List Rules Vote for the best drama movies of 2018.
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 an up vote to the best drama movies of 2018 and down vote anything you feel is overrated or downright bad.
list ordered by
1
28 8
12 StrongChris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, Michael Peña 12 Strong (also known as 12 Strong: The Declassified True Story of the Horse Soldiers) is a 2018 American war drama film directed by Nicolai Fuglsig. Following the September 11 attacks, Task ...more
2
28 10
Forever My GirlAlex Roe, Jessica Rothe, John Benjamin Hickey Forever My Girl is a 2018 romantic drama film directed by Bethany Ashton Wolf. After being gone for a decade, a country star (Alex Roe) returns home to the love (Jessica Rothe) he left behind.
3
15 6
ThoroughbredsOlivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anton Yelchin Thoroughbreds is a 2018 American drama thriller film directed by Cory Finley. After years of growing apart, upper-class teenagers Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Amanda (Olivia Cooke) rekindle their ...more
4
15 8
Freak ShowAlex Lawther, Abigail Breslin, Bette Midler Freak Show is a 2018 American drama film directed by Trudie Styler, based on the novel by James St. James. Despite attending an ultra conservative high school, Billy Bloom (Alex Lawther) decides ...more
5
16 9
Final PortraitGeoffrey Rush, Armie Hammer, Clémence Poésy Final Portrait is a 2017 British-American drama film directed by Stanley Tucci. In Paris 1964, famed painter Alberto Giacometti (Geoffrey Rush) asks James Lord (Armie Hammer), the American ...more
6
16 10
The Strange OnesAlex Pettyfer, James Freedson-Jackson, Emily Althaus The Strange Ones is a 2017 American drama film directed by Christopher Radcliff and Lauren Wolkstein. Mysterious events surround two travelers as they make their way across a remote American ...more
7
5 1
First ReformedEthan Hawke, Amanda Seyfried, Cedric the Entertainer First Reformed is a 2017 American drama thriller film directed by Paul Schrader. Grieving over the death of his son, an ex-military chaplain (Ethan Hawke) is further challenged when a young ...more
8
4 0
Leave No TraceBen Foster, Thomasin McKenzie, Jeff Kober Leave No Trace is a 2018 American film directed by Debra Granik, based on the book My Abandonment by Peter Rock. A father (Ben Foster) and his 13 year-old daughter (Thomasin McKenzie) are living ...more
9
9 6
NostalgiaJon Hamm, Nick Offerman, Amber Tamblyn Nostalgia is a 2018 American drama film directed by Mark Pellington. A group of people are connected through a loss.
10
5 2
DisobedienceRachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams, Alessandro Nivola Disobedience is a 2017 British-Irish-American drama film directed by Sebastián Lelio, based on the novel by Noami Alderman. A woman (Rachel Weisz) returns to her Orthodox Jewish home ...more
11
3 0
Caravaggio added Eighth GradeElsie Fisher, Josh Hamilton, Emily Robinson Eighth Grade is a 2018 American comedy film directed by Bo Burnham. An eighth grader (Elsie Fisher) struggles to finish her last week of classes before embarking for high school.
12
10 8
The 15:17 to ParisAnthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone The 15:17 to Paris is a 2018 American biographical drama film directed by Clint Eastwood, based on the 2015 Thalys train attack. Three Americans (Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler, and Alek ...more
The RiderBrady Jandreau, Tim Jandreau, Lilly Jandreau The Rider is a 2017 American drama film directed by Chloé Zhao. After suffering a near fatal head injury, a young cowboy (Brady Jandreau) undertakes a search for new identity and what it ...more
14
2 0
Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on FootJoaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Jonah Hill Dont Worry, He Wont Get Far on Foot is a 2018 American drama film directed by Gus Van Sant, based on the memoir by John Callahan. After nearly losing his life in a car accident, a slacker ...more
15
9 8
A Fantastic WomanDaniela Vega, Francisco Reyes, Luis Gnecco A Fantastic Woman is a 2017 Chilean drama film directed by Sebastián Lelio. Marina (Daniela Vega), a waitress who moonlights as a nightclub singer, is bowled over by the death of her ...more
16
7 6
Every DayAngourie Rice, Maria Bello, Debby Ryan Every Day is a 2018 American romantic-drama directed by Michael Sucsy, based on the novel by David Levithan. 16-year-old Rhiannon (Angourie Rice) falls in love with a spirit named A, a traveling ...more
17
4 3
Lean on PeteCharlie Plummer, Chloë Sevigny, Travis Fimmel Lean on Pete is a 2017 British drama film directed by Andrew Haigh, based on the novel by Willy Vlautin. A teenager (Charlie Plummer) gets a summer job working for a horse trainer and befriends ...more
Golden ExitsEmily Browning, Adam Horowitz, Mary Louise Parker Golden Exits is a 2018 American-Greek film directed by Alex Ross Perry. Two families living in Brooklyn are interrupted by the arrival of a young foreign girl (Emily Browning).
19
3 3
American AnimalsEvan Peters, Barry Keoghan, Blake Jenner American Animals is a 2018 British-American crime drama film directed by Bart Layton. Rebelling against their suburban upbringing, childhood friends Spencer (Barry Keoghan) and Warren (Evan ...more
20
3 3
FoxtrotLior Ashkenazi, Sarah Adler, Yonatan Shiray Foxtrot is a 2017 Israeli drama film directed by Samuel Maoz. An affluent Tel Aviv couple learn that their son, a soldier, has died in the line of duty.
21
3 3
Hearts Beat LoudNick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons, Ted Danson Hearts Beat Loud is a 2018 drama music film directed by Brett Haley. A father (Nick Offerman) and daughter (Kiersey Clemons) form an unlikely songwriting duo in the summer before she leaves for ...more
22
3 3
BreathSimon Baker, Elizabeth Debicki, Samson Coulter Breath is a 2018 drama film directed by Simon Baker, based on the novel by Tim Winton. Two teenage boys form an unlikely connection with an older surfer (Simon Baker).
Claire's CameraIsabelle Huppert, Kim Min-hee, Chang Mi-hee Claire's Camera is a 2017 drama film directed by Hong Sang-soo. A French photographer (Isabelle Huppert) befriends a Korean sales agent (Min-hee Kim).
24
2 2
A Prayer Before DawnJoe Cole, Vithaya Pansringarm, Panya Yimmumphai A Prayer Before Dawn is a 2017 British-French drama film directed by Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire. The true story of an English boxer (Joe Cole) incarcerated in one of Thailand's most notorious ...more
25
1 1
Borg vs McEnroeSverrir Gudnason, Shia LaBeouf, Stellan Skarsgård Borg McEnroe is a 2017 internationally co-produced multi-language biographical sports drama film directed by Janus Metz Pedersen. The story of the 1980s tennis rivalry between the placid ...more
26
1 1
Shock and AweWoody Harrelson, Tommy Lee Jones, James Marsden Shock and Awe is a 2017 American drama film directed by Rob Reiner. Journalists investigate the assertions by the Bush Administration concerning Saddam Hussein’s alleged possession of weapons of ...more
27
2 3
The SeagullSaoirse Ronan, Annette Bening, Corey Stoll The Seagull is a 2018 American drama film directed by Michael Mayer, based on the novel by Anton Chekhov. During one summer visit to her brother and her son (Billy Howle), an aging actress ...more
The Catcher Was a SpyPaul Rudd, Mark Strong, Sienna Miller The Catcher Was a Spy is a 2018 biographical spy film directed by Ben Lewin, based on the book by Nicholas Dawidoff. A major league baseball player, Moe Berg (Paul Rudd), lives a double life ...more
29
0 1
Where Is Kyra?Michelle Pfeiffer, Kiefer Sutherland, Suzanne Shepherd Where Is Kyra? is a 2017 American drama film directed by Andrew Dosunmu. In Brooklyn, New York, Kyra (Michelle Pfeiffer) loses her job and struggles to survive on her ailing mother's income, ...more
30
7 9
Red SparrowJennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, Matthias Schoenaerts Red Sparrow is a 2018 American spy thriller film directed by Francis Lawrence, based on the book by Jason Matthews. A Russian spy (Jennifer Lawrence) falls for a CIA officer (Joel Edgerton) and ...more
31
3 5
JosieSophie Turner, Dylan McDermott, Daeg Faerch Josie is a 2017 drama thriller film directed by Eric England. Hank (Dylan McDermott), a solitary man living a dull existence in the sleepy Southern town raises eyebrows when he develops a ...more
32
2 4
NancyAndrea Riseborough, Steve Buscemi, Ann Dowd Nancy is a 2018 American drama film directed by Christina Choe. Convinced she was kidnapped as a child, Nancy (Andrea Riseborough) meets a couple whose daughter went missing thirty years ago, ...more
ChappaquiddickJason Clarke, Kate Mara, Ed Helms Chappaquiddick is a 2017 American drama film directed by John Curran. In 1969, Senator Ted Kennedy (Jason Clarke) in Chappaquiddick drives his car into the water, killing his passenger (Kate ...more
34
1 3
Dark RiverRuth Wilson, Mark Stanley, Sean Bean Dark River is a 2017 British drama film directed by Clio Barnard, loosely based on the novel Trespass by Rose Tremain. Following the death of her father, Alice (Ruth Wilson) returns to her home ...more
35
0 2
Journey's EndSam Claflin, Asa Butterfield, Paul Bettany Journey's End is a 2017 British war film directed by Saul Dibb, based on the play by R. C. Sherriff. In a dugout in Aisne in 1918, a group of British officers, led by the mentally disintegrating ...more
36
0 2
An Ordinary ManBen Kingsley, Hera Hilmar, Peter Serafinowicz An Ordinary Man is a 2017 American drama film directed by Brad Silberling. A war criminal (Ben Kingsley) in hiding begins to form a relationship with his maid (Hera Hilmar).
37
0 2
The Miracle SeasonHelen Hunt, William Hurt, Danika Yarosh The Miracle Season is a 2018 sports drama film directed by Sean McNamara. After the tragic death of star volleyball player Caroline "Line" Found, a team of dispirited high school girls ...more
Love After LoveChris O'Dowd, Andie MacDowell, James Adomian Love After Love is a 2017 American independent drama film directed by Russell Harbaugh. Following the death of their father, brothers Nicholas (Chris O'Dowd) and Chris (James Adomian) deal with ...more
39
3 6
The Leisure SeekerDonald Sutherland, Helen Mirren, Kirsty Mitchell The Leisure Seeker is a 2017 Italian-French road movie directed by Paolo Virzì, based on the novel by Michael Zadoorian. A runaway couple (Donald Sutherland and Helen Mirren) embark on a ...more
40
1 4
GottiJohn Travolta, Kelly Preston, Stacy Keach Gotti is a 2018 American biographical crime drama film directed by Kevin Connolly. The story of crime boss John Gotti (John Travolta) and his son (Spencer Lofranco).
41
1 4
AcrimonyTaraji P. Henson, Lyriq Bent, Tika Sumpter Acrimony is a 2018 American psychological thriller film directed by Tyler Perry. Tired of standing by her devious husband (Lyriq Bent), a faithful wife (Taraji P. Henson) becomes enraged when it ...more
42
1 4
A Kid Like JakeClaire Danes, Jim Parsons, Priyanka Chopra A Kid Like Jake is a 2018 American drama film directed by Silas Howard, based on the 2013 play by Daniel Pearle. Alex (Claire Danes) and Greg Wheeler (Jim Parsons) has always known that their ...more
Like MeAddison Timlin, Ian Nelson, Larry Fessenden Like Me is a 2017 American film directed by Robert Mockler. A loner (Addison Timlin) sets out on a crime spree that she broadcasts on social media.
44
1 4
AdriftShailene Woodley, Sam Claflin Adrift is a 2018 American romance drama film directed by Baltasar Kormákur, based on a true story. When Tami (Shailene Woodley) and Richard (Sam Claflin) are hit by a storm while sailing, ...more
45
1 4
Racer and the JailbirdMatthias Schoenaerts, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Dimitry Loubry Racer and the Jailbird is a 2017 Belgian drama film directed by Michaël R. Roskam. Set against the background of a brutal crime gang in Brussels, a tragic love story between Gigi (Matthias ...more
46
1 4
I Can Only ImagineJ. Michael Finley, Cloris Leachman, Dennis Quaid I Can Only Imagine is a 2018 American drama film directed by Andrew and Jon Erwin, based on the story behind the Christian song by MercyMe. Bart Millard (J. Michael Finley) finds inspiration for ...more
47
1 4
The Vanishing of Sidney HallLogan Lerman, Elle Fanning, Michelle Monaghan The Vanishing of Sidney Hall is a 2017 American mystery drama film directed and co-written by Shawn Christensen. After writing a generation defining book that makes him world famous, a young ...more
48
0 3
Outside InJay Duplass, Edie Falco, Kaitlyn Dever Outside In is a 2017 American drama film directed by Lynn Shelton. An ex-con (Jay Duplass) struggling to readjust to life in his small town forms an intense bond with his former high school ...more
49
0 3
AardvarkZachary Quinto, Jenny Slate, Sheila Vand Aardvark is a 2017 American drama film directed by Brian Shoaf. A mental health professional (Jenny Slate) falls for the brother (Jon Hamm) of a patient (Zachary Quinto) who may or may not be ...more
50
0 3
KingsHalle Berry, Daniel Craig, Lamar Johnson Kings is a 2017 romance film directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven. A South Central recluse (Daniel Craig) helps a woman's working-class mother (Halle Berry) during the 1992 civil unrest in Los
