Movies like Ekiden (2000)
The best movies like Ekiden (2000) are 100 METERS (2025), Boot Camp (2024) and Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between (2022). If Ekiden hooked you, these 24 similar films are what to watch next, and every pick says why it matches.
Quick picks
- Highest ratedWinter Spring Summer or Fall (2024)7.3/10 from 267 votes
- NewestChampagne Problems (2025)Released 2025
- In Japanese100 METERS (2025)Also in Japanese
100 METERS (2025)
A gifted runner trains a determined but unskilled classmate, unaware he's creating a rival who will challenge him on the track for years to come.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisBoot Camp (2024)
Unathletic Whitney Carmichael signs up for an intense summer boot camp to reinvent herself and falls for her personal trainer. She then finds the strength to embrace her true self and ignore the others' expectations.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisHello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between (2022)
Clare and Aidan make a pact to break up before college — no regrets, no broken hearts. But will one epic goodbye date offer them a last chance at love?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWhat's Love Got to Do with It? (2023)
Two childhood friends now in their thirties must decide whether to follow their heads or their hearts once the man decides to follow his parents' advice and enter into an arranged marriage in Pakistan.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisBattle of the Year (2013)
A down-on-his-luck coach is hired to prepare a team of the best American dancers for an international tournament that attracts all the best crews from around the world, but the Americans haven't won in fifteen years.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
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
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisMuch Ado About Nothing (2013)
A modern retelling of Shakespeare's classic comedy about two pairs of lovers with different takes on romance and a way with words.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSamurai Marathon (2019)
When feudal lord Itakura Katsuakira decides to prepare his samurai troops for the onslaught of modernization by having them compete in a marathon, his independent-minded daughter Yuki secretly joins the race.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisWinter Spring Summer or Fall (2024)
Remi and Barnes, two very different teenagers, meet by chance in the winter of their senior year, then spend four days together over the course of a year that will change their lives forever.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisMade of Honor (2008)
Tom and Hannah have been platonic friends for 10 years. He's a serial dater, while she wants marriage but hasn't found Mr. Right. Just as Tom is starting to think that he is relationship material after all, Hannah gets engaged. When she asks Tom to be her 'maid' of honor, he reluctantly agrees just so he can attempt to stop the wedding and woo her.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisChampagne Problems (2025)
A driven American exec heads to Paris determined to acquire a champagne brand by Christmas — and accidentally falls for the heir to the bubbly empire.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Prince & Me 4: The Elephant Adventure (2010)
One year after their royal wedding, King Edvard and Queen Paige of Denmark receive an invitation to attend the wedding of Princess Myra of Sangyoon. Upon their arrival, Paige finds Myra is unhappy with her arranged marriage to the brooding and sinister Kah and is secretly in love with a young elephant handler named Alu.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSasaki and Miyano: Graduation (2023)
As Sasaki prepares for his college entrance exams, Miyano tries to make the most of their limited time together while grappling with his own emotions.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Fugitive Kind (1960)
Val Xavier, a drifter of obscure origins, arrives at a small town and gets a job in a store run by Lady Torrence. Her husband, Jabe M. Torrance, is dying of cancer. Val is pursued by Carol Cutere, the enigmatic local tramp-of-good-family.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisYou Cast A Spell On Me (2015)
Despite agreeing to an arranged marriage to a childhood friend, a successful businessman tries to track down a beautiful woman that he met at a Halloween party.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisSt. Elmo's Fire (1985)
Reluctant to let go of college life, a close-knit team of seven friends--irresponsible saxophone player Billy, young Republican Alec, his girlfriend Leslie, struggling journalist Kevin, drama queen Jules, lovesick waiter Kirby, and Wendy, a social worker with a heart of gold--realise the party is over. And as the burdens of maturity close in on the young dreamers, the complexities of adulthood and the daily struggle of growing up put their sacred friendship to the test. But everyone knows life is not a bed of roses. It won't be easy, but when all is said and done, what will it take for St. Elmo's clique to find its place in the real world?
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisThe Challenge (1982)
Rick, a down-and-out American boxer, is hired to transport a sword to Japan, unaware that the whole thing is a set up in a bitter blood-feud between two brothers, one who follows the traditional path of the samurai and the other a businessman. At the behest of the businessman, Rick undertakes samurai training from the other brother, but joins his cause. He also becomes romantically involved with the samurai's daughter.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
SnoozefestMovies like thisRanma 1/2 the Movie: Big Trouble in Nekonron, China (1991)
When Prince Kirin of the 7 Lucky Gods shows up at the Tendo dojo looking for his bride-to-be, guess who's accidentally holding the scroll that signifies his future mate? Why, Akane, of course, and the rest of the Ranma crew is forced to take a boat to China in order to save her from the horrors of marriage and a diet of pickled vegetables.
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Worth the HypeMovies like thisGintama: The Very Final (2021)
The countdown to destruction has begun! Gintoki and the others set out to fulfill the wishes of their teacher Shoyo and thwart Utsuro's plans. Shinpachi, Kagura, the Shinsengumi, members of the Kabuki District, and even former enemies will join their fight. As Utsuro's power grows, Takasugi fights for his very life. Will Gintoki be able to put an end to all this?!
Why it matches: Recommended by TMDB viewers
Absolute CinemaMovies 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
Popcorn FlickMovies like thisRun with the Wind Stage Play (2009)
Kakeru, a former elite runner at high school, is chased for stealing food. He is saved by a Kansei University student Haiji, who is also a runner. Haiji persuades Kakeru to live in the old dormitory "Chikusei-so" where he plans to team up with fellow residents to enter the Hakone Ekiden relay marathon, one of the most prominent university races in Japan. Kakeru soon finds out that all of the residents except for Haiji and himself are complete novices.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Naoko (2008)
Naoko meets Yusuke while staying on an island for medical treatment. Yusuke's graceful athletic figure captivates her eyes and she falls in love with him. But their relationship is soon broken after Yusuke's father dies while trying to save Naoko from drowning. The memory of Yusuke leads Naoko to the track, and six years later, they meet each other again at a Marathon competition. Naoko decides to become a manager to help Yusuke, a gifted runner, and they embark on training together to heal their sorrows from the past.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
To Daisuke in Heaven (2003)
After making a career-derailing error, political reporter Yohei Iida is reluctantly reassigned to cover the Takushoku University track team as they return to the prestigious Hakone relay race after 13 years. There, he meets Sato Daisuke, an exceptionally optimistic 23-year-old runner determined to win and eventually reach the Olympics. As Yohei struggles with his own personal and professional turmoil, he uncovers a tragic reality: Daisuke has been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Deeply moved by Daisuke fighting his disease with the same relentless resolve he gave to running, Yohei makes a solemn promise to the young athlete. Confronted by Daisuke's courage, Yohei is challenged to abandon his cynicism, face his own failures, and find renewed purpose in life.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
Feel the Wind (2009)
Haiji was an elite runner, but has not competed due to a past injury. He then meets fellow elite runner Kakeru who also left running, but caused by a dispute. Their meeting inspires both young men to run again, with Haiji choosing the fabled "Hakone Ekiden" (long distance relay race). The race requires a 10 member team so Haiji and Kakeru recruits 8 others (some of whom have never even run before). Within this unlikely group of runners a bond is formed through their training and a belief that they can accomplish the impossible.
Why it matches: Similar story and style
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best movies like Ekiden?
The closest matches to Ekiden are 100 METERS (2025), Boot Camp (2024) and Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between (2022). Below are 21 more, each with the reason it matches.
What should I watch after Ekiden?
Start with 100 METERS (2025), the closest match to Ekiden.
What is the highest-rated movie like Ekiden?
Winter Spring Summer or Fall (2024), rated 7.3/10 by 267 TMDB users.
What is the newest movie like Ekiden?
Champagne Problems (2025) is the most recent release on this list.
Are there Japanese movies like Ekiden?
Yes: 100 METERS (2025), Samurai Marathon (2019) and Sasaki and Miyano: Graduation (2023).
How are movies similar to Ekiden chosen?
First come films that Trakt’s viewers watch alongside Ekiden, then TMDB’s recommendations and films it rates as similar in story and genre. Each pick says which signal put it there.