How many movies like Whiplash do you know of? Read on to find out.
Whiplash is a psychological film that shows how an ambitious young drummer Andrew Neiman (Teller), reaches his limit to impress his abusive and harsh instructor Terence Fletcher (Simmons), at a performance.
This movie, directed by Damien Chazelle, teaches the relationship between students and teachers and the obsession to win or impress others.
Whiplash has a thrilling storyline that will make viewers sweat and feel tense.
If you love this mentor relationship film, we have compiled a list of movies like Whiplash.
1. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
- Director: James Foley
- Cast: Jack Lemmon, Al Pacino, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin, Alec Baldwin.
- IMDb rating: 7.7/10
The first on our list of movies like Whiplash is Glengarry Glen Ross, a film about four salesmen – Shelley Levene (Jack Lemmon), Ricky Roma (Al Pacino), Dave Moss (Ed Harris), and George Aaronow (Alan Arkin), who are given the task by a higher authority Blake (Alec Baldwin) to make more sales.
The highest salesman will get a Cadillac Eldorado, and the lowest salesman will be sacked.
The contest brought many changes as each salesman tried to impress the boss by meeting the target.
Glengarry Glen Ross is a funny, thrilling, and psychological movie about how hungry salesmen try all possible best to meet their target. Rotten Tomatoes rated this movie 95%.
2. The Prestige (2006)
- Director: Christopher Nolan
- Cast: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Scarlett Johansson, Piper Perabo, Michael Caine
- IMDb rating: 8.5/10
The Prestige is centered on two stage magicians – Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale)- friends and assistants to a magician.
When Robert loses his wife during a magic performance, he blames his friend and partner, causing them to become enemies.
Their enmity led to each trying to outshine the other and sabotaging their performances.
Robert makes decisions with tragic consequences to impress the audience and perform more than Alfred.
You may ask why we added a film with magic elements to our list of movies like Whiplash, and the reason is that both film show obsession with perfection and the need to impress others. On Rotten Tomatoes, The Prestige is rated 76%.
3. First Man (2018)
- Director: Damien Chazelle
- Cast: Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler, Corey Stoll.
- IMDb rating: 7.3/10
If you think you have seen films about determination, obsessions, and dedication to one’s work or ambition, you will add this movie like Whiplash to your list.
Neil Armstrong (Ryan Gosling) faced family tragedy and work issues but was determined to become the first man to walk on the moon. Against all odds, he took up this dangerous mission.
This movie, directed by Damien Chazelle, shows some of the sides of Neil Armstrong the world is yet to see.
First Man is based on the life of Neil Armstrong. Rotten Tomatoes rated this movie 87%.
4. Foxcatcher (2014)
- Director: Bennett Miller
- Cast: Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, Vanessa Redgrave
- IMDb rating: 7.0/10
The next on our list of movies like Whiplash is Foxcatcher.
Like the lead character in Whiplash fought to make a name for himself, irrespective of his harsh mentor, the lead character in Foxcatcher has the same element.
Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) is recruited by a wealthy heir John Du Pont (Steve Carell), to train for the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
However, Mark discovers his benefactor is arrogant, selfish, and egotistical.
Will he keep up with his benefactor’s madness and strive to win, or will John’s attitude destroy all? On Rotten Tomatoes, Foxcatcher is rated 87%.
5. Birdman (2014)
- Director : Alejandro González Iñárritu
- Cast: Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough.
- IMDb rating: 7.7/10
Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) is a superhero actor who achieved popularity after starring in the movie “Birdman.”
With his career stagnant, he wishes to revive it by writing, directing, starring in, and co-producing another film with his best friend, Jake (Zach Galifianakis).
With the appearance of a talented actor Mike Shiner (Edward Norton), Riggan must fight his insecurities and internal battles and bring back his fame.
The lead character is determined to bring back his career against all odds, so we can see why it is included in our list of movies like Whiplash. Birdman is rated 91% on Rotten Tomatoes.
6. The Social Network (2010)
- Director: David Fincher
- Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Aaron Sorkin
- IMDb rating: 7.8/10
The next on our list of movies like Whiplash is The Social Network, a film reflecting the life of the founder of Facebook.
Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg) tried his best to create a social networking site, Facebook, and it was successful with the help of his friend, Eduardo (Andrew Garfield).
However, with his determination and success comes a consequence – he cuts ties with many relationships on his way to success.
One of the lessons from this movie is that you may make a few enemies on the way to success. Rotten Tomatoes rated this award-winning movie 96%.
7. 8 Mile (2002)
- Director: Curtis Hanson
- Cast: Eminem, Brittany Murphy, Mekhi Phifer, Anthony Mackie, Kim Basinger.
- IMDb rating: 7.2/10
While Whiplash is about jazz drumming, 8 Mile is about rapping.
However, this film is added to our list of movies like Whiplash as both show how dedicated people will carry on with their craft no matter the obstacles.
Jimmy ‘B-Rabbit’ Smith (Eminem) is a talented rapper with his life messed up, he dreams of making it, but his friends and foes are not making his dreams easier to achieve.
To get out of the ghetto and have a good life, he must win a rapping contest using his skills.
Eminem did a fantastic job being the lead character of the movie. On Rotten Tomatoes, 8 Mile is rated 75%.
8. Black Swan (2010)
- Director: Darren Aronofsky
- Cast: Nathalie Portman, Vincent Cassel, Mila Kunis, Winona Ryder.
- IMDb rating: 8/10
A talented ballerina, Nina (Nathalie Portman), is recruited to play the white swan, Princess Odette, in a dance performance.
However, when the dance director, Thomas (Vincent Cassel), decides to give the role to another dancer Lily (Mila Kunis), Nina does everything to get back her role till her passion turns to obsession.
Black Swan is added to movies like Whiplash as it shows the sacrifices people can make to achieve their dreams or impress others. This movie is rated 85% by Rotten Tomatoes.
9. Sound Of Metal (2020)
- Director: Darius Marder
- Cast: Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci, Lauren Ridloff, Mathieu Amalric
- IMDb rating: 7.7/10
The next on our list of movies like Whiplash is Sound Of Metal; both are not just about music and drumming but also about desperation and passion for showing your talent.
Ruben Stone (Riz Ahmed) is a talented drummer who discovers his hearing rapidly goes down while on tour.
At first, he was in denial but gradually realized that he must face his future filled with silence while showcasing his talent. Rotten Tomatoes rated this movie – Sound Of Metal 97%.
10. Nightcrawler (2014)
- Director: Dan Gilroy
- Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Bill Paxton, Riz Ahmed, Michael Papajohn.
- IMDb rating: 7.8/10
If you think the lead character in Whiplash can go to any lengths to show his talents, Nightcrawler will show you more extraordinary dedication.
Lou Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) is a petty thief living in Los Angeles who sells scrap metals but discovers he can make more money by capturing pictures of crime scenes.
To achieve his dreams, he engages in extreme acts to get pictures.
If you want good movies like Whiplash, you should include Nightcrawler. This movie is rated 95% on Rotten Tomatoes.
11. Hustle & Flow (2005)
- Director: Craig Brewer
- Cast: Terrence Howard, Ludacris, Anthony Anderson, Taryn Manning, Taraji P. Henson.
- IMDb rating: 7.3/10
Hustle & Flow made it to our list of movies like Whiplash. An aspiring emcee DJay (Terrence Howard) faces many challenges – a baby mama, strippers, and many other things making his life go south.
When he hears the hip-hop superstar Skinny Black (Ludacris) is coming to his hood, he tries everything possible to get his attention.
Viewers will enjoy this movie as it shows the lead character trying to move from the bottom of his life’s ladder. Hustle & Flow is rated 82%.
12. Purple Rain (1984)
- Director: Albert Magnoli
- Cast: Prince, Apollonia Kotero, Morris Day, Olga Karlatos, Clarence Williams III.
- IMDb rating: 6.5/10
A talented young man (Prince) with a passion for music and an aspiring career meets another aspiring singer, Apollonia (Apollonia Kotero).
He must deal with his challenges and messy life to avoid losing his friendship with the new singer to his rival, Morris (Morris Day).
This movie, like Whiplash, shows how people will do everything to make something out of their talent. Rotten Tomatoes rated Purple Rain 70%.
13. All That Jazz (1979)
- Director: Bob Fosse
- Cast: Roy Scheider, Ann Reinking, Leland Palmer, Erzsebet Foldi, Jessica Lange.
- IMDb rating: 7.8/10
A choreographer and filmmaker, Joe Gideon (Roy Scheider), known for his unapologetic pill-popping, chain-smoking, and philandering habits, suffers cardiac arrest.
His girlfriend – Kate Jagger (Ann Reinking), his ex-wife – Audrey Paris (Leland Palmer), and his particular dancing daughter – Michelle (Erzsebet Foldi), tries to rescue him and pull his career back. Is he determined to fight for his job, or is it too late?
This movie, like Whiplash, does not only teach determination to passion but the need to keep a clean diet. On Rotten Tomatoes, All That Jazz is rated 87%.
14. The Pianist (2002)
- Director: Roman Polanski
- Cast: Andrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Emilia Fox, Frank Finlay.
- IMDb rating: 8.5/10
The next on our list of movies like Whiplash is The Pianist. A story about a talented pianist who sees everything around him, like his family, friends, and helpers, go down with the war, but he manages to escape the horrific events.
The movie teaches never to let your efforts go down once things get going. On Rotten Tomatoes, The Pianist is rated 95%.
15. Moneyball (2011)
- Director: Bennett Miller
- Cast: Brad Pitt, Robin Wright, Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Chris Pratt.
- IMDb rating: 7.6/10
The last on our list of movies like Whiplash is Moneyball. The story is about Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane (Brad Pitt) has a financial constraint as he tries to assemble a baseball team.
He is determined to make the best baseball team, as he uses statistical analysis to select each player.
Like Whiplash, Moneyball is about determination and passion. Rotten Tomatoes rated this movie 94%.
