Sort by Popularity - Most Popular Movies and TV Shows tagged with keyword "semi-autobiographical"
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1. The Boy and the Heron (2023)
PG-13 | 124 min | Animation, Adventure, Drama
In the wake of his mother's death and his father's remarriage, a headstrong boy named Mahito ventures into a dreamlike world shared by both the living and the dead.
Director: Hayao Miyazaki | Stars: Soma Santoki, Masaki Suda, Kô Shibasaki, Aimyon
Votes: 50,927
2. Almost Famous (2000)
R | 122 min | Adventure, Comedy, Drama
A high-school boy in the early 1970s is given the chance to write a story for Rolling Stone magazine about an up-and-coming rock band as he accompanies them on their concert tour.
Director: Cameron Crowe | Stars: Billy Crudup, Patrick Fugit, Kate Hudson, Frances McDormand
Votes: 293,405 | Gross: $32.53M
3. The Fabelmans (2022)
PG-13 | 151 min | Drama
Growing up in post-World War II era Arizona, young Sammy Fabelman aspires to become a filmmaker as he reaches adolescence, but soon discovers a shattering family secret and explores how the power of films can help him see the truth.
Director: Steven Spielberg | Stars: Michelle Williams, Gabriel LaBelle, Paul Dano, Judd Hirsch
Votes: 116,876
4. Shameless (2004–2013)
TV-MA | 90 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
The lives and relationships of a group of siblings and their estranged father Frank Gallagher on a rough Manchester estate.
Stars: David Threlfall, Rebecca Atkinson, Alice Barry, Nicky Evans
Votes: 18,476
5. American Graffiti (1973)
PG | 110 min | Comedy, Drama
A group of teenagers in California's central valley spend one final night after their 1962 high school graduation cruising the strip with their buddies before they pursue their varying goals.
Director: George Lucas | Stars: Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith
Votes: 98,155 | Gross: $115.00M
6. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Not Rated | 89 min | Animation, Drama, War
A young boy and his little sister struggle to survive in Japan during World War II.
Director: Isao Takahata | Stars: Tsutomu Tatsumi, Ayano Shiraishi, Akemi Yamaguchi, Yoshiko Shinohara
Votes: 310,422
7. 8 Mile (2002)
R | 110 min | Drama, Music
Follows a young rapper in the Detroit area, struggling with every aspect of his life; he wants to make it big but his friends and foes make this odyssey of rap harder than it may seem.
Director: Curtis Hanson | Stars: Eminem, Brittany Murphy, Kim Basinger, Mekhi Phifer
Votes: 320,909 | Gross: $116.72M
8. Belfast (2021)
PG-13 | 98 min | Biography, Drama, Romance
A young boy and his working-class Belfast family experience the tumultuous late 1960s.
Director: Kenneth Branagh | Stars: Jude Hill, Lewis McAskie, Caitríona Balfe, Jamie Dornan
Votes: 92,378
9. Everybody Hates Chris (2005–2009)
TV-PG | 22 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
A young African-American teen attempts to survive with his dysfunctional family and his all-white school in the 1980s.
Stars: Terry Crews, Tichina Arnold, Tequan Richmond, Imani Hakim
Votes: 41,815
10. Adaptation. (2002)
R | 115 min | Comedy, Drama
A lovelorn screenwriter becomes desperate as he tries and fails to adapt 'The Orchid Thief' by Susan Orlean for the screen.
Director: Spike Jonze | Stars: Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper, Tilda Swinton
Votes: 203,050 | Gross: $22.25M
11. Minari (2020)
PG-13 | 115 min | Drama
A Korean American family moves to an Arkansas farm in search of its own American dream. Amidst the challenges of new life in the strange and rugged Ozarks, they discover the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home.
Director: Lee Isaac Chung | Stars: Steven Yeun, Han Yeri, Alan Kim, Noel Cho
Votes: 97,007
12. tick, tick... BOOM! (2021)
PG-13 | 115 min | Biography, Comedy, Drama
On the brink of turning 30, a promising theater composer navigates love, friendship and the pressure to create something great before time runs out.
Director: Lin-Manuel Miranda | Stars: Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesus, Vanessa Hudgens
Votes: 119,622
13. Lark Rise to Candleford (2008–2011)
TV-PG | 53 min | Drama, Romance
An adaptation of Flora Thompson's autobiographical novel "Lark Rise To Candleford", set in 19 century Oxfordshire, in which a young girl moves to the local market town to begin an apprenticeship as a postmistress.
Stars: Olivia Hallinan, Sarah Lancashire, Julia Sawalha, Fergus Drysdale
Votes: 8,405
14. All Things Fair (1995)
Unrated | 130 min | Drama, Romance, War
Stig, a 15-year-old student, is attracted to the beauty of Viola, his 37-year-old teacher, and she, drawn to his youth and innocence, feels that he is a God-sent relief for her drunken and miserable husband.
Director: Bo Widerberg | Stars: Johan Widerberg, Marika Lagercrantz, Tomas von Brömssen, Karin Huldt
Votes: 7,552
15. 8½ (1963)
Not Rated | 138 min | Drama
A harried movie director retreats into his memories and fantasies.
Director: Federico Fellini | Stars: Marcello Mastroianni, Anouk Aimée, Claudia Cardinale, Sandra Milo
Votes: 125,190 | Gross: $0.05M
16. All That Jazz (1979)
R | 123 min | Drama, Music, Musical
Director/choreographer Bob Fosse tells his own life story as he details the sordid career of Joe Gideon, a womanizing, drug-using dancer.
Director: Bob Fosse | Stars: Roy Scheider, Jessica Lange, Ann Reinking, Leland Palmer
Votes: 35,390 | Gross: $37.82M
17. Big Boys (2022– )
24 min | Comedy, Drama
Shy, closeted Jack has spent the past year grieving for his father at home with his mum. But the time has come for him to take his place at uni.
Stars: Dylan Llewellyn, Jon Pointing, Camille Coduri, Jack Rooke
Votes: 3,835
18. The Hand of God (2021)
R | 130 min | Drama
In 1980s Naples, young Fabietto pursues his love for football as family tragedy strikes, shaping his uncertain but promising future as a filmmaker.
Director: Paolo Sorrentino | Stars: Filippo Scotti, Toni Servillo, Teresa Saponangelo, Marlon Joubert
Votes: 49,580
19. Tea with Mussolini (1999)
PG | 117 min | Comedy, Drama, War
An orphaned Italian boy is raised amongst a circle of British and American women living in Mussolini's Italy before and during World War II.
Director: Franco Zeffirelli | Stars: Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Cher
Votes: 14,194 | Gross: $14.35M
20. George & Tammy (2022–2023)
TV-MA | 48 min | Biography, Drama, History
A look at the romance between famed country musicians George Jones and Tammy Wynette.
Stars: Jessica Chastain, Michael Shannon, Steve Zahn, David Wilson Barnes
Votes: 4,454
21. Mr. D (2012–2018)
30 min | Comedy
Follows a teacher juggle through being a teacher and deal with his students while trying to maintain his not so cool lifestyle.
Stars: Gerry Dee, Jonathan Torrens, Lauren Hammersley, Naomi Snieckus
Votes: 2,795
22. Strike! (1998)
PG-13 | 97 min | Comedy
In the 1960s, a group of friends at an all girls school learn that their school is going to be combined with a nearby all boys school. They concoct a plan to save their school while dealing with everyday problems along the way.
Director: Sarah Kernochan | Stars: Kirsten Dunst, Lynn Redgrave, Gaby Hoffmann, Rachael Leigh Cook
Votes: 7,597 | Gross: $0.97M
23. Doubt (I) (2008)
PG-13 | 104 min | Drama, Mystery
A Catholic school principal questions a priest's ambiguous relationship with a troubled young student.
Director: John Patrick Shanley | Stars: Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis
Votes: 136,075 | Gross: $33.42M
24. The Squid and the Whale (2005)
R | 81 min | Comedy, Drama
Follows two young boys dealing with their parents' divorce in Brooklyn in the 1980s.
Director: Noah Baumbach | Stars: Owen Kline, Jeff Daniels, Laura Linney, Jesse Eisenberg
Votes: 90,438 | Gross: $7.36M
25. The Kid (1921)
Passed | 68 min | Comedy, Drama, Family
The Tramp cares for an abandoned child, but events put their relationship in jeopardy.
Director: Charles Chaplin | Stars: Charles Chaplin, Edna Purviance, Jackie Coogan, Carl Miller
Votes: 134,825 | Gross: $5.45M
26. Armageddon Time (2022)
R | 114 min | Drama
A deeply personal coming-of-age story about the strength of family and the generational pursuit of the American Dream.
Director: James Gray | Stars: Anne Hathaway, Jeremy Strong, Banks Repeta, Jaylin Webb
Votes: 15,347
27. Get Rich or Die Tryin' (2005)
R | 117 min | Biography, Crime, Drama
A tale of an inner city drug dealer who turns away from a life of crime to pursue his passion of rap music.
Director: Jim Sheridan | Stars: 50 Cent, Joy Bryant, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Omar Benson Miller
Votes: 50,165 | Gross: $30.98M
28. Purple Rain (1984)
R | 111 min | Drama, Music, Romance
A young musician, tormented by an abusive situation at home, must contend with a rival singer, a burgeoning romance, and his own dissatisfied band, as his star begins to rise.
Director: Albert Magnoli | Stars: Prince, Apollonia Kotero, Morris Day, Olga Karlatos
Votes: 23,820 | Gross: $68.39M
29. The 400 Blows (1959)
Not Rated | 99 min | Crime, Drama
A young boy, left without attention, delves into a life of petty crime.
Director: François Truffaut | Stars: Jean-Pierre Léaud, Albert Rémy, Claire Maurier, Guy Decomble
Votes: 128,072
30. Pain and Glory (2019)
R | 113 min | Drama
A film director reflects on the choices he's made in life as the past and present come crashing down around him.
Director: Pedro Almodóvar | Stars: Antonio Banderas, Asier Etxeandia, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Nora Navas
Votes: 63,110
31. Never Cry Wolf (1983)
PG | 105 min | Adventure, Drama
A government researcher, sent to research the "menace" of wolves in the north, learns about the true beneficial and positive nature of the species.
Director: Carroll Ballard | Stars: Charles Martin Smith, Brian Dennehy, Zachary Ittimangnaq, Samson Jorah
Votes: 8,787 | Gross: $29.60M
32. Blinded by the Light (2019)
PG-13 | 118 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
In England in 1987, a teenager from an Asian family learns to live his life, understand his family and find his own voice through the music of American rock star Bruce Springsteen.
Director: Gurinder Chadha | Stars: Billy Barratt, Ronak Singh Chadha Berges, Viveik Kalra, Lee Barnett
Votes: 27,320 | Gross: $11.90M
33. Feel Good (2020–2021)
TV-MA | 315 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
The series follows recovering addict and comedian Mae, who is trying to control the addictive behaviors and intense romanticism that permeate every facet of their life.
Stars: Mae Martin, Charlotte Ritchie, Phil Burgers, Jack Barry
Votes: 13,822
34. Amarcord (1973)
R | 123 min | Comedy, Drama
A series of comedic and nostalgic vignettes set in a 1930s Italian coastal town.
Director: Federico Fellini | Stars: Magali Noël, Bruno Zanin, Pupella Maggio, Armando Brancia
Votes: 46,821 | Gross: $0.58M
35. Heartburn (1986)
R | 108 min | Comedy, Drama
She's a magazine writer who gives up her career for love and family. He's a playboy newspaper columnist who can't quite give up his old tricks. And if that combination doesn't give a relationship Heartburn, nothing will.
Director: Mike Nichols | Stars: Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson, Jeff Daniels, Maureen Stapleton
Votes: 12,559 | Gross: $25.31M
36. The Ray Bradbury Theater (1985–1992)
TV-14 | 23 min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror
"The Ray Bradbury Theater" was a Canadian-produced anthology series scripted by famed science-fiction author Ray Bradbury. Many of the teleplays were based upon Bradbury's novels and short stories.
Stars: Ray Bradbury, Michael Copeman, Frank Whitten, Desmond Kelly
Votes: 1,710
37. Slalom (2020)
Unrated | 92 min | Drama, Sport
Under the guidance of a strict ex champion, a promising 15 year old girl trains as a professional skiing star.Will she be able to endure the physical and emotional pressures?
Director: Charlène Favier | Stars: Noée Abita, Jérémie Renier, Marie Denarnaud, Muriel Combeau
Votes: 2,245
38. Crashing (2017–2019)
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
A New York comic is forced to make a new start for himself after his wife leaves him.
Stars: Pete Holmes, George Basil, Jamie Lee, Artie Lange
Votes: 8,456
39. Cheaper by the Dozen (2022)
PG | 107 min | Comedy, Family
The raucous exploits of a blended family of 12, the Bakers, as they navigate a hectic home life while simultaneously managing their family business.
Director: Gail Lerner | Stars: Gabrielle Union, Zach Braff, Erika Christensen, Timon Kyle Durrett
Votes: 6,829
40. Moonwalker (1988)
PG | 93 min | Action, Crime, Fantasy
Anthology movie by, and starring, Michael Jackson in his prime, combining a number of music videos from his bestselling "Bad" album with a fantasy tale of Michael's confrontation with a ruthless drug dealer known as Mr. Big.
Directors: Jerry Kramer, Jim Blashfield, Colin Chilvers | Stars: Michael Jackson, Joe Pesci, Sean Lennon, Kelley Parker
Votes: 18,238
41. Mo (2022– )
TV-MA | 30 min | Comedy, Drama
Mo Najjar who straddles the line between two cultures, three languages and "a ton of bullshit." The fictional Mo is a Palestinian refugee living one step away from asylum on the path to U.S. citizenship.
Stars: Mohammed Amer, Omar Elba, Farah Bsieso, Tobe Nwigwe
Votes: 9,201
42. Postcards from the Edge (1990)
R | 101 min | Comedy, Drama
A substance-addicted actress tries to look on the bright side even as she is forced to move back in with her mother to avoid unemployment.
Director: Mike Nichols | Stars: Meryl Streep, Shirley MacLaine, Dennis Quaid, Gene Hackman
Votes: 19,329 | Gross: $37.96M
43. Ip Man 2 (2010)
R | 108 min | Action, Biography, Drama
Centering on Ip Man's migration to Hong Kong in 1949 as he attempts to propagate his discipline of Wing Chun martial arts.
Director: Wilson Yip | Stars: Donnie Yen, Xiaoming Huang, Sammo Kam-Bo Hung, Lynn Xiong
Votes: 111,019 | Gross: $0.21M
44. David Copperfield (1999–2000)
Unrated | 93 min | Drama
A gentle orphan discovers life and love in an indifferent adult world.
Stars: Daniel Radcliffe, Trevor Eve, Pauline Quirke, Laura Harling
Votes: 5,036
45. Goodbye, Children (1987)
PG | 104 min | Drama, War
A French boarding school run by priests seems to be a haven from World War II until a new student arrives. Occupying the next bed in the dormitory to the top student in his class, the two young boys begin to form a bond.
Director: Louis Malle | Stars: Gaspard Manesse, Raphael Fejtö, Francine Racette, Stanislas Carré de Malberg
Votes: 36,119 | Gross: $4.54M
46. The Big Red One (1980)
R | 113 min | Drama, War
A hardened sergeant and the four core members of his infantry unit try to survive World War II as they move from battle to battle throughout Europe.
Director: Samuel Fuller | Stars: Lee Marvin, Mark Hamill, Robert Carradine, Bobby Di Cicco
Votes: 21,395
47. I Hope They Serve Beer in Hell (2009)
R | 105 min | Comedy
A guy tries to patch things up with his soon-to-be-married pal after botching his bachelor party.
Director: Bob Gosse | Stars: Matt Czuchry, Geoff Stults, Jesse Bradford, Tim Huck
Votes: 8,693 | Gross: $1.43M
48. Hope and Glory (1987)
PG-13 | 113 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Bill, a young boy living on the outskirts of London experiences the exhilaration of World War II. During this period, Bill learns about sex, death, love, hypocrisy, and the faults of adults as he prowls the ruins of bombed houses.
Director: John Boorman | Stars: Sarah Miles, David Hayman, Sebastian Rice-Edwards, Geraldine Muir
Votes: 14,597 | Gross: $10.02M
49. The Souvenir: Part II (2021)
R | 107 min | Drama, Romance
In the aftermath of her tumultuous relationship, Julie begins to untangle her fraught love for him in making her graduation film, sorting fact from his elaborately constructed fiction.
Director: Joanna Hogg | Stars: Tilda Swinton, Honor Swinton Byrne, James Spencer Ashworth, Alice McMillan
Votes: 4,300
50. Titus (2000–2002)
TV-PG | 23 min | Comedy, Drama
A mechanic, Christopher Titus, along with his brother and his friends, try to deal with his father, a lewd, crude, drinking multiple divorcee.
Stars: Christopher Titus, Cynthia Watros, Zack Ward, David Shatraw
Votes: 6,184