Best tv shows like Playmakers
Last updated March 2024
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Plot Summary:
Playmakers is an American television series that aired on ESPN from August 26, 2003 to November 11, 2003. It depicted the lives of the Cougars, a fictional professional football team in an unidentified city. The show starred Omar Gooding, Marcello Thedford, Christopher Wiehl, Jason Matthew Smith, Russell Hornsby, and Tony Denison. The show, which ran eleven episodes, was the first original drama series created by ESPN. Although the ratings were very high for ESPN—Playmakers was the highest-rated show on the network other than its Sunday night NFL and Saturday college football games—ESPN eventually canceled the series under pressure from the National Football League, who thought professional football was being negatively portrayed.
IMDB Rating: 8.4
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 491 min
Plot tags: rough, serious, captivating, realistic
Best tv shows and movies like Playmakers (2003):
Similar in 84%
Lucha Underground (2014)
Plot Summary:
Lucha Underground introduces U.S. audiences to the high-flying, explosive moves of lucha libre. An ancient combat tradition, watch as good and evil wage war in a gritty battleground called “The Temple.”.
IMDB Rating: 8.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Action, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, realistic, semi serious, serious
Similar in 79%
Clubhouse (2004)
Plot Summary:
For the first time, Pete Young takes a risk - perhaps the only risk of his young life - when he applies for and lands his dream job as a batboy for the New York Empires. The problem is that his single mother, Lynne has no idea what he's up to. Until now, he's been the golden boy while his rebellious older sister, Betsy, has always been in the doghouse. Pete attends a strict Catholic high school where he hangs out with his best friend, Mike, who hopes to cash in on his friend's new position in life. On the job, Pete becomes a member of a new family that includes Conrad Dean, the team's captain and star third baseman and one of the boy's all-time idols, who takes on the role of an older brother. Also in the clubhouse are Pete's boss, Lou Russo, a gruff but fair equipment manager who becomes a much-needed father figure; Carlos Tavares, a rookie who believes that Pete is his good luck charm, and Jose Marquez, the Empires' territorial head batboy. Pete is over the moon at being part of his favorite team but he must still balance life at home and life in the big leagues as he faces the moral dilemmas and curve balls that are thrown his way.
IMDB Rating: 7.2
IMDB Votes: 627
Genere: Drama, Family, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: feel good, serious, realistic, captivating
Similar in 76%
Shadow Boxing 3. The Final Round (2011)
Plot Summary:
Champion boxer Artyom Kolchin climbed all conceivable heights and became a national hero. He does not enter the boxing ring any more, rather choosing a coaching job and wild high life, including continuous TV appearances, hanging out and love affairs. One morning his daughter and his wife Vika meet him at home. Vika does not see the Artyom she once fell in love with in him any longer... The externally happy life of Kolchin comes to an end when the boxer he trains is almost killed during a match with the famous Kuerte. Artyom suspects that he used some forbidden technique. To obtain the proof, he has to go to Hong Kong where his long-time friend Vagit Valiev waits for him: he knows something about Kuerte which is not known to anyone else. To win, Artyom will have to enter the ring again.
IMDB Rating: 5.7
IMDB Votes: 765
Genere: Action, Crime, Drama, Sport
Country: Russia
Duration: 125 min
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 86%
Cloroform (2012)
Plot Summary:
Life of boxing in Mexico city, bets, deception, love, crime and courage takes place in the lives of amateur boxers to professional fighters.
IMDB Rating: 7.8
IMDB Votes: 39
Genere: Drama
Country: Mexico
Duration:
Plot tags: tense, serious, captivating, rough, realistic, telenovela
Similar in 88%
Mothers of Champions (2019)
Plot Summary:
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IMDB Rating: 6.8
IMDB Votes: 23
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: Russia
Duration:
Plot tags: captivating
Similar in 75%
NBC Sunday Night Football (2006)
Plot Summary:
NBC Sunday Night Football is a weekly television broadcast of Sunday evening National Football League games on NBC that began airing on Sunday, August 6, 2006 with the pre-season opening Hall of Fame Game. Al Michaels serves as the play-by-play announcer, with Cris Collinsworth as the color commentator and Michele Tafoya as the sideline reporter. Fred Gaudelli and Drew Esocoff, the lead producer and director respectively, carry over their duties from ABC's telecasts of Monday Night Football. John Madden, the color commentator for the first three years of the program, retired prior to the 2009 season; Collinsworth succeeded him. ESPN, which aired Sunday night games from the 1987 through 2005 NFL seasons, took over Monday Night Football from sister network ABC starting in 2006. In the 2011–12 season, it was named the highest rated, most watched TV program in Nielsen ratings. In second place was American Idol, a show that had previously held the title of most watched TV program for eight consecutive seasons and eight straight years. Starting in 2012, under the new NFL television contract, a Spanish-language simulcast will eventually air on sister network Telemundo; currently like all networks with NFL television contracts, NBC's SAP channel features Spanish-language audio, though promoted by NBC as "provided by Telemundo".
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Sport
Country: USA
Duration:
Plot tags: exciting, rough, serious, realistic, non fiction
Similar in 81%
The Bronx Is Burning (2007)
Plot Summary:
The Bronx Is Burning is a television drama that debuted on ESPN on July 9, 2007, after the 2007 MLB Home Run Derby. It is an eight-episode mini-series adapted from Jonathan Mahler's best-selling book, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Bronx Is Burning. The book focuses on baseball's triumph over the turmoil and hysteria of 1977 New York City and how the New York Yankees came to embody the hopes and fears of an unforgettable summer with Billy Martin and Reggie Jackson's warfare under George Steinbrenner's leadership. The show stars Daniel Sunjata, Oliver Platt, and John Turturro, while executive producers Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins, Joe Davola, writer and executive producer James Solomon, and director Jeremiah Chechik work on the show. The series is produced by ESPN Original Entertainment in conjunction with Tollin/Robbins Productions. Filming began on September 18, 2006, in Connecticut and New York. The 2007 debut of the series marks the 30th anniversary of the 1977 World Series win for the Yankees, the first under Steinbrenner. After airing on ESPN, episodes could be viewed on ABC on Demand.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: exciting, serious, realistic, clever, humorous, epic, stylized, mad
Similar in 79%
Street Dreams (2009)
Plot Summary:
Derrick Cabrera, like all skateboarders, dreams of being sponsored one day. He has all the talent in the world to make it happen but some major roadblocks to overcome before he can make the dream a reality.
IMDB Rating: 6.1
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 88 min
Plot tags: exciting, captivating, sincere, disturbing, rough, realistic, semi serious
Similar in 88%
Lights Out (2011)
Plot Summary:
Lights Out is an American television boxing drama series from the FX network in the United States. It stars Holt McCallany as Patrick "Lights" Leary, a New Jersey native, and former heavyweight champion boxer who is considering a comeback. The series premiered on January 11, 2011 at 10 pm ET/PT. On March 24, 2011, FX announced the cancellation of the show. The final episode aired on April 5.
IMDB Rating: 8.0
IMDB Votes: 3000
Genere: Crime, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 60 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, rough, realistic, bleak
Similar in 80%
Home of the Giants (2007)
Plot Summary:
A story about basketball and befriending. Gar is a High School journalist who, while covering the team to the state championship, is best friends with the teams' main "Star" Matt Dunbar. Matt's older brother persuades him to steal money from a drug dealers' home. Gar tags along, but soon things go horribly wrong. One question to ask is "Will the Giants win the big game?.
IMDB Rating: 5.9
IMDB Votes: 706
Genere: Crime, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 104 min
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic, suspenseful
Similar in 89%
30 for 30: Soccer Stories (2014)
Plot Summary:
ESPN Films, creators of the critically-acclaimed 30 for 30 film series, will premiere a new series in April surrounding the 2014 FIFA World Cup on ESPN. 30 for 30: Soccer Stories will include a mix of standalone feature-length and 30-minute-long documentary films from an award winning group of filmmakers telling compelling narratives from around the international soccer landscape.
IMDB Rating: 7.7
IMDB Votes: 169
Genere: Documentary, Sport
Country: USA
Duration:
Plot tags: serious, captivating, realistic
Similar in 85%
1st & Ten (1984)
Plot Summary:
1st & Ten is an American situation comedy that aired between December 1984 and January 1991 on the cable television network HBO. Featuring series regulars Delta Burke and veteran Reid Shelton, it was one of cable's first attempts to lure the lucrative sit-com audience away from the "Big Three", by taking advantage of their freedom to include occasional cursing and nudity.
IMDB Rating: 6.5
IMDB Votes: 550
Genere: Comedy, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 30 min
Plot tags: sitcom, humorous, realistic, witty, semi serious
Similar in 84%
Home Ground (2018)
Plot Summary:
When a newly promoted football club lose their trainer just before the start of the league season, a female, Helena Mikkelsen, gets the historic chance to coach the team, even before an ambitious retired professional.
IMDB Rating: 7.9
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: Norway
Duration: 50 min
Plot tags: realistic, psychological, inspirational, captivating
Similar in 80%
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 83%
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 83%
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%
Number One (1969)
Plot Summary:
A former football hero cannot accept his career is over. He loses himself in alcohol and women.
IMDB Rating: 5.5
IMDB Votes: 686
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 105 min
Plot tags: retro, independent film, humorous, realistic, semi serious, ambiguous ending, cult film
Similar in 88%
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 83%
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 82%
Friday Night Lights (2006)
Plot Summary:
Friday Night Lights is an American drama television series based around a high school football team situated in Texas. The series takes place in the fictional town of Dillon: a small, close-knit community in rural Texas. Particular focus is given to team coach Eric Taylor and his family, Tammy and Julie. The show uses this small town backdrop to address many issues facing contemporary American culture, including family values, child development, life lessons, school funding, racism, drugs, abortion and lack of economic opportunities.
IMDB Rating: 8.7
IMDB Votes: 71000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 44 min
Plot tags: sincere, realistic, sentimental, serious, suspenseful, mysterious, dramatic, grindhouse, teen, light hearted
Similar in 84%
Green Flash (2008)
Plot Summary:
At the ripe old age of 30, Cameron Day has given up his chances at pro-basketball fame and settled into an aimless life. A chance encounter with a beautiful woman lands him smack in the middle of Southern California's pro beach volleyball scene. A naturally talented true athlete, he seems destined for sports stardom once again until his old demons start creeping in, threatening his chances at success.
IMDB Rating: 4.4
IMDB Votes: 415
Genere: Comedy, Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min
Plot tags: serious, realistic, captivating, inspirational
Similar in 86%
A Shot at Glory (2000)
Plot Summary:
Scottish second division football team Kilnockie is taken over by American Pete Cameron. The new owner puts pressure on manager Gordon McLeod to improve the fortunes of the team, and hires first division player Jackie McQuillan.
IMDB Rating: 6.2
IMDB Votes: 2000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: UK, USA
Duration: 114 min
Plot tags: realistic, sentimental, inspirational, captivating, cult classic, feel good, humorous, semi serious
Similar in 84%
The Junction Boys (2002)
Plot Summary:
Tom Berenger leads an outstanding cast in this bone-crunching dramatization of legendary college football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant's debut at Texas A&M in the summer of 1954. The often unnerving story finds Bryant ducking the school's good ol' boy network of rich, influential alumni by spiriting his new team away to a makeshift training base in a tiny town called Junction. There, Bryant runs the equivalent of a POW camp, brutalizing an oversized, underdeveloped bunch of rowdy young men and tormenting those who seek medical attention for cracked spines and deadly heat exhaustion. Berenger delivers a warts-and-all performance as the vulgar, monstrous, yet much-respected Bryant, and the direction by seasoned television vet Mike Robe is brisk and almost explosively charged. Whatever one thinks of Bryant's punishing methods, the film does not flinch from telling its powerful tale. --Tom Keogh.
IMDB Rating: 6.3
IMDB Votes: 979
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min
Plot tags: tense, serious, sincere, captivating, realistic
Similar in 87%
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 79%
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 76%
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 79%
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 81%
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 90%
Believe in Me (2006)
Plot Summary:
In a conservative small town, a young man's wish to coach high school basketball are tweaked by a school board decision that makes him the new coach of the girls' team.
IMDB Rating: 7.0
IMDB Votes: 1000
Genere: Drama, Sport
Country: USA
Duration: 131 min
Plot tags: touching, serious, realistic, inspirational, spiritual
Similar in 82%
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