Movies Like The White Ribbon (2009)

The White Ribbon is a 2009 drama, mystery film from Michael Haneke with a MovieMagicScore of 7.5/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with The Color Purple and Henry Gamble's Birthday Party.

Drama Mystery

The Color Purple

2023

A decades-spanning tale of love and resilience and of one woman's journey to independence. Celie faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately finds extraordinary strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.

7.0

MagicScore

Henry Gamble's Birthday Party

2015

Unfolding over the course of one very eventful day in his life, at 17-year-old preacher’s kid Henry's afternoon birthday pool party, the guests include an assortment of grown-ups from the family church, as well as Henry’s secular and religious teen friends — including the closeted young Logan, who clearly has eyes for Henry.

5.9

MagicScore

Dune

1984

In the year 10,191, the most precious substance in the universe is the spice Melange. The spice extends life. The spice expands consciousness. The spice is vital to space travel. The spice exists on only one planet in the entire universe, the vast desert planet Arrakis, also known as Dune. Its native inhabitants, the Fremen, have long held a prophecy that a man would come, a messiah who would lead them to true freedom.

6.2

MagicScore

Daniel & Ana

2009

Being kidnapped shatters a brother and sister's harmony, forcing them to confront their desires.

6.7

MagicScore

King of Devil's Island

2010

Norwegian winter, 1915. On the island Bastøy, outside Oslo, a group of young boys aged 11 to 18, are held in an institution for delinquent youth, notorious for its sadistic regime. One day a new boy, Erling, arrives, determined to escape from the island. After a tragic incident, he ends up leading the boys in a violent uprising. When the boys manage to take over the island, 150 soldiers are sent in to restore order.

7.1

MagicScore

Sleepers

1996

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.

7.6

MagicScore

Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot

2024

Led by Donna and Reverend W.C. Martin, 22 families from a rural Black church in the small East Texas town of Possum Trot adopt 77 of the most difficult-to-place kids in the foster system and kickstart a movement in the process.

7.0

MagicScore

Lifted

2010

The chance to shine in a singing competition offers much-needed hope for a Southern middle-schooler who's drowning in worries, from bullies in the halls to turmoil at home -- and the news that his reservist father has been called back to Afghanistan.

7.0

MagicScore

Joshua

2007

The arrival of a newborn girl causes the gradual disintegration of the Cairn family; particularly for 9-year-old Joshua, an eccentric boy whose proper upbringing and refined tastes both take a sinister turn.

5.7

MagicScore

#10

Mary Poppins

1964

Mr Banks is looking for a nanny for his two mischievous children and comes across Mary Poppins, an angelic nanny. She not only brings a change in their lives but also spreads happiness.

7.6

MagicScore

#11

Strange Circus

2005

The erotic novelist Taeko is writing a morbid story of a family destroyed by incest, murder and abuse. Her assistant, Yuji, sets on a mission to uncover the reality of this story, but the reality might be too much to bear.

7.2

MagicScore

#12

The Insect Woman

1963

A woman, Tome, is born to a lower class family in Japan in 1918. The title refers to an insect, repeating its mistakes, as in an infinite circle. Imamura, with this metaphor, introduces the life of Tome, who keeps trying to change her poor life.

7.2

MagicScore

#13

Exploits of a Young Don Juan

1986

In 1914, sixteen year old Roger returned home from boarding school during vacation to find his puberty hit hard in a house filled with beautiful women. These women have previous engagements with other men who are away, and during this time, Roger impregnates them all, including his aunt and sister, then devises plans to cuckold the men.

6.0

MagicScore

#14

Short Term 12

2013

Grace, a compassionate young supervisor at a foster care facility, helps at-risk teens. But when a new charge dredges up memories of her own troubled past, Grace's tough exterior begins eroding.

7.8

MagicScore

#15

For My Brother

2014

The two brothers Aske and Bastian live with their father, Lasse, in a world of fear, violence and alcohol but the brothers' strong and close relationship means everything. Aske must serve his father's sexual needs, as well as paying customers and his father's friend, Hans. Aske tries everything to keep his little brother out of it all so that he won't experience the same as himself. But one day Bastian is abused by their father. The brothers choose to move to Norway, far away in the beautiful mountains. Their friendship outshines everything! They are together and far away from their evil father...

7.6

MagicScore

#16

Boy A

2008

Freed after a lengthy term in a juvenile detention center, convicted child killer Jack Burridge finds work as a deliveryman and begins dating co-worker Michelle. While out on the road one day, Jack notices a distressed child, and, after reuniting the girl with her family, becomes a local celebrity. But when a local newspaper unearths his past, Jack must cope with the anger of citizens who fear for the safety of their children.

7.1

MagicScore

#17

Climax

2018

When a dance troupe is lured to an empty school, a bowl of drug-laced sangria causes their jubilant rehearsal to descend into a dark and explosive nightmare as they try to survive the night—and find who's responsible—before it's too late.

7.0

MagicScore

#18

The People Under the Stairs

1991

Trapped inside a fortified home owned by a mysterious couple, a young boy quickly learns the true nature of the homicidal inhabitants, and secret creatures hidden deep within the walls.

6.5

MagicScore

#19

Priest

1995

The deeply held religious convictions of an idealistic young priest are challenged when he must face extraordinary events within his own congregation.

6.3

MagicScore

#20

Brotherly

2008

Based on a true story of two brothers in 1970's Ohio. It tells of their abandonment by their alcoholic parents and how the brothers turned to each other for support.

6.2

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like The White Ribbon?

The top films similar to The White Ribbon by MovieMagicScore are The Color Purple (7.0), Henry Gamble's Birthday Party (5.9), Dune (6.2). Each shares drama/mystery themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is The White Ribbon worth watching?

The White Ribbon holds a MovieMagicScore of 7.5/10 from 1,077 viewer ratings, putting it among the better-reviewed titles in its genre.

What kind of movie is The White Ribbon?

The White Ribbon (2009) is a drama, mystery film directed by Michael Haneke, starring Christian Friedel, Ernst Jacobi, Leonie Benesch.

Where can I find more recommendations like The White Ribbon?

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 The Color Purple Movies like Henry Gamble's Birthday Party Movies like Dune Movies like Daniel & Ana Movies like King of Devil's Island Movies like Sleepers

About movies like The White Ribbon

This ranked list pairs The White Ribbon (2009), a drama and mystery film from Michael Haneke, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Christian Friedel 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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