Career retrospectives and bodybuilding footage from bodybuilding icons.
If you’re a bodybuilding fan, there’s no shortage of inspiring movies to add to your watchlist. These films offer a fresh perspective on training techniques and motivate you to push your limits. They’re the perfect way to unwind on your rest and recovery days.
This post has rounded up the top ten bodybuilding movies currently trending. Featuring legends like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, and Ronnie Coleman, these films explore the real-life stories and victories of Olympia champions. Packed with inspiration and entertainment, these movies are a must-watch for any fitness enthusiast. Explore the list below!
10 Bodybuilding Movies to Stream
- Generation Iron
- Pumping Iron
- Ronnie Coleman: The King
- Dorian Yates: The Original Mass Monster
- KAI
- Arnold
- Robby Robinson: The Black Prince Blueprint
- CT Fletcher: My Magnificent Obsession
- Bigorexia
- Generation Iron 3
Generation Iron
Generation Iron came out in 2013 and was the perfect replacement for Pumping Iron in its era. This movie takes you into the immense bodybuilding world, telling a fascinating story of the intense rivalry between then-reigning Mr. Olympia Champ Phil Heath and Kai Greene.
It was a battle of hard work and genetics. If you haven’t seen this movie, this is one you’d want to bookmark to watch. It also features other bodybuilding legends like Jay Cutler, Hidetada Yamagishi, Branch Warren, Victor Martinez, Dennis Wolf, and many more.
Stream or download Generation Iron on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vimeo On Demand.
Pumping Iron
Pumping Iron was the movie that shot bodybuilding legend and seven-time Olympian winner Arnold Schwarzenegger into the world of Hollywood. This movie focused solely on a rivalry between Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lou Ferrigno, and Franco Columbu during the 1975 Mr. Olympia competition during the “Golden Era” of bodybuilding.
This was the first film to give the audience the behind-the-scenes of bodybuilders’ lives and intense rivalries. Watching this classic, you see Schwarzenegger making snide comments to his rival and Ferrigno just making it his sole purpose to unseat the then-reigning Olympia champ. If you haven’t seen it yet, this is a movie you don’t want to miss.
Ronnie Coleman: The King
What more can we say about “The King” that this movie doesn’t discuss? The biopic shows you what Ronnie Coleman was in his prime and how he won the record number of eight Olympia titles. A feat that no bodybuilder except Lee Haney has achieved. This movie covers everything about Coleman, from his childhood to life, even after retiring from bodybuilding.
Ronnie Coleman: The King is about sacrifice and the willpower to be the best. Surprisingly, he regrets not being able to push himself more. The movie also highlights his challenges after bodybuilding and how he still believes, like everything else, he can overcome his injuries. Ronnie Coleman: The King also features legends like Jay Cutler, Dorian Yates, Rich Gaspari, Victor Martinez, and many others.
Stream or download Ronnie Coleman: The King on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vimeo On Demand.
Dorian Yates: The Original Mass Monster
If you want to know why Dorian Yates is called the original “Mass Monster,” then this is one movie you don’t want to miss. No one could touch Yates nor unseat him during his reign. However, this movie also shows another side to the Mass Monster: his trials, his injuries, and how he could manage them and still come out on top.
Dorian Yates set the standards for bodybuilders from 1985 to 1990, showing that you can take building mass to the next level. This movie also shows how he has handled life’s challenges after retirement and focuses on being a better version of himself.
Stream or download Dorian Yates: The Original Mass Monster on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vimeo On Demand.
KAI
“This is not a movie; this is my life.”
– Kai Greene
Fan favorite, people’s champ, and bodybuilding legend Kai Greene tells his story about his inspiration to get into bodybuilding from childhood. With no parents and being locked up in a juvenile facility, he had no other choice but bodybuilding.
This is an excellent and inspiring story about Kai Greene’s rise from a nobody with no hopes to a well-celebrated athlete, even with praise from bodybuilding icon Arnold Schwarzenegger. Of course, we can’t forget his epic rivalry with Phil Heath.
Stream or download KAI on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vimeo On Demand.
Arnold
Arnold, a three-part Netflix documentary starring bodybuilding legend and seven-time Olympian winner Arnold Schwarzenegger, recently hit the screens in 2023. It tells the remarkable story of the “Austrian Oak’s” life through the lens of a bodybuilding career, film, and politics.
This movie teaches you to believe in yourself, hold on to your dreams, and work hard to get everything you want. It also shows you that failure isn’t avoidable, but getting back up and trying again goes a long way toward achieving your goal. This film inspires bodybuilders and everyone looking to overcome challenges in life and be the best version of themselves.
Robby Robinson: The Black Prince Blueprint
Robby Robinson: The Black Prince Blueprint is a movie about the life and story of Robby Robinson. The real-life film portrays him as a championship bodybuilder who has been forgotten by time. Although he had the perfect aesthetics and was the ideal bodybuilder, he never seemed to get the accolades he deserved.
He had his challenges and persevered from being anemic, racially abused, and cheated because of bodybuilding. Robinson won it all but never got rewards. He pushed and broke boundaries despite his challenges, and in this movie, he takes the bull by the horns and tells his story.
Stream or download Robby Robinson’s Blueprint on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vimeo On Demand.
CT Fletcher: My Magnificent Obsession
Another hit from Generation Iron features the untold story of a world-championship powerlifter CT Fletcher. This movie dwells on his challenges from childhood, struggles, and, despite all, becoming one of the best in the powerlifting game. It’s a motivating movie featuring sports and entertainment legends like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Kevin “Da Hulk” Washington, and Bill Goldberg.
Stream or download CT Fletcher: My Magnificent Obsession on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vimeo On Demand.
Bigorexia
Bigorexia explores the challenges of muscle dysmorphia through the lives of five people and how they have navigated this problem. Doctors, health experts, and scientists also provide more insights into muscle dysmorphia, its awareness, and how to address these challenges.
Stream or download Bigorexia on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vimeo On Demand.
Generation Iron 3
This top ten list ends with another original from Generation Iron. Generation Iron 3 features the lives of new generation competitors whose sole aim is to win the most prestigious prize in all bodybuilding sports, the Olympia. If you want to know the ideal physique that’ll get you to win titles, this movie provides all you need to know. You can also listen to bodybuilding experts, trainers, and athletes on the ideal physique.
Stream or download Generation Iron 3 on Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Vimeo On Demand.
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