These are some great sports documentaries.
Quarantine has definitely got us all stir crazy. The global health crisis has us all stuck at home looking for ways to kill time during this harrowing situation. With so many different streaming options available these days, there are plenty of films and television programs to keep us busy during this time.
While fictional shows may provide great entertainment, there’s nothing quite like a good documentary to tell real life tales that inspire inspiration. Sports documentaries in particular provide unique insight into the lives of some of the greatest athletes in the world. Each film highlights the ups and downs of being a professional athlete at the top of he game and the many different challenges of performing at the top level.
Documentaries have a way of demystifying the lives of some the greatest athletes to walk the Earth. Here are ten sports documentaries that you should definitely consider watching.
1. Generation Iron
A major factor in the explosion of the current bodybuilding craze, Generation Iron is an award winning documentary that is a direct relative to ‘Pumping Iron’ and introduces modern bodybuilding to mainstream audiences. Now a modern day classic that opened top ten doc at the box office, Generation Iron profiles the Former Governator and features popular bodybuilders Kai Greene, Phil Heath, Branch Warren and many others. Narrated by Academy Award Nominee Mickey Rourke, the documentary offers a unique look into a sport that few know about.
2. Bigger, Stronger, Faster*
Following the exploits of director Christopher Bell’s brother, Mark and Mike Bell, Bigger, Stronger, Faster* delves into the world of steroids and performance enhancing drugs. The documentary tackles issues of cheating and the legality of anabolic steroids as well as how many athletes navigate the rules to enhance their performances by any means necessary. A highly recommended watch.
3. Beyond The Mat
A popular documentary that explored the world of professional wrestling, Beyond The Mat offers an unfiltered look at the lives of wrestlers. Not only does the film examine the mindset of a pro wrestler, it also documents the fallout of living the life dedicated to rigorous stunt work. The mental and physical toll wrestling takes on these pros is revealing and heart wrenching.
4. Ronnie Coleman: The King
Regarded as the greatest bodybuilder of all-time, Ronnie Coleman dominated the bodybuilding world with eight straight Olympia victories. Ronnie Coleman: The King follows the former Olympia champion as he struggles with the fallout of pushing his body to the limit in order to become the best. It’s a powerful film that showcases the ups and downs of sacrificing everything for greatness. The film features many stars such as Kai Greene, Jay Cutler and Dorian Yates.
5. Tyson
Following the life and times of one of the most iconic boxers of all time, Tyson is a must watch for any fan of the pugilistic arts. Mike Tyson was one of the most dangerous boxers to ever step into the ring and left a wave of destruction in his wake. But the inner demons that led him to greatness also proved to be his biggest hurdles as this documentary illustrates.
6. CT Fletcher: My Magnificent Obsession
A documentary that inspired the likes of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, CT Fletcher: My Magnificent Obsession follows the titular powerlifter as he shares stories of hardship, success, and death. CT Fletcher has a truly inspiring story that has seen him bounce back from the brink of death and come back stronger than ever. Through the power of strength training, CT Fletcher changed his life and has left a mark on the fitness, powerlifting, and bodybuilding world. The film is directed by Vlad Yudin (Generation Iron, Ronnie Coleman The King) and features Stone cold Steve Austin.
7. Undefeated
Following the struggles of a high school football team, Undefeated gives an inside look into school athletics like never before. After years of losses, the Manassas Tigers of Memphis are brought together by coach Bill Courtney who is able to bring his team together to not only perform athletically but academically as well. A truly inspiring film.
8. Icarus
One of the most earth shattering documentaries ever made, Icarus follows Bryan Fogel as he investigates the world of illegal doping. Connecting with renegade Russian scientist, they uncover a massive Russian doping program. The documentary uncovers that the Russian state had been potentially cheating in Olympic competitions for decades including the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Winner of the Academy Award for best documentary, Icarus is definitely a must watch.
9. When We Were Kings
This Academy award winning documentary follows the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali as he prepared for his showdown against George Foreman in Zaire, Africa in 1974. While the documentary wasn’t released until the 90s, the documentary was able to capture the build up to one of the greatest boxing matches of all-time as well as the greatest to ever step into the ring. When We Were Kings is a must watch for any true boxing fan.
10. Dorian Yates: The Original Mass Monster
There’s no doubt that six-time Olympia champion Dorian Yates completely changed bodybuilding as we know it. During his heyday, Dorian Yates was able to transform his physique into the beastly form that what influence a generation of bodybuilders. Dorian Yates: The Original Mass Monster tells the story of how one of the greatest legends of bodybuilding was born.
11. Hoop Dreams
A truly classic sports documentary, Hoop Dreams is one of the most powerful films on this list. Following two Chicago teens Arthur Agee and William Gates, the film captured the struggle of adhering to a dream to make it into the NBA. The film also documented the political landscape present in professional basketball. A must-see documentary for any basketball or sports fan in general.
12. The Game Changers
The Game Changers really shook up the sports and fitness world. The documentary follows former UFC fighter James Wilks as he researches the findings of a plant-based diet on athletic performance. As he traveled the globe looking for answers, James Wilks interviews a number of plant-based athletes including Arnold Schwarzenegger who has become an advocate for plant-based nutrition.
13. The King of Kong
While it may not be a traditional sports documentary, The King of Kong delves into the world of Esports before it was all the rage. The film showcased the battle between King Kong arcade masters Steve Wiebe and Billy Mitchell. These two rivals would provide some pretty high drama as they battled it out to decide who was the best of the best in a game about an overgrown gorilla.
14. Enhanced 2 The Max
A truly controversial figure in the fitness and bodybuilding community, Dr. Tony Huge isn’t shy about speaking of his use of steroids. What does it cost to turn yourself into a muscle building machine? Is it all about drugs or does hard work and consistency win the day? Enhanced 2 The Max explores these questions and more as the documentary sheds further light on Dr. Tony Huge.
15. Pumping Iron
The bodybuilding documentary that turned Arnold Schwarzenegger into a household name, Pumping Iron is a classic of the genre. Following some of the best bodybuilders in the world before the 1975 Mr. Olympia, the film gives an in-depth look into sport during the Golden Age. Also helping to launch the career of Lou Ferrigno, Pumping Iron will go down as a classic that gets better with age.
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Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
