Movies like Smart People

Little Miss Sunshine is an offbeat comedy-drama about a dysfunctional family's road trip to a beauty pageant. It offers a satirical and warm look at family relationships and personal growth, akin to the character dynamics and wit found in Smart People.

Sideways follows a pair of friends on a road trip through California wine country, dealing with love, loss, and an examination of their lives. It's a smart, poignant dramedy that should resonate with fans of Smart People who appreciate introspective storytelling and complex characters.

The Kids Are All Right centers on a modern family dealing with the introduction of a sperm donor into their family dynamic, disrupting their lives in unexpected ways. With a cleverly crafted script and character-driven narrative, fans of Smart People will enjoy its blend of humor and drama.

Chronicling the painful, insightful, and often hilarious downfall of an intellectual family, The Squid and the Whale is a story that grips viewers with its sharply written characters and realistic portrayal of family dynamics. Like Smart People, it offers a witty, literate script and a serious look at the complexities of relationships and academia.

Wonder Boys features Michael Douglas as a washed-up writer trying to navigate the chaos of his personal life while mentoring a gifted student, much like Dennis Quaid's character in Smart People. Both films are comedic dramas that delve into the lives of university professors dealing with mid-life crises.

Starring Steve Carell, Dan in Real Life explores the life of a widowed father and advice columnist who falls for the girlfriend of his younger brother. It shares with Smart People a warm-hearted look at family and romantic entanglements, with smart, understated comedy.

Friends with Money follows the lives of three married women and their single friend as they navigate love, life, and the complexities of their interwoven relationships. Like Smart People, it blends humor with social commentary, making it a smart, character-driven drama.