Both heartbreaking and quietly healing, Chloe Zhao’s Hamnet shows the raw pain of a mother struggling to deal with the devastating loss of her son. Based on Maggie O'Farrell's novel, it shows William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes Hathaway, dealing with the loss of their 11-year-old son, Hamnet. And Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal show an incredible performance, making the characters and their sorrow feel unbearably real.

For those drawn to its emotional intensity, other cinematic gems continue to explore grief, loss, pain, relationships, and human connection.

From a modern interpretation to a faithful adaptation of Shakespeare’s work, and soul-stirring period dramas, here are some of the films to watch after being deeply touched by Zhao’s Hamnet.

Directed by Kenneth Branagh, All Is True follows William Shakespeare as he returns home to Stratford-upon-Avon to his family after the Globe Theatre burns down in 1613. While the film shows his distant marriage to Anne Hathaway, it goes on to explore Shakespeare reconnecting with his daughters. While Hamnet portrays the intense grief of the parents following the death of their son, this film is set several years later, focusing on the family reconciliation.

Written and directed by Kenneth Branagh, Hamlet (1996 ) is an unabridged adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Branagh stars as Hamlet, Julie Christie as Gertrude, and Kate Winslet plays the role of Ophelia. What makes this four-hour adaptation more interesting is how it has not been changed or cut while preserving the original Elizabethan text. 

With a powerful performance from the cast and Shakespeare’s play almost completely untouched, it is a true cinematic spectacle that cannot be missed. 

Portrait of a Lady on Fire shows love, longing, and heartbreak. Set in 18th-century France, the story is about a painter who is secretly commissioned to create a portrait of a reluctant bride. This follows the intense bond that develops between the two women, which ends in a heart-wrenching separation. 

This is a brilliant piece directed by Céline Sciamma and starring Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel. 

Romeo + Juliet, which was released in 1996, is yet another masterpiece showing powerful performance and storytelling. Directed and co-written by Baz Luhrmann, it is a modernized adaptation of the tragic story with the same name. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes in the titular roles, the movie is set in Verona Beach.

Michelle Obama Praises Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet: “Beautifully Directed and Touching”

Although a new version, Romeo + Juliet keeps most of the original dialogue untouched.

Atonement is a gripping romantic war tragedy adapted from Ian McEwan’s novel. The film stars James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, and Saoirse Ronan, who showed powerful and emotional performances that are remembered to date. It follows a young girl, Briony Tallis, who falsely accused Robbie Turner of a crime, tearing apart his love with her sister, Cecilia.

This follows the devastating consequences of her lie across decades, including war, loss, and Briony’s lifelong guilt. Filmed across stunning English locations and showing meticulous period detail, it is a beautiful representation of 1930s England and France. 

Directed by Joel Coen, The Tragedy of Macbeth is an impressive adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic play. The film stars Denzel Washington as Macbeth and Frances McDormand as Lady Macbeth. Set in a shadowy, black-and-white world, it follows Macbeth’s rise to power and eventual downfall. 

While speaking of Macbeth, the 2015 version is also another must-watch movie. 

Written and directed by Michael Pearce, Beast is a British psychological thriller starring Jessie Buckley and Johnny Flynn. The film follows a young woman, Moll, trapped in a controlling family and a small island community, who becomes entangled with a mysterious and dangerous man, Pascal. As a series of murders terrorizes the island, Moll must confront secrets from both her past and Pascal’s dark history. 

The haunting visuals and strong performances by the cast, as well as the depth shown in the movie, were widely praised by the critics and fans alike. Buckley’s performance in Hamnet has been the heart of the film and, unsurprisingly, she won Golden Globes, Critics' Choice Awards, and BAFTA for her brilliant performance. She is also a strong contender to take home an Oscar.

This lineup of films was not complete without a movie that showed Buckley’s talent and what made Hamnet truly incredible. Hamnet explores loss, grief, and the slow, painful journey toward acceptance, as seen through the eyes of Hamnet’s mother coping with the tragedy of her son’s death. It beautifully showed grief, loss, and the strength of the human heart.

And films such as All Is True, Atonement, and Portrait of a Lady on Fire continue to explore such delicate love, sorrow, and the complexities of human connection. 

Which one of the movies will you watch after Hamnet? Let us know in the comments.