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Movies Like A Modern Hero

If you liked A Modern Hero (1934), a drama and romance movie directed by G.W. Pabst, here are 20 movies with a similar feel, based on TMDB's recommendations. Each one links to its cast, trailer and where it's streaming.

  1. 1The Greatest Show on Earth

    The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)

    ★ 6.4/10Also drama and romance

    To ensure a full profitable season, circus manager Brad Braden engages The Great Sebastian, though this moves his girlfriend Holly from her hard-won center trapeze spot. Holly and Sebastian begin a dangerous…

  2. 2One from the Heart

    One from the Heart (1982)

    ★ 5.9/10Also drama and romance

    In a dazzling, dreamlike Las Vegas, longtime couple Hank and Frannie break up on their fifth anniversary and each pursue the fantasy of new love over one neon-soaked night—he with a free-spirited acrobat, she with a…

  3. 3Lili

    Lili (1953)

    ★ 6.7/10Also romance and drama

    Members of a circus troupe "adopt" Lili Daurier when she finds herself stranded in a strange town. The magician who first comes to her rescue already has romantic entanglements and thinks of her as a little girl. Who…

  4. 4The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act

    The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act (2026)

    ★ 8.8/10Also drama

    With Caine gone and the circus dark, the cast are left with only the mistakes and traumas of their pasts to keep them company. As the prospect of eternity closes in around them, they discover the truth about the…

  5. 5Trapeze

    Trapeze (1956)

    ★ 6.3/10Also drama and romance

    A pair of men try to perform the dangerous "triple" in their trapeze act. Problems arise when the duo is made into a trio following the addition of a sexy female performer.

  6. 6The Lost Husband

    The Lost Husband (2020)

    ★ 6.7/10Also drama and romance

    Trying to put her life back together after the death of her husband, Libby and her children move to her estranged Aunt's goat farm in central Texas.

  7. 7Maria's Lovers

    Maria's Lovers (1984)

    ★ 6/10Also drama and romance

    A World War II prisoner returns home to his childhood sweetheart. However, back home, he discovers that he has to compete to win her love.

  8. 8Broke

    Broke (2025)

    ★ 7/10Also drama

    A bronc rider in denial about his fading rodeo career battles against brain injury and a sudden blizzard while reflecting on how it became so difficult to achieve his dreams.

  9. 9Life in a Year

    Life in a Year (2020)

    ★ 8.2/10Also drama and romance

    A 17 year old finds out that his girlfriend is dying, so he sets out to give her an entire life, in the last year she has left.

  10. 10Newness

    Newness (2017)

    ★ 6.1/10Also romance and drama

    In contemporary Los Angeles, two millennials navigating a social media–driven hookup culture begin a relationship that pushes both emotional and physical boundaries.

  11. 11Time Is Up

    Time Is Up (2021)

    ★ 6.5/10Also romance and drama

    Vivien, an accomplished student with a passion for physics, and Roy, a troubled young man, are involved in an accident that forces them to reclaim their lives one minute at the time.

  12. 12Bad Girl

    Bad Girl (1931)

    ★ 6/10Also romance and drama

    A man and woman, skeptical about romance, nonetheless fall in love and are wed, but their lack of confidence in the opposite sex haunts their marriage.

  13. 13Love Everlasting

    Love Everlasting (2016)

    ★ 7.4/10Also romance and drama

    Bridger is a young outsider who's always wanted more. He and his mother flee an abusive home, eventually finding a small town in the middle of nowhere. Once there, Bridger finds true acceptance with another misfit.

  14. 14Water for Elephants

    Water for Elephants (2011)

    ★ 6.9/10Also drama and romance

    In this captivating Depression-era melodrama, impetuous veterinary student Jacob Jankowski joins a celebrated circus as an animal caretaker but faces a wrenching dilemma when he's transfixed by angelic married…

  15. 15Flamingo Road

    Flamingo Road (1949)

    ★ 7/10Also drama and romance

    A stranded carnival dancer takes on a corrupt political boss when she marries into small-town society.

  16. 16Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away

    Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away (2012)

    ★ 7/10Also romance

    An original story featuring performances by Cirque du Soleil. A young woman is entranced by an Aerialist. When they fall into the dreamlike world of Cirque du Soleil and are separated, they travel through the different…

  17. 17Circus World

    Circus World (1964)

    ★ 6.2/10Also drama

    Circus owner Matt Masters is beset by disasters as he attempts a European tour of his circus. At the same time, he is caught in an emotional bind between his adopted daughter and her mother.

  18. 18Flashdance

    Flashdance (1983)

    ★ 6.5/10Also drama and romance

    Alex Owens, a young woman juggling between two odd jobs, aspires to become a successful ballet dancer. Nick, who is her boss and lover, supports and encourages her to fulfil her dream.

  19. 19Breathe

    Breathe (2017)

    ★ 7.4/10Also drama and romance

    Based on the true story of Robin, a handsome, brilliant and adventurous man whose life takes a dramatic turn when polio leaves him paralyzed.

  20. 20Dishonored

    Dishonored (1931)

    ★ 7/10Also drama and romance

    The Austrian Secret Service sends its most seductive agent to spy on the Russians.

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