10 Movies and Shows Similar to A Hologram for the King (2015)

Description: Like 'A Hologram for the King', this film features a protagonist rebuilding their life in a foreign country. Both explore themes of starting over, cultural adaptation, and finding unexpected joy in unfamiliar surroundings.

Fact: Diane Lane actually lived in the Tuscan villa during filming. The house shown in the film is a real property that tourists can visit. The film was shot in sequence to match the protagonist's emotional journey.

Description: Like 'A Hologram for the King', this film captures the alienation and cultural dislocation experienced by Americans abroad. Both movies use their foreign settings (Japan/Saudi Arabia) as characters themselves, exploring themes of loneliness and connection in unfamiliar environments.

Fact: Bill Murray's famous whisper at the end was improvised and even Scarlett Johansson didn't hear what he said. Sofia Coppola won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. The film was shot in just 27 days in Tokyo.

Description: Similar to 'A Hologram for the King', this film explores themes of self-discovery and reinvention through travel. Both protagonists embark on journeys that challenge their perceptions of life and work, set against visually stunning backdrops. The blend of humor and existential reflection is a common thread.

Fact: The film is a remake of the 1947 movie of the same name, which was based on a short story by James Thurber. Many of the breathtaking landscapes were real locations in Iceland, Greenland, and the Himalayas. Ben Stiller not only starred in but also directed the film.

Description: Similar to 'A Hologram for the King', this film explores cultural displacement and the challenges of navigating foreign bureaucracies. Both protagonists find themselves stuck in liminal spaces (airport/desert compound) that become microcosms for larger cultural observations.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life story of Mehran Karimi Nasseri, who lived in Charles de Gaulle Airport for 18 years. The entire terminal set was built from scratch. Tom Hanks learned Bulgarian and Russian for his role.

Description: This film shares with 'A Hologram for the King' the theme of midlife reassessment and the search for meaning. Both protagonists embark on journeys that challenge their worldviews, though Bucket List focuses more on mortality.

Fact: Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman did many of their own stunts. The hospital scenes were shot in a real working hospital. The film inspired many people to create their own bucket lists.

Description: Like 'A Hologram for the King', this film follows Westerners on a transformative journey through an exotic landscape. Both explore themes of personal and professional reinvention, with the foreign setting serving as a catalyst for change.

Fact: The train used in the film was a real Indian luxury train completely redecorated for filming. All three lead actors stayed in character throughout the entire shoot. The film's opening sequence features Bill Murray running to catch the train, a cameo that wasn't in the original script.

Description: Similar to 'A Hologram for the King', this film follows a protagonist's journey of self-discovery through travel to exotic locations. Both explore the transformative power of stepping outside one's comfort zone and embracing foreign cultures.

Fact: Julia Roberts spent time in each of the three countries (Italy, India, Indonesia) before filming began. The Bali scenes were shot in the exact locations described in the book. The film's budget was $60 million, with much spent on authentic international locations.

Description: Similar to 'A Hologram for the King', this film explores physical and emotional journeys through harsh landscapes. Both deal with themes of perseverance, survival, and the human capacity to endure extreme circumstances.

Fact: The film is based on a controversial memoir that some historians doubt is entirely factual. The cast endured real extreme weather conditions during filming. Ed Harris learned Polish for his role.

Description: This film shares with 'A Hologram for the King' the theme of a corporate traveler questioning his life's purpose. Both protagonists are middle-aged men facing career and existential crises, with travel serving as both escape and catalyst for self-reflection.

Fact: George Clooney performed many of his own stunts, including the free-fall sequences. Director Jason Reitman used real people who had recently been laid off for some scenes. The film was nominated for six Academy Awards.

Description: This film shares with 'A Hologram for the King' the theme of cultural collision and the search for identity in a foreign land. Both explore how food (or technology in Hologram's case) can bridge cultural divides while maintaining personal authenticity.

Fact: Helen Mirren learned to speak French with a perfect accent for her role. The food scenes were supervised by Michelin-starred chef Marcus Samuelsson. The film was shot in the actual French village where the story is set.