The sports genre in movies isn’t something new, but it seems like now it is more popular than ever. A production in which a sport, sporting event, or athlete is the main premise of the movie is inspiring and uplifting, which explains the rise in popularity of this genre.
Sports Movies on Netflix
Nowadays, biographical movies are trending and many successful professional athletes are trying to give us a glimpse of their past and trying to place us in their shoes just to see what it’s like.
This sporting trend is noticed by big production companies, which is why they are investing so much money in documentaries, tv shows, and movies that follow the sporting genre. That’s why in today’s article, we will highlight some of the best sports movies on Netflix that you should watch.
Bleed For This (2016)
If you feel inspired and pumped up after watching Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul in the boxing ring then this is just the right movie for you. Bleed for this is a biographical film that highlights one of the greatest comebacks in the history of sports that happened in the early ‘90s.
The film is about Vinny Pazienza who thought that he would never get a chance to go in a ring after surviving a severe car crash with a broken neck.
Even though we are talking about a serious injury, this didn’t stop him from exercising and preparing for a boxing match. Miles Teller is the main actor in this movie and he’s done a marvellous job of bringing the character to life. It is a truly inspiring movie that can help you boost your energy.
High Flying Bird (2019)
Since we are approaching the end of the NBA season, it is time to create a collection of basketball-themed movies that will fuel your passion over the summer period. This is a basketball-themed movie, but it has little to do with the sport itself.
Instead, the movie focuses on the behind-the-scenes power dynamics playing out during a lockout. The movie features a sports agent who is trying to protect his client’s interest and trying to put an end to the corrupt system of basketball.
It is important to mention that a large portion of the movie was shot with an iPhone. It is a unique movie that highlights NBA’s social media culture. To find other basketball films, check out this list of the best basketball movies by TwinSpires.
Q Ball (2019)
Have you ever seen The Longest Yard with Adam Sandler? – Well we have the same type of movie only with basketball.
Q Ball is focusing on the Warriors basketball team that is made up of inmates at San Quentin Prison. Bear in mind that this is a documentary and all the things in the movie are actually happening. This documentary is made by Michael Tolajian and produced by Kevin Durant.
The inmates are constantly training and looking for a way to improve their play. They are channelling their energy and resilience into the sport as a form of redemption. Their goal is one day to play outside of prison bars, which can happen. Check out this list of other sports documentaries on Netflix by Men’s Health.
Athlete A (2020)
Many people confuse this documentary with HBO’s At the Heart of Gold, but Athlete A is Netflix’s original documentary about the US gymnastics team and the scandal that shook the sports world back in 2017.
It is a documentary about their team doctor Larry Nassar, who abused the young athletes for years. Athlete A focuses on heinous sexual crimes and shows what the girls have been going through and still become one of the best gymnastics teams in the world.
The Dawn Wall (2017)
Are you afraid of heights? – Then this is not the movie for you unless you have a stomach that can take it. This is an adrenaline-pumping sports documentary that shows us how professional climbers like Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson try to do the impossible.
Their mission is to free climb a vertical wall over 3000ft, which has never been done. This is a mission that went through six years of planning and this documentary is the perfect way to highlight their adventure.