Movies like Half Nelson: 20 to watch next
If you loved Half Nelson (2006) — a drama film directed by Ryan Fleck — these 20 movies are the closest matches.
The first picks are what fans of Half Nelson most often go on to watch; the rest share its genres and themes like prison, new york city and sports. 4 of them are streaming in India right now — each entry shows where.
Where to watch Half Nelson →·Get picks for your whole taste →
- 1
The Basketball Diaries 1995★ 7.4
Shares: Drama
A high school basketball player’s life turns upside down after free-falling into the harrowing world of drug addiction.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 2
The United States of Leland 2003★ 6.5
Shares: Drama
A withdrawn young man, Leland Fitzgerald is imprisoned for the murder of a mentally disabled boy, who also happened to be the brother of his girlfriend, Becky. As the community struggles to deal with the killing, Pearl Madison, a teacher at the prison, decides to write about Leland's case. Meanwhile, others affected by the murder, including Becky and her sister, Julie, must contend with their own problems.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 3
The Mustang 2019★ 6.9
Shares: Drama
While participating in a rehabilitation program training wild mustangs, a convict at first struggles to connect with the horses and his fellow inmates, but he learns to confront his violent past as he soothes an especially feisty horse.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 4
Five Corners 1987★ 5.9
Shares: Drama
A psychotic young man returns to his old neighborhood after release from prison. He seeks out the woman he previously tried to rape and the man who protected her, with twisted ideas of love for her and hate for him.
Stream in India on Plex
- 5
Brave the Dark 2025★ 6.7
Shares: Drama
When Mr. Deen discovers one of his students has been living out of his car and thrown into jail, he decides to bail him out. Determined to curb Nate’s self-destructive behavior, Deen quickly discovers a host of dark secrets slowly tearing Nate apart. What began as a good deed becomes a desperate fight to save Nate from his own demons. As Nate spirals deeper into despair, Deen must decide how far he’s willing to go to save a kid on the brink of losing everything—even himself.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 6
Freedom Writers 2007★ 7.9
Shares: Drama
A young teacher inspires her class of at-risk students to learn tolerance, apply themselves, and pursue education beyond high school.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 7
The Unforgivable 2021★ 7.4
Shares: Drama
A woman is released from prison after serving a sentence for a violent crime and re-enters a society that refuses to forgive her past.
Stream in India on Netflix
- 8
25th Hour 2002★ 7.3
Shares: Drama
On the eve of a seven-year prison sentence, a New York drug dealer spends his final day of freedom confronting his past, his relationships, and the choices that led to his downfall in a city still reeling from 9/11.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 9
Kids 1995★ 6.9
Shares: Drama
A group of bored, disaffected New York City teenagers spend a day skating, smoking, drinking, partying, deflowering virgins, and getting into fights.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 10
American Me 1992★ 7.5
Shares: Drama
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.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 11
Molly Maxwell 2013★ 6.5
Shares: Drama
At Phoenix Progressive School, students take notes lying on parlor couches and are encouraged to explore their gifts through electives like break-dancing and graphic-novel writing. In the midst of all this liberal pedagogy and budding talent, Molly Maxwell feels unexceptional, until she falls for her attractive English teacher, Ben.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 12
Carlito's Way 1993★ 7.8
Shares: Drama
Free after years in prison, Carlito Brigante intends to give up his criminal ways, but it's not long before the ex-con is sucked back into the New York City underworld.
Stream in India on MUBI, MUBI Amazon Channel
- 13
Adulthood 2008★ 6.2
Shares: Drama
After serving six years for killing his schoolmate, a young man learns that someone is out for revenge.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 14
Heaven Knows What 2015★ 6.4
Shares: Drama
A young heroin addict roams the streets of New York to panhandle and get her next fix, while her unstable boyfriend drifts in and out of her life at random.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 15
Child's Play 1972★ 6.1
Shares: Drama
At an exclusive boys' school, a new gym teacher is drawn into a feud between two older instructors, and he discovers that everything at the school is not quite as staid, tranquil and harmless as it seems.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 16
The Shawshank Redemption 1994★ 8.7
Shares: Drama
Imprisoned in the 1940s for the double murder of his wife and her lover, upstanding banker Andy Dufresne begins a new life at the Shawshank prison, where he puts his accounting skills to work for an amoral warden. During his long stretch in prison, Dufresne comes to be admired by the other inmates -- including an older prisoner named Red -- for his integrity and unquenchable sense of hope.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 17
Clockers 1995★ 6.7
Shares: Drama
Strike is a young city drug pusher under the tutelage of drug lord Rodney Little. When a night manager at a fast-food restaurant is found with four bullets in his body, Strike’s older brother turns himself in as the killer. Detective Rocco Klein doesn’t buy the story, however, setting out to find the truth, and it seems that all the fingers point toward Strike & Rodney.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 18
What Doesn't Kill You 2008★ 6.0
Shares: Drama
Two childhood friends from South Boston turn to crime as a way to get by, ultimately causing a strain in their personal lives and their friendship.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now
- 19
Palmer 2021★ 8.1
Shares: Drama
After 12 years in prison, former high school football star Eddie Palmer returns home to put his life back together—and forms an unlikely bond with Sam, an outcast boy from a troubled home. But Eddie's past threatens to ruin his new life and family.
Stream in India on Apple TV, Apple TV Amazon Channel
- 20
Looking for Mr. Goodbar 1977★ 6.3
Shares: Drama
A short, unhappy affair with a married man leads a dedicated schoolteacher into the alcohol-and-drug fueled underworld of singles’ bars, where she begins to engage in a pattern of dangerous sexual activity.
Not on subscription streaming in India right now