Best movies like Going for the Gold: The Bill Johnson Story
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
The true story of the first U.S. men's skiing gold medal winner. Bill Johnson is a cocky young adult who dreams of being on the U.S. Olympic Ski Team as a downhill racer. Trouble with the law and a rebellious attitude almost cost him the 1984 Gold Medal that he won.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 86
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: UK, Yugoslavia, USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags:
Best tv shows and movies like Going for the Gold: The Bill Johnson Story (1985):
Similar in 85%
Matti: Hell Is for Heroes (2006)
Plot Summary:
Four Olympic gold medals, seven World Championship titles, four World Cup tour championships and forty six World Cup circuit victories.Once his career as a professional athlete ended, however, the other side of his personality emerged into public view in all of its vulgarity. An alcohol dependency, several marriages accompanied by numerous marital problems, petty crime, uncontrolled acts of violence, greedy hangers-on… Wherever he roams, drama and catastrophe dog his footsteps. And everything is exposed in the headlines the next day….
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Comedy, Drama, Sport
Country: Finland
Duration: 135 min
Plot tags: humorous, intense, realistic, semi serious, light, inspirational, feel good, melancholic, satirical, harsh
Similar in 75%
Champions: A Love Story (1979)
Plot Summary:
Two teens become romantically involved as they train for a skating championship.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 204
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: grindhouse, tragic ending
Similar in 82%
Aspen Extreme (1993)
Plot Summary:
T.J. and his friend Dexter quit their jobs in Detroit to become ski-instructors in Aspen. While T.J. advances to the most popular instructor of the school during the season, he has to take care for Dexter, who's future is less bright and who's eventually thinking about jobbing as drug courier - bringing their friendship to a test. Meanwhile the rich business woman Brice supports T.J. in his writing ambitions and invites him to live at her home. But in her absence he falls in love with the stunningly beautiful blond radio moderator Robin.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: melancholic, serious, captivating, suspense, realistic, light, inspirational, romantic, sexy, feel good
Similar in 81%
Leap (2020)
Plot Summary:
After 12 years, the Chinese women's volleyball team again reached the Olympic final. The ups and downs of the Chinese women's volleyball team for more than three decades have slowly spread away.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: China
Duration: 135 min
Plot tags: captivating, disturbing, suspense, suspenseful, iconic
Similar in 89%
Three Seconds (2017)
Plot Summary:
The story is set at the 1972 Munich Olympics where the U.S. team lost the basketball championship for the first time in 36 years. The final moments of the final game have become one of the most controversial events in Olympic history. With play tied, the score table horn sounded during a second free throw attempt that put the U.S. ahead by one. But the Soviets claimed they had called for a time out before the basket and confusion ensued. The clock was set back by three seconds twice in a row and the Russians finally prevailed at the very last. The U.S. protested, but a jury decided in the USSR’s favor and Team USA voted unanimously to refuse its silver medals. The Soviet players have been treated as heroes at home.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: Russia
Duration: 133 min
Plot tags: atmospheric, inspirational, captivating, motivational
Similar in 79%
The Final Game (2022)
Plot Summary:
A few months before the ’92 Barcelona Olympic Games, it looks like the Spanish water polo team will hardly make a splash during their home field Olympics. The national team is a battleground under attack on two fronts: the harsh techniques of their new coach, which threaten to incapacitate more than one player, and the infighting between leaders Manel Estiarte and Pedro Aguado. Can the team stay united and overcome their personal differences? Will reaching sporting glory be possible in the face of such adversity?.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: Spain, Andorra
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 84%
Running (1979)
Plot Summary:
An Olympic hopeful marathon runner hopes his success will be the answer to his marriage woes and other personal problems.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 818
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: Canada
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 89%
Road to Boston (2023)
Plot Summary:
A rousing tale of the Korean athletes who ran the 1947 Boston International Marathon, the first international marathon held since World War II.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 233
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: South Korea
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: road movie, period piece, period drama
Similar in 77%
The Boys in the Boat (2023)
Plot Summary:
The triumphant underdog story of the University of Washington men's rowing team, who stunned the world by winning gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
IMDB Rating:
IMDB Votes:
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 86%
Pocket Hercules: Naim Suleymanoglu (2019)
Plot Summary:
From defecting to the Olympics, an underdog weightlifter powers through adversity to raise up his community in this biopic of Naim Süleymanoğlu.
IMDB Rating: 8.2
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Sport
Country: Turkey
Duration: 141 min
Plot tags: psychological, thought provoking, captivating, inspirational, iconic
Similar in 87%
A Promise Kept: The Oksana Baiul Story (1994)
Plot Summary:
The 16-year-old Ukrainian figure skater (Monica Keena) overcomes personal tragedies to become the 1994 Olympic gold medalist.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 209
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 82%
Forever the Moment (2008)
Plot Summary:
A look at the Korean women's handball team and their journey to the 2004 Summer Olympics. Their path was far from flowery, and they must overcome many obstacles before they can head over to compete.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 423
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: South Korea
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: captivating
Similar in 82%
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 75%
White Snow (2020)
Plot Summary:
An inspiring biopic about the legendary skier Elena Vyalbe. Born in a small town in the north of Russia, she had the courage and dedication to overcome a slew of obstacles on her way to becoming the very best in her sport. The film captures a historic skiing event at the 1997 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway, where Elena Vyalbe made skiing history by winning five out of five gold medals, which to this day remains a record achievement.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 170
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: Russia
Duration: 127 min
Plot tags: thought provoking, captivating, motivational
Similar in 80%
Breaking the Surface: The Greg Louganis Story (1997)
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
Similar in 80%
Downhill Racer (1969)
Plot Summary:
An ambitious young skier, determined to break all existing records, is contemptuous of the teamwork advocated by the US coach when they go to Europe for the Olympics.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: retro, independent film, rough, clever, serious, realistic, witty, contemplative, stylized
Similar in 89%
Bigger (2018)
Plot Summary:
The inspirational tale of the grandfathers of the fitness movement as we now know it, Joe & Ben Weider. Battling anti-Semitism, racism and extreme poverty, the brothers beat all odds to build an empire & inspire future generations.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: captivating, inspirational, realistic, serious
Similar in 88%
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 82%
Bert & Dickie (2012)
Plot Summary:
Thrown together just five weeks before the final of the 1948 London Olympics, Bert Bushnell (Doctor Who's Matt Smith) and Dickie Burnell (Sam Hoare) defied all the odds and made history in the double sculls. This is the story of how they did it - not only by pushing physical and emotional limits, but also by overcoming their vast professional and personal differences.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 375
Genere: Biography, Drama, History, Sport
Country: UK
Duration: 89 min
Plot tags: uplifting, serious, realistic, exciting
Similar in 84%
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
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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
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Big George Foreman (2023)
Plot Summary:
Fueled by an impoverished childhood, George Foreman channeled his anger into becoming an Olympic Gold medalist and World Heavyweight Champion, followed by a near-death experience that took him from the boxing ring to the pulpit. But when he sees his community struggling spiritually and financially, Foreman returns to the ring and makes history by reclaiming his title, becoming the oldest and most improbable World Heavyweight Boxing Champion ever.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 129 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 90%
Hustle (2004)
Plot Summary:
Few figures in professional baseball had a career quite like Pete Rose -- and practically no one who climbed so high fell so hard. Rose made his major-league debut playing second base with the Cincinnati Reds in 1963; nicknamed "Charlie Hustle" for his daringness and enthusiasm over the course of his career, Rose played in eighteen All-Star games, earned three World Series rings, broke Ty Cobb's record for career hits, and in 1975 was named Sportsman of the Year by both Sports Illustrated and The Sporting News. In 1984, after six years with other teams, Rose returned to the Reds, signing on as both player and manager at the age of 43; he continued to play until 1986, and stepped down as manager in 1989. That same year, a dark secret Rose had been hiding for years came to the surface -- Rose had for years been dealing with an addiction to gambling, and after falling deep in debt to bookies by betting on horse racing, he attempted to make the money back by betting on baseball.
IMDB Rating: 4.7
IMDB Votes: 458
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 81%
Babe (1975)
Plot Summary:
This is the life story of Babe Didrikson Zaharias, one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century, from her early Texas tomboy days to her Gold Medal triumphs at the 1932 Olympics, her remarkable career as a champion golfer, her fulfilling marriage to wrestler George Zaharias, and the final battle with the only thing tougher than she was.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 312
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags:
Similar in 89%
Race (2016)
Plot Summary:
Based on the incredible true story of Jesse Owens, the legendary athletic superstar whose quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history thrusts him onto the world stage of the 1936 Olympics, where he faces off against Adolf Hitler's vision of Aryan supremacy. Starring Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis, Jeremy Irons, Carice Van Houten and William Hurt - Race is an enthralling film about courage, determination, tolerance, and friendship, and an inspiring drama about one man's fight to become an Olympic legend.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 40000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: Canada, Germany, France, UK, USA
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: inspirational, factual, political, exciting, feel good, captivating, suspense, suspenseful, motivational, depressing
Similar in 88%
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
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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 85%
Moneyball (2011)
Plot Summary:
The story of Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to put together a baseball team on a budget, by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 455000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 133 min
Plot tags: inspirational, feel good, realistic, captivating, motivational, clever, serious, suspense, intelligent, witty
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Eddie the Eagle (2015)
Plot Summary:
Inspired by true events, Eddie the Eagle is a feel-good story about Michael "Eddie" Edwards (Taron Egerton), an unlikely but courageous British ski-jumper who never stopped believing in himself - even as an entire nation was counting him out. With the help of a rebellious and charismatic coach (played by Hugh Jackman), Eddie takes on the establishment and wins the hearts of sports fans around the world by making an improbable and historic showing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 99000
Genere: Adventure, Biography, Comedy, Drama, History, Sport
Country: UK, Germany, USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: inspirational, feel good, motivational, emotional, uplifting, art house, offbeat, spiritual, period piece, hilarious
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Air (2023)
Plot Summary:
Discover the game-changing partnership between a then undiscovered Michael Jordan and Nike's fledgling basketball division which revolutionized the world of sports and culture with the Air Jordan brand.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 153000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: informative, interesting, period drama