Best movies like The Sensei
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Lonely gay teenager, McClain, struggles to fit in with his classmates in a small, conservative Colorado town. After he's severely beaten at school, Karen O'Neil, a martial arts Sensei, secretly trains him to defend himself. When the town discovers their secret, a series of catastrophic events unfolds.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 475
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, psychological, suspense, independent film, serious, realistic
Best tv shows and movies like The Sensei (2008):
Similar in 82%
Badass Showdown (2013)
Plot Summary:
Uber MMA fighter manager Ivy Reed (B-movie action star of the '80s and '90s Cynthia Rothrock) is unique as a woman in a male-dominated field, using a special formula to find her champion fighters. Though her trainer Jimmy doesn't see eye to eye with her, he nevertheless works with her latest crop of "auditionees," Dustin, Connor, Tyler, Hunter and Mason, to see which will have the career making boost of being managed by Ivy. Written by [email protected].
IMDB Rating: 2.2
IMDB Votes: 190
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 76 min
Plot tags: realistic, semi serious, atmospheric, captivating, rough, bleak
Similar in 85%
Unrivaled (2010)
Plot Summary:
On these streets everyone is fighting for a way out, but after a lifetime of hard knocks, a down-on-his-luck cage fighter gets the opportunity of a lifetime when he is chosen to compete against the MMA world champion during a massive competition. The stakes are high and the reward great...but should he lose, it will cost him his life.
IMDB Rating: 4.1
IMDB Votes: 906
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, uplifting, serious, erotic, realistic
Similar in 82%
Black Belt (2007)
Plot Summary:
Set in 1932, amid the rise of militarism after the establishment of the Manchukuo colony in Northeast China, the story centers on a trio of karateka. Studying under their aging master in a small dojo in the woods of central Kyushu, Choei, Taikan and Giryu face a company of kempeitai military police come to requisition their dojo for use as a military base.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: Japan
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, exciting, captivating
Similar in 90%
American Kickboxer (1991)
Plot Summary:
Kickboxing champion B.J. is jailed for an accidental murder thanks to the testimony of his arch-nemesis Denard. A year later, B.J. is released and then challenged by Denard for $100,000. Will B.J. accept and get even with Denard?.
IMDB Rating: 3.7
IMDB Votes: 697
Genere: Action, Sport
Country: USA, South Africa
Duration: 92 min
Plot tags: rough, realistic, suspenseful, exciting, serious, grindhouse, independent film, cult film
Similar in 78%
The Philly Kid (2012)
Plot Summary:
A former NCAA champion wrestler is paroled after 10 years in prison. Now, to save a friend's life, in a series of cage fights he must agree to do the impossible - lose.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: exciting, suspenseful, rough, serious, realistic, dark, indie film, interesting
Similar in 89%
Only the Strong (1993)
Plot Summary:
Former Green Beret Louis Stevens returns to his hometown of Miami after completing military service in Brazil, only to learn that his old high school has become a haven for gangs and drug dealers. After Stevens uses his capoeira skills to kick several drug dealers off of the school property, Kerrigan, one of Stevens' old teachers, sees the impact that Stevens has on the students. Kerrigan gives him the task of teaching Capoeira to a handful of the worst at-risk students at the school.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: France, USA
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, realistic, independent film, cult film
Similar in 89%
Duel of Legends (2023)
Plot Summary:
Duel of Legends is directed by Hector Echavarria and is about a Chinese boy who is left to survive by himself because his parents were murdered by rebels. The boy is raised by a Temple Monk who teaches the boy the secrets of the Martial arts. When the child grows up he travels to America were he joins American tournaments in karate where he discovers a dark secret about who actually killed his parents. An action filled martial arts movie with many twist and turns.
IMDB Rating: 6.0
IMDB Votes:
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration:
Plot tags: thought provoking, suspense, suspenseful, captivating
Similar in 88%
Ring of Fire (1991)
Plot Summary:
The main character, Johnny Woo, is a Chinese doctor who has given up fighting in the ring. His brother is a teacher in a kick-boxing club. Johnny Woo fall in love with Julie, whose brother is a teacher in a rival kick-boxing club. Tension builds up.
IMDB Rating: 4.6
IMDB Votes: 884
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: independent film, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful, fast, cult film
Similar in 82%
Harder They Fall (2005)
Plot Summary:
20 year old kickboxers from opposite ends of Miami, one rich one poor, battle for triumph in sport and their own identities in this coming-of-age action/drama.
IMDB Rating: 2.9
IMDB Votes: 152
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, realistic
Similar in 86%
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 84%
Brothers (2015)
Plot Summary:
Brothers is an upcoming Hindi film, directed by Karan Malhotra and produced by Karan Johar under Dharma Productions along with Lionsgate Films and Endemol India.[6] The film is an official remake of the 2011 Hollywood film Warrior.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 14000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: India, USA
Duration: 156 min
Plot tags: psychological, exciting, captivating, tense, suspense, inspirational, remake of american film
Similar in 79%
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 82%
Circle of Pain (2010)
Plot Summary:
Following a fighting accident, Dalton Hunt retired from the world of MMA at the top. Unable to outrun his guilt, he lost his family, his title, and his way. But when a crooked promoter lures him back into a fight against the current undefeated champ, Dalton must enlist the aid of an enigmatic trainer to turn him bck into a warrior so he can stand tall and do battle once again.
IMDB Rating: 3.6
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Action, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 90 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, captivating, tense, suspense, rough, realistic
Similar in 88%
Unbeatable (2013)
Plot Summary:
Fai, once a world champion in boxing, escapes to Macau from the loan sharks and unexpectedly encounters Qi, a young chap who is determined to win a boxing match. Fai becomes Qi's mentor and rediscovers his passion to fight not only in the ring but for his life and the cares.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: China, Hong Kong
Duration: 122 min
Plot tags: tense, exciting, rough, serious, realistic, captivating
Similar in 75%
Embattled (2020)
Plot Summary:
The eldest son of a ruthlessly tough MMA champion must fight his way out of the abusive cycle his father has continued.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 117 min
Plot tags: inspirational, brutal, suspense, realistic, intense, bloody
Similar in 82%
Legendary (2010)
Plot Summary:
A book-smart teenager joins his school's wrestling team as a way to reunite his surviving family members, who split apart after the death of his father, a college wrestling legend, 10 years ago.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 5000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: sincere, serious, realistic, rough, exciting, independent film
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 76%
Hometown Legend (2002)
Plot Summary:
A teenage drifter finds an opportunity to turn his life around when he joins a high-school football program with a hard-nosed coach.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 797
Genere: Drama, Family, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min
Plot tags: touching, feel good, serious, realistic, independent film, sincere
Similar in 83%
The Karate Kid Part III (1989)
Plot Summary:
Kreese, his life in tatters after his karate school was defeated by Daniel and Mr. Miyagi, visits Terry, a friend from Vietnam. Terry is a ruthless business man and a martial arts expert, and he vows to help Kreese take revenge on Daniel and Mr. Miyagi.
IMDB Rating: 5.3
IMDB Votes: 68000
Genere: Action, Drama, Family, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 112 min
Plot tags: motivational, spiritual, saga, action packed, sentimental, feel good, serious, realistic, inspirational, romantic
Similar in 90%
Never Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011)
Plot Summary:
Four fighters different backgrounds come together to train under an ex MMA rising star and then ultimately have to fight each other and the traitor in heir midst.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 20000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 103 min
Plot tags: exciting, suspenseful, serious, realistic, inspirational, suspense, erotic, cult classic, teen, visually appealing
Similar in 81%
Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016)
Plot Summary:
Picking up after the events of Never Back Down 2, former MMA champion Case Walker is on the comeback trail to become champion once again.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 7000
Genere: Action, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 101 min
Plot tags: inspirational, exciting, serious, suspense, realistic, suspenseful, motivational, cult classic, entertaining, ridiculous
Similar in 85%
The Karate Kid (1984)
Plot Summary:
Hassled by the school bullies, Daniel LaRusso has his share of adolescent woes. Luckily, his apartment building houses a resident martial arts master: Kesuke Miyagi, who agrees to train Daniel ... and ends up teaching him much more than self-defense. Armed with newfound confidence, skill and wisdom, Daniel ultimately faces off against his tormentors in this hugely popular classic underdog tale.
IMDB Rating: 7.3
IMDB Votes: 240000
Genere: Action, Drama, Family, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 126 min
Plot tags: feel good, inspirational, sentimental, uplifting, touching, captivating, teen, epic, entertaining, saga
Similar in 79%
The Next Karate Kid (1994)
Plot Summary:
During a commemoration for Japanese soldiers fighting in the US Army during World War II, Mr. Miyagi meets the widow of his commanding officer. He gets to know her granddaughter Julie, an angry teenager who is still feeling the pain of losing both her parents in an accident and is having problems with her grandmother and her fellow pupils. Mr. Miyagi decides to teach her karate to get her through her pain and issues and back on the right path.
IMDB Rating: 4.5
IMDB Votes: 33000
Genere: Action, Drama, Family, Romance, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 107 min
Plot tags: teen, motivational, cult classic, action packed, exciting, sentimental, uplifting, touching, feel good, humorous
Similar in 79%
Best of the Best (1989)
Plot Summary:
A team from the United States is going to compete against Korea in a Tae Kwon Do tournament. The team consists of fighters from all over the country--can they overcome their rivalry and work together to win?.
IMDB Rating: 6.4
IMDB Votes: 15000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: inspirational, emotional, exciting, serious, suspenseful, realistic, cult classic, independent film, feel good, unusual plot structure
Similar in 79%
Creed (2015)
Plot Summary:
The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.
IMDB Rating: 7.6
IMDB Votes: 306000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 133 min
Plot tags: inspirational, reflective, brutal, emotional, suspense, sentimental, touching, intense, sincere, serious
Similar in 82%
All You've Got (2006)
Plot Summary:
Two Southern California volleyball teams determined to prove their superiority on the court find out that they're not as different as they previously thought after tragedy strikes close to home in director Neema Barnette's affectionate sports drama. The Madonnas and the Phantoms are two volleyball teams with a longstanding grudge. With a bitter rivalry that frequently spills off of the court and into the streets, the Madonnas and the Phantoms appear to have nothing in common until fate forces them to break down the social and cultural barriers that bind them. Now determined to keep it together on the court as they make their way to the championships, these former rivals are about to find out what true sportsmanship is really all about.
IMDB Rating: 4.2
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: humorous, semi serious, realistic, captivating
Similar in 90%
Never Back Down (2008)
Plot Summary:
Rebellious Jake Tyler is lured into an ultimate underground fight Scene at his new high school, after receiving threats to the safety of his friends and family Jake decides to seek the mentoring of a veteran fighter who trains him for one final no-holds-barred elimination fight with his nemesis and local martial arts champion Ryan McCarthy.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 105000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: inspirational, serious, exciting, entertaining, intense, suspenseful, teen, motivational, cult classic, realistic
Similar in 87%
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 86%
Friday Night Lights (2004)
Plot Summary:
A small, turbulent town in Texas obsesses over their high school football team to an unhealthy degree. When the star tailback, Boobie Miles, is seriously injured during the first game of the season, all hope is lost, and the town's dormant social problems begin to flare up. It is left to the inspiring abilities of new coach Gary Gaines to instill in the other team members -- and, by proxy, the town itself -- a sense of self-respect and honor.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 66000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA, Germany
Duration: 118 min
Plot tags: inspirational, intense, sincere, serious, captivating, realistic, motivational, sentimental, philosophical, emotional
Similar in 75%
Warrior (2011)
Plot Summary:
The youngest son of an alcoholic former boxer returns home, where he's trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament - a path that puts the fighter on a collision course with his estranged, older brother, an ex-marine with a tragic past.
IMDB Rating: 8.1
IMDB Votes: 491000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 140 min
Plot tags: emotional, serious, inspirational, touching, rough, exciting, tense, sentimental, realistic, entertaining