Movies like DREAM 12 (2009)
The best movies like DREAM 12 (2009) are Beast (2026), Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016) and Born a Champion (2021). If DREAM 12 hooked you, 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
- NewestBeast (2026)Released 2026
- In JapaneseFighting Spirit: Champion Road (2003)Also in Japanese
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
Worth the HypeMovies 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
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBorn a Champion (2021)
After a blood- soaked jujitsu match in Dubai, fighting legend Mickey Kelley falls to superstar Blaine. But years later, an online video proves that Blaine cheated, and the world demands a rematch. Can the aging underdog get back into shape in time to vanquish his foe, get revenge, and claim his prize?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBlood and Bone (2009)
In Los Angeles, an ex-con takes the underground fighting world by storm in his quest to fulfill a promise to a dead friend.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Blood of Heroes (1989)
Set in a futuristic world where the only sport that has survived in a wasted society is the brutal game known as jugging. Sallow, the leader of a rag-tag team, has played in the main Leagues before, but was cast out because of indiscretions with a lady. Now joined by a talented newcomer, Kidda, an ambitious young peasant girl, he and his team find they have one last chance for glory.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies 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
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBloodsport (1988)
An American Army Major goes AWOL to Hong Kong for an outlawed martial arts contest called the Kumite.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisJump In! (2007)
A young boxer, Izzy Daniels, trains to follow in his father's footsteps by winning the Golden Glove. But when his friend, Mary asks him to substitute for a team member in a Double Dutch tournament, the young man discovers a hidden passion for jump roping, all while finding love with Mary and navigating conflict with himself and his father about boxing.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisUndisputed II: Last Man Standing (2006)
Heavyweight Champ George "Iceman" Chambers is sent to a Russian jail on trumped-up drug charges. In order to win his freedom he must fight against the jailhouse fighting champ Uri Boyka in a battle to the death. This time he is not fighting for a title, he is fighting for his life!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisThe Smashing Machine (2025)
In the late 1990s, up-and-coming mixed martial artist Mark Kerr aspires to become the greatest fighter in the world. However, he must also battle his opioid dependence and a volatile relationship with his girlfriend Dawn.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisCagefighter: Worlds Collide (2020)
Reiss is the greatest champion to ever fight in a LEGENDS cage. But when promoter Max Black pits him against wrestling superstar Randy Stone, Reiss finds himself in the toughest fight of his life.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisFighting Spirit: Champion Road (2003)
Makunouchi Ippo is the new Featherweight champion of Japan and is now ready for his first title defense. His opponent, the former Jr. Featherweight champion and a medical student, Sanada Kazuki. In addition to this feud, Sanada is being coached by Kamogawa's former rival, Hama Dankichi. What makes things worse is that Sanada works at the same hospital where Kumi is a nurse at and everybody at the hospital wants Sanada to win. Not only does Ippo have to defend his title, he has to reclaim his love.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies 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
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHere Comes the Boom (2012)
A high school biology teacher moonlights as a mixed-martial arts fighter in an effort to raise money to save the school's music program.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisPerfect Addiction (2023)
A female boxing trainer discovers that her champion cage-fighter boyfriend has been cheating on her with her sister and decides to seek revenge by training up his arch-rival to challenge him.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHard Target 2 (2016)
Forced into a deadly cat-and-mouse game, a disgraced mixed martial arts fighter is hunted through the jungles of Southeast Asia.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisKung Pow: Enter the Fist (2002)
A movie within a movie, created to spoof the martial arts genre. Writer/director Steve Oedekerk uses contemporary characters and splices them into a 1970s kung-fu film, weaving the new and old together. As the main character, The Chosen One, Oedekerk sets off to avenge the deaths of his parents at the hands of kung-fu legend Master Pain. Along the way he encounters some strange characters.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Quest (1996)
Ghang-gheng, the ancient winner-take-all competition in which the deadliest fighters from around the world employ the most spectacular feats of martial arts skills ever displayed in order to win the prized Golden Dragon. But fighting prowess alone will not be enough for Chris to triumph over such daunting foes.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRags (2012)
Rags follows the story of Charlie Prince, an orphan living with his acerbic and unloving stepfather and spoiled, simple-minded stepbrothers. Charlie's dream is to be a singer, and while he is vocally talented and can write music, he can't seem to catch a break. Kadee Worth, on the other hand, is the daughter of music mogul Reginald Worth and is an international pop phenomenon. While the world knows her as a glamorous superstar, she is secretly frustrated with singing other people's songs and wearing clothes other people choose for her. Kadee wants the world to hear and see her true talent. Despite every obstacle that gets thrown in their way, once Charlie and Kadee find one another, they each finally get what they have been looking for – a voice, a stage, an audience and each other.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisWWE WrestleMania 31 (2015)
WrestleMania 31 was the thirty-first annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by WWE. It took place on March 29, 2015, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies like thisUFC Fight Night 239: Tuivasa vs. Tybura (2024)
UFC Fight Night 239: Tuivasa vs. Tybura was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that took place on March 16, 2024, at the UFC Apex facility, in Las Vegas, NV, United States. A heavyweight bout between Tai Tuivasa and Marcin Tybura was scheduled for UFC 298 but the bout was moved in order to headline this event.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
UFC on ESPN 53: Ribas vs. Namajunas (2024)
UFC on ESPN 53: Ribas vs. Namajunas was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship that will took place on March 23, 2024, at UFC Apex in Enterprise, Nevada, United States. A women's flyweight bout between Amanda Ribas and former two-time UFC Women's Strawweight Champion Rose Namajunas headlined the event.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Invicta FC 60: Rubin vs. Cantuária (2025)
Invicta FC 60: Rubin vs. Cantuária was a mixed martial arts event headlined by a fight between former title challengers Olga Rubin and Mayra Cantuária.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
The Unbreakable Tatiana Suarez (2024)
Follow the exceptional spirit and drive of mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Tatiana Suarez as she prepares to reenter the cage after nearly four years away from the sport. Suarez reflects on her journey from wrestling prodigy to professional athlete and the legacy she leaves young women, particularly those in the Latina community.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
RIZIN 43 (2023)
RIZIN 43 live from the Makomanai Sekisui Heim Arena in Sapporo, Japan. The event has been somewhat overshadowed by the colossal Rizin vs Bellator 2 event just around the corner. While not having the star power of the July’s copromotion Rizin’s inaugural venture into Hokkaido is stacked with intriguing, well matched fights that promise a bit of everything. 13 matches grace the main card with an additional 4 preliminaries, showcasing the caliber of fighters fans have come to expect.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
RIZIN 44 (2023)
RIZIN 44 live from Saitama Super Arena, Japan. The fight card has well over 11 matches and will have Juntarou Ushiku vs Kyohei Hagiwara as main event of the evening, finishing the entire lineup with a bang!
Why it matches: Similar story and style
RIZIN 34 (2022)
RIZIN 34 will be the first numbered event of the year, live from Maruzen Intec Arena in Osaka, Japan. This event will feature a 17-fight card from the Maruzen Intec Arena Osaka in Osaka, Japan. In the main event, flashy featherweight Kyohei Hagiwara will meet former DEEP Impact Champion Satoshi "DOMINATOR" Yamasu.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
RIZIN TRIGGER 3rd (2022)
RIZIN TRIGGER 3rd will kick off a doubleheader of events, live from the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza in Tokyo, Japan. A rematch between RIZIN vet Yusuke Yachi and returning talent Luiz Gustavo headlines the event, pitting the lightweights up against each other nearly four years after their first meeting. This eight-bout show takes place inside a cage.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
RIZIN 35 (2022)
RIZIN 35 live from the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza in Tokyo, Japan. The event is just 10 bouts in total but includes a solid three-fight lineup of title bouts at the top of the card. In the main event, Roberto Satoshi Souza will look to defend his RIZIN belt and avenge his sole pro loss when he fights Johnny Case.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
RIZIN 36 (2022)
RIZIN holds its first event in nearly two months. RIZIN 36 live from the Okinawa Arena in Okinawa, Japan, for a card that has seen some late changes. RIZIN’s card is headlined by Ren Hiramoto and Hiroaki Suzuki. That wasn’t the original main event, but it was put into that spot after former bantamweight champion Kai Asakura was forced out of his bout against Yang Ji-yong.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Like DREAM 12 and something else?
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like DREAM 12?
The closest matches to DREAM 12 are Beast (2026), Never Back Down: No Surrender (2016) and Born a Champion (2021). Below are 27 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after DREAM 12?
Start with Beast (2026), the closest match to DREAM 12.
What is the highest-rated movie like DREAM 12?
Beast (2026), rated 7.5/10 by 227 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like DREAM 12?
Beast (2026) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like DREAM 12?
Yes: Fighting Spirit: Champion Road (2003), RIZIN 43 (2023) and RIZIN 44 (2023).
How are movies similar to DREAM 12 chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside DREAM 12, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.