The Wrestler (2008)
- Synopsis:
- A professional wrestler facing the end of his career seeks love with a stripper and tries to reunite with his daughter in this poignant and quietly devastating character study.
- Starring:
- Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei
- Director:
- Darren Aronofsky
- Rated:
- R
27 handpicked matches for The Wrestler
Scroll over a movie for more information about the match. Click "Compare" to see a side-by-side comparison of our clerk's recommendation with your starting movie.
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Ballast (2008)
Ballast is a Close match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Character study of poor family living in Mississippi uses similar style to create realistic feel.
- Starring:
- Micheal Smith Sr., JimMyron Ross
- Director:
- Lance Hammer
- Rated:
- NR
- Runtime:
- 96
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Raging Bull
(1980) (R)
Darker
-
Darker
Raging Bull (1980)
Raging Bull is a Close match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Scorsese masterpiece paints darker, more unlikable picture of a sports figure in decline.
- Starring:
- Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty
- Director:
- Martin Scorsese
- Rated:
- R
- Runtime:
- 128
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Ballast
(2008) (NR)
Similar Style
-
Ballast (2008)
Ballast is a Close match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Character study of poor family living in Mississippi uses similar style to create realistic feel.
- Starring:
- Micheal Smith Sr., JimMyron Ross
- Director:
- Lance Hammer
- Rated:
- NR
- Runtime:
- 96
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Requiem for a Heavyweight
(1962) (NR)
Similar Story
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Similar Story
Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962)
Requiem for a Heavyweight is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Classic portrait of washed-up boxer forced to look for other work tells similar poignant story.
- Starring:
- Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason
- Director:
- Ralph Nelson
- Rated:
- NR
- Runtime:
- 87
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Homeboy
(1988) (R)
Similar Elements
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Similar Elements
Homeboy (1988)
Homeboy is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Mickey Rourke plays another fading athlete risking all for another shot in more sentimental melodrama.
- Starring:
- Mickey Rourke, Christopher Walken
- Director:
- Michael Seresin
- Rated:
- R
- Runtime:
- 112
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Fat City
(1972) (PG)
Equally Downbeat
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Equally Downbeat
Fat City (1972)
Fat City is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Boxers endure similar hardscrabble existence in as closely observed, equally downbeat character drama.
- Starring:
- Stacy Keach, Jeff Bridges
- Director:
- John Huston
- Rated:
- PG
- Runtime:
- 96
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Barfly
(1987) (R)
As Atmospheric
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As Atmospheric
Barfly (1987)
Barfly is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: As atmospheric, equally character-driven drama also stars Mickey Rourke as another down-and-outer.
- Starring:
- Mickey Rourke, Faye Dunaway
- Director:
- Barbet Schroeder
- Rated:
- R
- Runtime:
- 100
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Rocky
(1976) (PG)
More Upbeat
-
More Upbeat
Rocky (1976)
Rocky is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Story of down-on-his-luck boxer who gets shot at title is more upbeat and triumphant.
- Starring:
- Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire
- Director:
- John G. Avildsen
- Rated:
- PG
- Runtime:
- 119
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Body and Soul
(1947) (NR)
As Reflective
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As Reflective
Body and Soul (1947)
Body and Soul is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Highly influential boxing movie is as reflective in its study of pugilist facing one last fight.
- Starring:
- John Garfield, Lilli Palmer
- Director:
- Robert Rossen
- Rated:
- NR
- Runtime:
- 104
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Ali
(2001) (R)
More Epic
-
More Epic
Ali (2001)
Ali is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: More epic biopic focused on legendary boxer offers similarly nuanced characters, dazzling fight scenes.
- Starring:
- Will Smith, Jamie Foxx
- Director:
- Michael Mann
- Rated:
- R
- Runtime:
- 158
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Tender Mercies
(1983) (PG)
As Character-Driven
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As Character-Driven
Tender Mercies (1983)
Tender Mercies is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: As character-driven drama weaves equally poignant, graceful tale of singer similarly past his glory days.
- Starring:
- Robert Duvall, Tess Harper
- Director:
- Bruce Beresford
- Rated:
- PG
- Runtime:
- 90
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The Set-Up
(1949) (NR)
More Brutal
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More Brutal
The Set-Up (1949)
The Set-Up is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: A similarly washed up boxer battles for his integrity in more brutal, darker, as character-driven noir.
- Starring:
- Robert Ryan, Audrey Totter
- Director:
- Robert Wise
- Rated:
- NR
- Runtime:
- 72
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Pastime
(1991) (PG)
More Elegiac
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More Elegiac
Pastime (1991)
Pastime is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: 1950s era baseball player similarly faces end of the line in more elegiac, as character rich drama.
- Starring:
- William Russ, Glenn Plummer
- Director:
- Robin B. Armstrong
- Rated:
- PG
- Runtime:
- 95
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Johnny Handsome
(1989) (R)
More Mickey Rourke
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More Mickey Rourke
Johnny Handsome (1989)
Johnny Handsome is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Mickey Rourke delivers equally fine performance in darker, more suspenseful, as evocative revenge thriller.
- Starring:
- Mickey Rourke, Ellen Barkin
- Director:
- Walter Hill
- Rated:
- R
- Runtime:
- 95
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Million Dollar Baby
(2004) (PG-13)
Similar Spirit
-
Similar Spirit
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Million Dollar Baby is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Equally determined boxer faces early career battles with similar fighter's spirit. Less aggressive tone.
- Starring:
- Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank
- Director:
- Clint Eastwood
- Rated:
- PG-13
- Runtime:
- 132
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On the Waterfront
(1954) (NR)
Higher Stakes
-
Higher Stakes
On the Waterfront (1954)
On the Waterfront is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: The stakes are even higher in classic drama about one-time boxer who struggles against corruption.
- Starring:
- Marlon Brando, Eva Saint
- Director:
- Elia Kazan
- Rated:
- NR
- Runtime:
- 108
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The King of Marvin Gardens
(1972) (R)
Bleaker
-
Bleaker
The King of Marvin Gardens (1972)
The King of Marvin Gardens is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Brothers similarly chase pipe dream in bleaker, as emotionally resonant character drama.
- Starring:
- Jack Nicholson, Bruce Dern
- Director:
- Bob Rafelson
- Rated:
- R
- Runtime:
- 104
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The Hustler
(1961) (NR)
Darker, Moodier
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Darker, Moodier
The Hustler (1961)
The Hustler is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Complex, existential gem about pool-playing anti-hero is darker, moodier and just as grubby.
- Starring:
- Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason
- Director:
- Robert Rossen
- Rated:
- NR
- Runtime:
- 135
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Wanda
(1971) (PG)
More Downbeat
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More Downbeat
Wanda (1971)
Wanda is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: More downbeat drama with more exquisite attention to detail focuses on marginalized woman's struggles.
- Starring:
- Barbara Loden, Michael Higgins
- Director:
- Barbara Loden
- Rated:
- PG
- Runtime:
- 105
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Bull Durham
(1988) (R)
Romantic, Funnier
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Romantic, Funnier
Bull Durham (1988)
Bull Durham is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Minor league ballplayers face career problems, love and aging in romantic, funnier sports movie.
- Starring:
- Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon
- Director:
- Ron Shelton
- Rated:
- R
- Runtime:
- 108
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North Dallas Forty
(1979) (R)
Also Unglamorous
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Also Unglamorous
North Dallas Forty (1979)
North Dallas Forty is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Also takes unglamorous if more slick look at underside of pro sports, in this case football.
- Starring:
- Nick Nolte, Mac Davis
- Director:
- Ted Kotcheff
- Rated:
- R
- Runtime:
- 120
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Rocky Balboa
(2006) (PG)
More Nostalgic
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More Nostalgic
Rocky Balboa (2006)
Rocky Balboa is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Sixth Rocky film feels more nostalgic, but has similar blue collar feel and character arc.
- Starring:
- Sylvester Stallone, Burt Young
- Director:
- Sylvester Stallone
- Rated:
- PG
- Runtime:
- 102
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The Champ
(1931) (NR)
More Melodramatic
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More Melodramatic
The Champ (1931)
The Champ is a Creative match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Original washed-up boxer flick is more melodramatic but star Wallace Beery can still wring tears.
- Starring:
- Wallace Beery, Jackie Cooper
- Director:
- King Vidor
- Rated:
- NR
- Runtime:
- 86
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Tin Cup
(1996) (R)
Kinder, Gentler
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Kinder, Gentler
Tin Cup (1996)
Tin Cup is a Borderline match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Kinder, gentler story about down-on-his-luck golfer has less rough edges and sweeter tone.
- Starring:
- Kevin Costner, Rene Russo
- Director:
- Ron Shelton
- Rated:
- R
- Runtime:
- 133
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The Champ
(1979) (PG)
Overly Sentimental
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Overly Sentimental
The Champ (1979)
The Champ is a Borderline match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Remake of 1931 film about hard-luck boxer and son is overly sentimental and often contrived.
- Starring:
- Jon Voight, Faye Dunaway
- Director:
- Franco Zeffirelli
- Rated:
- PG
- Runtime:
- 122
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Nacho Libre
(2006) (PG)
More Absurd
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More Absurd
Nacho Libre (2006)
Nacho Libre is a Wild Card match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Comedy starring Jack Black as cook turned Mexican wrestler is more absurd, deadpan, and weird.
- Starring:
- Jack Black, Ana de la Reguera
- Director:
- Jared Hess
- Rated:
- PG
- Runtime:
- 91
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Requiem for a Dream
(2000) (R)
More Stylized
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More Stylized
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Requiem for a Dream is a Wild Card match for The Wrestler
Our Clerk Says: Same director takes more stylized approach to dark tale of drug addiction.
- Starring:
- Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto
- Director:
- Darren Aronofsky
- Rated:
- R
- Runtime:
- 101
