Best movies like Don King: Only in America
Last updated March 2024
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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
Best tv shows and movies like Don King: Only in America (1997):
Similar in 83%
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 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 80%
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 79%
Racing for Time (2008)
Plot Summary:
Cleveland 'Stack' Stackhouse is a guard with the Texas Correctional Youth Authority who witnesses the cycle of destructive choices and racial tensions among female teen offenders and decides to do something about it. He gathers African-American, Latina and Caucasian teens, and organizes a multi-racial track team behind the bars of the prison. Participation in Stack's track team not only breaks down the racial divides between the girls, but puts them on a path to turn their lives around.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 254
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 86 min
Plot tags: uplifting, serious, realistic
Similar in 75%
Hands of Stone (2016)
Plot Summary:
The legendary Roberto Duran and his equally legendary trainer Ray Arcel change each other's lives.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 17000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: Panama, USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: captivating, realistic, exciting, tense, inspirational, period piece, cult classic, serious, hot, extraordinary
Similar in 79%
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 85%
Madison (2001)
Plot Summary:
In 1971, air-conditioner repairman and boat enthusiast Jim McCormick entertains his desire to 'go down' as a legend in the record books when the Gold Cup hydroplane boat race improbably comes to his small town of Madison, Indiana. Immediately, Jim seizes his opportunity to enter the contest. With a motley crew of fellow mechanics and friends at his side, Jim fixes up his old boat and brings hope to the blighted industrial city. Written by Sujit R. Varma.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 94 min
Plot tags: feel good, serious, realistic, melancholic, anamorphic, independent film
Similar in 76%
Mary Kom (2014)
Plot Summary:
A chronicle of the life of Indian boxer 'Mary Kom' who went through several hardships before audaciously accomplishing her ultimate dream.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Action, Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: India
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: realistic, exciting, serious, captivating, motivational, inspirational, poignant, patriotic
Similar in 81%
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%
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 87%
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 84%
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 80%
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 88%
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 83%
The Athlete (2009)
Plot Summary:
Running the streets of Rome in 1960, an unknown, barefooted Ethiopian man stunned the world by winning Olympic gold in the marathon. Overnight, Abebe Bikila became a sports legend. A hero in his own country and to the continent, Bikila was the first African to win a gold medal, and four years later in Tokyo would become the first person in history to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in the marathon.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 260
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA, Germany, Ethiopia
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: uplifting, touching, exciting, sentimental, independent film, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic, stylized
Similar in 84%
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 77%
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 86%
Dempsey (1983)
Plot Summary:
Nominated for two primetime Emmy Awards in 1984, this made-for-TV movie follows the true story of American boxer Jack Dempsey, who became a media sensation in the 1920s as the world heavyweight champion. Based upon the book by Jack Dempsey and Barbara Piatelli Dempsey.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 215
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: uplifting, serious, realistic, sexual, silent, sexy, silent film
Similar in 85%
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 76%
Risen (2010)
Plot Summary:
As one of the rising talents of amateur boxing, Howard Winstone, a young Welsh boy from Merthyr Tydfil, was fast making a name for himself with his knock out right hand. A long professional fighting career surely beckoned? Then disaster strikes. An industrial accident results in Winstone losing three fingers on his right hand. Through sheer determination, and despite only being able to make a fist with one hand, Winstone develops a dynamic new style and begins boxing his way back up the amateur ranks eventually turning pro. Supported by his family and guided by new trainer, Eddie Thomas, Winstone becomes the Champion of Britain and then Europe. Now, with the hopes of an entire nation on his shoulders, he is stood poised to challenge for the crown of Featherweight Champion of the World.
IMDB Rating: 5.2
IMDB Votes: 221
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 121 min
Plot tags: uplifting, serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 80%
From the Rough (2013)
Plot Summary:
The coach of a women's swim team parlays her success into an opportunity to build her school's men's golf team.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: uplifting, captivating, touching, feel good, serious, inspirational, sincere, realistic
Similar in 89%
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 79%
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 75%
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 85%
A Mother's Courage: The Mary Thomas Story (1989)
Plot Summary:
The story of Mary Thomas, the mother of basketball star Isiah Thomas, and how she fought to keep her family together and her sons out of trouble despite the surroundings of poverty, drugs, crime and violence of their ghetto neighborhood.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 118
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: uplifting, touching, serious, realistic
Similar in 84%
Against the Ropes (2004)
Plot Summary:
A fictional story inspired by North America's most famous female boxing promoter, Jackie Kallen. Her struggle to survive and succeed in a male dominated sport.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance, Sport
Country: USA, Germany
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: inspirational, intense, sincere, serious, rough, realistic, light, sexy, feel good, bad ending
Similar in 78%
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
Similar in 85%
The Hurricane (1999)
Plot Summary:
The story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, a boxer wrongly imprisoned for murder, and the people who aided in his fight to prove his innocence.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 101000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 146 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, touching, inspirational, factual, motivational, epic, political, twisted, sincere, uplifting
Similar in 87%
High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story (2003)
Plot Summary:
Based on the true story of the rise and fall of poker legend Stu "The Kid" Ungar.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, captivating, suspense, period piece, sincere, contemplative, gloomy
Similar in 76%
The Express (2008)
Plot Summary:
Based on the incredible true story, The Express follows the inspirational life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 23000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA, Germany
Duration: 130 min
Plot tags: inspirational, uplifting, emotional, factual, serious, realistic, sincere, exciting, motivational, historical drama