15 Films Like Good Will Searching Followers Ought to Watch Subsequent

“Good Will Searching” is a sentimental movie. This is not a nasty factor, and actually, the feelings it expresses nonetheless resonate greater than 30 years later. Written by greatest mates Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, the movie follows Will Searching (Damon), a math genius working as a janitor for Harvard College. Pressured to get therapy with a therapist after a violent outburst, Will’s relationship with Sean Maguire (Robin Williams) adjustments the course of his life.

An earnest, emotional, finally feel-good story, “Good Will Searching” achieves these qualities with out turning into saccharine or clichéd. One of the crucial beloved movies about mentorship and one of many biggest about remedy, “Good Will Searching” would not reinvent the wheel, however represents the gold normal for what movies like this may be.

On the identical time, the movie is not peerless, and if you happen to look arduous sufficient, you’ll find examples of films that ship an analogous sentiment or hit acquainted narrative factors. From tales about remedy and psychological well being, to tortured geniuses, to surprising mentee/mentor relationships, you are certain to search out one thing right here that can transfer you. 

Listed here are 15 films it’s best to watch if “Good Will Searching” is your jam.

The late and nice Robert Redford, one of many biggest actors of all time, was greater than only a fairly face. He was additionally a director, and his directorial debut was an Oscar-winning, field workplace smash. In “Peculiar Individuals,” we comply with the Jarretts, a rich Illinois household coping with the demise of their teenage son, Buck. Conrad (Timothy Hutton), Buck’s youthful brother, makes an attempt suicide following his demise. Coming back from a psychiatric hospital, Conrad struggles to cope with his guilt over Buck’s demise and tries to reconnect together with his household.

Conrad’s mom, Beth (Mary Tyler Moore in her biggest efficiency), has grown emotionally distant, refuses to acknowledge the loss, and appears offended at Conrad for surviving. His father, Calvin (Donald Sutherland), makes an attempt to reckon together with his personal ache whereas making an attempt to fix the connection between mom and son. Fortunately, Conrad is not alone on this, and he leans on his psychiatrist, Dr. Berger (Judd Hirsch), for help. A movie centered on emotional journeys above all else, followers of “Good Will Searching” will respect “Peculiar Individuals” for its nuanced portrayal of trauma and psychological well being.

Although it gained Finest Image in 2002, “A Lovely Thoughts” is not as revered immediately. Actually, in accordance with Rotten Tomatoes, it is one of many worst-reviewed Finest Image winners. However that does not imply it deserves to be thrown out completely. Certainly, whereas “A Lovely Thoughts” is a type of paint-by-numbers biopic in some methods, it additionally options wonderful performances and a shifting story that is arduous to disclaim.

The similarities between “Good Will Searching” and “A Lovely Thoughts” are proper there on the floor. Russell Crowe performs John Nash, an excellent mathematician working within the Nineteen Forties. Following an appointment at MIT and his marriage to the beautiful Alicia (Jennifer Connelly), issues are wanting up for Nash. Nevertheless, when the federal government recruits Nash to decipher Soviet codes, the task takes a toll, and Nash’s latent schizophrenia rears its head. The movie introduces Nash as an unreliable narrator, and viewing the world by way of his eyes supplies a novel perspective on his situation. Alicia’s devotion to her husband affords perception into how psychological sickness impacts the family members of these stricken but in addition how essential caregiving is.

“Good Will Searching” wasn’t the primary autumn-coded, New England film about mentoring younger males that Robin Williams starred in. A number of years prior, he performed an inspiring English instructor in “Useless Poets Society,” one other movie that highlights the significance of supportive mentor figures and the price of household trauma. Williams performs John Keating, the brand new instructor at an all-boys prep college steeped in custom and exacting requirements. As Keating will get to know the boys, he helps them break freed from the extraordinary stress they face, utilizing poetry and theater to encourage them to specific themselves.

Certainly one of Williams’ greatest performances — it earned him his second Oscar nomination – and one of many biggest movies a few instructor, “Useless Poets Society” hits all the appropriate emotional notes and tells a shifting story of artwork, id, and unconditional help. The beloved movie is not overhyped, and certainly, its most well-known scenes are simply pretty much as good as you bear in mind. “O Captain! My Captain!” nonetheless hits simply as arduous immediately because it did 30 years in the past.

A sacred textual content for introverted teenagers all over the place, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” explores psychological well being and trauma by way of the lens of a highschool coming-of-age movie. Logan Lerman performs Charlie, a shy freshman who has struggled with despair for a lot of his life. He meets two seniors, Patrick (Ezra Miller) and Sam (Emma Watson), who take him beneath their wing. Charlie learns rather a lot from his new mates, however there’s nonetheless loads he would not learn about himself.

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower” incorporates a tertiary mentor determine within the type of English instructor Mr. Anderson (Paul Rudd), nevertheless it’s a film as a lot about friendship as it’s self-discovery. Charlie’s new mates supply him their love and encourage him to be courageous, although his emotional journey is finally an introspective one. Whereas it could be too earnest for some, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” will pull on the heartstrings of anybody who remembers what it was prefer to be younger and insecure and crammed with hope.

In 2000, “Good Will Searching” director Gus Van Sant returned with one other movie in regards to the energy of mentorship. In “Discovering Forrester,” Sean Connery performs William Forrester, a reclusive, previously lauded novelist who by no means leaves his home. Forrester befriends Jamal (Rob Brown), a teenage basketball participant who’s additionally an excellent author. Although initially suspicious of Jamal, Forrester agrees to mentor the younger man, who will get accepted right into a prestigious personal college.

It is not clean crusing for both of them: Jamal’s professors accuses him of plagiarism and Forrester struggles to get a deal with on his agoraphobia and nervousness. Nonetheless, their friendship turns into a life-changing connection for them each as every learns essential classes from the opposite. Not as didactic as you may think, “Discovering Forreseter” tackles real-world points like racism and sophistication privilege with out relying an excessive amount of on clichés. With an underrated efficiency from the legendary Connery, it is an inspiring story “Good Will Searching” followers are primed to take pleasure in.

Sports activities films signify a few of the greatest inspirational, feel-good movies Hollywood has to supply. In lots of instances, they usually characteristic a robust mentor determine a lá “Good Will Searching,” however on a bigger scale. The 2005 movie “Coach Carter,” top-of-the-line basketball films, follows this traditional sample with just a few key variations. Samuel L. Jackson performs the titular coach, who has returned to his alma mater to educate the highschool basketball staff. Although crammed with proficient gamers, the staff lacks self-discipline and refuses to do their schoolwork.

Coach Carter lays down the legislation. He institutes new guidelines concerning teachers, requiring gamers to do nicely at school with a purpose to keep on the staff. He additionally works on teamwork and conditioning, and the staff goes undefeated within the common season. Nevertheless, Carter learns that a few of the gamers are nonetheless failing their courses, and he locks the doorways to the fitness center till they enhance their educational standing. This controversial choice serves as the premise of the movie, which relies on the real-life Coach Carter and his newsworthy ways. Carter’s concentrate on making the boys higher folks relatively than nice gamers distinguishes the movie from others of its sort.

The 2006 movie “Akeelah and the Bee” hits most of the identical narrative factors as “Good Will Searching.” We comply with a gifted younger one who hasn’t been capable of make the most of their present because of troublesome circumstances. In each movies, a mentor pushes them to realize their full potential. A younger Keke Palmer performs the titular character, an 11-year-old lady attending Crenshaw Center Faculty in Los Angeles. Although very vibrant, she usually skips class, angering her principal. She decides to enter the varsity’s spelling bee to show her price, and wins.

Laurence Fishburne performs Dr. Joshua Larabe, an English professor who believes Akeelah has what it takes to enter the Scripps Nationwide Spelling Bee. Although Dr. Larabe initially refuses to work with Akeelah because of her impolite habits, he ultimately turns into her coach. Akeelah learns that the majority of her rivals come from privileged backgrounds with demanding mother and father, and her overwhelmed mom, Tanya (Angela Bassett), worries her desires will probably be crushed. One of the crucial satisfying feel-good films you’ll find, “Akeelah and the Bee” is led by an extremely self-possessed efficiency from Palmer, and its inspirational story strikes a chord.

In her directorial debut, Alex Heller tells the story of a younger lady scuffling with psychological well being points and studying how you can be an grownup. Heller additionally stars within the movie as Clemence, a 20-year-old who drops out of school and strikes again in together with her household. A psychiatrist diagnoses her with bipolar dysfunction and prescribes her remedy to handle her signs. Clemence’s relationship together with her household is commonly strained. Her father (Steve Buscemi) is overly optimistic. Her mom (J. Smith Cameron) wonders if Clemence’s issues is perhaps solved if she simply began doing yoga. Her youthful siblings do not know how you can cope with her situation.

Regardless of the intense matters being mentioned, Heller succeeds in balancing the darker components of the story with a comedic tone. But the comedy would not detract from the verisimilitude of the story, and it solely enhances it. Clemence makes use of humor as a protection mechanism, making the comedic moments illuminating and even unhappy, relatively than merely goofy. Heller based mostly the movie on her personal experiences with psychological well being, lending it a way of authenticity, whereas her sharp writing provides it an edge.

2016’s “Pricey Zindagi” is a low-key movie starring two of India’s largest stars. Directed by Gauri Shinde, the movie follows Kaira (Alia Bhatt), a twentysomething aspiring cinematographer dwelling in Mumbai. Although pushed in her profession, Kiara struggles in her private life, particularly relating to romance. After getting evicted from her residence, Kiara is pressured to maneuver again to Goa and dwell together with her mother and father, with whom she has a strained relationship.

Having a troublesome time adjusting to her new circumstances, Kaira begins seeing a therapist, Dr. Jehangir “Jug” Khan (Shah Rukh Khan). Jug helps Kaira articulate her underlying fears and insecurities and confront the supply of her inside turmoil. By these classes with Jug and an try to reconnect together with her household, she opens herself as much as the folks round her, restoring her hope for the longer term. Although the movie is easy and pretty un-dramatic, it is a comforting watch, and Khan and Bhatt are completely suited to their roles.

Kind of like an alternate universe model of “Good Will Searching,” “Antwone Fisher” is a robust therapist/affected person story based mostly on a real story. Denzel Washington’s directorial debut — he would go on to direct three extra characteristic movies, together with one produced by Oprah – follows the titular character (Derek Luke), a Navy sailor with anger administration points. After a sequence of violent outbursts, Antwone is pressured to see naval psychiatrist Dr. Jerome Davenport (Washington). Although Antwone is an unwilling affected person at first, he regularly begins to divulge heart’s contents to Dr. Davenport.

We study Antwone’s troublesome childhood, which included a useless father, a mom he by no means knew, and an abusive foster household. His childhood continues to deeply have an effect on him, and Dr. Davenport encourages Antwone to hunt closure by in search of out his organic household. In the meantime, he makes an attempt to start a relationship with a fellow sailor, Cheryl (Pleasure Bryant), whereas confronting his previous and struggling to think about a greater future. Although it would not tread any new floor, Washington’s sometimes highly effective efficiency grounds the movie in sufficient emotional reality to offer this tearjerker some substance.

A vacation movie for the melancholic set, “The Holdovers” would not inform the story of a mentor/mentee relationship, precisely, however relatively a youthful particular person and an older one who come collectively to show one another a needed lesson. Paul Giamatti performs Paul Hunham, a instructor at an all-boys boarding college in Seventies New England. Despised by college students and lecturers alike for his curmudgeonly, uptight angle, Hunham is pressured to remain on the college over the vacations to chaperone the scholars with nowhere to go.

When the remainder of the scholars depart for a ski journey, Hunham’s left with a single cost, Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa), whose mom has flown to Saint Kitts with out him. Although their relationship begins antagonistically, they be taught to respect each other as they let their guards down. Da’Vine Pleasure Randolph, who gained an Oscar for her efficiency, performs Mary, the pinnacle prepare dinner, who can also be staying in school over the vacations as a result of her son lately died within the Vietnam Struggle. A considerate, shifting movie about loneliness and grief, “The Holdovers” can be an amazing addition to your rotation of cozy, cold-weather New England movies.

It is troublesome to disclaim the ability of an inspirational true story, and “October Sky” stays a traditional instance. Jake Gyllenhaal, in his first starring function, performs Homer Hickman, the son of a West Virginia coal miner. Homer’s father, John (Chris Cooper), needs his sons to comply with in his footsteps, however they produce other plans. Impressed by the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, Homer decides to focus his power on constructing rockets with the assistance of some mates and a sympathetic instructor (Laura Dern).

Regardless of Homer and his mates’ massive desires, their circumstances show troublesome to flee. Financial hardship, familial expectations, and the wants of their neighborhood thwart them at each flip. As in “Good Will Searching,” we comply with the story of a younger man with nice potential who comes from a background that makes it troublesome for him to comprehend his potential. A supportive grownup determine (Laura Dern’s instructor character) helps him on his journey, and we find out how class, socioeconomic inequality, and psychological patterns can form an individual’s life.

Generally, an empathetic ear can change all the pieces. In “Good Will Searching,” Sean’s persistence and compassion permit Will to interrupt out of previous patterns and transform his life. In “Quick Time period 12,” we comply with the lives of mentors who spend their lives serving to younger folks. Brie Larson performs Grace, a counselor at a short-term therapy facility for at-risk teenagers. Grace stays unflappable within the face of dysfunction, and makes use of her troublesome adolescence as a option to join with the kids in her care. When a resident named Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever) arrives on the facility, Grace struggles to take care of her composure, as Jayden reminds her of her personal troubled youth.

“Quick Time period 12” teaches us in regards to the energy of empathy and care, and includes a slew of nice performances. Alongside a breakout efficiency from Larson, the movie options the early work of LaKeith Stanfield, Rami Malek, John Gallagher Jr., and Stephanie Beatriz. Jayden and Grace develop a robust relationship that illustrates that with a purpose to assist somebody, you could actually see them and deal with them as your equal. As Will Searching and the residents in “Quick Time period 12” be taught, being seen for who you actually are could make all of the distinction.

Like the higher–recognized movie “A Lovely Thoughts,” “The Man Who Knew Infinity” follows a math genius who skilled many difficulties in life. Dev Patel performs Srinivasa Ramanujan, a real-life mathematician. Residing in Madras within the 1910s, Ramanujan attracts the eye of G. H. Hardy (Jeremy Irons), a professor at Cambridge. Hardy is amazed by Ramanujan’s brilliance, however Ramanujan struggles to regulate to life in England, and his declining well being and separation from his household take a toll.

“The Man Who Knew Infinity” relays an incredible true story that is nicely price telling. Although a reasonably standard biopic, Patel elevates the fabric and offers Ramanujan a way of heroic vulnerability which will have been much less obvious on the web page. Ramanujan was a person who contained greatness inside him and, in opposition to all odds, was capable of share that greatness with the world regardless of the methods working in opposition to him. Although “The Man Who Knew Infinity” might not have an ending as hopeful as “Good Will Searching,” each movies have a look at excellence from a spot of deep emotion.

Kind of a “Useless Poets Society” with ladies, “Mona Lisa Smile” tells a story everyone knows and love: that of a instructor who conjures up their college students by way of empathy and unconventional strategies. In one in every of her greatest movies, Julia Roberts performs Katherine Watson, an enterprising lady employed to show artwork historical past at Wellesley Faculty in 1953. Tired of toeing the get together line, Katherine teaches her college students to suppose independently and query the expectations which were set for them. This rankles the directors on the college, in addition to the scholars who imagine in adhering to custom.

Roberts, who broke the document for the very best wage ever earned by an actress (at $25 million) for this movie, brings her dependable appeal and dogged spirit to the function, main an ensemble of proficient younger girls. The actresses enjoying her college students embrace Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Ginnifer Goodwin. Although not precisely a fiery feminist manifesto, this quaint film sends a heartwarming message and should provide the identical heat fuzzies as “Good Will Searching.”