Best movies like The Athlete
Last updated March 2024
Looking for movies similar to The Athlete? Offer your knowledge to guide others to tv series and films you've viewed previously that they might also like. Promote expanding the assembly of people introducing videos to each other. We appreciate your engagement!
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
Best tv shows and movies like The Athlete (2009):
Similar in 90%
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 81%
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 86%
Fast Girls (2012)
Plot Summary:
A street smart runner develops an intense rivalry with an equally ambitious wealthy young athlete.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: UK
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: uplifting, feel good, exciting, touching, realistic, serious
Similar in 83%
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 84%
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%
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 89%
Matchups (2003)
Plot Summary:
Ian Willams -- who was born blind in one eye -- grew up undaunted to become an elite college basketball player. But his dream of winning a national championship and turning pro was sidetracked when a tragic accident left him completely blind. Triumphing over adversity, Williams recalibrated his ambition and went on to become college basketball's first blind coach. A truly inspiring story about the triumph of the human spirit.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 29
Genere: Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, touching, independent film
Similar in 78%
The Other Side of the Mountain (1975)
Plot Summary:
A female skiing champion is paralyzed in a tragic skiing accident. Her girlfriend is taken out of competition when she contracts polio.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: independent film, sincere, uplifting, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, sentimental
Similar in 86%
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 83%
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 77%
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 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 79%
Terry (2005)
Plot Summary:
"Terry" tells the story of 21-year old amputee Terry Fox who attempted to run across Canada with only one leg. Unfortunately, he only made it to Thunder Bay, Ontario when he died, one month before his 23rd birthday yet his memories will live on forever in the hearts of Canadians everywhere.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 538
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: Canada
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: uplifting, touching, sentimental, realistic, serious
Similar in 78%
3: The Dale Earnhardt Story (2004)
Plot Summary:
A Biographical story of Dale Earnhardt, Sr. The movie starts with his young life and growing up with his father, Ralph, who raced for a living, but initially wanted more for his son. When Dale quits high school to start driving full time, his father aids him and shows a reluctant pride when he is initially successful. Armed with many of his father's philosophies, Dale pushed himself to be the best. His aggressive track mannerisms earned himself fans and detractors. Fellow racer Neil Bonnett was one of those long time friends whose death deeply affected Dale. Darrell Waltrip clearly was a detractor and the two men's rivalry is clearly depicted. Off the track, Dale's determination to make it impacts two marriages. Third wife Theresa was closer to racing and met Dale when he had started his rise into the Winston Cup circuit. The story also looks at his relationship with his children.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, realistic, sentimental
Similar in 83%
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 84%
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 82%
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 82%
1000 to 1 (2014)
Plot Summary:
Cory Weissman is a college basketball player who suffers a devastating stroke. He perseveres to find new meaning in his life both on, and more importantly, off the court.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: captivating, emotional, serious, motivational, inspirational, realistic, uplifting
Similar in 75%
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 85%
Best (2000)
Plot Summary:
The life story of former Manchester United football legend, George Best.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 837
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: realistic, serious, captivating, emotional
Similar in 86%
Door to Door (2002)
Plot Summary:
Sometimes the true heroes in our lives are those people who inspire us not with their superhuman accomplishments but simply by their refusal to give up in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds and the dignity in which they go about their lives. Bill Porter is one of those heroes. Born with cerebral palsy, he was told for many years that he was unemployable. But with the unwavering support of a dedicated mother and an indomitable spirit that has become his trademark, Porter did support himself as a door-to-door salesman in Portland, Ore.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: feel good, touching, serious, realistic, uplifting, tear jerker, tearjerker
Similar in 88%
Miracle Run (2004)
Plot Summary:
Single mom Corrine discovers that her twins are autistic. She refuses to give up on their potential, even though it seems that the rest of the world has turned its back on them. Thanks to this incredible mother's support, her boys accomplish the unimaginable.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, uplifting, touching
Similar in 79%
The Least Among You (2009)
Plot Summary:
Black college graduate Richard Kelly reluctantly accepts a plea bargain requiring him to spend two semesters at an all-white seminary after he's wrongly accused of crimes committed during the 1965 Watts riots. Facing bigotry on all sides, he's close to cracking until he meets an elderly custodian who helps him navigate the trials of racism.
IMDB Rating: 4.5
IMDB Votes: 176
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: uplifting, touching, captivating, emotional, thought provoking, serious, realistic, contemplative, independent film, period piece
Similar in 82%
Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story (2003)
Plot Summary:
Based on a true story. Liz Murray is a young girl who is taken care of by her loving, but drug-addicted parents. Liz becomes homeless at 15 and after a tragedy comes upon her, she begins her work to finish high school.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: emotional, sincere, touching, serious, captivating, realistic, inspirational, sad, teen, crying
Similar in 79%
The Cup (2011)
Plot Summary:
At the heart of this true story is Damien Oliver, a young jockey who loses his only brother in a tragic racing accident, hauntingly reflecting of the way their father died 27 years earlier. After suffering through a series of discouraging defeats, Damien teams with Irish trainer Dermot Weld, and triumphs at the 2002 Melbourne Cup in one of the most thrilling finales in sporting history.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 845
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: Australia
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: uplifting, touching, serious, realistic
Similar in 88%
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 87%
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 90%
The Brooke Ellison Story (2004)
Plot Summary:
Rendered a quadriplegic since a child from a near-fatal neck injury, a young girl fights against all odds to succeed in life from grade school to her acceptance into college under the assistance of her loyal and dedicated mother.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: sincere, uplifting, sentimental, touching, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic, saga
Similar in 78%
Helen Keller: The Miracle Continues (1984)
Plot Summary:
Set in 1898, Cambridge, Massachusetts, depicts Annie Sullivan Macy supporting her student Helen Keller at Radcliffe College.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 154
Genere: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, uplifting, touching, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic
Similar in 89%
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