Sports Documentary backdrop

Sports Documentary movies

Real sports stories powered by ambition, discipline, setbacks, and defining moments under pressure.

The Game Changers

1. The Game Changers

Documentary Sports Documentary
7.8
20191h 28min

Overview

From the UFC Octagon in Las Vegas and the anthropology lab at Dartmouth, to a strongman gym in Berlin and the bushlands of Zimbabwe, the world is introduced to elite athletes, special ops soldiers, visionary scientists, cultural icons, and everyday heroes—each on a mission to create a seismic shift in the way we eat and live.

Themes

Plant-based performance debate, Athlete recovery optimization, Industry messaging controversy, Environmental health links, Scientific disagreement among experts, Food system critique

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Free Solo

2. Free Solo

Documentary Adventure Sports Documentary Adventure Epic
8.1
20181h 40min

Overview

Follow Alex Honnold as he attempts to become the first person to ever free solo climb Yosemite's 3,000 foot high El Capitan wall. With no ropes or safety gear, this would arguably be the greatest feat in rock climbing history.

Themes

Pressure of performance, Fear and risk management, Solitary pursuit and isolation, Human limits and resilience, Ethics of filming danger, Preparation under scrutiny

Available on

Netflix
Disney Plus
Amazon Video
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Icarus

3. Icarus

Documentary Sports Documentary
7.9
20172h 1min

Overview

While investigating the furtive world of illegal doping in sports, director Bryan Fogel connects with renegade Russian scientist Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov—a pillar of his country’s “anti-doping” program. Over dozens of Skype calls, urine samples, and badly administered hormone injections, Fogel and Rodchenkov grow closer despite shocking allegations that place Rodchenkov at the center of Russia’s state-sponsored Olympic doping program.

Themes

Governance under pressure, State-sponsored doping, Ethics of science in sport, Whistleblower risk and protection, Accountability and oversight, Sports integrity under scrutiny

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Dogtown and Z-Boys

4. Dogtown and Z-Boys

Documentary Sports Documentary
7.6
20021h 30min

Overview

This award-winning, thrilling story is about a group of discarded kids who revolutionized skateboarding and shaped the attitude and culture of modern day extreme sports. Featuring old skool skating footage, exclusive interviews and a blistering rock soundtrack, DOGTOWN AND Z-BOYS captures the rise of the Zephyr skateboarding team from Venice's Dogtown, a tough "locals only" beach with a legacy of outlaw surfing.

Themes

Youth marginalization, Subculture formation, Risk-taking ethos, Peer mentorship, Media attention, Sport as cultural movement

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.