Social problems movies and TV shows
The list contains the best, new and most relevant social problems movies ordered by relevance. The recommendation service has sorted out disturbing, psychological, captivating, sincere, serious and emotional films and TV shows about / with social problems, society, teenager, coming of age, life is a bitch, love, violence, family relations, friendship and psychological drama plots mostly in Drama, Thriller and Crime genres shot in USA, UK, Germany and other countries.
3130
TOP 10 movies tagged as social problems: Detachment (2011), Luce (2019), System Crasher (2019), Atypical (2017), Magnolia (1999), Better Days (2019), Young Royals (2021), Critical Thinking (2020), Piggies (2009), Sin Nombre (2009).
Best films
New films
| Bedspacer (2024) | 4.3 | |
| Malu (2024) | 7.5 | |
| Humane (2024) | 5.5 | |
| The Paradise of Thorns (2024) | 7.6 | |
| Winner (2024) | 6.5 |
List of social problems movies
110K
Genre: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min.
Story:
A chronicle of three weeks in the lives of several high school teachers, administrators and students through the eyes of substitute teacher, Henry Barthes. Henry roams from school to school, imparting modes of knowledge, but never staying long ...
Style:
psychological, depressing, bleak, thought provoking, independent film ...
Audience:
teens
Plot:
teacher, depression, suicide, teachers and students, dedicated educator, school, unhappy, social problems, high school life, teen angst, human relationship, social decay ...
Time:
2010s, 21st century
Place:
usa
Is relevant?
16K
Genre: Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min.
Story:
A star athlete and top student, Luce's idealized image is challenged by one of his teachers when his unsettling views on political violence come to light, putting a strain on family bonds while igniting intense debates on race and identity.
Style:
psychological, thought provoking, suspense, non-linear, art film ...
Audience:
adult
Plot:
social problems, track and field, cheerleader, interracial, african american, trust, doubt, politics, injustice, drinking, promise, teenager ...
Place:
middle east, ohio
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama
Country: Germany
Duration: 125 min.
Story:
The wild and energetic journey of 9-year-old girl Benni through all possible stations of German Child Proctective Services.
Style:
psychological, disturbing, sincere, realistic, sad ...
Plot:
problem child, teenager, outcast, social outcast, social problems, parents and children, trauma, emotional abuse, anger issues, violence, loneliness, flashback ...
Time:
year 2019
Place:
germany, central europe
Is relevant?
113K
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min.
TV show
Story:
Sam, an 18-year-old on the autism spectrum, takes a funny, yet painful, journey of self-discovery for love and independence and upends his family.
Style:
light, sincere, saga, humorous, comedy drama ...
Audience:
girls' night, teens, family friendly, teen drama
Plot:
autism, coming of age, teenager, lesbian relationship, lesbian, social problems, sapphic, teenage protagonist, high school, penguins, lgbt, asperger's syndrome ...
Time:
2010s, 2020s, 21st century
Place:
connecticut
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
348K
Genre: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 188 min.
Story:
An epic mosaic of many interrelated characters in search of happiness, forgiveness, and meaning in the San Fernando Valley.
Style:
cerebral, clever, depressing, sincere, sexy ...
Audience:
chick flick, adult
Plot:
multiple storylines, social problems, human nature, child prodigy, coincidence, depression, sex, cancer, fictional game show, father son relationship, dysfunctional family, terminal illness ...
Time:
20th century, 90s, year 1999, 60s, 1950s ...
Place:
los angeles, california, reno nevada
Is relevant?
Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance, Thriller
Country: China, Hong Kong, UK
Duration: 135 min.
Story:
A bullied teenage girl forms an unlikely friendship with a mysterious young man who protects her from her assailants, while she copes with the pressures of her final examinations.
Style:
brutal, disturbing, enigmatic, social, romantic ...
Audience:
teens
Plot:
bullying, friendship, grownups, love and romance, murder, social problems, relationships, romantic relationship, asian, love, chaos, dishonesty ...
Place:
china
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Romance
Country: Sweden
Duration: 50 min.
TV show
Story:
Prince Wilhelm adjusts to life at his prestigious new boarding school, Hillerska, but following his heart proves more challenging than anticipated.
Style:
disturbing, romantic, captivating, saga, psychological ...
Audience:
teen drama
Plot:
lgbt, gay, lgbtq, gay interest, gay youth, gay lead character, heir to the throne, royal family, forbidden love, teenager, teenage boy, love affair ...
Time:
2020s, 21st century
Place:
eastern europe
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min.
Story:
Based on a true story from 1998, five Latino and Black teenagers from the toughest underserved ghetto in Miami fight their way into the National Chess Championship under the guidance of their unconventional but inspirational teacher.
Style:
contemplative, thought provoking, captivating, psychological, independent film ...
Plot:
chess, social problems, misfit, high school, life is a bitch, society, dedicated educator, human relationship, teacher, city, unconventional method, youth ...
Place:
miami
Is relevant?
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Romance
Country: Japan
Duration: 25 min.
TV show
Story:
Down-on-his-luck Koushi Nagumo wanders the streets unemployed, homeless and in search of his next meal. His fortunes improve after a chance meeting with a vivacious young woman whose proposition seemingly solves nearly all his problems. Thanks to ...
Style:
anime, ecchi, humorous, sincere, entertaining ...
Plot:
harem, dormitory, changing lives, teenage life, social problems, slice of life, teenager, sorority, college, fish out of water, college campus, heartwarming ...
Is relevant?
652
Genre: Drama
Country: Poland, Germany
Duration: 94 min.
Story:
Tomek is 14 and a good student. He's interested in astronomy and plays football to please his father. The only thing is, he lives in a poor little border town plagued by unemployment, whereas across the river lies Germany with all its relative ...
Style:
captivating, suspense, disturbing
Plot:
rent boy, abused child, teenage prostitution, teenage protagonist, troubled teen, male prostitution, friendship between boys, 13 year old, boy in peril, child protagonist, best friend, social problems ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Adventure, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Mexico
Duration: 96 min.
Story:
Set on the border, where Mexico becomes the crucible and the fearsome gangs of today’s Mexican countryside, the gauntlet, to freedom. The stories of a girl living in Honduras and hungering for a brighter future, and two teen gang members, for whom ...
Style:
road movie, serious, disturbing, bleak, suspenseful ...
Audience:
teen drama
Plot:
gang, immigrant, u.s. mexico border, street gang, juvenile delinquency, gang member, social problems, family reunited, mexican drug cartel, illegal immigrant, rape, death ...
Time:
year 2009, 21st century
Place:
latin america, mexico, south america, central america, mexico city ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Crime, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: Thailand
Duration: 45 min.
TV show
Story:
A mysterious, clever girl named Nanno transfers to different schools, exposing the lies and misdeeds of the students and faculty at every turn.
Style:
atmospheric, mysterious, serious, horror comedy, psychological horror ...
Plot:
death, violence, social problems, high school, victim, school, vigilantism, murder, bullying, teenager, revenge, bully comeuppance ...
Place:
thailand
Is relevant?
Related movie lists
Genre: Drama
Country: Belgium, France, Italy
Duration: 87 min.
Story:
Abandoned by his father, a young boy is left in the hands of an unqualified childcare provider.
Style:
emotional, atmospheric, disturbing, realistic, independent film ...
Plot:
childhood, kids in trouble, youth, boy, realism, adoption, social problems, life is a bitch, street kid, society, parents and children, coming of age ...
Time:
year 2012, year 2011, 2010s, 21st century
Place:
france, belgium
Is relevant?
105K
Genre: Drama, Musical
Country: India, USA
Duration: 189 min.
Story:
Set in modern day India, Swades is a film that tackles the issues that development throws up on a grass root level. It is to this India, which is colorful, heterogeneous and complex that Mohan Bhargava (Shah Rukh Khan), a bright young scientist ...
Style:
touching, sincere, inspirational, sentimental, cult classic ...
Audience:
family outing
Plot:
poverty, discrimination, immigrant, self discovery, human spirit, follow your dream, obsessive quest, journey, social differences, homecoming, change of heart, social issues ...
Time:
year 2004, y2k, 2000s, 21st century
Place:
india, middle east, asia
Is relevant?
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Germany
Duration: 45 min.
TV show
Story:
Colognian commissioner Gereon Rath moves to Berlin, the epicenter of political and social changes in the Golden Twenties.
Style:
atmospheric, neo noir, costume drama, captivating, tense ...
Plot:
espionage, german history, social problems, political intrigue, interwar period, unsolved crime, police detective, conspiracy, national socialism, european history, police investigation, world war two ...
Time:
1920s, pre world war two, year 1929, 1930s, 20th century
Place:
berlin germany, germany
Is relevant?
Genre: Crime, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 101 min.
Story:
A story about a troubled boy growing up in England, set in 1983. He comes across a few skinheads on his way home from school, after a fight. They become his new best friends even like family. Based on experiences of director Shane Meadows.
Style:
political, depressing, cult classic, stylized, harsh ...
Audience:
teens, pre-teens
Plot:
skinhead, racism, childhood, friendship, coming of age, neo nazi, adolescence, nationalism, boy, children, youth, violent ...
Time:
80s, year 1983, year 2006, 2000s, 20th century
Place:
england, britain, northern england, united kingdom, europe ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min.
Story:
A thirty-seven-year-old woman wakes up from a twenty-year coma and returns to the high school where she was once a popular cheerleader to finish her senior year and become prom queen. The main plot is the empowerment of LGBTQ rights and progress ...
Style:
satirical, captivating, disturbing, psychological, semi serious ...
Audience:
teens, chick flick
Plot:
cheerleading, satire, school, cheerleader, social problems, high school, female protagonist, middle aged, high school life, high school prom, schoolgirl, middle aged woman ...
Time:
year 1997, 2020s, year 2002, 2000s, 90s
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min.
Story:
In the wake of a school tragedy, Vada, Mia and Quinton form a unique and dynamic bond as they navigate the never linear, often confusing journey to heal in a world that feels forever changed.
Style:
suspense, emotional, disturbing, teen, psychological ...
Audience:
teen drama
Plot:
lgbt, school shooting, teenage life, psychological trauma, post traumatic stress, family problems, social problems, tragic event, teenager, high school student, lesbian love, teenage crush ...
Is relevant?
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Genre: Animation, Drama, Music, Romance
Country: Japan
Duration: 87 min.
Story:
After meeting one bright, sunny day, a shy boy who expresses himself through haiku and a bubbly but self-conscious girl share a brief, magical summer.
Style:
anime, sincere, captivating, romantic, disturbing ...
Plot:
shy girl, slice of life, social problems, friendship, love, teenager, chance meeting, small town, boyfriend girlfriend relationship, fall in love, couples, romantic relationship ...
Is relevant?
15K
Genre: Drama, Family
Country: South Korea
Duration: 70 min.
TV show
Story:
In a world that is less than kind, a young woman and a middle-aged man develop a sense of kinship as they find warmth and comfort in one another.
Style:
dorama, sincere, psychological, suspense, captivating ...
Plot:
hardship, healing, relationships, life is a bitch, social problems, male female relationship, loneliness, employee employee relationship, workplace, coworker, lifestyle, co worker co worker relationship ...
Time:
2010s
Place:
east asia, thailand
Is relevant?
12K
Genre: Biography, Drama, History, Romance
Country: France, UK, Thailand
Duration: 132 min.
Story:
The film is about the life of Aung San Suu Kyi (Yeoh) who spent more than a decade under house arrest. David Thewlis portrays Suu Kyi's husband, Dr. Michael Aris. Rebecca Frayn began working on the project after she and her husband, producer ...
Style:
sincere, touching, realistic, sentimental, educational ...
Plot:
military dictatorship, politics, resistance, social problems, election, human spirit, leadership, social activist, selflessness, tragic love, idealism, biopic ...
Time:
1940s, 20th century, 80s, year 1998, year 1947 ...
Place:
burma, france, china, asia, oxford university
Is relevant?
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min.
TV show
Story:
The Practice is an American legal drama created by David E. Kelley centering on the partners and associates at a Boston law firm. Running for eight seasons on ABC from 1997 to 2004, the show won the Emmy in 1998 and 1999 for Best Drama Series, and ...
Style:
tense, serious, realistic, thrilling, intense ...
Plot:
law firm, lawyer, courtroom drama, legal, hotshot lawyer, courtroom, social problems, moral dilemma, dishonesty, workplace, dedicated lawyer, injustice ...
Time:
90s, 20th century, 2000s, 21st century
Place:
boston, las vegas, massachusetts, usa
Is relevant?
91K
Genre: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min.
Story:
A controversial portrayal of teens in New York City which exposes a deeply disturbing world of sex and substance abuse. The film focuses on a sexually reckless, freckle-faced boy named Telly, whose goal is to have sex with as many different girls as ...
Style:
disturbing, independent film, controversial, bleak, teen ...
Audience:
teens, chick flick, kids, teen drama
Plot:
coming of age, aids, innocence lost, youth, drug abuse, virginity, underage sex, teenage boy, street kid, puberty, sex, teenager ...
Time:
90s
Place:
new york, seattle, los angeles, usa, new jersey
Is relevant?
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19K
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Germany, USA, Mexico
Duration: 120 min.
Story:
A Texas cop (Kevin Kline), whose own daughter might have been forced into sexual slavery, joins forces with a Mexican youth (Cesar Ramos) to find the boy's sister, who was abducted and forced into prostitution. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian woman who ...
Style:
sexy, rough, detective, suspenseful, disturbing ...
Audience:
teen drama
Plot:
human trafficking, kidnapping, missing child, sexual abuse, child molestation, sex slavery, slavery, child rape, rescue, child molester, forced prostitution, humiliation ...
Time:
year 2007, 2000s, 21st century
Place:
new jersey, mexico city, poland, texas, el paso texas ...
Is relevant?
105K
Genre: Animation, Biography, Drama, History, War
Country: France, USA
Duration: 96 min.
Story:
In 1970s Iran, Marjane 'Marji' Statrapi watches events through her young eyes and her idealistic family of a long dream being fulfilled of the hated Shah's defeat in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. However as Marji grows up, she ...
Style:
adult animation, political, black and white, visually stunning, serious ...
Audience:
teens, kids, pre-teens, teen drama, adult
Plot:
coming of age, revolution, feminist, female protagonist, politics, iraq iran war, self discovery, biopic, childhood, repression, adolescence, culture clash ...
Time:
80s, year 2007, 70s, 20th century, year 1978 ...
Place:
iran, middle east, tehran iran, france, vienna ...
Is relevant?
1.7M
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: USA, Canada, Australia
Duration: 122 min.
Story:
During the 1980s, a failed stand-up comedian is driven insane and turns to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City while becoming an infamous psychopathic crime figure.
Style:
thought provoking, atmospheric, suspense, bleak, psychological thriller ...
Audience:
teens, adult
Plot:
mental illness, villain, loneliness, mental patient, psycho, comedian, psychological trauma, mental disorder, psychopath, social problems, insanity, social decay ...
Time:
2010s, 80s, year 2019, 20th century, year 1981
Place:
new york, new jersey, los angeles, persia, bronx new york city
Is relevant?
Genre: Animation, Comedy
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min.
TV show
Story:
Wonder Showzen is an American sketch comedy television series that aired between 2005 and 2006 on MTV2. It was created by John Lee and Vernon Chatman of PFFR. The show is rated TV-MA.
The show's format is that of educational PBS ...
Style:
parody, surreal, sketch comedy, adult animation, not serious ...
Audience:
kids, teens, adult
Plot:
puppet, social satire, children, absurd humor, satire, social problems, racial slur, religions or cults, disorder, dark humor, stupidity, society ...
Time:
2000s, 70s, 21st century
Is relevant?
15K
Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Thriller
Country: South Korea
Duration: 65 min.
TV show
Story:
A new type of deadly virus spread throughout the city, and the apartment where has different social classes of people is sealed off. With the fear of the virus, and the conflicts of the different classes, the residents have to spend and survive in ...
Style:
dorama, apocalyptic, tense, suspense, disturbing ...
Plot:
epidemic, apartment building, locked in, zombie, illness, survival, virus, social problems, struggle for survival, isolated place, society, fighting illness ...
Time:
near future
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Country: Ireland, Belgium, USA, Denmark, UK
Duration: 96 min.
Story:
A haunting and nightmarish tale that tells the story of Selah, a young girl born into a repressive cult known as the Flock. The members of the Flock – all women and female children– live in a rural compound, and are led by one man, known only as ...
Style:
psychological, suspense, enigmatic, disturbing, suspenseful ...
Plot:
religious cult, religious leader, female protagonist, community, forest, cult leader, brutality, teenage sexuality, polygamy, woman, menstruation, coming of age ...
Is relevant?
Genre: Drama
Country: Ukraine
Duration: 50 min.
TV show
Story:
The series revolves around the lives of Ukrainian teenagers in a secondary school class. The teenagers struggle with bullying, including the Blue Whale Challenge, lack of parental support, suicidal behavior, LGBT identity crises-a subject that is ...
Style:
suspenseful, captivating, tense, suspense, psychological
Plot:
teen suicide, secret, father son relationship, gay son, high school, teenage boy, depression, social media, teenage life, coming of age, homosexuality, gay teenager ...
Time:
year 1919
Place:
ukraine
Is relevant?
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