Step into the ring of boxing cinema, where every punch and plot twist hits harder than a knockout blow.
From gritty tales of perseverance to real-life sagas that pack an emotional uppercut, these stories go beyond the canvas.
Are you pumped to delve into the top boxing movies, shows, and documentaries that pack a champ’s punch in entertainment?
Best Boxing Movies, Shows, and Documentaries:
- Rocky (1976)
- Million Dollar Baby (2004)
- Raging Bull (1980)
- Creed (2015)
- Ali (2001)
- Cinderella Man (2005)
- The Fighter (2010)
- Southpaw (2015)
- The Hurricane (1999)
- When We Were Kings (1996) – Documentary
- Real Steel (2011)
Table of Contents
#1 Rocky (1976)
- 🎬 Directed by: John G. Avildsen
- 🌟 Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith
Rocky is an inspirational sports drama about a small-time boxer who gets a supremely rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for another person’s respect.
Written by and starring Sylvester Stallone, the film became a cultural phenomenon and spawned a successful franchise. It embodies the theme of an underdog rising to meet an extraordinary challenge.
Where to watch: HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
#2 Million Dollar Baby (2004)
- 🎬 Directed by: Clint Eastwood
- 🌟 Starring: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman
Million Dollar Baby is a heart-wrenching drama about a hardened trainer and manager, played by Clint Eastwood, who works with a determined woman in her attempt to establish herself as a boxer.
Hilary Swank’s powerful performance, along with a deeply moving narrative, earned the film numerous accolades, including Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director.
Where to watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu
#3 Raging Bull (1980)
- 🎬 Directed by: Martin Scorsese
- 🌟 Starring: Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci
Raging Bull is a biographical film about the life of middleweight boxer Jake LaMotta, known for his violence and temper both in and out of the ring.
Directed by Martin Scorsese and featuring an Oscar-winning performance by Robert De Niro, Raging Bull is considered a masterpiece of American cinema, noted for its black-and-white cinematography and powerful character study.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu
#4 Creed (2015)
- 🎬 Directed by: Ryan Coogler
- 🌟 Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson
Creed revives the Rocky saga, introducing us to Adonis Johnson, the son of Rocky Balboa’s late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.
The film chronicles Adonis’s quest to make his mark in the boxing world while seeking mentorship from a retired Rocky. This new installment brought a fresh perspective to the franchise and garnered critical acclaim for its fresh take on the classic boxing story.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu
#5 Ali (2001)
- 🎬 Directed by: Michael Mann
- 🌟 Starring: Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight
Ali is a biographical film that captures the essence of the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, played by Will Smith.
The movie explores Ali’s career, including his heavyweight championship bouts, his conversion to Islam, his criticism of the Vietnam War, and his ban from boxing. It also details his return to reclaim the heavyweight title. Will Smith’s performance earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
#6 Cinderella Man (2005)
- 🎬 Directed by: Ron Howard
- 🌟 Starring: Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Paul Giamatti
Cinderella Man tells the true story of James J. Braddock, a supposedly washed-up boxer who came back to become a champion and an inspiration during the Great Depression.
With Russell Crowe in the lead role, this film is not only about boxing but also captures the hardships of the era and the hope that Braddock’s victories brought to people struggling to survive.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
#7 The Fighter (2010)
- 🎬 Directed by: David O. Russell
- 🌟 Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams
The Fighter is based on the true story of professional boxer “Irish” Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) and his older half-brother Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale).
The film depicts their personal and professional struggles as Micky becomes a world lightweight champion. Christian Bale’s transformative performance earned him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu
#8 Southpaw (2015)
- 🎬 Directed by: Antoine Fuqua
- 🌟 Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Forest Whitaker, Rachel McAdams
In Southpaw, Jake Gyllenhaal stars as a boxer who rises in the ranks to win the light heavyweight title.
However, his world crumbles after a personal tragedy, and he must fight to redeem himself and regain custody of his daughter. The film portrays the challenges of balancing family life, career, and personal demons.
Where to watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu
#9 The Hurricane (1999)
- 🎬 Directed by: Norman Jewison
- 🌟 Starring: Denzel Washington, Vicellous Reon Shannon, Deborah Kara Unger
The Hurricane details the story of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, a boxer wrongly imprisoned for murder, and his fight to prove his innocence.
Denzel Washington delivers a compelling performance as Carter, whose spirit remains unbroken despite the injustices he faces. The film is an exploration of institutional racism, justice, and redemption.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
#10 When We Were Kings (1996) – Documentary
- 🎬 Directed by: Leon Gast
When We Were Kings is an acclaimed documentary that delves into the historic 1974 boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, known as “The Rumble in the Jungle.”
The film provides an in-depth look at the cultural impact of the event and features Ali’s charisma and political activism. It won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
#11 Real Steel (2011)
- 🎬 Directed by: Shawn Levy
- 🌟 Starring: Hugh Jackman, Dakota Goyo, Evangeline Lilly
Real Steel is a science-fiction sports film set in the future, where human boxing has been replaced by robot boxing.
Hugh Jackman plays a struggling ex-boxer who teams up with his son to build and train a championship contender in the new high-tech sport. Combining action, family relationships, and thrilling sports competition, Real Steel offers a unique twist on the genre.
Where to watch: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
For readers who love to delve into boxing literature, our curated list of the best boxing books can enhance your understanding and appreciation of the sport.
FAQ
What is the best Boxing movie of all time?
“Raging Bull” (1980), directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, is the best boxing movie of all time, celebrated for its gritty realism and powerful performances.
What are some good Boxing movies?
“Rocky,” “Million Dollar Baby,” “The Fighter,” and “Creed” are good boxing movies, each renowned for their inspiring storytelling and strong characterization.
What Boxing movies, shows, and documentaries are on Netflix?
The best Boxing movies, shows, and documentaries on Netflix currently are “Creed II” (2018), “CounterPunch” (2017), and “Team Foxcatcher” (2016), featuring gripping narratives and intense fight sequences.
