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Champion

Champion

Fighting or loving, he was the... CHAMPION

19496.71h 39m

Overview

An unscrupulous boxer fights his way to the top, but eventually alienates all of the people who helped him on the way up.

Directed by Mark Robson
Written by Carl Foreman, Ring Lardner
Produced by Stanley Kramer
Box OfficeBudget: $600KRevenue: $2.5M

Top Cast

Kirk Douglas

Kirk Douglas

Midge Kelly

Marilyn Maxwell

Marilyn Maxwell

Grace Diamond

Arthur Kennedy

Arthur Kennedy

Connie Kelly

Paul Stewart

Paul Stewart

Tommy Haley

Ruth Roman

Ruth Roman

Emma Bryce

Lola Albright

Lola Albright

Palmer Harris

Luis van Rooten

Luis van Rooten

Jerry Harris

Harry Shannon

Harry Shannon

Lew

John Daheim

John Daheim

Johnny Dunne

Ralph Sanford

Ralph Sanford

Hammond

Themes & Keywords

sibling relationshipsportsbrotherboxertrainingwoman between two menfilm noirblack and whiterise to fameboxingboxing championboxing ringboxeprizefighterimpulsive driftercerebral hemorrhagemoral corruptionboxcarmob corruptionrise to the topesportebrothers love same woman

About Champion

Champion is a drama film released in 1949 exploring themes of sibling relationship, sports, brother, boxer, training, woman between two men. Directed by Mark Robson, it stars Kirk Douglas, Marilyn Maxwell, Arthur Kennedy. An unscrupulous boxer fights his way to the top, but eventually alienates all of the people who helped him on the way up.

Movies Similar to Champion

Discover titles like Champion — ranked by similarity and community votes

We found 15 movies similar to Champion

If you enjoyed Champion, 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 Champion.

Body and Soul
32% Match

Charley Davis, against the wishes of his mother, becomes a boxer. As he becomes more successful the fighter becomes surrounded by shady characters, including an unethical promoter named Roberts, who tempt the man with a number of vices. Charley finds himself faced with increasingly difficult choices.

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30% Match

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The Champ
28% Match

The Champ(1979)

Movie7.0/10

Billy used to be a great boxer, but he's settled into a hardscrabble life that revolves around drinking, training horses, and the one bright spot in his existence — his young son, T.J. Although Billy has had custody of T.J. since his wife, Annie, left the family years ago, her return prompts a new struggle for the former fighter. Determined to hold on to his son, Billy gets back into the ring to try and recapture his past success.

Rocky
28% Match

Rocky(1976)

Movie7.8/10

Rocky Balboa is a Philadelphia club fighter who seems to be going nowhere. But when a stroke of fate puts him in the ring with a world heavyweight champion, Rocky knows that it's his one shot at the big time — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go the distance and come out a winner!

Rocky IV
27% Match

Rocky IV(1985)

Movie7.1/10

Rocky Balboa holds the world heavyweight championship, but a new challenger has stepped forward: Drago, a six-foot-four, 261-pound fighter who has the backing of the Soviet Union. This time, Rocky's training regimen takes him to Siberia, where he prepares for a globally televised match in the heart of Moscow. But nothing can truly prepare him for what he's about to face – a fight to the finish, in which he must defend not only himself, but also the honor of his country!

Rocky V
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Rocky V(1990)

Movie5.8/10

A lifetime of taking shots has ended Rocky’s career, and a crooked accountant has left him broke. Inspired by the memory of his trainer, however, Rocky finds glory in training and takes on an up-and-coming boxer.

Rocky II
26% Match

Rocky II(1979)

Movie7.3/10

After Rocky goes the distance with champ Apollo Creed, both try to put the fight behind them and move on. Rocky settles down with Adrian but can't put his life together outside the ring, while Creed seeks a rematch to restore his reputation. Soon enough, the "Master of Disaster" and the "Italian Stallion" are set on a collision course for a climactic battle that is brutal and unforgettable.

Rocky Balboa
25% Match

When he loses a highly publicized virtual boxing match to ex-champ Rocky Balboa, reigning heavyweight titleholder Mason Dixon retaliates by challenging the Italian Stallion to a 10-round exhibition bout. To the surprise of his son and friends, Rocky agrees to come out of retirement and face an opponent who's faster, stronger and thirty years his junior. Rocky takes on Dixon in what will become the greatest fight in boxing history!

The Fighter
25% Match

Boxer "Irish" Micky Ward's unlikely road to the world light welterweight title. His Rocky-like rise was shepherded by half-brother Dicky, a boxer-turned-trainer who rebounded in life after nearly being KO'd by drugs and crime.

Sweet Smell of Success
25% Match

New York City newspaper writer J.J. Hunsecker holds considerable sway over public opinion with his Broadway column, but one thing that he can't control is his younger sister, Susan, who is in a relationship with aspiring jazz guitarist Steve Dallas. Hunsecker strongly disapproves of the romance and recruits publicist Sidney Falco to find a way to split the couple, no matter how ruthless the method.

Rocky III
25% Match

Rocky III(1982)

Movie6.9/10

Following Rocky Balboa's intense battle with his most powerful adversary yet – the ferocious Clubber Lang – Rocky joins forces with former rival Apollo Creed in an effort to get back his fighting spirit.

Tyson
24% Match

Tyson(1995)

Movie6.0/10

The story of Mike Tyson. From his early days as a 12 year old amateur with a powerful punch, to the undisputed title of "Heavyweight Champion of the World", and ultimately to his conviction for rape. The story of his turbulent life moves quickly, never focusing for long on anything in particular.