Movies Like Swimming Upstream

Ranked by shared directors, cast, themes, genre, and era — not just generic recommendations.

I, Tonya

2017·2h·★ 7.5·Craig Gillespie

Themes: olympic games, sports, biographyFans also liked

The Chronology of Water

2025·2h 9m·★ 6.4·Kristen Stewart

Themes: swimmer, abusive fatherFans also liked

Giant Little Ones

2019·1h 33m·★ 7.2·Keith Behrman

Themes: swimming, gay themeFans also liked

Julien Donkey-Boy

1999·1h 40m·★ 6.7·Harmony Korine

Themes: dysfunctional family, abusive fatherFans also liked

NYAD

2023·2h·★ 7.1·Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

Themes: swimming, biographyFans also liked

Joe the King

1999·1h 36m·★ 6.7·Frank Whaley

Themes: alcoholism, abusive fatherFans also liked

Shine

1996·1h 45m·★ 7.6·Scott Hicks

Themes: 1950s, 1960s, biographyStarring Geoffrey Rush

Wilde

1997·1h 58m·★ 6.9·Brian Gilbert

TMDB recommendsThemes: gay theme, biography

Wildhood

2022·1h 47m·★ 7.0·Bretten Hannam

Themes: abusive father, gay themeFans also liked

Children of the Revolution

1996·1h 41m·★ 6.3·Peter Duncan

Both star Judy Davis & Geoffrey RushDP: Martin McGrath

The Basketball Diaries

1995·1h 42m·★ 7.3·Scott Kalvert

Themes: sports, gay theme, 1960s

Muriel's Wedding

1994·1h 46m·★ 7.3·P.J. Hogan

DP: Martin McGrathFans also liked

Ford v Ferrari

2019·2h 33m·★ 8.1·James Mangold

Themes: sports, 1960s, biography

Pollock

2000·2h 12m·★ 7.0·Ed Harris

Themes: alcoholism, biography

Hacksaw Ridge

2016·2h 19m·★ 8.1·Mel Gibson

Themes: abusive father, biography

The Incredibles

2004·1h 55m·★ 8.0·Brad Bird

Themes: 1950s, 1960s

Marty Supreme

2025·2h 30m·★ 7.6·Josh Safdie

Themes: 1950s, sports

Shutter Island

2010·2h 18m·★ 8.2·Martin Scorsese

TMDB recommends

Green Book

2018·2h 10m·★ 8.2·Peter Farrelly

Themes: gay theme, 1960s

C.R.A.Z.Y.

2005·2h 6m·★ 7.8·Jean-Marc Vallée

TMDB recommends

How Good Is Swimming Upstream?

Ratings across IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, and TMDB, plus our verdict.