10 Shows & Movies Like The Wrestlers (2019)

Description: A pioneering sports documentary that follows athletes pursuing their passion across the globe, capturing both the thrill of competition and the beauty of their subculture.

Fact: The film helped popularize surfing worldwide and introduced many of the cinematic techniques now standard in action sports documentaries.

Description: An intimate portrayal of young athletes striving for success against socioeconomic challenges, highlighting the intersection of sports, ambition, and reality.

Fact: Initially intended to be a 30-minute short, the project expanded into a nearly three-hour epic after filmmakers spent five years following their subjects.

Description: This documentary captures a historic sporting event while exploring larger themes of race, politics, and cultural significance surrounding the athletes.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and features never-before-seen footage of Muhammad Ali's famous 'Rumble in the Jungle' fight.

Description: A harrowing tale of survival and human endurance in extreme conditions, blending firsthand accounts with dramatic reconstructions of a mountain climbing disaster.

Fact: The film's innovative storytelling technique combining interviews and reenactments has influenced numerous subsequent documentaries.

Description: A gripping look at the world of wheelchair rugby, showcasing the athletes' physical and emotional battles, their camaraderie, and the sheer determination to compete at the highest level despite adversity.

Fact: The documentary was nominated for an Academy Award and helped bring significant attention to Paralympic sports.

Description: This documentary explores the intense rivalry and personal struggles within a niche competitive gaming community, highlighting themes of obsession, perseverance, and the human drive for recognition.

Fact: The film focuses on the battle for the high score in the classic arcade game Donkey Kong, featuring real-life underdog Steve Wiebe and reigning champion Billy Mitchell.

Description: This film captures the transformative power of sports, focusing on an underprivileged high school football team and their coach's efforts to instill discipline, hope, and resilience in the players.

Fact: It won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, marking a rare instance of a sports documentary receiving the honor.

Description: A powerful examination of risk, recovery, and identity in extreme sports, following an athlete's physical and psychological journey after a life-changing accident.

Fact: The documentary features unprecedented access to the subject's medical treatments and rehabilitation process over several years.

Description: A breathtaking exploration of extreme athleticism and mental fortitude, following a climber's quest to achieve the impossible without any safety equipment.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and features some of the most vertigo-inducing footage ever captured on camera.

Description: A deep dive into the pressures, triumphs, and personal sacrifices of elite athletes, framed around a legendary basketball team's final championship season.

Fact: The series was originally planned for a June 2020 release but was moved up to April due to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a much-needed distraction for sports fans.