Movies Like The Surface (2014)

The Surface is a 2014 drama, thriller film from Gil Cates Jr. with a MovieMagicScore of 5.0/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Song Sung Blue and Lake Michigan Monster.

Drama Thriller

Song Sung Blue

2025

Based on a true story, two down-on-their-luck musicians form a joyous Neil Diamond tribute band, proving it's never too late to find love and follow your dreams.

7.4

MagicScore

Lake Michigan Monster

2018

An eccentric sea captain assembles a motley ship crew in a revenge mission to slay the sea monster lurking in Lake Michigan that killed his father.

6.8

MagicScore

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

2011

A highly intelligent chimpanzee named Caesar has been living a peaceful suburban life ever since he was born. But when he gets taken to a cruel primate facility, Caesar decides to revolt against those who have harmed him.

7.3

MagicScore

Inside

2006

Alex has a disturbing hobby of following strangers...until one night he gets caught. Instead of calling the police, the couple--fascinated by Alex's resemblance to their dead son--asks him to stay, and Alex finds himself trapped in a horrifying existence of desperation, despair, and insanity.

4.1

MagicScore

Triple Dog

2010

On the night of a sleepover, a group of teenage girls venture out in a competitive game of challenging dares. As the antics escalate, and the dares become more extreme, the girls unravel the truth behind a former student's rumored suicide.

5.7

MagicScore

Midsummer

2003

It is the last day of school for Christian and his younger sister Sophie. They are heading to a party at his friend Trina. High school graduation is just around the corner and after the freedom and future. But behind the idyllic facade lurks tragedy and secrets. That evening Sophie commits suicide.

5.0

MagicScore

Mother Küsters Goes to Heaven

1975

After a worker kills a superior and commits suicide, each of his family members attempts to forge a path forward in life.

7.6

MagicScore

Outside Providence

1999

In this coming-of-age comedy, Tim Dunphy is leading a go-nowhere existence, spending his days smoking pot and hanging out with his best friend, Drugs Delaney. But Tim's lazy days of getting high are jettisoned after a brush with the law convinces his blue-collar dad to send him to a Connecticut prep school. The one saving grace of the new school is Jane, a fellow student Tim falls for immediately.

5.8

MagicScore

Close

2022

Two 13-year-old boys spend an idyllic summer together, but their connection is put to the test when they become the subject of speculation at school.

7.8

MagicScore

#10

1945

2017

An unsettling feeling overwhelms a small Hungarian town when two orthodox Jews arrive with a mysterious trunk. As residents begin to speculate on the purpose of the visit of these two strangers, order starts to crumble in town with some pursuing devious plans and others finding remorse in their hearts.

7.0

MagicScore

#11

First Reformed

2018

A pastor of a small church in upstate New York starts to spiral out of control after a soul-shaking encounter with an unstable environmental activist and his pregnant wife.

7.0

MagicScore

#12

Dear Evan Hansen

2021

Evan Hansen, a high schooler with social anxiety, unintentionally gets caught up in a lie after the family of a classmate who committed suicide mistakes one of Hansen’s letters for their son’s suicide note.

6.3

MagicScore

#13

After Death

1915

Young scholar Andrei, fascinated by haunting actress Zoia Kadmina, is surprised when she sends him a note. The two have a brief scheduled meeting, then three months later Andrei is shocked to learn she has died. He becomes obsessed with Zoia's memory and decides he must find out all that he can about her.

6.0

MagicScore

#14

Smile 2

2024

About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.

6.6

MagicScore

#15

Nautanki Saala!

2013

Ram, a successful theatre artist, saves Mandar from committing suicide. He then ends up developing a special bond with Mandar and even helps solve his problems.

5.1

MagicScore

#16

Road to Perdition

2002

Mike Sullivan works as a hit man for crime boss John Rooney. Sullivan views Rooney as a father figure, however after his son is witness to a killing, Mike Sullivan finds himself on the run in attempt to save the life of his son and at the same time looking for revenge on those who wronged him.

7.3

MagicScore

#17

Into the Forest

2016

In the not too distant future, two young women who live in a remote ancient forest discover the world around them is on the brink of an apocalypse. Informed only by rumor, they fight intruders, disease, loneliness & starvation.

5.8

MagicScore

#18

The Diamond Arm

1969

A diamond smuggling operation goes wrong when an ordinary Soviet citizen becomes unwittingly involved, and the criminals are forced to court him to retrieve their diamonds.

7.8

MagicScore

#19

Killing Gunther

2017

A group of eccentric assassins are fed up with Gunther, the world's greatest hitman, and decide to kill him – but their plan turns into a series of bungled encounters as Gunther seems to always be one step ahead.

4.8

MagicScore

#20

Straight Outta Compton

2015

In 1987, five young men, using brutally honest rhymes and hardcore beats, put their frustration and anger about life in the most dangerous place in America into the most powerful weapon they had: their music. Taking us back to where it all began, Straight Outta Compton tells the true story of how these cultural rebels—armed only with their lyrics, swagger, bravado and raw talent—stood up to the authorities that meant to keep them down and formed the world’s most dangerous group, N.W.A. And as they spoke the truth that no one had before and exposed life in the hood, their voice ignited a social revolution that is still reverberating today.

7.8

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like The Surface?

The top films similar to The Surface by MovieMagicScore are Song Sung Blue (7.4), Lake Michigan Monster (6.8), Rise of the Planet of the Apes (7.3). Each shares drama/thriller themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is The Surface worth watching?

The Surface holds a MovieMagicScore of 5.0/10 from 20 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is The Surface?

The Surface (2014) is a drama, thriller film directed by Gil Cates Jr., starring Sean Astin, Mimi Rogers, Chris Mulkey.

Where can I find more recommendations like The Surface?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more drama recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like Song Sung Blue Movies like Lake Michigan Monster Movies like Rise of the Planet of the Apes Movies like Inside Movies like Triple Dog Movies like Midsummer

About movies like The Surface

This ranked list pairs The Surface (2014), a drama and thriller film from Gil Cates Jr., with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Sean Astin take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

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