Best movies like The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner
Last updated March 2024
Looking for movies similar to The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner? Leverage your expertise to guide others toward movies and tv series you've viewed previously that they might like too. Help broaden the cohort of people suggesting videos to each other. We appreciate your engagement!
Plot Summary:
A rebellious youth, sentenced to a boy's reformatory for robbing a bakery, rises through the ranks of the institution through his prowess as a long distance runner. During his solitary runs, reveries of his life and times before his incarceration lead him to re-evaluate his privileged status as the Governor's prize runner.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 9000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: UK
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: political, social, black and white, psychological, sincere, bleak, serious, realistic, non-linear, independent film
Best tv shows and movies like The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962):
Similar in 80%
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 79%
Billy Liar (1963)
Plot Summary:
A young Englishman dreams of escaping from his working class family and dead-end job as an undertaker's assistant. A number of indiscretions cause him to lie in order to avoid the penalties. His life turns into a mess and he has an opportunity to run away and leave it all behind.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: humorous, realistic, mind bending, psychedelic, surreal, romantic comedy, touching, offbeat, semi serious, independent film
Similar in 90%
Saint Ralph (2004)
Plot Summary:
This Canadian made comedy/drama, set in Hamilton, Ontario in 1954, is a sweet and - at times - goofy story that becomes increasingly poignant as the minutes tick by. It's the fictional tale of a wayward 9th grader, Ralph (Adam Butcher), who is secretly living on his own while his widowed, hospitalized mother remains immersed in a coma. Frequently in trouble with Father Fitzpatrick (Gordon Pinsent), the principal of his all-boys, Catholic school, Ralph is considered something of a joke among peers until he decides to pull off a miracle that could save his mother, i.e., winning the Boston Marathon. Coached by a younger priest and former runner, Father Hibbert (Campbell Scott), whose cynicism has been lifted by the boy's pure hope, Ralph applies himself to his unlikely mission, fending off naysayers and getting help along a very challenging path from sundry allies and friends.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Sport
Country: Canada
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: emotional, sincere, sentimental, realistic, feel good, spiritual, semi serious, inspirational, crying, touching
Similar in 89%
The Games (1970)
Plot Summary:
Four marathon runners (one from England, one from the U.S., a Czech and an Australian Aborigine) prepare to run in the Olympic games. The film follows each one and shows what their motivations are for running in the games.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 498
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: UK
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: rough, uplifting, serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 88%
Fair Play (2014)
Plot Summary:
In the 1980s, Anna, a Czech sprinter, starts training for the Olympics. After she collapses during training, she learns she is being given steroids and decides to stop using them until her mother helps the coaches give them to her.
IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: exciting, touching, serious, realistic
Similar in 82%
True Blue (1996)
Plot Summary:
The story of the year the Oxford and Cambridge boat race changed from a gentleman's race to one where winning was everything.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 431
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: UK
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: independent film, sincere, uplifting, touching, feel good, serious, captivating, emotional, realistic
Similar in 77%
This Sporting Life (1963)
Plot Summary:
In Northern England in the early 1960s, Frank Machin is mean, tough and ambitious enough to become an immediate star in the rugby league team run by local employer Weaver.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: UK
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, psychological, sentimental, thought provoking, captivating, existential, mind blowing, twisted, sincere
Similar in 79%
Ladybird Ladybird (1994)
Plot Summary:
Maggie has had four children, by four different fathers, removed by social services because of a previous violent relationship. When she meets Jorge, a gentle Latin American refugee, she gradually sees her chance for happiness, but her history still haunts her.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: sad, disturbing, realistic, biting, independent film, social, detective, sincere, thought provoking, serious
Similar in 77%
Lamb (1985)
Plot Summary:
Michael Lamb is a Father questioning his calling, in a Reform School in Ireland. When young epileptic runaway Eoin is sent to the school, the two recognise kindred spirits and escape to London together. With the police on their tail and the money running out however, Lamb is forced to make some terrible decisions.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 655
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 110 min
Plot tags: independent film, sincere, uplifting, thought provoking, touching, serious, emotional, realistic, contemplative, eighties
Similar in 76%
24 7: Twenty Four Seven (1997)
Plot Summary:
In a typical English working-class town, the juveniles have nothing more to do than hang around in gangs. One day, Alan Darcy, a highly motivated man with the same kind of youth experience, starts trying to get the young people off the street and into doing something they can believe in: Boxing. Darcy opens a boxing club, aiming to bring the rival gangs together.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Romance, Sport
Country: UK
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: black and white, bleak, realistic, independent film, sincere, rough, serious, gloomy, slang, crying
Similar in 77%
When Saturday Comes (1996)
Plot Summary:
Jimmy Muir comes from a typical gritty, northern town where there are only two options: working down the pit or in a factory. But Jimmy has other ideas - he dreams of becoming a professional footballer. Confronted by a bitter and unsupportive father, hard drinking friends and a lifetime of bad habits...has Jimmy the will to achieve his ultimate goal?.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: UK
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: sincere, bleak, serious, realistic, gloomy
Similar in 78%
My Brother's Keeper (2004)
Plot Summary:
Identical twin brothers Lou and Eric plan to compete together in the National Rowing Championships. But when Eric leaves their small town to attend an Ivy League University, the brother's bond is torn apart.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 219
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: Canada, USA
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, captivating, exciting, crying, freeze frame
Similar in 84%
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 88%
Mirage (2004)
Plot Summary:
As Macedonia faces its difficult transition, a boy escapes into a world of his own creation.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country:
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, psychological, captivating, art house, bleak
Similar in 85%
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 85%
Touching Home (2008)
Plot Summary:
The true story about a father struggling to make amends with his twin sons as they pursue their dreams of professional baseball.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 788
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 108 min
Plot tags: emotional, realistic, psychological, captivating, anamorphic, sentimental, sincere, touching, serious, gloomy
Similar in 87%
Go Now (1995)
Plot Summary:
Nick, is a young Scottish soccer player living in the big city. He meets Karen, and the two fall in love and move in together. Soon after, Nick exhibits signs of serious illness. As his body slowly succumbs to multiple sclerosis, he experiences a wide sweep of jagged emotions, and in the process gives himself and those who love him the strength to carry on.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Romance, Sport
Country: UK
Duration: 81 min
Plot tags: touching, emotional, sentimental, sincere, serious, realistic, gloomy, independent film, romantic, sexy
Similar in 85%
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 79%
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 79%
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 77%
Believe (2013)
Plot Summary:
A young, gifted soccer player who gets into trouble for a petty crime is brought to the attention of former Manchester United coach Matt Busby, who comes out of retirement to help the boy and his teammates.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 940
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: UK
Duration: 96 min
Plot tags: uplifting, realistic, captivating, inspirational, sentimental, touching, feel good, serious
Similar in 84%
A Taste of Honey (1961)
Plot Summary:
Focuses on a working class girl who is struggling to create a life for herself with her gay co-worker after becoming pregnant from a one-night stand with a black sailor.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 6000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: independent film, black and white, touching, serious, realistic, talky, gloomy, sexual, crying, sexy
Similar in 84%
The Kid with a Bike (2011)
Plot Summary:
Abandoned by his father, a young boy is left in the hands of an unqualified childcare provider.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 28000
Genere: Drama
Country: Belgium, France, Italy
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: sincere, realistic, meditative, atmospheric, emotional, surreal, disturbing, compassionate, touching, psychological
Similar in 84%
Gracie (2007)
Plot Summary:
This is the story of a teenager named Gracie Bowen, who lives in South Orange, New Jersey, is crazy about soccer, as are her three brothers and former soccer star father. Although Gracie wants to join her brothers and father in the nightly practices, she is discouraged by everyone except her elder brother, Johnny. Her father does not believe that girls should play soccer and tells her that she is neither tough enough nor talented enough to play with the boys team. Undeterred, Gracie finds reserves of strength she never knew existed, and persists in changing everyone's beliefs in what she is capable of, including her own. She faces an uphill battle when she fights to give women the opportunity to play competitive soccer. But as the beautiful and strong person that she has always been but she also brings her family together in the face of their own tragedy.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, emotional, realistic, sincere, serious, crying
Similar in 82%
Last Orders (2001)
Plot Summary:
Jack Dodd was a London butcher who enjoyed a pint with his mates for over 50 years. When he died, he died as he lived, with a smile on his face watching a horse race on which he had bet, with borrowed money. But before he died he had a final request, 'Last Orders', that his ashes be scattered in the sea at Margate. The movie follows his mates, Ray, Lenny and Vic and his foster son Vince as they journey to the sea with the ashes. Along the way, the threads of their lives, their loves and their disappointments are woven together in their memories of Jack and his wife Amy.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, Germany
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: sentimental, touching, realistic, talky, atmospheric, sincere, serious, emotional, contemplative, road movie
Similar in 81%
Tom Brown's Schooldays (2005)
Plot Summary:
The determined new headmaster of an English prep school attempts to reform the frequently unruly students, who are tormented by a ruthless bully.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: touching, realistic, serious, exciting, tense, suspenseful, crying, period drama
Similar in 86%
Chariots of Fire (1981)
Plot Summary:
The true story of British athletes preparing for and competing in the 1924 Summer Olympics.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 65000
Genere: Biography, Drama, Sport
Country: UK
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: inspirational, period piece, christian film, costume drama, historical drama, sentimental, motivational, feel good, non fiction, sincere
Similar in 86%
Goal! (2005)
Plot Summary:
Like millions of kids around the world, Santiago harbors the dream of being a professional footballer...However, living in the Barrios section of Los Angeles, he thinks it is only that--a dream. Until one day an extraordinary turn of events has him trying out for Premiership club Newcastle United.
IMDB Rating: 6.7
IMDB Votes: 65000
Genere: Drama, Romance, Sport
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: inspirational, harsh, sentimental, serious, captivating, romantic, motivational, feel good, emotional, sex comedy
Similar in 88%
The Keys to the House (2004)
Plot Summary:
Meeting his handicapped son for the first time, a young father attempts to forge a relationship with the teenager.
IMDB Rating: 7.1
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama
Country: Italy, Germany, France, USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: psychological, serious, touching, emotional, sincere, bleak, realistic, contemplative, gloomy, crying
Similar in 79%
Whip It (2009)
Plot Summary:
In Bodeen, Texas, Land Of The Dragon, an indie-rock loving misfit finds a way of dealing with her small-town misery after she discovers a roller derby league in nearby Austin.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 70000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 111 min
Plot tags: feel good, uplifting, teen, cute, light, inspirational, exciting, witty, intense, funny