Saagar Kote
Prime Video’s ‘Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy’ is the story of Joy (Shannon Thornton), an NYC-based fashion designer whose life takes an unexpected turn when she gets stuck in Colorado due to weather conditions. Dealing with difficulties in her romantic life and in her career, she finds herself in the company of Ridge (Tosin Morohunfola). While being challenged by her romantic connection with Colton (Aaron O’Connell), she is supported by her friends Ashley (Brittany S. Hall) and Littia (Inayah). As she comes across an unexpected revelation and the company of a handsome stranger, she must make a difficult choice about her life. Directed by Tyler Perry, the romantic drama film explores ideas of love, friendship, and loyalty. If the visual elements, the endearing characters, the tender love stories, and the themes of the film impressed you, these films, similar to ‘Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy,’ will entertain you.
10. Nobody’s Fool (2018)
Directed by Tyler Perry, ‘Nobody’s Fool’ follows top marketer Danica (Tika Sumpter), who has an online relationship with someone only called “Charlie,” whom she has never met. Her life changes when her sister, Tanya (Tiffany Haddish), gets out of jail on parole and moves in. Tanya is impressed by Danica’s nice apartment and learns that Danica’s former lover, Bailey (Adrian Conrad), has left her. Frank (Omari Hardwick), the owner of the Brown Bean coffee shop, who likes Danica, offers the paroled girl a job. However, Tanya begins to believe that her sister is being catfished and “Charlie” may not actually exist. The romantic comedy film resembles ‘Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy’ as it navigates similar themes of love and luck. The stories are driven by characters who find love in unexpected situations and places.
9. The Best Man Holiday (2013)
‘The Best Man Holiday’ follows Mia Sullivan (Monica Calhoun), who hosts a Christmas reunion for her old friends at the house she shares with her husband, Lance Sullivan (Morris Chestnut). The guests include Harper (Taye Digg) and pregnant wife Robyn (Sanaa Lathan), Julian (Harold Perrineau) and wife Candace (Regina Hall), Jordan (Nia Long) and boyfriend Brian (Eddie Cibrian), Quentin (Terrence Howard), and Shelby (Melissa De Sousa). The friends’ first reunion in 14 years gets troubled due to the tension between Shelby and Candace. As rivalries and romantic tensions arise, the reunion only gets more chaotic. Directed by Malcolm D. Lee and based on characters created by him, the comedy-drama film serves as a sequel to the director’s movie ‘The Best Man.’ On the lines of ‘Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy,’ it involves unexpected feelings, tender moments, and misunderstandings. These elements create a spiritual connection between the two films.
8. Beyond the Lights (2014)
‘Beyond the Lights’ chronicles the lives of Noni Jean (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), a brilliant yet troubled pop star on the brink of superstardom, and Kaz Nicol (Nate Parker), a handsome police officer with political aspirations. Overwhelmed by career pressure, Noni attempts suicide, but Kaz intervenes, saving her life. They fall deeply in love, fighting against powerful forces trying to keep them focused on their separate careers. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the romantic drama film, akin to ‘Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy,’ narrates a tale of a chance meeting, unexpected love, and emotional complexities. The visual tones of the stories connect them on a greater level.
7. Jumping the Broom (2011)
‘Jumping the Broom,’ directed by Salim Akil, tells the story of Sabrina Watson (Paula Patton), a wealthy woman, and Jason Taylor (Laz Alonso), a Wall Street professional, who are deeply in love and planning their wedding. However, when their respective families finally meet, the situation takes an unexpected turn. As the two families face each other in Martha’s Vineyard over a weekend, they deal with chaos and unexpected turns. The romantic comedy drama film, like ‘Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy,’ navigates the chaos of love, and also narrates an African-American perspective of the romcom genre. The tonality and visual elements of the stories connect them on a spiritual level.
6. Good Deeds (2012)
Helmed by Tyler Perry, ‘Good Deeds’ is a romantic drama film that centers on the life of Wesley Deeds (Tyler Perry). He is the CEO of a corporation, whose life takes an unexpected turn when he crosses paths with a woman named Lindsey Wakefield (Thandiwe Newton). He helps her, a single mother, after finding out that she has been evicted from her apartment. Despite his engagement to Natalie (Gabrielle Union), Wesley finds himself challenged by newfound feelings of love for Lindsey. Like ‘Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy,’ it looks at the element of choice, as characters unexpectedly fall in love. The movies share similarities due to their navigation of love triangles and chance encounters between unique characters.
5. A Journal for Jordan (2021)
In ‘A Journal for Jordan,’ while deployed in Iraq, 1st Sergeant Charles Monroe King (Michael B. Jordan) keeps a journal of messages for his infant son. His fiancée, Dana Canedy (Chanté Adams), shares this journal with their son and reflects on her unique and meaningful romantic relationship with the soldier. The film explores the ideas of love and the importance of family, as King writes the journal for his son before being killed in action in Baghdad, intending to tell him how to live a decent life without a father. Directed by Denzel Washington and based on the memoir ‘A Journal for Jordan: A Story of Love and Honor’ by Dana Canedy, the romantic drama film is a poignant take on humanity. Similar to ‘Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy,’ it explores love from the perspective of the African American experience. The stories examine the elements of loyalty and choice.
4. Happiest Season (2020)
Hulu’s ‘Happiest Season’ is the story of Abby and Harper, two lovers, who find themselves in a messy situation when the latter invites the former for Christmas vacation at her house. Having hidden her sexual identity from her family, Harper’s secret also leads to chaos in Abby’s life. As the two women deal with difficulties and trust issues, they may have to confront harsh realities to truly be with each other. Directed by Clea DuVall, the romantic comedy film resembles ‘Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy,’ as the characters face unforeseen romantic challenges. The films use comedic elements to communicate deeper themes, while also featuring similar visual tones.
3. The Holiday (2006)
In ‘The Holiday,’ directed by Nancy Meyers, two women, undergoing romantic angst, impulsively swap homes for the holidays through a home exchange website. Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet) goes to Amanda Woods’ (Cameron Diaz) house in LA, while Amanda heads to Iris’s English cottage. Unexpectedly, both find new romance, as Amanda is attracted to Iris’s handsome brother, Graham Simpkins (Jude Law), and Iris falls for film composer Miles Dumont (Jack Black). As the two love stories face unexpected challenges, Amanda and Iris must make tough decisions. The romantic comedy film, due to its chance encounters, tender portrayal of love, and quirky characters, is connected to ‘Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy’ and its characters.
2. The Photograph (2020)
Directed by Stella Meghie, ‘The Photograph’ follows the sudden death of famous photographer Christina Eames (Chanté Adams). Her daughter, Mae Morton (Issa Rae), is left hurt and with unanswered questions. While going through her mother’s items, Mae finds a hidden photograph, triggering an investigation into Christina’s early life. This search unexpectedly leads to a romance with Michael Block (LaKeith Stanfield), a rising journalist. The curator and the reporter fall in love in New York, but their relationship is soon threatened when one of them accepts a job in London. Like ‘Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy,’ the romantic drama film involves difficult decisions and a complex depiction of love in the modern age through the African American lens.
1. Ruth & Boaz (2025)
Netflix’s ‘Ruth & Boaz’ tells the story of Ruth Moably (Serayah), a gifted Atlanta singer whose life takes an unexpected turn when she is required to move to Tennessee to care for Naomi (Phylicia Rashad), an elderly widow. There, Ruth finds employment at the House of Azra winery, owned by Boaz (Tyler Lepley). A complicated romance ensues as Boaz, captivated by Ruth’s voice, becomes determined to help her revitalize her music career. However, her past and existing music commitments pose significant challenges. Based on the biblical ‘Book of Ruth’ and directed by Alanna Brown, the Christian romantic drama film is a poignant navigation of romance and faith. It shares similarities with ‘Tyler Perry’s Finding Joy’ due to its exploration of the African American culture, the element of destiny, and the power of choice.
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