Movies like Empire of the Sun

Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List is a masterpiece that explores the horrors of the Holocaust and the redemptive story of a man who saved over a thousand lives from certain death. It shares with Empire of the Sun a stark depiction of World War II's toll on humanity.

Life Is Beautiful is a poignant tale where a Jewish Italian bookshop owner employs his fertile imagination to shield his son from the horrors of internment in a Nazi concentration camp. The blend of comedy, tragedy, and a father's love against a wartime setting creates an emotionally resonant experience akin to Empire of the Sun.

The English Patient weaves a complex narrative around the memories of a critically burned man recounting his tragic love affair in the backdrop of World War II. Its sweeping romantic drama and wartime setting provide an emotionally rich companion to Empire of the Sun.

The Thin Red Line is a philosophical meditation on the nature of war, focusing on the conflict at Guadalcanal during WWII. While it offers a more adult perspective than Empire of the Sun, its haunting exploration of humanity and conflict makes it a complementary viewing.

Hope and Glory is about a young boy's experiences in Britain during the Blitz of World War II. Its portrayal of war from a child's naive point of view and the impact on family life echoes themes presented in Empire of the Sun.