Movies like Spotlight
If you like "Spotlight" you are looking for factual, tense and suspense movies about / with journalism, investigative journalism, conspiracy, newspaper, lawyer, investigation and sexual abuse themes of Biography, Crime and Drama genre shot in USA.
Find your next favorite and similar movies in two steps:
1. Identify all themes of interest from this film (block below).
2. Look for them in the presented list.
Spotlight (2015)
531K
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 129 min.
Story:
In 2001, editor Marty Baron of The Boston Globe assigns a team of journalists to investigate allegations against John Geoghan, an unfrocked priest accused of molesting more than 80 boys. Led by editor Walter "Robby" Robinson, reporters Michael Rezendes, Matt Carroll and Sacha Pfeiffer interview victims and try to unseal sensitive documents. The reporters make it their mission to provide proof of a cover-up of sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church.
Style:
factual, tense, suspense, clever, cerebral, psychological, talky, political, intense, social ...
Audience:
chick flick, adult
Plot:
journalism, investigative journalism, conspiracy, newspaper, lawyer, investigation, sexual abuse, catholic church, cover up, child abuse, journalist, expose, catholicism, reporter, pedophilia, lawsuit, newspaper reporter, child molestation, corruption, catholic, cardinal the priest, religion, pedophile, pedophile priest, atheism ...
Time:
year 2001, year 2015, year 2016, 70s, 2000s, 20th century, year 2002 ...
Place:
boston, massachusetts, new england, nova scotia, florida
Movie in categories
Most similar movies to Spotlight
The list contains related movies ordered by similarity. Recommendation engine sorted out thought provoking, realistic, suspense and interesting films with plots about investigation, mentor, justice, corruption, dialogue, lawyer and biopic mostly in Drama, Biography and Crime genres. Some movies like Spotlight: The Post (2017), Dark Waters (2019), All the President's Men (1976), Erin Brockovich (2000), Frost/Nixon (2008). The matching attributes are highlighted in bold.
171K
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Thriller, War
Country: USA, India
Duration: 116 min.
Story:
A cover-up that spanned four U.S. Presidents pushed the country's first female newspaper publisher and a hard-driving editor to join an unprecedented battle between journalist and government. Inspired by true events.
Style:
political thriller, inspirational, period piece, political, factual ...
Audience:
family friendly, adult
Plot:
journalism, truth, expose, whistleblower, newspaper office, newspaper, journalist, cover up, lie, wartime, freedom of the press, u.s. government ...
Time:
year 2017, year 1965, 90s, 70s, year 1972 ...
Place:
washington d.c., usa, vietnam
Similarity:
100%
120K
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 126 min.
Story:
A corporate defense attorney takes on an environmental lawsuit against the DuPont chemical company that exposes a lengthy history of pollution.
Style:
realistic, factual, serious, thought provoking, sexy ...
Audience:
adult
Plot:
lawyer, contamination, lawsuit, environmental, corruption, legal investigation, corporate crime, courtroom drama, investigation, environment, price of justice, uncover truth ...
Time:
2010s, 2000s, 90s, year 2019, year 1999 ...
Place:
columbus ohio, cincinnati ohio, west virginia, ohio, usa
Similarity:
95%
Genre: Drama, History, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 138 min.
Story:
In the run-up to the 1972 elections, Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward covers what seems to be a minor break-in at the Democratic Party National headquarters. He is surprised to find top lawyers already on the defense case, and the discovery of ...
Style:
political thriller, political, cerebral, realistic, serious ...
Audience:
family outing
Plot:
journalism, newspaper, political conspiracy, politics, conspiracy, political corruption, investigation, american politics, white house, investigative journalism, whistleblower, president ...
Time:
70s, 20th century, year 1973, year 1972, year 1976
Place:
washington d.c., usa, north america, miami, florida
Similarity:
96%
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 131 min.
Story:
A twice-divorced mother of three who sees an injustice, takes on the bad guy and wins -- with a little help from her push-up bra. Erin goes to work for an attorney and comes across medical records describing illnesses clustered in one nearby town. ...
Style:
inspirational, touching, feel good, uplifting, factual ...
Audience:
girls' night, chick flick, adult
Plot:
environmental, justice, court, lawyer, contamination, small town, single mother, investigation, corporate crime, business, lawsuit, legal ...
Time:
year 1993, 90s, y2k, year 2000, 2000s ...
Place:
california, los angeles, usa, new jersey
Similarity:
100%
Movie in collections
116K
Genre: Biography, Drama, History
Country: USA, UK, France
Duration: 122 min.
Story:
For three years after being forced from office, Nixon remained silent. But in summer 1977, the steely, cunning former commander-in-chief agreed to sit for one all-inclusive interview to confront the questions of his time in office and the Watergate ...
Style:
clever, tense, political, period piece, tricky ...
Plot:
journalism, politics, president, reporter, journalist, biopic, american politics, nixon, corruption, conspiracy, power struggle, scandal ...
Time:
70s, year 2008, 90s, 2000s, year 1977 ...
Place:
california, new york, washington d.c., north america, usa ...
Similarity:
100%
665K
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 157 min.
Story:
The true story of the investigation of the "Zodiac Killer", a serial killer who terrified the San Francisco Bay Area, taunting police with his ciphers and letters. The case becomes an obsession for four men as their lives and careers are ...
Style:
atmospheric, tense, suspense, neo noir, stylized ...
Audience:
chick flick, adult
Plot:
serial killer, investigation, murder, journalism, maniac, murder mystery, mind game, journalist, true crime, paranoia, killer, uncover truth ...
Time:
70s, year 2007, year 1971, year 1969, year 1979 ...
Place:
san francisco, california, bay area, usa, oakland california ...
Similarity:
85%
191K
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 157 min.
Story:
Tells the true story of a 60 Minutes television series exposé of the tobacco industry, as seen through the eyes of a real tobacco executive, Jeffrey Wigand
Style:
cerebral, political, sexy, suspense, clever ...
Plot:
journalism, whistleblower, courtroom, politics, corruption, reporter, corporate crime, journalist, conspiracy, terrorist, tobacco, lawyer ...
Time:
90s, 20th century, year 1999
Place:
new york, washington d.c., kentucky, south carolina, mississippi ...
Similarity:
92%
166K
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: UK, France, USA
Duration: 127 min.
Story:
Handsome, unflappable U.S. Congressman Stephen Collins is the future of his political party: an honorable appointee who serves as the chairman of a committee overseeing defense spending. All eyes are upon the rising star to be his party's ...
Style:
political thriller, clever, political, suspenseful, suspense ...
Plot:
political conspiracy, conspiracy, journalism, corruption, journalist, investigation, reporter, murder, congress, espionage, world politics, assassination ...
Time:
year 2009, 2000s, 70s, 21st century
Place:
usa, washington d.c.
Similarity:
88%
Movie in collections
533K
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama, History
Country: USA
Duration: 130 min.
Story:
The men who made millions from a global economic meltdown.
Style:
intellectual, realistic, tense, inspirational, intelligent ...
Audience:
chick flick, family friendly, girls' night, date night, teen drama ...
Plot:
finance, wall street, business, stock market, financial crisis, money, greed, banking, economic crisis, bank, loan, analysis ...
Time:
year 2007, 2000s, year 2015, future, year 2016 ...
Place:
new york, manhattan new york city, las vegas, california
Similarity:
95%
23K
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: Australia, USA
Duration: 125 min.
Story:
As a renowned producer and close associate of Dan Rather, Mary Mapes believes she’s broken the biggest story of the 2004 election: revelations of a sitting U.S. President’s military service. But when allegations come pouring in, sources change ...
Style:
suspense, factual, tense, suspenseful, intense ...
Plot:
journalism, politics, political scandal, election, justice, american politics, fired from the job, betrayal, conspiracy theory, tv reporter, presidential election, journalist ...
Time:
90s, 2000s, 21st century
Place:
texas, new york
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 112 min.
Story:
A reporter becomes the target of a vicious smear campaign that drives him to the point of suicide after he exposes the CIA's role in arming Contra rebels in Nicaragua and importing cocaine into California. Based on the true story of journalist ...
Style:
political, clever, suspenseful, captivating, disturbing ...
Audience:
family friendly
Plot:
journalism, reporter, journalist, conspiracy, u.s. government, investigative journalism, politics, drug smuggling, investigative reporter, media manipulation, media, cia ...
Time:
80s, year 2014, 70s, 90s, 20th century ...
Place:
latin america, california, los angeles, nicaragua, usa ...
Similarity:
100%
354K
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 127 min.
Story:
An FBI undercover agent infilitrates the mob and finds himself identifying more with the mafia life at the expense of his regular one.
Style:
neo noir, clever, suspense, serious, suspenseful ...
Audience:
boys' night
Plot:
mafia, undercover, organized crime, mobster, mentor, fbi, working undercover, italian mafia, fbi agent, undercover agent, law enforcement, friends ...
Time:
70s, 20th century, year 1997, 90s, year 1978
Place:
new york, new jersey, miami, florida, usa ...
Similarity:
100%
172K
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Germany, France
Duration: 134 min.
Story:
CIA employee Edward Snowden leaks thousands of classified documents to the press.
Style:
realistic, political thriller, thought provoking, factual, inspirational ...
Audience:
chick flick, family friendly
Plot:
espionage, journalism, whistleblower, hacking, fighting the system, moral dilemma, internet, spying, cia, technology, cryptography, ethics ...
Time:
year 2016, 20th century, year 2015, year 2009, year 2011 ...
Place:
japan, russia, hawaii, america, pakistan ...
Similarity:
80%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Ireland, UK, USA
Duration: 98 min.
Story:
In this true story, Veronica Guerin is an investigative reporter for an Irish newspaper. As the drug trade begins to bleed into the mainstream, Guerin decides to take on and expose those responsible. Beginning at the bottom with addicts, Guerin then ...
Style:
suspense, intense, tense, realistic, rough ...
Plot:
journalism, strong female character, gangster, justice, corruption, drug lord, police, drug dealing, heroin, uncover truth, media, tragic hero ...
Time:
90s, year 2003, 20th century
Place:
ireland, dublin ireland, europe, amsterdam, california ...
Similarity:
100%
19K
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min.
Story:
While researching his book In Cold Blood, writer Truman Capote develops a close relationship with convicted murderers Dick Hickock and Perry Smith.
Style:
sincere, emotional, tense, serious, captivating ...
Plot:
gay interest, writers, journalism, gay, murder, obsession, biopic, friendship, writer's life, gossip and rumors, manipulation, character study ...
Time:
1950s, year 2006, 50s, 20th century, 60s
Place:
kansas, manhattan new york city, usa, new york, mexico ...
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min.
Story:
A rising star at agri-industry giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Mark Whitacre suddenly turns whistleblower. Even as he exposes his company’s multi-national price-fixing conspiracy to the FBI, Whitacre envisions himself being hailed as a hero of ...
Style:
dark comedy, black comedy, psychological, tense, witty ...
Plot:
fbi, whistleblower, psychology, mental illness, investigation, undercover, corruption, greed, spy, uncover truth, dishonesty, workplace ...
Time:
20th century, 90s, year 2009, 2000s, year 1994 ...
Place:
usa, illinois, hawaii, tokyo
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: Canada, USA, Germany
Duration: 112 min.
Story:
Based on the experiences of Nebraska cop Kathryn Bolkovac (Rachel Weisz) who discovers a deadly sex trafficking ring while serving as a U.N. peacekeeper in post-war Bosnia. Risking her own life to save the lives of others, she uncovers an ...
Style:
rough, political, educational, intellectual, factual ...
Audience:
girls' night, teens
Plot:
sex trafficking, un, rape, gender, corruption, politics, conspiracy, sex crime, teenage prostitution, investigation, civil war, slavery ...
Time:
90s, 20th century, year 1999, year 2010, 70s ...
Place:
bosnia, bosnia herzegovina, sarajevo, usa, nebraska ...
Similarity:
80%
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min.
Story:
When reporter Rachel Armstrong writes a story that reveals the identity of a covert CIA operative, the government demands that Rachel reveal her source. She defies the special prosecutor and is thrown in jail. Meanwhile, her attorney, Albert ...
Style:
psychological, political, suspenseful, twisted, emotional ...
Plot:
journalism, cia, courtroom drama, reporter, lawyer, media, courtroom, corruption, espionage, murder, conspiracy, assassination attempt ...
Time:
year 2008, 20th century, 21st century
Place:
usa, washington d.c., persia
Similarity:
100%
Movie in collections
Genre: Crime, Drama
Country: France, Belgium
Duration: 137 min.
Story:
Alexandre lives in Lyon with his wife and children. One day, he discovered by chance that the priest who abused him to scouts always officiates with children. He then starts a fight, quickly joined by François and Emmanuel, also victims of the ...
Style:
gothic, disturbing, realistic, suspenseful, psychological ...
Plot:
pedophilia, pedophile priest, children, religion, child abuse, childhood trauma, childhood memory, cardinal the priest, church, catholic church, female nudity, husband wife relationship ...
Time:
year 2014, year 2015, year 2016, year 2019, 2010s
Place:
france, portugal
Similarity:
100%
250K
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 147 min.
Story:
Two gangsters seek revenge on the state jail worker who during their stay at a youth prison sexually abused them. A sensational court hearing takes place to charge him for the crimes.
Style:
disturbing, sadistic, harsh, suspense, suspenseful ...
Audience:
family friendly, teens, teen drama
Plot:
courtroom drama, child abuse, vengeance, childhood, rape, pedophile, lawyer, pedophilia, murder trial, friendship, sexual abuse, sexualized violence ...
Time:
90s, 20th century, 80s, 60s
Place:
new york, manhattan new york city, madison square garden manhattan new york city, usa
Similarity:
83%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min.
Story:
After becoming the winningest coach in college football history, Joe Paterno is embroiled in Penn State's Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal, challenging his legacy and forcing him to face questions of institutional failure regarding the ...
Style:
suspense, disturbing, non-linear, cult classic, independent film ...
Plot:
pedophile, fired from the job, cover up, football, american football, scandal, investigation, conspiracy, media, husband wife relationship, teenager, expose ...
Time:
year 2001, year 2011
Similarity:
100%
274K
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama, History, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 141 min.
Story:
Christine Collins is overjoyed when her kidnapped son is brought back home. But when Christine suspects that the boy returned to her isn't her child, the police captain has her committed to an asylum.
Style:
psychological, heartbreaking, sentimental, tense, touching ...
Audience:
chick flick, adult
Plot:
kidnapping, investigation, fighting the system, serial killer, trial, missing child, disorder, missing person, police corruption, uncover truth, society, corruption ...
Time:
1920s, 2000s, 20th century, year 2008, year 1935 ...
Place:
los angeles, california, usa, canada, seattle
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: Switzerland, UK, USA
Duration: 107 min.
Story:
When Betty Anne Waters' older brother Kenny is arrested for murder and sentenced to life in 1983, Betty Anne, a Massachusetts wife and mother of two, dedicates her life to overturning the murder conviction. Convinced that her brother is ...
Style:
sincere, emotional, inspirational, touching, sad ...
Audience:
family friendly, adult
Plot:
legal, lawyer, courtroom drama, fighting the system, trial, prison, injustice, false accusation, hopes, court, strong female character, freedom ...
Time:
year 1995, year 2001, year 1989, year 1992, 90s ...
Place:
massachusetts, rhode island, usa, boston
Similarity:
100%
Movie in collections
149K
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama, History
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 114 min.
Story:
A biopic of the writer, Truman Capote and his assignment for The New Yorker to write the non-fiction book, 'In Cold Blood'.
Style:
sexy, captivating, dark, dramatic, talky ...
Plot:
prison, writers, lgbtq, literature, biopic, murder, moral dilemma, murderer, journalism, investigation, manipulation, eccentricity ...
Time:
60s, 50s, 1950s, 20th century, year 2005 ...
Place:
kansas, new york, new orleans, europe, spain ...
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: Canada
Duration: 93 min.
Story:
The true story of boys being sexually abused at their orphanage ran by a religious community in Newfoundland.
Style:
realistic, disturbing, bleak, sad, art house ...
Audience:
teens
Plot:
child abuse, pedophilia, child molestation, man boy relationship, catholic priest, childhood, pedophile, lgbt teen, pedophile priest, homosexual rape, catholic orphanage, child molester ...
Time:
70s, year 1975
Place:
canada, newfoundland, london
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama, History, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min.
Story:
The story of Daniel Jones, lead investigator for the US Senate’s sweeping study into the CIA's Detention and Interrogation Program, which was found to be brutal, immoral and ineffective. With the truth at stake, Jones battled tirelessly to ...
Style:
political, political thriller, uplifting, ambiguous ending, psychological ...
Plot:
politics, cia, torture, investigation, corruption, justice, truth, u.s. government, whistleblower, war crime, government corruption, humiliation ...
Time:
2010s, september 11 2001, 2000s, year 2019
Place:
washington d.c., san francisco
Similarity:
100%
135K
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 109 min.
Story:
Based on the real scandal, BOMBSHELL is a revealing look inside the most powerful and controversial media empire of all time; and the explosive story of the women who brought down the infamous man who created it.
Style:
political, uplifting, sad, deep, social ...
Audience:
girls' night, chick flick, adult
Plot:
sexual harassment, photograph, propaganda, news anchor, secret relationship, journalism, feminist, scandal, sexism, abuse of power, mother daughter relationship, quitting a job ...
Time:
2010s, year 2016, year 2019, year 2006, 2000s
Place:
manhattan new york city, new york, cleveland ohio
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min.
Story:
After a young woman suffers a brutal rape in a bar one night, a prosecutor assists in bringing the perpetrators to justice, including the ones who encouraged and cheered on the attack.
Style:
disturbing, thought provoking, realistic, poignant, rough ...
Audience:
girls' night
Plot:
courtroom drama, rape, injustice, sexual assault, rape victim, violence, gang rape, sexual abuse, violence against women, legal action, fraternity, legal ...
Time:
80s, 20th century, year 1988
Place:
massachusetts, boston, usa, washington d.c., washington state ...
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Germany
Duration: 102 min.
Story:
Two fathers' lives intersect when one of them is involved in a terrible and sudden hit-and-run car accident that leaves the other's son dead. In response, the two men (Joaquin Phoenix and Mark Ruffalo) react in unexpected ways as a ...
Style:
psychological, intense, suspenseful, bleak, emotional ...
Plot:
redemption, obsession, investigation, revenge, dysfunctional family, losing-it hero, lawyer, character study, family problems, parents and children, cover up, death in the family ...
Time:
year 2007, 21st century
Place:
usa, boston
Similarity:
100%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 131 min.
Story:
Richard Jewell thinks quick, works fast, and saves hundreds, perhaps thousands, of lives after a domestic terrorist plants several pipe bombs and they explode during a concert, only to be falsely suspected of the crime by sloppy FBI work and ...
Style:
tense, sad, realistic, factual, suspense ...
Plot:
lawyer, false accusation, wrongful arrest, scapegoat, media frenzy, terrorist, fbi, federal bureau of investigation, biopic, security guard, friendship between men, media circus ...
Time:
year 1996, 90s, 2010s, year 2019, year 1986 ...
Place:
atlanta georgia, georgia, usa
Similarity:
67%
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