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Movies that feel like Pather Panchali (1955)

If you loved Pather Panchali, the closest films we have are Lincoln (2012), Oppenheimer (2023) and 12 Years a Slave (2013). All three share Pather Panchali's contemplative and epic feel, which is what we rank on before quality. 6 of the 12 picks below are included with a subscription right now on Peacock Premium, YouTube TV and Peacock Premium Plus and others, checked against today's data.

Impoverished priest Harihar Ray, dreaming of a better life for himself and his family, leaves his rural Bengal village in search of work. Alone, his wife, Sarbojaya, looks after her rebellious daughter, Durga, and her young son, Apu, as well as Harihar's elderly aunt Indir. The children enjoy the small pleasures of their difficult life, while their parents suffer the daily indignities heaped upon them.

πŸ… 98% Rotten Tomatoesβ˜… 8.2 IMDb β†—TMDB β†—dir. Satyajit Raycontemplativeepicwistfuldread

When is Pather Panchali streaming? β†’

If Pather Panchali hit the spot, these will too

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

Contemplative where it counts, epic underneath

The difference: Missing the wistfulness of Pather Panchali

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.

Feels alike?
Oppenheimer poster
Oppenheimer
2023 Β· dir. Christopher Nolan
πŸ… 93%β˜… 8.2drama Β· history

Contemplative drama in both cases

The difference: 68 years apart, and the 2020s show

The story of J. Robert Oppenheimer's role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II.

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12 Years a Slave poster
12 Years a Slave
2013 Β· dir. Steve McQueen
πŸ… 95%β˜… 8.1drama Β· history

Epic history, and it commits to that

In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty as well as unexpected kindnesses Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist will forever alter his life.

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Spotlight poster
Spotlight
2015 Β· dir. Tom McCarthy
πŸ… 97%β˜… 8.1drama Β· history

Drama with a pulse of stillness, in both cases

The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered the massive scandal of child molestation and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire Catholic Church to its core.

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Dallas Buyers Club poster
Dallas Buyers Club
2013 Β· dir. Jean-Marc VallΓ©e
πŸ… 92%β˜… 7.9drama Β· history

Both trade on scale more than on being history

Loosely based on the true-life tale of Ron Woodroof, a drug-taking, women-loving, homophobic man who in 1986 was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and given thirty days to live.

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The Elephant Man poster
The Elephant Man
1980 Β· dir. David Lynch
πŸ… 91%β˜… 8.2drama Β· history

Both built around black and white

A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous faΓ§ade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity. Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the film), a severely deformed man in 19th century London.

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

Both are drama through and through

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.

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

History approached the same way

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.

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

The same drama instincts

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.

Feels alike?
Raging Bull poster
Raging Bull
1980 Β· dir. Martin Scorsese
πŸ… 92%β˜… 8.1drama Β· history

Cut from the same history cloth

The life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.

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The Founder poster
The Founder
2016 Β· dir. John Lee Hancock
πŸ… 80%β˜… 7.2drama Β· history

The same drama instincts

The true story of how Ray Kroc, a salesman from Illinois, met Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. Kroc was impressed by the brothers’ speedy system of making the food and saw franchise potential. He maneuvered himself into a position to be able to pull the company from the brothers and create a billion-dollar empire.

Feels alike?
The Post poster
The Post
2017 Β· dir. Steven Spielberg
πŸ… 88%β˜… 7.2drama Β· history

Both are history through and through

A cover-up that spanned four U.S. Presidents pushed the country's first female newspaper publisher and a hard-driving editor to join an unprecedented battle between journalist and government. Inspired by true events.

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In the mood for more contemplative?

all contemplative movies β†’

The best-reviewed films that share Pather Panchali's defining feeling.