SimilarScreen
Pawn Sacrifice

Pawn Sacrifice

On the board he fought the Cold War. In his mind he fought his madness.

20156.81h 55m

Overview

During the height of the Cold War, American chess prodigy Bobby Fischer finds himself caught between two superpowers when he challenges the Soviet Empire.

Directed by Edward Zwick
Written by Stephen J. Rivele, Christopher Wilkinson, Steven Knight
Produced by Tobey Maguire, Gail Katz, Edward Zwick
Box OfficeBudget: $19.0MRevenue: $5.6M

Top Cast

Tobey Maguire

Tobey Maguire

Bobby Fischer

Peter Sarsgaard

Peter Sarsgaard

Father Bill Lombardy

Liev Schreiber

Liev Schreiber

Boris Spassky

Michael Stuhlbarg

Michael Stuhlbarg

Paul Marshall

Lily Rabe

Lily Rabe

Joan Fischer

Sophie Nélisse

Sophie Nélisse

Young Joan

Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick

Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick

Teen Bobby Fischer

Conrad Pla

Conrad Pla

Carmine Nigro

Aiden Lovekamp

Aiden Lovekamp

Young Bobby Fischer

Evelyne Brochu

Evelyne Brochu

Donna

Themes & Keywords

chesscold war1970svictorybiographychess championchess tournamentreykjavík, iceland

About Pawn Sacrifice

Pawn Sacrifice is a thriller, drama film released in 2015 exploring themes of chess, cold war, 1970s, victory, biography, chess champion. Directed by Edward Zwick, it stars Tobey Maguire, Peter Sarsgaard, Liev Schreiber. During the height of the Cold War, American chess prodigy Bobby Fischer finds himself caught between two superpowers when he challenges the Soviet Empire.

Movies Similar to Pawn Sacrifice

Discover titles like Pawn Sacrifice — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to Pawn Sacrifice

If you enjoyed Pawn Sacrifice, you'll love these handpicked recommendations. Each title below shares similar themes, tone, and storytelling style. Our algorithm analyzes genres, keywords, director filmography, and cast connections to find the closest matches. Whether you're looking for the same emotional depth, narrative structure, or visual style, these picks are curated to deliver the best viewing experience for fans of Pawn Sacrifice.

The Coldest Game
31% Match

Warsaw, Poland, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962. Josh Mansky, a troubled math genius and former US chess champion, is recruited to hold a dangerous public match against the Soviet champion, while playing the deadly game of espionage hidden in the darkest shadows of a hostile territory.

Bridge of Spies
27% Match

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union captures U.S. pilot Francis Gary Powers after shooting down his U-2 spy plane. Sentenced to 10 years in prison, Powers' only hope is New York lawyer James Donovan, recruited by a CIA operative to negotiate his release. Donovan boards a plane to Berlin, hoping to win the young man's freedom through a prisoner exchange. If all goes well, the Russians would get Rudolf Abel, the convicted spy who Donovan defended in court.

Critical Thinking
25% Match

Based on a true story from 1998, five Latino and Black teenagers from the toughest underserved ghetto in Miami fight their way into the National Chess Championship under the guidance of their unconventional but inspirational teacher.

Argo
25% Match

Argo(2012)

Movie7.3/10

As the Iranian revolution reaches a boiling point, a CIA 'exfiltration' specialist concocts a risky plan to free six Americans who have found shelter at the home of the Canadian ambassador.

Trial by Fire
25% Match

The tragic and controversial story of Cameron Todd Willingham, who was executed in Texas for killing his three children after scientific evidence and expert testimony that bolstered his claims of innocence were suppressed.

Tetris
22% Match

Tetris(2023)

Movie7.6/10

In 1988, American video game salesman Henk Rogers discovers the video game Tetris. When he sets out to bring the game to the world, he enters a dangerous web of lies and corruption behind the Iron Curtain.

Baltimore
22% Match

Baltimore(2024)

Movie5.9/10

Based on actual events that took place on 26 April 1974, former debutante turned IRA member Rose Dugdale and three comrades carried out an armed raid on Russborough House, Wicklow, in which nineteen masterpieces were stolen in an effort to support the IRA’s armed struggle. The film plays out over the course of the days following the raid, when Rose is in hiding in a remote cottage.