10 Movies & Shows Like Hidden in America

Description: This story revolves around an unlikely friendship between two boys, one with a physical disability and the other with learning difficulties, as they navigate life's challenges together.

Fact: The film is based on the novel 'Freak the Mighty' by Rodman Philbrick. The story was inspired by the author's experiences working with children with disabilities.

Description: This film explores themes of poverty, resilience, and the struggle to provide for one's family, focusing on a father's relentless efforts to secure a better future for his son despite overwhelming hardships.

Fact: The film is based on the true story of Chris Gardner, whose memoir inspired the screenplay. The misspelling of 'happiness' in the title is intentional, reflecting a sign Gardner saw during his struggles.

Description: It tells the true story of a journalist who befriends a homeless musical prodigy, exploring themes of mental illness, homelessness, and the redemptive power of music.

Fact: The real-life Nathaniel Ayers, whom the film is based on, was a Juilliard-trained musician who developed schizophrenia. The film's score features performances by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Description: It delves into the harsh realities of poverty, abuse, and the fight for self-worth, portraying a young woman's journey to overcome immense personal and societal obstacles.

Fact: The film was shot in just 27 days, and much of the cast, including Gabourey Sidibe, had little to no prior acting experience before being cast.

Description: This film portrays the struggles of a single mother who turns to smuggling to provide for her children, emphasizing the lengths one will go to for family survival in dire circumstances.

Fact: The film was shot in just 24 days on a shoestring budget. It was inspired by real-life events of smuggling across the U.S.-Canada border.

Description: Set in the rural Ozarks, it follows a young girl's desperate search for her missing father to save her family's home, showcasing themes of survival and familial duty in a harsh environment.

Fact: Jennifer Lawrence's breakout role, for which she received her first Academy Award nomination. The film was shot on location in the Ozarks to maintain authenticity.

Description: Based on a memoir, it depicts a dysfunctional family's nomadic and impoverished life, focusing on the complex relationship between parents and children amidst instability.

Fact: The film's title refers to the unfulfilled promise of a dream home that the father often described to his children. The memoir it's based on spent over 260 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list.

Description: This film follows a young woman who joins a traveling magazine sales crew, exploring themes of freedom, youth, and the search for identity within the backdrop of economic hardship.

Fact: Many of the cast members were non-actors discovered by the director during road trips across America. The film features a soundtrack heavily influenced by contemporary hip-hop and pop music.

Description: This movie captures the lives of marginalized families living in budget motels near Disney World, highlighting the innocence of childhood juxtaposed with the struggles of poverty.

Fact: The film's title refers to the original name for Disney World during its planning stages. Many of the child actors were non-professionals discovered in the local area.

Description: It portrays the life of a woman who embarks on a journey through the American West after losing everything, highlighting themes of loss, resilience, and the search for community.

Fact: Many of the people in the film are real-life nomads playing fictionalized versions of themselves. The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture.