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Movies like

American Beauty

Loved the vibe? Here are ten films that hit similar notes—with match scores, reasons to watch, and where to stream in the US.

American Beauty poster

Why people love it

American Beauty works as a drama movie with a point of view—fans quote moments, but they also argue about what the film is actually saying about power, desire, or survival. The film leans hard into its core genre, which is exactly what fans say they wanted more of from blockbusters in that era.

dramacrowd-favorite

Runtime 2h 2m · ★ 8.0

Your 10 recommendations

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Showing 10 of 10 picks

  1. 96match

    1.The Martian (2015)

    7.7 · Science Fiction · Drama · Adventure · 2h 21m

    Why you'll love it

    If American Beauty's drama stayed with you, The Martian (2015) delivers the same sensation through an entirely different story. The science-fiction through-line is the real common thread between them.

    Watch on

    • YouTube TV
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    + Save for later
  2. 94match

    2.Revolutionary Road (2008)

    7.0 · Drama · Romance · 1h 59m

    Why you'll love it

    Where American Beauty excels in drama, Revolutionary Road (2008) doubles down on romance to comparable effect. The tonal similarities run deep enough that watching both back-to-back feels intentional.

    Watch on

    • fuboTV
    • Paramount Plus Premium
    • Paramount Plus Essential
    • Paramount+ Amazon Channel
    • Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    + Save for later
  3. 92match

    3.Falling Down (1993)

    7.4 · Crime · Drama · Thriller · 1h 53m

    Why you'll love it

    Falling Down (1993) is the natural next step after American Beauty: same drama DNA, different perspective. The dark streak and crime elevate it well above a simple genre exercise.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    • Google Play Movies(Buy)
    + Save for later
  4. 90match

    4.Closer (2004)

    6.8 · Drama · Romance · 1h 44m

    Why you'll love it

    Fans of American Beauty who respond to its drama will find Closer (2004) immediately familiar. Both films share a romance sensibility without ever feeling like carbon copies of each other.

    Watch on

    • fuboTV
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Spectrum On Demand(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    + Save for later
  5. 88match

    5.Lolita (1962)

    7.3 · Drama · Comedy · 2h 34m

    Why you'll love it

    There's a reason American Beauty fans keep landing on Lolita (1962) — the drama is unmistakably related even when the plots diverge. Both films operate on the same emotional frequency, especially in their third acts.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Spectrum On Demand(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    + Save for later
  6. 86match

    6.It Ends with Us (2024)

    6.9 · Drama · Romance · 2h 11m

    Why you'll love it

    It Ends with Us draws from the same drama well as American Beauty, channeling romance in ways that feel unmistakably related. The 2024 film makes a natural companion watch — similar in spirit but distinctly its own.

    Watch on

    • Netflix
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Plex(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    + Save for later
  7. 84match

    7.Unfaithful (2002)

    6.7 · Thriller · Drama · Romance · 2h 4m

    Why you'll love it

    Unfaithful (2002) captures the drama appeal of American Beauty without simply imitating it. The thriller streak running through both films is what puts Unfaithful at the top of any "if you liked…" shortlist.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    • Google Play Movies(Buy)
    + Save for later
  8. 82match

    8.Little Children (2006)

    7.1 · Drama · Romance · 2h 17m

    Why you'll love it

    The drama appeal of American Beauty — that bittersweet edge, the romance — translates cleanly into Little Children (2006). Different setting, same essential satisfaction.

    Watch on

    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Amazon Video(Buy)
    • Apple TV Store(Buy)
    • Google Play Movies(Buy)
    + Save for later
  9. 80match

    9.Priscilla (2023)

    6.7 · Drama · Romance · 1h 53m

    Why you'll love it

    The filmmakers behind Priscilla (2023) clearly understood what makes drama work — the same quality that keeps American Beauty rewatchable. Expect the same bittersweet rhythm, executed with a fresh angle.

    Watch on

    • Netflix
    • Netflix Standard with Ads
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    • Fandango At Home(Rent)
    • Spectrum On Demand(Rent)
    + Save for later
  10. 78match

    10.Take This Waltz (2011)

    6.4 · Drama · Comedy · Romance · 1h 56m

    Why you'll love it

    Take This Waltz (2011) is the kind of film American Beauty fans discover and immediately send to their group chat. The drama overlap is real, but it's the funny emotional pull that seals the recommendation.

    Watch on

    • Netflix
    • fuboTV
    • Netflix Standard with Ads
    • Magnolia Selects Amazon Channel
    • Amazon Video(Rent)
    • Apple TV Store(Rent)
    • Google Play Movies(Rent)
    • YouTube(Rent)
    + Save for later

FAQ

What should I watch after American Beauty?
Try The Martian, Revolutionary Road, Falling Down—each shares DNA with American Beauty while changing the setting enough to feel fresh.
What genre is American Beauty?
American Beauty (1999) is best described as Drama. Stores and algorithms use different labels, but that mix is what fans actually recognize on a rewatch.
Is American Beauty worth revisiting?
Viewer scores sit around 8.0/10 on TMDB—high enough that replays are common for people who like this drama lane.

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