10 Greatest Combat Sports Movies of All-Time

By Tim Burke October 22, 2024 14:25

Photo by The Criterion Collection

Sports movies are beloved by audiences around the world. But combat sports have given us the greatest sports films on the silver screen. Here are the ten greatest combat sports films and where you can watch them.

10. Ali

The Muhammad Ali biopic, directed by Michael Mann and starring Will Smith as the legendary boxer, is a solid movie. However, Ali's life is difficult to fit into a two-hour and 45-minute film. Still, Will Smith gives a strong performance as the most legendary boxer in the sport's illustrious history. The film is currently available to watch on Netflix.

9. Bleed for This

The story of Vinny Pazienza feels more like a Hollywood movie than a reality. However, it is remarkably true. Pazienza illustrates the true spirit of a fighter. Pazienza returned to the ring following two broken vertebrates in his neck. Everyone loves a comeback story. There is perhaps no greater comeback in boxing than Vinny Pazienza. You can watch the Miles Teller-led boxing film on Max.

8. Warrior

Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton give terrific performances in one of the best MMA films ever made. Is it the most accurate depiction of a fighter lifestyle? No. However, it is action-packed and a great family drama about two estranged brothers played by Hardy and Edgerton, and their relationship with their father Nick Nolte. Dana White may hate this movie for its innaccuries but it is still highly entertaining. You can watch Warrior on Peacock.

7. Cinderella Man

The Ron Howard-directed Cinderella Man depicts the incredible story of James Braddock. Braddock (played by Russell Crowe) retires from boxing after injury but returns to the ring during the Great Depression to provide for his family who has fallen on hard times. Paul Giamatti was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as boxing manager Joe Gould. Cinderella Man can be streamed on Netflix.

6. Creed

Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan teamed up to revive one of the most beloved franchises in American Film culture, Rocky. Michael B Jordan stars as Adonis Creed, the son of Rocky Balboa's rival turned friend Apollo Creed. Sylvester Stallone returns as Rocky Balboa and trains Adonis. Creed is the best movie in the Rocky Franchise since the original film and revived America's most beloved sports franchise. Creed can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.

5. The Fighter

David O'Ruseell's The Fighter tells the incredible story of Micky Ward. Ward is portrayed by Mark Wahlberg who gives a career-best performance as the Pride of Lowell. Christian Bale played Ward's older brother Dicky Ecklund, a former boxer and drug addict and Melissa Leo plays their mother Alice. Leo and Bale each won the Academy Award for supporting actress and actor that year respectively. The film also stars Amy Adams as Ward's wife Charlene. The Fighter can be streamed on Paramount +

4. The Iron Claw

The Iron Claw is the tragic story of the legendary Texas Wrestling family the Von Erichs. Five brothers became professional wrestlers in Texas, three of them tragically died by the age of 25, and another at the age of 33. The Iron Claw stars Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich, the sole surviving Von Erich as well as Jeremy Allen White and Harris Dickison. The Iron Claw is without a doubt the best movie about pro wrestling. You can watch the Iron Claw on Max.

3. Million Dollar Baby

From one of the greatest Film Makers in American History, Million Dollar Baby stars Hilary Swank as an inspiring boxer named Maggie Fitzgerald. She is trained and mentored by a boxing trainer Frank Dunn (played by the film's director Clint Eastwood.) The most interesting part of Million Dollar Baby shows the dangerous side of boxing, which separates it from the other films on this list. Million Dollar Baby won Best Picture in 2004 and Eastwood earned his second Oscar for Best Director. Million Dollar Baby is available to stream on Netflix.

2. Rocky

The 1976 Best Picture winner, Rocky has stood the test of time. It made the career of one of the most beloved action stars in the history of film, Sylvester Stallone, and is the ultimate sports underdog story. Rocky went on to have five sequels and a spin-off franchise Creed. The first four Rocky movies are a staple of American culture. You can rent Rocky on Amazon Prime for 2.99.

1. Raging Bull

Perhaps the greatest movie ever directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese and the greatest performance of Robert De Niro's career. Raging Bull tells the story of Jake LaMotta, the legendary rival of Sugar Ray Robinson. De Niro won Best Actor for his portrayal of Jake LaMotta. 44 years later, Raging Bull is not only remembered as the best boxing movie but as one of the best films ever made period. It can be streamed on Max.