With its first season in the books,The PittcaptivatedTVaudiences and is among the latest medicaldramasto make an impact. The series follows the staff of a Pittsburgh hospital over the course of a single shift.Noah Wylestars as Dr. Robinavitch, or Dr. Robby, a seasoned doctor who has to lead his team while coming to terms with his own demons. Throughout the chaotic shift,Dr. Robby has to guide his team of residents, med students, and other staff as they do their best to save as many patients as possible.
Some movies, likePatch Adams, highlight characters similar to those featured inThe Pitt, who are committed to providing exceptional patient care and honoring their patients' humanity. Other movies, likeDumb Money, highlight the realities that healthcare workers faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and in its aftermath.The best movies that are similar toThe Pitthighlight present important stories that leave viewers thinking long after the credits roll.
The Pitt is a medical drama developed by veterans of the television series ER. The series will follow healthcare workers set in Pittsburgh, showing he challenges faced in the modern-day United States by nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals.
10’Contagion' (2011)
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
Contagionfollows a fictional worldwide pandemic that brings the world to a halt. The story features scientists, medical professionals, and ordinary citizens who try to cope with the evolving disaster.Contagionhighlights how far this fictional illness spreads and how everyone’s life is impactedas scientists and the government try to keep up with the evolving crisis. The movie features an all-star cast, includingCate Blanchett,Laurence Fishburne,Marion Cotillard, andMatt Damon.
RevisitingContagionafter the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemicis a harrowing experience. However, those who appreciatePitt’sauthentic portrayal of public health emergencies may appreciateContagion’s story.BothContagionandThePitthighlight the human drama that inevitably unfolds during and after a pandemic, and how public health involves a massive team of people who work behind the scenes while often going underappreciated.
Healthcare professionals, government officials and everyday people find themselves in the midst of a pandemic as the CDC works to find a cure.
9’Awakenings' (1990)
Directed by Penny Marshall
Awakeningsis based on the memoirof British neurologistOliver Sacks.Robin Williamsplays a fictional version of Sacks, Dr. Malcolm Sayer. The story revolves around the discovery of a possible treatment for patients who survived the encephalitis lethargica outbreak. Leonard Lowe (Robert De Niro) isa patient who is awakened after years of being in a catatonic state due to the illness. The movie follows his adjustment to a new reality.
Fans ofBrilliant Mindswill recognizeAwakeningsas another story based on the life and career of Sacks.Awakeningsis similar toThe Pittin that it humanizes doctors who are so often put on pedestals and considered untouchable.The PittandAwakeningsare examples of stories that highlight the complex nature of human health, and what a difference it makes to have medical professionals who genuinely care for their patients and will stop at nothing to get them through the worst of their health crises.
Awakenings
8’Sicko' (2007)
Directed by Michael Moore
Sickois a documentary by Michael Moorethat sheds light on the reality of American healthcare.Moore presents the story of several Americans and their families who had medical insurance but were denied care for different reasons. Throughout the documentary, Moore compares American healthcare to that of other countries and highlights the dangers so many Americans have found themselves in when facing the healthcare industry, even if they have insurance.
WhileSickowas filmed before the implementation of Obamacare, the main points of the documentary still stand the test of time. In particular,Moore’s highlight of the corporate greed that influences American politics is a horrifying reminder that this system remains in place to this day.The Pittmay be fictional, but it highlights the real problems with the American healthcare system, as detailed inSicko.
7’W.' (2008)
Directed by Oliver Stone
W. is a satirical biography of George W. Bush(Josh Brolin). In the movie,Bush is played as a bumbling, flawed, but deeply lovable man who finds himself caught up in politics almost against his will. The movie focuses on Bush’s relationship with his father,George Bush Sr.(James Cromwell), who was also president.W.follows Bush’s presidency in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and his subsequent decision to send American troops to Iraq. Noah Wyle stars as former US Secretary of CommerceDonald Evans.
While Wyle may not have a prominent role inW., the movie is an example of him being able to create a compelling character, regardless of whether he is center stage. For those who appreciate Wyle’s leading performance inThe Pitt, this is an opportunity to see the actor in a more supportive role where he is able to play off his co-stars. For those who appreciate Wyle’s starring role inThe Pitt,W.is a reminder that he has always been capable of standing out, even in objectively smaller roles.
6’A Few Good Men' (1992)
Directed by Rob Reiner
A Few Good Menis a legal drama that follows an investigation into the death of a US Marine. Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) is sent to find the truth about the death of a young Marine under suspicious circumstances. The movie followsa military legal team as they try to piece together the truth about what happenedand how senior military leadership was involved. Noah Wyle makes an appearance as a witness, Corporal Jeffrey Owen Barnes.
A Few Good Menis another example of Wyle getting a chance to showcase his charm in a more supportive role. He makes himself essential to the story in a few short moments. WhileA Few Good Menis a showcasefor Cruiseand his talents, it is also another opportunity to highlight how Wyle is able to create compelling characters with little screen time. For those who were captivated by Wyle’s performance as Dr. Robby inThe Pitt,A Few Good Menoffers a glimpse at Wyle relatively early in his career.
A Few Good Men
Military lawyer Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee defends Marines accused of murder. They contend they were acting under orders.
5’Heartthrob' (2017)
Directed by Chris Sivertson
Heartthrobis a thriller that follows two people who fall in love after a chance meeting. Samantha (Aubrey Peeples) and Henry (Keir Gilchrist) initially embark on a whirlwind romance before Henry’s obsession makes their love story take a dark turn.The movie explores the dangers of unchecked infatuation as Henry becomes more unhinged. Before she was the lovableDr. Mel King onThe Pitt,Taylor Deardenplayed Cleo in her feature film debut.
For those who love Dr. King and think she is one of the best characters featured inThe Pitt,Heartthroboffers an early look at Dearden’s talent. While this is a smaller role in the context of the story,Dearden brings passion and soul to a character who has to exist against a chaotic backdrop. For those who loved Dearden’s performance inThe Pitt,Heartthroboffers the chance to see how far she has come in her career.
Heartthrob
4’The Silence of the Lambs' (1991)
Directed by Jonathan Demme
The Silence of the Lambsis a psychological thriller that follows a young FBI agent, Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), tasked with hunting down the serial killer known as Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine). In order to find him and get inside his head,Starling enlists the help of an imprisoned serial killer, Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). While the story takes place across the United States, the majority ofthe movie was filmed in Pittsburghand its surrounding area.
For fans who appreciateThe Pitt’s focus on the city of Pittsburgh,The Silence of the Lambsoffersa similar experience.In both of these stories, Pittsburgh becomes an effective backdrop to highlight the best and worst of humanity.The PittandThe Silence of the Lambsdon’t necessarily focus on the city of Pittsburgh as a character. However, Pittsburgh as a setting is an essential part of bringing both of these stories to life.
Silence of the Lambs
Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling, a top student at the FBI’s training academy. Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out.
3’Dumb Money' (2023)
Directed by Craig Gillespie
Dumb Moneyfollows the GameStop shortthat threw off the US stock market during the COVID-19 pandemic.Keith Gill(Paul Dano) is a financial analyst who ran a stream on the subreddit r/WallStreetBets, through which he provided financial advice to thousands of followers.Dumb Moneyhighlights how unprepared the US stock market was for ordinary people to become part of the game that they have been playing for years.
WhileDumb Moneytakes place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, andThe Pitthighlights its lingering effects, both stories invite viewers to consider how much this cataclysmic event changed society.Dumb MoneyandThe Pittspotlight ordinary characters who found themselves in the middle of a world-changing pandemic and had to adjust to new realities. For those who appreciatedThe Pitt’s ability to highlight ordinary people who had their lives upended by the pandemic,Dumb Moneydoes the same.
Dumb Money
David vs. Goliath tale about everyday people who flipped the script on Wall Street and got rich by turning GameStop (the video game store) into the world’s hottest company.
2'7 Days' (2021)
Directed by Roshan Sethi
7 Daysis a romantic comedy that takes place at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It follows two young Indian-Americans, Rita (Geraldine Viswanathan) and Ravi (Karan Soni). The movie chronicles their awkward pre-arranged date, and the fact that they are subsequently forced to quarantine together in the early days of the pandemic.The story is sweet, charming, and perfectly sums of the chaos of the early days of the pandemic.
WhileThe Pittfollows the aftermathof the COVID-19 pandemic and7 Dayscaptures the beginning, both stories highlight how transformational this event was for everyone. Both stories introduce characters who have had their lives forever changed by the COVID-19 pandemic and how they had to find a way to carry on.The Pittand7 Daysmay feature perspectives from opposite ends of the pandemic, but they each invite viewers to process their own experiences of this crucial time in history.
1’Patch Adams' (1998)
Directed by Tom Shadyac
Patch Adamsis based on the true storyof a doctor who disrupted America’s medical industry. Robin Williams plays the titular character, a man who finds himself at odds with his peers in the medical profession as he tries to center patients in their own care. Adams uses his own experiences struggling with mental health to bring hope to the patients he treats as a doctor.Patch Adamsis a hopeful look at what the American healthcare system could be.
For those who appreciate the fact thatThe Pittshows medical professionals who genuinely care about their patients and want to do their best for them,Patch Adamsfeatures one character embodying all of this.These stories highlight the challenges that exist within the American medical system, and how healthcare workers do the best they can with limited resources.The PittandPatch Adamshighlight medical professionals who take care to provide patient-centered care at every opportunity.
