The Black Balloon

Movies Like

The Black Balloon (2008)

Drama

If you loved The Black Balloon, you'll love these similar films. Handpicked based on shared themes, genre, and feel.

Breath

Breath

2017 ★ 6.5

A pair of teenagers in Western Australia looking to escape the monotony of life in a small town take up surfing lessons from a guy named Sando.

The Chronology of Water

The Chronology of Water

2025 ★ 6.3

Plagued by an abusive childhood, a woman finds escape in competitive swimming, sexual experimentation, toxic relationships, and addiction before ultimately finding her voice through writing.

The Game

The Game

1997 ★ 7.6

In honor of his birthday, San Francisco banker Nicholas Van Orton, a financial genius and a cold-hearted loner, receives an unusual present from his younger brother, Conrad: a gift certificate to play a unique kind of game. In nary a nanosecond, Nicholas finds himself consumed by a dangerous set of ever-changing rules, unable to distinguish where the charade ends and reality begins.

Hellion

Hellion

2014 ★ 5.9

When motocross and heavy metal obsessed, 13-year-old Jacob's delinquent behavior forces CPS to place his little brother Wes with his aunt, Jacob and his emotionally absent father must finally take responsibility for their actions and each other in order to bring Wes home.

Foxcatcher

Foxcatcher

2014 ★ 6.7

The greatest Olympic Wrestling Champion brother team joins Team Foxcatcher led by multimillionaire sponsor John E. du Pont as they train for the 1988 games in Seoul - a union that leads to unlikely circumstances.

The Waterdance

The Waterdance

1992 ★ 6.0

Author Joel Garcia breaks his neck while hiking, and finds himself in a rehab center with Raymond, an exaggerating ladies man, and Bloss, a racist biker. Considerable tension builds as each character tries to deal with his new found handicap and the problems that go with it, especially Joel, whose lover Anna is having as difficult a time as he is.

The Accountant²

The Accountant²

2025 ★ 7.1

When an old acquaintance is murdered, Wolff is compelled to solve the case. Realizing more extreme measures are necessary, Wolff recruits his estranged and highly lethal brother, Brax, to help. In partnership with Marybeth Medina, they uncover a deadly conspiracy, becoming targets of a ruthless network of killers who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried.

Bruised

Bruised

2021 ★ 6.8

Jackie Justice is a mixed martial arts fighter who leaves the sport in disgrace. Down on her luck and simmering with rage and regret years after the fight, she's coaxed into a brutal underground fight by her manager and boyfriend Desi and grabs the attention of a fight league promoter who promises Jackie a life back in the Octagon. But the road to redemption becomes unexpectedly personal when Manny - the son she gave up as an infant - shows up at her doorstep. A triumphant story of a fighter who reclaims her power, in and out of the ring, when everyone has counted her out

Gracie

Gracie

2007 ★ 6.2

A teenager faces an uphill battle when she fights to give women the opportunity to play competitive soccer.

Joe the King

Joe the King

1999 ★ 6.0

A destitute 14-year-old struggles to keep his life together despite harsh abuse at his mother's hands, harsher abuse at his father's, and a growing separation from his slightly older brother.

A Mouthful of Air

A Mouthful of Air

2021 ★ 6.5

Julie is a new mom and children's book author, who escapes into the bright Crayola-colored world of her creation in order to leave behind the darkness caused by her post-partum depression.

Triumph

Triumph

2021 ★ 6.7

A bright and determined teen who has mild cerebral palsy strives to be a wrestler on his high school's team and to win over the heart of a classmate, the girl of his dreams.

Luce

Luce

2019 ★ 6.4

A star athlete and top student, Luce's idealized image is challenged by one of his teachers when his unsettling views on political violence come to light, putting a strain on family bonds while igniting intense debates on race and identity.

House of Cards

House of Cards

1993 ★ 6.2

When Ruth Matthews's husband is killed in a fall at an archaeological dig, her daughter Sally handles her father's death in a very odd manner. As Sally's condition worsens, Ruth takes her to see Jake, an expert in childhood autism. Jake attempts to bring Sally out of her mental disarray through traditional therapy methods, but Ruth takes a different route. She risks her own sanity by attempting to enter her daughter's mind and make sense of the seemingly bizarre things that Sally does, including building a wondrous house of cards

Angel of Mine

Angel of Mine

2019 ★ 6.2

A woman grieving over the death of her daughter loses grip of reality when she begins to think her girl may still be alive.

Where Hope Grows

Where Hope Grows

2014 ★ 7.3

Calvin Campbell is a former professional baseball player sent to an early retirement due to his panic attacks at the plate. Even though he had all the talent for the big leagues, he struggles with the curveballs life has thrown him. Today, he mindlessly sleepwalks through his days and the challenge of raising his teenager daughter. His life is in a slow downward spiral when it is suddenly awakened and invigorated by the most unlikely person – Produce, a young-man with Down syndrome who works at the local grocery store.

Hands of Stone

Hands of Stone

2016 ★ 6.6

The legendary Roberto Duran and his equally legendary trainer Ray Arcel change each other's lives.

Shirley

Shirley

2020 ★ 6.1

A famous horror writer finds inspiration for her next book after she and her husband take in a young couple.

Lockdown

Lockdown

2000 ★ 6.0

Avery (Jones) returns to college as a competitive swimmer after getting his life back on track. But his life takes another unexpected turn when he and his two friends (Bonds, Casseus) are wrongly accused of murder and end up in prison.

Hounddog

Hounddog

2008 ★ 6.4

A drama set in the American South, where a precocious, troubled girl finds a safe haven in the music and movement of Elvis Presley.

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