and his courageous quest to end the British slave trade. Along the way, Wilberforce meets intense opposition, but his minister urges him to see the cause through.

Markimdb: 7.3
Genredrama, military, biography, history
CountryUSA, India
Duration02:30
CharactersPresidential
PlotWar, On real events, Slavery, Political, Justice
PlaceThe White House, USA
Time19th century
StyleFascinating, Tense, Epic

A revealing drama that focuses on the 16th President's tumultuous final months in office. In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change, Lincoln pursues a course of action designed to end the war, unite the country and abolish slavery. With the moral courage and fierce determination to succeed, his choices during this critical moment will change the fate of generations to come.

Markimdb: 7.2
Genreaction, thriller, melodrama, drama, military, biography, history
CountryCzech Republic, United Kingdom, USA, France
Duration02:24
CharactersDogs, Teens, Firefighters, Teachers, Strong women
PlotLove, On real events, Friendship, Death, Chase
PlaceParty, Germany
TimeNew Year, World War II
StyleSmart

In December 1941, Czech soldier Jozef Gabčík and Jan Kubiš parachute into their occupied homeland to assassinate Nazi officer Reinhard Heydrich

Markimdb: 7.5
Genredrama, crime, biography, history
CountryUSA
CharactersFBI
PlotOn real events, Money, Friendship, Revolution, Death
PlacePrison, Hospitals, Chicago, USA
StyleVital signs

Bill O'Neal infiltrates the Black Panthers on the orders of FBI Agent Mitchell and J. Edgar Hoover. As Black Panther Chairman Fred Hampton ascends—falling for a fellow revolutionary en route—a battle wages for O’Neal’s soul.

Markimdb: 6.7
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryUSA, France, Chile, China, Germany, United Kingdom
Duration01:55
CharactersSnipers, Strong women, Journalists, Presidential, Widows
PlotOn real events, Death, Depression, Political
PlaceAircraft, Cemetery, The White House, Texas, USA
StyleTense, Heartbreaking

An account of the days of First Lady, Jacqueline Kennedy, in the immediate aftermath of John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963.

Markimdb: 6.6
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryChina, USA
CharactersDogs, Horses, Heroes, Singers
PlotOn real events, Slavery, Weapon, Chase, Freedom
PlaceCemetery, New York
Time19th century
StyleExciting, Psychological problems, Action, Makes me think

The extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman's escape from slavery and transformation into one of America's greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.

Markimdb: 6.1
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryUSA
Duration01:35
CharactersDogs, Horses, Indians, Teachers, Raccoons
PlotOn real events, Racing, Dancing, Fight, Loneliness
PlaceSchool, USA
Time19th century
StyleFascinating, Serious

At an isolated log cabin in the harsh wilderness of Indiana circa 1817, the rhythms of love, tragedy, and the daily hardships of life on the developing frontier shaped one of our nation’s greatest heroes: Abraham Lincoln. Abe is a thoughtful and quiet boy who spends his days at the side of his beloved mother while learning to work the land from his stern father. When illness takes his mother, Abe's new guardian angel comes in the form of his new stepmother, who sees the potential in the boy and pushes for his further education.

Markimdb: 7.5
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom, USA, France
Duration02:08
CharactersPresidential
PlotOn real events, Political, Justice, Uprising
StyleInspirational, Soulful, Makes me think, Serious

"Selma," as in Alabama, the place where segregation in the South was at its worst, leading to a march that ended in violence, forcing a famous statement by President Lyndon B. Johnson that ultimately led to the signing of the Civil Rights Act.

Markimdb: 7.4
Genredrama, biography
CountryKenya, India, USA, Canada, South Africa
Duration01:50
CharactersFriends, Losers, Refugees
PlotWar, On real events, Survival, Friendship, Self-sacrifice
PlaceAfrica, USA
StyleTo cry, Inspirational, Fascinating, Heavy, Touching

A young refugee of the Sudanese Civil War who wins a lottery for relocation to the United States with three other lost boys. Encountering the modern world for the first time, they develop an unlikely friendship with a brash American woman assigned to help them, but the young man struggles to adjust to this new life and his feelings of guilt about the brother he left behind.

Markimdb: 6.8
Genrethriller, drama, crime, detective, biography
CountryUSA, Italy, United Kingdom, China
Duration02:08
CharactersMafia, Police, Rich, Old man, Billionaires
PlotLove, Abduction, On real events, Money, Investigation
PlaceItaly, USA
StyleAction, Fascinating, Heavy, Serious

The story of the kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III and the desperate attempt by his devoted mother to convince his billionaire grandfather Jean Paul Getty to pay the ransom.

Markimdb: 7.2
Genredrama, military, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom, Hungary, USA, Australia
Duration01:59
CharactersKings, Horses, Knights, Friends, Princesses
PlotLove, War, On real events, Political, Power
PlaceEngland, France
TimeMiddle Ages
StyleUnexpected ending, Heavy, Tense, Depressive

England, 15th century. Hal, a capricious prince who lives among the populace far from court, is forced by circumstances to reluctantly accept the throne and become Henry V.

Markimdb: 6.9
Genreaction, drama, crime, biography, sport
CountryUnited Kingdom, France, China, Cambodia, USA, Germany
Duration02:05
CharactersDogs, Hired assassins, Photographers
PlotLove, On real events, Survival, Martial Arts, Gambling
PlacePrison
StyleExciting, Action, Fascinating, Tense, Disturbing

The true story of Billy Moore, an English boxer incarcerated in Thailand's most notorious prison. Thrown into a world of drugs and violence, he finds his best chance to escape is to fight his way out in Muay Thai tournaments.

Markimdb: 6.6
Genrethriller, drama, military, biography, history
CountryUSA, United Kingdom
Duration01:48
CharactersTerrorists, Family, FBI
PlotSurvival, Investigation, Friendship, Death, Political
StyleFascinating, Touching, Serious, Disturbing

Based on Mariane Pearl's account of the terrifying and unforgettable story of her husband, Wall Street Journal reporter Danny Pearl's life and death.

Markimdb: 7.4
Genredrama, military, biography, history
CountryPoland, Germany, United Kingdom
CharactersHeroes, Losers, Orphans
PlotWar, On real events, Survival
PlaceGhetto, Poland
TimeWorld War II
StyleSoulful, Touching, Serious

The story of Polish pedagogue Janusz Korczak and his dedication to protecting Jewish orphans during the war.

Markimdb: 7.8
Genredrama, music, biography, history
CountryUSA
Duration01:35
CharactersGangsters, Musicians, Rappers, Friends, Terminally ill
PlotOn real events, Travel, Music, Art, Hip Hop
PlaceGhetto, USA, Night Clubs, Los Angeles
StyleFascinating, Serious

In 1987, five young men, using brutally honest rhymes and hardcore beats, put their frustration and anger about life in the most dangerous place in America into the most powerful weapon they had: their music. Taking us back to where it all began, Straight Outta Compton tells the true story of how these cultural rebels—armed only with their lyrics, swagger, bravado and raw talent—stood up to the authorities that meant to keep them down and formed the world’s most dangerous group, N.W.A. And as they spoke the truth that no one had before and exposed life in the hood, their voice ignited a social revolution that is still reverberating today.

Markimdb: 6.9
Genredrama, adventure, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom, USA
Duration02:19
PlotOn real events, Survival, Adventure, Revenge, Justice
PlaceVillage, Scotland
Time18th century
StyleExciting, Atmospheric, Fascinating, Serious, Disturbing

In the highlands of Scotland in the 1700s, Rob Roy tries to lead his small town to a better future, by borrowing money from the local nobility to buy cattle to herd to market. When the money is stolen, Rob is forced into a Robin Hood lifestyle to defend his family and honour.

Markimdb: 7.7
Genredrama, military, biography, history
CountryUSA, United Kingdom
Duration01:36
CharactersHeroes, Military, Soldier
PlotWar, On real events, Political
PlaceGermany, Berlin
TimeWorld War II
StyleSoulful, Atmospheric, Tense, Intellectual, Depressive

The historical recreation of the 1942 Wannsee Conference, in which Nazi and SS leaders gathered in a Berlin suburb to discuss the "Final Solution to the Jewish Question". Lead by SS-General Reinhard Heydrich, this group of high ranking German officials came to the historic and far reaching decision that the Jews of Europe were to be exterminated in what would come to be known as the Holocaust.

Markimdb: 8.1
Genredrama, military, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom, South Africa, Italy, USA
Duration02:01
CharactersPhotographers, Nurses, Reporters
PlotWar, On real events, Death, Fear
PlaceAfrica, Hotels
StyleHeavy

Inspired by true events, this film takes place in Rwanda in the 1990s when more than a million Tutsis were killed in a genocide that went mostly unnoticed by the rest of the world. Hotel owner Paul Rusesabagina houses over a thousand refuges in his hotel in attempt to save their lives.

Markimdb: 7.3
Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom, USA
Duration01:40
CharactersKings
PlotLove, On real events, Political, Fate
PlaceEngland, London
Time19th century
StyleInteresting, Soulful, Atmospheric, Touching, For single girls

From Academy Award® winners Graham King and Martin Scorsese, along with the makers of Gosford Park and The Departed, comes the story of Queen Victoria’s early rise to power. From an object of a royal power-struggle to her romantic courtship and legendary marriage to Prince Albert, Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) gives a stunning performance as the young Victoria. Packed with drama, romance, breath-taking cinematography, lavish costumes and featuring an outstanding British cast including Jim Broadbent, Harriet Walter, Mark Strong, Paul Bettany, Miranda Richardson, and Rupert Friend, The Young Victoria has captivated British audiences, and is the film that Company magazine called “an epic British film, which will sweep you up in her remarkable story.”

Markimdb: 7.3
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryUSA
Duration01:25
CharactersPresidential
PlotSlavery, Political, Elections, Freedom, Power
PlaceVietnam, Texas, USA
StyleAction

Lyndon B. Johnson's amazing 11-month journey from taking office after JFK's assassination, through the fight to pass the 1964 Civil Rights Act and his own presidential campaign, culminating on the night LBJ is actually elected to the office – no longer the 'accidental President.'

Markimdb: 6.6
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryUSA
CharactersGirlfriends, Single mothers
PlotLove, On real events, Revenge, Hatred
StyleHeavy, Disturbing

Ku Klux Klansman Mike Burden opens the Redneck Shop and KKK museum in historic Laurens, SC. He subsequently falls in love with a single mother and, under her influence, quits the Klan and is taken in by an African American Reverend.

Markimdb: 7.5
Genredrama, music, biography, history
CountryUSA, United Kingdom, Australia
Duration02:05
CharactersWriters, Friends, Partners, Celebrities, Parents
PlotLove, On real events, Friendship, Success
PlaceLos Angeles
StyleTo cry, Fascinating, Touching, Heartbreaking, Serious

Author P.L. Travers travels from London to Hollywood as Walt Disney Pictures adapts her novel Mary Poppins for the big screen.

Markimdb: 7.7
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryUSA, Japan
Duration03:22
PlotPolitical
PlaceNew York
StyleFascinating, Epic, Makes me think, Serious

A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the '50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of self-determination and racial pride.





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