Top 10 Documentaries on Sports Records

Description: A classic in sports documentaries, this film captures the intense preparation and competition of bodybuilders, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, for the Mr. Olympia title, showcasing the mental and physical preparation for such an event.

Fact: The film helped launch Arnold Schwarzenegger's career in Hollywood.

Description: This film delves into the competitive world of classic arcade games, focusing on the rivalry between Steve Wiebe and Billy Mitchell for the high score in Donkey Kong, showcasing the lengths people will go to achieve a record.

Fact: The film has been credited with reviving interest in arcade games and sparking a new era of competitive gaming.

Description: Alex Gibney's documentary examines the rise and fall of cyclist Lance Armstrong, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles after admitting to doping, offering a complex look at cheating in sports.

Fact: The film was originally intended to document Armstrong's comeback but pivoted to explore his doping scandal.

Description: This documentary challenges conventional wisdom about meat and protein in athletes' diets, following James Wilks as he explores the benefits of plant-based eating for performance and recovery.

Fact: The film features interviews with top athletes like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lewis Hamilton.

Description: This film follows Alex Honnold as he attempts to climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without ropes or safety gear, a feat that has never been accomplished before, highlighting the mental and physical preparation for such an extreme endeavor.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in

Description: This documentary captures the grueling 100-mile race through the rugged Tennessee wilderness, where only a handful of runners have ever finished. It's a testament to human endurance and the bizarre, almost mythical nature of this event.

Fact: The race was inspired by the escape of James Earl Ray, Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassin, from Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary.

Description: Initially set to investigate doping in sports, this documentary unexpectedly uncovers a massive state-sponsored doping program in Russia, leading to international scandal and the filmmaker's own involvement in the story.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in

Description: This film follows Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson as they attempt to free climb the Dawn Wall, one of the most daunting routes on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Their journey is not just about physical strength but also mental resilience and partnership.

Fact: The Dawn Wall climb took 19 days to complete, with Caldwell having spent seven years preparing for this ascent.

Description: Nike's ambitious project to break the two-hour marathon barrier is the focus here, showcasing the science, training, and determination of three elite runners: Eliud Kipchoge, Zersenay Tadese, and Lelisa Desisa.

Fact: Kipchoge came within 25 seconds of the two-hour mark, setting a world record in the process.

Description: This documentary explores the mental health struggles of Olympic athletes, including Michael Phelps, who have achieved the pinnacle of success but face immense pressure and expectations.

Fact: The film was produced by the United States Olympic Committee to shed light on the mental health issues athletes often face.