100+ Movies like Call Me by Your Name
Indignation
Both "Call Me by Your Name" and "Indignation" explore the themes of forbidden love, sexuality, and coming-of-age during the summer. The protagonists, Elio and Marcus, are young Jewish men who become infatuated with older individuals, Oliver and Olivia respectively. Their relationships are unconventional and challenged by societal norms. The movies depict the intense passion and heartbreak of first love, as well as the characters' struggles with identity and self-discovery. Parental figures play a role in both films, with Elio's father being supportive and Marcus's parents being more restrictive. The stories culminate in the protagonists reflecting on their profound yet fleeting connections after their lovers depart.
Nuovo Olimpo
Both "Call Me by Your Name" and "Nuovo Olimpo" explore the theme of a fleeting summer romance between two young men. In "Call Me by Your Name", Elio, a 17-year-old, develops feelings for Oliver, a 24-year-old graduate student staying with his family. Similarly, in "Nuovo Olimpo", Pietro, a shy medical student, meets and is attracted to Enea, a film student, at a theater in 1978. The movies parallel each other in depicting the initial hesitation, eventual consummation, and ultimate heartbreak of these relationships as the summer ends and the lovers part ways. Years later, the protagonists reflect on their past romance, with Elio's father in "Call Me by Your Name" envying his son's experience, and Enea in "Nuovo Olimpo" making a film based on his brief relationship with Pietro. Both movies explore the lingering impact of these formative relationships, even as the characters move on with their lives and new partners. The movies culminate in a bittersweet reunion decades later, where the former lovers acknowledge their enduring connection despite the divergence of their paths in life.
Beginners
Both "Call Me by Your Name" and "Beginners" explore themes of sexuality, self-discovery, and intergenerational relationships. The protagonists, Elio and Oliver, develop a romantic bond over the course of a summer, mirroring Oliver's relationship with his father Hal in "Beginners" after Hal comes out as gay later in life. Both films depict the protagonists navigating their desires and identities, with the older characters serving as mentors. The movies also touch on the complexities of love, loss, and the lasting impact of formative relationships. Despite differences in setting and time period, the core narratives revolve around the profound connections formed between the central characters.
Caterina in the Big City
Both "Caterina in the Big City" and "Call Me by Your Name" explore the coming-of-age experiences of young protagonists navigating complex relationships and social dynamics. In "Call Me by Your Name", Elio develops romantic feelings for Oliver, an older graduate student staying with his family, leading to a passionate but ultimately temporary affair. Similarly, in "Caterina in the Big City", the teenage Caterina finds herself torn between two cliques of friends with contrasting ideologies, while also experiencing her first romantic encounters and grappling with her father's dysfunctional behavior. The movies parallel each other in their depictions of adolescent self-discovery, sexual awakening, and the bittersweet nature of formative relationships. Both protagonists must confront the transience of their intense bonds and move forward, shaped by their profound yet fleeting connections.
Love & Gelato
Both "Call Me by Your Name" and "Love & Gelato" are coming-of-age stories centered around a young person's summer romance in Italy. The protagonists, Elio and Lina, are teenagers who develop intense feelings and sexual relationships with older individuals, Oliver and Lorenzo respectively, during their stays in rural Italian towns. The relationships are passionate but temporary, ending when the summer ends and the love interests depart. The films explore themes of first love, self-discovery, and the bittersweet nature of fleeting connections. The protagonists' parents are supportive and understanding of their children's relationships. The stories culminate with the protagonists reflecting on the profound impact of their summer romances as they move forward in life.
The Way He Looks
Both "Call Me by Your Name" and "The Way He Looks" explore the theme of a young man's sexual awakening and first love with an older male. The protagonists, Elio and Leonardo, are introspective teenagers who develop romantic feelings for an older male visitor, Oliver and Gabriel respectively. Their initial attraction blossoms into a physical relationship over the course of the summer/school term. The relationships face societal stigma and the protagonists grapple with the fleeting nature of their love affairs. The films sensitively portray the protagonists' self-discovery, desire, and heartbreak as their first loves inevitably depart. Parental figures play supportive roles, offering wisdom about embracing these profound connections. Ultimately, the films celebrate the formative power of first love while acknowledging its bittersweet temporality.
Our Father
Both films explore the theme of a young boy's coming-of-age and sexual awakening through a formative relationship with an older male figure. In "Call Me by Your Name", 17-year-old Elio develops romantic feelings for Oliver, his father's 24-year-old graduate student assistant. Similarly, in "Our Father", 10-year-old Valerio meets and forms a bond with Christian, a rebellious older boy. The relationships in both films mark a pivotal point in the protagonists' lives and self-discovery. The movies also share a setting in Italy and deal with themes of desire, intimacy, and the fleeting nature of youth.
Melissa P.
Both "Call Me by Your Name" and "Melissa P." explore the themes of sexual awakening and coming-of-age through the lens of a young protagonist's intense romantic and sexual desire for an older individual. The movies parallel each other in depicting the protagonists' initial innocence and naivety, their growing infatuation and physical intimacy with the object of their desire, the emotional turmoil and heartbreak that ensues, and their eventual journey towards self-discovery and maturity. The relationships are portrayed as formative experiences that shape the protagonists' understanding of love, sexuality, and their own identities. The movies also touch upon family dynamics, with the protagonists' parents serving as supporting characters who ultimately come to accept their children's experiences.
David's Birthday
Both "Call Me by Your Name" and "David's Birthday" explore same-sex relationships that develop between an older man and a younger man during a summer vacation. In both films, the younger man (Elio and David) forms a romantic and sexual bond with an older male guest (Oliver and Matteo) staying with their family. The relationships are initially hesitant but progress to physical intimacy. The films also depict the emotional turmoil and heartbreak experienced when the temporary summer fling inevitably ends. Additionally, the parents in both films seem aware of the relationship between their son and the guest, displaying an understanding attitude. Tragedy strikes in "David's Birthday" when the wife discovers the affair, leading to her accidental death, adding a dramatic element not present in "Call Me by Your Name".
To Rome with Love
Both "To Rome with Love" and "Call Me by Your Name" explore themes of romance, desire, and self-discovery through the lens of young people's experiences in Italy. In "Call Me by Your Name", Elio develops a passionate but fleeting romantic relationship with Oliver, an older graduate student staying with his family for the summer. Similarly, in "To Rome with Love", several storylines involve young characters exploring romantic relationships and sexual encounters during their time in Rome, such as Milly's affairs with Luca and the burglar, and Jack's affair with Monica while hosting his mentor John. The movies parallel each other in depicting the intensity and transience of summer romances, as well as the profound impact these experiences have on the characters' personal growth and self-understanding.
The Eight Mountains
Both films explore intense, formative relationships between two male characters set against the backdrop of the Italian countryside. In "Call Me by Your Name", Elio develops a romantic and sexual bond with Oliver, the older graduate student staying with his family for the summer. Similarly, in "The Eight Mountains", Pietro forms a deep friendship with Bruno, a local boy from the mountain village where Pietro's family vacations. The relationships are transformative for the younger characters, Elio and Pietro, as they navigate their burgeoning desires and emotions. The films parallel each other in their depiction of the ephemeral nature of these connections. Just as Oliver must eventually leave at the end of the summer in "Call Me by Your Name", Pietro and Bruno's friendship is disrupted when Bruno is sent away, and they drift apart for years. Both stories explore the lingering impact of these relationships on the characters' lives and sense of identity long after the initial bond has faded. The Italian countryside serves as a poignant setting in both films, representing a place of freedom, self-discovery, and escape from societal constraints. The mountains hold particular significance, symbolizing the characters' inner journeys and the challenges they face in finding their place in the world. Ultimately, the films suggest that these intense relationships, though fleeting, leave an indelible mark and shape the characters' paths forward.
Hawaii
Both "Call Me by Your Name" and "Hawaii" explore a romantic relationship that develops between a younger man and an older man over the course of a summer. In both films, the younger man is initially attracted to the older man but unsure if the feelings are reciprocated. The older man is hesitant to act on his attraction due to the age gap and power dynamic. However, as they spend more time together, the attraction grows and they eventually consummate their relationship. The films parallel each other in depicting the emotional journey of first love, desire, and the bittersweet nature of a fleeting summer romance. Ultimately, the relationships end but leave a profound impact on the characters.
Unrelated
Both "Call Me by Your Name" and "Unrelated" explore themes of desire, sexuality, and forbidden relationships during a summer vacation setting. In "Call Me by Your Name", Elio develops romantic feelings for Oliver, the older graduate student staying with his family, leading to a physical and emotional relationship between them. Similarly in "Unrelated", Anna, an adult woman, finds herself attracted to Oakley, one of the teenage boys in the group she is vacationing with, creating an awkward sexual tension. The movies parallel each other in depicting the complexities of these taboo relationships across age gaps, as well as the emotional turmoil and self-discovery experienced by the characters. The summer vacation backdrop serves as a liminal space where societal boundaries are blurred, allowing the characters to explore their desires and identities.
Being 17
Both "Call Me by Your Name" and "Being 17" explore the theme of a burgeoning same-sex romance between two young men during their formative years. The protagonists, Elio and Damien, develop intense feelings and sexual attraction towards older male figures, Oliver and Thomas respectively, who initially resist but eventually reciprocate their desires. The stories follow the emotional journeys of the young men navigating their newfound sexuality and the complexities of their relationships. Parental figures play supportive roles, with Elio's father offering understanding and Marianne inviting Thomas into their home. The narratives culminate in the young couples consummating their relationships, though their futures remain uncertain. Themes of self-discovery, desire, and the fleeting nature of youth and love permeate both films.
Malena
Both "Call Me by Your Name" and "Malena" explore the theme of a young man's sexual awakening and obsession with an older, unattainable object of desire. In "Call Me by Your Name", Elio develops romantic feelings for Oliver, the graduate student staying with his family. Similarly, in "Malena", Renato becomes infatuated with the beautiful Malena, a young woman in his town. The movies parallel each other in depicting the protagonists' intense longing, voyeurism, and erotic fantasies about the objects of their desire. Both Elio and Renato experience heartbreak when their idealized relationships cannot be realized. The movies also touch on themes of societal judgment, isolation, and the fleeting nature of youth and passion.
I Am Love
Both "Call Me by Your Name" and "I Am Love" explore themes of forbidden love and desire that challenge societal norms. In "Call Me by Your Name", Elio develops romantic feelings for Oliver, the older graduate student staying with his family, leading to a passionate but temporary summer romance. Similarly, in "I Am Love", Emma, the Russian wife of a wealthy Italian textile manufacturer, embarks on an affair with Antonio, a talented chef, defying her marriage and social status. The movies parallel each other in depicting the protagonists' internal struggles with their desires and the consequences of acting on those desires within their respective social contexts. Both films also touch on themes of self-discovery, family dynamics, and the bittersweet nature of love. The protagonists must ultimately choose between conforming to societal expectations or following their hearts, resulting in profound personal transformations.
The Man Who Cried
Both "The Man Who Cried" and "Call Me by Your Name" explore themes of forbidden love and desire across cultural divides. In "Call Me by Your Name", Elio develops romantic feelings for Oliver, the older Jewish-American graduate student staying with his family. Similarly, in "The Man Who Cried", Suzie (Fegele), a young Russian-Jewish immigrant, falls in love with Cesar, a Romani man, despite the societal prejudices against their relationship. The movies follow the blossoming of these relationships over the course of a summer, capturing the intensity of first love and the pain of eventual separation. The protagonists' Jewish heritage and the backdrop of rising anti-Semitism in Europe during World War II serve as parallels, adding layers of complexity and danger to their love stories. Both Elio and Suzie must navigate their identities and desires amidst societal pressures and the looming threat of persecution. The movies also explore the dynamics of mentorship and age differences in relationships, with the older Oliver and Dante serving as objects of desire for the younger Elio and Suzie, respectively. Ultimately, the movies poignantly depict the bittersweet nature of love, loss, and the lasting impact of formative experiences on one's identity and relationships. The protagonists' journeys of self-discovery, emotional growth, and the search for connection resonate across both narratives, highlighting the universal themes of love, desire, and the human condition.
Tadpole
Both "Call Me by Your Name" and "Tadpole" explore a young man's sexual awakening and infatuation with an older person. In "Call Me by Your Name", 17-year-old Elio develops romantic feelings for Oliver, a 24-year-old graduate student staying with his family. Similarly, in "Tadpole", 15-year-old Oscar becomes obsessed with his stepmother Eve. The movies parallel each other in depicting the protagonists' initial innocence and naivety contrasted with their growing desire and pursuit of a forbidden relationship. Both Elio and Oscar engage in intimate encounters with their love interests, though these relationships are temporary and ultimately unattainable. The movies also touch on themes of self-discovery, the complexities of desire, and the bittersweet nature of first love. Despite the age gap, the older characters in both films develop an understanding of the younger protagonists' feelings.
All Over the Guy
Both "Call Me by Your Name" and "All Over the Guy" explore romantic relationships between two men, dealing with themes of self-discovery, family dynamics, and overcoming personal insecurities. The protagonists, Elio and Eli, develop feelings for older men (Oliver and Tom) who initially resist the connection. Despite obstacles, they pursue a physical relationship that is passionate yet fleeting due to the temporary nature of the men's stays. The films depict the emotional turmoil and heartbreak experienced when the relationships inevitably end, as well as the protagonists' journeys of self-acceptance with the support of understanding parents. Ultimately, the stories parallel each other in their poignant portrayals of first love, sexuality, and the lasting impact of formative relationships.
Just One Summer
Both "Just One Summer" and "Call Me by Your Name" explore a summer romance between two young people from different backgrounds. In "Call Me by Your Name", Elio, a 17-year-old Jewish Italian boy, falls for Oliver, a 24-year-old Jewish American graduate student staying with his family for the summer. Similarly, in "Just One Summer", a rich, rebellious boy develops feelings for a poor girl who is his childhood friend during a summer stay with his estranged father. The movies parallel each other in depicting a forbidden, passionate relationship that blossoms over the course of a summer, challenging societal norms and exploring themes of sexuality, identity, and the fleeting nature of youth. The protagonists must navigate their intense emotions and desires while facing the reality that their summer romance has an expiration date.