Best movies like The Champ
Last updated March 2024
Looking for movies like The Champ? Leverage your expertise to help others toward tv shows and films you've watched previously that may also preoccupy them. Support increasing the cohort of people bringing up videos among each other. We appreciate your contribution!
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
Best tv shows and movies like The Champ (1979):
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 85%
Dans les cordes (2007)
Plot Summary:
.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 109
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: France
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic, suspense
Similar in 77%
Resurrecting the Champ (2007)
Plot Summary:
Up-and-coming sports reporter rescues a homeless man ("Champ") only to discover that he is, in fact, a boxing legend believed to have passed away. What begins as an opportunity to resurrect Champ's story and escape the shadow of his father's success becomes a personal journey as the ambitious reporter reexamines his own life and his relationship with his family.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 21000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, uplifting, serious, cult classic, captivating, realistic, tense, sentimental, inspirational
Similar in 75%
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 81%
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 80%
4 Minute Mile (2014)
Plot Summary:
A teenager overcomes odds to run a 4-minute mile race.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, realistic, uplifting, touching, serious, emotional, crying, motivational, gloomy
Similar in 87%
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 85%
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%
Across the Tracks (1990)
Plot Summary:
When Billy returns from reform school he has to attend a different high school at the other side of town. He tries to start with a clean slate but his old rival doesn't make it easy on him and his buddy Louie tries to make him go astray again. His brother Joe, quite the opposite of Billy, is a good runner and determined to win a track scholarship. He suggests Billy to join his school's track team, which pits the two brothers against each other.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: independent film, exciting, sincere, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 81%
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 83%
A Gentleman's Game (2002)
Plot Summary:
A drama revolving around characters whose lives are transformed one summer at an exclusive East Coast country club.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 828
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, serious, scenic, independent film, realistic
Similar in 83%
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 86%
Rocky IV (1985)
Plot Summary:
After iron man Drago, a highly intimidating 6-foot-5, 261-pound Soviet athlete, kills Apollo Creed in an exhibition match, Rocky comes to the heart of Russia for 15 pile-driving boxing rounds of revenge.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 223000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: inspirational, tense, suspenseful, entertaining, action packed, saga, feel good, patriotic, action adventure, psychological
Similar in 88%
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 81%
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 79%
Ours (2007)
Plot Summary:
An ex-boxer Baldev Choudhary (Dharmendra) has had a stain in his boxing career. He wanted to wash it with his son Angad's (Sunny Deol) success, but times were hard and a financial crunch kept him from achieving this dream. Though Angad pulled through fine, Baldev never forgot who ruined his chance to wash the stain. An opportunity strikes Baldev in the form of a T.V. Show. He trains a local boy to get into this media hyped boxing show, but is ditched for a better coach at the last minute. Baldev's younger son Karan (Bobby Deol) has just launched his first music album. Realizing his father is in crises of his life, he gives up his dream of a musical career to get into the game of boxing.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: India
Duration: 173 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, emotional, realistic
Similar in 78%
Rocky II (1979)
Plot Summary:
After Rocky goes the distance with champ Apollo Creed, both try to put the fight behind them and move on. Rocky settles down with Adrian but can't put his life together outside the ring, while Creed seeks a rematch to restore his reputation. Soon enough, the "Master of Disaster" and the "Italian Stallion" are set on a collision course for a climactic battle that is brutal and unforgettable.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 227000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: inspirational, sincere, rough, feel good, captivating, entertaining, action packed, saga, action adventure, motivational
Similar in 80%
Rocky III (1982)
Plot Summary:
Now the world champion, Rocky Balboa is living in luxury and only fighting opponents who pose no threat to him in the ring, until Clubber Lang challenges him to a bout. After taking a pounding from Lang, the humbled champ turns to former bitter rival Apollo Creed for a rematch with Lang.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 208000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: inspirational, captivating, suspenseful, action packed, action adventure, suspense, psychological, motivational, uplifting, saga
Similar in 79%
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 76%
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 84%
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 81%
Streetballers (2009)
Plot Summary:
Defining street basketball as America's new favorite pastime, it is a story driven by passion, faith, and achieving goals. A story capturing the poetic nature of street basketball, highlighting the struggles endured on and off the court by the purest of athletes. Constantly searching for sanity in the midst of alcoholism, racism, and drugs, John Hogan and Jacob Whitmore, two junior college basketball players, find release and therapy while competing at one of the most competitive and poetic street courts in the U.S. Both men must spend an entire summer helping one another overcome their adversities. Their dedication and love for the game of basketball transcends from the playground courts into each of their dysfunctional households where the two boys play the constant role of the father figure. Together, the two boys paint a sad and delightful portrait with their innocence, concerns, and faith in the unknown.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 383
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: sincere, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, independent film, spiritual
Similar in 83%
Rocky Balboa (2006)
Plot Summary:
When he loses a highly publicized virtual boxing match to ex-champ Rocky Balboa, reigning heavyweight titleholder, Mason Dixon retaliates by challenging Rocky to a nationally televised, 10-round exhibition bout. To the surprise of his son and friends, Rocky agrees to come out of retirement and face an opponent who's faster, stronger and thirty years his junior.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 229000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 102 min
Plot tags: inspirational, sincere, touching, melancholic, action packed, realistic, sentimental, motivational, action adventure, entertaining
Similar in 81%
Rocky V (1990)
Plot Summary:
A lifetime of taking shots has ended Rocky's career, and a crooked accountant has left him broke. Inspired by the memory of his trainer, however, Rocky finds glory in training and takes on an up-and-coming boxer.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 148000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: inspirational, serious, realistic, action packed, saga, action adventure, suspense, cult classic, sincere, feel good
Similar in 89%
Southpaw (2015)
Plot Summary:
Billy "The Great" Hope, the reigning junior middleweight boxing champion, has an impressive career, a loving wife and daughter, and a lavish lifestyle. However, when tragedy strikes, Billy hits rock bottom, losing his family, his house and his manager. He soon finds an unlikely savior in Tick Willis, a former fighter who trains the city's toughest amateur boxers. With his future on the line, Hope fights to reclaim the trust of those he loves the most.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 254000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: Hong Kong, USA
Duration: 124 min
Plot tags: touching, inspirational, dramatic, sentimental, rough, intense, emotional, serious, exciting, suspense
Similar in 90%
Ali (2001)
Plot Summary:
In 1964, a brash, new pro boxer, fresh from his Olympic gold medal victory, explodes onto the scene: Cassius Clay. Bold and outspoken, he cuts an entirely new image for African Americans in sport with his proud public self-confidence and his unapologetic belief that he is the greatest boxer of all time. Yet at the top of his game, both Ali's personal and professional lives face the ultimate test.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 104000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 157 min
Plot tags: inspirational, uplifting, sincere, touching, thought provoking, motivational, political, non fiction, cult classic, tense
Similar in 83%
The Final Season (2007)
Plot Summary:
True story of Kent Stock, who in the early 90's, gives up a job and ditches his wedding plans to take over as head coach as the Norway High School baseball team. Kent must win over his players and convince them and himself that he can fill their former coach's shoes and that they can go out winners. In the summer of 1991 Norway High's baseball tradition ended on a triumphant but sombre note.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 119 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, touching, realistic, historical drama, serious, captivating, emotional, independent film
Similar in 81%
Rocky (1976)
Plot Summary:
When world heavyweight boxing champion, Apollo Creed wants to give an unknown fighter a shot at the title as a publicity stunt, his handlers choose palooka Rocky Balboa, an uneducated collector for a Philadelphia loan shark. Rocky teams up with trainer Mickey Goldmill to make the most of this once in a lifetime break.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 617000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: inspirational, uplifting, motivational, touching, cult classic, captivating, dramatic, action packed, saga, action adventure
Similar in 82%
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Plot Summary:
Despondent over a painful estrangement from his daughter, trainer Frankie Dunn isn't prepared for boxer Maggie Fitzgerald to enter his life. But Maggie's determined to go pro and to convince Dunn and his cohort to help her.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 713000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 132 min
Plot tags: emotional, sad, touching, depressing, bad ending, bleak, harsh, poignant, motivational, sentimental
Similar in 84%
Cinderella Man (2005)
Plot Summary:
The true story of boxer, Jim Braddock who, in the 1920’s after his retirement, has a surprise comeback in order to get him and his family out of a socially poor state.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 196000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Romance, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 144 min
Plot tags: touching, inspirational, motivational, uplifting, sentimental, sincere, emotional, period piece, compassionate, feel good