20 best movies like Swimming Upstream (2003)

List of the best movies like Swimming Upstream (2003): Secretariat, Gracie, Pelé: Birth of a Legend, The Hammer, The Babe, The Express, McFarland, USA, Invincible, Resurrecting the Champ, Cinderella Man.

Tags: movies similar to Swimming Upstream (2003) - full list

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

    The life story of Brazilian football legend, Pele.

    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: 5.9
    Genredrama, biography, sport
    CountryUSA
    Duration01:55

    A chronicle of Babe Ruth's phenomenal story--from his hard knock beginnings at a Baltimore orphanage, to his meteoric rise to baseball superstardom and his poignant retirement from the game. His amazing career included seven American League pennants, four World Series championships, two tempestuous marriages and a wild lifestyle that earned him numerous suspensions.

    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: 7.4
    Genredrama, biography, sport
    CountryUSA
    Duration02:50

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

      Markimdb: 7.1
      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: 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: 8
      Genremelodrama, drama, biography, history, sport
      CountryUSA
      Duration02:18

      The true story of boxer, Jim Braddock who, in the 1920’s after his retirement, has a surprise comeback in order to get him and his family out of a socially poor state.

      Markimdb: 7
      Genredrama, family, biography, sport
      CountryUSA
      Duration01:46

        Soul Surfer is the inspiring true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton. Bethany lost her left arm in a shark attack and courageously overcame all odds to become a champion again, through her sheer determination and unwavering faith.Bethany (AnnaSophia Robb) was born to surf. A natural talent who took to the waves at a young age, she was leading an idyllic life on Kauai, participating in national surf competitions with her best friend Alana (Lorraine Nicholson), when everything changed. On Halloween morning, a 14-foot tiger shark came out of nowhere and seemed to shatter all her dreams.Soul Surfer reveals Bethany's fight to recover from her ordeal and how she grappled with the question of her future. Strengthened by the love of her parents, Tom (Dennis Quaid) and Cheri (Helen Hunt), and supported by her youth group leader Sara (Carrie Underwood), Bethany refuses to give in or give up, and begins a bold return to the water.

        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: 6.6
        Genredrama, musical, biography, sport
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:55

        After overcoming polio, Annette Kellerman achieves fame and creates a scandal when her one-piece bathing suit is considered indecent.

        Markimdb: 7.2
        Genredrama, biography, sport
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:58

        In 1966, Texas Western coach Don Haskins led the first all-black starting line-up for a college basketball team to the NCAA national championship.

        Markimdb: 7.5
        Genremelodrama, drama, biography, sport
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:44

        As bareknuckled boxing enters the modern era, brash extrovert Jim Corbett uses new rules and dazzlingly innovative footwork to rise to the top of the top of the boxing world.

        Markimdb: 6.8
        Genredrama, sport
        CountryUSA
        Duration02:01

        The more you love, the harder you fight.The world looks at Billy Flynn and sees a has-been who seemingly never was, an ex-boxing champion slammed to the mat years ago by booze and gambling. But Billy's son TJ sees what the world doesn't. He knows his flawed but loving father is, was and always will be The Champ.

        Markimdb: 6.9
        Genredrama, biography, sport
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:28

        The true story of Gabby Douglas who becomes the first African American to be named Individual All-Around Champion in artistic gymnastics at the Olympic Games.

        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: 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: 7.8
        Genredrama, biography, history, sport
        CountryTaiwan

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

        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: 6.2
        Genredrama, sport
        CountryUSA

        A teenager overcomes odds to run a 4-minute mile race.

        Markimdb: 7.4
        Genredrama, biography, history, sport
        CountryCanada, USA
        Duration02:15

        In 1980, the United States Ice Hockey team's coach, Herb Brooks, put a ragtag squad of college kids up against the legendary juggernaut from the Soviet Union at the Olympic Games. Despite the long odds, Team USA carried the pride of a nation yearning for a distraction from world events. With the world watching, the team rose to the occasion, prompting broadcaster Al Michaels' now famous question to the millions viewing at home: "Do you believe in miracles?" Yes!

        Markimdb: 7.1
        Genredrama, sport
        CountryUSA
        Duration02:11

        When a plane crash claims the lives of members of the Marshall University football team and some of its fans, the team's new coach and his surviving players try to keep the football program alive.

        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: 7.6
        Genredrama, documentary, biography, sport
        CountryUSA
        Duration01:48

        Beyond the Mat is a 1999 professional wrestling documentary, directed by Barry W. Blaustein. The movie focuses on the lives of professional wrestlers outside of the ring, especially Mick Foley, Terry Funk, and Jake Roberts. The film heavily focuses on the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), often criticizing it and its chairman Vince McMahon. It also follows Extreme Championship Wrestling, it's rise in popularity, and many other independent wrestlers and organisations.

        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: 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: 6.9
          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: 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, sport
          CountryGermany, USA
          Duration01:44

          In this uplifting film based on a true story, coach Jim Ellis (Terrence Howard) shocks the community and changes lives when, aided by a local janitor (Bernie Mac), he sets out to form Philadelphia's first black swim team. But the odds are against them as they battle rigid rules, racism and more.

          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: 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: 6.5
          Genredrama, sport
          CountryUSA
          Duration01:53

          When Dr. Marcus Sommers realizes that he and his troubled, estranged brother David may be prone a fatal brain disease that runs in their family, he decides to make peace with his sibling, and invites him on a trip to the Rockies. There, the brothers bond over their shared enthusiasm for cycling and decide to enter a grueling bike race through the mountains. However, Marcus' health soon begins to fail, and David must compete without his brother at his side.

          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: 7.4
          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: 7.1
          Genredrama, biography, sport
          CountryUnited Kingdom
          Duration01:59

          In the class-obsessed and religiously divided UK of the early 1920s, two determined young runners train for the 1924 Paris Olympics. Eric Liddell, a devout Christian born to Scottish missionaries in China, sees running as part of his worship of God's glory and refuses to train or compete on the Sabbath. Harold Abrahams overcomes anti-Semitism and class bias, but neglects his beloved sweetheart in his single-minded quest.

          Markimdb: 7.5
          Genredrama, biography, sport
          CountryUSA
          Duration01:53

          The story of boxer Rocky Graziano's rise from juvenile delinquent to world champ.

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

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

          Markimdb: 7.6
          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: 7
            Genredrama, history, sport
            CountryUSA
            Duration01:59

            In a last-ditch effort to save his career, sports agent JB Bernstein (Jon Hamm) dreams up a wild game plan to find Major League Baseball’s next great pitcher from a pool of cricket players in India. He soon discovers two young men who can throw a fastball but know nothing about the game of baseball. Or America. It’s an incredible and touching journey that will change them all — especially JB, who learns valuable lessons about teamwork, commitment and family.

            Markimdb: 6.8
            Genredrama, sport
            CountryUSA
            Duration01:36

            The story of a New York pro baseball team and two of its players. Henry Wiggen is the star pitcher and Bruce Pearson is the normal, everyday catcher who is far from the star player on the team and friend to all of his teammates. During the off-season, Bruce learns that he is terminally ill, and Henry, his only true friend, is determined to be the one person there for him during his last season with the club. Throughout the course of the season, Henry and his teammates attempt to deal with Bruce's impending illness, all the while attempting to make his last year a memorable one.

            Markimdb: 6.1
            Genremelodrama, drama, sport
            CountryUSA
            Duration01:50

            A skilled young hockey prospect hoping to attract the attention of professional scouts is pressured to show that he can fight if challenged during his stay in a Canadian minor hockey town. His on-ice activities are complicated by his relationship with the coach's daughter.

            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: 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: 7.7
            Genremelodrama, drama, military, history, sport
            CountryMacedonia, Czech Republic, USA
            Duration01:53

            Spitz is the German-Jewish coach of the football team Macedonia during World War II. Under his leadership, the team fights to become the champion of Bulgaria's National Football League

            Markimdb: 6.6
            Genredrama, western, biography, sport
            CountryUSA
            Duration01:45

            This film chronicles the life of Lane Frost, 1987 PRCA Bull Riding World Champion, his marriage and his friendships with Tuff Hedeman (three-time World Champion) and Cody Lambert.

            Markimdb: 6.6
            Genredrama, biography, sport
            CountryPanama, USA
            Duration02:20

            The legendary Roberto Duran and his equally legendary trainer Ray Arcel change each other's lives.

            Markimdb: 5.5
            Genrecomedy, drama, family, biography, sport
            CountryUSA
            Duration01:34

            The true story of Jasmine Plummer who, at the age of eleven, became the first female to play in Pop Warner football tournament in its 56-year history.




            MoviesList