Dynamic Watchlist Hub: Jan 19, 2026

10 Best Movies Like In the Heat of the Sun

If you loved In the Heat of the Sun, 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 In the Heat of the Sun.

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#1
To Live

To Live

1994★ 8.1

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to In the Heat of the Sun for fans of Drama & Romance. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

Married couple Fugui and Jiazhen endure tumultuous events in mid-20th century mainland China as their personal fortunes move from wealthy landownership to peasantry....

#2
Devils on the Doorstep

Devils on the Doorstep

2001★ 8.2

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to In the Heat of the Sun for fans of Drama. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

During the Japanese occupation of China, two prisoners are dumped in a peasant's home in a small town. The owner is bullied into keeping the prisoners until the next New Year, at w...

#3
Not One Less

Not One Less

1999★ 7.5

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to In the Heat of the Sun for fans of Drama. It captures a similar emotionally gripping atmosphere.

Set in the People's Republic of China during the 1990s, the film centers on a 13-year-old substitute teacher, Wei Minzhi, in the Chinese countryside. Called in to substitute for a ...

#4
Keep Cool

Keep Cool

1997★ 7.5

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to In the Heat of the Sun for fans of Comedy. It captures a similar light-hearted atmosphere.

China, the 1990s. A young bookseller is in love with a woman. The woman is now with another guy, a rich man. The rich man sends his people to beat the bookseller. In the fight, the...

#5
Wood Job!

Wood Job!

2014★ 7.4

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to In the Heat of the Sun for fans of Drama. It captures a similar light-hearted atmosphere.

After failing his university entrance exam, Yuki Hirano sets his eyes on the role of a forestry trainee. Setting off for training he doubts his decision many times, but eventually ...

#6
We Were Smart

We Were Smart

2019★ 8.7

Why watch this? A perfect follow-up to In the Heat of the Sun for fans of Documentary. It captures a similar compelling atmosphere.

A documentary about shamate, a wildly controversial subculture that emerged in China in the late ’00s....