Sports documentaries are more than just a look at games and players; they provide an intimate view of passion, perseverance, and the human spirit. Whether you’re a hardcore fan or someone seeking inspiration, these films and series deliver compelling stories that go beyond the scoreboards. Here are the top 10 sports documentaries you must add to your watchlist.
1. The Last Dance (2020)
- Platform: Netflix
- Synopsis: This Emmy-winning series follows the legendary career of Michael Jordan and features his final season with the Chicago Bulls in 1997-1998. It’s full of interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and basketball game moments, it is definitely a must-see for sports enthusiasts and story lovers.
2. Free Solo (2018)
- Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
- Synopsis: Embark on an exhilarating adventure with Alex Honnold as he sets out to climb El Capitan, a vertical rock formation in the Yosemite National Park, without the support of a safety harness. This Oscar-winning documentary captures the sense of joy, the evident risk, and Alex’s determination, making it a truly exceptional story of an exceptional sportsman.
3. Senna (2010)
- Platform: Amazon Prime Video
- Synopsis: Revamping polymath Ayrton Senna, who is still seen as one of Formula One’s best drivers today. It is a story of his successful way, passionate relationship with Alain Prost, and his inevitable death that conveys both the profundity of emotional experience, as well as the way of engaging in competition with the help of the race footage movies.
4. Cheer (2020)
- Platform: Netflix
- Synopsis: This is a series that explores the competitive world of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (TAIA) cheerleading, and it shows the ups and downs of extreme sports like this.
5. When We Were Kings (1996)
- Platform: Apple TV+
- Synopsis: Relive the “Rumble in the Jungle” match in 1974 between George Foreman and Muhammad Ali. This award-winning film, which was mostly about boxing, proved to be more significant when taking into consideration the cultural and political context at that time.
6. The Test: A New Era for Australia’s Team (2020)
- Platform: Amazon Prime Video
- Synopsis: This series offers a behind-the-scenes view into the Australian cricket team’s rebuilding period following the notorious ball-tampering incident, where the team showed their mettle by moving forward and bouncing backed.
7. Diego Maradona (2019)
- Platform: HBO Max
- Synopsis: Asif Kapadia’s documentary is about the life of Diego Maradona, the football legend. Specifically, it is about his time at Napoli, where he hardly had momeents of peace, he was even obsessed with the place, but he also brought glory to himself as the man, who is called one of the best soccer players in history, within his career.
8. The Dawn Wall (2017)
- Platform: Netflix
- Synopsis: Tommy Caldwell along with Kevin Jorgeson came together for a tough challenge of overcoming the Dawn Wall of Yosemite which, at one time, seemed unrealistic. The captivating story of these athletes showcases the challenges, the perseverance, and the bond between them.
9. Icarus (2017)
- Platform: Netflix
- Synopsis: What starts as a trial of performance-enhancing drugs becomes the investigation of the state-backed doping scandal of Russia. This fascinating movie got the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
10. 30 for 30 Series (2009-Present)
- Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
- Synopsis: The ESPN series is praised by many for the diversity and variety of sports stories that it covers, from all-time great moments to unrecognized sagas. Among the stand-out episodes are The Two Escobars and O.J.: Made in America.
Why These Documentaries Are a Must-Watch
Not just sports but also human feelings, moral consequences, personal and the indomitable will of players are the center of these documentaries. They are rich in visual images, mentally involved, and powerfully moving.
Which one will you start with? Let us know in the comments, and stay tuned to WhatDoIWatch.com for more curated lists and recommendations!
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