13 Movies To See If 'Mudbound' & Its Harrowing Story Left You Reeling

Over the past few months, Dee Rees' Mudbound has picked up several nominations from awards shows like the Oscars and Golden Globes, and for good reason — the drama powerfully depicts 1940s Mississippi, where two Black and White farm families deal with racism, a dwindling crop season, and PTSD after World War II. Movies like Mudbound are essential viewing, causing audiences to take a look back at our country's history and not shy away from its darkest parts. If you were a fan of Mudbound for its moving depiction of racial and social injustice, these 13 films are must sees, as well.

It's always important to seek out films that push the envelope and tackle complicated issues that many of us deal with on a daily basis, or affected our ancestors. The below 13 movies each bring a lens to the experiences of countless people in our society, covering topics like racial bias, restricting gender roles, and the limits of love. Grab a bowl of popcorn and start watching, but be prepared — these movies will all leave you emotional.

1. In the Fade

In The Fade is about a German woman named Katja (Diane Kruger) whose life falls apart when her husband and six-year-old son perish in a neo-Nazi terrorist bombing. She soon takes on a quest that pushes her to the very edge to stop neo-Nazis and find justice.

You can catch In The Fade in theaters now.

2. Imperial Dreams

Imperial Dream provides a realistic view of how the American system treats people who've been incarcerated. John Boyega's role as a single father trying to find a job after being released from jail is powerful, and the film is eye-opening.

Available on Netflix.

3. The Florida Project

The Florida Project follows six-year-old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) and her mother Halley (Bria Vinai) over the course of a summer in the Disney World area. They live week to week at a hotel called the “The Magic Castle,” managed by the compassionate Bobby (Willem Dafoe). The free-spirited Moonee balances fragile childhood innocence with the woes of adulthood.

Available on Netflix.

4. The Black Jacket

A former Black Panther named Aquil Basheer tries to transform rough neighborhoods within South Los Angeles by teaching students and fighting gang violence. In the documentary Black Jacket, he and his outreach workers try to prevent bloodshed in their communities.

Available on Netflix.

5. Strong Island

Yance Ford investigatse the 1992 murder of his brother William Ford Jr. and takes us step by step through the journey.

Available on Netflix.

6. Okja

A young girl named Mija (Seo-Hyeon Ahn) is the caretaker Okja, a massive animal, in the mountains of South Korea. But Mija's world changes when the Mirando Corporation takes Okja from South Korea to New York, and she fights to get him back.

Available on Netflix.

7. Never Let Me Go

Grab your tissues — Let Me Go, is a complex love story that unfolds over a span of decades and surprising circumstances. The movie centers around a trio who grow up together at an idyllic boarding school in the English countryside before finding out the truth abojut their purposes in life.

Available on Netflix.

8. Middle Of Nowhere

Directed by Ava DuVernay, Middle of Nowhere is about a medical student Ruby (Emayatzy Corinealdi) who puts aside her education to wait for her imprisoned husband.

Available on Netflix.

9. Dangal

A father (Aamir Khan) vows to train all four of his daughters, despite societal gender norms, to become wrestlers for the Commonwealth Games in India.

Available on Netflix.

10. Night Catches Us

An ex-Black Panther (Anthony Mackie) goes back to his hometown to address the demons he hasn't faced, but discovers some additional trouble.

Available to rent on YouTube.

11. Yelling To The Sky

This movie, featuring Gabourey Sidibe, Zoe Kravitz, Jason Clarke and Antonique Smith, is an emotional roller coaster.

Available on Netflix.

12. Spotlight

Spotlight centers around a team of investigative journalists who take on the story of the Roman Catholic church, trying to expose decades of sexual abuse and cover-ups.

Available on Netflix.

13. Eve's Bayou

10-year-old Eve Batiste (Jurnee Smollett) discovers that her family's affluent existence isn't what she thought it was.

Available to rent on YouTube.

Hopefully, these films will encourage you to explore even more movies that have deep messages about society's biggest issues.