10 More Larger Than Life Tales
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a fantastical tale of love, life and fortune. It centers on a man who starts aging backwards, telling his amazing life story from, well, finish to start!
For those who have finished watching this and are looking for alternate picks, we’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top choices for what to watch next. As usual, let us know your thoughts about our picks in the comments below!
Boyhood
Filmed over 12 years, “Boyhood” captures the growth of a young boy called Mason, from childhood to young adulthood, depicting the turbulent ups and downs that comes with growing up.
Both films provide an exploration of life’s transient nature and the inevitable passage of time. While their narrative structures do differ, each movie provides a poignant look at the human experience.
Slumdog Millionaire
After winning the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”, Jamal Malik is accused of cheating. To prove his innocence, Jamal recounts his life story, explaining how each experience along the way helped teach him the answer to the game show’s questions.
Like Benjamin Button, Slumdog Millionaire recounts the protagonist’s life in a non-linear fashion, highlighting key events that shaped them. They delve into love, loss, fate, and the trials and tribulations of life.
Mr. Nobody
Nemo Nobody, the last mortal man in a world where humans have achieved immortality, reflects on his life at 118 years old. He remembers alternate life paths, branching from pivotal choices, revealing a myriad of experiences and outcomes.
Mr Nobody is an introspective examination of life and choices, blending reality with speculative scenarios. They ponder the “what ifs” of life and the profound effects a decision one makes in their life.
Pursuit of Happyness
Based on a true story, Will Smith and his son Jaden star in an excellent biographical drama. The film follows Chris Gardner as he struggles with homelessness and raising his son while pursuing a career in stock brokering.
Both movies chronicle personal journeys filled with adversities, and both protagonists display resilience in the face of life’s challenges. The tales are about growth, personal transformation, and the passage of time.
Life of Pi
After a shipwreck, a young man named Pi finds himself stranded in the Pacific Ocean on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. The story unfolds from here though, as Pi recalls his incredible journey of survival, faith, and self-discovery.
Like Benjamin Button, Life of Pi delves deep into the spiritual and existential explorations of its main character, using unique life circumstances as a backdrop. The tales weave fantasy and reality together, questioning the nature of storytelling.
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Walter Mitty, a daydreamer stuck in a mundane life, embarks on a global journey to find a missing photograph, leading to a real-life adventure more extraordinary than his wildest dreams.
Both stories revolve around protagonists who experience larger-than-life events in their life, whilst also blending fantasy and reality together. These journeys, whether driven by aging backward or daydreaming, are transformative, leading to self-discovery.
The Founder
The Founder is a biographical drama that tells the story of Ray Kroc, a struggling salesman who turns the fast-food restaurant of the McDonald brothers into one of the world’s most powerful food chains.
While different in tone and subject, both films provide biographical insights into the lives of their protagonists, chronicling ups and downs along the way. The narrative structure in both movies traces significant life events and decisions that define the characters.
Amadeus
Seen through the eyes of his envious rival Antonio Salieri, Amadeus narrates the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a genius composer who lived a turbulent life filled with passion and divine talent.
Both films serve as biographical retrospectives on remarkable lives marked by extraordinary circumstances. The stories, told from unique perspectives, encompass themes of jealousy, genius, and the nature of one’s legacy.
Forrest Gump
This sweeping tale recounts the life of Forrest Gump, a man with low intelligence who inadvertently influences many historical events in the 20th century through his simple wisdom and heart of gold.
Both films are introspective journeys through the main character’s life, featuring significant events in history. They showcase individuals who, despite unconventional circumstances, leave a lasting impact on the people they meet. This one’s probably the closest you’re going to get to a similar choice!
Big Fish
As his father lies on his deathbed, Will Bloom attempts to learn more about him by piecing together a true picture from the fantastical stories his father has told him throughout his life.
Big Fish is an emotionally charged film that weaves a tapestry of fantastical and exaggerated tales, focusing on the relationship between reality and storytelling. This is very similar to Benjamin Button’s approach, while the two movies touch upon themes of life, death, and the legacy we leave behind.
There we have it, our list of best movies that are similar to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. What do you think about our picks? Did one of your favourites make the list? Let us know in the comments below!