15 Must-Watch Movies Similar to ‘Call the Midwife’

Concerning Violence captures the essence of struggle and revolution, just like Call the Midwife captures the lives of midwives in 1950s East London. While Call the Midwife focuses on the personal stories of its characters, Concerning Violence delves into the broader historical context of the fight against colonial rule. The documentary effectively uses Frantz Fanon's text, complemented by powerful images and music, to depict the violence imposed by colonizers and the violence in response by the colonized. It's a brave and thought-provoking film that sheds light on a crucial chapter in history. If you enjoyed Call the Midwife's unique and absorbing subject matter, Concerning Violence is a must-watch for its daring exploration of the struggle for liberation.

The Siege of Jadotville takes us back to the 1960s, just like Call the Midwife. While the latter explores the lives of midwives in East London, the former follows Irish Commandant Pat Quinlan as he leads a stand-off against French and Belgian mercenaries in the Congo. Both movies delve into historical events and are set in the same time period, but they differ in genre. Call the Midwife falls under the genres of Drama and History, while The Siege of Jadotville adds Action, Thriller, and War to the mix.

Coming Through the Rye is a movie that takes you on a journey back to the 1960s, just like Call the Midwife transports you to the late 1950s and 1960s in East London. While Call the Midwife chronicles the lives of midwives, Coming Through the Rye tells the story of Jamie Schwartz, a teenager who runs away from boarding school in search of the reclusive author J.D. Salinger, who wrote the famous novel "The Catcher in the Rye." Both movies capture the essence of the time period, exploring themes of friendship, love, and loss. While Call the Midwife immerses you in the lives of its characters, Coming Through the Rye delves into the meaning of inspiration and self-discovery. With its heartfelt storytelling and authentic cinematography, Coming Through the Rye is a must-watch for anyone who wants to experience the nostalgia of the 1960s and the timeless journey of finding oneself.

"Talk to Me" is reminiscent of "Call the Midwife" in several ways. Both movies are set in the past and provide a fascinating glimpse into different time periods. While "Call the Midwife" takes us to East London in the late 1950s to late 1960s, "Talk to Me" transports us to 1960s Washington D.C. The historical context in both films is rich and authentic, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the era. Additionally, both movies explore the lives of individuals who are making a significant impact on their communities. In "Call the Midwife," we follow a group of midwives living in East London, while "Talk to Me" tells the story of Ralph "Petey" Greene, a former convict turned popular talk show host and community activist. These characters may be from different walks of life, but they share a common desire to make a difference. Despite these similarities, the two movies also have their differences.

Mad to Be Normal, released in 2017, is reminiscent of Call the Midwife. Both films are set in the 1960s and explore unique professions related to healthcare. While Call the Midwife focuses on the lives of midwives in East London, Mad to Be Normal delves into the controversial approach of a renegade Scottish psychiatrist. The main similarity between the two movies lies in their portrayal of professionals challenging the norms of their respective fields. However, their differences are also notable. Call the Midwife is a series, while Mad to Be Normal is a cinema movie. The former centers around female midwives, while the latter focuses on a male psychiatrist. Additionally, Call the Midwife has a higher average rating of 8.6, whereas Mad to Be Normal has a rating of 6.

Selma is a powerful film that chronicles Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s campaign for equal voting rights in the 1960s. Like "Call the Midwife," Selma takes a serious and impactful approach to its subject matter. Both movies transport us to different time periods, capturing the essence of the era. While "Call the Midwife" portrays the lives of midwives in 1950s and 1960s East London, Selma showcases the struggle for civil rights in Alabama. Both films are grounded in history and shed light on important societal issues. However, Selma stands out with its intense and thought-provoking moments, leaving a lasting impact on the viewer. The performances of David Oyelowo as Martin Luther King Jr. and Ava DuVernay's direction are exceptional and deserve recognition. Selma's cinematography, by Bradford Young, adds another layer of depth to the film, capturing the tension and darkness of the events.

Hidden Figures is reminiscent of Call the Midwife for its inspiring portrayal of strong women in historical settings. Both movies showcase the struggles and triumphs of female characters who challenge societal norms and make significant contributions in their respective fields. While Call the Midwife focuses on a group of midwives in 1960s East London, Hidden Figures tells the story of a team of African-American mathematicians working at NASA during the early years of the U.S. space program. Both films shed light on the obstacles faced by these women, including discrimination and sexism, while highlighting their intelligence, resilience, and determination. However, Hidden Figures takes the historical drama genre to a new level with its exploration of the civil rights movement and the space race. It delves deeper into the racial tensions of the era, providing a more complex and profound narrative. Additionally, Hidden Figures boasts exceptional performances, particularly from Octavia Spencer, who delivers an Oscar-worthy portrayal.

Detroit is reminiscent of Call the Midwife in its portrayal of a specific time period with intense social issues. While Call the Midwife focuses on the lives of midwives in East London during the late 1950s and 1960s, Detroit takes place during the 1967 Detroit riots. Both movies provide a glimpse into the past and highlight the struggles faced by different communities. However, Detroit sets itself apart from Call the Midwife with its more intense and gripping storyline. The film explores the corruption and retribution within the police force, adding a layer of crime and thriller elements to the narrative. Director Kathryn Bigelow expertly creates tension and a sense of uneasiness through her tight framing and wobbly shots, making the movie feel personal and claustrophobic. While the writing in Detroit may be underdeveloped and lacking in some areas, the film is still well-made, thanks to Bigelow's deft direction.

Let the Girls Play, also known as "Comme des garçons," takes us on a journey to the year 1969 in France, where we witness the birth of the first all-female soccer team. This movie, like Call the Midwife, captures the spirit of a historical period and showcases the strength and determination of women. While Call the Midwife transports us to the late 1950s to late 1960s in East London, Let the Girls Play immerses us in the world of women's soccer. Both films explore themes of empowerment and challenge societal norms. However, while Call the Midwife focuses on the lives of midwives, Let the Girls Play tells the story of a groundbreaking sports team.

"Spacewalk" takes you on a thrilling ride through the Space Race as the Soviet Union prepares for its first spacewalk. This movie, like "Call the Midwife," captures a unique and absorbing subject matter. While the latter delves into the lives of midwives in 1950s and 1960s East London, "Spacewalk" explores the determination of two strong-willed cosmonauts. Both films excel in their storytelling, with complex characters and superb acting. However, they differ in their settings and genres. While "Call the Midwife" is a drama set in a historical context, "Spacewalk" combines drama and history with a touch of comedy. So if you enjoyed the captivating nature of "Call the Midwife" and want to experience the thrill of the Space Race, "Spacewalk" is a movie you shouldn't miss.

The Endless Trench takes us back to the 1930s and 1940s in Spain, a country plagued by fascism. Just like Call the Midwife, this film delves into historical events and showcases the determination of its characters. However, while Call the Midwife focuses on the lives of midwives in East London, The Endless Trench takes a darker turn with a husband's endless incarceration in his own home. The Spanish Civil War and the dictatorship serve as the backdrop for this gripping tale of loyalty, psychological resilience, and endless patience. With remarkable performances, particularly from Belén Cuesta, this movie is an absolute must-watch for anyone looking to be captivated by a historical thriller.

The Warden takes us back to the 1960s, just like Call the Midwife, but in a completely different setting. While the latter showcases the lives of midwives in East London, The Warden centers around a prison about to be evacuated for an airport expansion project. Major Jahed and his officers are busy transferring all inmates to the new facility, but there's one inmate who has gone missing. Both dramas immerse us in their respective time periods, but whereas Call the Midwife explores the challenges and triumphs of its characters in a heartfelt and inspiring way, The Warden delves into the tense and mysterious world of a prison. With its believable location and strong performances, The Warden is a good watch for anyone looking for a captivating drama with a touch of history and mystery.

How to Be a Good Wife, also known as "La bonne épouse," is a delightful comedy that will surely remind you of Call the Midwife. While the latter is a series set in the late 1950s to late 1960s in East London, the former is a cinema movie taking place in the 1960s at a girls' boarding school. Both films touch upon the theme of women navigating through challenging times, with nuns being a common element. However, How to Be a Good Wife injects a dose of humor into the mix as Paulette, played brilliantly by Juliette Binoche, takes on the responsibility of saving her housekeeping school after the sudden death of her husband. With its light-heartedness and whimsical charm, this French comedy is a perfect watch for anyone who enjoyed the heartwarming and complex characters of Call the Midwife.

Victoria takes us back in time to the early life of Queen Victoria, showcasing her journey from becoming queen at the age of 18 to her courtship and marriage with Prince Albert. Just like Call the Midwife, Victoria brilliantly captures the essence of a bygone era, immersing viewers in a world of royalty, romance, and intrigue. While Call the Midwife transports us to the late 1950s to late 1960s in East London, Victoria transports us to the heart of the British monarchy. Both series boast captivating performances, with Jenna Coleman and Rufus Sewell delivering exceptional portrayals of Queen Victoria and Lord M respectively. Tom Hughes also shines as Prince Albert, perfectly capturing his shy yet intellectually-inclined nature. The chemistry between Coleman and Hughes is undeniably compelling, which is not surprising considering they are together in real life. With magnificent sets, stunning costumes, and good writing, Victoria offers a wonderful blend of history, romance, and drama.

Testament of Youth is reminiscent of Call the Midwife because both stories center around strong, independent women navigating challenging times. While Call the Midwife focuses on the lives of midwives in 1950s and 1960s East London, Testament of Youth follows the journey of a British woman during World War I. Both movies highlight the strength, resilience, and determination of the female characters as they face adversity and strive to make a difference. However, Testament of Youth offers a different perspective, delving into the futility of war and the heartbreaking loss experienced by young men and their loved ones. The film also features a stunning performance by Alicia Vikander in the central role, and the beautiful cinematography captures the essence of the time period. If you enjoyed Call the Midwife and want to explore a different era with a similar focus on female empowerment, Testament of Youth is a must-watch.