Movies Like The Descendants

If you liked The Descendants (2011), a comedy and drama movie directed by Alexander Payne, 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
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)
★ 7.1/10Also comedy and drama
Renowned oceanographer Steve Zissou has sworn vengeance upon the rare shark that devoured a member of his crew. In addition to his regular team, he is joined on his boat by Ned, a man who believes Zissou to be his…
2
Sleeping with the Enemy (1991)
★ 6.5/10Also drama
A young woman fakes her own death in an attempt to escape her nightmarish marriage, but discovers it is impossible to elude her controlling husband.
3
Short Cuts (1993)
★ 7.2/10Also drama and comedy
Many loosely connected characters cross paths in this film, based on the stories of Raymond Carver. Waitress Doreen Piggot accidentally runs into a boy with her car. Soon after walking away, the child lapses into a…
4
Butterfly on a Wheel (2007)
★ 6.5/10Also drama
A sociopathic kidnapper methodically pushes a desperate pair of parents to their absolute breaking point.
5
Wild Things (1998)
★ 6.4/10Also drama
When teen-socialite Kelly Van Ryan and troubled bad girl Suzie Toller accuse guidance counselor Sam Lombardo of rape, he's suspended by the school, rejected by the town, and fighting to get his life back. One cop…
6
Why Him? (2016)
★ 6.4/10Also comedy
A dad forms a bitter rivalry with his daughter's young rich boyfriend.
7
Limbo (1999)
★ 6.6/10Also drama
Traumatized by a fishing boat accident many years before, Joe Gastineau has given up his hopes for a life beyond the odd jobs he takes to support himself. That quickly changes when nomadic club singer Donna de Angelo…
8
Head Above Water (1996)
★ 6/10Also comedy
Judge George brings his young wife, Nathalie, to a remote island for a vacation. But while George accompanies their only neighbor -- Nathalie's childhood friend Lance -- on a fishing trip, Nathalie spends time with her…
9
Splitsville (2025)
★ 6.3/10Also comedy
After Ashley asks for a divorce, good-natured Carey runs to his friends, Julie and Paul, for support. He’s shocked to discover that the secret to their happiness is an open marriage, that is until Carey crosses the…
10
I Love My Dad (2022)
★ 5.9/10Also comedy
A hopelessly estranged father catfishes his son in an attempt to reconnect.
11
The Big Short (2015)
★ 7.4/10Also comedy and drama
The men who made millions from a global economic meltdown.
12
Arbitrage (2012)
★ 6.3/10Also drama
A troubled hedge fund magnate, desperate to complete the sale of his trading empire, makes an error that forces him to turn to an unlikely person for help.
13
Grandma (2015)
★ 6.4/10Also comedy and drama
Self-described misanthrope Elle Reid has her protective bubble burst when her 18-year-old granddaughter, Sage, shows up needing help. The two of them go on a day-long journey that causes Elle to come to terms with her…
14
Pacific Heights (1990)
★ 6.3/10Also drama
A couple works hard to renovate their dream house and become landlords to pay for it. Unfortunately one of their tenants has plans of his own.
15
Hesher (2010)
★ 6.8/10Also drama
A young boy has lost his mother and is losing touch with his father and the world around him. Then he meets Hesher who manages to make his life even more chaotic.
16
Careful What You Wish For (2015)
★ 6.1/10Also drama
A guy gets more than he bargained for after entering into an affair with the wife of an investment banker. Soon, a suspicious death and substantial life insurance policy embroil him in a scandal.
17
The Hateful Eight (2015)
★ 7.8/10Also drama
Bounty hunters seek shelter from a raging blizzard and get caught up in a plot of betrayal and deception.
18
Landline (2017)
★ 6.2/10Also comedy and drama
A teenager living with her sister and parents in Manhattan during the 1990s discovers that her father is having an affair.
19
A Hole in the Head (1959)
★ 6.2/10Also comedy and drama
An impractical widower tries to hang onto his Miami hotel and his 12-year-old son.
20
Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021)
★ 6/10Also comedy
The story of best friends Barb and Star, who leave their small midwestern town for the first time to go on vacation in Vista Del Mar, Florida, where they soon find themselves tangled up in adventure, love, and a…