Saagar Kote
Netflix’s ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ is a mystery drama film directed by Olivia Newman, based on the novel of the same name by Shelby Van Pelt. It chronicles the ups and downs in the life of Tova (Sally Field), a lonely widow in her seventies who continues to struggle with the loss of her son. Working as a cleaner at a local aquarium, she forms an unusual bond with Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus who also serves as the story’s narrator. Tova’s life begins to change when she meets Cameron (Lewis Pullman), a young man searching for his father.
Facilitated by the mysterious intervention of Marcellus, who works to improve Tova’s life, she begins to see Cameron as a son-like figure while he confronts his own personal struggles. Together, they discover they have more in common and uncover a mystery that leads them to a revelation that may change the course of their lives. In this list, you will find movies similar to ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ that feature layered characters, emotional tales, and more.
12. Instant Family (2018)
Helmed by Sean Anders, ‘Instant Family’ is about Peter Wagner (Mark Wahlberg) and Elinore Wagner (Rose Byrne), a married couple who begin considering adoption after feeling something is missing in their relationship. At an adoption event, the husband and wife meet teenager Elizabeth, AKA Lizzie (Isabela Merced), who points out that teenagers are rarely chosen by families. After learning about her difficult background, the couple considers adopting her, only to discover that she also has two younger siblings, Juan and Lita.
Although the responsibility initially feels overwhelming, Peter and Elinore decide to move forward, determined to prove they can become capable and supportive parents. What follows is a chaotic attempt to forge a family bond amid emotional turmoil and hilarious misunderstandings. The comedy-drama film, akin to ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures, is a poignant navigation of the idea of family and loyalty in a world where empathy is seemingly the only thing that can save people.
11. Gifted (2017)
‘Gifted’ is the story of Frank Adler (Chris Evans), a single man raising his exceptionally gifted young niece, Mary Adler (Mckenna Grace). Frank hopes to give Mary a normal childhood despite her extraordinary mathematical abilities, but those plans take a hit once her talent attracts attention at school. Mary’s abilities impress her teacher, Bonnie Stevenson (Jenny Slate), while also drawing the interest of Frank’s mother, Evelyn Adler (Lindsay Duncan), who has very different ideas about the child’s future.
As disagreements over Mary’s upbringing intensify, Frank struggles to protect the life he wants for her, while also coming to terms with who he is. Marc Webb is the director of the drama film, which complements ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ through its commentary on the idea of emotional redemption through love, the value of family relationships, and the dynamics between an older and a younger character.
10. Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009)
‘Hachi: A Dog’s Tale’ revolves around Parker Wilson (Richard Gere), a college music professor who discovers a lost Akita breed puppy at a train station during his daily commute. Unable to locate the animal’s owner, Parker brings the dog home. The puppy, eventually named Hachi, gradually becomes a permanent part of the household. As time passes, a deep bond develops between Parker and Hachi, whose loyalty becomes evident to everyone around.
Although Hachi does not behave like a typical pet, his attachment to Parker leaves a lasting impression on the people in their lives, including Robbie, a school student who later chooses Hachi as the subject of a school report on heroes. Directed by Lasse Hallström, the drama film is a remake of the Japanese film ‘Hachikō Monogatari.’ The role that Hachi plays in Parker’s life and the emotional support he provides are comparable to the bond between Marcellus the octopus and Tova in ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures.’
9. The Fundamentals of Caring (2016)
Penned and helmed by Rob Burnett, ‘The Fundamentals of Caring’ tells the story of Ben Benjamin (Paul Rudd), a man struggling with personal loss who decides to enroll in a caregiving course to rebuild his life. He becomes the caregiver of Trevor Conklin (Craig Roberts), a puzzling teenager with a disability that prevents him from walking, who has spent most of his life confined to familiar surroundings. As the two develop an uneasy connection, they set out on an unexpected road trip that gradually changes their outlook on life. During their journey, they encounter Dot (Selena Gomez), a young woman who joins them.
Through their experiences together, all three begin confronting personal struggles while discovering friendship, hope, and new perspectives. The Netflix comedy-drama film is based on the novel ‘The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving’ by Jonathan Evison. Akin to ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures,’ it is a commentary on unexpected friendship, empathy, and a special parent-child-like relationship between two complex characters.
8. Penguin Bloom (2020)
Based on true events, ‘Penguin Bloom’ is the tale of Sam Bloom (Naomi Watts), a young mother whose life changes completely after a serious accident leaves her paralyzed. As she struggles to come to terms with her condition, her husband Cameron Bloom (Andrew Lincoln), their sons, and her mother Jan Bloom (Jacki Weaver) also find it difficult to live in this reality due to Sam’s emotional difficulties. The family’s routine and mundanity begin to shift when they take in an injured baby magpie and name it Penguin.
Over time, the bird becomes an unexpected source of comfort and gradually helps Sam reconnect with life and hope again. The Australian drama film is directed by Glendyn Ivin and adapted from the eponymous book by Cameron Bloom and Bradley Trevor Greive. The movie shares similarities with ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ as it explores the emotional impact that a creature has on a human being in need of support and empathy, while also delving into the nuances of familial bonds.
7. Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016)
‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ is a New Zealand comedy-drama film about Ricky Baker (Julian Dennison), a troubled twelve-year-old boy who is placed in the rural home of Bella Faulkner (Rima Te Wiata) and Hector Faulkner (Sam Neill). Hector remains reluctant about the arrangement, even as Ricky slowly settles into his new life. Unexpected circumstances leave Hector and Ricky stranded together in the wilderness, with authorities unaware of their whereabouts. Rumors begin that Hector has possibly kidnapped Ricky, leading to a nationwide manhunt.
Unable to return without risking separation, the pair continues to evade capture as their unusual journey gradually strengthens their bond. Written and helmed by Taika Waititi, the movie is based on Barry Crump’s novel ‘Wild Pork and Watercress.’ It is a heartwarming tale of an unlikely friendship between an older person and a vulnerable young boy in need of adult guidance and a different perspective on life, similar to ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures.’
6. St. Vincent (2014)
Written and directed by Theodore Melfi, ‘St. Vincent’ chronicles the trials of Vincent MacKenna (Bill Murray), a troubled Vietnam War veteran whose reckless lifestyle leaves him struggling financially and emotionally. His routine begins to change when Maggie Bronstein (Melissa McCarthy), a single mother dealing with a divorce, moves in next door with her young son Oliver Bronstein (Jaeden Martell). Looking for extra money, Vincent agrees to babysit Oliver, and an unexpected bond gradually forms between them. As Vincent introduces the boy to different aspects of life outside school and home, Oliver begins to see beyond the older man’s harsh behavior and gains a new perspective. The comedy-drama film, much like ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures,’ is a tale of “found family,” the emotional bond between an older person and a young boy, and the meaning of life and love.
5. The Intouchables (2011)
Inspired by true events, ‘The Intouchables’ or ‘Intouchables’ is a French comedy-drama film that sheds light on the life of Philippe (François Cluzet), a middle-aged aristocrat who becomes quadriplegic after a deadly accident and hires Driss (Omar Sy), a young ex-convict, to work as his caregiver. Despite their very different social backgrounds and personalities, Philippe and Driss gradually develop a close friendship that begins to influence both of their lives. As they spend more time together, they navigate emotional, physical, and personal struggles through humor. When their friendship runs into difficulty, they have to make tough choices that may alter the future. Éric Toledano and Olivier Nakache wrote and directed the movie, which resembles ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ in its focus on themes of belonging, the meaning of life, unlikely friendship, and generational differences.
4. The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
‘The Peanut Butter Falcon’ marks the directorial debut of Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz, who also co-wrote the comedy-drama film. It follows Zak (Zack Gottsagen), a young man with Down syndrome, as he escapes from a nursing home to pursue his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Inspired by a videotape of a wrestler, he sets out to attend his wrestling school in North Carolina. During his journey, Zak meets Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), an outlaw fleeing his own troubles after his brother’s death. Although reluctant at first, Tyler eventually agrees to help Zak reach his destination.
Along the way, they are joined by Eleanor (Dakota Johnson), a caring employee from the nursing home searching for Zak. As the three travel together while trying to avoid those pursuing them, they also learn a thing or two about life that may change them for the better. The movie complements the world and characters of ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ in that it digs deep into the troubles of young characters looking for their place in a complex world and the power of love to heal people.
3. The Holdovers (2023)
Set in 1970, ‘The Holdovers’ unfolds at a New England boarding school and follows Paul Hunham (Paul Giamatti), an unpopular teacher. He is assigned to supervise students remaining on campus during the Christmas holiday break. After most of the students leave, only Angus Tully (Dominic Sessa), a troublesome teenager, stays behind under Paul’s supervision. Joining them is Mary Lamb (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), the school’s head cook, who is grieving the recent loss of her son in the Vietnam War.
Over the course of two snowy weeks, the three form an unexpected bond as they navigate personal struggles, emotional wounds, and moments of humor that gradually change their outlook on life. Alexander Payne is the director of the comedy-drama film, which features life lessons shared between older and younger characters, the emotional cost of parental grief, and unexpected friendships, similar to ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures.’
2. We Bought a Zoo (2011)
Loosely based on Benjamin Mee’s eponymous memoir, ‘We Bought a Zoo’ is a comedy-drama film that sheds light on the life of Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon), a journalist struggling to rebuild his life after the death of his wife. Hoping for a fresh start, he moves with his children to a large property that includes the closed Rosemoor Wildlife Park. Although the zoo has been shut down for years, many animals still remain under the care of head keeper Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson) and her small staff.
As Benjamin works alongside them to reopen the facility, the group faces renovation issues and the pressure to pass an official inspection. Amid all this, the real challenge for all of them is to listen to their own hearts and embrace the complexity of life. The character transformations of Benjamin and his kids are comparable to those of Tova and Cameron in ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures,’ who also learn valuable lessons about existence.
1. A Man Called Otto (2022)
‘A Man Called Otto’ revolves around the life of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), an aging man who loses his sense of purpose after the death of his wife. Known in his neighborhood for his harsh attitude, Otto isolates himself from the people around him and quietly prepares to end his life. His routine begins to change when a lively family moves in across the street, and he meets Marisol (Mariana Treviño), a persistent neighbor who refuses to be discouraged by his behavior. As Marisol and her family gradually become part of Otto’s life, an unexpected friendship develops that slowly changes his views.
Through their growing bond, the aging man begins reconnecting with the people around him while also playing an unexpected, positive role in the lives of strangers. Directed by Marc Forster, the comedy-drama film is a remake of the Swedish film ‘A Man Called Ove’, which is based on Fredrik Backman’s eponymous novel. The movie is spiritually connected to ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ through its emotional depth, visual style, the emotional layers of the characters, the idea of finding a family, and the healing elements of hope and affection.
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