Netflix's Caramelo tells the story of a chef whose life shifts when he receives unexpected news about his health. The movie focuses on his bond with a golden retriever who helps him see the world through fresh eyes. Together, they navigate healing, loss, and second chances.
Netflix's Caramelo belongs to a genre that values subtle moments over huge gestures. These narratives focus on emotional bonds rather than dramatic plot twists. They explore how people find strength during complex times. The movie displays how companionship can arrive in unexpected forms. It reminds audiences that hope exists even when everything feels uncertain. The gentle pacing allows emotions to unfold naturally.
This Brazilian drama captures the bittersweet beauty of living completely despite knowing time is limited. For those who connected with this touching narrative, here are seven more dramas that explore similar themes of friendship, resilience, and finding light in intense places.
A Man Called Otto, The Farewell, Still Life, and four other movies to watch if you liked Netflix's Caramelo
1) Hachi: A Dog's Tale

The movie centres on a professor who finds an abandoned puppy at a train station. The bond between them grows stronger every day. The dog waits at the station every evening for his owner to come back. However, one day the owner dies. Unbeknownst to us, the dog still waits every day, and this has been going on for years. The story spans separate seasons and life changes.
It captures loyalty that transcends understanding. The movie avoids melodrama yet still moves the viewers deeply. Minor gestures carry enormous weight throughout the story. Like Netflix's Caramelo, it shows how animals teach humans about unconditional love and patience.
The movie is available on Amazon Prime for viewers to watch.
2) A Man Called Otto

A widower follows strict routines after losing his wife. He pushes people away with his rough demeanour. New neighbours arrive and refuse to give up on him. Their persistence slowly cracks his protective shell. The flashbacks reveal the love story that shaped his life. The present-day sequences display him rediscovering purpose through unexpected friendships.
Comedy balances the heavier emotional moments. The movie explores grief without making it the whole identity of its characters. Similar to Netflix's Caremelo, it displays how human connection can pull someone back from the edge of despair.
The movie is available on Amazon Prime for viewers to watch.
3) The Farewell

In this movie, a family gathers in China under the pretense of a wedding. They hide a terminal illness from their beloved grandmom. Cultural differences create chaos about the decision. The granddaughter struggles with keeping the secret. Every family member processes the situation differently. Meaning together turns precise stolen moments.
The movie explores how various cultures perceive dignity and the concept of death. It asks questions without providing simple answers. Like Netflix's Caramelo, it handles heavy themes with respect and gentleness towards the characters.
The movie is available on Amazon Prime for viewers to watch.
4) Still Life

The premise of this movie follows a council worker whose job involves tracing the relatives of people who have died alone. He approaches every case with thoroughness and dignity. His meticulous research uncovers forgotten lives and broken connections.
He attends funerals that would otherwise have no mourners. His own isolated existence mirrors those he investigates. A particular case starts to change his perspective.
The movie eventually moves forward, but with a deep purpose. It finds beauty in overlooked corners of human existence. The connection to Netflix's Caramelo lies in how both movies honor lives that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Still Life is available on Amazon Prime for viewers to watch.
5) Our Little Sister

Three sisters learn about their father's demise and discover they have a younger half-sister. They invite her to live with them despite a complicated family history.
The four girls build a new kind of family as a unit. Seasons transform as they share meals, celebrations, and quiet evenings. Cherry blossoms fall while they navigate belonging and forgiveness.
The movie captures everyday moments that build lasting connections. Grief coexists alongside joy without canceling out the other. Additionally, food preparation becomes a language of care. Much like Netflix's Caramelo, this movie trusts stillness to convey deep emotion.
The movie is available on Amazon Prime for viewers to watch.
6) The Fundamentals of Caring

A writer turns into a caregiver for a teen with muscular dystrophy. Their personalities clash in the beginning. A road trip transforms everything between them.
They pick up additional hitchhikers along the way. Every person carries their own unresolved pain. Humor emerges from authentic character interactions rather than forced humor. Vulnerability becomes strength as they open up to each other. The journey matters more than the destination. The movie shares Netflix's Caramelo's belief that healing comes through unexpected companionship.
The movie is available on Netflix for viewers to watch.
7) Umberto D.

An elderly pensioner encounters eviction from his apartment. His only companion is his small dog. He struggles to maintain dignity in an indifferent society.
Minor humiliations pile up each day. The relationship with his dog provides him with his only continuous warmth. He considers desperate measures to resolve problems. The movie was made years ago, but it feels timeless in its compassion. It observes rather than judges its main lead. Like Netflix's Caramelo, it proves that tales about ordinary people facing hardship can resonate across cultures and generations.
The movie is available on Amazon Prime for viewers to watch.
Netflix's Caramelo offers comfort through its honest portrayal of life's fragility and beauty. These seven productions carry similar emotional depth. They remind audiences that connection matters most when time feels short.