Movies Like The Life of Emile Zola (1937)

The Life of Emile Zola is a 1937 drama, history film from William Dieterle with a MovieMagicScore of 6.7/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Lust for Life and Abe Lincoln in Illinois.

Drama History

Lust for Life

1956

An intense and imaginative artist, revered Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh possesses undeniable talent, but he is plagued by mental problems and frustrations with failure. Supported by his brother, Theo, the tormented Van Gogh eventually leaves Holland for France, where he meets volatile fellow painter Paul Gauguin and struggles to find greater inspiration.

7.2

MagicScore

Abe Lincoln in Illinois

1940

Abe Lincoln in Illinois is a 1940 biographical film which tells the story of the life of Abraham Lincoln from his departure from Kentucky until his election as President of the United States.

6.8

MagicScore

Sisi & I

2023

After an elaborate application process, Empress Elisabeth of Austria hires Countess Irma as her new lady-in-waiting and takes her to her summer residence on Corfu. As the two women become closer there, this soon leads to tensions back in Vienna.

6.2

MagicScore

Where the Buffalo Roam

1980

Semi-biographical film based on the experiences of gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson.

5.9

MagicScore

The Miracle Worker

1962

The true story of the frightening, lonely world of silence and darkness of 7-year-old Helen Keller who, since infancy, has never seen the sky, heard her mother's voice or expressed her innermost feelings. Then Annie Sullivan, a 20-year-old teacher from Boston, arrives. Having just recently regained her own sight, the no-nonsense Annie reaches out to Helen through the power of touch, the only tool they have in common, and leads her bold pupil on a miraculous journey from fear and isolation to happiness and light.

7.9

MagicScore

The Music Lovers

1971

Composer, conductor and teacher Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky struggles against his homosexual tendencies by marrying, but unfortunately, he chooses wacky nymphomaniac Nina, whom he is unable to satisfy.

6.5

MagicScore

Vincent & Theo

1990

The tragic story of Vincent van Gogh broadened by focusing as well on his brother Theodore, who helped support Vincent. Based on the letters written between the two.

6.3

MagicScore

Charulata

1964

In 1870s India, Charulata is an isolated, artistically inclined woman who sees little of her busy journalist husband, Bhupati. Realizing that his wife is alienated and unhappy, he convinces his cousin, Amal, to spend time with Charulata and nourish her creative impulses. Amal is a fledgling poet himself, and he and Charulata bond over their shared love of art.

7.5

MagicScore

An Officer and a Spy

2019

In 1894, French Captain Alfred Dreyfus is wrongfully convicted of treason and sentenced to life imprisonment at the Devil’s Island penal colony.

7.1

MagicScore

#10

The Elephant Man

1980

A Victorian surgeon rescues a heavily disfigured man being mistreated by his "owner" as a side-show freak. Behind his monstrous façade, there is revealed a person of great intelligence and sensitivity. Based on the true story of Joseph Merrick (called John Merrick in the film), a severely deformed man in 19th century London.

8.0

MagicScore

#11

Papillon

2017

Henri “Papillon” Charrière, a safecracker from the Parisian underworld, is wrongfully convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in the penal colony of French Guiana, where he forges a strong friendship with Louis Dega, a counterfeiter who needs his protection.

7.3

MagicScore

#12

Frost/Nixon

2008

For three years after being forced from office, Nixon remained silent. But in summer 1977, the steely, cunning former commander-in-chief agreed to sit for one all-inclusive interview to confront the questions of his time in office and the Watergate scandal that ended his presidency. Nixon surprised everyone in selecting Frost as his televised confessor, intending to easily outfox the breezy British showman and secure a place in the hearts and minds of Americans. Likewise, Frost's team harboured doubts about their boss's ability to hold his own. But as the cameras rolled, a charged battle of wits resulted.

7.3

MagicScore

#13

Autumn Girl

2021

Polish film and music icon Kalina Jedrusik, a scandalous free-spirited sex symbol, fights for her independence in the prude society of the 1960s.

4.7

MagicScore

#14

Crown Heights

2017

When Colin Warner was wrongfully convicted of murder, his best friend Carl King devoted his life to proving his innocence.

6.6

MagicScore

#15

Separate Tables

1958

The lives of a disparate group of unfulfilled people converge at a small, seaside English hotel in this adaptation of Terence Rattigan's classic play.

7.0

MagicScore

#16

Lord Jim

1965

After being discredited as a coward, a 19th century seaman lives for only one purpose: to redeem himself. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment in 2000.

6.8

MagicScore

#17

The Prisoner of Shark Island

1936

After healing the leg of the murderer John Wilkes Booth, responsible for the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, perpetrated on April 14, 1865, during a performance at Ford's Theatre in Washington; Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, considered part of the atrocious conspiracy, is sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to the sinister Shark Island Prison.

6.8

MagicScore

#18

Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy

2019

Gwalior Fort, during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. In a moment of despair, Lakshmibai, Rani of Jhansi, encourages her men by telling them the heroic story of Uyyalawada Narasimha Reddy, a brave Telugu chieftain who took up arms in 1846 to protest against the numerous arbitrariness and crimes perpetrated by the leaders and military forces of the East India Company.

6.3

MagicScore

#19

The Front Runner

2018

Gary Hart, former Senator of Colorado, becomes the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1987. Hart's intelligence, charisma and idealism makes him popular with young voters, leaving him with a seemingly clear path to the White House. All that comes crashing down when allegations of an extramarital affair surface in the media, forcing the candidate to address a scandal that threatens to derail his campaign and personal life.

5.9

MagicScore

#20

Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

1957

Lawman Wyatt Earp and outlaw Doc Holliday form an unlikely alliance which culminates in their participation in the legendary Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

7.0

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like The Life of Emile Zola?

The top films similar to The Life of Emile Zola by MovieMagicScore are Lust for Life (7.2), Abe Lincoln in Illinois (6.8), Sisi & I (6.2). Each shares drama/history themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is The Life of Emile Zola worth watching?

The Life of Emile Zola holds a MovieMagicScore of 6.7/10 from 145 viewer ratings.

What kind of movie is The Life of Emile Zola?

The Life of Emile Zola (1937) is a drama, history film directed by William Dieterle, starring Paul Muni, Gale Sondergaard, Joseph Schildkraut.

Where can I find more recommendations like The Life of Emile Zola?

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 Lust for Life Movies like Abe Lincoln in Illinois Movies like Sisi & I Movies like Where the Buffalo Roam Movies like The Miracle Worker Movies like The Music Lovers

About movies like The Life of Emile Zola

This ranked list pairs The Life of Emile Zola (1937), a drama and history film from William Dieterle, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Paul Muni 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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