Dynamic Watchlist Hub: May 09, 2026

10 Best Movies Like Once Upon a Summer

If you loved Once Upon a Summer, we've curated the perfect watchlist for you based on shared genres, themes, and directorial style.

🏆

Expert Review & Ratings

See our full critical analysis and audience score for Once Upon a Summer.

View Review →
Advertisement
#1
Horse Sense

Horse Sense

1999★ 6.8

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to Once Upon a Summer for fans of Drama. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

After treating his rancher cousin shoddily in L.A. Michael Woods is sentenced by his parents to spending a month on the ranch with his cousin and aunt....

#2
Around the Bend

Around the Bend

2004★ 5.9

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to Once Upon a Summer for fans of Drama. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

A tale of four generations of men, all of whom have had their offspring at a young age: a great-grandfather, a grandfather, a father in his twenties and a son who is about 7 years ...

#3
Paradise

Paradise

1991★ 6.2

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to Once Upon a Summer for fans of Drama. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

A 10-year-old boy spends a summer in the country with a childless couple and a precocious girl....

#4
The Tender Bar

The Tender Bar

2021★ 6.6

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to Once Upon a Summer for fans of Drama. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

JR is a fatherless boy growing up in the glow of a bar where the bartender, his Uncle Charlie, is the sharpest and most colorful of an assortment of quirky and demonstrative father...

#5
Return to Nim's Island

Return to Nim's Island

2013★ 6.5

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to Once Upon a Summer for fans of Family. It captures a similar compelling atmosphere.

Fourteen year old Nim, more determined than ever to protect her island and all the wildlife that call it home, faces off against resort developers and animal poachers. Soon she rea...

#6
Wildlike

Wildlike

2015★ 6.2

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to Once Upon a Summer for fans of Drama. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

Fourteen-year-old Mackenzie is sent to live with her uncle in Juneau when her mother can’t care for her anymore. The living situation quickly takes a turn for the worse, and she ru...

Advertisement