If the emotional highs and soulful realism of the recently released Metro In Dino moved you, then slice-of-life movies might be your next comfort watch. These movies don’t rely on grand drama or fantasy. Instead, they thrive in everyday moments, real relationships, quiet struggles, and the chaos of urban life. They are about people like us, caught between dreams and deadlines, love and loneliness. Here are some slice-of-life gems that echo the emotional depth, ensemble storytelling, and honest portrayals of modern life that made Metro In Dino so compelling.
7 heartwarming slice-of-life movies to watch if you liked Metro In Dino; on Netflix, JioHotstar, ZEE5 and more
1. Life in a… Metro – Netflix
Set against the backdrop of bustling Mumbai, this movie is a poignant and interwoven tale of love, loss, ambition, and loneliness. The movie follows multiple characters – from a married woman in a dead-end affair, to a rising executive caught in moral dilemmas, to a charmingly awkward man searching for connection – each trying to find meaning and companionship in a city that never pauses. With a soulful soundtrack and powerful performances by an ensemble cast featuring the late Irrfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kay Kay Menon, Shiney Ahuja, Kangana Ranaut, among others, the movie stands out for its mature, realistic storytelling. The movie portrayed urban life with honesty, subtlety, and heartbreak. If you have seen its spiritual successor, Metro… In Dino, this one is a must-watch.
2. Lady Bird – JioHotstar
Set in early-2000s Sacramento, Lady Bird is a tender coming-of-age story about Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson – a fiercely opinionated, creative teenager navigating her final year of high school. At its heart, the movie is about her complicated relationship with her hardworking mother, as well as the subtle push and pull between ambition and belonging, rebellion and love. Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut is refreshingly honest and deeply personal, capturing the awkwardness, beauty, and ache of growing up with stunning authenticity. With standout performances, particularly by Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf, witty dialogue, and a warm indie spirit, the movie is a love letter to messy adolescence, mothers and daughters, and the cities we are desperate to leave.
3. Anbe Sivam – YouTube
Anbe Sivam is not just a movie – it’s a philosophical journey wrapped in friendship, humour, and deep humanity. Written by and starring Kamal Haasan, this Tamil classic follows two unlikely companions – Nallasivam, a scarred but fiercely compassionate socialist, and Anbarasu (Aras), a young, capitalist-minded ad filmmaker – who bond during a rain‑stranded, eventful journey from Bhubaneswar to Chennai amid floods and mishaps. Through their interactions, Aras’s self‑centred worldview is gently but powerfully challenged. Nallasivam’s belief that love itself is God is revealed in moments of kindness, even toward strangers.
4. Chaman Bahaar – Amazon Prime Video
Billu (Jitendra Kumar), a paan vendor, sees his fortunes rise when Rinku (Ritika Badiani), a teen girl, moves in next door, drawing a swarm of local boys. His infatuation sparks jealousy among them and stirs up small-town politics, toxic masculinity, and social commentary. Jitendra delivers a layered portrayal of an awkward, well-meaning, but entitlement-driven youth. Ritika plays the silent object of affection – she doesn’t speak a word, but her presence speaks volumes. Her expressions become a deliberate mirror for the male gaze.
5. Chintu Ka Birthday – ZEE5
Set in Baghdad during the 2004 Iraq War, an Indian-Bihari family is desperately trying to celebrate six-year-old Chintu’s birthday. Amidst bomb blasts, shortages, and uncertainty about evacuation, they refuse to let the day pass without a cake and some cheer. But when two U.S. soldiers suddenly enter their home, point their guns, and disrupt the celebration, the family must summon courage, kindness, and hope to protect their son’s innocence. This slice-of-life drama beautifully weaves hope, innocence, and tension within the confined walls of a war-torn home.
6. Boyhood – Apple TV+
The movie chronicles the real-time coming-of-age of Mason (Ellar Coltrane), starting at age six and concluding with his freshman year of college. Through semi-annual filming, audiences witness his family life – divorced parents, shifting relationships, and everyday events like road trips, birthdays, and sibling dynamics – with authenticity. The result is a cinematic portrait of growing up in late ’90s and early 2000s America. Boyhood is a tender, immersive portrait of family, growth, and time’s passage.
7. The Florida Project – Amazon Prime Video
Set just outside Walt Disney World, the movie follows six-year-old Moonee and her single mother, Halley, living in a rundown motel called the Magic Castle Inn. Through a summer of mischievous adventures with her friends, Moonee’s carefree world collides with the harsh reality of poverty and unstable adulthood. Brooklynn Prince offers a standout, unfiltered performance as Moonee, while Willem Dafoe gives a tender, understated turn as Bobby, the motel manager who cares deeply for the children. This blend of innocence and danger gives the movie warmth and depth.
