10 Best Movies Like Belfast

Belfast is among the multiple modern-day black-and-white films and classics that share common themes of nationality, identity, family, and innocence.

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Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast is a memorable film for a number of reasons. The film is set during a specific time in Ireland, giving the audience insight into a part of history they might not have been aware of. Branagh frames this piece of history, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, from the perspective of a child, bringing in new questions of innocence and family.

All of this is displayed on screen in black-and-white, an on-trend aesthetic of modern cinematic masterpieces. Because there are multiple elements that make Belfast great, it is easy to find a similar film to watch.

Frances Ha (2012) – Stream On AMC+

Frances Ha, the brainchild of indie-filmmakers Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach, follows the title character as she stumbles through New York, trying to accomplish her dreams.

The nature of the film’s script and its black-and-white aesthetic make it seem mundane to some but realistic to others. It’s what some would call a hipster movie. It is similar to Belfast not only because of its aesthetic but also because of its strong characterization. As we watch Frances try and fail to get her life together, we sympathize with her and wish her the best.

The Forty-Year-Old Version (2020) – Stream On Netflix

The Forty-Year-Old Version is an example of the dozen or so modern black-and-white films that emerged during the 2010s and 2020s. Like Belfast, its aesthetic helps the viewer focus on the characters while also taking in the ways in which light and shadow play into each scene.

The film follows Radha, played by writer/director Radha Blank, a playwright who is approaching her 40th birthday with no substantial accomplishments under her belt. Determined to find her place in the arts, she dabbles into the world of rap music as RadhaMUSPrime.

Nebraska (2013) – Stream On Showtime

Nebraska is a dark comedy, available on Showtime, that follows a father-son duo as they travel to the state to claim a million-dollar sweepstakes prize. The relationship between the two is estranged, which helps to create a contrast between the characters and darken the humor.

Like Belfast, the film is featured in black-and-white. The aesthetic gives the film a sense of affirmation, convincing the viewer that it is a worthwhile watch. Featuring stand-out performances from Bruce Dern and Will Forte, Nebraska’s story revolves around a totally different father-son relationship than Belfast, one that has become distant over time.

To Kill A Mockingbird (1962) – Rent On Apple TV+

Based on the classic novel by Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird tells the story of a lawyer who takes on a case to defend a black man accused of raping a young woman during the Great Depression.

Although this film is on the older side, it has some of the same themes as Belfast. To Kill A Mockingbird features a child that bears witness to prejudice she does not understand, as the lead lawyer, Atticus Finch, has a daughter who sees the extreme racism in her Alabama town first-hand.

Ivan’s Childhood (1962) – Stream On The Criterion Channel

Ivan’s Childhood, the debut film by Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky, is another film that features a young boy trying to understand the conflict that is occurring around him. The film follows Ivan, an orphan in World War II Germany.

Much like how Buddy tries to understand the conflict affecting his parents during the Troubles, Ivan tries to understand the reason why his parents were killed by German forces. The film is considered a classic by cinephiles and can be a rather challenging watch due to its non-linear plot.

Hunger (2008) – Stream On AMC+

Hunger is a historical drama about the Provisional Irish Republican Army-led hunger strike in 1981. It stars Michael Fassbender as Bobby Sands, the man who led the strike and participated in a protest against British rule over Northern Ireland.

Like Belfast, Hunger is a critically acclaimed film that depicts a specific moment in Ireland’s history. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008 and was awarded the Caméra d’Or. It was praised for its exceptional acting and its status as the debut film of its director Steve McQueen.

The Crying Game (1992) – Stream On Paramount+

Irish director Neil Jordan’s film set against the Troubles in Ireland depicts this era from a completely different perspective than is seen in Belfast. The film follows an Irish Republican Army soldier who forms a friendship with a kidnapped British soldier who is kept under his watch.

Viewers were pleased with the film’s complexity and its exploration of the themes of race, sexuality, and nationality. It is definitely a much darker film than Belfast, making it an excellent choice for a double feature. The Crying Game won the Oscar for Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen in 1993.

Cold War (2018) – Stream On Prime Video

Cold War is a modern black-and-white film that centers around a couple during times of conflict and unrest. Set against the Cold War in Poland and France, the film follows the love story between a music director and a singer. While the themes of childhood are missing, Cold War does have an aesthetic and sense of specific time and space that mirrors those of Belfast.

The film features exquisite cinematography and career-making performances from its two leads, Tomasz Kot and Joanna Kulig. It was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Achievement in Cinematography.

Roma (2018) – Stream On Netflix

Alfonso Cuarón’s award-winning love letter to his beloved Mexico City is a modern classic. The film tells the story of Cleo, a maid working for a middle-class family in 1970s Mexico. Cleo practically raises her employer’s children, which creates a strong sense of family that mirrors that of Buddy’s family in Belfast.

Also shot black-and-white, the film is gorgeous and earned Cuarón his first Oscar for cinematography. Equally deserving were its wins for Best Director and Best Foreign Language Film. Much like Belfast, you can really feel the director’s presence and when you watch Roma. It was a true passion project.

Jojo Rabbit (2019) – Rent on Apple TV+

Jojo Rabbit is Belfast’s tonal opposite. It’s funny and bright and features more scenes of humor than uncertainty. However, it does mirror many of the film’s themes, including those of innocence, nationality, family, and conflict.

Directed by New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi, the movie follows Jojo, a young boy in Nazi Germany who joins the Hitler Youth. Although he has a strong sense of duty, Jojo begins to question his teachings after meeting a Jewish girl who has been hiding in his home.

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