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Apollo 13 poster

Movies that feel likeApollo 13 (1995)

The true story of technical troubles that scuttle the Apollo 13 lunar mission in 1970, risking the lives of astronaut Jim Lovell and his crew, with the failed journey turning into a thrilling saga of heroism. Drifting more than 200,000 miles from Earth, the astronauts work furiously with the ground crew to avert tragedy.

If you loved Apollo 13, the closest films we have are Coach Carter (2005), Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001) and Milk (2008). All three share Apollo 13's contemplative and epic feel, which is what we rank on before quality.

Seen the big three already? The under-the-radar pick below is Paris Is Burning (1991).

πŸ… 92% Rotten Tomatoesβ˜… 7.7 IMDb β†—TMDB β†—dir. Ron Howardcontemplativeepic
5 of 12 streaming nowNetflix Β· HBO Max Β· Paramount Plus Premium

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If Apollo 13 hit the spot, these will too

Coach Carter poster
Coach Carter
2005 Β· dir. Thomas Carter
πŸ… 63%β˜… 7.4drama Β· historyStarz

One thread runs through both: a true story

The difference: The scrappier of the two with critics

Based on a true story, in which Richmond High School head basketball coach Ken Carter made headlines in 1999 for benching his undefeated team due to poor academic results.

Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India poster
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India
2001 Β· dir. Ashutosh Gowariker
πŸ… 95%β˜… 8.1adventure Β· drama Β· history

The same preoccupation in both: a true story

The difference: Sits closer to adventure than Apollo 13 does

The year is 1893 and India is under British occupation. In a small village, the tyrannical Captain Russell has imposed an unprecedented land tax on its citizens. Outraged, Bhuvan, a rebellious farmer, rallies the villagers to publicly oppose the tax. Russell offers a novel way to settle the dispute: he challenges Bhuvan and his men to a game of cricket, a sport completely foreign to India. If Bhuvan and his men can defeat Russell's team, the tax will be repealed.

Milk poster
Milk
2008 Β· dir. Gus Van Sant
πŸ… 93%β˜… 7.5history Β· drama

Contemplative where it counts, epic underneath

The true story of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man ever elected to public office. In San Francisco in the late 1970s, Harvey Milk becomes an activist for gay rights and inspires others to join him in his fight for equal rights that should be available to all Americans.

Invictus poster
Invictus
2009 Β· dir. Clint Eastwood
πŸ… 76%β˜… 7.3drama Β· history

Contemplative drama in both cases

Newly elected President Nelson Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's rugby union team as they make their historic run to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship match.

Sully poster
Sully
2016 Β· dir. Clint Eastwood
πŸ… 85%β˜… 7.4drama Β· history

Common ground: rescue

The difference: Made in the 2010s, in a different era of the craft

On 15 January 2009, the world witnessed the 'Miracle on the Hudson' when Captain 'Sully' Sullenberger glided his disabled plane onto the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 souls aboard. However, even as Sully was being heralded by the public and the media for his unprecedented feat of aviation skill, an investigation was unfolding that threatened to destroy his reputation and career.

Lincoln poster
Lincoln
2012 Β· dir. Steven Spielberg
πŸ… 90%β˜… 7.3history Β· drama

History with a pulse of scale, in both cases

The revealing story of the 16th US 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.

Gandhi poster
Gandhi
1982 Β· dir. Richard Attenborough
πŸ… 89%β˜… 8drama Β· history

Both lean on stillness more than on drama

In the early years of the 20th century, Mohandas K. Gandhi, a British-trained lawyer, forsakes all worldly possessions to take up the cause of Indian independence. Faced with armed resistance from the British government, Gandhi adopts a policy of 'passive resistance', endeavouring to win freedom for his people without resorting to bloodshed.

Labyrinth of Lies poster
Labyrinth of Lies
2014 Β· dir. Giulio Ricciarelli
πŸ… 83%β˜… 7.3drama Β· history

Epic history, and it commits to that

A young prosecutor in postwar West Germany investigates a massive conspiracy to cover up the Nazi pasts of prominent public figures.

Steve Jobs poster
Steve Jobs
2015 Β· dir. Danny Boyle
πŸ… 85%β˜… 7.2drama Β· history

Both play drama straight

Set backstage at three iconic product launches and ending in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac, Steve Jobs takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution to paint an intimate portrait of the brilliant man at its epicenter.

Paris Is Burning poster
Paris Is Burning
1991 Β· dir. Jennie Livingston
πŸ… 99%β˜… 8.2documentary Β· historyMax

History approached the same way

Where does voguing come from, and what, exactly, is throwing shade? This landmark documentary provides a vibrant snapshot of the 1980s through the eyes of New York City's African American and Latinx Harlem drag-ball scene. Made over seven years, PARIS IS BURNING offers an intimate portrait of rival fashion "houses," from fierce contests for trophies to house mothers offering sustenance in a world rampant with homophobia, transphobia, racism, AIDS, and poverty. Featuring legendary voguers, drag queens, and trans women β€” including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, Dorian Corey, and Venus Xtravaganza.

Marie Antoinette poster
Marie Antoinette
2006 Β· dir. Sofia Coppola
πŸ… 58%β˜… 6.5drama Β· historyNetflixParamount+

The same drama instincts

A retelling of the story of France’s iconic but ill-fated queen, Marie Antoinette - from her betrothal and marriage to Louis XVI at fifteen to her reign as queen at nineteen and ultimately the fall of Versailles.

Darkest Hour poster
Darkest Hour
2017 Β· dir. Joe Wright
πŸ… 84%β˜… 7.4drama Β· historyRent or buy

Cut from the same history cloth

In May 1940, the fate of World War II hangs on Winston Churchill, who must decide whether to negotiate with Adolf Hitler or fight on knowing that it could mean the end of the British Empire.

In the mood for more contemplative?

all contemplative movies β†’

The best-reviewed films that share Apollo 13’s defining feeling.