Smash into the arena of table tennis flicks, where the clash of paddles and personalities steals the show.
From quirky comedies to poignant tales of ambition, these titles serve up more than just epic volleys.
Eager to rally through the top table tennis movies, shows, and documentaries that ace the entertainment match?
Best Table Tennis Movies, Shows, and Documentaries:
- Forrest Gump (1994)
- Balls of Fury (2007)
- Top Spin (2014) – Documentary
- Ping Pong Summer (2014)
Table of Contents
#1 Forrest Gump (1994)
- 🎬 Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
- 🌟 Starring: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise
Forrest Gump is a culturally iconic film that tells the story of a simple man with a low IQ but a heart of gold. Tom Hanks plays the titular character who unwittingly influences several historical moments in 20th-century USA.
Among Forrest’s many adventures is a stint as a ping-pong (table tennis) phenom, which leads him to play against Chinese teams during a goodwill tour, reflecting the ping-pong diplomacy era of the early 1970s.
Where to watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV
#2 Balls of Fury (2007)
- 🎬 Directed by: Ben Garant
- 🌟 Starring: Dan Fogler, Christopher Walken, George Lopez
Balls of Fury is a sports comedy film centered around the world of underground ping-pong competitions. The protagonist, Randy Daytona, is a former professional table tennis phenom who is recruited by the FBI for a secret mission involving a tournament organized by a notorious crime lord.
Full of slapstick humor and quirky characters, the film parodies martial arts films and the intensity of competitive sports.
Where to watch: HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu
#3 Top Spin (2014) – Documentary
- 🎬 Directed by: Mina T. Son and Sara Newens
Top Spin delves into the lives of three American teenagers who dream of making it to the Olympic Games in the sport of table tennis.
This documentary gives viewers an inside look at the intense training, personal sacrifices, and the dedication it takes to compete at the highest levels of this sport. It features Ariel Hsing, Michael Landers, and Lily Zhang, who represent the United States and provide insights into the world of competitive table tennis.
Where to watch: iTunes, Google Play
#4 Ping Pong Summer (2014)
- 🎬 Directed by: Michael Tully
- 🌟 Starring: Marcello Conte, Judah Friedlander, Amy Sedaris
Ping Pong Summer is a coming-of-age film set in the summer of 1985 that revolves around a teenage boy obsessed with table tennis and hip-hop music.
While on family vacation, he finds a friend and mentor who helps him confront bullies and blossom as a table tennis player. It’s a nostalgic nod to the 1980s with lots of period-appropriate pop culture references.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, Apple TV
For real-time inspiration, follow these engaging table tennis Instagram captions.
FAQ
What is the best Table Tennis movie of all time?
“Ping Pong” (2002) is the best Table Tennis movie of all time, a Japanese film that showcases the sport’s competitive spirit and personal drama.
What are some good Table Tennis movies?
“Balls of Fury” (2007) and “Table Tennis” (2002) are good Table Tennis movies, providing a mix of comedy and the captivating dynamics of the sport.
What Table Tennis movies, shows, and documentaries are on Netflix?
The best Table Tennis movies, shows, and documentaries on Netflix currently are somewhat limited, but you can find “Top Spin” (2014), which details the lives of professional Table Tennis players.
