15 Must-Watch Hollywood Drama Movies for Film Lovers

Drama movies have a certain appeal to them. They touch your heart, stir up emotions, and get you to side with characters within the story. Watching a well-produced piece is more than just watching a story unfold; it’s about being in the moment and feeling everything with the characters. Here, we have a list of fifteen best drama movies you should watch if you haven’t already!

The Godfather (1972)

Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 masterpiece chronicles the Corleone family’s rise in the world of organized crime. Marlon Brando’s stellar presentation as Vito is matched by Al Pacino’s portrayal of his son Michael. This movie is a tale of power, family, and loyalty, rated 9.2/10 on IMDb.

Citizen Kane (1941)

The award-winning movie Citizen Kane is a 1941 classic that digs into the mystery of media tycoon Charles Foster Kane’s last words through a series of flashbacks. Welles’ tour-de-force performance as Kane anchors this exploration of power, wealth, and the American Dream. Its Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay reflects its impact on cinema.

Casablanca (1942)

With an 8.5 IMDb rating and 99% audience score, Casablanca transports viewers to the intrigue-filled world of wartime Morocco. Michael Curtiz’s 1942 romantic drama follows American expatriate Rick Blaine as he grapples with love, loss, and moral choices against the backdrop of WWII. Humphrey and Ingrid’s on-screen chemistry ignites this tale of sacrifice.

Schindler’s List (1993)

Schindler’s List offers a powerful story of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable horror. It recounts the story of a German businessman named Oskar Schindler. He helped save over a thousand Jews during the Holocaust—Liam Neeson’s nuanced portrayal of Schindler anchors this deeply moving exploration of courage and compassion.

Raging Bull (1980)

Martin Scorsese’s Raging Bull pulls no punches in its raw portrayal of boxer Jake LaMotta. This 1980 biopic follows LaMotta’s rise to championship status and eventual downfall, fueled by jealousy and self-destructive behavior. Viewers rate Raging Bull 8.1/10 on IMDb, with a 93% audience score.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Despite having a modest run at the box office, the film has achieved top status with a 9.3 IMDb rating. The Shawshank Redemption is a tale of hope. It is an adaptation of Stephen King’s 1982 novella and follows Andy Dufresne, a banker who is wrongly convicted, as he forms a deep bond with fellow inmate Red.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

In Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino weaves a nonlinear narrative that intertwines the lives of a hitman, a boxer, and two armed robbers. The film’s sharp dialogue and eclectic characters have made it one of the most influential movies of contemporary cinema and earned it an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

12 Angry Men (1957)

Henry Fonda leads the cast in 12 Angry Men as the lone dissenting voice who gradually convinces his fellow jurors to reconsider the evidence as they deliberate the fate of a young man accused of murder. Even though it didn’t win any of its three Academy Award nominations, the film remains a masterpiece.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest presents a searing examination of institutional power and individual rebellion. Milos Forman’s 1975 adaptation of Ken Kesey’s novel follows Randle McMurphy, a law-breaker who fakes insanity to complete his sentence in a mental institution. Jack Nicholson’s star performance as McMurphy drives this journey of freedom and conformity.

All About Eve (1950)

All About Eve is a sharp and insightful movie about ambition and betrayal in the theater world. The film follows the story of Margo Channing, an aging Broadway star played by Bette Davis, whose life is upended by the arrival of Eve Harrington, a seemingly innocent young woman with aspirations of a star.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

This epic historical drama goes into the life of T.E. Lawrence, a British officer who played a key role in the Arab Revolt during WWI. This motion picture, directed by David Lean, shows Lawrence’s complex journey through the desert as he unites Arab tribes against the Ottoman Empire.

Do the Right Thing (1989)

With its lively cinematography and engaging characters, Do the Right Thing displays the complexities of race relations in America. This film is a mirror image of race-based tensions in a Brooklyn neighborhood on a sweltering summer day. Although it received only two Academy Award nominations, its cultural impact continues to be felt.

The Father (2020)

The Father is a film about Anthony, an elderly man coping with his deteriorating memory and sense of reality. Directed by Florian Zeller, it has a unique narrative structure that immerses viewers in Anthony’s perspective. Anthony Hopkins’s brilliant performance won him Best Actor at the Academy Awards.

There Will Be Blood (2007)  

There Will Be Blood is an exciting drama about ambition and greed during California’s early 20th-century oil boom. Daniel Day-Lewis delivers a brilliant performance as Daniel Plainview, an ambitious oilman whose ruthless pursuit of wealth leads to moral decay and personal isolation. The film got eight Academy Award nominations and won two.

Goodfellas (1990)

Based on a true story, this 1990 crime drama follows Henry Hill’s rise through the ranks of organized crime. Director Martin Scorsese gives an unflinching look at life in the mafia with this film. Goodfellas is rated 8.7 on IMDb and has a 95% audience score.