Discover The Best Movies and TV Shows Like The Cider House Rules

Set in the sweeping apple orchards of rural Maine during the early 1940s, the narrative centers on Homer Wells, a compassionate and deeply intelligent young man raised in the St. Cloud’s orphanage by its founder, the ether-addicted Dr. Wilbur Larch. Having spent his entire life within the institution, Homer never has been adopted. Groomed meticulously by Dr. Larch to be a surrogate physician, Homer performs clandestine abortions and delivers babies, though he refuses to perform the former due to his strong moral aversion to ending potential human life. Yearning to experience the outside world and define his own destiny, Homer seizes the opportunity to leave when a wealthy young couple, Candy Kendall and Wally Worthington, arrive at the orphanage seeking a medical procedure.Charmed by their vibrant energy, Homer departs with them, venturing into the vast world for the very first time. Wally enlists in the Air Force to fight in World War II, leaving Homer and Candy alone at the Worthington family's expansive cider mill. Working grueling hours harvesting and pressing apples, Homer immerses himself in the seasonal rhythms of the migrant workers, led by the fiercely independent Mr. Rose. As the months pass, a deep romance blossoms between Homer and Candy, built on shared loneliness and mutual affection. However, their idyllic life is complicated when Wally returns paralyzed from the war. Despite her enduring love for Homer, Candy feels a profound sense of duty to care for Wally, and she chooses to stay with him, leaving Homer heartbroken and adrift.Grappling with his identity and the painful separation from Candy, Homer decides to return to St. Cloud’s following the sudden death of Dr. Larch from an accidental ether overdose. Upon his arrival, Homer discovers that Larch has posthumously forged documents to grant Homer legal medical credentials, ensuring the orphanage can continue its vital work. Armed with this new authority and a hardened understanding of human suffering, Homer steps into the role of director. He realizes that the harsh realities of the world often demand difficult, compassionate choices that defy rigid moral codes. Ultimately, Homer embraces his true vocation, finding peace in his legacy of healing and his permanent home among the orphans.