If Mandaadi (2026) impressed you with its thrilling boat races, coastal traditions and determined underdog crew, there are plenty of equally inspiring sports movies like Mandaadi worth watching next. Starring Soori, Suhas and Mahima Nambiar, the Tamil film follows Muthukaali, an experienced fishing captain who puts his knowledge of the sea to the test while leading a six-member team in a traditional boat race along Tamil Nadu’s coast.
What makes Mandaadi special isn’t just the competition. It’s the friendship, local pride, rivalries and determination that turn a sporting event into something deeply personal.
If you’re searching for Movies like Mandaadi, we’ve picked 15 films that capture a similar spirit. From Lagaan and Chak De! India to Jalolsavam and The Boys in the Boat, these stories celebrate resilience, teamwork and the thrill of competing against the odds.
15 Movies Like Mandaadi You Can’t Miss
1. Lagaan (2001)
Aamir Khan’s Lagaan follows Bhuvan, a determined villager who challenges British officers to a cricket match that could free his community from an unbearable tax burden. With barely any experience, he assembles a team of ordinary villagers who must overcome their differences to achieve the impossible.
Much like Mandaadi, the competition becomes about far more than winning a trophy. Both films celebrate community pride, unconventional leadership and individuals finding strength through teamwork. If you enjoyed Muthukaali’s efforts to guide his crew against stronger opponents, Bhuvan’s journey delivers the same underdog excitement.
IMDb: 8.1| Where to Watch: Prime Video
2. Chak De! India (2007)
Shah Rukh Khan stars as Kabir Khan, a former hockey player who gets a chance at redemption by coaching India’s women’s national hockey team. Bringing together players with different personalities and regional backgrounds proves just as challenging as defeating their opponents.
The film captures the importance of trust, discipline and unity, qualities that also drive Muthukaali’s six-member crew in Mandaadi. Both stories show how a team can transform when its members learn to put collective success ahead of personal differences.
IMDb: 8.1 | Where to Watch: Netflix
Also Play: Chak De! India Quiz
3. Jalolsavam (2004)
Set against Kerala’s beautiful backwaters, Jalolsavam stars Kunchacko Boban and Navya Nair in a story that begins with an annual boat race. When veteran boat captain Alakkal Govindan risks everything to secure another victory, the outcome brings unexpected consequences for his family.
Of all the Movies like Mandaadi, Jalolsavam offers one of the closest cultural connections. Both films place traditional boat racing within communities where the sport carries enormous emotional importance. Although Jalolsavam develops into a family and romantic drama, its riverside atmosphere and competitive traditions make it a natural choice.
IMDb: 5.1 | Where to Watch: Sun NXT
4. The Boys in the Boat (2023)
Directed by George Clooney, The Boys in the Boat follows a group of working-class students from the University of Washington who earn the opportunity to compete in rowing at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Facing financial struggles and experienced rivals, they must depend on extraordinary coordination and determination.
The film shares Mandaadi‘s water-based sporting action, where victory requires every team member to work in perfect rhythm. While the American rowing competition differs from Tamil Nadu’s traditional boat races, both deliver the excitement of an underdog crew challenging seemingly unbeatable opponents.
IMDb: 7.0 | Where to Watch: Prime Video
5. Iqbal (2005)
Shreyas Talpade plays Iqbal, a young man from a rural village who dreams of becoming a professional cricketer despite being deaf and unable to speak. With support from an unconventional coach, he works towards a future that many people believe is beyond his reach.
Although cricket replaces boat racing, Iqbal captures the emotional determination that makes Mandaadi compelling. Both celebrate overlooked individuals whose passion and hard work help them overcome difficult circumstances. It’s an inspiring choice for viewers who love grounded, character-driven sports dramas.
IMDb: 8.1 | Where to Watch: Prime Video
https://youtu.be/n_ekT7dNfww
6. Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu (2009)
This Tamil sports drama follows a group of young men from a rural village who enter a competitive kabaddi tournament. What begins as a shared passion soon becomes a serious test of friendship, endurance and their ability to perform under pressure.
The film resembles Mandaadi in its portrayal of grassroots sporting culture. Neither story needs glamorous stadiums or celebrity athletes to create excitement. Local rivalries, community expectations and teammates fighting for a common goal make every match feel personal.
IMDb: 7.4 | Where to Watch: Sun NXT
7. Dangal (2016)
Based on the lives of wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat and his daughters, Dangal follows a former athlete who trains Geeta and Babita to compete at the highest level. Their journey challenges social expectations while testing their discipline, confidence and family relationships.
Like Mandaadi, the film transforms a traditional sport into a story about identity and determination. Both feature demanding preparation, fierce competition and the emotional importance of representing something larger than oneself. If you enjoy triumphant sporting moments, Dangal delivers plenty.
IMDb: 8.3 | Where to Watch: Netflix
8. Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992)
Aamir Khan stars as Sanjay, a carefree young man whose life changes when he becomes involved in an intense inter-school cycling rivalry. As the stakes rise, he must overcome his own weaknesses and prove that he can rise to a difficult challenge.
The film’s climactic bicycle race captures the same competitive energy that drives Mandaadi‘s boat-racing sequences. Both stories build towards contests where physical endurance, strategy and personal pride matter enormously. Add memorable friendships and emotional rivalries, and this Bollywood classic becomes an enjoyable companion.
IMDb: 8.1 | Where to Watch: Zee5
9. Bison Kaalamaadan (2025)
Starring Dhruv Vikram, Bison Kaalamaadan follows a talented young kabaddi player determined to succeed despite caste discrimination, violence and deep-rooted social divisions. His sporting ambitions unfold against a backdrop of intense rural rivalries.
The film connects with Mandaadi through its strong regional identity and physically demanding competition. Both explore how sport can become deeply entangled with community pride and personal conflicts. However, Bison Kaalamaadan takes a darker approach, making it particularly appealing to viewers who prefer intense social drama alongside sporting action.
IMDb: 7.6 | Where to Watch: Netflix
10. Sarpatta Parambarai (2021)
Set in North Chennai’s vibrant boxing culture, Sarpatta Parambarai follows Kabilan, a young man drawn into a long-standing rivalry between two boxing clans. As he pursues recognition inside the ring, he must confront personal setbacks and the expectations of his community.
The movie shares Mandaadi‘s fierce local rivalries and emotional connection to regional sporting traditions. In both films, victory means much more than defeating an opponent. It represents pride, belonging and the chance to earn respect. If you loved the intensity surrounding Muthukaali’s competition, this boxing drama is an excellent pick.
IMDb: 8.4 | Where to Watch: Prime Video
11. 83 (2021)
Ranveer Singh portrays Kapil Dev in this sports drama recreating India’s historic victory at the 1983 Cricket World Cup. Considered outsiders at the beginning of the tournament, the Indian team must overcome stronger opponents and growing pressure to achieve an extraordinary result.
The connection with Mandaadi lies in the excitement of watching a team exceed expectations. Both films celebrate leadership, collective effort and competitors who refuse to be intimidated by more experienced rivals. If the final racing sequences in Mandaadi had you cheering for the underdogs, 83 delivers a similarly uplifting experience.
IMDb: 7.5 | Where to Watch: Netflix
12. Jhund (2022)
Amitabh Bachchan stars as Vijay Barse, a retired sports teacher who introduces football to a group of underprivileged young people. Through training and teamwork, he encourages them to discover abilities and opportunities they never imagined.
Unlike Mandaadi, Jhund focuses less on a single major competition and more on the transformation of individuals through sport. Still, both stories highlight the importance of leadership, community and giving overlooked talent a chance. Its grounded emotions make it a rewarding watch.
IMDb: 7.4 | Where to Watch: ZEE5
13. Kanaa (2018)
Aishwarya Rajesh plays Kousalya, a farmer’s daughter who dreams of representing India in cricket. Despite financial difficulties and social expectations, she remains committed to her ambitions, supported by her father’s belief in her potential.
Among Movies like Mandaadi, Kanaa stands out for its connection between sport, family and rural life. Both films show how athletic dreams emerge from ordinary communities and become sources of hope and pride. Its emotional storytelling makes it particularly appealing to viewers who enjoy inspiring sports dramas.
IMDb: 7.6 | Where to Watch: ZEE5
14. Ghoomer (2023)
Saiyami Kher portrays Anina, a promising cricketer whose professional dreams are shattered after an accident leaves her without her right arm. Under the guidance of an unconventional coach played by Abhishek Bachchan, she attempts an extraordinary sporting comeback.
While Ghoomer is more focused on individual resilience than team rivalry, it captures the determination seen throughout Mandaadi. Both films celebrate competitors who adapt their skills to overcome seemingly impossible circumstances. The mentor-student relationship also adds emotional depth to the sporting action.
IMDb: 7.5 | Where to Watch: ZEE5
15. Sultan (2016)
The last on the list of movies like Mandaadi is Sultan. Salman Khan plays Sultan Ali Khan, a talented wrestler whose rise to fame is followed by personal setbacks that force him to reconsider his ambitions. His journey back into competitive sport requires physical endurance, discipline and emotional growth.
Although Sultan centres on an individual athlete rather than a boat-racing team, it shares Mandaadi‘s themes of pride, rivalry and redemption. Both feature protagonists whose sporting challenges become closely connected to their personal lives. If you enjoy emotional comebacks and intense competitions, Sultan makes a fitting addition.
IMDb: 7.1 | Where to Watch: Netflix
Which Movies Like Mandaadi Should You Watch First?
If you loved Mandaadi for its boat-racing action, start with Jalolsavam or The Boys in the Boat. For underdog teams and inspiring victories, Lagaan, Chak De! India and 83 are excellent choices. And if regional sporting rivalries were your favourite part, don’t miss Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu, Bison Kaalamaadan and Sarpatta Parambarai.