10 Movies Like Netflix’s Through My Window

The Spanish-language Netflix series titled “Through My Window,” a trilogy, tells the story of Raquel (Clara Galle), a teenage girl who has long harbored feelings for her neighbor Ares (Julio Peña). One fateful night, he unexpectedly shows up at her window, leading to an argument about WiFi. This encounter brings them closer for the first time, despite their proximity over the years. However, as their relationship appears to develop, Ares starts to distance himself, causing Raquel pain along the way.

Similar to many teen-focused series, “Through My Window” tackles topics such as self-discovery, initial romance, complex family issues, and facing the uncertain. Ares’ father attempts to keep them apart, dissuading Ares from meeting Raquel, which only adds to their confusion. Despite his repeated heartbreaks, Raquel and Ares manage to maintain a connection in their lives.

According to the widely-read Wattpad novel by Venezuelan author Ariana Godoy, which was adapted into a Netflix trilogy, the series has amassed a dedicated fanbase. Notably, the first installment continues to rank among the top five foreign language films on the streaming platform. For viewers seeking content reminiscent of the trilogy once they’ve finished watching it, here are ten captivating movies similar to “Through My Window” that you might enjoy next.

My Fault

The Spanish film titled “My Fault” narrates the story of Noah (Nicole Wallace), a teenage girl who shifts to living with her mother’s new spouse. As she departs from her friends and boyfriend, she encounters Nick (Gabriel Guevara), her newly acquired step-brother who seems intent on provoking her. In quick succession, Noah and Nick engage in verbal sparring, yet this does not deter Nick from acting as a guardian towards her. Over time, they both acknowledge an unspoken connection. However, Noah’s mother strongly disapproves of their relationship blossoming, not primarily because they are step-siblings, but due to concerns that their friendship might appear as them pursuing the financial resources of Nick’s family.

Noah, the protagonist from “My Fault,” and Raquel, the main character in “Through My Window,” are both teenagers who have grown accustomed to their mothers standing by their side against whatever life throws at them. Both characters hail from middle-class backgrounds, which contrasts with the wealthier upbringings of their romantic interests. Moreover, Ares’ father and Nick’s father share negative opinions towards their respective relationships, with Ares’ father labeling Raquel as a distraction, while Nick’s father supports Noah’s mother in believing that they should not be together.

From my perspective as a film enthusiast, “Through My Window” and “My Fault” share several common threads. Both are captivating foreign language films, centered around teenage drama, and they both showcase powerful female protagonists who grapple with their feelings for someone deemed inaccessible. Additionally, they’re part of trilogies, making them ideal choices for a marathon viewing session on a weekend. Although critics might not have resonated with them, the audience score of 85% on Rotten Tomatoes suggests that viewers found these movies engaging and worthwhile.

Starring: Nicole Wallace, Gabriel Guevara, Marta Hazas
Director: Domingo González
Year: 2023
Runtime: 1h 57m
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 0%

First Love

Amidst the 2008 financial crisis in the U.S., the story “First Love” unfolds, focusing on two high school seniors who encounter each other, develop feelings, and subsequently face separation during their college years. Characters Jim (portrayed by Hero Fiennes Tiffin) and Ann (played by Sydney Park) first cross paths in the school library, where Jim finds himself drawn to her charm. As their interactions deepen, Jim becomes increasingly smitten with Ann, while she maintains a casual approach as advised by her mother.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but notice the captivating parallels between my favorite game “First Love” and the beloved movie “Through My Window”. Both narratives are brimming with relatable characters and intriguing storylines that tug at your heartstrings.

In this virtual world, just like in the film, our protagonists, Jim and Ares, grapple with the weight of their fathers’ expectations. They tread different paths initially, but life throws them curveballs, forcing them to reevaluate their dreams and desires, leading them towards Ann and Raquel respectively.

Jim and Ann have a more harmonious relationship compared to Ares and Raquel, yet both couples face interference from their respective families. While Ares’ family disapproves of him spending time with Raquel, Ann’s mom fears her daughter is investing too much in something that may not last once she goes to college. Despite causing pain at times, parents often act with the best intentions for their children, even if it doesn’t always seem so. The film, though not among the greatest college films ever made, is still incredibly moving.

Starring: Diane Kruger, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Sydney Park
Director: A. J. Edwards
Year: 2022
Runtime: 1h 36m
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 33%

The Last Song

During the summer, Miley Cyrus’s character, Ronnie, along with her younger brother, are staying with their father, Steven (Greg Kinnear), following a divorce that occurred three years prior. This situation is particularly challenging for Ronnie as she has intentionally avoided contacting him since the separation. During her time in her dad’s quiet beach town, she crosses paths with Will (Liam Hemsworth), a well-known teenager from an affluent family. Despite the hurdles they face, they start seeing each other. As Ronnie navigates through their relationship, she also gains insights into her family background and rediscovers one of her long-lost passions.

Will’s parents share similar disapproval towards his relationship with Ronnie, just as Ares’ parents did. Being a well-to-do family in the community, it puts Ronnie in an uncomfortable position when she’s not invited to family gatherings or acknowledged by Will’s parents. Similar to Raquel, Ronnie seeks creative expression, having abandoned her passion for piano due to her father’s disapproval. Unlike Raquel, who lacks the confidence to write her own story, Ronnie and Raquel eventually find their creative outlets.

In simpler terms, “The Last Song” is a film based on Nicholas Sparks’ work, similar to “Through My Window,” as both stories emphasize self-discovery and pursuing the one you love. For Will, this means moving colleges to be with Ronnie, while Ares takes it literally by going through Raquel’s window.

Starring: Miley Cyrus, Liam Hemsworth, Greg Kinnear
Director: Julie Anne Robinson
Year: 2010
Runtime: 1h 48m
Rating: PG
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 21%

After

As Tessa (Josephine Langford) embarks on her college journey, she encounters more than anticipated when she’s acquainted with Hardin (Hero Fiennes Tiffin), a friend of one of her roommates. A not-so-cordial encounter at a fraternity event leads to discovering they share a class, and their paths cross repeatedly. With Hardin persistently courting her, Tessa finds herself drawn to him despite having a boyfriend back home. Even when it appears that Hardin and Tessa surmount the hurdles in their path and form a relationship, Tessa uncovers that Hardin’s initial motives were not as sincere as she believed.

In the progression of the “After” series, we see an increasing exposure of Hardin’s father complications, similar to how Ares’ story unfolds in “Through My Window.” Both characters grapple with navigating their relationships with their fathers, burdened by their expectations. Tessa and Raquel consistently offer second chances to Hardin and Ares despite being repeatedly hurt, holding onto hope that each instance will be the final healing moment. Their friends even step in to highlight these romantic entanglements to them.

As a devoted gamer and story enthusiast, I’ve got two captivating tales to share with you today, both stemming from popular Wattpad stories that have graced our screens as successful films. The first one, “Through My Window,” offers a unique perspective, while the second, “After,” boasts an extensive collection of movies (here’s how to watch the “After” series in order).

Both narratives revolve around intricate relationship dynamics, encompassing the couples themselves and the complex bond between the leading men and their dads. If you’re a fan of “Through My Window,” you’ll find the back-and-forth narrative of “After” to be quite intriguing as it unfolds.

Starring: Josephine Langford, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Selma Blair
Director: Jenny Gage
Year: 2019
Runtime: 1h 45m
Rating: PG-13
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 18%

Anonymously Yours

As a gamer, I found myself at odds with Valeria (Annie Cabello) and Alex (Ralf Morales) offline, but once we crossed paths anonymously in the digital realm, everything shifted. In the vast expanse of social media, we formed a bond, lending each other an understanding ear as we navigated shared teen challenges. Unbeknownst to us, we grew fond of one another behind faceless screens, unaware that the person I was growing to care for was someone I held contempt for in real life.

In contrast to Ares, who ultimately follows his passion for medicine after a turning point, Valeria grapples with her parents’ desire for her to join the family business and her personal aspiration to work in films. Meanwhile, Alex, from a middle-class family, navigates social hierarchies as he aspires to keep pace with his more affluent peers, much like the dynamic portrayed in “Through My Window.

If you’re a fan seeking more international films, I recommend giving the Mexican movie “Anonymously Yours” a try. Its plotline and technological element are comparable to the WiFi-related storyline in “Through My Window”. Instead of communicating via a WiFi password, Valeria and Alex engage through messaging, creating humor just as intriguing as waiting for Ares to appear at Raquel’s window next. It might not reach the heights of Netflix’s all-time greatest films, but it’s an excellent choice if you enjoyed “Through My Window.

Starring: Annie Cabello, Ralf Morales, Estefi Merelles
Director: Maria Torres
Year: 2021
Runtime: 1h 40m
IMDb Rating: 5.8

Remember Me

Tyler (played by Robert Pattinson) works in a bookstore and has a complex relationship with his father. Meanwhile, Ally (Emilie de Ravin), who’s a student in New York, faces similar issues with her own dad. When Tyler tries to get revenge on the police officer who arrested him, who is none other than Ally’s father, their paths cross and they start a romantic story that transforms into something deeper than just revenge.

In a slightly different phrasing: Ally and Tyler share similarities with Ares and his relationship with his father, albeit to varying extents. Each of them finds themselves in situations where they must defy their fathers’ wishes and voice disagreement. Raquel and Ally endure hardships when Ares and Tyler deceive them, but both pairs manage to mend their relationships after realizing that there are sincere feelings between them.

Be advised: ‘Remember Me’ has an unexpectedly grim conclusion. Yet, it serves as a reminder to pursue your dreams, no matter how improbable they may seem. For Raquel, that dream is expressing herself through writing, and for Ally, it’s finding the strength to progress after losing her mother.

Starring: Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Allen Coulter
Year: 2010
Runtime: 1h 53m
Rating: PG-13
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 26%

Float

Instead of preparing an extraordinary internship prior to her medical residency, Waverly (Andrea Bang) yearns for a brief respite before moving on. To achieve this, she decides to spend the summer at her aunt’s coastal residence, secretly informing her parents that she is at an internship instead. During her stay, she forms new acquaintances, among them Blake (Robbie Amell), her aunt’s neighbor. This experience helps her understand where she wants her life to be headed beyond what her parents have planned for her.

Drifting” could be an ideal choice for a film with a similar ambiance as “Through My Window,” but focusing on mature characters. It offers a perspective on how such situations can arise at any stage of life, underscoring the challenge of going against one’s parents’ wishes even as an adult. By rebelling, Waverly ultimately discovers the freedom to experiment and take risks, something she was previously denied. This mirrors the experience of Raquel, who eventually decides to pen her story after repeatedly procrastinating.

Both “Through My Window” and “Float” present protagonists, Raquel and Waverly, who yearn for the determination to transform their lives. Raquel takes a leap by expressing feelings for Ares and embarking on her writing journey, while Waverly strives to escape her parents’ predetermined path. In essence, both characters find themselves in similar situations, drawing striking parallels between them, much like the leads in a Netflix film.

Starring: Andrea Bang, Robbie Amell, Michelle Krusiec
Director: Sherren Lee
Year: 2023
Runtime: 1h 40m
Rating: PG-13
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 46%

Everything, Everything

Everything, Everything” elevates the concept of being apart through a window as Maddy (Amandla Stenberg), a teenager confined by severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), takes notice of her new neighbor Olly (Nick Robinson). They initially observe each other from their respective bedroom windows. Eventually, they share phone numbers and engage in texting conversations. Due to Maddy’s immune disorder, she is unable to venture outdoors; however, this doesn’t deter Olly from adorning the windows of her home and attempting to bridge the gap between them, even though a physical barrier must always remain.

Similar to how Raquel and her mom have always been close, Maddy and hers share an extremely tight bond that has been present for as long as Maddy can recall. Given the limited scope of their world, they both cling to familiarity while also yearning for new connections. However, this tight bond between Maddy and her mother presents a challenge when it comes to her mother’s expectations regarding Maddy’s future due to her diagnosis. Eventually, as Maddy gathers the courage to step out of her comfort zone, she discovers that many things she believed about life are not what she thought, ultimately leading her to reassess and reshape her perspective, much like Raquel does when writing her own story.

In simpler terms, both Olly and Ares grapple with intricate dynamics in their relationships with their fathers, which significantly influence their perspectives on life. Unlike Ares, who lets these issues shape how he deals with Raquel, Olly’s strained relationship with his father leads to his family moving away, resulting in a temporary separation between him and Maddy.

Starring: Amandla Stenberg, Nick Robinson, Anika Noni Rose
Director: Stella Meghie
Year: 2017
Runtime: 1h 36m
Rating: PG-13
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 45%

Chemical Hearts (2020)

When Henry (Austin Abrams) encounters a fresh student at school, his world undergoes a transformation. Grace (Lili Reinhart), who relies on a walking stick, tends to be solitary yet engages in school activities such as the newspaper. Being appointed co-editors of the publication brings them closer together. As Henry becomes acquainted with her, he develops strong feelings for her, but Grace is dealing with emotional distress related to a car accident that left her using the cane and fearful of driving.

The film “Chemical Hearts” offers a male perspective, allowing viewers to empathize with a character going through a love similar to Raquel’s. Henry and Raquel find themselves grappling with ambiguous messages and complicated encounters with Grace and Ares, respectively, leading them to question their positions and causing repeated pain. Both characters yearn for someone who isn’t reciprocating their feelings. Despite the contrasting circumstances faced by Grace and Ares, they both make Henry and Raquel doubt their emotions and erect barriers in their relationships.

Similar to the movie “Remember Me,” the Amazon original “Chemical Hearts” is a deeply emotional story that doesn’t conclude with a joyful resolution. It offers one of the most authentic endings among the films in this list, depicting a plausible trajectory for Raquel and Ares’ relationship if Ares hadn’t returned. Additionally, it provides a fresh perspective on how hesitation can influence the romantic journeys of teenagers.

Starring: Lili Reinhart, Austin Abrams, Sarah Jones
Director: Richard Tanne
Year: 2020
Runtime: 1h 33m
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 60%

The Spectacular Now

The Wondrous Present” narrates the tale of Sutter, a high school senior grappling with his post-graduation plans. Following a breakup, he indulges in drinking and grows detached from his surroundings. However, everything shifts when he encounters Aimee one fine morning. She assists him with geometry, and they gradually grow closer. While Aimee quickly develops feelings for him, Sutter remains indecisive about his own emotions.

Frequently, Sutter leaves Aimee feeling let down, similar to how Raquel feels about Ares. These two young individuals are grappling with personal struggles that lead them to forgo beneficial aspects of their lives, unintentionally causing pain to Aimee and Raquel. Despite being hurt by one of their arguments and suffering an injury such as a broken arm after being hit by a car, Aimee persists in giving Sutter opportunities for reconciliation.

Both films, “Through My Window” and “The Spectacular Now,” portray complex male characters struggling with strained relationships with their fathers and uncertain about their future paths. Along the way, they unintentionally cause pain to women who care for them deeply. However, after some introspection and passage of time, these characters ultimately find redemption. If you appreciated how “Through My Window” concluded, then you’ll be moved by the ending of “The Spectacular Now.

Starring: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson
Director: James Ponsoldt
Year: 2013
Runtime: 1h 35m
Rating: R
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 92%

2025-02-03 20:32