Movies are mirrors of society that reflect the existing issues, concerns, prejudices, and exploitation on the big screens. Since the beginning of cinema, we have had a range of thought-provoking movies that make us aware of past incidents and happenings. The Help (2011) is one of the hard-hitting movies highlighting racial prejudices. There are more amazing movies like The Help that portray discrimination against a specific race, color, or gender.
So, I am here with an updated list of the top picks similar to The Help in terms of highlighting racial prejudices, addressing class differentiation, or against a particular gender. These movies contain thought-provoking messages that force us to introspect our perceptions. So, without delay, take a look at the best movies like The Help for your next movie date.
8 Movies Like The Help | Thought-Provoking Dramas Ahead!
The Help is an iconic movie that portrays the hardships and struggles of poor Blacks and their miserable living conditions. The movie revolves around two Black maids who struggle to meet their basic needs by working for White elites. However, they are treated worst for being outsiders, Blacks, and poor. The movie is set in the 1960s Mississippi and portrays the existing elite Whites.
The protagonist, Skeeter, is a budding White writer who feels sad about the discrimination faced by Black maids by White elite women. Thus, she interviews a few of them and voices their opinions through her publication. This creates a stir in the existing societal norms, creating more trouble for Skeeter.
- Release Date: 25 November 2011
- Director: Tate Taylor
- Genre: Drama/Romance
- Movie Run Time: 2h 26m
- Cast: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jessica Chastain, Anna Camp, Allison Janney, Ahna O’Reilly, and Christopher Lowell
- IMDB Score: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 76%
- You Can Watch It On: Prime Video
Some more amazing movies like The Help talk about injustice, discrimination, and prejudices in the most vivid manner. So, let’s jump straight into the list to know the details.
#1 The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Shawshank Redemption is a classic cult tale highlighting the injustice and discrimination against innocent lives in prison. The Shawshank Redemption is one of the most heart-wrenching movies like The Help that will make you cry.
The movie revolves around a man accused of killing her wife and girlfriend. Though the man is innocent, due to lack of evidence, he gets sentenced to lifelong imprisonment. He goes through many bone-chilling tortures, prejudicial remarks, and judgemental thoughts. However, he keeps himself sane and engaged with fellow inmates. The movie depicts his brutal journey of torture and helplessness for 19 years that snatched his future and family.
- Release Date: 22 September 1994
- Director: Frank Darabont
- Genre: Drama/Crime
- Movie Run Time: 2h 22m
- Cast: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, Mark Rolston, and James Whitmore
- IMDB Score: 9.3/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 91%
- You Can Watch It On Netflix
#2 The Blind Side (2009)
The Blind Side is a sports drama that portrays the struggling journey of a Black footballer who manages to pass through all odds and becomes a successful player. The movie is inspired by Michael Lewis’s famous novel The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game. The protagonist, Michael, is an orphan African-American Black teenager who has dreams of becoming a successful footballer.
However, he faces a lot of discrimination due to his orphan state and color. His fate changes when a Caucasian White couple, Sean & Leigh Anne Tuohy, decides to adopt him and raise him as their kid. Thus, they support Michael in every step and help him get his dream fulfilled. The movie is an emotional journey that will make you smile and cry simultaneously.
- Release Date: 20 November 2009
- Director: John Lee Hancock
- Genre: Sport/Drama
- Movie Run Time: 2h 9m
- Cast: Quinton Aaron, Sandra Bullock, Tim McGraw, Jae Head, Lily Collins, Ray McKinnon, Kim Dickens, Adriane Lenox, Kathy Bates, and Catherine Dyer
- IMDB Score: 7.6/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 66%
- You Can Watch It On: Netflix
#3 Hidden Figures (2016)
Hidden Figures is a remarkable tale of the extraordinary journeys of three female mathematicians. The movie highlights gender biases and prejudices against women in top institutions. The story revolves around three Black female African-American mathematicians named Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson working in NASA.
The trio faces many challenges and hindrances to prove their talent and reputation in the male-dominated team. However, they made revolutionary discoveries that helped NASA carry out one of their ambitious projects- sending a man into space orbit. Thus, the movie celebrates women’s empowerment and cherishes their success. Hidden Figures is one of the most inspiring movies like The Help, all about positivity and hope.
- Release Date: 6 January 2017
- Director: Theodore Melfi
- Genre: Drama/History
- Movie Run Time: 2h 7m
- Cast: Janelle Monáe, Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst, Jim Parsons, Mahershala Ali, Aldis Hodge, Glen Powell, and Kimberly Quinn
- IMDB Score: 7.8/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
- You Can Watch It On Disney+
#4 Fences (2016)
Fences movie is an amazing family drama that will give you a bumpy emotional rollercoaster ride. Just like The Help, Fences also talks about the shortcomings and struggles of poor families. Things get messier as they belong to the Black community! Fences is a heart-wrenching story of a poor Black family who goes through major upheavals in life and emotional crises.
The protagonist, Troy Maxson, works as a garbage collector. During his initial days, he was an inspiring Basketball player, but due to racial prejudices, he was denied entry. Currently, he has a small happy family where he is content with his wife and son. Due to the financial crisis and lack of individuality, Troy becomes highly frustrated and abusive, which severely affects his surroundings. The movie will give you deep insights into the trauma and frustration of a human being.
- Release Date: 15 December 2016
- Director: Denzel Washington
- Genre: Drama/Historical film
- Movie Run Time: 2h 19m
- Cast: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, Saniyya Sidney, Christopher Mele, and Lesley Boone
- IMDB Score: 7.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%
- You Can Watch It On: Netflix
#5 On The Basis Of Sex (2018)
Based on a true story, On The Basis Of Sex is an eye-opener flick that bluntly portrays discrimination and prejudices faced by women despite being well-educated or deserving. Just like The Help, On The Basis Of Sex highlights the struggles of women in their personal and professional lives.
The protagonist, Ruth Ginsburg, tries to find a suitable job to cater to her family’s needs and diagnose her cancer-stricken husband. However, she could not find a reputed job according to her qualifications and male chauvinism. She does not give up and takes the challenge. She starts her further studies while working part-time jobs. Ruth Ginsburg finally became a reputed officer at the United States Supreme Court, and the rest is history.
- Release Date: 8 November 2018
- Director: Mimi Leder
- Genre: Drama/Legal drama
- Movie Run Time: 2 hours
- Cast: Felicity Jones, Armie Hammer, Justin Theroux, Sam Waterston, Kathy Bates, Cailee Spaeny, Jack Reynor, Stephen Root, Chris Mulkey, and Gary Werntz
- IMDB Score: 7.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 72%
- You Can Watch It On Netflix
#6 The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas (2008)
The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas is the story of an 8-year-old boy Bruno who moves with his family from Berlin to a place near a concentration camp where his father has become a commandant during World War 2. Feeling lonely and unhappy after moving to this new place, Bruno decides to wander behind his house. One day, he finds a Jewish boy named Shmuel, who is of the same age as him. The only difference is that he lives on the ther side of the fence in the concentration camp. Their forbidden friendship begins while them being oblivious to their surroundings, and it leads to unexpected consequences.
This is not a typical Holocaust-based drama film, as the story is told from the point of view of an 8-year-old boy and how he sees the world. The movie is highly praised for its story and filmmaking, and once you watch it, it’s a sure thing that you will recommend it to everyone. If you are looking for a well-executed and moving story or just simply a good cry, go and watch this movie.
- Release Date: 12 September 2008
- Director: Mark Herman
- Genre: Historical Drama
- Movie Run Time: 1h 34m
- Cast: Asa Butterfield, Vera Farmiga, David Thewli, Amber Beattie, Rupert Friend, David Hayman, and Sheila Han
- IMDB Score: 7.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 65%
- You Can Watch It On Prime Video
#7 Doubt (2008)
Doubt is an intriguing flick like The Help, full of prejudicial behavior and biases. The story revolves around a catholic school with a highly strict and biased principal named Sister Aloysius. She hates Blacks and leaves no opportunity to harass and degrade them. Moreover, she exercises influential powers over nuns and students in the school.
However, her authority gets challenged by a new Parish Priest who has a different ideology. Thus, the ideological war starts between the duo. The movie portrays the existing prejudices and racism that have deeper roots in social ideologies.
- Release Date: 25 December 2008
- Director: John Patrick Shanley
- Genre: Drama/Adaptation
- Movie Run Time: 1h 44m
- Cast: Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis, Alice Drummond, Audrie Neenan, Susan Blommaert, Carrie Preston, John Costelloe, and Lloyd Clay Brown
- IMDB Score: 7.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 79%
- You Can Watch It On: Prime Video
#8 12 Years A Slave (2013)
12 Years A Slave is a heart-wrenching story of a Black man who gets kidnapped and sold as a slave. The protagonist, Solomon Northup, gets into a trap and lands in slavery. He tries his best to save himself and get out of the slave system but fails to do so.
Solomon Northup struggles for 12 years to eliminate slavery and sets an example for many slaves like him. The movie highlights the plight of Black slaves and their dreary lifestyles while serving White people.
- Release Date: 31 January 2014
- Director: Steve McQueen
- Genre: Drama/History
- Movie Run Time: 2h 14m
- Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Kenneth Williams, Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Dwight Henry, Dickie Gravois, Bryan Batt, Ashley Dyke, Kelsey Scott, and Quvenzhané Wallis
- IMDB Score: 8.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 95%
- You Can Watch It On Prime Video
Final Words
The Help movie is one of the heart-touching dramas that sheds light on the plight of racial prejudices, biased behaviors, and exploitation of Blacks. Like The Help the movies mentioned above also portray the exploitation and prejudices against a particular race or gender. Thus, do not miss out on watching all of the suggested movies like The Help and witness the thought-provoking experiences.
