Here are the best dramas including my favourites, award winners, critically acclaimed and cult favourites.
WYALAN star rating explained:
- 5 stars – Highly enjoyed and would highly recommend as a must watch
- 4 stars – Enjoyed and would watch again in the future
- 3 stars – Glad I watched it once, but I’ll probably never watch it again
- 2 stars – Watched to the end, but I wouldn’t watch it again
- 1 star – DNF (did not finish)
Award-Winning
Moonlight (2016) – [Drama/Coming-of-Age/LGBTQ+]
For fans of: Pariah, Boyhood, Call Me by Your Name
Barry Jenkins’ triptych won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actor. Chiron’s journey through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood unfolds with poetic restraint and emotional power. Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, and Trevante Rhodes deliver unforgettable performances. WYALAN Rating – 3/5
Minari (2021) – [Drama/Family/Immigration]
For fans of: The Farewell, The Tree of Life, 20th Century Women
Lee Isaac Chung’s semi-autobiographical film won the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at Sundance, with Youn Yuh-jung earning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. A Korean-American family builds a life in rural Arkansas, with romantic tension simmering beneath economic strain. The storytelling is tender, layered, and deeply human.
Aftersun (2022) – [Drama/Family/Coming-of-Age]
For fans of: Petite Maman, The Florida Project, Columbus
Charlotte Wells’ debut won the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut and earned Paul Mescal an Oscar nomination. A father and daughter share a sun-drenched holiday, refracted through memory and melancholy. Frankie Corio’s performance anchors the emotional mystery.
Room (2015) – [Drama/Survival/Family]
For fans of: The Lovely Bones, The Road, The Deep End of the Ocean
Brie Larson won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as a mother raising her son in captivity. Directed by Lenny Abrahamson and adapted from Emma Donoghue’s novel, the film balances trauma with resilience. Jacob Tremblay’s performance stunned critics and audiences alike.
The Whale (2022) – [Drama/Family/Redemption]
For fans of: The Wrestler, Requiem for a Dream, Mass
Brendan Fraser won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a reclusive English teacher seeking connection. Directed by Darren Aronofsky and adapted from Samuel D. Hunter’s play, the film is emotionally raw and visually intimate. Sadie Sink and Hong Chau add depth to the ensemble. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
The Farewell (2019) – [Drama/Family/Cultural Identity]
For fans of: Minari, Lady Bird, The Joy Luck Club
Awkwafina stars in Lulu Wang’s Sundance hit about a family hiding a terminal diagnosis from their matriarch. Romantic subplots thread through cultural tension and generational bonds. The film won Best Feature at the Independent Spirit Awards and a Golden Globe for Awkwafina.
The Zone of Interest (2023) – [Drama/Historical/Holocaust]
For fans of: Son of Saul, The White Ribbon, Come and See
Jonathan Glazer’s Cannes Grand Prix winner depicts the domestic life of a Nazi commandant living beside Auschwitz. The horror is ambient, the perspective chillingly detached. Sandra Hüller leads a cast praised for restraint and precision.
More best A24 lists:
Best A24 Films ~ Best A24 Horror Movies ~ Best A24 Romance Movies ~ Best A24 Documentaries
~ Best A24 Comedy Movies ~ Best A24 Thriller Movies
Critically Acclaimed
Past Lives (2023) – [Drama/Romance/Identity]
For fans of: In the Mood for Love, Before Sunrise, Columbus
Celine Song’s debut premiered at Sundance and Berlin, earning Oscar and BAFTA nominations. Greta Lee and Teo Yoo play childhood friends reunited decades later, navigating love, longing, and cultural distance. The film’s quiet ache and lyrical structure captivated critics. WYALAN Rating – 4.5/5
Lady Bird (2017) – [Drama/Coming-of-Age/Family]
For fans of: Frances Ha, Booksmart, Little Women
Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut earned five Oscar nominations and stars Saoirse Ronan as a restless teen in Sacramento. Laurie Metcalf’s performance as her mother adds emotional gravity. The film balances wit and vulnerability with precision. WYALAN Rating – 4.5/5
The Florida Project (2017) – [Drama/Childhood/Poverty]
For fans of: Beasts of the Southern Wild, Wendy and Lucy, Minari
Sean Baker’s film earned Willem Dafoe an Oscar nomination and follows six-year-old Moonee living in a motel near Disney World. The story captures childhood wonder against a backdrop of economic hardship. The colours are vivid, the heartbreak quiet.
The Souvenir (2019) – [Drama/Autobiographical/Artistic Identity]
For fans of: An Education, Bright Star, The Dreamers
Joanna Hogg’s semi-autobiographical film stars Honor Swinton Byrne as a film student entangled in a toxic relationship. Tilda Swinton co-stars in this introspective, visually restrained narrative. Cannes-premiered and widely praised for its emotional precision.
The Souvenir Part II (2021) – [Drama/Meta/Creative Process]
For fans of: Bergman Island, Synecdoche, New York, 8½
The sequel follows Julie’s creative rebirth as she processes grief through filmmaking. Hogg’s direction becomes more playful and self-reflective, earning critical acclaim and BIFA nominations. The emotional arc deepens with artistic clarity.
20th Century Women (2016) – [Drama/Ensemble/Coming-of-Age]
For fans of: Beginners, Lady Bird, The Squid and the Whale
Annette Bening, Greta Gerwig, and Elle Fanning anchor Mike Mills’ vibrant portrait of a teenage boy raised by a trio of women in 1970s California. The film earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. It’s warm, reflective, and full of lived-in detail.
C’mon C’mon (2021) – [Drama/Family/Introspective]
For fans of: The Tree of Life, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Beginners
Joaquin Phoenix plays a radio journalist caring for his nephew in Mike Mills’ tender meditation on parenting and emotional literacy. Shot in black-and-white and praised for its quiet grace. The performances are understated, the feelings profound.
Waves (2019) – [Drama/Family/Coming-of-Age]
For fans of: Requiem for a Dream, Moonlight, A Place Beyond the Pines
Trey Edward Shults directs this emotionally intense family saga starring Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Taylor Russell. The film’s visual style and narrative structure reflect the turbulence of adolescence and grief. Critics praised its ambition and emotional depth.
The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019) – [Drama/Identity/Gentrification]
For fans of: Blindspotting, Fruitvale Station, Sorry to Bother You
Jimmie Fails and Jonathan Majors star in Joe Talbot’s poetic ode to home, memory, and displacement. Sundance-premiered and praised for its visual beauty and emotional resonance. The score and cinematography elevate every moment.
The Iron Claw (2023) – [Drama/Biopic/Family]
For fans of: Foxcatcher, Warrior, The Wrestler
Sean Durkin’s wrestling family saga earned Zac Efron critical acclaim for his transformative lead role. The Von Erich dynasty unfolds with intensity, grief, and physicality. A24’s highest-grossing film to date. WYALAN Rating – 4/5
First Reformed (2018) – [Drama/Spiritual/Psychological]
For fans of: Taxi Driver, Winter Light, The Master
Ethan Hawke plays a troubled pastor confronting ecological despair and personal guilt in Paul Schrader’s best-reviewed film. The script is austere, the tension spiritual. Critics hailed its rigor and relevance.
A Most Violent Year (2014) – [Drama/Crime/Moral Dilemma]
For fans of: The Godfather, Heat, The Insider
Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain star in J.C. Chandor’s slow-burn thriller set in 1980s New York. The film explores ambition, integrity, and survival in a corrupt industry. Its restraint and atmosphere earned critical respect.
Lean on Pete (2018) – [Drama/Survival/Coming-of-Age]
For fans of: The Rider, Wendy and Lucy, The Mustang
Charlie Plummer plays a boy who bonds with a racehorse and flees across the American West. Andrew Haigh’s film is quiet, devastating, and laced with romantic longing and loss. Steve Buscemi and Chloë Sevigny add grit and grace.
The Inspection (2022) – [Drama/LGBTQ+/Military]
For fans of: Moonlight, American History X, The Messenger
Jeremy Pope stars in Elegance Bratton’s autobiographical story of a gay Black man enduring boot camp in search of acceptance. TIFF-premiered and praised for its emotional clarity. Gabrielle Union delivers a standout supporting performance.
Krisha (2016) – [Drama/Family/Experimental]
For fans of: A Woman Under the Influence, The Celebration, Mass
Trey Edward Shults’ debut stars his real-life aunt in a raw portrait of a recovering addict returning home for Thanksgiving. Shot in just nine days, the film premiered at SXSW and earned critical acclaim. The tension builds in real time, with emotional precision.
The Green Knight (2021) – [Drama/Fantasy/Mythic]
For fans of: The Witch, The Fall, The Fountain
Dev Patel stars in David Lowery’s adaptation of the Arthurian legend, blending surreal visuals with existential dread. The film premiered at SXSW and was praised for its ambition and atmosphere. Honour, fear, and fate intertwine in a haunting journey.
The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) – [Drama/Shakespeare/Visual]
For fans of: Hamlet, Barry Lyndon, The Lighthouse
Joel Coen directs Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand in a stark, stylised adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Shot in black-and-white and nominated for three Oscars, the film is visually arresting and powerfully acted. The minimalism amplifies the menace.
Cult Favourites
After Yang (2022) – [Drama/Sci-Fi/Family]
For fans of: Her, Columbus, Never Let Me Go
Kogonada’s meditative sci-fi drama stars Colin Farrell as a father grieving the loss of a robotic companion. The film explores memory, identity, and connection in a near-future domestic setting. Premiered at Cannes and praised for its quiet beauty.
The Humans (2021) – [Drama/Family/Psychological]
For fans of: August: Osage County, Mass, The Father
Stephen Karam adapts his Tony-winning play into a claustrophobic Thanksgiving drama starring Richard Jenkins, Beanie Feldstein, and Steven Yeun. The apartment creaks, the tension simmers, and the emotional weight builds. A24’s first film shot in 4:3 and distributed by Showtime.
The End of the Tour (2015) – [Drama/Biopic/Dialogue]
For fans of: My Dinner with Andre, Capote, Sideways
Jesse Eisenberg and Jason Segel star in this adaptation of David Lipsky’s interview with David Foster Wallace. Directed by James Ponsoldt, the film is intellectually rich and emotionally layered. Critics praised its performances and philosophical depth.
The Spectacular Now (2013) – [Drama/Coming-of-Age/Romance]
For fans of: The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, Say Anything
Miles Teller and Shailene Woodley play high schoolers navigating love and emotional baggage in James Ponsoldt’s adaptation of Tim Tharp’s novel. Sundance-premiered and praised for its realism and vulnerability. The performances feel lived-in and unvarnished.
Gloria Bell (2019) – [Drama/Romance/Late-Life]
For fans of: 45 Years, Enough Said, The Wife
Julianne Moore stars in Sebastián Lelio’s English-language remake of his own film Gloria, portraying a woman rediscovering love and independence. The performance is luminous, the tone bittersweet. Critics praised its emotional nuance.
Ginger & Rosa (2013) – [Drama/Coming-of-Age/Political]
For fans of: Atonement, Lady Bird, The Diary of Anne Frank
Elle Fanning and Alice Englert play inseparable friends in 1960s London, torn apart by politics and betrayal. Directed by Sally Potter and praised for its emotional complexity, the film explores romantic tension and ideological awakening. Timothy Spall and Annette Bening round out the cast.
American Honey (2016) – [Drama/Coming-of-Age/Road Movie]
For fans of: Fish Tank, Nomadland, The Beach
Andrea Arnold’s Cannes Jury Prize winner follows Sasha Lane and Shia LaBeouf across America in a van full of misfit magazine sellers. The romance is raw, impulsive, and tangled in youth and escape. The film pulses with music, movement, and emotional immediacy.
Menashe (2017) – [Drama/Family/Religion]
For fans of: A Separation, The Kid With a Bike, The Return
Set in Brooklyn’s Hasidic community, this Yiddish-language drama follows a widowed father fighting to keep custody of his son. Directed by Joshua Z. Weinstein and praised for its authenticity and restraint. The story is intimate, the stakes quietly profound.
The Lobster (2016) – [Drama/Dystopian/Absurdist]
For fans of: Eternal Sunshine, Dogtooth, Being John Malkovich
Yorgos Lanthimos directs Colin Farrell in a world where singles must find a partner or be turned into animals. Cannes Jury Prize winner and BAFTA-nominated, the film blends deadpan humour with existential dread. Rachel Weisz adds romantic tension to the surreal premise. WYALAN Rating – 4.5/5
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017) – [Drama/Psychological/Horror]
For fans of: The Shining, Funny Games, Eyes Wide Shut
Yorgos Lanthimos reunites with Colin Farrell and Nicole Kidman for this unsettling tale of guilt and retribution. The tone is icy, the performances eerie. Premiered at Cannes and won Best Screenplay.
The Lighthouse (2019) – [Drama/Psychological/Horror]
For fans of: The Witch, Eraserhead, The Shining
Robert Eggers’ black-and-white descent into madness earned an Oscar nomination for cinematography and won multiple critics’ awards. Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson spar in isolation, myth, and madness. The visuals are hypnotic, the performances feral. WYALAN Rating – 3/5
The Rover (2014) – [Drama/Post-Apocalyptic/Survival]
For fans of: The Road, Mad Max, Children of Men
Guy Pearce and Robert Pattinson star in David Michôd’s bleak vision of a collapsed Australia. The film is spare, violent, and morally ambiguous. Critics praised its atmosphere and performances.
The Sea of Trees (2016) – [Drama/Spiritual/Grief]
For fans of: The Tree of Life, The Fountain, A Ghost Story
Matthew McConaughey and Ken Watanabe star in Gus Van Sant’s meditative drama set in Japan’s Aokigahara forest. The film explores loss, redemption, and existential crisis. Though divisive at Cannes, it found a quiet audience.
The Children Act (2018) – [Drama/Legal/Moral Dilemma]
For fans of: Notes on a Scandal, Philomena, The Reader
Emma Thompson plays a judge deciding the fate of a teenage boy refusing a life-saving blood transfusion. Adapted from Ian McEwan’s novel and directed by Richard Eyre, the film explores law, ethics, and emotional restraint. Stanley Tucci co-stars with quiet gravitas.
The Ballad of Lefty Brown (2017) – [Drama/Western/Justice]
For fans of: True Grit, The Assassination of Jesse James, Hostiles
Bill Pullman stars as a loyal sidekick seeking justice after his partner is murdered. Jared Moshe’s western is elegiac, character-driven, and steeped in frontier melancholy. The film premiered at SXSW and earned praise for its throwback tone.
The Lovers (2017) – [Drama/Romance/Comedy]
For fans of: Marriage Story, The Squid and the Whale, The Kids Are All Right
Debra Winger and Tracy Letts play a married couple rekindling romance while cheating on each other. Azazel Jacobs directs with dry wit and emotional restraint. The film was praised for its performances and tonal balance.
The Sky Is Everywhere (2022) – [Drama/Romance/Grief]
For fans of: Paper Towns, The Fault in Our Stars, A Ghost Story
Lennie navigates grief and new love after her sister’s death in this visually expressive adaptation of Jandy Nelson’s novel. Directed by Josephine Decker and distributed by Apple TV+, the film blends fantasy and emotion. The romance blooms through sorrow and surrealism.
The Bling Ring (2013) – [Drama/Crime/Satire]
For fans of: Spring Breakers, Clueless, The Social Network
Sofia Coppola’s stylish take on the real-life teens who robbed celebrity homes stars Emma Watson and Taissa Farmiga. The film critiques fame obsession with cool detachment and glittering visuals. It’s shallow by design, and that’s the point.
The Death of Dick Long (2019) – [Drama/Dark Comedy/Crime]
For fans of: Fargo, I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore, The Greasy Strangler
Daniel Scheinert (Swiss Army Man) directs this small-town mystery about a man who dies under bizarre circumstances. The humour is pitch-black, the twists genuinely surprising. Sundance-premiered and quietly adored by genre fans.
The Vanishing of Sidney Hall (2018) – [Drama/Mystery/Literary]
For fans of: The End of the Tour, The Secret Window, The Butterfly Effect
Logan Lerman plays a reclusive author whose life unravels across three timelines, haunted by fame and tragedy. Directed by Shawn Christensen, the film divided critics but found a niche audience drawn to its melancholic tone. Elle Fanning and Kyle Chandler add emotional weight to the mystery.