Dynamic Watchlist Hub: Jan 19, 2026

10 Best Movies Like Cruel But Necessary

If you loved Cruel But Necessary, we've curated the perfect watchlist for you based on shared genres, themes, and directorial style.

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Expert Review & Ratings

See our full critical analysis and audience score for Cruel But Necessary.

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#1
Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger

Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger

2008★ 5.8

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to Cruel But Necessary for fans of Drama. It captures a similar light-hearted atmosphere.

With help from a new friend, a misfit at a fancy private school secretly enrolls at a public school as a foreign exchange student....

#2
Mirror

Mirror

1975★ 8.0

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to Cruel But Necessary for fans of Drama. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

A dying man in his forties recalls his childhood, his mother, the war and personal moments that tell of and juxtapose pivotal moments in Soviet history with daily life....

#3
Che: Part Two

Che: Part Two

2008★ 6.6

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to Cruel But Necessary for fans of Drama. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

Seven years after his triumph in Cuba, Che winds up in Bolivia, where he tries to ignite the same revolutionary fires as before....

#4
The Hidden

The Hidden

1987★ 6.9

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to Cruel But Necessary for fans of Sci-Fi. It captures a similar spine-chilling atmosphere.

When average, law-abiding citizens suddenly turn to a life of hedonistic behavior and violent crime, Detective Tom Beck is tasked with helping young FBI agent Lloyd Gallagher deter...

#5
Blood Simple

Blood Simple

1985★ 7.3

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to Cruel But Necessary for fans of Drama. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

The owner of a seedy small-town Texas bar discovers that one of his employees is having an affair with his wife. A chaotic chain of misunderstandings, lies and mischief ensues afte...

#6
My New Partner

My New Partner

1984★ 6.6

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to Cruel But Necessary for fans of Comedy. It captures a similar light-hearted atmosphere.

A streetwise Paris policeman who takes kickbacks from the minor criminals on his beat to allow them to continue is assigned an idealistic new partner fresh from police academy. He ...