What Are The Best Drama Movies of All Time?

What is a Drama Movie?

Drama films center on serious, realistic situations and conflicts, often rooted in interpersonal relationships, emotional turmoil, or societal challenges.

The stakes are high, with characters facing obstacles that resonate deeply on a personal and universal level. Unlike genres like action or comedy, drama movies don't necessarily guarantee a "feel-good" ending, but they always offer a thought-provoking journey.

Tropes of the Drama Genre

When writing a drama, you want to know which tropes you can play with and subvert to make your script shine. Remember, you unique screenwriting voice is what will make your spec stand out, but these tropes will help clue people in that you're writing a drama.

Let's examine them closer.

Character Tropes

• The Flawed Protagonist: Drama loves characters who aren't perfect. They may be haunted by past mistakes, driven by unhealthy obsessions, or struggle to overcome internal demons. These flaws make them relatable and their journeys compelling.
• The Underdog: We root for those facing long odds. Whether it's social injustice, illness, or seemingly insurmountable obstacles, the underdog battling against all expectations is a classic drama staple.
• The Mentor: Often a wiser, older figure who guides the protagonist, offering insights, support, and sometimes a bit of tough love.
• The Tragic Figure: Some characters are fated for sorrow. Their struggles may be due to their own choices, societal constraints, or forces beyond their control, adding a layer of poignancy to the drama.

Relationship Tropes

• Forbidden Love: Love that crosses social boundaries, faces staunch opposition, or is simply ill-timed provides intense dramatic tension.
• Complicated Families: From simmering resentments to deep-rooted trauma, family ties can be a major source of conflict and emotional growth.
• Friendships Tested: Betrayals, misunderstandings, or life taking friends in different directions can fracture even the strongest bonds.
• Mentor/Student Dynamics: These relationships can be fraught with power imbalances, admiration, and rivalry.

Thematic Tropes

• Social Issues: Dramas often tackle racism, poverty, addiction, inequality, war, and other ills, raising awareness and prompting reflection.
• Moral Dilemmas: Characters forced to make agonizingly difficult choices where there's no clear right or wrong answer.
• Loss and Grief: How characters cope with the death of loved ones, the end of relationships, or the loss of dreams are explored with depth.
• Redemption: Can a character who has done wrong find forgiveness and change their path? This theme offers complexity and potential hope.

Other Dramatic Elements

• Heightened Stakes: In dramas, even seemingly small events can have dire consequences, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats.
• Symbolism: Look for objects, colors, or recurring motifs that carry deeper meaning throughout the film.
• Emotional Climax: A pivotal turning point where the protagonist faces their greatest fears or reaches a breaking point.
• Ambiguous Endings: Not every drama provides neat resolutions, leaving the audience to ponder the characters' fates or the larger message.

History of the Drama Film

The drama genre has been around for ages and ages. It started with the stories of Homer and has transcended time and space, coming all the way through literature and now being a huge part of film and television.

The origins of drama in film can be traced back to the silent era. Masterpieces like D.W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation (1915) (yes, it's very racist, but important to history. There's a lot of nuance here!) and Intolerance (1916).

In the 1930s and 40s, films like Gone with the Wind (1939) solidified the epic historical drama with its sweeping romance and portrayals of societal upheaval.

The post-World War II era saw a wave of gritty realism infuse drama films.

Post-War Realism and Social Consciousness (1940s-1950s)

• Italian Neo-Realism: In the wake of WWII, directors like Vittorio De Sica and Roberto Rossellini rejected studio polish for stark depictions of working-class struggles. Films like Bicycle Thieves showcased desperation with untrained actors and on-location shooting.
• Social Issue Dramas: American cinema tackled topics like alcoholism (The Lost Weekend), racism (Intruder in the Dust), and mental institutions (The Snake Pit). Films became more daring, questioning societal norms.
• Rise of the Method Actor: Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire, James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause, and others brought emotional intensity and a 'rebellious' edge to the screen, changing dramatic acting forever.

The 1960s and 70s: New Waves & Introspective Dramas

• French New Wave: Truffaut, Godard, and others broke traditional cinematic rules. Films like The 400 Blows and Breathless felt improvisational, with jump-cuts and existential themes.
• The "Golden Age" of American Cinema: Inspired by European cinema, filmmakers pushed boundaries. Bonnie and Clyde, The Graduate, and Midnight Cowboy reflected societal upheavals and disillusionment.
• Auteur-Driven Dramas: Scorsese, Altman, Coppola, and others left their distinct marks on the genre. Think of the gritty realism of Taxi Driver, the epic scale of The Godfather, and the psychological complexity of Nashville.

1980s - 1990s: Dramas Go Mainstream, Then Indie

• Blockbuster Dramas: Films like Rain Man and Terms of Endearment found box office success by balancing emotional stories with star power.
• The Rise of the Brat Pack:The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo's Fire, and similar films spoke to teenage angst in the 80s, launching the careers of young stars.
• Indie Spirit: Against the grain, directors like Spike Lee (Do the Right Thing) and Steven Soderbergh (Sex, Lies, and Videotape) brought fresh, often edgy, perspectives to the drama.

2000s to Present: Blending Genres, Global Influence, and Streaming

• The Superhero Boom: While action-packed, films like The Dark Knight delve into morality and psychological complexity, redefining their genre with dramatic elements.
• Global Cinema's Impact: Dramas from South Korea (Parasite), Iran (A Separation), and across the world gain wider audiences and critical acclaim.
• Streaming Changes the Game: Platforms like Netflix and Amazon fund prestige dramas, giving directors greater freedom to experiment and explore niche topics.
• Hybrid Dramas Thrive: Films blend genres, defying categorization: Get Out (horror-social commentary), Moonlight (poetic coming-of-age), Lady Bird (dramedy with depth).

Global Drama Films

Cinema isn't limited by borders, and some of the most powerful dramas come from all over the world. This is just a taste of the dramas being made globally.

• Japan: Masterful directors like Akira Kurosawa (Seven Samurai, Rashomon) and Yasujiro Ozu (Tokyo Story) crafted timeless dramas on themes of family, societal shifts, and honor.
• France: The French New Wave brought a fresh energy to dramas with films like The 400 Blows and Breathless. More recently, films like Amélie (2001) offered quirky, heart-warming stories.
• India: Bollywood is known for its lavish dramas alongside gritty social explorations (Mother India, Slumdog Millionaire).
• South Korea: A recent surge of brilliant dramas like Parasite (2019) and Oldboy (2003) showcase their unique blend of social commentary and genre-bending storytelling.

The Best Drama Movies of All Time

Drama movies cover so many other genres, that it was hard to make a list of the best all time. Drama is so malleable and so prevalent, it made it hard to disqualify certain titles.

As always, this list is in no particular order and purely subjective. they're just the best movies I think everyone should spend the time watching.