If Forrest Gump Felt Like a F...., These Stories Travel a Similar P... (2025/2026)

Forrest Gump is one of those rare movies that manages to capture the full spectrum of human experience in just over two hours. It’s funny, heartbreaking, hopeful, and wise — all at once. Through the eyes of one simple man with a kind heart, we get a front-row seat to decades of American history, love, loss, and the beauty of just... showing up.

If Forrest Gump left you feeling like you’d just lived an entire life in one sitting — and maybe even changed how you see your own — you're probably looking for more films that feel like that: part journey, part soul-search, all heart.

Here are 12 unforgettable stories that echo Forrest Gump's emotional depth, sweeping narratives, and quietly profound impact — perfect for your 2025/2026 watchlist.

1. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Genre: Biography, Drama

Will Smith delivers one of his most vulnerable performances in this inspiring real-life story of Chris Gardner, a struggling single father who never gives up. Like Forrest, it’s not about brilliance — it’s about resilience.

2. Big Fish (2003)

Genre: Fantasy, Drama

This whimsical yet deeply moving film tells the story of a father’s tall tales through the eyes of his skeptical son. It blurs the line between truth and fiction — much like Forrest’s unbelievable adventures — and reminds us that sometimes, the story is bigger than the facts.

3. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Comedy

This underrated gem is about breaking free from routine and discovering the extraordinary in the ordinary. With stunning cinematography and an introspective core, it’s a quiet adventure of self-discovery.

4. A Man Called Otto (2022)

Genre: Drama, Comedy

Tom Hanks again, but this time as a grumpy widower learning to reconnect with life. While tonally different from Forrest Gump, it carries that same emotional honesty and subtle charm.

5. Slumdog Millionaire (2008)

Genre: Drama, Romance

A boy from the slums of Mumbai rises to win Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? — but each answer comes from a life moment filled with hardship, luck, and love. It’s fast-paced, emotional, and incredibly human.

6. Rain Man (1988)

Genre: Drama

A classic road-trip story with heart, Rain Man explores the unlikely bond between two estranged brothers. Like Forrest Gump, it’s about understanding, empathy, and the unexpected ways people change us.

7. Julie & Julia (2009)

Genre: Biography, Drama, Comedy

Two women, decades apart, change their lives through food and storytelling. It’s sweet, sincere, and all about finding purpose in unexpected places — something Forrest would absolutely understand.

8. Captain Fantastic (2016)

Genre: Drama, Comedy

A father raising his children off-grid must re-enter society after a family tragedy. It’s a film about life’s messy beauty and learning to let go — much like Forrest learning to love and lose.

9. The Hundred-Foot Journey (2014)

Genre: Drama, Comedy

A young Indian chef’s journey to culinary success in France is filled with cultural clashes, heartwarming friendships, and personal growth. It’s a delicious mix of charm, humor, and soul.

10. Life of Pi (2012)

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Drama

This visually stunning odyssey follows a boy stranded at sea with a Bengal tiger. It’s a metaphor-heavy tale about survival, belief, and storytelling — rich with the same philosophical undertones that made Forrest Gump quietly profound.

11. About Time (2013)

Genre: Romance, Drama, Fantasy

A young man discovers he can travel through time and uses that gift to savor life and love. It’s gentle, emotional, and deeply human — the kind of story that reminds you to treasure the little moments.

12. Benjamin Button (2008)

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Drama

A man aging in reverse lives a life full of love and loss. Like Forrest, Benjamin narrates a journey that’s anything but typical — but equally packed with soul-searching and beauty.