Darker Scorsese masterpiece paints darker, more unlikable picture of a sports figure in decline. Close Similar Style Character study of poor family living in Mississippi uses similar style to create realistic feel. Close Similar Story Classic portrait of washed-up boxer forced to look for other work tells similar poignant story. Creative Similar Elements Mickey Rourke plays another fading athlete risking all for another shot in more sentimental melodrama. Creative Equally Downbeat Boxers endure similar hardscrabble existence in as closely observed, equally downbeat character drama. Creative As Atmospheric As atmospheric, equally character-driven drama also stars Mickey Rourke as another down-and-outer. Creative More Upbeat Story of down-on-his-luck boxer who gets shot at title is more upbeat and triumphant. Creative As Reflective Highly influential boxing movie is as reflective in its study of pugilist facing one last fight. Creative More Epic More epic biopic focused on legendary boxer offers similarly nuanced characters, dazzling fight scenes. Creative As Character-Driven As character-driven drama weaves equally poignant, graceful tale of singer similarly past his glory days. Creative More Brutal A similarly washed up boxer battles for his integrity in more brutal, darker, as character-driven noir. Creative More Elegiac 1950s era baseball player similarly faces end of the line in more elegiac, as character rich drama. Creative More Mickey Rourke Mickey Rourke delivers equally fine performance in darker, more suspenseful, as evocative revenge thriller. Creative Similar Spirit Equally determined boxer faces early career battles with similar fighter's spirit. Less aggressive tone. Creative Higher Stakes The stakes are even higher in classic drama about one-time boxer who struggles against corruption. Creative Bleaker Brothers similarly chase pipe dream in bleaker, as emotionally resonant character drama. Creative Darker, Moodier Complex, existential gem about pool-playing anti-hero is darker, moodier and just as grubby. Creative More Downbeat More downbeat drama with more exquisite attention to detail focuses on marginalized woman's struggles. Creative Romantic, Funnier Minor league ballplayers face career problems, love and aging in romantic, funnier sports movie. Creative Also Unglamorous Also takes unglamorous if more slick look at underside of pro sports, in this case football. Creative More Nostalgic Sixth Rocky film feels more nostalgic, but has similar blue collar feel and character arc. Creative More Melodramatic Original washed-up boxer flick is more melodramatic but star Wallace Beery can still wring tears. Creative Kinder, Gentler Kinder, gentler story about down-on-his-luck golfer has less rough edges and sweeter tone. Borderline Overly Sentimental Remake of 1931 film about hard-luck boxer and son is overly sentimental and often contrived. Borderline More Absurd Comedy starring Jack Black as cook turned Mexican wrestler is more absurd, deadpan, and weird. Wild Card More Stylized Same director takes more stylized approach to dark tale of drug addiction. Wild Card