Movies like The Wrestlers (1982)
The best movies like The Wrestlers (1982) are Beast (2026), Embattled (2020) and Hands of Stone (2016). If The Wrestlers hooked you with its drama, these 30 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedBlood Diamond (2006)7.6/10 from 8,672 votes
- NewestBeast (2026)Released 2026
Beast (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 thisEmbattled (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 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 thisCardboard Boxer (2016)
Gentle and broken, a homeless man fights others on video for money but soon finds comfort in an unlikely friend and the lost diary of a young girl.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisResurrecting the Champ (2007)
Up-and-coming sports reporter rescues a homeless man ("Champ") only to discover that he is, in fact, a boxing legend believed to have passed away. What begins as an opportunity to resurrect Champ's story and escape the shadow of his father's success becomes a personal journey as the ambitious reporter reexamines his own life and his relationship with his family.
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 thisHurry Sundown (1967)
A ruthless Southern opportunist tries to buy his cousin's land, and when thwarted, brings several tragedies to the lives of his loved ones.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisNever Back Down: No Surrender (2016)
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.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJungleland (2020)
Stanley manages his boxer brother Lion but when a devastating loss in the ring leaves the pair in debt, an opportunity to recoup the cash leads to a series of misadventures that threaten to break the bond between them.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPrizefighter: The Life of Jem Belcher (2022)
At the turn of the 19th century, Pugilism was the sport of kings and a gifted young boxer fought his way to becoming champion of England.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisJourneyman (2018)
A boxer suffers a serious head injury during a fight, and must deal with the consequences.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Power of One (1992)
PK, an English orphan terrorized for his family's political beliefs in Africa, turns to his only friend, a kindly world-wise prisoner, Geel Piet. Geel teaches him how to box with the motto “fight with your fists and lead with your heart”. As he grows to manhood, PK uses these words to take on the system and the injustices he sees around him - and finds that one person really can make a difference.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisNever Back Down 2: The Beatdown (2011)
Four fighters from different backgrounds come together to train under an ex MMA rising star and then ultimately have to fight each other and the traitor in their midst.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFast Girls (2012)
A street smart runner develops an intense rivalry with an equally ambitious wealthy young athlete.
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 thisViolent Saturday (1955)
Three men case a small town very carefully, with plans to rob the bank on the upcoming Saturday, which turns violent and deadly.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers · both drama
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBattleground (1949)
Members of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division are fighting for their country amidst the rugged terrain of Bastogne, Belgium, in December 1944. Holley and his American compatriots have already seen one of their own, Roderigues, perish under enemy fire. The men try to rebuff another series of Nazi attacks, but what they really need is a change in the weather. Without clear skies, they'll never get the air support they need.
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 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 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 thisTJPW The 6th "Futari wa Princess" Max Heart Tournament ~ Day 2 (2026)
The 6th "Futari wa Princess" Max Heart Tournament ~ Day 2 was a professional wrestling event promoted by Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (TJPW). It was held on January 25, 2026 at Ryōgoku KFC Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
WWE Payback 2017 (2017)
Payback (2017) is an upcoming professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and WWE Network event, produced by WWE for the Raw brand. It will take place on April 30, 2017 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California. It will be the fifth event in the Payback chronology.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Blood Diamond (2006)
An ex-mercenary turned smuggler. A Mende fisherman. Amid the explosive civil war overtaking 1999 Sierra Leone, these men join for two desperate missions: recovering a rare pink diamond of immense value and rescuing the fisherman's son, conscripted as a child soldier into the brutal rebel forces ripping a swath of torture and bloodshed countrywide.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Last King of Scotland (2006)
Young Scottish doctor, Nicholas Garrigan decides it's time for an adventure after he finishes his formal education, so he decides to try his luck in Uganda, and arrives during the downfall of President Obote. General Idi Amin comes to power and asks Garrigan to become his personal doctor.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Wrestler (1971)
A worried father tries to end the relationship that his son Andries has with the wife of a wrestler.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
The Boy Kumasenu (1952)
It tells the story of a boy Kumasenu who moves to the city of Accra from a small fishing village, encouraged by his cousin Agboh's exaggerated tales of the wonders of city life. Hungry, he steals bread and is caught by police, but is rescued by a doctor and his wife who find him work. Agboh attempts to get Kumasenu to rob the doctor, but Kumasenu foils his cousin's plans.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Sounds of Sand (2007)
On the one hand, there’s the desert eating away at the land. The endless dry season, the lack of water. On the other there’s the threat of war. The village well has run dry. The livestock is dying. Trusting their instinct, most of the villagers leave and head south. Rahne, the only literate one, decides to head east with his three children and Mouna, his wife. A few sheep, some goats, and Chamelle, a dromedary, are their only riches. A tale of exodus, quest, hope and fatality.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Stardom in Korakuen 2026 Feb. (2026)
Stardom in Korakuen 2026 Feb. was a professional wrestling event promoted by World Wonder Ring Stardom, held on February 28, 2026 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. In the main event, Konami defended the Wonder of Stardom Championship against Hina.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Stardom in Kariya 2026 Mar. (2026)
Stardom in Kariya 2026 Mar. was a professional wrestling event promoted by World Wonder Ring Stardom, held on March 1, 2026 at Kariya City Industrial Promotion Center Aioi Hall in Kariya, Aichi, Japan.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Marigold New Years Golden Garden 2026 ~ Day 4: Mayu Iwatani's 15th Anniversary ~ICON Forever~ (2026)
Marigold New Years Golden Garden 2026 ~ Day 4: Mayu Iwatani's 15th Anniversary ~ICON Forever~ was a professional wrestling event promoted by Dream Star★Fighting Marigold, commemorating the 15th anniversary of Mayu Iwatani's pro-wrestling debut in 2011. It took place on January 24, 2026 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan, and was main evented by Iwatani defending her newly won GHC Women's Championship against Utami Hayashishita.
Why it matches: Similar story and style · both drama
Like The Wrestlers and something else?
Blend two favourites and we’ll find the films in between.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like The Wrestlers?
The closest matches to The Wrestlers are Beast (2026), Embattled (2020) and Hands of Stone (2016). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after The Wrestlers?
Start with Beast (2026), the closest match to The Wrestlers.
What is the highest-rated movie like The Wrestlers?
Blood Diamond (2006), rated 7.6/10 by 8,672 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like The Wrestlers?
Beast (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
How are movies similar to The Wrestlers chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside The Wrestlers, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.