Like Father, Like Son (2013)

Similar stories where the it is not the parents who choose their sons are sons chose their parents.

These films remind me of eachother because of the strained but loving relationship between a young boy and his guardian.

both are rather quiet and slife of life-y family focused films screenwritten and directed by Koreeda. In both a certain revelation turns the life of the characters around, in Like Father Like Son its the driving point of the story while in Shoplifters it gets introduced way later in the movie. Both films also make you question if it had been better if they never found out or not and if your real family are your blood relatives or if it is the people you live with and who raise you.

Chonmage is another touching father and son story. Chonmage Purin tends to be more humorous and has a fantastical plot, while Like Father, Like Son takes a more somber approach to fatherhood and tends to be more realistic.