My 6 Favorite Dramas of All Time (Movies AND TV Shows)
Although I am more of a comedy girl, sometimes it’s just impossible to stay away from the gruesome tales told on TV or on bigger screens. And these dramas are just there to make you think deeper.
When people ask me about my favorite movies, I always make them go into specifics and tell me which genre they prefer. And I like it so much when they ask about dramas! After years of binge watching countless hours of cinema, I was finally able to form a rather short list of my favorite movies and shows in this genre.
So here I have a list of 6 dramas, heart-wrenching or brutally dark, that I can rewatch from time to time when in a mood to collect my thoughts.
1. ‘Breaking Bad’ (2008-2013)
Okay, let's start with the obvious choice that absolutely had to make this list. Breaking Bad is definitely a masterclass in character transformation that'll leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about morality.
Bryan Cranston's Walter White starts as this shy and tiny chemistry teacher, and by the end turns into the most dangerous villain TV has ever seen. It simply makes you root for the most uncomfortable and questionable characters, only to keep Heisenberg far away from you after a certain point.
2. ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ (1994)
In this cult classic movie Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman deliver performances that'll stick with you long after the credits roll and years after you watched it for the first time. The story of hope, friendship, and redemption, all behind prison walls, is something I never thought would get to me.
What gets me every single time is how the film builds this incredible sense of hope even in the most hopeless situations. And the end of the movie is a classic finale for a man who deserves a second chance.
3. ‘The Sopranos’ (1999-2007)
The Sopranos basically revolutionized TV drama and brought gruesomeness to silver screens. James Gandolfini's Tony Soprano is one of the most complex characters ever created. A mob boss dealing with panic attacks and family therapy sessions is definitely not something you usually see in mafia movies and shows.
What makes me love the show is the authenticity of life shown there. Like in reality, brutal affairs go hand in hand with family evenings and college drama. One minute you're watching Tony deal with his mother, and the next you're witnessing some of the most intense crime scenes ever shown on screen. That’s The Sopranos genius.
4. Titanic (1997)
Love it or hate it, you can't deny that this movie is the definition of drama. James Cameron created this epic romance that works on every level. Titanic is a historical tragedy, a class satire, and of course a powerful but devastating love story between Jack and Rose.
Also, the disaster backdrop helps explore the little things more profoundly and shows us people at their worst. Plus, let's be honest, young Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet's chemistry is magnetic, and is probably a reason for many people to revisit the movie from time to time.
5. ‘Erin Brockovich’ (2000)
Frankly, people should talk more about this Julia Roberts movie rather than Pretty Woman. Based on a true story, Erin Brockovich proves that real-life drama can be just as tough and gritty as anything epic and fictional.
At the core of the movie is the story of a single mom fighting against corporate corruption. While being simple, the premise is still powerful thanks to the way Roberts portrayed her dedicated, passionate character. She absolutely owned the role, making us forget it’s a movie. If you need a reminder that even ordinary people can achieve extraordinary goals – Erin Brockovich is a movie for you.
6. ‘Don't Look Up’ (2021)
Although I was mostly talking about classic gems in this article, there’s one comparatively new movie I want to mention as well. Adam McKay's satirical drama is about a comet heading toward Earth, and it is both hilarious and terrifying because of how realistic it feels. That’s why it deserves even the last spot in this list.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence play scientists who try to warn the world about the disaster that is coming, while the government makes them look like crazy people and tries to control the narrative till the end, using social media. It's the kind of drama that makes you laugh and cry at the same time — and I, as you remember, am a comedy girl, too.
