Best movies like This Sporting Life
Last updated March 2024
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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
Best tv shows and movies like This Sporting Life (1963):
Similar in 83%
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 87%
A Kind of Loving (1962)
Plot Summary:
After his girlfriend's pregnancy forces him to marry her, a young man must adjust to his new life and contend with his domineering mother-in-law.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Drama, Romance
Country: UK
Duration: 113 min
Plot tags: social, experimental, sincere, serious, emotional, realistic, independent film, vintage
Similar in 84%
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 85%
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 80%
White Palms (2006)
Plot Summary:
Having suffered as a boy under a brutal Communist-era coach, champion Hungarian gymnast Miklos moves to Canada years later in search of a new start - only to find himself unwittingly perpetuating the very same cycle of abuse among his own pupils.
IMDB Rating: 7.4
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: Hungary
Duration: 97 min
Plot tags: uplifting, serious, realistic, captivating, thought provoking, psychological, touching, gloomy
Similar in 82%
The Fight (2018)
Plot Summary:
Tina lives in a quiet seaside town but her life is anything but quiet - her mother is threatening to leave her father, her daughter is being bullied and she and her husband Mick are juggling full time jobs and three children. Determined to ditch the dysfunction and beat her inner demons, Tina puts on her fighting gloves - literally, stepping into the boxing ring to sweat out her anxieties and punch up her self-worth. But does she have what it takes to get her family off the ropes and emerge victorious?.
IMDB Rating: 5.6
IMDB Votes: 221
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: UK
Duration: 91 min
Plot tags: emotional, psychological, captivating, realistic
Similar in 75%
Road to Victory (2007)
Plot Summary:
A star athlete on the verge of turning pro must decide which dream to pursue while he battles his own body.
IMDB Rating: 4.8
IMDB Votes: 315
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 99 min
Plot tags: psychological, touching, serious, realistic, independent film
Similar in 84%
Crossing the Line (1990)
Plot Summary:
An unemployed Scottish miner (Liam Neeson) is forced into bare-knuckle boxing to make ends meet.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Sport
Country: UK
Duration: 116 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, realistic, cult classic, sincere, bleak, gloomy, independent film, cult film
Similar in 85%
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 88%
Body and Soul (1981)
Plot Summary:
A young man struggles to become a boxing champ, but success blinds him. It is only through the love of his girlfriend that he is brought back to reality.
IMDB Rating: 4.5
IMDB Votes: 386
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: neo noir, grindhouse, independent film, sincere, rough, serious, realistic, eighties
Similar in 86%
Cock & Bull Story (2002)
Plot Summary:
Two friends are torn apart by passion and ambition in the violent world of amateur boxing.
IMDB Rating: 5.4
IMDB Votes: 232
Genere: Crime, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 106 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, realistic, captivating, talky, crying, independent film, detective
Similar in 88%
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 83%
Goal II: Living the Dream (2007)
Plot Summary:
Tempted away from Newcastle United to join Real Madrid, rising star Santiago Munez finds this latest change of fortune the greatest challenge yet - personally as well as professionally. He is reunited with Gavin Harris, though they must compete to be on the team, and estranged from fiancee Roz, whose nursing career keeps her back home.
IMDB Rating: 5.8
IMDB Votes: 34000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: UK, Spain, Germany
Duration: 115 min
Plot tags: sentimental, sincere, serious, realistic, inspirational
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 78%
The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
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
Similar in 86%
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 85%
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 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 89%
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 80%
Any Given Sunday (1999)
Plot Summary:
A star quarterback gets knocked out of the game and an unknown third stringer is called in to replace him. The unknown gives a stunning performance and forces the aging coach to reevaluate his game plans and life. A new co-owner/president adds to the pressure of winning. The new owner must prove her self in a male dominated world.
IMDB Rating: 6.9
IMDB Votes: 125000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 162 min
Plot tags: inspirational, stylized, intense, realistic, rough, serious, captivating, cult classic, sexy, scary
Similar in 77%
Monday Night Mayhem (2002)
Plot Summary:
The early years of a television sports powerhouse are chronicled as ABC becomes a player in the NFL coverage by putting their full resources into a major showcase. Executive Roone Arledge (John Heard) recruits former Dallas Cowboys quarterback 'Dandy' Don Meredith (Brad Beyer), along with Keith Jackson (Shuler Hensley), and the combative Howard Cosell (John Turturro) as commentators for the broadcasts, which become funny, odd trio events to millions of viewers. Jackson departs the show after the first year to take over the network's focus on college football, and former New York Giants star Frank Gifford (Kevin Anderson) takes his place, ruffling Cosell's feathers. Then things get really crazy!.
IMDB Rating: 6.6
IMDB Votes: 826
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, captivating
Similar in 90%
Seven Days in Utopia (2011)
Plot Summary:
Talent can only get you so far. For golfer Luke Chisholm, that turns out to be Utopia, Texas -- where he's left stranded after blowing his pro debut.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 4000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: uplifting, sincere, captivating, sentimental, touching, inspirational, christian film, entertaining, serious, realistic
Similar in 76%
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 87%
All or Nothing (2002)
Plot Summary:
Penny's love for her partner, taxi-driver Phil, has run dry. He is a gentle, philosophical guy, and she works on the checkout at a supermarket.
IMDB Rating: 7.5
IMDB Votes: 11000
Genere: Drama
Country: UK, France
Duration: 128 min
Plot tags: depressing, emotional, bleak, serious, realistic, meditative, sentimental, sincere, talky, offbeat
Similar in 78%
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 84%
Cet amour-l? (2001)
Plot Summary:
Cet Amour-là is an intimate portrait of a legendary love affair. Set against the beauty of the Breton seaside, it is also a film that revels in the insights that Marguerite Duras' writing affords.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 367
Genere: Drama
Country: France
Duration: 100 min
Plot tags: psychological, emotional, sentimental, sincere, serious, captivating, clever, realistic, talky, gloomy
Similar in 87%
A Season on the Brink (2002)
Plot Summary:
"A Season on the Brink: A Year with Bob Knight and the Indiana Hoosiers" is based on the best-selling book by John Feinstein. The movie chronicles Indiana's 1985-86 season, when Knight granted Feinstein unprecedented access to the team and its practices, meetings, and huddles.
IMDB Rating: 5.1
IMDB Votes: 555
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: Germany, USA
Duration: 87 min
Plot tags: uplifting, serious, realistic, captivating
Similar in 78%
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 77%
The Hustler (1961)
Plot Summary:
Fast Eddie Felson is a small-time pool hustler with a lot of talent but a self-destructive attitude. His bravado causes him to challenge the legendary Minnesota Fats to a high-stakes match.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 86000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 134 min
Plot tags: black and white, atmospheric, suspense, psychological, cynical, grim, tense, realistic, talky, thought provoking
Similar in 78%
The Wrestler (2008)
Plot Summary:
Aging wrestler Randy "The Ram" Robinson is long past his prime but still ready and rarin' to go on the pro-wrestling circuit. After a particularly brutal beating, however, Randy hangs up his tights, pursues a serious relationship with a long-in-the-tooth stripper, and tries to reconnect with his estranged daughter. But he can't resist the lure of the ring and readies himself for a comeback.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 317000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA, France
Duration: 109 min
Plot tags: depressing, emotional, bleak, touching, serious, melancholic, sad, sincere, heartbreaking, gloomy