The 40+ Best Drama Movies Of 2018, Ranked
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- 1Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, Jeon Jong-seoJong-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.
- 2Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Sam ElliottIn 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.More A Star Is Born
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- 3Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda CardelliniIn 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.
- 4
Roma
Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, Marco GrafCleo 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.More Roma- Dig Deeper...The History Behind The Movie 'Roma'
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- 5Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz, Emma StoneIn 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.More The Favourite
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- 6Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym LeeBohemian 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.More Bohemian Rhapsody
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- 7Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason ClarkeHoping 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.
- 8Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Russell HornsbyIn 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.More The Hate U Give
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- 9Steve Coogan, John C. Reilly, Shirley HendersonLaurel 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.
- 10Alex Roe, Jessica Rothe, Abby Ryder FortsonLiam 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.More Forever My Girl
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- 11Lily Franky, Sakura Andô, Mayu MatsuokaOn 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.
- 12Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael PeñaIn 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.More 12 Strong
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- 13
Operation Finale
Oscar Isaac, Ben Kingsley, Lior RazOperation 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. - 14Sandra Bullock, Trevante Rhodes, Jacki WeaverIn 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.
- 15Steve Carell, Timothée Chalamet, Maura TierneyTeenager 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.More Beautiful Boy
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- 16Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, Joel EdgertonJared 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.More Boy Erased
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- 17Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve CarellGov. 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.
- 18
First Reformed
Ethan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried, Philip EttingerThe 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. - 19Charlie Hunnam, Rami Malek, Roland MøllerThe 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.More Papillon
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- 20Nicole Kidman, Toby Kebbell, Tatiana MaslanyAs 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.More Destroyer
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- 21John Huston, Susan Strasberg, Lilli PalmerAfter years of exile in Europe, a maverick director returns to Hollywood to finish his comeback movie, "The Other Side of the Wind."
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- 22Bella Thorne, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Rob RiggleSheltered 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.
- 23Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, Justin TherouxRuth 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.More On the Basis of Sex
- 24
Disobedience
Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams, Alessandro NivolaNew 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.More Disobedience- #7 of 12 onThe Best British Movies Streaming on Hulu
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- 25Jason Mitchell, Christopher Abbott, Michael CeraTyrel 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
- 26Joe Cole, Billy Moore, Pornchanok MabklangThe 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.
- 27Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa ThompsonIn 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.More Creed II
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- 28Fionn Whitehead, Asim Chaudhry, Will PoulterBlack 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.
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- 29Chris Pine, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Florence PughAfter 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.
- 30
Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far On Foot
Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Rooney MaraAfter 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.- #73 of 76 onThe Best Serious Movies Starring Comedians
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