10 Movies and Shows Similar to Joyland (2022)

Description: Brokeback Mountain and Joyland both depict the struggles of queer love in conservative societies. The films highlight the emotional toll of repressed desires and the societal pressures that force characters to hide their true selves. Both stories are deeply moving and visually stunning, with a focus on the natural landscape as a metaphor for emotional isolation.

Fact: Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal performed their own stunts in the film, including the famous tent scene. The film was based on a short story by Annie Proulx, which was only 30 pages long.

Description: Pariah, like Joyland, explores the challenges of coming out and self-acceptance in a conservative environment. Both films feature young protagonists navigating their identities amidst familial and societal pressures. The intimate cinematography and emotional honesty in Pariah resonate with Joyland's storytelling style.

Fact: Dee Rees based the film on her own short film of the same name, which was her thesis project at NYU. The film was shot in just 19 days on a modest budget.

Description: The Way He Looks and Joyland both explore the theme of first love and self-discovery in the face of societal expectations. The films share a tender, heartfelt approach to storytelling, with a focus on the emotional nuances of their characters' experiences. Both narratives are uplifting yet grounded in reality.

Fact: The film is a feature-length expansion of the director's 2010 short film I Don't Want to Go Back Alone. The protagonist's blindness was portrayed with input from a blind consultant to ensure authenticity.

Description: Carol and Joyland both center on forbidden love stories that challenge societal norms. The films share a focus on the emotional and psychological depth of their characters, as well as a visually sumptuous style that enhances the romantic tension. Both narratives are set in periods of personal and societal transition.

Fact: The film was shot on Super 16mm film to achieve a vintage look. Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara's performances were both highly praised, with Mara winning the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Description: Tangerine and Joyland both depict marginalized queer characters with authenticity and empathy. The films share a vibrant, kinetic energy and a focus on the lives of those often overlooked by mainstream cinema. Both use their urban settings to enhance the narrative's emotional and social stakes.

Fact: The entire film was shot on an iPhone 5S, using an anamorphic lens adapter. The lead actresses, Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor, were first-time actors.

Description: The Handmaiden, like Joyland, explores themes of forbidden love and sexual awakening within a repressive society. Both films feature strong female characters navigating complex relationships and societal expectations. The lush cinematography and intricate plotting in The Handmaiden mirror Joyland's visual and narrative richness.

Fact: The film is a loose adaptation of Sarah Waters' novel Fingersmith, transposed from Victorian England to 1930s Korea. Director Park Chan-wook added a significant amount of new material to the original story.

Description: Moonlight shares similarities with Joyland in its exploration of queer identity and self-discovery within a conservative environment. Both films delve into the complexities of masculinity and societal expectations, portraying intimate and emotional narratives. Moonlight's poetic visual style and deep character study resonate with Joyland's nuanced storytelling.

Fact: Moonlight won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2017, making it the first LGBTQ+ film and the first film with an all-black cast to win the award. The film is divided into three acts, each representing a different stage of the protagonist's life.

Description: God's Own Country parallels Joyland in its portrayal of a queer romance in a rural, conservative setting. Both films depict the protagonist's journey from emotional repression to self-acceptance, with a raw and authentic storytelling approach. The natural landscapes in both films serve as a backdrop to the characters' internal struggles.

Fact: The film was shot in chronological order to help the actors develop their characters naturally. Director Francis Lee drew from his own experiences growing up in rural Yorkshire.

Description: A Fantastic Woman, like Joyland, deals with themes of identity, love, and societal prejudice. Both films center on transgender characters navigating a world that often misunderstands or rejects them. The films share a powerful emotional core and a visually striking style that underscores their protagonists' journeys.

Fact: Daniela Vega, the lead actress, became the first openly transgender presenter in Oscars history when she introduced a performance during the 90th Academy Awards. The film won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in

Description: Like Joyland, Call Me by Your Name is a poignant coming-of-age story that explores forbidden love and emotional awakening. Both films capture the intensity of first love and the pain of societal constraints, set against a richly atmospheric backdrop that enhances the emotional depth of the narrative.

Fact: The film's iconic peach scene was inspired by a real-life anecdote from the novel's author, André Aciman. Timothée Chalamet learned to speak Italian and play the piano for his role as Elio.