Movies like Ustaad (1999)
The best movies like Ustaad (1999) are Convict (2014), El padrino: The Latin Godfather (2004) and Walking Tall: Lone Justice (2007). If Ustaad hooked you with its drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedBronson (2009)6.9/10 from 2,815 votes
- NewestMexicali (2026)Released 2026
- In MalayalamSesham Kazhchayil (1983)Also in Malayalam
Convict (2014)
Set in the dark and old Parramatta prison built by the original convicts our lead character Ray a war veteran finds himself serving 18 months for manslaughter after defending his fiance. He soon realizes that the prison boss has it in for him and does everything possible to break Ray even going after his fiance.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEl padrino: The Latin Godfather (2004)
In the streets of East Los Angeles, Manny is a formidable drug dealer. Impressed by his extravagant lifestyle and prowess, his young son, Kilo, yearns to follow in his footsteps. Kilo resolves to learn how to prosper in the drug world, and his new life as a dealer begins. In a world where a man wants everything, he may end up with nothing.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWalking Tall: Lone Justice (2007)
In Dallas, witnesses against a drug-lord are murdered in a safe-house.The testimony of FBI agents becomes the only chance to keep him in prison. They are lodged in another safe-house, but the place is invaded and the agents are executed. However, Kate is only wounded, and her boyfriend Nick believes there is a traitor in the agency and takes her to his ranch to protect her life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisJawbone (2017)
A former youth boxing champion, Jimmy McCabe is a man in search of hope but looking in all the wrong places. When he hits rock bottom he turns to his childhood boxing club and the only family he has left: gym owner Bill corner man Eddie and promoter Joe. Back in training, years after anyone thought he was a contender, he risks his life, as he tries to stand tall and regain his place in the world.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMexicali (2026)
A former special forces contractor is forced out of retirement as an avocado farmer in Mexico when local gangsters try to force him and his family off their farm.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisPimp (2018)
An urban love story set on the hard streets of the Bronx. A struggling female pimp, named Wednesday, grows up learning the game from her dad. Once he's gone she's left to look out for her prostitute mother and girlfriend Nikki.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRise of the Footsoldier 3 (2017)
In the late 1980s, Pat Tate journeys from peddling pills in Marbella to his time in prison, where he solidifies his power before his release to reclaim his turf.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNo Retreat, No Surrender 3: Blood Brothers (1990)
Two feuding brothers of differing political views, one a policeman, the other a martial artist, join forces to avenge the death of their father, a retired agent who was brutally murdered by the mafia.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCheaters (2000)
In the fall of 1994, a teacher at Chicago's run-down Steinmetz High conspires with the school's academic decathlon team to cheat on an academic competition.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Warrior (2001)
In feudal India, a warrior who renounces his role as the longtime enforcer to a local lord becomes the prey in a murderous hunt through the Himalayan mountains.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Rookie (1990)
Veteran cop Nick Pulovski is used to playing musical partners; many of the partners he's had in the past have died on the job, and often as a result of Nick's risky tactics. But the rookie who's been assigned to help Nick bust a carjacking ring is almost as hotheaded as he is … and when Nick gets kidnapped, his newbie partner is his only hope.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisBlindfire (2020)
A police officer who while responding to a violent hostage call, kills the African American suspect only to later learn of his innocence. Sensing this was a set-up, and facing repercussions, he must track down the person responsible while examining his own accountability and the ingrained racism which brought him to this point.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBronson (2009)
A young man who was sentenced to 7 years in prison for robbing a post office ends up spending 30 years in solitary confinement. During this time, his own personality is supplanted by his alter ego, Charles Bronson.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisDear Mr. Gacy (2010)
A chronicle of the interaction between college student Jason Moss and the object of his obsession, serial killer John Wayne Gacy.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisThe Outrage (1964)
At a disused railway station, three men -- a con artist, a preacher, and a prospector -- discuss the recent trial and sentencing of the outlaw Juan Carrasco for the murder of a man and the rape of his wife. In their recounting, the three explore the conflicting testimonies of the parties involved in the crimes. Disconcerting new questions arise with each different version of the event.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
SnoozefestMovies like thisSeal Team Eight: Behind Enemy Lines (2014)
Seal Team Eight must fight their way deep into Africa's Congo, decommission a secret uranium mine, and stop our most dangerous enemy from smuggling weapon's grade yellow-cake out of the country.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisLockdown (2000)
Avery (Jones) returns to college as a competitive swimmer after getting his life back on track. But his life takes another unexpected turn when he and his two friends (Bonds, Casseus) are wrongly accused of murder and end up in prison.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNinja (2009)
A westerner named Casey, studying Ninjutsu in Japan, is asked by the Sensei to return to New York to protect the legendary Yoroi Bitsu, an armored chest that contains the weapons of the last Koga Ninja.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisEl Gringo (2012)
A man crossing into Mexico with a satchel of $2,000,000—and a bloody past—finds himself under sudden attack in the sleepy town of El Fronteras.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisAl Capone (1959)
In this unusually accurate biography, small-time hood Al Capone comes to Chicago at the dawn of Prohibition to be the bodyguard of racketeer Johnny Torrio. Capone's rise in Chicago gangdom is followed through murder, extortion, and political fraud. He becomes head of Chicago's biggest "business," but moves inexorably toward his downfall and ignominious end.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSesham Kazhchayil (1983)
Sankar Mohan (Master Sujith) is a spoilt child of a wealthy widower Mr. Varma (Ummer). Fed up about having to change schools multiple times due to his behaviour, Mr. Varma appoints a teacher Lathika (Menaka) to homeschool Sankar. The duo get along well; but eventually the child starts getting possessive about Lathika. Meanwhile Lathika starts falling for Sankar's swimming coach (Mammootty) who is a playboy much to the chagrin of Shankar.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Maniyara (1983)
Noorjahan and Sabna get married into the same family. While Sabna brings good dowry with her, poor Noorjahan is treated like a servant by her mother-in-law.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Naanayam (1983)
Two stepbrothers take over their parents' business after their demise. They face many problems when their father's enemies plot against them.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Chakravalam Chuvannappol (1983)
Blind Vasu's sister Prabha commits suicide as her lover ditched her. Vasu wants to restore his eyesight to recognise the person and kill him.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Oru Mukham Pala Mukham (1983)
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Koodevide? (1983)
Alice is a teacher at a boarding school in Ooty. A prodigal and unruly son of a Member of Parliament Xavier Puthooran, Ravi Puthooran joins the school in Alice's class. Alice manages to mentor him into a good student.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Aa Raathri (1983)
Ravi and Indu are a happily married couple who live in Trivandrum. On a train journey back from Ernakulam they meet a girl Radha. She ran away from home to escape from her abusive stepfather and her only hope is to find her cousin Venu in Trivandrum, but is unaware of his wherabouts. Ravi and Indu take her in to their house and decides to help her find Venu.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Pinnilavu (1983)
Kesava Panickar is an honest government engineer. His only son Govindanunni is getting admission in a medical college. However, he gets into bad company and he indulges in vices. Will his love, Parvathi be able to bring him back on the right path?
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Ustaad?
The closest matches to Ustaad are Convict (2014), El padrino: The Latin Godfather (2004) and Walking Tall: Lone Justice (2007). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Ustaad?
Start with Convict (2014), the closest match to Ustaad.
What is the highest-rated movie like Ustaad?
Bronson (2009), rated 6.9/10 by 2,815 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Ustaad?
Mexicali (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Malayalam movies like Ustaad?
Yes: Sesham Kazhchayil (1983), Maniyara (1983) and Rugma (1983).
How are movies similar to Ustaad chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Ustaad, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.