15 Must-Watch Movies Similar to The Graduate

Fatso is reminiscent of The Graduate in its ability to tackle a sensitive topic with humor and charm. While The Graduate explores the complexities of love, adultery, and family relationships, Fatso takes on the rarely discussed issue of overeating. Both movies use comedy as a vehicle to shed light on these personal struggles. The Graduate captivates with its creative filmmaking techniques and heart-warming poetry, while Fatso relies on the sweet on-screen persona of Dom DeLuise. Anne Bancroft, the multi-talented lady behind Fatso, writes and directs the picture with a genuine concern for the topic of overeating, which is surprising given the US's obsession with weight loss. Though the message in Fatso may be a bit predictable, it's hard to fault such a well-meaning, well-written, well-directed, and well-played comedy.

Being Julia is reminiscent of The Graduate in its exploration of complicated relationships and themes of love and infidelity. Both movies delve into the dynamics of older woman-younger man relationships, showcasing the complexities and emotional conflicts that arise. While The Graduate takes place in the 1960s and focuses on a disillusioned college graduate torn between his older lover and her daughter, Being Julia is set in 1930s London and revolves around stage actors and actresses navigating love and revenge. Both films skillfully depict the inner turmoil and insecurities of their characters, highlighting the universal nature of human emotions. However, where The Graduate offers a bitter-comic portrayal of these emotions, Being Julia presents them in a melodramatic and overwrought manner. Annette Bening delivers a larger-than-life performance as the self-centered and vengeful Julia, capturing the character's complexities with charisma and warmth.

"There's Always Vanilla" is reminiscent of "The Graduate" in its exploration of an older woman-younger man relationship. While "The Graduate" delves into the complexities of this unconventional romance through a bitter-comic lens, "There's Always Vanilla" takes a different approach, focusing on the emotional and financial reliance between a young man and an older woman in his hometown of Pittsburgh. Both films shed light on the dynamics and challenges of such relationships, but "The Graduate" does so with a touch of nostalgia for the sixties and a poetic score by Simon and Garfunkel, while "There's Always Vanilla" is a lesser-known work of George Romero, not achieving the same critical acclaim as "The Graduate." Nevertheless, if you enjoyed the exploration of unconventional relationships in "The Graduate," "There's Always Vanilla" offers an interesting perspective worth watching.

I Remember "I Remember", also known as "Amarcord", is a delightful Italian movie that takes us back to a 1930s coastal town, immersing us in a series of comedic and nostalgic vignettes. While it may seem like a warm reminiscence of youth, there is much more to it. Director Federico Fellini cleverly infuses sharp satire throughout the film, exploring the factors that led Italy to embrace fascism. Rimini, the setting of the film, represents the entire country as Fellini delves into the national psyche, examining the influence of Catholicism, the education system, past imperial glory, and sexual frustration. The title itself, a play on words, reflects both the nostalgic tone ("Amarcord" means "I remember") and the bitter undercurrent ("Amaro" means "bitter"). Fellini's masterful storytelling and commentary make "I Remember" a must-watch for anyone interested in Italian culture and history.

A Change of Seasons: Marriage takes a sour turn when a middle-aged husband falls for a young and sexy woman. Things get even more complicated when his wife starts a hot affair with a young lover of her own.
"The Graduate" and "A Change of Seasons" both explore the complexities of unconventional relationships. While "The Graduate" delves into the tale of a college graduate torn between an older lover and her daughter, "A Change of Seasons" takes a different approach by showcasing a middle-aged husband who falls for a young and attractive woman, while his wife engages in her own affair with a younger lover. Both films dive into the dynamics of May-December romances, highlighting the struggles and desires that come with these unconventional connections. However, "A Change of Seasons" adds an extra layer of quirkiness and offbeat humor to the mix, making it a delightful watch.

Midnight Cowboy is reminiscent of The Graduate in its exploration of a young man's journey through a tumultuous world. While The Graduate delves into the complexities of love, family relationships, and the anxieties of post-college life, Midnight Cowboy takes us on a gritty adventure from Texas to the vibrant streets of New York City. Both films showcase Dustin Hoffman's exceptional acting talent, with his performances in The Graduate and Midnight Cowboy leaving a lasting impact. The movies also share a common thread of friendship, as the main characters find companionship in unexpected places. However, Midnight Cowboy stands out with its raw portrayal of the Times Square area in the late 1960s, exposing the underbelly of society and the struggles faced by those on the fringes. With its unique blend of drama, captivating characters, and an unforgettable depiction of an era, Midnight Cowboy is a must-watch for anyone who appreciates thought-provoking cinema.

Harold and Maude is a charming and unconventional film that will remind you of The Graduate. Both movies explore the theme of an unconventional relationship that defies societal expectations. In The Graduate, a disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter. Similarly, in Harold and Maude, a young, rich, and death-obsessed Harold finds himself forever changed when he meets lively septuagenarian Maude at a funeral.
The similarity between the two films lies in their exploration of the older woman-younger man relationship. However, while The Graduate delves into the complexities of love and adultery, Harold and Maude takes a more existentialist approach, exploring themes of life, death, and the pursuit of happiness.
Both movies are filled with witty dialogue and brilliant performances, but they differ in tone and style.

A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon is reminiscent of The Graduate, but with a twist. While both movies explore the theme of an older woman-younger man relationship, A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon takes us back to the 60s, when free-spiritedness and rebellion were at their peak. River Phoenix's portrayal of Jimmy Reardon is far from the disillusioned college graduate in The Graduate. Instead, he is a spoiled, self-indulgent womanizer with his mind set on an escapade to Hawaii with his one true love. The movie captures the essence of teenage rebellion and the desire to break free from societal expectations. Although not as critically acclaimed as The Graduate, A Night in the Life of Jimmy Reardon offers a glimpse into the wild and carefree nature of youth in a different era. So if you're in the mood for a charmingly flawed protagonist and a nostalgic trip back to the 60s, this movie is worth a watch.

Afterglow. A handyman with marital problems meets a housewife with the same. This film may remind you of The Graduate, not because of its plot, but because of its unique take on relationships. While The Graduate explores the complexities of an older woman-younger man relationship, Afterglow delves into the lives of a has-been actress, a charming sleazy plumber, a bored housewife, and a stressed corporate head. Both movies share the themes of love, adultery, and human emotions, but they do so in their own distinctive ways. The Graduate captivates with its witty dialogues, incredible storytelling creativity, and a famous score by Simon and Garfunkel that perfectly captures the emotions of the characters. On the other hand, Afterglow takes a low-key approach, showcasing the talents of real actors and adding a touch of wisecrack humor.

How Stella Got Her Groove Back is reminiscent of The Graduate in its exploration of an older woman-younger man relationship. While The Graduate delves into the complexities of this unconventional romance with a bitter-comic approach, Stella presents a more lighthearted take on the subject. Both movies touch on themes of love, insecurity, and family relationships, but The Graduate goes a step further by delving into the inner soul of its protagonist. The time frame of the sixties adds an additional layer of depth to The Graduate, while Stella focuses more on the journey of its main character, Stella, as she rediscovers herself on a vacation to Jamaica. Despite its predictable nature, Stella offers an enjoyable and entertaining experience, making it a great choice for those who appreciate light-hearted romantic comedies.

Somewhere Slow is a movie that will remind you of The Graduate, but with a modern twist. While The Graduate explores the complexities of a college graduate torn between his older lover and her daughter, Somewhere Slow takes us on a journey with Anna Thompson, who makes a split-second decision to walk out of her life and into the unknown after getting mixed up in a convenience store robbery. Both movies delve into the themes of self-discovery and the desire to break free from societal norms. However, while The Graduate takes place in the sixties and showcases the inner struggles of its characters through long and elaborated shots and witty dialogue, Somewhere Slow presents a more contemporary story with a touch of rebellion. As Anna embarks on her travels, she meets Travis, a teenage drifter questioning his sexuality, adding an extra layer of depth to the story.

Hello I Must Be Going is a charming movie that will remind you of The Graduate. Both films explore the complicated dynamics of relationships, particularly the theme of older woman-younger man relationships. While The Graduate delves into the conflict between a disillusioned college graduate, his older lover, and her daughter, Hello I Must Be Going tells the story of a young divorcée who moves back in with her parents and finds herself in an affair with a younger guy. These films share the common thread of forbidden love and the exploration of unconventional relationships. However, Hello I Must Be Going takes a more light-hearted approach, infusing comedy into its narrative, while The Graduate leans more towards drama. So, if you enjoyed the complex emotions and thought-provoking themes of The Graduate, Hello I Must Be Going offers a fresh take on similar dynamics with a touch of humor.

Einfach mal was Schönes. Imagine if The Graduate took a time machine to the present day and found itself in Germany. That's the vibe you'll get from Einfach mal was Schönes. Just like its cinematic predecessor, this German gem explores the complexities of relationships and the search for love in a charmingly comedic way. While The Graduate focused on a college graduate torn between an older lover and her daughter, Einfach mal was Schönes follows radio presenter Karla as she struggles to find a suitable man for starting a family. Both films dive into the challenges of navigating unconventional relationships and the pressure to conform to societal norms. However, Einfach mal was Schönes brings a fresh twist with its exploration of female friendship and sisterly conflicts. With its witty dialogue and relatable characters, this German comedy is a delightful modern take on the timeless themes of love and family.

Don Jon is reminiscent of The Graduate because both films explore unconventional relationships and challenge societal norms. While The Graduate focuses on the complicated dynamics of an older woman-younger man relationship, Don Jon delves into the unrealistic expectations created by watching pornography. Both movies use humor to address these taboo topics and provide thought-provoking commentary on love, sex, and intimacy. However, the two films differ in their time periods and cultural contexts. The Graduate is set in the 1960s, capturing the spirit of that era, while Don Jon takes place in modern-day New Jersey. Additionally, The Graduate is more introspective and requires meditation, while Don Jon is a bold and confident exploration of its subject matter. If you enjoyed the wit and charm of The Graduate, Don Jon offers a contemporary take on similar themes, with standout performances from Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Scarlett Johansson.

Suddenly Naked is reminiscent of The Graduate in its exploration of an unconventional relationship. While The Graduate follows a disillusioned college graduate torn between an older lover and her daughter, Suddenly Naked takes a different approach with a famous 'Jackie Collins'-type novelist falling for a quirky twenty-year-old. Both movies navigate the complexities of an older woman-younger man relationship, but Suddenly Naked adds a twist by incorporating body painting and an F-rated storyline. Despite their differences, both films tackle the themes of love, romance, and the challenges that come with unconventional relationships. If you enjoyed the witty dialogue and creative storytelling in The Graduate, Suddenly Naked offers a fresh perspective on a similar theme with its own charm and humor.