Movies Like They Call Us Monsters (2016)

They Call Us Monsters is a 2016 documentary film from Ben Lear with a MovieMagicScore of 6.7/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Perro callejero and Shoeshine.

Documentary

Perro callejero

1980

An abandoned child steals to survive and has problems when he decides to steal from the priest who helps him.

7.9

MagicScore

Shoeshine

1946

Two shoeshine boys in postwar Rome, Italy save up to buy a horse, but their involvement as dupes in a burglary lands them in juvenile prison; the experience take a devastating toll on their friendship.

7.8

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

American Me

1992

During his 18 years in Folsom Prison, street-gang leader Santana rules over all the drug-and-murder activities behind bars. Upon his release, Santana goes back to his old neighborhood, intending to lead a peaceful, crime-free life. But his old gang buddies force him back into his old habits.

7.4

MagicScore

Bad Boys

1983

Mick O'Brien is a young Chicago street thug torn between a life of petty crime and the love of his girlfriend. But when the heist of a local drug dealer goes tragically wrong Mick is sentenced to a brutal juvenile prison where violence is a rite of passage and respect is measured in vengeance.

7.0

MagicScore

Scrubbers

1982

Inmates fight, pair off, try suicide and attempt escape at a British reform school for girls.

5.0

MagicScore

Starred Up

2014

19-year-old Eric, arrogant and ultra-violent, is prematurely transferred to the same adult prison facility as his estranged father. As his explosive temper quickly finds him enemies in both prison authorities and fellow inmates — and his already volatile relationship with his father is pushed past breaking point — Eric is approached by a volunteer psychotherapist, who runs an anger management group for prisoners. Torn between gang politics, prison corruption, and a glimmer of something better, Eric finds himself in a fight for his own life, unsure if his own father is there to protect him or join in punishing him.

7.1

MagicScore

The Lost Boys

2023

In a youth correctional facility, Joe is preparing his return to society. But William’s arrival turns his desire for freedom into desire of another kind. Behind fences and cell walls, passions begin to play havoc with the need for liberty.

7.0

MagicScore

Cry-Baby

1990

A prim and proper schoolgirl goes against her society grandmother's wishes when she dates a motorcycle-riding juvenile delinquent.

6.5

MagicScore

#10

Freeway

1996

Following the arrest of her mother, Ramona, young Vanessa Lutz decides to go in search of her estranged grandmother. On the way, she is given a ride by school counselor Bob Wolverton. During the journey, Lutz begins to realize that Bob is the notorious I-5 Killer and manages to escape by shooting him several times. Wounded but still very much alive, Bob pursues Lutz across the state in this modern retelling of Little Red Riding Hood.

6.5

MagicScore

#11

Street Warriors II

1979

A veteran policeman named Fernando feels a lot of hatred against Ángel because the boy ran him over with a car leaving him lame. Now Fernando accuses the young crook of having participated in a robbery at a gas station in which a murder has occurred. Helped by his friends, Ángel rebuilds the facts that serve him as an alibi, but while he is in pre-trial detention in La Modelo prison (Barcelona) a terrible mutiny will take place.

5.5

MagicScore

#12

Bound by Honor

1993

Based on the true life experiences of poet Jimmy Santiago Baca, the film focuses on two Indigenous Latino American half-brothers Paco and Cruz, and their bi-racial (half-Indigenous Latino American and half-European American) cousin Miklo. It opens in 1972, as the three are members of an East L.A. gang known as the "Vatos Locos", and the story focuses on how a violent crime and the influence of narcotics alter their lives. Miklo is incarcerated and sent to San Quentin, where he makes a "home" for himself. Cruz becomes an exceptional artist, but a heroin addiction overcomes him with tragic results. Paco becomes a cop and an enemy to his "carnal", Miklo.

8.2

MagicScore

#13

Dog Pound

2010

Three juvenile delinquents arrive at a correctional center and are put under the care of an experienced guard.

7.2

MagicScore

#14

7 Virgins

2005

Tano is 16-years-old and is already sitting in jail. In 48 hours he’s a free man and off to the wedding of his brother. In the two days he recounts his neighborhood in a section of Sevilla.

6.0

MagicScore

#15

A Brighter Summer Day

1991

A boy experiences first love, friendships and injustices growing up in 1960s Taiwan.

8.2

MagicScore

#16

Mommy

2014

A peculiar neighbor offers hope to a recent widow who is struggling to raise a teenager who is unpredictable and, sometimes, violent.

8.2

MagicScore

#17

A Clockwork Orange

1971

In a near-future Britain, young Alexander DeLarge and his pals get their kicks beating and raping anyone they please. When not destroying the lives of others, Alex swoons to the music of Beethoven. The state, eager to crack down on juvenile crime, gives an incarcerated Alex the option to undergo an invasive procedure that'll rob him of all personal agency. In a time when conscience is a commodity, can Alex change his tune?

8.2

MagicScore

#18

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

1991

Ten years after the events of the original, a reprogrammed T-800 is sent back in time to protect young John Connor from the shape-shifting T-1000. Together with his mother Sarah, he fights to stop Skynet from triggering a nuclear apocalypse.

8.2

MagicScore

#19

The Young and the Damned

1950

A group of juvenile delinquents live a violent life in the infamous slums of Mexico City; among them Pedro, whose morality is gradually corrupted and destroyed by the others.

8.0

MagicScore

#20

Corpus Christi

2019

A pious 20-year-old juvenile delinquent is sent to work at a sawmill in a small town; on arrival, he dresses up as a priest and accidentally takes over the local parish. The arrival of this young, charismatic preacher is an opportunity for the local community to begin the healing process after a tragedy that happened a year prior.

7.6

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like They Call Us Monsters?

The top films similar to They Call Us Monsters by MovieMagicScore are Perro callejero (7.9), Shoeshine (7.8), Sleepers (7.6). Each shares documentary themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is They Call Us Monsters worth watching?

They Call Us Monsters holds a MovieMagicScore of 6.7/10 from 20 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is They Call Us Monsters?

They Call Us Monsters (2016) is a documentary film directed by Ben Lear, starring Jarad, Juan, Antonio.

Where can I find more recommendations like They Call Us Monsters?

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

Keep exploring

Movies like Perro callejero Movies like Shoeshine Movies like Sleepers Movies like American Me Movies like Bad Boys Movies like Scrubbers

About movies like They Call Us Monsters

This ranked list pairs They Call Us Monsters (2016), a documentary film from Ben Lear, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Jarad 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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