Boxing movies from best to worst
This list is being increased as I watch more and more films. I have also made a list about other sports films, one about other fight movies, and also one with my favourite fictious boxers.
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- 147 titles
- DirectorClint EastwoodStarsHilary SwankClint EastwoodMorgan FreemanFrankie, an ill-tempered old coach, reluctantly agrees to train aspiring boxer Maggie. Impressed with her determination and talent, he helps her become the best and the two soon form a close bond.A beautiful and sad story in one of the best of the many good films directed by Clint Eastwood.
- DirectorJim SheridanStarsDaniel Day-LewisEmily WatsonDaragh DonnellyYoung Danny Flynn is released from prison 14 years after "taking the rap" for the IRA and tries to rebuild his life in his old Belfast neighborhood.Boxing and politics in an amazing film.
- DirectorGuy RitchieStarsJason StathamBrad PittStephen GrahamUnscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers and supposedly Jewish jewelers fight to track down a priceless stolen diamond.Illegal boxing in a very innovative and funny movie. Brad Pitt is hilarious here.
- DirectorRaoul WalshStarsErrol FlynnAlexis SmithJack CarsonAs bare-knuckled boxing enters the modern era, brash extrovert, Jim Corbett, uses new rules and dazzlingly innovative footwork to rise to the top of the top of the boxing world.I loved this! It is impressive how it has influenced Rocky movies: unconventional trainment, superposed images of fights and news... Errol Flynn does a great job.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroCathy MoriartyJoe PesciThe life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.I love the opening credits scene.
- DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungA small-time Philadelphia boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.
- DirectorRobert M. YoungStarsWillem DafoeEdward James OlmosRobert LoggiaIn Greece during World War II, a young Jewish boxer, his girlfriend, and their families are sent to Auschwitz. When the camp guards learn of his boxing abilities, they force him to participate in weekly boxing matches.
- DirectorPeter SolanStarsStefan KvietikManfred KrugValentina ThielováIn a Nazi concentration camp, an escapee awaiting execution is spared when the commandant, a former prize-fighter, discovers the prisoner has amateur boxing ability. Ordered to train, he gradually sharpens his skills.May a Slovakian convict challenge a Nazi commander on the ring?
- DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsStephen DorffArmin Mueller-StahlMorgan FreemanAn English boy, living in Africa during World War II, through his boxing prowess, becomes a symbol of hope, in a time of war.Many prejudices around a South African boxer.
- DirectorMichael MannStarsWill SmithJamie FoxxJon VoightA biography of sports legend Muhammad Ali, focusing on his triumphs and controversies between 1964 and 1974.Amazing job by Will Smith, identical to original Ali.
- DirectorAntoine FuquaStarsJake GyllenhaalRachel McAdamsOona LaurenceAfter a fatal incident sends him on a rampant path of destruction, a champion boxer fights to get custody of his daughter and revive his professional career.A very heavy drama, with amazing performances of Rachel McAdams, Forest Whitaker, Oona Laurence and the superb Jake Gyllenhaal. Is there hope for Billy the great?
- DirectorMark RobsonStarsHumphrey BogartRod SteigerJan SterlingAn ex-sportswriter is hired by a shady fight promoter to promote his latest find, an unknown but easily exploitable rising star from Argentina.
- DirectorPete McCormackStarsGeorge ChuvaloHenry CooperGeorge ForemanTen of Muhammad Ali's former rivals pay tribute to the three-time world heavyweight champion.Muhammad Ali is the link for narrating the personal and sporting life of him and of other great boxers of his time. Much more than a biographical documentary, this is a doc about political and sociological history of the noble art, centered in the years when Cassius Clay/Ali shined. By watching this film you understand why there are so many movies about boxing: boxers are very often underdogs with amazing life stories. What makes someone becomes a boxer, what kinds of life they have before, what happens afterwards... Spectator gets moved not only by the tragic post-retirement of one of the greatest sportsmen that ever existed, but also by the difficulties, breakthroughs, successes, dreams an falls of other fighters who have been strong opponents of Ali, having defeated him, knocked him down or just having a heavier punch than he was accustomed to. By thinking about those stories you can imagine many more movies that would have been amazing but that have never been shot. Ron Lyle, Ken Norton, Earnie Shavers, Ernie Terrell, George Chuvallo, Henry Cooper... Perhaps someday.
- DirectorsBen HouserJeremy SchaapStarsTrevor BerbickAl BernsteinDanny DeVitoThis documentary chronicles one of the greatest sporting upsets in history, when James "Buster" Douglas handed Mike Tyson his first-ever defeat. Tyson was the 42-to-1 favorite, with most fans and pundits absolutely sure that he was invincible. But Douglas, motivated by personal tragedy, fought the fight of his life.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsEdward G. RobinsonBette DavisHumphrey BogartFight promoter Nick Donati grooms a bellhop as a future champ, but has second thoughts after the now-named Kid Galahad falls for his sister.
- DirectorRalph NelsonStarsAnthony QuinnJackie GleasonMickey RooneyAfter suffering a brutal defeat and being told he can no longer fight, 37-year-old, scar-ridden prizefighter Louis 'Mountain' Rivera struggles to find a new direction in life.The opening scene is particularly amazing.
- DirectorUwe BollStarsHenry MaskeHeino FerchSusanne WuestMax Schmeling's fights against Joe Louis are listed in the best ten boxing matches of all time.
- DirectorMartin RittStarsJames Earl JonesJane AlexanderLou GilbertA Black champion boxer and his white female companion struggle to survive while the white boxing establishment looks for ways to knock him down.The black question in a beautifully filmed movie.
- DirectorBen YoungerStarsMiles TellerAaron EckhartKatey SagalThe inspirational story of World Champion Boxer Vinny Pazienza who, after a near fatal car crash which left him not knowing if he'd ever walk again, made one of sports' most incredible comebacks.Great film, amazing story, inspired acting, sophisticated cinematography and edition.
- DirectorJosé Alvarenga Jr.StarsDaniel de OliveiraOsmar PradoRavel AndradeThe history of the famous Brazilian bantam and featherweight world champion Eder Jofre, who tries to deal with his personal life and the obligations of a world class athlete, with the mentoring of his trainer and father Kid Jofre.
- StarsRoberto DuránThomas HearnsAl BernsteinA four-part series featuring four champions who ushered in a boxing renaissance. The series showcases the dominance of Roberto Duran, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard and their battles in and out of the ring.
- DirectorMichael SeresinStarsMickey RourkeChristopher WalkenDebra FeuerA simple self-destructive drifter and tough small-time boxer with a brain injury that could kill him meets and falls for a cute beach carnival owner, Ruby, but also befriends a sleazy friendly criminal, Wesley, who's planning a big score.
- DirectorHakan YonatStarsBelçim BilginIbrahim CelikkolKerem CanA former boxer falls in love with a blind woman and starts to build a new life, but his dark past returns to endanger them both.
- DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsMark WahlbergChristian BaleAmy AdamsBased on the story of Micky Ward, a fledgling boxer who tries to escape the shadow of his more famous but troubled older boxing brother and get his own shot at greatness.
- DirectorMark RobsonStarsKirk DouglasArthur KennedyMarilyn MaxwellBoxer Midge Kelly rises to fame...mainly by stepping on other people.
