We discuss 10 Movies like Good Will Hunting you must watch. Add these well-recommended movies to your watch list.
Written by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon back when they were just two ambitious young men and not the A-listers we know today, Good Will Hunting was one of the most successful films to come out in 1997.
The psychological drama starring Damon, Affleck, and the late Robin Williams received global critical acclaim and several accolades, including 9 Oscar nominations, which resulted in two wins.
Centered on a young mathematical genius and the relationship he develops with his court-assigned therapist, the emotionally-charged film is still as poignant today as it was 25 years ago.
Keep reading if you’re a fan of the Matt Damon classic and in the mood for more feel-good movies with a heart almost as inspiring as Good Will Hunting.
10 Movies like Good Will Hunting you must watch
Little Man Tate (1991)
Jodie Foster’s directorial debut, Little Man Tate, follows the story of a single mother and her genius 7-year-old son. The film explores themes of isolation, social class, and the challenges faced by a child prodigy.
Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)
This film falls into the Good Will Hunting genre of a boy genius’s relationship with an older mentor. Based on the real-life story of chess champion Josh Waitzkin, the movie follows a young Josh as he navigates his way around chess tournaments with the help of his mentor, Vinnie (played by Lawrence Fishbourne).
CODA (2021)
In this critically acclaimed indie drama titled CODA, Emilia Jones stars as Ruby, a talented musician who just so happens to be the only hearing member of her family. While Ruby’s tutor wants her to audition for a prestigious music school, she’s torn between following her dreams and staying home to help her family run their newly opened business.
Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
Featuring an all-star female cast including Julia Roberts, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Kirsten Dunst, at its heart, this is also a feature about an older mentor guiding a group of young mentees. Set in the 1950s, the film follows an unmarried art teacher at an all-girls boarding school who tries to show her students there’s more to life than marriage.
Manchester by the Sea (2016)
In this touching drama, a depressed loner becomes the legal guardian of his teenage nephew after his brother’s unexpected passing. The film follows the two men as they come to terms with the past and their new circumstances while learning to live a new life together.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Based on a Steven King novella, The Shawshank Redemption follows two men, played by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, and the bond they grow while imprisoned. Three decades on, it is still considered one of the most compelling movies to hit cinemas.
Dead Poets Society (1989)
Another feature with Robin Williams taking on the mentor role, Dead Poets Society, tells the story of an eccentric English teacher who takes a job at his old stuffy all-boys boarding school. He starts inspiring his students to break the mold of their rigid education with the poetry he teaches.
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
While the lead in Good Will Hunting tries to deny his genius, in A Beautiful Mind, the main character is very much aware of how brilliant he is, which leads to a downfall. The film was inspired by the life of Nobel Prize winner John Nash.
The Man Who Knew Infinity (2015)
This 2015 British film fits almost perfectly in the Good Will Hunting genre. The story centers on an Indian exchange student who starts studying in London at the start of WW1. Soon, his genius becomes apparent, and he continues to use his gift in mathematics with the help of an older mentor. The Man Who Knew Infinity is based on the life of Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan.
Gifted (2017)
Gifted is yet another movie about a child prodigy, and it centers on the plight of an uncle who tries to give his gifted niece a “normal” childhood. Unfortunately, he is in a custody battle with his mother and the girl’s grandmother.
Do you have any other recommendations for Movies like Good Will Hunting? Let us know in the comments below.
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