Best movies like Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Breaking the Surface is about the tough times Greg Louganis had on his way to becoming one of the world's top Olympic divers. Some topics discussed were Greg's childhood problems, his homosexuality, and him contracting the HIV virus.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 712
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: sincere, uplifting, touching, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic, queer cinema
Best tv shows and movies like Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story (1997):
Similar in 87%
My Brother... Nikhil (2005)
Plot Summary:
Famous swimmer Nikhil Kapoor (Suri) deals with the repercussions of announcing the fact that he has HIV/AIDS.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: India
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, captivating, suspense, sexual, sexy, queer cinema, cult film
Similar in 89%
Crazy Canucks (2004)
Plot Summary:
Based on the book White Circus by Ken Read, this is the story of the Canadian skiing legends that became the first North Americans to crack the Euro dominated World Cup Circuit in 1975.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 133
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: Canada
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, uplifting, captivating
Similar in 76%
A Perfect Son (2000)
Plot Summary:
A man's terminal illness reunites him with his estranged brother.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 361
Genere: Drama
Country: Canada
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, serious, emotional, independent film, sincere, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 75%
The Great Victory (2014)
Plot Summary:
Independent feature film based on the biography of a Brazilian judo with a great victory that went beyond the mats and medals.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 176
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: Brazil
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: uplifting, touching, captivating, emotional, serious, realistic
Similar in 75%
Running Brave (1983)
Plot Summary:
The story of Billy Mills the American Indian that came from obscurity, to win the 10,000 meter long distance foot race in the Tokyo Olympics.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 755
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: Canada
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: inspirational, period piece, uplifting, touching, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic
Similar in 82%
Personal Best (1982)
Plot Summary:
This film chronicles the relationship of two female world-class athletes. Mariel Hemingway and real-life Olympian pentathlete Patrice Donnelly play runners who train together, compete against each other and eventually become lovers. Scott Glenn plays their coach in this film that culminates with the trials for the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 128 min
Plot tags: sexual, erotic, tense, sentimental, sincere, uplifting, touching, serious, realistic, crying
Similar in 76%
Swimming Upstream (2003)
Plot Summary:
A young man aspiring for recognition of his talents battles against his estranged father's sentiment towards him as the father deals with his own demons.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: Australia, USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: uplifting, sentimental, sincere, touching, serious, realistic, crying
Similar in 88%
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
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Run for the Dream: The Gail Devers Story (1996)
Plot Summary:
The true story of Olympic gold medalist Gail Devers (Charlayne Woodard) and her fight to combat Graves disease while becoming the fastest female sprinter in the world. From a setback in Seoul that nearly costs her the use of her feet to her excruciating battle with the crippling illness to victories in Barcelona and Atlanta, Gail proves she's got the heart of a champion in this inspirational original biography. Louis Gossett Jr., Jeffrey Sams, Tina Lifford, Robert Guillaume and Paula Kelly costar.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 112
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: independent film, uplifting, serious, realistic
Similar in 80%
The Tiger Woods Story (1998)
Plot Summary:
With his father coaching him and his mother providing a strong spiritual influence, Tiger Woods rose to fame and fortune. But his success came at a price, as he endured personal struggles with racism, self-doubt and cultural identity.
IMDB Rating: 4.2
IMDB Votes: 295
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: sincere, uplifting, touching, serious, realistic
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The Greatest (1977)
Plot Summary:
The Greatest is a 1977 film about the life of boxer Muhammad Ali, in which Ali plays himself. It was directed by Tom Gries and Monte Hellman. The song "Greatest Love of All", later remade by Whitney Houston, was written for this film and sung by George Benson. The movie follows Ali's life from the 1960 Olympics to his regaining the heavyweight crown from George Foreman in their famous "Rumble in the Jungle" fight in 1974.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: touching, realistic, sincere, serious, independent film
Similar in 79%
Maradona, the Hand of God (2007)
Plot Summary:
Dramatizing of the many shocking highs and lows of Argentine soccer hero Diego Maradona, an extraordinary athlete and arguably the greatest player in the history of the sport.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 723
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: Italy, Argentina
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: realistic, uplifting, sentimental, sincere, serious
Similar in 85%
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 90%
The Bronx Bull (2016)
Plot Summary:
A combination "before the rage" and "after the rage" of world middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta's tumultuous life and times.
IMDB Rating: 4.7
IMDB Votes: 697
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic, captivating
Similar in 81%
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 79%
Marathon (2010)
Plot Summary:
Drama by Biju Viswanath, Marathon was adapted from Harteis's memoir of the same name. Explores the relation ship between two poets Richard Harteis and William Meredith former US poet laureate and winner of every major American award for poetry including the 1988 Pulitzer prize.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 58
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: emotional, touching, serious, captivating, realistic, sentimental, gloomy, independent film, queer cinema
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An Englishman in New York (2009)
Plot Summary:
Biographical drama based on the last 20 years of Crisp's life. The literary figure and gay iconoclast emigrated to New York in 1981 and lived there until his death. The film observes Crisp in both his public and private lives, from his seemingly cavalier response to the outbreak of AIDS to his tender relationship with his friend Patrick Angus and his own response to growing old.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 75 min
Plot tags: sincere, realistic, touching, humorous, witty, semi serious, queer cinema, flamboyance, iconic
Similar in 86%
The Terry Fox Story (1983)
Plot Summary:
The true story about the Canadian cancer amputee hero who decided to run across Canada on only one leg to raise money for cancer research.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 707
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: sad, sentimental, sincere, uplifting, touching, feel good, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic
Similar in 87%
My Own Country (1998)
Plot Summary:
After obtaining his medical degree from Madras Medical College, Dr. Abraham Verghese decides to re-locate to Johnson City, Tennessee. He eventually gets married to Rajani, who is an accomplished dancer, and has a boy, Steven. Since Abraham specializes in infectious diseases, he takes special interest in patients suffering from Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome(AIDS), and presents his work at the local gay/lesbian hang-outs and clubs, creating a public awareness of AIDS. Soon he has as many as 82 patients in his care at the local hospital. He gets engrossed in his work to the extent that he starts neglecting his very heavily pregnant wife Rajani, who eventually gives birth to Jacob. She threatens him with marriage counseling, while fearing that her husband may acquire AIDS through contact with his patients, while he himself has to deal with hospital administration who are concerned about funds and resources being utilized on patients who may never recover.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 359
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: sincere, uplifting, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, factual
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The Naked Civil Servant (1975)
Plot Summary:
Story of the life of Quentin Crisp, an Englishman who was brave enough to live his life according to his own style even in the hostile days of WW2.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 77 min
Plot tags: period piece, sincere, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, witty, controversial, queer cinema
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Rebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault (1996)
Plot Summary:
A dramatization of the life of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault (Don Cheadle), with a lot of factual based occurrences. A reformed junkie returns from prison to clean up his act and devote the rest of his life to the young kids of Harlem. 1996 was the 25th anniversary of the first tournament named after him.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic
Similar in 83%
The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend (1991)
Plot Summary:
A story about the great basketball player "Pistol" Pete Maravich when he was in the eighth grade. He plays on the varsity basketball team at Daniel High School but has some very difficult obstacles standing in his way of playing. The only support he has is from his father, retired basketball pro Press Maravich.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: independent film, sentimental, sincere, touching, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 87%
The Hammer (2010)
Plot Summary:
A coming of age drama following the life of Matt Hamill, the first deaf wrestler to win a National Collegiate Wrestling Championship.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: uplifting, sentimental, sincere, touching, captivating, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 78%
Pedro (2008)
Plot Summary:
An intimate biopic of Pedro Zamora, an HIV-positive Cuban-American, who was cast for the MTV reality show, The Real World: San Francisco, in 1994. Due to his experience on the Real World, Pedro became a celebrity and a sympathetic face of the AIDS epidemic for millions of Americans who had never met anyone with HIV/AIDS.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 535
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, touching, serious, realistic, sincere, contemplative, non-linear, queer cinema
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Citizen Cohn (1992)
Plot Summary:
As lawyer and power broker Roy Cohn lies dying of AIDS in a private hospital room, ghosts from his past visit him as he reflects on his life and loves.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: sincere, thought provoking, serious, captivating, realistic, contemplative
Similar in 76%
Pele: Birth of a Legend (2016)
Plot Summary:
The life story of Brazilian football legend, Pele.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: inspirational, serious, realistic, uplifting, factual, sincere, touching, captivating, feel good, informative
Similar in 87%
Champions (1984)
Plot Summary:
The true story of jockey Bob Champion who overcame cancer to win the 1981 Grand National.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 710
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance, Sport
Country: UK
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: sad, independent film, sentimental, sincere, uplifting, touching, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic
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Without Limits (1998)
Plot Summary:
The film follows the life of famous 1970s runner Steve Prefontaine from his youth days in Oregon to the University of Oregon where he worked with the legendary coach Bill Bowerman, later to Olympics in Munich and his early death at 24 in a car crash.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: inspirational, sincere, factual, exciting, captivating, touching, emotional, realistic, feel good, crying
Similar in 84%
Miracle (2004)
Plot Summary:
In 1980, the United States Ice Hockey team's coach, Herb Brooks, put a ragtag squad of college kids up against the legendary juggernaut from the Soviet Union at the Olympic Games. Despite the long odds, Team USA carried the pride of a nation yearning for a distraction from world events. With the world watching, the team rose to the occasion, prompting broadcaster Al Michaels' now famous question to the millions viewing at home: "Do you believe in miracles?" Yes!.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 58000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Sport
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 135 min
Plot tags: uplifting, touching, factual, sincere, captivating, feel good, inspirational, emotional, realistic, motivational
Similar in 82%
Sal (2011)
Plot Summary:
James Franco's Sal chronicles the final hours of the life of actor Sal Mineo, one-time teen idol and star of the blockbuster films Rebel Without a Cause and Exodus.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 510
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: sincere, atmospheric, touching, serious, realistic, gloomy, independent film