May December is a psychological drama film directed by Todd Haynes, from a screenplay by Samy Burch. The Netflix film is based on a story by Burch and Alex Mechanik. It revolves around an actress Elizabeth Berry as she arrives in Savannah, Georgia to research her new role of Gracie Atherton-Yoo, who was part of a nationwide scandal in 1992. Gracie was caught having sex with 13-year-old Joe. Now, both of them lead a perfect suburban life as a married couple but after the arrival of Elizabeth, some long-dormant feelings bubble up. May December stars Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, and Charles Melton in the lead roles. So, if you loved the Netflix film here are some similar movies you could watch next.

American Beauty (Netflix, Rent on Prime Video & Pluto TV)

One of America’s most uncomfortable watches, which is made even more uncomfortable now because of the unfortunate casting of Kevin Spacey is American Beauty. The 1999 film is directed by Sam Mendes and it revolves around a middle-aged man named Lester whose wife hates him, his daughter addresses him with contempt, and his career is also not going as he would have hoped because his boss is looking to fire him. While going through the struggle that is his daily life, Lester becomes disillusioned with his existence and starts craving excitement and joy in his life but to achieve that he might just lose everything.

In the Cut (Rent on Prime Video)

In the Cut is a mystery thriller film by Jane Campion. Starring Meg Ryan in the lead role, the film revolves around her character Frannie Avery, a middle-class teacher living in New York who witnesses a sexual assault that might have led to a murder. When Detective James Malloy arrives to ask some questions, the relationship between Frannie and James quickly turns passionate all the while the killer roams free leaving Frannie with no idea of who the killer is and who can she trust.

The Graduate (Prime Video, Pluto TV & Tubi)

The Graduate is a romantic comedy that at first doesn’t seem anything like May December, but upon further inspection, it does show us a taboo relationship, and while it isn’t as interesting in the long-term consequences of that taboo relationship, at least this classic film is very entertaining. The Graduate revolves around Benjamin, who has recently graduated, and during the party that his parents throw in honor of his graduation, he is seduced by Mrs. Robinson, the wife of Benjamin’s father’s close friend and business partner. But this affair doesn’t last long as Benjamin falls in love with Mrs. Robinson’s daughter and a jealous Mrs. Robinson tries everything in her power to break them apart.

Adore (Rent on Prime Video)

In this romantic thriller by Anne Fontaine titled Adore, we see a taboo relationship and the consequences it has on both parties involved, and that’s the reason why May December movie fans might find this film interesting. The film revolves around two lifelong friends who begin a steamy affair with each other’s son, but things quickly start going wrong when one of the guys starts dating girls of his age. Adore stars Robin Wright, Naomi Watts, Xavier Samuel, James Frecheville, and Ben Mendelsohn.

The Reader (Rent on Prime Video)

In this German-American romantic war drama, we find a taboo erotic affair that turns into love. The 2008 film based on the German novel of the same name by Bernhard Schlink revolves around the relationship between Michael Berg, a 15-year-old boy in 1958 and Hanna an older woman. This taboo affair quickly turns into love but Hanna abruptly moves away leaving Michael heartbroken. Years later Michael becomes a lawyer and is quite shocked to hear that Hanna is being accused of war crimes during the Nazi regime. The Reader stars Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, and David Kross in the lead roles of Hanna and Michael. If we have successfully explained the synopsis of The Reader then you might start seeing the connection we are making between this period film and May December.

Elegy (Prime Video & Tubi)

Elegy is a romantic-drama film that follows the tradition of this list by featuring a relationship with a considerable age gap between the two people involved. Based on a novel by Philip Roth titled The Dying Animal, Elegy revolves around a renowned professor named David Kepesh, who wants nothing to do with monogamy and that’s the reason he walked out on his wife and son. His days are now filled with art, music, and women including his students. He leads his hedonistic lifestyle until he meets another one of his students Consuela Castillo and becomes attracted to her who is much younger than him. They begin a steamy affair but Davis begins to think that this affair might be leading to something serious. Will his reservations prove to be true or will he continue living his hedonistic lifestyle even after meeting Consuela, find out in Elegy.

An Education (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video)

In this coming-of-age drama film directed by Lone Scherfig, we go back to 1961 London and follow the story of an intelligent and beautiful 16-year-old girl named Jenny Mellor, who has a bright future ahead of her. But when a much older man rides into her life in his shiny car, she begins a romantic relationship with him but what she doesn’t know is that behind all that charm and kindness, he is just a conman. The film is based on a memoir of the same name by British journalist Lynn Barber and it stars Carrey Mulligan and Peter Sarsgaard in the lead roles.

Marriage Story (Netflix)

Noah Baumbach has always been one of the most unique and talented filmmakers working in Hollywood, but this might be his best film ever. The 2019 drama film follows the deterioration of marriage and it looks at all the ugly, heartbreaking, and anger-filled moments with compassion and love. In Marriage Story, Baumbach shows us the end of a relationship but also a family that has to stay together in spirit for the sake of their child. Starring Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver in the lead roles, Marriage Story is one of the rawest and most beautiful films about human nature you will ever see.

Closer (Rent on Prime Video)

This romantic drama film by Mike Nichols titled Closer serves as a deep inspection of how relationships grow over time and how they start to disintegrate. Closer revolves around four people who meet each other by chance but these meetings turn into instant attractions leading to a romantic relationship and the eventual betrayal follows. Starring Jude Law, Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, and Natalie Portman in the lead roles, Closer doesn’t have the explosive storyline as May December but it does give us a look into the journey a relationship takes over time.

Age of Consent (Rent on Prime Video)

Directed by Michael Powell, this romantic-drama film follows the story of a taboo relationship just as May December. The 1969 film titled Age of Consent revolves around a disillusioned artist who leaves his shallow New York lifestyle and moves to a remote Australian island where he finds a girl just as he is searching for fresh inspiration. She agrees to pose for him thus starting their unusual relationship. The film is based on a novel of the same name by Norman Lindsay and while it doesn’t have many things in common with May December, a taboo relationship is the one thing that they do.