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Movies Like They Knew What They Wanted

If you liked They Knew What They Wanted (1940), a drama and romance movie directed by Garson Kanin, 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 Secret: Dare to Dream

    The Secret: Dare to Dream (2020)

    ★ 7.4/10Also drama and romance

    A widow with three children hires a handyman to fix her house during a major storm. When not doing home repairs, he shares his philosophy of believing in the power of the universe to deliver what we want.

  2. 2The 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.

  3. 3City Girl

    City Girl (1930)

    ★ 7.5/10Also drama and romance

    A waitress from Chicago falls in love with a man from rural Minnesota and marries him, with the intent of living a better life - but life on the farm has its own challenges.

  4. 4Guess Who's Coming to Dinner

    Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)

    ★ 7.6/10Also drama and romance

    A couple's attitudes are challenged when their daughter brings home a fiancé who is black.

  5. 5Flamingo 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.

  6. 6Kitty Foyle

    Kitty Foyle (1940)

    ★ 6.6/10Also drama and romance

    A hard-working, white-collar girl falls in love with a young socialite, but meets with his family's disapproval.

  7. 7The Age of Adaline

    The Age of Adaline (2015)

    ★ 7.5/10Also romance and drama

    After 29-year-old Adaline recovers from a nearly lethal accident, she inexplicably stops growing older. As the years stretch on and on, Adaline keeps her secret to herself until she meets a man who changes her life.

  8. 8Wuthering Heights

    Wuthering Heights (1970)

    ★ 6.4/10Also drama and romance

    Young orphan Heathcliff is adopted by the wealthy Earnshaw family and moves into their estate, Wuthering Heights. Soon, the new resident falls for his compassionate foster sister, Cathy. The two share a remarkable bond…

  9. 9All My Life

    All My Life (2020)

    ★ 7.7/10Also romance and drama

    It was a chance meeting started by one of Sol’s friends trying to chat up Jennifer. However, in the end, it was those two who hit it off. Sol enjoyed Jen’s smile, her effort, and how silly she could be. Jen enjoyed…

  10. 10A Ring of Endless Light

    A Ring of Endless Light (2002)

    ★ 6.5/10Also romance and drama

    When 15-year-old Vicky Austin, her sister Suzy and little brother Rob visit their grandfather on Seven Bay Island, Vicky faces several unexpected challenges. Her beloved grandfather, retired Reverend Eaton, seems to be…

  11. 11The Magic of Ordinary Days

    The Magic of Ordinary Days (2005)

    ★ 7.5/10Also drama and romance

    Pregnant out of wedlock, an educated young woman is pressured by her father into an arranged marriage with a lonely farmer in this drama set during WWII.

  12. 12A Walk in the Clouds

    A Walk in the Clouds (1995)

    ★ 7.4/10Also drama and romance

    World War II vet Paul Sutton falls for a pregnant and unwed woman who persuades him -- during their first encounter -- to pose as her husband so she can face her family.

  13. 13Racing with the Moon

    Racing with the Moon (1984)

    ★ 6.3/10Also drama and romance

    In a small coastal California town, Henry and Nicky are pals from blue collar families with only a short time before they ship off to World War II. Henry begins romancing new-to-town Caddie Winger, believing her to be…

  14. 14The Golden Bowl

    The Golden Bowl (2000)

    ★ 6/10Also romance and drama

    Wealthy American widower Adam Verver and his daughter Maggie live a refined life in Europe, surrounded by art. Maggie marries impoverished Italian Prince Amerigo, while Adam marries Maggie's friend Charlotte Stant. The…

  15. 15The Bigamist

    The Bigamist (1953)

    ★ 6.4/10Also drama and romance

    San Francisco businessman Harry Graham and his wife and business partner, Eve, are in the process of adopting a child. When private investigator Mr. Jordan uncovers the fact that Graham has another wife, Phyllis, and a…

  16. 16Bad 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.

  17. 17Lovely, Still

    Lovely, Still (2009)

    ★ 6.6/10Also drama and romance

    A holiday fable that tells the story of an elderly man discovering love for the first time.

  18. 18Possessed

    Possessed (1931)

    ★ 6.9/10Also drama and romance

    Marion is a factory worker who hopes to trade the assembly line for a beautiful penthouse apartment. Mark Whitney, a wealthy and influential lawyer, can make her dreams come true, but, there is only one problem; he…

  19. 19My Brilliant Career

    My Brilliant Career (1979)

    ★ 6.2/10Also drama and romance

    A young woman who is determined to maintain her independence finds herself at odds with her family who wants her to tame her wild side and get married.

  20. 20An Autumn Romance

    An Autumn Romance (2021)

    ★ 7/10Also romance and drama

    When librarian Taylor Harris suddenly loses her job, she decides to visit her brother in a small town in Montana. There, she gets involved in the fight to help save her brother's hotel from tycoon Joel Sheenan, who…

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