10 Movies & Shows Like Sweat (2021)

Description: A groundbreaking documentary that follows two inner-city basketball players over several years, capturing their dreams, struggles, and the societal pressures they face, resonating with themes of aspiration and adversity.

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

Description: This documentary chronicles the famous 'Rumble in the Jungle' boxing match, focusing on the cultural and personal significance of the event, much like the exploration of sports as a platform for larger societal themes.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and features performances by musicians like James Brown and B.B. King at the accompanying music festival.

Description: This drama series explores the cultural and personal significance of high school football in a small town, highlighting the pressures and dreams tied to athletic performance, resonating with themes of ambition and community.

Fact: The show was inspired by a non-fiction book and a subsequent film, both of which chronicled the real-life Permian High School football team in Texas.

Description: A documentary series that follows a national cricket team through a period of rebuilding and redemption, showcasing the mental and physical challenges faced by athletes, much like the focus on resilience and determination.

Fact: The series provides an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the Australian cricket team during one of the most turbulent periods in their history.

Description: A documentary that delves into the rise and fall of a celebrated cyclist, examining the complexities of truth, deception, and redemption in sports, similar to the focus on the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by athletes.

Fact: The filmmaker originally set out to document Lance Armstrong's comeback but ended up chronicling the unraveling of his career due to doping allegations.

Description: This documentary focuses on young golfers competing at a high level, capturing the intense pressure and dedication required in sports, similar to the exploration of youthful ambition and competitive spirit.

Fact: The film features some of the world's best 7-year-old golfers as they compete in the World Championships of Junior Golf.

Description: A gripping sports documentary series that captures the highs and lows of professional teams, emphasizing the emotional and physical toll of competition, similar to the intense focus on athletic struggle and perseverance.

Fact: The series has covered various sports teams across different leagues, including the NFL, Premier League, and rugby, offering a broad perspective on team dynamics.

Description: A documentary that follows a climber's attempt to scale El Capitan without ropes, highlighting the extreme physical and mental challenges of pushing human limits, akin to the themes of risk and perseverance.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, and the climb it documents was considered one of the greatest athletic feats of all time.

Description: This documentary examines the mental health struggles faced by Olympic athletes, shedding light on the often-overlooked psychological toll of elite competition, similar to the focus on the darker side of athletic achievement.

Fact: The film features interviews with several high-profile Olympians, including Michael Phelps and Apolo Ohno, who share their personal experiences with mental health challenges.

Description: This documentary series delves into the intense world of professional sports, focusing on the pressures, rivalries, and personal sacrifices athletes make to achieve greatness, much like the themes explored in the reference title.

Fact: The series features never-before-seen footage from the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls season, providing an intimate look at Michael Jordan's final championship run.