Best movies like Body and Soul
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
A young man struggles to become a boxing champ, but success blinds him. It is only through the love of his girlfriend that he is brought back to reality.
IMDB Rating: 4.5
IMDB Votes: 386
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: neo noir, grindhouse, independent film, sincere, rough, serious, realistic, eighties
Best tv shows and movies like Body and Soul (1981):
Similar in 88%
Goat (2015)
Plot Summary:
Peter "Koza" Baláz is a former Olympic boxer. He and his partner, Misa, live in a dilapidated housing estate, constantly struggling to make ends meet. Misa learns that she is expecting a child and decides to terminate her pregnancy. In order to earn some much-needed cash and possibly change Misa's mind. He and his manager Zvonko embark on a "tour", where success is not measured in victories, but in the amount of blows that Koza can take.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 218
Genere: Drama
Country: Slovakia, Czech Republic
Duration: 75 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, realistic, touching
Similar in 83%
...All the Marbles (1981)
Plot Summary:
A two-bit promoter tries to take a women's wrestling team to the top.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: sexy, psychotronic, sex comedy, humorous, realistic, semi serious, road movie, crying, weeping, campy
Similar in 82%
Road to Victory (2007)
Plot Summary:
A star athlete on the verge of turning pro must decide which dream to pursue while he battles his own body.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 315
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: psychological, touching, serious, realistic, independent film
Similar in 86%
Penitentiary (1979)
Plot Summary:
A hitchhiker named Martel Gordone gets in a fight with two bikers over a prostitute, and one of the bikers is killed. Gordone is arrested and sent to prison, where he joins the prison's boxing team in an effort to secure an early parole and to establish his dominance over the prison's toughest gang.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: independent film, rough, bleak, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 88%
Penitentiary II (1982)
Plot Summary:
An ex-con, on parole and trying to straighten his life out, decides to resume his boxing career when one of his prison enemies escapes and kills his girlfriend.
IMDB Rating: 4.4
IMDB Votes: 763
Genere: Crime, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: independent film, rough, bleak, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 83%
Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962)
Plot Summary:
Mountain Rivera is at the end of his boxing career after a knockout by Cassius Clay in the seventh round. His left eye is one punch from permanent trauma, his ears turned to cauliflower, his speech slurred from "being hit a million times," and he slings punches anytime he hears a bell, but his trainer and 'cutman' Army, and Miss Miller, a manipulative social worker, support his illusion that he could be a movie usher, a camp counselor, or a romantic partner for Miller.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: black and white, atmospheric, bleak, retro, sincere, rough, serious, realistic, contemplative, gloomy
Similar in 77%
Harder They Fall (2005)
Plot Summary:
20 year old kickboxers from opposite ends of Miami, one rich one poor, battle for triumph in sport and their own identities in this coming-of-age action/drama.
IMDB Rating: 2.9
IMDB Votes: 152
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, realistic
Similar in 75%
Chavez Cage of Glory (2013)
Plot Summary:
Barely being able to make ends meet and doing everything he can possibly do to cover his ill son's growing medical bills, Hector Chavez turns to his fighting roots in the underbelly of LA. His amateur Mixed Martial Arts videos go viral grabbing the attention of the world's top MMA federation. Hector is then given a dream come true opportunity to go up against the MMA World Champion; a vicious fighter whose last opponent is in critical condition in the same hospital as his son. Hector is faced with a real do-or -die situation and must risk it all so his son can have the surgery he needs to survive.
IMDB Rating: 3.8
IMDB Votes: 230
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, realistic, suspense
Similar in 84%
Split Decisions (1988)
Plot Summary:
When a boxer is killed because he wouldn't take a dive, his brother tries to find a way to avenge him even if only symbolically.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: independent film, exciting, sincere, serious, realistic
Similar in 81%
The Prize Fighter (2003)
Plot Summary:
After a life of hard knocks and wrong turns, boxer Ed Jones gets a second chance at fulfilling his life long dream of a World Boxing Championship. With the help of veteran promoter, Arliss King and the guidance of a former champ, Ed embarks on the come back of a lifetime. When Ed starts winning and with his popularity soaring, he draws the attention of an unscrupulous fight promoter, White Ferguson. Although tempted by promises of big money and boxing glory, Ed makes a decision to remain loyal to Arliss. His dream in sight, Ed is on top of the world and at the top of his game.
IMDB Rating: 3.2
IMDB Votes: 52
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: realistic, captivating, psychological, exciting, inspirational, serious
Similar in 76%
Carman: The Champion (2001)
Plot Summary:
Former champion boxer Orlando Leone (Carmen) is "The Preacher" at an inner-city youth center. Wanting to give something back to the community, he bought a large building for a church youth center. But the cash ran out before he could finish fixing it up and now, the mortgage company is about to foreclose. With his bills mounting he agrees to one last fight.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 845
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 82 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, christian film, sincere
Similar in 76%
Gloves of Stone (2009)
Plot Summary:
Abner is trapped in the rough life of Mexico City. His escape? Boxing. Dr. Frank Irwin (Martin Sheen) and his son Jimmy, a pro boxer, come together to teach Abner that the heart fuels the punches we throw in life.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 263
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: Mexico
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: sincere, rough, serious, realistic, independent film, bilingual
Similar in 75%
A Fighting Man (2014)
Plot Summary:
Two men meet in the ring for a fight that will change their lives.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: Canada
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, suspense, disturbing, exciting, sincere, touching
Similar in 90%
Undefeated (2003)
Plot Summary:
Lex 'El Animal' Vargas is a promising Portorican boxer in Queens, but lacks ambition to aim for the big career. That changes after his brother Paulie is accidentally shot dead by a teenager in an amateur hold-up on their late dad's shop, which he now closes to turn professional boxer. His star rises fast, but success brings its own problems, as he he lacks experience to handle professionals and resist the abuse they and his ghetto past entourage make of his generous nature.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 801
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, realistic, suspense
Similar in 81%
Counterpunch (2019)
Plot Summary:
Based on a true story. A young boxer, Emilio, from the wrong side of the tracks with big dreams of winning the Golden Gloves boxing championship, finds himself at a cross roads after being locked up. As he fights his way back into the winning circle he gets a second shot at the championship title. As he is toe to toe in the ring with his competitor he'll throw all the punches and be the last man standing.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 793
Genere: Action, Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, emotional, realistic, tense, independent film
Similar in 78%
A Fighter's Blues (2000)
Plot Summary:
Before he went exclusively style-over-substance, Daniel Lee directed fighting drama A FIGHTER’S BLUES, about an aging boxer (Andy Lau, in a mature and underrated performance) seeking a shot at redemption. Co-starring Japanese drama queen Takako Tokiwa. Billed as Andy Lau’s 100th film. He would go on to make a whole lot more.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 469
Genere: Drama, Romance, Sport
Country: Hong Kong
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: sentimental, rough, touching, serious, realistic
Similar in 78%
The Kid (1997)
Plot Summary:
Jimmy Albright is a young athlete with a passion for boxing. His mentor, Harry Sloan, an aging trainer and former boxer, sees Jimmy's potential, not only as a boxer but as a young man. With Harry's guidance, Jimmy trains and fights his way to the top of his division. All things appear to be on track, except for one small twist: Jimmy's parents, Don and Doreen, don't know he's a boxer.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 192
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: Canada
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: independent film, psychological, sincere, uplifting, touching, feel good, serious, realistic
Similar in 88%
All Things Fall Apart (2011)
Plot Summary:
50 Cent stars as gifted college running back Deon in this touching drama. Deon's world turns upside down when an unexpected crisis jeopardizes his professional ambitions -- and causes him to look at himself and his life in a new way.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: emotional, realistic, psychological, captivating, sentimental, sincere, serious
Similar in 83%
Monday Night Mayhem (2002)
Plot Summary:
The early years of a television sports powerhouse are chronicled as ABC becomes a player in the NFL coverage by putting their full resources into a major showcase. Executive Roone Arledge (John Heard) recruits former Dallas Cowboys quarterback 'Dandy' Don Meredith (Brad Beyer), along with Keith Jackson (Shuler Hensley), and the combative Howard Cosell (John Turturro) as commentators for the broadcasts, which become funny, odd trio events to millions of viewers. Jackson departs the show after the first year to take over the network's focus on college football, and former New York Giants star Frank Gifford (Kevin Anderson) takes his place, ruffling Cosell's feathers. Then things get really crazy!.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 826
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, captivating
Similar in 80%
Gladiator (1992)
Plot Summary:
A story of two teenagers trapped in the world of illegal underground boxing. One is fighting to save his fathers life and using the money pay off gambling debts accumulated by his father. The second is fighting for the money to get out of the ghettos. While being exploited by a boxing promoter the two teens become friends. An explosive ending puts the two friends in the ring against each other.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, rough, harsh, hood, motivational, exciting, sentimental, inspirational, touching
Similar in 83%
Fat City (1972)
Plot Summary:
Two men, working as professional boxers, come to blows when their careers each begin to take opposite momentum.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 10000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, realistic, neo noir, serious, captivating, cynical, cult classic, bleak, ironic, entertaining
Similar in 87%
Carnera: The Walking Mountain (2008)
Plot Summary:
The life of Primo Carnera a.k.a. "Ambling Alp", Italian professional boxer and the World Heavyweight Champion from June 1933 to June 1934, but also accused by some of having ties to the mob.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 489
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: Italy, Romania
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: uplifting, touching, serious, emotional, captivating, realistic
Similar in 75%
Phantom Punch (2008)
Plot Summary:
From his discovery by a priest while serving time at the Missouri State Penitentiary to the infamous 'Phantom Punch' by Cassius Clay which effectively ended his career, the movie spans the years from 1950 to Liston's mysterious and untimely death in 1971.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 837
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: rough, captivating, realistic, sincere, serious, emotional, gloomy
Similar in 79%
Don King: Only in America (1997)
Plot Summary:
A cinematic portrait of the famous fight promoter and boxing manager.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 121 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, realistic
Similar in 78%
Price of Glory (2000)
Plot Summary:
An ex-boxer, living with the knowledge that his fight career was cut short by a crooked manager, channels his bitter disappointment in a single-minded quest for boxing championships for his three sons. We see them in pee-wee Silver Glove matches with dad constantly pushing them. Ten years later, they're young men, with dad as both father and manager. A professional promoter, Nick Everson, wants to sign the boys, but dad rejects those offers. Then, in expressions of their varied relationships with their father, each son makes his own decisions. Can dad ever step aside, and can the family hold together?.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 899
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: sincere, realistic, serious, tense
Similar in 75%
The Opponent (2000)
Plot Summary:
Patty Sullivan (Erica Eleniak) is a battered woman who decides to take charge of her life by taking boxing lessons to better protect herself when her boyfriend becomes violent. Patty soon learns she has some talent for boxing and sets her sights on competing in a professional fight. More is on the line than just the woman's title.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 253
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: sincere, rough, serious, independent film, realistic, uplifting
Similar in 89%
Girlfight (2000)
Plot Summary:
Diana Guzman begins to train as a boxer and achieves impressive success, blazing new trails for female boxers, all while keeping it a secret from her father.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: uplifting, independent film, captivating, touching, realistic, serious, cult classic, rough, gloomy, sincere
Similar in 78%
Tyson (1995)
Plot Summary:
The story of Mike Tyson. From his early days as a 12 year old amateur with a powerful punch, to the undisputed title of "Heavyweight Champion of the World", and ultimately to his conviction for rape. The story of his turbulent life moves quickly, never focusing for long on anything in particular.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 86%
A Season on the Brink (2002)
Plot Summary:
"A Season on the Brink: A Year with Bob Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers" is based on the best-selling book by John Feinstein. The movie chronicles Indiana's 1985-86 season, when Knight granted Feinstein unprecedented access to the team and its practices, meetings, and huddles.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 555
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: Germany, USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: uplifting, serious, realistic, captivating
Similar in 85%
The Champ (1979)
Plot Summary:
The more you love, the harder you fight.The world looks at Billy Flynn and sees a has-been who seemingly never was, an ex-boxing champion slammed to the mat years ago by booze and gambling. But Billy's son TJ sees what the world doesn't. He knows his flawed but loving father is, was and always will be The Champ.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 121 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sad, emotional, heartbreaking, neo noir, tear jerker, heartfelt, weeping, sincere, uplifting