The 40+ Best Drama Movies Of 2018, Ranked

Ranker Film
Updated April 30, 2024 82.4K views 43 items
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Vote for the best drama movies of 2018.
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Over 900 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of 2018 Dramas

Whether they're about historical events or fictional stories of romance, tension, and love, the best drama movies of 2018 left viewers inspired and emotional. What were the best drama movies this year? Help decide below. 

Featuring romantic dramas, coming-of-age movies, biopics, and comedy-dramas, this list of good 2018 dramas includes 12 Strong, Chappaquiddick, Lean on Pete, and Permission.

Good drama films usually feature compelling characters and intriguing storylines, avoiding melodrama in favor of more realistic plot lines and complicated protagonists. Which drama movies of 2018 fit such a description? Vote on this list of 2018 drama movies. Give a vote up to the best drama movies of 2018, and vote down anything you feel is overrated or downright bad. If you are looking for more, check out the top drama films of 2020.

  • Burning
    1
    Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, Jeon Jong-seo
    112 votes
    Jong-soo runs into Hae-mi, a girl who once lived in his neighborhood, and she asks him to watch her cat while she's out of town. When she returns, she introduces him to Ben, a man she met on the trip. Ben proceeds to tell Jong-soo about his hobby.
  • A Star Is Born
    2
    Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Sam Elliott
    110 votes
    In the critically acclaimed film A Star Is Born, seasoned musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) discovers and falls in love with struggling artist Ally (Lady Gaga). She's just about given up on her dream to make it big as a singer until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally's career takes off, their relationship is tested as Jack battles his internal demons. Directed by Bradley Cooper, this romantic drama is a raw and passionate tale of two artistic souls coming together, on stage and in life. Garnering numerous awards, it remains a poignant exploration of love and fame.
  • Green Book
    3
    Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini
    44 votes
    In the multi-award-winning film Green Book, Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen), a bouncer from an Italian-American neighborhood in the Bronx, is hired to drive Dr. Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali), a world-class African-American pianist, on a concert tour across the Deep South in 1962. The mismatched pair navigate their way through racial tension and societal norms using the Green Book - a travel guide for safe travel through America's racial segregation. Their journey unfolds into an unexpected camaraderie that transcends their differences, offering a poignant snapshot of an era riddled with prejudice. With its compelling narrative and exceptional performances, Green Book won the Best Picture at the 91st Academy Awards.
  • Roma
    4

    Roma

    Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, Marco Graf
    26 votes
    Cleo is one of two domestic workers who help Antonio and Sofía take care of their four children in 1970s Mexico City. Complications soon arise when Antonio suddenly runs away with his mistress and Cleo finds out that she's pregnant. When Sofía decides to take the kids on vacation, she invites Cleo for a much-needed getaway to clear her mind and bond with the family.
  • The Favourite
    5
    Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone
    25 votes
    In the historical drama The Favourite, we're transported to early 18th century Britain, amidst a war with France. The frail Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) occupies the throne while her devoted friend Lady Sarah Churchill (Rachel Weisz) governs in her stead. Enter Abigail Hill (Emma Stone), a cunning new servant who swiftly rises through the ranks. As politics of war become entangled with personal affections, a fierce rivalry ensues between Sarah and Abigail for Queen Anne's favor. This film, which won Olivia Colman an Academy Award for Best Actress, explores power dynamics, manipulation, and loyalty in a royal court setting.
  • Bohemian Rhapsody
    6
    Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee
    90 votes
    Bohemian Rhapsody is a biographical drama that captures the meteoric rise of British rock band Queen. The film spotlights Freddie Mercury (Rami Malek), the iconic frontman whose unique talent and charisma propelled the group to international stardom. John Deacon (Joseph Mazzello), Brian May (Gwilym Lee), and Roger Taylor (Ben Hardy) round out the ensemble as bandmates grappling with fame, artistic differences, and personal struggles. Hailed for its electrifying live performances, the movie climaxes with Queen's historic Live Aid concert in 1985. Malek received an Academy Award for his portrayal of Mercury, cementing Bohemian Rhapsody as a standout in musical cinema.
  • First Man
    7
    Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke
    63 votes
    Hoping to reach the moon by the end of the decade, NASA plans a series of extremely dangerous, unprecedented missions in the early 1960s. Engineer Neil Armstrong joins the space program, spending years in training and risking his life during test flights. On July 16, 1969, the nation and world watch in wonder as Armstrong and fellow astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins embark on the historic Apollo 11 spaceflight.
  • The Hate U Give
    8
    Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby
    49 votes
    In The Hate U Give, a stirring drama based on the acclaimed novel, Starr Carter (Amandla Stenberg) straddles two contrasting worlds. She lives in a poor, predominantly black neighborhood but attends a wealthy, predominantly white prep school. The tragic shooting of her childhood friend Khalil (Algee Smith) at the hands of a police officer forces Starr to confront these dual realities. As the sole witness, she must navigate the pressures from all sides of her community and stand up for what's right. The film explores themes of racial injustice and identity, with Russell Hornsby delivering a notable performance as Starr's father.
  • Stan & Ollie
    9
    Steve Coogan, John C. Reilly, Shirley Henderson
    24 votes
    Laurel and Hardy -- the world's greatest comedy team -- face an uncertain future as their golden era of Hollywood films remain long behind them. Diminished by age, the duo set out to reconnect with their adoring fans by touring variety halls in Britain in 1953. The shows become an instant hit, but Stan and Ollie can't quite shake the past as long-buried tension and Hardy's failing health start to threaten their precious partnership.
  • Forever My Girl
    10
    Alex Roe, Jessica Rothe, Abby Ryder Fortson
    72 votes
    Liam Page is a country music superstar who left his bride Josie at the altar to pursue fame and fortune. Page never got over Josie, his one true love, or forgot his Southern roots in the small community where he was born and raised. Now, he must unexpectedly face the consequences of his actions when he returns to his hometown for the funeral of his best friend from high school.
  • Shoplifters
    11
    Lily Franky, Sakura Andô, Mayu Matsuoka
    18 votes
    On the margins of Tokyo, a dysfunctional band of outsiders is united by fierce loyalty and a penchant for petty theft. When the young son is arrested, secrets are exposed that upend their tenuous, below-the-radar existence.
  • 12 Strong
    12
    Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Peña
    63 votes
    In the wake of Sept. 11, Capt. Mitch Nelson leads a U.S. Special Forces team into Afghanistan for an extremely dangerous mission. Once there, the soldiers develop an uneasy partnership with the Northern Alliance to take down the Taliban and its al-Qaida allies. Outgunned and outnumbered, Nelson and his forces face overwhelming odds in a fight against a ruthless enemy that takes no prisoners.
  • Operation Finale
    13

    Operation Finale

    Oscar Isaac, Ben Kingsley, Lior Raz
    17 votes
    Operation Finale is a 2018 historical thriller film directed by Chris Weitz. 15 years after World War II, a team of secret agents are brought together to track down Adolf Eichmann, the infamous Nazi architect of the Holocaust.
  • Bird Box
    14
    Sandra Bullock, Trevante Rhodes, Jacki Weaver
    59 votes
    In Bird Box, Malorie (Sandra Bullock), a woman with a hardened resolve, grapples with an unseeable threat that drives the world to suicide. She embarks on a treacherous journey with her two children, Boy and Girl (Julian Edwards and Vivien Lyra Blair), down a river, blindfolded. The film, a gripping mixture of horror and drama directed by Susanne Bier, takes audiences through flashbacks of Malorie's past, revealing pieces of the apocalyptic puzzle. It was nominated for Saturn Award for Best Horror Film, showcasing its unique blend of suspense and terror.
  • Beautiful Boy
    15
    Steve Carell, Timothée Chalamet, Maura Tierney
    18 votes
    Teenager Nicolas Sheff seems to have it all -- good grades, editor of the school newspaper, actor, artist and athlete. When Nic's addiction to meth threatens to destroy him, his desperate father does whatever he can to save his son and his family.
  • Boy Erased
    16
    Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, Joel Edgerton
    39 votes
    Jared Eamons, the son of a small-town Baptist pastor, must overcome the fallout after being outed as gay to his parents. His father and mother struggle to reconcile their love for their son with their beliefs. Fearing a loss of family, friends and community, Jared is pressured into attending a conversion therapy program. While there, Jared comes into conflict with its leader and begins his journey to finding his own voice and accepting his true self.
  • Vice
    17
    Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carell
    33 votes
    Gov. George W. Bush of Texas picks Dick Cheney, the CEO of Halliburton Co., to be his Republican running mate in the 2000 presidential election. No stranger to politics, Cheney's impressive résumé includes stints as White House chief of staff, House Minority Whip and defense secretary. When Bush wins by a narrow margin, Cheney begins to use his newfound power to help reshape the country and the world.
  • First Reformed
    18

    First Reformed

    Ethan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried, Philip Ettinger
    33 votes
    The pastor of a small church in upstate New York spirals out of control after a soul-shaking encounter with an unstable environmental activist and his pregnant wife.
  • Papillon
    19
    Charlie Hunnam, Rami Malek, Roland Møller
    19 votes
    The epic story of Henri "Papillon" Charrière, a safecracker from the Parisian underworld who is framed for murder and condemned to life in the notorious penal colony on Devil's Island. Determined to regain his freedom, Papillon forms an unlikely alliance with convicted counterfeiter Louis Dega, who in exchange for protection, agrees to finance Papillon's escape.
  • Destroyer
    20
    Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Tatiana Maslany
    30 votes
    As a young cop, Erin Bell went under cover to infiltrate a gang in the California desert -- with tragic results. Bell continues to work as a detective for the Los Angeles Police Department, but feelings of anger and remorse leave her worn-down and consumed by guilt. When the leader of that gang suddenly re-emerges, Erin embarks on an obsessive quest to find his former associates, bring him to justice and make peace with her tortured past.
  • The Other Side of the Wind
    21
    John Huston, Susan Strasberg, Lilli Palmer
    28 votes
    After years of exile in Europe, a maverick director returns to Hollywood to finish his comeback movie, "The Other Side of the Wind."
  • Midnight Sun
    22
    Bella Thorne, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Rob Riggle
    26 votes
    Sheltered since childhood, 17-year-old Katie Price lives with a life-threatening sensitivity to sunlight. Her world opens up after dark when she ventures out to play her guitar for random travelers. One night, Katie encounters Charlie, a young man she's secretly admired for years. As fate leads to a budding romance, Katie desperately tries to hide her condition from her unsuspecting new beau.
  • On the Basis of Sex
    23
    Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, Justin Theroux
    35 votes
    Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a struggling attorney and new mother who faces adversity and numerous obstacles in her fight for equal rights. When Ruth takes on a groundbreaking tax case with her husband, attorney Martin Ginsburg, she knows it could change the direction of her career and the way the courts view gender discrimination.
  • Disobedience
    24

    Disobedience

    Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams, Alessandro Nivola
    27 votes
    New York photographer Ronit Krushka flies to London after learning about the death of her estranged father. Ronit is returning to the same Orthodox Jewish community that shunned her decades earlier for her childhood attraction to Esti, a female friend. Their fortuitous and happy reunion soon reignites their burning passion as the two women explore boundaries of faith and sexuality.
  • Tyrel
    25
    Jason Mitchell, Christopher Abbott, Michael Cera
    25 votes
    Tyrel is a 2018 American drama film directed by Sebastián Silva. Tyler (Jason Mitchell), a sole black man, attends an otherwise all-white weekend of drunken bro debauchery on a birthday trip to a cabin in the Catskills
  • A Prayer Before Dawn
    26
    Joe Cole, Billy Moore, Pornchanok Mabklang
    25 votes
    The amazing true story of Billy Moore, an English boxer incarcerated in Thailand's most notorious prison. Thrown into a world of drugs and violence, he finds his best chance to escape is to fight his way out in Muay Thai tournaments.
  • Creed II
    27
    Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson
    23 votes
    In 1985, Russian boxer Ivan Drago killed former U.S. champion Apollo Creed in a tragic match that stunned the world. Against the wishes of trainer Rocky Balboa, Apollo's son Adonis Johnson accepts a challenge from Drago's son -- another dangerous fighter. Under guidance from Rocky, Adonis trains for the showdown of his life -- a date with destiny that soon becomes his obsession. Now, Johnson and Balboa must confront their shared legacy as the past comes back to haunt each man.
  • Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
    28
    Fionn Whitehead, Asim Chaudhry, Will Poulter
    40 votes
    Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, released on December 28, 2018, is an interactive film in the Black Mirror anthology series. Set in 1984, it follows young programmer Stefan Butler (Fionn Whitehead) as he adapts a sprawling fantasy novel into a video game. The viewer makes choices for Stefan, which leads to various story paths and ending outcomes. Themes of free will versus control, the impact of technology on mental health, and the nature of reality are explored. The series also features notable appearances by Will Poulter and Asim Chaudhry. Black Mirror: Bandersnatch garnered attention for its innovative interactive format. It won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Television Movie and Outstanding Creative Achievement In Interactive Media within a Scripted Program.
  • Outlaw King
    29
    Chris Pine, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Florence Pugh
    16 votes
    After being crowned King of Scotland, legendary warrior Robert the Bruce is forced into exile by the English and leads a band of outlaws to help him reclaim the throne.
  • Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot
    30

    Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot

    Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara
    24 votes
    After nearly dying in a car accident, the last thing Oregon slacker John Callahan intends to do is give up alcohol. Encouraged by his girlfriend and a charismatic sponsor, Callahan reluctantly enters a treatment program and discovers that he has a knack for drawing. The budding artist soon finds himself with a new lease on life when his edgy and irreverent newspaper cartoons gain a national and devoted following.