SimilarScreen
Smoke Signals

Smoke Signals

A new film from the heart of Native America.

19986.81h 29m

Overview

Young Native American man Thomas is a nerd in his reservation, wearing oversize glasses and telling everyone stories no-one wants to hear. His parents died in a fire in 1976, and Thomas was saved by Arnold. Arnold soon left his family, and Victor hasn't seen his father for 10 years. When Victor hears Arnold has died, Thomas offers him funding for the trip to get Arnold's remains.

Directed by Chris Eyre
Written by Sherman Alexie
Produced by Scott M. Rosenfelt, Larry Estes
0

Top Cast

Adam Beach

Adam Beach

Victor Joseph

Evan Adams

Evan Adams

Thomas Builds-the-Fire

Irene Bedard

Irene Bedard

Suzy Song

Gary Farmer

Gary Farmer

Arnold Joseph

Tantoo Cardinal

Tantoo Cardinal

Arlene Joseph

Cody Lightning

Cody Lightning

Young Victor Joseph

Simon Baker

Simon Baker

Young Thomas Builds-the-Fire

Monique Mojica

Monique Mojica

Grandma Builds-the-Fire

John Trudell

John Trudell

Randy Peone

Elaine Miles

Elaine Miles

Lucy

Themes & Keywords

idahomale friendshipnative americanroad triporphannative american reservationbased on short story

About Smoke Signals

Smoke Signals is a drama, comedy film released in 1998 exploring themes of idaho, male friendship, native american, road trip, orphan, native american reservation. Directed by Chris Eyre, it stars Adam Beach, Evan Adams, Irene Bedard. Young Native American man Thomas is a nerd in his reservation, wearing oversize glasses and telling everyone stories no-one wants to hear. His parents died in a fire in 1976, and Thomas was saved by Arnold. Arnold soon left his family, and Victor hasn't seen his father for 10 years. When Victor hears Arnold has died, Thomas offers him funding for the trip to get Arnold's remains.

Movies Similar to Smoke Signals

Discover titles like Smoke Signals — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to Smoke Signals

If you enjoyed Smoke Signals, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of Smoke Signals.

My Own Private Idaho
31% Match

In this loose adaptation of Shakespeare's "Henry IV," Mike Waters is a hustler afflicted with narcolepsy. Scott Favor is the rebellious son of a mayor. Together, the two travel from Portland, Oregon to Idaho and finally to the coast of Italy in a quest to find Mike's estranged mother. Along the way they turn tricks for money and drugs, eventually attracting the attention of a wealthy benefactor and sexual deviant.

Ana
26% Match

Ana(2020)

Movie6.3/10

Ana meets Rafa in a chance encounter and they embark on a road trip to try and save him from bankruptcy, or worse.

Charlie & Boots
25% Match

After a family tragedy, Charlie and his estranged son, Boots, try to put their differences aside and head off on the road trip of a lifetime - from regional Victoria to the Cape York Peninsula - they overcome many challenges to reach their dream - to fish off the northernmost tip of Australia.

Half Brothers
24% Match

Mexican aviation exec Renato is shocked to learn that he has an American half-brother he never knew about: free-spirited Asher. They are forced on a road trip together, tracing the path their father took from Mexico to the U.S.

Green Book
24% Match

Green Book(2018)

Movie8.2/10

Tony Lip, a bouncer in 1962, is hired to drive pianist Don Shirley on a tour through the Deep South in the days when African Americans, forced to find alternate accommodations and services due to segregation laws below the Mason-Dixon Line, relied on a guide called The Negro Motorist Green Book.

The Reivers
23% Match

In turn-of-the-century Mississippi, an 11-year-old boy comes of age as two mischievous adult friends talk him into sneaking the family car out for a trip to Memphis and a series of adventures.

The Station Agent
23% Match

When his only friend dies, a man born with dwarfism moves to rural New Jersey to live a life of solitude, only to meet a chatty hot dog vendor and a woman dealing with her own personal loss.

Georgia Rule
23% Match

Rebellious, uncontrollable teenager, Rachel is hauled off by her dysfunctional mother to spend the summer with her estranged grandmother, Georgia. Her journey will lead all three women to revelations of buried family secrets and an understanding that - regardless what happens - the ties that bind can never be broken.

War Pony
22% Match

War Pony(2023)

Movie6.3/10

The interlocking stories of two Lakota boys growing up on Pine Ridge Reservation. At 23, Bill just wants to make something of himself. Meanwhile, 12-year-old Matho can’t wait to become a man. Bound by their shared search for belonging, each of the boys grapple with identity, family, and loss, as they navigate their unique paths to manhood.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
22% Match

Vignettes weaving together the stories of six individuals in the old West at the end of the Civil War. Following the tales of a sharp-shooting songster, a wannabe bank robber, two weary traveling performers, a lone gold prospector, a woman traveling the West to an uncertain future, and a motley crew of strangers undertaking a carriage ride.

Bringing Out the Dead
21% Match

Once called "Father Frank" for his efforts to rescue lives, Frank Pierce sees the ghosts of those he failed to save around every turn. He has tried everything he can to get fired, calling in sick, delaying taking calls where he might have to face one more victim he couldn't help, yet cannot quit the job on his own.

Napoleon Dynamite
21% Match

A listless and alienated teenager decides to help his new friend win the class presidency in their small western high school, while he must deal with his bizarre family life back home.

The Straight Story
21% Match

Retired farmer and widower Alvin Straight learns one day that his distant brother Lyle has suffered a stroke and may not recover. Alvin is determined to make things right with Lyle while he still can, but his brother lives in Wisconsin, while Alvin is stuck in Iowa with no car and no driver's license. He then has the idea of making the trip on his old lawnmower, thus beginning a picturesque and at times deeply spiritual odyssey.

Hostiles
21% Match

Hostiles(2017)

Movie6.9/10

A legendary Native American-hating Army captain nearing retirement in 1892 is given one last assignment: to escort a Cheyenne chief and his family through dangerous territory back to his Montana reservation.