Movies Like Fat City (1972)

Fat City is a 1972 drama film from John Huston with a MovieMagicScore of 7.0/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Raging Bull and Rocky Balboa.

Drama

Raging Bull

1980

The life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.

7.9

MagicScore

Rocky Balboa

2006

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!

6.9

MagicScore

Body and Soul

1947

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.

6.7

MagicScore

Million Dollar Baby

2004

Despondent over a painful estrangement from his daughter, trainer Frankie Dunn isn't prepared for boxer Maggie Fitzgerald to enter his life. But Maggie's determined to go pro and to convince Dunn and his cohort to help her.

8.0

MagicScore

Rocky

1976

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!

7.8

MagicScore

Cinderella Man

2005

The true story of boxer Jim Braddock who, following his retirement in the 1930s, makes a surprise comeback in order to lift his family out of poverty.

7.6

MagicScore

The Set-Up

1949

Expecting the usual loss, a boxing manager takes bribes from a betting gangster without telling his fighter.

7.3

MagicScore

Rocky II

1979

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.

7.3

MagicScore

Rocky IV

1985

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!

7.1

MagicScore

#10

Rocky III

1982

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.

6.9

MagicScore

#11

Rocky V

1990

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.

5.8

MagicScore

#12

Ali

2001

In 1964, a brash, new pro boxer, fresh from his Olympic gold medal victory, explodes onto the scene: Cassius Clay. Bold and outspoken, he cuts an entirely new image for African Americans in sport with his proud public self-confidence and his unapologetic belief that he is the greatest boxer of all time. Yet at the top of his game, both Ali's personal and professional lives face the ultimate test.

6.8

MagicScore

#13

Homeboy

1988

Johnny Walker is a cowboy and a boxer. He is very shy and a bit of a fool. He is in love with Ruby, but he cannot tell her. He is also a bit old to keep on boxing, but its the only thing he does well.

4.8

MagicScore

#14

Diggstown

1992

Gabriel Caine has just been released from prison when he sets up a bet with a business man who owns most of Diggstown, a boxing-mad town. The bet is that Gabe can find a boxer that will knock out 10 Diggstown men, in a boxing ring, within 24 hours. Roy 'Honey' Palmer is that man that, at 48, many say he is too old.

6.3

MagicScore

#15

TwentyFourSeven

1998

In a typical English working-class town, the juveniles have nothing more to do than hang around in gangs. One day, Alan Darcy, a highly motivated man with the same kind of youth experience, starts trying to get the young people off the street and into doing something they can believe in: Boxing. Darcy opens a boxing club, aiming to bring the rival gangs together.

6.2

MagicScore

#16

Gladiator

1992

Tommy Riley has moved with his dad to Chicago from a 'nice place'. He keeps to himself, goes to school. However, after a street fight he is noticed and quickly falls into the world of illegal underground boxing - where punches can kill.

7.6

MagicScore

#17

The Fighter

2010

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.

7.4

MagicScore

#18

The Champ

1931

A broken-down alcoholic prizefighter struggles to keep custody of his adoring son.

7.1

MagicScore

#19

Boxer

2024

With only his wife by his side, a promising young boxer flees communist Poland to chase his dream of becoming the greatest fighter in history.

7.1

MagicScore

#20

Mary Kom

2014

A chronicle of the life of Indian boxer 'Mary Kom' who went through several hardships before audaciously accomplishing her ultimate dream.

7.0

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like Fat City?

The top films similar to Fat City by MovieMagicScore are Raging Bull (7.9), Rocky Balboa (6.9), Body and Soul (6.7). Each shares drama themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is Fat City worth watching?

Fat City holds a MovieMagicScore of 7.0/10 from 171 viewer ratings, putting it among the better-reviewed titles in its genre.

What kind of movie is Fat City?

Fat City (1972) is a drama film directed by John Huston, starring Stacy Keach, Jeff Bridges, Susan Tyrrell.

Where can I find more recommendations like Fat City?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more drama recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like Raging Bull Movies like Rocky Balboa Movies like Body and Soul Movies like Million Dollar Baby Movies like Rocky Movies like Cinderella Man

About movies like Fat City

This ranked list pairs Fat City (1972), a drama film from John Huston, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Stacy Keach take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

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