20 Best Movies Like ‘I Like It Like That’

If you enjoyed the 1994 romantic comedy-drama I Like It Like That, directed by Darnell Martin, you’ll likely appreciate these other films with similar themes, tones, and storylines. I Like It Like That follows a young Latina woman in the Bronx dealing with marital issues, family drama, and personal growth. The movies on this list also explore relationships, culture clashes, hopes and dreams, and finding one’s identity.

1. Meeting Daddy (2000)

Meeting Daddy is an independent romantic comedy about an aspiring writer from New York who visits his girlfriend’s eccentric family in Georgia. With a humorous look at culture clashes, family dynamics, and the challenges of relationships, it shares several themes with I Like It Like That. Both movies depict a fish-out-of-water scenario with the protagonist navigating an unfamiliar environment and family. Meeting Daddy leans more heavily into the comedic aspects but still offers relatable insights into love, family, and personal aspirations.

2. Eat a Bowl of Tea (1989)

Set in 1940s New York, Eat a Bowl of Tea is a touching drama that examines the immigrant experience, generational divides, and traditional vs. modern perspectives on marriage and gender roles within a Chinese-American community. Like I Like It Like That, it portrays the complexities of relationships and family expectations. The story follows a new U.S.-born husband trying to work within traditional ways and his China-born wife eager to embrace the American Dream. Eat a Bowl of Tea thoughtfully explores cultural identity, assimilation, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment.

3. An Unmarried Woman (1978)

An Unmarried Woman is a groundbreaking film from the 1970s that depicts a wealthy Manhattan woman’s journey of self-discovery and empowerment after her husband of 16 years leaves her for a younger woman. While set in a very different socioeconomic milieu than I Like It Like That, it shares the central theme of a woman redefining herself and her relationships after a major life upheaval. With a mix of drama, comedy, and romance, An Unmarried Woman offers an insightful character study and commentary on gender roles and expectations.

4. One Fine Day (1996)

Starring Michelle Pfeiffer and George Clooney, One Fine Day is a charming romantic comedy about two single working parents in New York City who have a chance encounter and end up spending a hectic day together with their kids in tow. Though more lighthearted in tone than I Like It Like That, it also showcases the challenges of balancing work, parenting, and personal lives. The film’s humor and heartfelt moments arise from the characters’ relatable struggles and the unexpected connection that develops between them.

5. Darling Companion (2012)

Darling Companion is a warm and gently humorous drama about a woman who forms a deep bond with a rescue dog, much to her husband’s chagrin. When the dog goes missing during a family vacation in the Rockies, it sets off a search that brings the family closer together. Like I Like It Like That, it explores the complexities of long-term relationships and the ways in which people can grow and change over time. The film’s focus on the human-animal connection adds a unique and touching dimension to its portrayal of family dynamics.

6. Their Eyes Were Watching God (2005)

Based on the classic novel by Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God is a powerful drama set in the 1920s about a free-spirited African-American woman searching for love, identity, and independence. Though set in a different time period and cultural context than I Like It Like That, it shares themes of female empowerment, breaking free from societal expectations, and the transformative power of relationships. With rich characters and an evocative depiction of the African-American experience, it offers a thought-provoking exploration of race, gender, and self-discovery.

7. Just Another Girl on the I.R.T. (1992)

Just Another Girl on the I.R.T. is a gritty and realistic coming-of-age drama about a smart, ambitious Black teenager in Brooklyn with dreams of escaping her tough circumstances. Like the protagonist in I Like It Like That, she faces challenges and setbacks that force her to reevaluate her life and relationships. The film offers a raw and honest portrayal of urban life, teenage sexuality, and the struggle to break free from cycles of poverty and limited opportunities. With a powerful lead performance and a vivid sense of place, it’s a compelling watch.

8. Strictly Business (1991)

A romantic comedy with a corporate twist, Strictly Business follows an ambitious Black executive who tries to advance his career by setting up his womanizing best friend with the daughter of a potential business partner. Naturally, complications and misunderstandings ensue. While more focused on male friendship and business culture than I Like It Like That, it also deals with themes of ambition, loyalty, and the sometimes blurry lines between personal and professional relationships. The film’s humor and heart come from the genuine bond between the central characters.

9. Claudine (1974)

Claudine is a poignant romantic drama starring Diahann Carroll as a single mother of six in Harlem who falls in love with a charming garbage collector played by James Earl Jones. Set against the backdrop of 1970s New York, it realistically portrays the challenges faced by working-class Black women and the complexities of relationships and family life. Like I Like It Like That, it offers a nuanced depiction of a community often underrepresented on screen, with multi-dimensional characters and a mix of humor, heartbreak, and hope.

10. Raising Victor Vargas (2002)

A tender and authentic coming-of-age story, Raising Victor Vargas follows a teenage boy in New York’s Lower East Side as he tries to maintain his reputation as a ladies’ man while also looking out for his younger siblings and struggling with family issues. Like I Like It Like That, it offers a slice-of-life portrait of a Latino community and the challenges and joys of family bonds. With naturalistic performances and a keen eye for detail, it captures the bittersweet experience of growing up and finding one’s place in the world.

11. Girlfight (2000)

Girlfight is a gritty sports drama about a tough teenage girl from Brooklyn who channels her anger and frustration into boxing, finding an unexpected sense of purpose and self-worth in the ring. Like the protagonist in I Like It Like That, she defies expectations and gender stereotypes to forge her own path. The film offers a powerful portrayal of a young woman’s fight for respect and identity in a male-dominated world, with an electrifying lead performance by Michelle Rodriguez in her breakout role.

12. Real Women Have Curves (2002)

Set in East Los Angeles, Real Women Have Curves is a coming-of-age dramedy about an intelligent and ambitious young Mexican-American woman torn between her dreams of going to college and the expectations of her traditional family. Like I Like It Like That, it deals with themes of cultural identity, family obligations, and female empowerment. With humor and heart, it celebrates the strength and resilience of Latina women and the importance of staying true to oneself.

13. Quinceañera (2006)

Quinceañera is a poignant and insightful drama about a pregnant teenage girl and her gay cousin navigating family tensions and societal pressures in Los Angeles’ Echo Park neighborhood. Like I Like It Like That, it offers a nuanced portrayal of a Latino community and the challenges faced by young people coming of age in a changing world. With a mix of humor and heartbreak, it explores themes of love, acceptance, and the enduring bonds of family.

14. Our Song (2000)

Our Song is a slice-of-life drama about three teenage girls in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, facing the joys and pains of growing up over one pivotal summer. Like I Like It Like That, it offers a realistic and sympathetic portrayal of a tight-knit urban community and the struggles and dreams of its young people. With naturalistic performances and a keen sense of place, it captures the bittersweet beauty of friendship and the search for identity and purpose.

15. Chop Shop (2007)

Set in the shadow of Shea Stadium in Queens, Chop Shop is a neorealist drama about a young Latino boy working in an auto-body repair shop to support himself and his sister. Like I Like It Like That, it offers a gritty and compassionate look at the lives of working-class people in New York City, with a focus on the resilience and resourcefulness of youth. With a documentary-like approach and non-professional actors, it immerses viewers in a rarely seen world.

16. Spanglish (2004)

Spanglish is a heartfelt comedy-drama about a Mexican woman who works as a housekeeper for a wealthy Los Angeles family and forms a close bond with her employer’s troubled daughter. Dealing with themes of cultural differences, family dynamics, and the search for belonging, it shares some key elements with I Like It Like That. With a great cast and a mix of humor and pathos, it offers a warm and insightful look at the immigrant experience and the complexities of human connection across divides.

17. Bread and Roses (2000)

Directed by Ken Loach, Bread and Roses is a powerful social drama about a young Mexican woman working as a janitor in Los Angeles who becomes involved in a labor strike and fight for better working conditions. Like I Like It Like That, it deals with issues of economic struggle, family loyalty, and standing up for one’s rights and dignity. With a naturalistic style and strong performances, it offers a stirring portrait of solidarity and the human cost of injustice.

18. Maria Full of Grace (2004)

Maria Full of Grace is a gripping and empathetic drama about a young Colombian woman who becomes a drug mule to escape her difficult circumstances and provide for her family. Like the protagonist in I Like It Like That, she faces hard choices and risks in pursuit of a better life. With a riveting lead performance and a humanistic approach, the film offers a harrowing yet compassionate look at the realities of the drug trade and the lengths people will go to for survival and hope.

19. Down to the Bone (2004)

Down to the Bone is a raw and realistic drama about a working-class mother in upstate New York struggling to overcome a cocaine addiction and keep her family together. Like I Like It Like That, it offers an unflinching look at the challenges faced by women in tough circumstances, and the strength and vulnerability it takes to change one’s life. With a powerhouse performance by Vera Farmiga and a gritty, unvarnished style, it’s a haunting and ultimately hopeful portrait of recovery and redemption.

20. Frozen River (2008)

Set in a bleak Upstate New York town near a Mohawk reservation, Frozen River is a tense and moving drama about two women – one white, one Mohawk – who form an uneasy partnership smuggling immigrants across the Canadian border. Like I Like It Like That, it deals with themes of economic desperation, cultural divides, and the lengths mothers will go to provide for their children. With icy cinematography and lived-in performances, it’s a gripping and empathetic tale of survival and unlikely connection.

These 20 movies offer a diverse range of stories and styles, but they all share key themes and elements with I Like It Like That – culturally specific yet universally resonant tales of relationships, self-discovery, and the search for love and meaning in a challenging world. Whether you’re drawn to gritty realism, heartfelt romance, or quirky comedy, there’s something on this list to satisfy fans of Darnell Martin’s groundbreaking film. So track them down and enjoy a cinematic journey through the laughter, tears, and triumphs of the human experience.