Movies like CODA: 9 titles to watch if you liked the Oscar best picture winner

CODA made history for Apple TV Plus at the Academy Awards on March 27, 2022. It’s now the streamer’s first best picture winner. If you’re a fan, you may be looking for more movies like CODA to stream, and we’re here to help.

CODA tells the story of a teen girl, the only hearing member of her Deaf fishing family, who dreams of becoming a singer. Working secretly to perfect her craft, with hopes of leaving home for music school, she juggles her duty to her family and her personal desires, putting off the day when she’ll have to tell them and decide what’s next.

See also: The best original streaming movies on every major service

So, read on for our list of the best movies like CODA and where to watch them. And if you haven’t already, you can check out CODA on Apple TV Plus by hitting the link below.

Movies like CODA

La Famille Bélier (2014)

If you enjoyed CODA, the most obvious choice among movies like CODA is the French film it was based on: La Famille Bélier. You won’t get too many surprises, as the two films very much follow the same narrative beats, but if you’re just learning that CODA is a remake, it could be a fun point of comparison and a chance to revisit this story.

Little Voice (1998)

A movie like CODA, about finding your voice against the odds, Little Voice is a musical drama about a young woman who suffers from intense shyness but dreams of performing the songs she sings along to alone in her room. Throughout the film, the woman overcomes tragedy and her own difficult circumstances to live with confidence and share her singing talent.

Sound of Metal (2019)

Riz Ahmed stars in this moving film about a professional musician losing his hearing. Struggling with how this newfound disability will affect his career and life, he forms new ties within his Deaf community while considering the risks and potential advantages of cochlear implants, which could save his music career but cost him connections among his Deaf peers.

Billy Elliott (2000)

A feel-good movie about a working-class kid following their artistic dreams behind their family’s back? Well, CODA certainly didn’t invent the format. That describes Billy Elliot too, a movie like CODA and simultaneously very unlike CODA. Billy Elliot is the son of a miner in County Durham in North East England during the 1980s. He dreams of being a ballet dancer, but he knows his father disapproves of boys dancing.

School of Rock (2003)

One of the best musical comedies of the 21st century, School of Rock is director Richard Linklater’s look at an unconventional substitute teacher inspiring his students to form a rock band. It’s an uplifting story about the power of art to build community and promote self-expression, and it features a standout performance from funnyman Jack Black.

Mao’s Last Dancer (2010)

From Australian director Bruce Beresford comes a story about an artist seeking refuge in a new home. Based on Chinese dancer Li Cunxin’s 2003 memoir of the same name, Mao’s Last Dancer follows Li, one of China’s greatest dancers, as he attempts to defect to the United States during a state-sanctioned trip abroad.

King Richard (2021)

CODA is a film about a teen girl following her dreams while considering the impacts of her path on her family. King Richard follows a similar structure but from a different perspective. Based on real tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, the film tells their story through their father, who had a tremendous impact on their lives and careers and worked to ensure they didn’t lose their childhoods along the road to greatness. Will Smith took home the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of the titular Richard Williams.

Children of a Lesser God (1986)

Children of a Lesser God isn’t exactly “like” CODA, but it features CODA co-star Marlee Maitlin. Maitlin was the first Deaf actor to ever win an Oscar for her starring role in the 1986 drama. She was followed more than three decades later by CODA’s Troy Kotsur, who won the award for best supporting actor this year. The story tells of two employees at a school for Deaf students who develop a romance while clashing over their philosophies on speech and Deafness.

Whiplash (2014)

In CODA, we see Ruby struggle with the expectations of her music teacher, who demands her full attention and commitment. Similarly, though with a more intense and even abusive leaning, Whiplash sees a gifted young drummer, played by Miles Teller, as he is pushed to extreme limits by his demanding bandleader, played by J.K. Simmons, who took home an Oscar for his performance.

Those are our top picks of movies like CODA for you to check out after watching the Academy Awards best picture winner.

Which are your favorites?