20 Movies to Watch If You’re a Cancer
If you are drawn to stories about family, memory, home, and deep feeling, this list brings together films that live in those spaces. You will find journeys that circle back to love and belonging, stories set by the sea, and intimate portraits of caretakers and kin.
Each pick below includes a quick sense of what the story covers along with key cast and crew details so you can decide what to queue up next. Settle in with something cozy and enjoy a lineup that speaks to connections that last.
‘Moonlight’ (2016)
Chiron grows up in Miami as the film follows him in three distinct parts of his life, moving from a quiet child to a guarded teenager to a man finding his way, with a bond with Kevin shaping much of his path. The story maps his relationship with his mother Paula and his mentor Juan, and it explores friendship, identity, and the search for safety.
The film is written and directed by Barry Jenkins and is based on Tarell Alvin McCraney’s play ‘In Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue’. Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders, and Alex Hibbert share the role of Chiron, with Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, and Janelle Monáe in key roles, and it features cinematography by James Laxton and music by Nicholas Britell.
‘Finding Nemo’ (2003)
A cautious clownfish named Marlin crosses the ocean to find his son Nemo after a diver takes the young fish from their reef, and he teams up with Dory whose cheerful spirit keeps the search going. The journey moves through a dentist’s office aquarium, a current of sea turtles, and a series of close calls that test courage and trust.
This Pixar release is directed by Andrew Stanton and features voice performances by Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe, and Geoffrey Rush. The film is produced by Pixar Animation Studios for Walt Disney Pictures with a score by Thomas Newman and art direction that brings underwater environments to vivid life.
‘Roma’ (2018)
Cleo works as a live in housekeeper for a family in the Roma neighborhood of Mexico City, and the film observes her daily routines and the household’s changes as the parents separate. Public events ripple through the private story while Cleo’s connection to the children anchors the home through upheaval.
Alfonso Cuarón serves as writer, director, and director of photography, guiding performances by Yalitza Aparicio and Marina de Tavira. The production comes from Esperanto Filmoj and Participant with editing by Cuarón and Adam Gough, and it was distributed by Netflix after a festival run.
‘The Farewell’ (2019)
Billi travels from New York to Changchun after her family learns that her grandmother Nai Nai has a serious diagnosis, and the relatives stage a wedding so they can gather without revealing the truth. The story moves between languages and countries while meals, photos, and traditions hold the family together.
Lulu Wang writes and directs with Awkwafina and Zhao Shuzhen leading the cast alongside Tzi Ma and Diana Lin. The film is produced by Big Beach and others with cinematography by Anna Franquesa Solano and music by Alex Weston, and A24 handled domestic distribution.
‘Spirited Away’ (2001)
A girl named Chihiro wanders into a spirit world after her parents stop by an abandoned theme park, and she must work in a bathhouse run by the witch Yubaba to try to free them. With the help of Haku and friends inside the baths, Chihiro faces challenges that test her courage and care.
The film is written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki and produced by Studio Ghibli with Toshio Suzuki as producer. Rumi Hiiragi and Miyu Irino lead the original Japanese voice cast with music by Joe Hisaishi, and the studio’s hand drawn animation and art design build a richly detailed world.
‘Coco’ (2017)
Miguel dreams of becoming a musician even though his family forbids music, and a family celebration leads him into the Land of the Dead where he searches for the truth about an ancestor. Along the way he teams with Héctor and learns how memory and remembrance keep loved ones close.
Lee Unkrich directs with Adrian Molina as co director and co writer, and the voice cast includes Anthony Gonzalez, Gael GarcÃa Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, and Alanna Ubach. Pixar Animation Studios produced the film for Walt Disney Pictures with music by Michael Giacchino and original songs that weave into the story.
‘The Notebook’ (2004)
A summer romance between Noah and Allie begins in a small Southern town and faces family pressures and separation before letters and chance bring them back together. The narrative is framed by an older couple reading a story that mirrors the past and brings hidden feelings to the surface.
Nick Cassavetes directs from a screenplay by Jeremy Leven and Jan Sardi based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams star with James Garner and Gena Rowlands, and the film features music by Aaron Zigman and cinematography by Robert Fraisse for New Line Cinema.
‘Lion’ (2016)
A boy named Saroo is separated from his family after boarding a train that carries him far from home, and he is eventually adopted by a couple in Tasmania. As an adult he begins a painstaking search using memories and digital tools to find the village he left behind.
Garth Davis directs from a screenplay by Luke Davies adapted from Saroo Brierley’s memoir ‘A Long Way Home’. Dev Patel, Sunny Pawar, Nicole Kidman, Rooney Mara, and David Wenham lead the cast with cinematography by Greig Fraser and a score by Dustin O’Halloran and Volker Bertelmann.
‘Inside Out’ (2015)
Inside the mind of a girl named Riley, Joy and Sadness accidentally leave headquarters, and the remaining emotions try to keep things steady while the family adjusts to a move. Joy and Sadness travel through long term memory and core islands as they learn how feelings work together.
Pete Docter directs with Ronnie del Carmen as co director, and the voice cast includes Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, and Kaitlyn Dias. Pixar Animation Studios produced the film with music by Michael Giacchino and story development by a team that shaped the inner world’s rules.
‘Little Women’ (2019)
Sisters Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy grow up in New England with a strong mother guiding them as they pursue work, art, and love, and the story moves between childhood and early adulthood. Their neighbor Laurie and his grandfather become part of the extended household as choices shape the future.
Greta Gerwig writes and directs based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel, and the ensemble features Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern, and Meryl Streep. The film includes cinematography by Yorick Le Saux with music by Alexandre Desplat and production by Columbia Pictures.
‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ (2006)
Ofelia arrives at a rural outpost in Spain where her stepfather commands soldiers, and a mysterious faun gives her a set of tasks that might reveal her true identity. The story intertwines a fantasy world with the dangers surrounding her family as illness and conflict press in.
Guillermo del Toro writes and directs with Ivana Baquero, Sergi López, Maribel Verdú, and Doug Jones among the cast. Guillermo Navarro serves as director of photography with music by Javier Navarrete, and the production brings together companies from Spain and Mexico for an international release.
‘Life of Pi’ (2012)
After a shipwreck, Pi Patel survives on a lifeboat in the open ocean with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker, and his resourcefulness keeps both of them alive through storms and calm. The film presents parallel versions of the story as Pi recounts what happened and what it may mean.
Ang Lee directs from a screenplay by David Magee based on the novel by Yann Martel, with performances by Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Tabu, and Rafe Spall. Claudio Miranda oversees cinematography and Mychael Danna provides the score, with production handled by Fox 2000 Pictures and partners.
‘A Quiet Place’ (2018)
A family lives in silence because creatures with razor sharp hearing hunt anything that makes noise, and they use sign language and careful routines to protect one another. A pregnancy raises the stakes inside their farmhouse as small mistakes bring sudden danger.
John Krasinski directs and co writes with Bryan Woods and Scott Beck, and he stars with Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmonds, and Noah Jupe. The film features cinematography by Charlotte Bruus Christensen, a score by Marco Beltrami, and production with Platinum Dunes and Sunday Night.
‘Boyhood’ (2014)
Mason grows from childhood into college as the film checks in on school, friendships, moves, and changing homes, and the narrative shows parents Olivia and Mason Sr finding their own paths. Scenes of birthdays, road trips, and small rituals give a sense of how a family changes together.
Richard Linklater writes and directs with Ellar Coltrane, Patricia Arquette, Ethan Hawke, and Lorelei Linklater in the principal roles. The project was filmed over many years with editing by Sandra Adair, cinematography by Lee Daniel and Shane F Kelly, and production by IFC Productions and Detour Filmproduction.
‘Manchester by the Sea’ (2016)
Lee Chandler returns to the coastal town where he grew up after the death of his brother and learns he has been named guardian of his nephew Patrick, and the two navigate grief and routine. The film shows the rhythms of work, school, and hockey while memories reveal what led Lee to leave.
Kenneth Lonergan writes and directs with Casey Affleck, Lucas Hedges, Michelle Williams, and Kyle Chandler in central roles. Jody Lee Lipes handles cinematography with a score by Lesley Barber, and the film is produced by K Period Media with distribution through Amazon Studios and Roadside Attractions.
‘The Royal Tenenbaums’ (2001)
A family of former child prodigies reunites under one roof when their estranged father announces a crisis, and old patterns clash with new lives as they share the townhouse. Margot, Chas, and Richie bring their own histories of success and setback while their mother Etheline keeps the household steady.
Wes Anderson directs and co writes with Owen Wilson with Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Ben Stiller, Gwyneth Paltrow, Luke Wilson, Owen Wilson, and Bill Murray in the ensemble. Robert Yeoman provides cinematography with music by Mark Mothersbaugh, and the film is presented by Touchstone Pictures with a distinctive narrated structure.
‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ (2006)
Chris Gardner struggles to keep a roof over his son’s head while pursuing an unpaid internship at a brokerage firm, and the two move through shelters and long days before a crucial interview. Scenes of selling medical devices and solving complex tasks show how persistence guides each step.
Gabriele Muccino directs from a screenplay by Steven Conrad based on Chris Gardner’s memoir, with Will Smith and Jaden Smith playing father and son and Thandiwe Newton in a key supporting role. The film features cinematography by Phedon Papamichael, music by Andrea Guerra, and release through Columbia Pictures.
‘Brooklyn’ (2015)
Eilis Lacey leaves Ireland for a new life in New York, finds work and community in a boardinghouse, and falls in love with Tony Fiorello, all while letters home tug at her heart. A return trip brings a job offer and a choice between two futures that rest on family and place.
John Crowley directs from a screenplay by Nick Hornby adapted from Colm TóibÃn’s novel, and the cast includes Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, Julie Walters, and Jim Broadbent. Yves Bélanger handles cinematography with music by Michael Brook, and production involves Wildgaze Films and partners.
‘The Secret Garden’ (1993)
Mary Lennox is sent to live with her uncle after being orphaned, and she discovers a locked garden that she brings back to life with the help of Dickon and her cousin Colin. The restoration of the grounds mirrors how the household begins to open up and heal.
Agnieszka Holland directs from a screenplay by Caroline Thompson based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel ‘The Secret Garden’. Kate Maberly stars with Maggie Smith, Heydon Prowse, and Andrew Knott, Roger Deakins serves as cinematographer, Zbigniew Preisner provides the score, and the film is presented by Warner Bros.
‘Terms of Endearment’ (1983)
Aurora Greenway and her daughter Emma navigate marriages, moves, and health struggles over many years, and their bond remains the center of the story through change and conflict. A neighbor named Garrett Breedlove brings humor and complication as the family finds new rhythms.
James L Brooks writes and directs based on the novel by Larry McMurtry with Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, Jack Nicholson, and Jeff Daniels in leading roles. Andrzej Bartkowiak handles cinematography with music by Michael Gore, and Paramount Pictures oversees the release with a focus on character driven storytelling.
Share your favorites for fellow Cancers in the comments so everyone can add a few more heartfelt picks to the watchlist.