Apple TV's CODA has been garnering positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. The 2021 comedy-drama deals with a teenager who is the only hearing member of her deaf family. The film also serves as a coming-of-age story for the protagonist as she also strives to find a new purpose in life as a singer.

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Viewers who enjoyed CODA might also like similar films in the American Sign Language and teenage dramas that deal with the aspirations of musicians. Apart from director Sian Heder, the film also shines the spotlight on cast members like Marlee Matlin and Troy Katsur.

Tallulah (2016)- Available On Netflix

Elliot Page holding a baby in Tallulah

Tallulah is the story of the titular young woman and her struggle for survival as she's tasked with parenting a child who is not her own. This journey leads her to her ex-boyfriend's mother who mistakes the child as her granddaughter. The ensuing drama forms the remainder of the story.

A realistic human drama at its core, Tallulah explores notions of parenting and adult responsibilities while showcasing the talent of its director Sian Heder. Now, with CODA, an interest in her filmography is bound to increase so this underrated Netflix movie would serve as a timely watch for fans of her latest work.

Whiplash (2014) - Available On Starz

JK Simmons watched Miles Teller play drums in Whiplash

This grueling music-driven story of a jazz drummer stars JK Simmons and Miles Teller in one of his most memorable roles. Determined to be the best in his field, Teller's Andrew Neiman is willing to go through the grueling mental and physical routine that Simmon's Fletcher makes him go through. The latter's unconventional and rather harsh teaching methods are debatable but the intense sacrifices that Andrew makes in this process make Whiplash all the more engaging.

Similarly in CODA, the music teacher Bernardo Villalobos can be quite intimidating to Ruby Rossi. However, his concept of tough love is also rooted in his hopes to make Ruby enter Berklee and become a great singer in her own right. CODA's teacher-student relationship can be seen as a less toxic version of Whiplash's.

No Ordinary Hero: The SuperDeafy Movie (2013) - Available On AppleTV

John Maucere raising his fingers in a still from No Ordinary Hero

With Troy Kotsur serving as director, No Ordinary Hero is a heartwarming tribute to the superhero genre and deaf actors all over the world. The lead character is a deaf actor who is popular as the crime-fighting hero SuperDeafy in a TV show. But when he chances upon a deaf boy who is bullied in school, SuperDeafy makes it his mission to be a hero in real life and inspire him to rise above all odds.

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The film is a great attempt at normalizing the representation of deaf characters on screen and its family-friendly approach can attract viewers of all ages. For those who wish to know more about Kastur after watching CODA (in which he plays the fisherman Frank Rossi), No Ordinary Hero will make for an informative and entertaining watch.

Sound Of Metal (2020)- Available On Prime Video

Paul Raci pointing his finger at his forehead in Sound of Metal

On the surface, Sound of Metal is the story of a drummer who loses his hearing. As the story progresses, it transforms from a tale of self-hatred to a journey of self-introspection as the protagonist gains acceptance with his newfound life.

In addition to the film showcasing one of Riz Ahmed's best performances, Paul Raci (a real-life CODA) also shines in a supporting role as the hero's sign-language instructor. Just like CODA's lead ensemble, Raci's role is shown in a very realistic way. In fact, one of Raci's most compelling scenes is a monologue in which he tells how deaf people don't need unwanted human pity. Sound of Metal is groundbreaking for its sensitive and accurate representation of deaf culture.

A Quiet Place (2018) - Available On Paramount Plus

Emily Blunt pointing her finger to her lips in a still from A Quiet Place

While there have been a few films written entirely in the American Sign Language, A Quiet Place can be regarded as the first horror film to rely on this medium of communication. Set in a dystopian world of creatures that can hunt with the slightest of sounds, the central family maintains radio silence throughout the film and talk only through ASL.

While Emily Blunt shines in this John Krasinski film, Millicent Simmonds also drew raves for playing her daughter. It proved to be a great opportunity for the representation of deaf actors and Simmonds reprised her role in the sequel. Films like CODA are similarly making ASL more commonly accepted in popular cinema.

Mr. Holland's Opus (1995) - Available On Disney+

Richard Dreyfuss conducting an orchestra

Richard Dreyfuss stars in this beloved '90s classic as Glen Holland, a music teacher who once harbored big dreams of composing his own music. With destiny not going his way, Holland takes up a job as a school teacher. While he initially despises his new job, he grows increasingly passionate about encouraging students to pursue the musical arts.

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The sheer passion and love for music that Holland shows in Mr. Holland's Opus matches the vigor and dedication of Bernardo Villalobos. A gifted graduate from Berklee College of Music, Bernardo is the reason why Ruby feels confident enough to hone her singing skills. Even though his teaching job might not be fitting for his talents, he's still content enough to see his students shine.

Children Of A Lesser God (1986) - Available On Prime Video

Marlee Matlin raising a finger in Children of a Lesser God

Marlee Matlin made history with Children of a Lesser God, becoming the youngest Best Actress Oscar winner at the age of 21. The film starred Matlin as a janitor at a school for the deaf. After crossing paths with a speech instructor, both engage in a toxic romance while conflicting in their ideologies on deafness.

The film is significant for contributing to the conversation around the deaf community and made a star out of Matlin. With Matlin sharing an integral role in CODA, fans would want to revisit her other classic films. Children of a Lesser God makes for essential viewing in this case.

School Of Rock (2003) - Available On Netflix

Dewey teaching students the drums in School of Rock.

One of Richard Linklater's best movies, School of Rock is about a down-on-luck musician who accidentally joins a school as a substitute teacher. Going against the conservative nature of the institution, he aims to make rockers out of his students and shapes their lives in unexpected ways.

Portrayed by Jack Black, Dewey Finn is one of the coolest music teachers of all time. While CODA's Berardo might not be as hip as Finn, he is still a friendly mentor who desires to make his pupils the best musicians they can be.

La Famille Bélier (2014) - Available On Kanopy

Poster for the Belier Family

La Famille Belier aka The Bélier Family is the original source material for CODA, the latter being a remake of this French comedy-drama. The plot is virtually the same focusing on the only hearing member of a deaf family who struggles to juggle her ambitions with her responsibilities to her family.

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The film can still be an interesting experience even by those who watched CODA as The Belier Family adopts a lighter approach towards its often serious subject matter. At the same time, the empathetic portrayal and the emotive moments of the family are still retained.

Sound And Fury (2000) - Available On Apple TV

A girl speaking in ASL in a still from Sound and Fury

Sound and Fury is an Oscar-nominated documentary that covers two deaf families and the choices they make for their children. When offered the option to provide cochlear implants for their children, both families seem to have conflicting ideologies that are brought out in a raw and realistic manner in the documentary.

It is interesting to see how these decisions play out without the subjects being kept into stereotypical categories. In CODA, there's a key scene where Ruby's brother Leo tells her that being deaf doesn't mean that he requires anyone's sympathy. A similar message is present in Sound and Fury as the people in focus are shown in a non-tokenistic light.

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