The best small town movies do more than entertain you, they capture a way of life. Living in a small town is much different than living in a big city. Everyone knows everyone else, and because there's less to do, people make their own fun. The top small town movies understand that. In the best cases, these films create such a realistic atmosphere that the towns themselves practically become full-fledged characters.
Some of the most important movies about small towns include The Last Picture Show, Wind River, and Breaking Away. Although their stories are all very different, they have in common an ability to capture what life is like in more isolated locations. Groundhog Day is a great example of a small town comedy and Tremors is an awesome small town horror film.
Use the list below to vote for the greatest small town movies, or to find suggestions for good movies to watch. If you don't see your favorite on the list, add it and then check back to see how other users are ranking it.
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6114Stand by Me
Kiefer Sutherland, Corey FeldmanReleased: 1986
Directed by: Rob Reiner
Stand by Me is a 1986 American coming of age comedy-drama adventure film directed by Rob... more
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3713What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprioReleased: 1993
Directed by: Lasse Hallström
What's Eating Gilbert Grape is a 1993 American drama film directed by Lasse Hallström and... more3
246Fargo
Steve Buscemi, William H. MacyReleased: 1996
Directed by: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen
Fargo is a 1996 American neo-noir dark comedy crime film written, produced, edited, and... more4
236Groundhog Day
Bill Murray, Andie MacDowellReleased: 1993
Directed by: Harold Ramis
Groundhog Day is a 1993 American fantasy comedy film directed by Harold Ramis. A derisive... more5
216Beautiful Girls
Natalie Portman, Uma ThurmanReleased: 1996
Directed by: Ted Demme
Beautiful Girls is a 1996 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Ted Demme from a... more6
206Footloose
Sarah Jessica Parker, Kevin BaconReleased: 1984
Directed by: Herbert Ross
Footloose is a 1984 American musical-drama directed by Herbert Ross. It tells the story of Ren... more7
141The Goonies
Corey Feldman, Josh BrolinReleased: 1985
Directed by: Richard Donner
The Goonies is a 1985 American adventure comedy film directed by Richard Donner. The... more8
209The Last Picture Show
Jeff Bridges, Cybill ShepherdReleased: 1971
Directed by: Peter Bogdanovich
The Last Picture Show is a 1971 American drama film directed by Peter Bogdanovich, adapted... more9
178Doc Hollywood
Michael J. Fox, Woody HarrelsonReleased: 1991
Directed by: Michael Caton-Jones
Doc Hollywood is a 1991 romantic comedy film directed by Michael Caton-Jones, and written by... more10
155It's a Wonderful Life
James Stewart, Donna ReedReleased: 1946
Directed by: Frank Capra
It's a Wonderful Life is a 1946 American Christmas fantasy comedy-drama film produced and... more11
2215The Sandlot
James Earl Jones, Denis LearyReleased: 1993
Directed by: David M. Evans
The Sandlot, also known as The Sandlot Kids, is a 1993 American coming-of-age film Comedy... more12
158Pleasantville
Reese Witherspoon, Paul WalkerReleased: 1998
Directed by: Gary Ross
Pleasantville is a 1998 American fantasy comedy-drama film written, produced, and directed by... more13
136American Graffiti
Harrison Ford, Ron HowardReleased: 1973
Directed by: George Lucas
American Graffiti is a 1973 American coming of age comedy-drama film directed and co-written... more14
136Signs
Mel Gibson, Joaquin PhoenixReleased: 2002
Directed by: M. Night Shyamalan
Signs is a 2002 American science fiction thriller film written and directed by M. Night... more15
104Lone Star
Matthew McConaughey, Kris KristoffersonReleased: 1996
Directed by: John Sayles
Lone Star is a 1996 drama, mystery, romance film written and directed by John Sayles.... more16
126My Cousin Vinny
Marisa Tomei, Joe PesciReleased: 1992
Directed by: Jonathan Lynn
My Cousin Vinny is a 1992 American comedy film written by Dale Launer and directed by Jonathan... more17
138Tremors
Kevin Bacon, Reba McEntireReleased: 1990
Directed by: Ron Underwood
Tremors is a 1990 American western monster film directed by Ron Underwood, written by Brent... more18
126The Bridges of Madison County
Clint Eastwood, Meryl StreepReleased: 1995
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
The Bridges of Madison County is a 1995 American romantic drama film based on the best-selling... more19
105Wind River
Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth OlsenReleased: 2017
Directed by: Taylor Sheridan
Wind River is a 2017 American thriller film directed and written by Taylor Sheridan (Sicario,... more20
128Blue Velvet
Isabella Rossellini, Dennis HopperReleased: 1986
Directed by: David Lynch
Blue Velvet is a 1986 American mystery thriller flm, written and directed by David Lynch. The... more21
116Juno
Jennifer Garner, Ellen PageReleased: 2007
Directed by: Jason Reitman
Juno is a 2007 Canadian-American comedy-drama film directed by Jason Reitman and written by... more22
106Straw Dogs
Dustin Hoffman, David WarnerReleased: 1971
Directed by: Sam Peckinpah
Straw Dogs is a 1971 psychological thriller directed by Sam Peckinpah and starring Dustin... more23
106The Majestic
Jim Carrey, Matt DamonReleased: 2001
Directed by: Frank Darabont
The Majestic is a 2001 American drama film directed and produced by Frank Darabont, written by... more24
128Hell or High Water
Jeff Bridges, Chris PineReleased: 2016
Directed by: David Mackenzie
Hell or High Water is a 2016 American neo-western heist-crime film directed by David... more25
1310Hot Fuzz
Cate Blanchett, Martin FreemanReleased: 2007
Directed by: Edgar Wright
Hot Fuzz is a 2007 British action comedy parody film directed by Edgar Wright, written by... more
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