20 best movies like Chariots of Fire (1981)

List of the best movies like Chariots of Fire (1981): The Greatest Game Ever Played, Joe and Max, Kano, The Hammer, Fast Girls, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Rudy, Invincible, Fighting with My Family, A Shot at Glory.

Tags: movies similar to Chariots of Fire (1981) - full list

Markimdb: 7.4
Genredrama, biography, sport
CountryUSA, Canada
Duration02:00

A biopic of 20-year-old Francis Ouimet who defeated his golfing idol and 1900 US Open Champion, Harry Vardon.

Markimdb: 6.5
Genredrama, military, biography, sport
CountryGermany, USA
Duration01:49

True story of boxers Joe Louis and Max Schmeling and their enduring friendship.

Markimdb: 7.8
Genredrama, biography, history, sport
CountryTaiwan

A Taiwanese high school baseball team travels to Japan in 1931 to compete in a national tournament.

Markimdb: 6.9
Genredrama, biography, sport
CountryUSA
Duration01:48

A coming of age drama following the life of Matt Hamill, the first deaf wrestler to win a National Collegiate Wrestling Championship.

Markimdb: 6.2
Genredrama, sport
CountryUnited Kingdom

A street smart runner develops an intense rivalry with an equally ambitious wealthy young athlete.

Markimdb: 8.2
Genredrama, biography, sport
CountryIndia
Duration03:06

The true story of the "Flying Sikh" world champion runner and Olympian Milkha Singh who overcame the massacre of his family, civil war during the India-Pakistan partition, and homelessness to become one of India's most iconic athletes.

Markimdb: 7.5
Genredrama, biography, sport
CountryUSA
Duration01:54

Rudy grew up in a steel mill town where most people ended up working, but wanted to play football at Notre Dame instead. There were only a couple of problems. His grades were a little low, his athletic skills were poor, and he was only half the size of the other players. But he had the drive and the spirit of 5 people and has set his sights upon joining the team.

Markimdb: 7.1
Genredrama, biography, sport
CountryUSA
Duration01:45

Inspired by the true story of Vince Papale, a man with nothing to lose who ignored the staggering odds and made his dream come true. When the coach of Papale's beloved hometown football team hosted an unprecedented open tryout, the public consensus was that it was a waste of time – no one good enough to play professional football was going to be found this way.

Markimdb: 7.1
Genrecomedy, drama, biography, sport
CountryUnited Kingdom, USA, Mexico
Duration02:28

Born into a tight-knit wrestling family, Paige and her brother Zak are ecstatic when they get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to try out for the WWE. But when only Paige earns a spot in the competitive training program, she must leave her loved ones behind and face this new cutthroat world alone. Paige's journey pushes her to dig deep and ultimately prove to the world that what makes her different is the very thing that can make her a star.

Markimdb: 6.2
Genredrama, sport
CountryUnited Kingdom, USA
Duration01:56

Scottish second division football team Kilnockie is taken over by American Pete Cameron. The new owner puts pressure on manager Gordon McLeod to improve the fortunes of the team, and hires first division player Jackie McQuillan.

Markimdb: 7.7
Genredrama, biography, history, sport
CountryUSA

In 1961, Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle played for the New York Yankees. One, Mantle, was universally loved, while the other, Maris, was universally hated. Both men started off with a bang, and both were nearing Babe Ruth's 60 home run record. Which man would reach it?

Markimdb: 7.3
Genredrama, biography, sport
CountryUSA, Germany
Duration02:10

Based on the incredible true story, The Express follows the inspirational life of college football hero Ernie Davis, the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy.

Markimdb: 7.8
Genredrama, biography, history
CountryUnited Kingdom, USA
Duration02:28

King Henry II of England has trouble with the Church. When the Archbishop of Canterbury dies, he has a brilliant idea. Rather than appoint another pious cleric loyal to Rome and the Church, he will appoint his old drinking and wenching buddy, Thomas Becket, technically a deacon of the church, to the post. Unfortunately, Becket takes the job seriously and provides abler opposition to Henry.

Markimdb: 7.6
Genredrama, biography, sport
CountryCanada
Duration02:04

In the late 1930s, a young machinist named Maurice Richard distinguished himself as a ice hockey player of preternatural talent. Although that was enough to get him into the Montreal Canadiens, his frequent injuries cost him the confidence of his team and the fans. In the face of these doubts, Richard eventually shows the kind of aggressive and skillful play that would make him one of the greatest players of all time as "The Rocket." However for all his success, Richard and his fellow French Canadians face constant discrimination in a league dominated by the English speaking. Although a man of few words, Richard begins to speak his own mind about the injustice which creates a organizational conflict that would culminate in his infamous 1955 season suspension that sparks an ethnic riot in protest. In the face of these challenges, Richard must decide who exactly is he playing for.

Markimdb: 7.5
Genredrama, sport
CountryUnited Kingdom
Duration02:14

In Northern England in the early 1960s, Frank Machin is mean, tough and ambitious enough to become an immediate star in the rugby league team run by local employer Weaver.

Markimdb: 7.5
Genredrama, biography, sport
CountryUnited Kingdom
Duration01:38

Taking over Leeds United, Brian Clough's abrasive approach and his clear dislike of the players' dirty style of play make it certain there is going to be friction. Glimpses of his earlier career help explain both his hostility to previous manager Don Revie and how much he is missing right-hand man Peter Taylor.

Markimdb: 7.4
Genredrama, biography, sport
CountryUSA
Duration02:50

    A track coach in a small California town transforms a team of athletes into championship contenders.

    Markimdb: 7.6
    Genredrama, biography, sport
    CountryUSA
    Duration02:06

      The story of Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to put together a baseball team on a budget, by employing computer-generated analysis to draft his players.

      Markimdb: 6.7
      Genredrama, biography, sport
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:52

      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.

      Markimdb: 6.6
      Genredrama, sport
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:37

      The coach of a women's swim team parlays her success into an opportunity to build her school's men's golf team.

      Markimdb: 6.8
      Genredrama, biography, history
      CountryUnited Kingdom, France, Germany, USA
      Duration02:30

      Eccentric British painter J.M.W. Turner lives his last 25 years with gusto and secretly becomes involved with a seaside landlady, while his faithful housekeeper bears an unrequited love for him.

      Markimdb: 5.7
      Genreaction, drama, military, biography, history, sport
      CountryUSA

      Zamperini returns to California where he wound up marrying Cynthia Applewhite while wrestling with untreated PTSD, suffering constant nightmares, angry, bitter and deeply depressed, his wife convinces Zamperini to attend the 1949 Billy Graham Crusade.

      Markimdb: 7
      Genredrama, biography, sport
      CountryAustralia, USA
      Duration01:54

      A young man aspiring for recognition of his talents battles against his estranged father's sentiment towards him as the father deals with his own demons.

      Markimdb: 6.8
      Genrecomedy, drama, biography, history, sport
      CountryDenmark, United Kingdom, Sweden

      The 1992 Danish football team competes for the European Championship.

      Markimdb: 6.2
      Genredrama, sport
      CountryFrance
      Duration01:38

      Leila is released from prison after five years of confinement. She will meet Yannick, a young athlete who became blind after an accident. This last practice race despite his disability, but to run it must be connected by a wire to guide a person called. It offers Leila to be his guide. Through this project, they will learn to rebuild.

      Markimdb: 7.2
      Genredrama, biography, sport
      CountryUSA
      Duration02:27

      The life story of Brazilian football legend, Pele.

      Markimdb: 4.7
      Genredrama, biography, sport
      CountryUSA

      A combination "before the rage" and "after the rage" of world middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta's tumultuous life and times.

      Markimdb: 6.8
      Genremelodrama, drama, biography, sport
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:46

      It's the true-life story of legendary track star Steve Prefontaine, the exciting and sometimes controversial "James Dean of Track," whose spirit captured the heart of the nation! Cocky, charismatic, and tough, "Pre" was a running rebel who defied rules, pushed limits ... and smashed records ...

      Markimdb: 6.9
      Genredrama, biography, sport
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:49

      High school football coach, Harold Jones befriends Radio, a mentally-challenged man who becomes a student at T.L. Hanna High School in Anderson, South Carolina. Their friendship extends over several decades, where Radio transforms from a shy, tormented man into an inspiration to his community.

      Markimdb: 6.1
      Genredrama, biography, sport
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:35

      This is the story of a teenager named Gracie Bowen, who lives in South Orange, New Jersey, is crazy about soccer, as are her three brothers and former soccer star father. Although Gracie wants to join her brothers and father in the nightly practices, she is discouraged by everyone except her elder brother, Johnny. Her father does not believe that girls should play soccer and tells her that she is neither tough enough nor talented enough to play with the boys team. Undeterred, Gracie finds reserves of strength she never knew existed, and persists in changing everyone's beliefs in what she is capable of, including her own. She faces an uphill battle when she fights to give women the opportunity to play competitive soccer. But as the beautiful and strong person that she has always been but she also brings her family together in the face of their own tragedy.

      Markimdb: 6.9
      Genreaction, drama, biography, sport
      CountryIndia
      Duration02:02

      A chronicle of the life of Indian boxer 'Mary Kom' who went through several hardships before audaciously accomplishing her ultimate dream.

      Markimdb: 5.3
      Genredrama, biography, sport
      CountryCanada
      Duration01:40

      Ned Hanlan was Canada's most successful sculling champion at the turn of the 20th century. This dramatization of his life begins in his youth, when the wild young man is informally adopted by a gambler who promotes Ned on the sculling circuit, betting on the boy's rowing skills solely to make money off him. Later, a ruthless businessman named Knox takes over Ned's career, but when Ned realizes how dishonest Knox is, he finds another manager. Walter is an inventor and the first honest man Ned has dealt with in his career and, under Walter's guidance, Ned rises to great success in the sculling world.

      Markimdb: 7.4
      Genremelodrama, drama, biography
      CountryUnited Kingdom, USA, Kenya, France

      The true story of an 84 year-old Kenyan villager and ex Mau Mau freedom fighter who fights for his right to go to school for the first time to get the education he could never afford.

      Markimdb: 6.7
      Genremelodrama, drama, biography, sport
      CountryUSA

      The story of golf icon and legend, Bobby Jones, who retired from competition at the tender age of 28.

      Markimdb: 7.6
      Genredrama, biography, sport
      CountryUSA
      Duration02:09

        Oversized African-American, Michael Oher, the teen from across the tracks and a broken home, has nowhere to sleep at age 16. Taken in by an affluent Memphis couple, Michael embarks on a remarkable rise to play for the NFL.

        Markimdb: 7
        Genremelodrama, drama, music, biography
        CountryUnited Kingdom
        Duration01:59

        Fictional account of French artist Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

        Markimdb: 7.4
        Genredrama, biography, history
        CountryUnited Kingdom
        Duration02:31

        A dramatic story, based on actual events, about the friendship between two men struggling against apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s. Donald Woods is a white liberal journalist in South Africa who begins to follow the activities of Stephen Biko, a courageous and outspoken black anti-apartheid activist.

        Markimdb: 5.1
        Genredrama, biography
        CountryAustria, France, Germany, United Kingdom
        Duration02:11

        A portrait of Austrian artist Gustav Klimt whose lavish, sexual paintings came to symbolize the art nouveau style of the late 19th and early 20th century.

        Markimdb: 5.7
        Genredrama, music, biography
        CountryUnited Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, USA
        Duration01:56

        A drama based on Jimi Hendrix's life as he left New York City for London, where his career took off.

        Markimdb: 6.6
        Genredrama, family, biography, sport
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:55

        A young coach turns a losing high school football program around to go undefeated for 12 consecutive seasons.

        Markimdb: 6.9
        Genredrama, music, biography
        CountryUnited Kingdom, USA
        Duration02:19

        A chronicle of James Brown's rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history.

        Markimdb: 7.3
        Genredrama, biography
        CountryUSA, Republic of Ireland, France, Iceland, Mexico, Belgium, United Kingdom, Hong Kong
        Duration02:04

        Professor James Murray begins work compiling words for the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary in the mid 19th century, and receives over 10,000 entries from a patient at Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, Dr. William Minor.

        Markimdb: 5.1
        Genredrama, biography, sport
        CountryRussia
        Duration01:28

        This is the life story of the outstanding Soviet hockey player Valery Kharlamov. They say that sometimes people are able to foresee their death, then before their eyes in a short period of time all life passes, all the most significant moments, all the people dear to a person. The plot of the picture and the style of narration is very different from everything that has already been shot or written on this topic. Like an ordinary Russian guy who has a congenital heart disease and is an eternal target for the wit of his peers due to a speech impairment, he was able to become the Olympic champion twice, eight times the World Champion, become the legend of Russian hockey and a role model for several generations of professionals and amateur athletes ? What was behind all these, at what price was this achieved, and what price had to be paid subsequently?

        Markimdb: 7.2
        Genredrama, music, biography
        CountryUnited Kingdom, Republic of Ireland
        Duration01:43

        The story of music legend Terri Hooley, a key figure in Belfast's punk rock scene. Hooley founded the Good Vibrations store from which a record label sprung, representing bands such as The Undertones, Rudi and The Outcasts.

        Markimdb: 7.2
        Genredrama, biography, history
        CountryUnited Kingdom, USA
        Duration02:31

          Set backstage at three iconic product launches and ending in 1998 with the unveiling of the iMac, Steve Jobs takes us behind the scenes of the digital revolution to paint an intimate portrait of the brilliant man at its epicenter.

          Markimdb: 7.2
          Genredrama, family, biography, history, sport
          CountryUSA
          Duration01:56

            Housewife and mother Penny Chenery agrees to take over her ailing father's Virginia-based Meadow Stables, despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge. Against all odds, Chenery - with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin - manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years.

            Markimdb: 8
            Genredocumentary, sport
            CountryUnited Kingdom
            Duration01:39

            A detailing of the rise to prominence and global sporting superstardom of six supremely talented young Manchester United football players (David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil and Gary Neville). The film covers the period 1992-1999, culminating in Manchester United's European Cup triumph.

            Markimdb: 8.2
            Genredrama, biography, history
            CountryUnited Kingdom
            Duration01:30

            This special one-off drama travels back in time to 1963 to see how Doctor Who was first brought to the screen. Actor William Hartnell felt trapped by a succession of hard-man roles. Wannabe producer Verity Lambert was frustrated by the TV industry's glass ceiling. Both of them were to find unlikely hope and unexpected challenges in the form of a Saturday tea-time drama. Allied with a team of unusual but brilliant people, they went on to create the longest running science fiction series ever made.

            Markimdb: 7.2
            Genremelodrama, drama, music, biography
            CountryBelgium, Italy

            The true story of Rocco Granata, an Italian coal miner's son who followed his passion for music against his father's wishes and social barriers.

            Markimdb: 7
            Genredrama, sport
            CountryGermany, United Kingdom
            Duration01:36

            Based on the incredible true story of amateur cyclist Graeme Obree, who breaks the world one-hour record on a bike he made out of washing machine parts.




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