Movies like The Wrestler (1984)
The best movies like The Wrestler (1984) are Embattled (2020), WWE Crown Jewel 2021 (2021) and WWE WrestleMania 22 (2006). If The Wrestler hooked you with its drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedBeast (2026)7.5/10 from 227 votes
- NewestDREAM LIGHTS ~DDT What Do You Think on Wednesday?~ (2026)Released 2026
Embattled (2020)
The eldest son of a ruthlessly tough MMA champion must fight his way out of the abusive cycle his father has continued.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWWE Crown Jewel 2021 (2021)
The 2021 Crown Jewel was a professional wrestling event produced by WWE. It was the third Crown Jewel and took place on October 21, 2021, at Mohammed Abdu Arena on The Boulevard in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as part of Riyadh Season. The event aired via pay-per-view and livestreaming, marking the first Crown Jewel to air on Peacock in the United States.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWWE WrestleMania 22 (2006)
WrestleMania 22 was the twenty-second annual WrestleMania PPV. It was presented by Snickers and took place on April 2, 2006 at the Allstate Arena in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois. The main match on the Raw brand was John Cena versus Triple H for the WWE Championship. The predominant match on the SmackDown! brand was a Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship between Kurt Angle, Rey Mysterio, and Randy Orton. Featured matches on the undercard included a No Holds Barred match between Shawn Michaels and Vince McMahon, a Casket match between The Undertaker and Mark Henry, a WWE Women's Championship match between Mickie James and Trish Stratus and an interpromotional Money in the Bank ladder match featuring six participants. Tickets sold out in under two minutes, grossing US$2.5 million for the event, making it the highest grossing one-day event at the Allstate Arena. More than 17,155 people attended, with millions more watching in more than 90 countries.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisWWE WrestleMania X-Seven (2001)
WrestleMania X-Seven was the seventeenth annual WrestleMania PPV and was presented by Snickers Cruncher. It took place on April 1, 2001 at the Reliant Astrodome in Houston, Texas. The event was the first WrestleMania held in the state of Texas. A record-breaking attendance for the Reliant Astrodome of 67,925 grossed US$3.5 million. The main event was a No Disqualification match between Steve Austin and The Rock for the WWF Championship. The main matches on the undercard featured Triple H versus The Undertaker, the second Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for the WWF Tag Team Championship, and Vince McMahon versus Shane McMahon in a Street Fight. With WWE's acquisition of long-time competitor WCW and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin joining forces with storied rival Mr. McMahon.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisWWE Royal Rumble 2008 (2008)
Royal Rumble (2008) was the twenty-first annual Royal Rumble PPV. It took place on January 27, 2008 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York and featured talent from the Raw, SmackDown and ECW brands. The event was also the first WWE pay-per-view broadcast in high definition. As has been customary since 1993, the Royal Rumble match winner received a match at that year's WrestleMania. The main event was the annual 30-man Royal Rumble match, which featured wrestlers from all three brands. The primary match on the Raw brand was Randy Orton versus Jeff Hardy for the WWE Championship. The primary match on the SmackDown brand was Edge versus Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship. The featured matches on the undercard were Montel Vontavious Porter versus Ric Flair in a Career Threatening match and John "Bradshaw" Layfield versus Chris Jericho.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWWE Day 1 2022 (2022)
WWE kicks off 2022 with the first-ever WWE Day 1 event. Big E puts the WWE Championship on the line against Brock Lesnar, Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens and Bobby Lashley in a Fatal 5-Way Match. "The Man" Becky Lynch defends the WWE Raw Women's Championship against Liv Morgan.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWWE WrestleMania 21 (2005)
WrestleMania 21 was the twenty-first annual WrestleManiaPPV. It was presented by Snickers and took place on April 3, 2005 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The main match on the Raw brand was Triple H versus Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship. The predominant match on the SmackDown brand was John "Bradshaw" Layfield versus John Cena for the WWE Championship. Another primary match was an interpromotional match between The Undertaker versus Randy Orton. The featured matches on the undercard were Kurt Angle versus Shawn Michaels and a Money in the Bank ladder match. The event also featured the return of Stone Cold Steve Austin who started his part-time appearances with WWE at this event. The event drew a Staples Center record attendance of 20,193 people and grossed more than $2.1 million in ticket sales.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisBeast (2026)
MMA legend Patton James, now a commercial fisherman, is pulled back into the cage when his brother is in danger. Reuniting with his old coach Sammy, he commits to one final fight in one championship against the brutal champion Xavier Grau.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWWE WrestleMania XXVIII (2012)
The Rock and John Cena collide in the most anticipated WrestleMania face-off in history, an epic match that will forever define the legacies of these icons. The Deadman stakes his entire legacy on one battle with Triple H inside the nightmarish prison they immortalized, Hell In A Cell, with The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels as special guest referee. WWE Champion CM Punk faces off against Chris Jericho in the explosive clash of revolutionaries that will determine which man truly is “The Best In The World.” Daniel Bryan defends his title against a riled-up and ruthless Sheamus, who will have to fight through The Submission Specialist’s tactics to claim his first World Heavyweight Championship. Team Teddy takes on Team Johnny to determine which man will win total control of Raw and SmackDown. This was the twenty-eighth annual WrestleMania. It took place on April 1, 2012 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It is the highest grossing PPV event in professional wrestling history.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisWWE WrestleMania III (1987)
Hulk Hogan goes up against André the Giant for the WWE Championship, while Randy "Macho Man" Savage battles Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat for the WWE Intercontinental Championship at The Pontiac Silverdome in suburban Detroit, Michigan.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWWE Royal Rumble 2007 (2007)
Royal Rumble (2007) was the twentieth annual Royal Rumble PPV. It took place on January 28, 2007 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas and featured talent from the Raw, SmackDown! and ECW brands. The main event was the annual 30-man Royal Rumble match, which featured wrestlers from all three brands. The primary match on the Raw brand was a Last Man Standing match for the WWE Championship between John Cena and Umaga. The predominant match on the SmackDown! brand was Batista versus Mr. Kennedy for the World Heavyweight Championship. The featured match on the ECW brand was between Bobby Lashley and Test for the ECW World Championship.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisRebound: The Legend of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault (1996)
A dramatization of the life of Earl 'The Goat' Manigault (Don Cheadle), with a lot of factual based occurrences. A reformed junkie returns from prison to clean up his act and devote the rest of his life to the young kids of Harlem. 1996 was the 25th anniversary of the first tournament named after him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWrestleMania (1985)
The first annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event taking place on March 31, 1985, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The show featured nine professional wrestling matches with the main event match pitting Hulk Hogan and Mr. T against Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHands of Stone (2016)
The legendary Roberto Duran and his equally legendary trainer Ray Arcel change each other's lives.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWWE Royal Rumble 2006 (2006)
Royal Rumble (2006) was the nineteenth annual Royal Rumble PPV. It was presented by Sony Computer Entertainment's The Con and took place on January 29, 2006 in the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida The biggest Superstars of WWE RAW and WWE SmackDown! clash at Royal Rumble to determine who will go to WrestleMania 22 as the heavyweight contender. Also, WWE Title: Edge vs. John Cena, World Heavyweight Title: Kurt Angle vs. Mark Henry, WWE Cruiserweight Title (6-way Match): Kid Kash vs. Funaki vs. Gregory Helms vs. Jamie Noble vs. Nunzio vs. Paul London, Mickie James vs. Ashley, & The Boogeyman vs. John 'Bradshaw' Layfield
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisWWE Survivor Series 2019 (2019)
Taking place at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, this is the 33rd annual event under the Survivor Series chronology. This is the first time in the history of the event that the NXT brand will be featured.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisFor Love and Honor (2007)
Ali Osman is a former bully of city of Istanbul. But lately he gives up bully and starts to operate a synthetic pitch. He often meets his old friends, former bullies, too. One day Ali Osman receives a news which is related with his previous passionate life. Then the whole action stats as a chain of events.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWWE Royal Rumble 2025 (2025)
Royal Rumble (2025) was the 38th annual Royal Rumble presented by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). The event took place on February 1, 2025 at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Cut (2025)
A retired boxer intends to return to the ring for one last shot at the title, but first he must make the weight. Holed up in a room in Las Vegas with an unscrupulous trainer, he embarks on an intensive and illegal weight-cutting program.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisWWE WrestleMania XXIV (2008)
WrestleMania XXIV was the twenty-fourth annual WrestleMania PPV. The event took place on March 30, 2008, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. The first main event was a Singles match from the SmackDown brand that featured The Undertaker challenging World Heavyweight Champion Edge for the title. The second was a Triple Threat match from the Raw brand, in which WWE Champion Randy Orton defended against challengers Triple H and John Cena. The third was a singles match featuring ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero defending against Kane. Other matches include a No DQ match with Floyd Mayweather Jr. fighting The Big Show, a Money in the Bank ladder match with Carlito, Shelton Benjamin, MVP, CM Punk, Mr. Kennedy, Jericho, and John Morrison, and a retirement match between Shawn Michaels & Ric Flair.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisTJPW Vancouver Premiere ~ Day 1 (2026)
Vancouver Premiere ~ Day 1 was a professional wrestling event promoted by Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (TJPW). It was held on April 11, 2026 at Great Canadian Hastings Racecourse & Casino in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
TJPW Vancouver Premiere ~ Day 2 (2026)
Vancouver Premiere ~ Day 2 was a professional wrestling event promoted by Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (TJPW). It was held on April 12, 2026 at Great Canadian Hastings Racecourse & Casino in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
DREAM LIGHTS ~DDT What Do You Think on Wednesday?~ (2026)
DREAM LIGHTS ~DDT What Do You Think on Wednesday?~ was a professional wrestling event promoted by DDT Pro-Wrestling, held on April 5, 2026 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. In the main event, Yuki Ueno defended the KO-D Openweight Championship against Yuki Iino.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
TJPW Warm Spring Pro Wrestling in Ueno (2026)
Warm Spring Pro Wrestling in Ueno was a professional wrestling event promoted by Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (TJPW), held on April 8, 2026 at Ueno Park Outdoor Stage in Tokyo, Japan.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
NOAH Apex Conquest 2026 in Nagoya (2026)
Apex Conquest 2026 in Nagoya was a professional wrestling event promoted by Pro Wrestling NOAH, held on April 12, 2026, at Nagoya Kinjōfutō Arena in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. In the main event, Yoshiki Inamura defended the GHC Heavyweight Championship against Alpha Wolf.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Prominence Risa Sera's Retirement ~ Soen Banjo (2026)
Prominence Risa Sera's Retirement ~ Soen Banjo was a professional wrestling event promoted by Prominence, held on January 12, 2026, at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. It served as Prominence founder and modern joshi legend Risa Sera's retirement from professional wrestling, with her facing long-time ally Suzu Suzuki in the main event.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
HOGxBIG Event Superclash 2026 (2026)
HOGxBIG Event Superclash 2026 took place on 3.21.2026
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
WWE: The Ladder Match (2007)
Follow the evolution of the ladder match and how it has come to be one of the most popular professional wrestling events today. From the earliest ladder matches through TLC and the 6-man Money in the Bank WrestleMania tradition, some of the craziest and most violent ladder matches are included.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Diabolical Kidnapping (1957)
Second film in the Tigres del ring series.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
TJPW Home Cheer Home ~Mifu Ashida's Homecoming Show~ (2026)
TJPW Home Cheer Home ~Mifu Ashida's Homecoming Show~ was a professional wrestling event promoted by Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (TJPW). It was held on April 4, 2026 at Fukuchiyama Sandan-ike Park Gymnasium in Fukuchiyama, Kyōto, Japan.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Like The Wrestler and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Wrestler?
The closest matches to The Wrestler are Embattled (2020), WWE Crown Jewel 2021 (2021) and WWE WrestleMania 22 (2006). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Wrestler?
Start with Embattled (2020), the closest match to The Wrestler.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Wrestler?
Beast (2026), rated 7.5/10 by 227 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Wrestler?
DREAM LIGHTS ~DDT What Do You Think on Wednesday?~ (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to The Wrestler chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Wrestler, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.