One of the most anticipated and hottest films of 2024 is finally here. We are talking about Zendaya‘s Challengers which was memed to death for a threesome scene that was shown in the trailer but if you have seen the film then you know that the brilliance of the film is much more than that one scene. Directed by Call Me By Your Name‘s Luca Guadagnino from a screenplay by Justin Kuritzkes, the sports romantic drama follows the story of a talented tennis player Tashi, and her twisted relationship with two tennis players, one of whom is her husband now. Challengers stars Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor in the lead role with Jordan Thompson, Faith Fay, Hailey Gates, and Tierre Diaz starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the story of ambition and toxic relationships in Challengers you should check out these films with similar themes next.

Whiplash (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video)

Whiplash is a drama film about achieving your ambition at all costs even if you lose everything in the process. Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, the 2014 film is based on Chazelle’s 2013 short film of the same name and it follows the story of Andrew Neiman, a young Jazz drummer who dreams of becoming the best Jazz drummer in the world and to achieve his dreams he must study under a tyrannical mentor who sucks the life out of a room and abuses his students at every turn. Whiplash stars Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons in the lead role with Paul Reiser, Melissa Benoist, Austin Stowell, Nate Lang, Damon Gupton, Kavita Patil, C.J. Vana, Charlie Ian, and Michael D. Cohen starring in supporting roles.

Sound of Metal (Prime Video)

Sound of Metal is a drama film directed by Darius Marder, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Abraham Marder. The 2020 film follows the story of a heavy metal drummer whose life turns upside down when he begins to lose his hearing and now he must confront a future filled with silence but will he still be connected with music even when he cannot hear it? Sound of Metal stars Riz Ahmed in the lead role with Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci, Lauren Ridloff, Chris Perfetti, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Shaheem Sanchez starring in supporting roles.

Uncut Gems (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video)

Uncut Gems is a film about ambition and greed that takes our protagonist to dangerous places. Directed by Benny and John Safdie who also co-wrote the screenplay with Ronald Bronstein, the crime thriller film follows the story of a charismatic jeweler who makes a high-risk high-reward bet that could change his life forever or destroy whatever he has left. In a non-stop, he must deal with family issues, enemies, and his business to chase the win. Uncut Gems stars Adam Sandler in the lead role with Julia Fox, LaKeith Stanfield, Idina Menzel, Kevin Garnett, Judd Hirsch, Keith William Richards, and Eric Bogosian starring in supporting roles.

King Richard (Netflix, Max & Prime Video Add-On)

King Richard is a biographical sports drama directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green from a screenplay by Zach Baylin. The 2021 film follows the story of Richard Williams and his two daughters Venus and Serena Williams as he trains them hard with his bold attitude to make history in the world of tennis. King Richard stars Will Smith, Saniyya Sydney, and Demi Singleton in the lead roles with Jon Bernthal, Tony Goldwyn, Mikayla Lashae Bartholomew, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Dylan McDermott starring in supporting roles.

Battle of the Sexes (Rent on Prime Video)

Battle of the Sexes is a historical sports drama directed by Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton from a screenplay by Simon Beaufoy. The 2017 film is set in the 1970s and it follows the historical tennis match between World number one Billie Jean King and ex-champion Bobby Riggs, which was dubbed as the “Battle of the Sexes.” Battle of the Sexes stars Emma Stone and Steve Carell in the lead roles with Andrea Riseborough, Sarah Silverman, Jessica McNamee, Austin Stowell, Elisabeth Shue, Natalie Morales, Mark Harelik, Bill Pullman, and Alan Cumming starring in supporting roles.

Malcolm & Marie (Netflix)

Malcolm & Marie is a drama film and while it doesn’t have the sports drama it does have Zendaya in a toxic relationship. Written and directed by Euphoria’s creator Sam Levinson, the Netflix film follows the story of a filmmaker on the verge of success and his girlfriend whose story the film he made is based on. They go head to head in one tumultuous night airing out all the dirty laundry of their relationship. Malcolm & Marie stars John David Washington and Zendaya in title roles.

The Social Network (Max & Rent on Prime Video)

The Social Network is a completely different film than Challengers but at the same time, it has similar themes of ambition and toxic relationships. Directed by David Fincher from a screenplay by Aaron Sorkin, the 2010 biographical film is based on a novel titled The Accidental Billionaire by author Ben Mezrich and it follows the story of Mark Zuckerberg as he creates Facebook and the two lawsuits that were filed against him, after the creation of the website. The Social Network stars Jesse Eisenberg in the lead role with Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Rashida Jones, Rooney Mara, and Brenda Song starring in supporting roles.