20 best movies like The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976)

List of the best movies like The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976): The Theory of Everything, The Blind Side, This Boy’s Life, The Myth of the American Sleepover, Here on Earth, The Mighty, Edges of the Lord, The First Grader, Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story, The Miracle Worker.

Tags: movies similar to The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976) - full list

Markimdb: 7.7
Genremelodrama, drama, biography
CountryUnited Kingdom, Japan, USA
Duration02:03

    The Theory of Everything is the extraordinary story of one of the world’s greatest living minds, the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who falls deeply in love with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde.

    Markimdb: 7.6
    Genredrama, biography, sport
    CountryUSA
    Duration02:09

      Oversized African-American, Michael Oher, the teen from across the tracks and a broken home, has nowhere to sleep at age 16. Taken in by an affluent Memphis couple, Michael embarks on a remarkable rise to play for the NFL.

      Markimdb: 7.3
      Genredrama, biography
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:55

      In 1957, a son and mother flee the East and an abusive boyfriend to find a new life, and end up in Seattle, where the mother meets a polite garage mechanic. The boy continually gets into trouble by hanging out with the wrong crowd. The mom marries the mechanic, but they soon find out that he's an abusive and unreasoning alcoholic, and they struggle to maintain hope in an impossible situation as the boy grows up with plans to escape the small town by any means possible. Based on a true story by Tobias Wolff.

      Markimdb: 6.3
      Genrecomedy, melodrama, drama
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:36

      Four young people navigate the suburban wonderland of metro-Detroit looking for love and adventure on the last weekend of summer.

      Markimdb: 5.1
      Genremelodrama, drama
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:36

      Three lives of three young people intersect over the course of one summer. A rich student and a young working-class man accidentally destroy a diner when their impromptu road race takes a disastrous turn. Ordered by a judge to spend the summer repairing the building, they find themselves becoming rivals for the affections of the owner's daughter.

      Markimdb: 7.2
      Genrecomedy, drama
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:40

      This tells the story of a strong friendship between a young boy with Morquio's syndrome and an older boy who is always bullied because of his size. Adapted from the novel, Freak the Mighty, the film explores a building of trust and friendship. Kevin, an intelligent guy helps out Maxwell to improve his reading skills. In return, Kevin wants Maxwell to take him out places since he is not allowed out unauthorized. Being the social outcasts of the town, Kevin and Maxwell come to realize that they are similar to each other and accept that they are "freaks" and nothing will stop them.

      Markimdb: 6.8
      Genremelodrama, drama, crime, military
      CountryUSA, Poland
      Duration01:35

      A 12-year-old Jewish boy hides with a family of Catholic peasant farmers to escape the Nazis.

      Markimdb: 7.4
      Genremelodrama, drama, biography
      CountryUnited Kingdom, USA, Kenya, France

      The true story of an 84 year-old Kenyan villager and ex Mau Mau freedom fighter who fights for his right to go to school for the first time to get the education he could never afford.

      Markimdb: 7.2
      Genredrama, biography
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:44

      Based on a true story. Liz Murray is a young girl who is taken care of by her loving, but drug-addicted parents. Liz becomes homeless at 15 and after a tragedy comes upon her, she begins her work to finish high school.

      Markimdb: 8.1
      Genredrama, biography
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:46

      The true story of the frightening, lonely world of silence and darkness of 7-year-old Helen Keller who, since infancy, has never seen the sky, heard her mother's voice or expressed her innermost feelings. Then Annie Sullivan, a 20-year-old teacher from Boston, arrives. Having just recently regained her own sight, the no-nonsense Annie reaches out to Helen through the power of touch, the only tool they have in common, and leads her bold pupil on a miraculous journey from fear and isolation to happiness and light.

      Markimdb: 6.3
      Genrefantasy, drama, military
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:35

      Hannah Stern, an American-born Jewish adolescent, is uninterested in the culture, faith and customs of her relatives; however, Hannah begins to revaluate her heritage when she has a supernatural experience that transports her back to a Nazi death camp in 1941. There, she meets a young girl named Rivkah, a fellow captive in the camp. As Rivkah and Hannah struggle to survive in the face of daily atrocities, they form an unbreakable bond.

      Markimdb: 7.8
      Genredrama, biography
      CountryUSA
      Duration02:01

      A high school student falls asleep while sitting in class. When he wakes up, all time is frozen, except for him.

      Markimdb: 7.2
      Genremelodrama, drama, music, biography
      CountryBelgium, Italy

      The true story of Rocco Granata, an Italian coal miner's son who followed his passion for music against his father's wishes and social barriers.

      Markimdb: 7.2
      Genredrama, biography
      CountryUSA
      Duration02:00

      A boy with a massive facial skull deformity and biker gang mother attempts to live as normal a life as possible under the circumstances.

      Markimdb: 7.1
      Genremelodrama, drama, crime
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:34

      Duncan Mudge, mid-teens, lives apart from his rural world populated by his distant father and rough local kids. His main companionship is a chicken left after his mother's death until the neighbor's son befriends him.

      Markimdb: 7.3
      Genredrama, biography
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:43

      Jaime Escalante is a mathematics teacher in a school in a hispanic neighbourhood. Convinced that his students have potential, he adopts unconventional teaching methods to try and turn gang members and no-hopers into some of the country's top algebra and calculus students.

      Markimdb: 6.8
      Genrecomedy, melodrama, drama, biography
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:55

      Patch Adams is a doctor who doesn't look, act or think like any doctor you've met before. For Patch, humour is the best medicine and he's willing to do just anything to make his patients laugh—even if it means risking his own career.

      Markimdb: 7.5
      Genredrama, biography
      CountryUSA

      Mitch became caught up with his career as a sport commentator and journalist. He ignored his girlfriend and did not make time to do things in life that are of the most value to a human being. Morrie was one of Mitch's professors in college and a famous scholar. One day Mitch was watching television and saw Morrie giving an interview stating that he is dying of Lou Gehrig disease or ALS.

      Markimdb: 6.6
      Genremelodrama, drama
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:41

      In the boring desert of New Mexico, a single mother raises her two teenage daughters, Shade and Trudi, whose deepest desire is to leave the dead calm town. Shade is the type to escape in her extravagant fantasies while Trudi is so rebelious it could drive her away.

      Markimdb: 7.1
      Genremelodrama, drama
      CountryUnited Kingdom, France, USA
      Duration01:43

      A girl dying of leukemia compiles a list of things she'd like to do before passing away. Topping the list is her desire to lose her virginity.

      Markimdb: 8
      Genremelodrama, drama
      CountryUSA
      Duration02:09

      In Brooklyn circa 1900, the Nolans manage to enjoy life on pennies despite great poverty and Papa's alcoholism. We come to know these people well through big and little troubles: Aunt Sissy's scandalous succession of "husbands"; the removal of the one tree visible from their tenement; and young Francie's desire to transfer to a better school...if irresponsible Papa can get his act together.

      Markimdb: 6.5
      Genredrama
      CountryUSA

      After running away from her abusive mother, a streetwise teen seeks refuge with her father, but he rejects her when he learns that she's pregnant.

      Markimdb: 7.4
      Genremelodrama, drama, biography
      CountryUnited Kingdom
      Duration02:11

      C.S. Lewis, a world-renowned writer and professor, leads a passionless life until he meets spirited poet Joy Gresham

      Markimdb: 7.2
      Genremelodrama, drama, family, military
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:55

      Little Women is a coming-of-age drama tracing the lives of four sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. During the American Civil War, the girls father is away serving as a minister to the troops. The family, headed by their beloved Marmee, must struggle to make ends meet, with the help of their kind and wealthy neighbor, Mr. Laurence, and his high spirited grandson Laurie.

      Markimdb: 6.9
      Genredrama, biography, sport
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:48

      A coming of age drama following the life of Matt Hamill, the first deaf wrestler to win a National Collegiate Wrestling Championship.

      Markimdb: 7.2
      Genredrama
      CountryIsrael, Germany, France

      A young Arab is caught between cultures as he is sent to a prestigious Jewish boarding school in Israel in the 1980s.

      Markimdb: 6.1
      Genredrama, biography, sport
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:35

      This is the story of a teenager named Gracie Bowen, who lives in South Orange, New Jersey, is crazy about soccer, as are her three brothers and former soccer star father. Although Gracie wants to join her brothers and father in the nightly practices, she is discouraged by everyone except her elder brother, Johnny. Her father does not believe that girls should play soccer and tells her that she is neither tough enough nor talented enough to play with the boys team. Undeterred, Gracie finds reserves of strength she never knew existed, and persists in changing everyone's beliefs in what she is capable of, including her own. She faces an uphill battle when she fights to give women the opportunity to play competitive soccer. But as the beautiful and strong person that she has always been but she also brings her family together in the face of their own tragedy.

      Markimdb: 6.1
      Genredrama, sport
      CountryGermany, USA
      Duration01:44

      In this uplifting film based on a true story, coach Jim Ellis (Terrence Howard) shocks the community and changes lives when, aided by a local janitor (Bernie Mac), he sets out to form Philadelphia's first black swim team. But the odds are against them as they battle rigid rules, racism and more.

      Markimdb: 5.8
      Genredrama, family, biography
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:40

      Heaven is for Real recounts the true story of a small-town father who must find the courage and conviction to share his son's extraordinary, life-changing experience with the world. Four-year-old Colton shares the details of his amazing journey with childlike innocence and speaks matter-of-factly about things that happened before his birth... things he couldn't possibly know.

      Markimdb: 6.7
      Genremelodrama, drama, military, biography
      CountryNetherlands
      Duration02:10

      Waldemar Nods, a young man from Suriname, meets the older Dutch woman Rika van der Lans and they fall in love. In pre-WWII Netherlands they could not be more different. The one black, the other white, 17 years between them and on top of that Rika already has four children with another man. They love each other, but then Rika appears to be pregnant...

      Markimdb: 7.3
      Genredrama, biography
      CountryItaly
      Duration01:54

      The true story of the life of Gavino Ledda, the son of a Sardinian shepherd, and how he managed to escape his harsh, almost barbaric existence by slowly educating himself, despite violent opposition from his brutal father.

      Markimdb: 7.5
      Genredrama, biography
      CountryFrance

      Marie Heurtin is born both blind and deaf. Sister Marguerette wins her trust and teaches her how to express herself.

      Markimdb: 7.7
      Genremelodrama, drama
      CountryUSA
      Duration02:13

      Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a patient named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

      Markimdb: 6
      Genrethriller, melodrama, drama, crime, military
      CountryUSA

      Marine officer Alexandra is tough enough to kick any guy's ass in a bar fight, but there's one opponent she can't beat: military policy. When she returns to her conservative hometown from Iraq with a mysterious personal life, she finds herself charged with preparing a tempestuous teenage girl to boot camp.

      Markimdb: 5.7
      Genremelodrama, drama, biography
      CountryUSA

      Errol Flynn, the swashbuckling Hollywood star and notorious ladies man, flouted convention all his life, but never more brazenly than in his last years when, swimming in vodka and unwilling to face his mortality, he undertook a liaison with an aspiring actress, Beverly Aadland. The two had a high-flying affair that spanned the globe and was enabled by the girl's fame-obsessed mother, Florence. It all came crashing to an end in October 1959, when events forced the relationship into the open, sparking an avalanche of publicity castigating Beverly and her mother - which only fed Florence's need to stay in the spotlight.

      Markimdb: 7.3
      Genredrama, biography
      CountryUSA, Republic of Ireland
      Duration02:14

      Based on the best selling autobiography by Irish expat Frank McCourt, Angela's Ashes follows the experiences of young Frankie and his family as they try against all odds to escape the poverty endemic in the slums of pre-war Limerick. The film opens with the family in Brooklyn, but following the death of one of Frankie's siblings, they return home, only to find the situation there even worse. Prejudice against Frankie's Northern Irish father makes his search for employment in the Republic difficult despite his having fought for the IRA, and when he does find money, he spends the money on drink.

      Markimdb: 7.1
      Genremelodrama, drama, biography
      CountryUnited Kingdom, USA, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Japan
      Duration02:35

        When Gerda Wegener asks her husband Einar to fill in as a portrait model, Einar discovers the person she's meant to be and begins living her life as Lili Elbe. Having realized her true self and with Gerda's love and support, Lili embarks on a groundbreaking journey as a transgender pioneer.

        Markimdb: 6.9
        Genredrama, music, biography
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:48

        Biographical story of the rise from nowhere of singer Ritchie Valens whose life was cut short by a plane crash.

        Markimdb: 7.2
        Genremelodrama, drama
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:38

        A gardener in East L.A. struggles to keep his son away from gangs and immigration agents while traveling across town to perform landscaping work for the city's wealthy landowners.

        Markimdb: 6.9
        Genredrama, biography, sport
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:49

        High school football coach, Harold Jones befriends Radio, a mentally-challenged man who becomes a student at T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson, South Carolina. Their friendship extends over several decades, where Radio transforms from a shy, tormented man into an inspiration to his community.

        Markimdb: 7.7
        Genremelodrama, drama, music, biography
        CountryAustralia
        Duration01:45

        Pianist David Helfgott, driven by his father and teachers, has a breakdown. Years later he returns to the piano, to popular if not critical acclaim.

        Markimdb: 6.4
        Genrefantasy, drama, music, biography
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:42

        The story follows 19-year-old Renee who has always loved fairy tales: the idea of a princess, a hero and a happily ever after. But Renee’s life is that of a darker tale: she’s a young woman battling addiction, depression and self-injury. In a creative blend of artistic fantasy balanced with harsh reality, the movie follows Renee on her courageous journey towards recovery.

        Markimdb: 7.6
        Genrecomedy, melodrama, drama
        CountryUnited Kingdom
        Duration01:56

        A headstrong young teacher in a private school in 1930s Edinburgh ignores the curriculum and influences her impressionable 12 year old charges with her over-romanticized world view.

        Markimdb: 4.6
        Genremelodrama, drama
        CountryFrance, USA

        Maurice, a reticent young homeless man, somehow manages to get by in Brooklyn; he spends his nights in parked cars until he finds himself at Bizarre, an underground club renowned for its burlesque shows. Maurice is fascinated by the club’s playful revues celebrating self-determined sexuality and creative otherness, and the two female club owners both adore him. He soon becomes a part of their self-selected family, and begins to bond with introverted Luka. But Maurice turns his back on Luka’s growing affection. Running away from his true emotions he drifts aimlessly through the city. He tries to find his feet at a boxing club, where he meets Charlie. Unable to withstand the pressure of his repressed feelings, Maurice unleashes a mounting foment of emotions, pervaded by tenderness and menace.

        Markimdb: 6.7
        Genredrama, biography, sport
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:52

        Up-and-coming sports reporter rescues a homeless man ("Champ") only to discover that he is, in fact, a boxing legend believed to have passed away. What begins as an opportunity to resurrect Champ's story and escape the shadow of his father's success becomes a personal journey as the ambitious reporter reexamines his own life and his relationship with his family.

        Markimdb: 7.1
        Genremelodrama, drama
        CountryUnited Kingdom
        Duration01:51

        A socially awkward teenage math prodigy finds new confidence and new friendships when he lands a spot on the British squad at the International Mathematics Olympiad.

        Markimdb: 7.3
        Genredrama, biography
        CountryUSA, Germany
        Duration02:07

        Set in the changing world of the late 1960s, Susanna Kaysen's prescribed "short rest" from a psychiatrist she had met only once becomes a strange, unknown journey into Alice's Wonderland, where she struggles with the thin line between normal and crazy. Susanna soon realizes how hard it is to get out once she has been committed, and she ultimately has to choose between the world of people who belong inside or the difficult world of reality outside.

        Markimdb: 6.6
        Genremelodrama, drama
        CountryUSA

        Jane, a high school teenager, tries to deal with the discovery that she is a lesbian after developing an intense friendship with another girl who makes her discover her true sexuality, which is only the start of Jane's troubles when Jane's unaccepting mother, Janice, struggles with her surprising revelation of brought forth by her only daughter.

        Markimdb: 7.4
        Genredrama, biography
        CountryKenya, India, USA, Canada, South Africa
        Duration01:50

        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: 7
        Genreaction, melodrama, drama, biography
        CountryUSA
        Duration02:00

        This film is a glimpse into the life, love and the unconquerable spirit of the legendary Bruce Lee. From a childhod of rigorous martial arts training, Lee realizes his dream of opening his own kung-fu school in America. Before long, he is discovered by a Hollywood producer and begins a meteroric rise to fame and an all too short reign as one the most charasmatic action heroes in cinema history.




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