Boxing movies from best to worst
This list is being increased as I watch more and more films. I have also made a list about other sports films, one about other fight movies, and also one with my favourite fictious boxers.
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- DirectorClint EastwoodStarsHilary SwankClint EastwoodMorgan FreemanFrankie, an ill-tempered old coach, reluctantly agrees to train aspiring boxer Maggie. Impressed with her determination and talent, he helps her become the best and the two soon form a close bond.A beautiful and sad story in one of the best of the many good films directed by Clint Eastwood.
- DirectorJim SheridanStarsDaniel Day-LewisEmily WatsonDaragh DonnellyYoung Danny Flynn is released from prison 14 years after "taking the rap" for the IRA and tries to rebuild his life in his old Belfast neighborhood.Boxing and politics in an amazing film.
- DirectorGuy RitchieStarsJason StathamBrad PittStephen GrahamUnscrupulous boxing promoters, violent bookmakers, a Russian gangster, incompetent amateur robbers and supposedly Jewish jewelers fight to track down a priceless stolen diamond.Illegal boxing in a very innovative and funny movie. Brad Pitt is hilarious here.
- DirectorRaoul WalshStarsErrol FlynnAlexis SmithJack CarsonAs bare-knuckled boxing enters the modern era, brash extrovert, Jim Corbett, uses new rules and dazzlingly innovative footwork to rise to the top of the top of the boxing world.I loved this! It is impressive how it has influenced Rocky movies: unconventional trainment, superposed images of fights and news... Errol Flynn does a great job.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsRobert De NiroCathy MoriartyJoe PesciThe life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.I love the opening credits scene.
- DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungA small-time Philadelphia boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.
- DirectorRobert M. YoungStarsWillem DafoeEdward James OlmosRobert LoggiaIn Greece during World War II, a young Jewish boxer, his girlfriend, and their families are sent to Auschwitz. When the camp guards learn of his boxing abilities, they force him to participate in weekly boxing matches.
- DirectorPeter SolanStarsStefan KvietikManfred KrugValentina ThielováIn a Nazi concentration camp, an escapee awaiting execution is spared when the commandant, a former prize-fighter, discovers the prisoner has amateur boxing ability. Ordered to train, he gradually sharpens his skills.May a Slovakian convict challenge a Nazi commander on the ring?
- DirectorJohn G. AvildsenStarsStephen DorffArmin Mueller-StahlMorgan FreemanAn English boy, living in Africa during World War II, through his boxing prowess, becomes a symbol of hope, in a time of war.Many prejudices around a South African boxer.
- DirectorMichael MannStarsWill SmithJamie FoxxJon VoightA biography of sports legend Muhammad Ali, focusing on his triumphs and controversies between 1964 and 1974.Amazing job by Will Smith, identical to original Ali.
- DirectorAntoine FuquaStarsJake GyllenhaalRachel McAdamsOona LaurenceAfter a fatal incident sends him on a rampant path of destruction, a champion boxer fights to get custody of his daughter and revive his professional career.A very heavy drama, with amazing performances of Rachel McAdams, Forest Whitaker, Oona Laurence and the superb Jake Gyllenhaal. Is there hope for Billy the great?
- DirectorMark RobsonStarsHumphrey BogartRod SteigerJan SterlingAn ex-sportswriter is hired by a shady fight promoter to promote his latest find, an unknown but easily exploitable rising star from Argentina.
- DirectorPete McCormackStarsGeorge ChuvaloHenry CooperGeorge ForemanTen of Muhammad Ali's former rivals pay tribute to the three-time world heavyweight champion.Muhammad Ali is the link for narrating the personal and sporting life of him and of other great boxers of his time. Much more than a biographical documentary, this is a doc about political and sociological history of the noble art, centered in the years when Cassius Clay/Ali shined. By watching this film you understand why there are so many movies about boxing: boxers are very often underdogs with amazing life stories. What makes someone becomes a boxer, what kinds of life they have before, what happens afterwards... Spectator gets moved not only by the tragic post-retirement of one of the greatest sportsmen that ever existed, but also by the difficulties, breakthroughs, successes, dreams an falls of other fighters who have been strong opponents of Ali, having defeated him, knocked him down or just having a heavier punch than he was accustomed to. By thinking about those stories you can imagine many more movies that would have been amazing but that have never been shot. Ron Lyle, Ken Norton, Earnie Shavers, Ernie Terrell, George Chuvallo, Henry Cooper... Perhaps someday.
- DirectorBen HouserJeremy SchaapStarsTrevor BerbickAl BernsteinDanny DeVitoThis documentary chronicles one of the greatest sporting upsets in history, when James "Buster" Douglas handed Mike Tyson his first-ever defeat. Tyson was the 42-to-1 favorite, with most fans and pundits absolutely sure that he was invincible. But Douglas, motivated by personal tragedy, fought the fight of his life.
- DirectorMichael CurtizStarsEdward G. RobinsonBette DavisHumphrey BogartFight promoter Nick Donati grooms a bellhop as a future champ, but has second thoughts when the 'kid' falls for his sister.
- DirectorRalph NelsonStarsAnthony QuinnJackie GleasonMickey RooneyKnockout performances by Anthony Quinn, Jackie Gleason, Mickey Rooney and Julie Harris highlight this hard-hitting drama of corruption in the ring. Featuring Muhammad Ali.The opening scene is particularly amazing.
- DirectorUwe BollStarsHenry MaskeHeino FerchSusanne WuestMax Schmeling's fights against Joe Louis are listed in the best ten boxing matches of all time.
- DirectorMartin RittStarsJames Earl JonesJane AlexanderLou GilbertA Black champion boxer and his white female companion struggle to survive while the white boxing establishment looks for ways to knock him down.The black question in a beautifully filmed movie.
- DirectorBen YoungerStarsMiles TellerAaron EckhartKatey SagalThe inspirational story of World Champion Boxer Vinny Pazienza who, after a near fatal car crash which left him not knowing if he'd ever walk again, made one of sports' most incredible comebacks.Great film, amazing story, inspired acting, sophisticated cinematography and edition.
- DirectorJosé Alvarenga Jr.StarsDaniel de OliveiraOsmar PradoRavel AndradeThe history of the famous Brazilian bantam and featherweight world champion Eder Jofre, who tries to deal with his personal life and the obligations of a world class athlete, with the mentoring of his trainer and father Kid Jofre.
- StarsRoberto DuránThomas HearnsAl BernsteinA four-part series featuring four champions who ushered in a boxing renaissance. The series showcases the dominance of Roberto Duran, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Thomas Hearns and Sugar Ray Leonard and their battles in and out of the ring.
- DirectorMichael SeresinStarsMickey RourkeChristopher WalkenDebra FeuerA simple self-destructive drifter and tough small-time boxer with a brain injury that could kill him meets and falls for a cute beach carnival owner, Ruby, but also befriends a sleazy friendly criminal, Wesley, who's planning a big score.
- DirectorHakan YonatStarsBelçim BilginIbrahim CelikkolKerem CanA former boxer falls in love with a blind woman and starts to build a new life, but his dark past returns to endanger them both.
- DirectorDavid O. RussellStarsMark WahlbergChristian BaleAmy AdamsBased on the story of Micky Ward, a fledgling boxer who tries to escape the shadow of his more famous but troubled older boxing brother and get his own shot at greatness.
- DirectorMark RobsonStarsKirk DouglasArthur KennedyMarilyn MaxwellBoxer Midge Kelly rises to fame...mainly by stepping on other people.
- DirectorAlex De RakoffStarsMark HeapMichael LernerMichael PeñaFollowing a bizarre series of events, Jimmy, a local amateur boxer, finds himself pitted in a match against the world champion.Very funny and underated British comedy that mixes parody, pseudo-documentary, dark humor, and campy moments.
- DirectorFlorence JaugeyStarsAlma BlancoRigoberto MayorgaGabriel BenavidesThis is the story of Yuma a strong-willed and rebellious girl from the poor neighborhoods of Managua who dreams of being a boxer.
- DirectorStanley KubrickStarsFrank SilveraIrene KaneJamie SmithReady to catch a train to his hometown, a washed-up boxer tells us about the strange and twisty events that happened to him the past couple of days.
- DirectorLuchino ViscontiStarsAlain DelonRenato SalvatoriAnnie GirardotHaving recently been uprooted to Milan, Rocco and his four brothers each look for a new way in life when a prostitute comes between Rocco and his brother Simone.
- DirectorLeonardo FavioStarsEdgardo NievaHoracio TaicherJuan CostaAn Argentina film, which narrates the life of Argentine boxer José María Gatica, from his childhood until his tragic death in Buenos Aires in 1963.
- DirectorStefano QuagliaStarsGianluca MigliarottiA precisely placed punch at the tip of the chin puts in place a double traumatic mechanism: cervical trauma and cerebral concussion. In general, this kind of blow causes a sense of loss of temporary knowledge, but the consequences may be different. Even lethal. From the experience of a boxer, the short tells this moment, which in boxing jargon is called Boxing Paradise.https://vimeo.com/68610827
- DirectorSylvester StalloneStarsSylvester StalloneAntonio TarverMilo VentimigliaThirty years after the ring of the first bell, Rocky Balboa comes out of retirement and dons his gloves for his final fight against the reigning heavyweight champ Mason 'The Line' Dixon.
- DirectorSylvester StalloneStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungRocky faces the ultimate challenge from a powerful new contender, and must turn to a former rival to help regain his throne as the undisputed fighting champion.
- DirectorSylvester StalloneStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungRocky struggles in family life after his bout with Apollo Creed, while the embarrassed champ insistently goads him to accept a challenge for a rematch.
- DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinVirginia CherrillFlorence LeeWith the aid of a wealthy erratic tippler, a dewy-eyed tramp who has fallen in love with a sightless flower girl accumulates money to be able to help her medically.OK, not a movie about boxing, but the part in wich the trump fights is hilarious!
- DirectorStephen DaldryStarsJamie BellJulie WaltersJean HeywoodA talented young boy becomes torn between his unexpected love of dance and the disintegration of his family.Not properly a boxing movie, off course, but the sport is shown as a typical working class activity, what is one of its most interesting traits. Besides that, the main character practices boxing before becoming a dancer (and having classes in a boxing gym!). If boxing were more central, it would be ranked much above in this list, as it is possibly the best movie listed here.
- DirectorSergio MachadoStarsAlice BragaWagner MouraLázaro RamosLifelong friends Deco and Naldinho, who own a small steaming boat in Bahia, meet strip-dancer Karinna. Both men fall for her and their friendship is deeply shattered.Deco's boxing career is not a core issue in the film, but it is important in the story.
- DirectorReginald HudlinStarsSamuel L. JacksonJeff GoldblumDamon WayansThe boxing champ's promoter thinks change is needed. He finds the one man who's beaten his champ, a white man now in a rock band. Like Rocky, he trains heavily whereas the champ slacks.A very funny satire, absurdly underrated.
- DirectorThomas StuberStarsPeter KurthLina WendelEdin HasanovicA former East German boxing champion reduced to working as a bouncer and debt collector is forced to reflect on his life when he is diagnosed with a fatal disease.Good drama, great acting by Peter Kurth, nice cinematography.
- DirectorQuentin TarantinoStarsJohn TravoltaUma ThurmanSamuel L. JacksonThe lives of two mob hitmen, a boxer, a gangster and his wife, and a pair of diner bandits intertwine in four tales of violence and redemption.It is not really a boxing movie, but a rigged fight (which is not shown, in spite of Bruce Willis in robe) is extremely important for the story.
- DirectorRobert ClampettStarsMel BlancPorky and Daffy is a 1938 Warner Bros. cartoon produced by Leon Schlesinger, starting Porky Pig and Daffy Duck.http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x95eh0_porky-and-daffy_shortfilms
- DirectorJack KinneyStarsJohn McLeishClarence NashGoofy takes a lighthearted look at self defense through the ages: cavemen, knights, the age of chivalry, and finally boxing.
- DirectorElia KazanStarsMarlon BrandoKarl MaldenLee J. CobbAn ex-prize fighter turned New Jersey longshoreman struggles to stand up to his corrupt union bosses, including his older brother, as he starts to connect with the grieving sister of one of the syndicate's victims.Not even one scene showing a boxing fight, but this sport is mentioned throughout the movie, which is about a mob.
- DirectorPhilippe FalardeauStarsLiev SchreiberElisabeth MossRon PerlmanA drama inspired by the life of heavyweight boxer Chuck Wepner, who had a once-in-a-lifetime bout with Muhammad Ali that would inspire the film Rocky (1976).Good drama on the life of the boxer whose story inspire Rocky film and whose life has been damaged by his self-destructive behavior. Acting is nice (by far the best work of Liev Schreiber I have seen), screenplay references to Requiem of a Heavyweight were nice, vintage style footage was a great contribution to cinematography.
- DirectorKyzza TerrazasStarsRodrigo Marquez-TizanoLuis Gerardo MéndezBrontis JodorowskyMiguel "Bayoneta" Galíndez, a retired boxer after a shocking event in his life, living now in Finland without a purpose until a light situation puts him on the verge of an important decision.
- DirectorJonathan JakubowiczStarsEdgar RamírezUsherRobert De NiroThe legendary Roberto Duran and his equally legendary trainer Ray Arcel change each other's lives.
- DirectorSantiago ZannouStarsÁlex GonzálezMiguel Ángel SilvestreCarlos BardemUnexpectedly, a young fighter, active member of a radical and violent neo-Nazi group finds true love, and with it, a new purpose in life.
- DirectorRod LurieStarsSamuel L. JacksonJosh HartnettKathryn MorrisUp-and-coming sports reporter rescues a homeless man ("Champ") only to discover that he is, in fact, a boxing legend believed to have passed away. What begins as an opportunity to resurrect Champ's story and escape the shadow of his father's success becomes a personal journey as the ambitious reporter reexamines his own life and his relationship with his family.
- DirectorIan PalmerStarsJames Quinn McDonaghPaddy Quinn McDonaghMichael Quinn McDonaghAn epic 12-year journey into the brutal and secretive world of Irish Traveler bare-knuckle fighting. This film follows a history of violent feuding between rival clans.Documentary on contemporary bare-knuckle boxing and prizefighting in Ireland and Britain motivated by old Irish traveler clans rivalry.
- DirectorD.W. GriffithStarsLillian GishRichard BarthelmessDonald CrispA frail waif, abused by her brutal boxer father in London's seedy Limehouse District, is befriended by a sensitive Chinese immigrant with tragic consequences.Many great dicretors have made boxing movies, and the pioneer D.W. Griffith is no exception! Donald Crisp has a great performance portraying a violent alcoholic and misogynist boxer called Battling Burrows, who lives in a slum in London. The scenes of boxing fights are very well done, even portraying different styles: Burrows is a fierce brawler, while his second and difficult opponent is an outside fighter, with very efficient jabs. You can see this in a 1919 movie! Although the title refers to two other characters, his daughter and a Chinese immigrant, you can consider all the three as the main characters. The oppression of Battling Burrows against his poor daughter is in the core of this film. Watch it here: https://archive.org/details/brokenblossoms1919
- DirectorSergio MachadoBrazilian documentary about the history of Brazil's biggest boxing rivalry between boxers Todo Duro and Holyfield.
- DirectorRon HowardStarsRussell CroweRenée ZellwegerCraig BierkoThe true story of James J. Braddock, a supposedly washed-up boxer, who returned to the spotlight to win the heavyweight championship of the world.
- DirectorNorman JewisonStarsDenzel WashingtonVicellous ShannonDeborah Kara UngerThe story of Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter, a boxer wrongly imprisoned for murder, and the people who aided in his fight to prove his innocence.
- DirectorRon SheltonStarsWoody HarrelsonAntonio BanderasLolita DavidovichTwo best friends and former middleweight contenders travel to Las Vegas to fight each other for the first time.An entertaining film, with nice characters and good actors. Woody Harrelson is one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood.
- DirectorPeter SegalStarsRobert De NiroSylvester StalloneKim BasingerA pair of aging boxing rivals are coaxed out of retirement to fight one final bout, thirty years after their last match.Funny. Not brilliant, but very entertaining. Besides that, the movies fight of the century worked.
- DirectorWalter HillStarsCharles BronsonJames CoburnJill IrelandThe saga of a drifter who turns to illicit bare-knuckle boxing in Depression-era New Orleans.Early illegal bare-knuckled boxing and prizefighting, with the brawling and wrestling tactics that were usual. Quite nice cinematography, good acting.
- DirectorSteven CantorStarsSeth AbrahamSteve AlbertTeddy AtlasExplores the years that Evander Holyfield spent trying to arrange his first fight with Mike Tyson.A good documentary on great Holyfield path and how Tyson's fame always made it harder.
- DirectorKaryn KusamaStarsMichelle RodriguezDouglas SantiagoJamie TirelliDiana, without her father knowing it, trains as a boxer and achieves impressive success, blazing new trails for female boxers.
- DirectorRobert WiseStarsRobert RyanAudrey TotterGeorge TobiasExpecting the usual loss, a boxing manager takes bribes from a betting gangster without telling his fighter.
- DirectorBrian De PalmaStarsNicolas CageGary SiniseJohn HeardA shady police detective finds himself in the middle of a murder conspiracy at an important boxing match in an Atlantic City casino.
- DirectorRyan CooglerStarsMichael B. JordanSylvester StalloneTessa ThompsonThe former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.Both Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone do a great job in their roles and the film entertains, but it does not have a very solid story, the personal dramas are not deeply felt by spectator and the greatest moments repeat the already successful formula from "Rocky Balboa" and from "Rocky I to IV".
- DirectorShawn LevyStarsHugh JackmanEvangeline LillyDakota GoyoIn the near future, robot boxing is a top sport. A struggling ex-boxer feels he's found a champion in a discarded robot.This is a boxing movie, even if we (arguably) do not consider robot fighting as boxing.
- DirectorLou BreslowStarsMoe HowardLarry FineCurly HowardThe stooges discover Curly's hidden talent for boxing, which appears only when he hears the tune "Pop Goes the Weasel". With the help of Larry's violin, Moe attempts to turn him into a champion.Very funny sketch in cartoon style.
- DirectorChuck JonesStarsMel BlancBilly BletcherHeckling the Champ gets Bugs into the world championship fight as the challenger.https://ia700808.us.archive.org/16/items/ClassicRareAndCensoredCartoons/041048RabbitPunchMm.mp4
- DirectorUgo GiorgettiStarsWalter AbrahãoFlávio AraújoJohnny CaldwellA documentary about the life of the greatest Brazilian boxer ever, Eder Jofre, who has been Bantamweight and Featherweight world champion. The film mixes footage of his fights and testimonies."Quebrando a cara" is a nice documentary about the best Brazilian boxer ever, Eder Jofre, world champions twice. It brings many interviews with him and his relatives, besides a lot of footage of boxing, both of training and of his great fights. The chosen approach of including many testimonies from relatives not only makes sense because of the obvious fact that they knew Eder Jofre since he was a child or since the beginning of his life, but also because many of them also practiced boxing. Indeed, it is told in the movie that no other family in the world had so many boxers as this one. One other issue appears importantly in the whole film, not only in the narrated stories but also in the way "the golden rooster" Eder Jofre and others speak: the social question, the class. There is probably no other sport as connected to lower classes as boxing. It is quite uncommon that someone from middle classes fights, as Eder Jofre himself comments in the film. It appears throughout "Quebrando a cara", as boxing was at once a family tradition and the means of escaping poverty.
- DirectorHayao MiyazakiStarsShûichirô MoriyamaTokiko KatôBunshi Katsura VIIn 1930s Italy, a veteran World War I pilot is cursed to look like an anthropomorphic pig.Off course it is not properly a boxing film, but there is a long and important bare-knuckle boxing fight. Then, this great animation qualifies to this list.
- DirectorJacques OuanicheStarsBrahim AsloumSteve SuissaIsabella de Ligne-La TrémoïlleVictor "Young" Perez , tells the astonishing, harrowing and incredible moving story of a Tunisian Jewish boxer, who became the World Flyweight Champion in 1931 and 1932. Perez started training as a boxer at age 14 along with his older brother Benjamin "Kid" Perez Perez rose to great fame via the help and guidance of Leon Bellier and had a brief relationship with French-Italian actress Mireille Balin. The 5'1", 110-pound Perez won the International Boxing Union's version of the World Flyweight crown with a 2nd-round knockout of American champion Frankie Genaro, ergo becoming the youngest world champion in boxing history ! Perez was arrested in Paris on September 21, 1943 and detained in the Drancy internment camp France, before being transported to Auschwitz where he was assigned to the Monowitz to serve as a slave laborer Victor Perez arrived at Auschwitz on October 10, 1943, as part of "Transport 60" a group of 1,000. He was held in AuschwitzIII/Monowitz. Whilst there he was forced to participate in boxing matches for the amusement of the Nazis. By 1945. Victor had survived 140 bouts in 15 months and won 139 !! Perez was one of the prisoners on the "Death March that left the camp on January 18, 1945.Very good cinematography but some cheesy moments and, sometimes, overacting.
- DirectorCharles DekeukeleireStarsPierre BourgeoisJean DemeyHenri DupontTwo boxers face off in a surreal boxing match.Very nice and innovative edition in this old silent short film from Belgium! Watch it here: https://youtu.be/t6YYFuFQg0E
- DirectorConrad PlaStarsConrad PlaChelah HorsdalRichard Chevolleau.Ex-boxer Paul Choquino decides to finance his upcoming wedding by robbing reputed drug lord Benito Mussolini Bonacci. But everything that can go wrong in the burn does and Paul is left running from the law, the mob and one of the members of his own posse
- DirectorAlejandro GalindoStarsDavid SilvaAmanda del LlanoCarlos López Moctezuma"Champion without a crown". Quick rise and fall of a boxer filled with talent and psychological complexes.Beautiful cinematography..
- DirectorClare LewinsStarsMuhammad AliGene KilroyRahman AliUnprecedented access to Muhammad Ali's personal archive of "audio journals" as well as interviews and testimonials from his inner circle of family and friends are used to tell the legend's life story.
- DirectorJulian JarroldStarsAnne HathawayJames McAvoyJulie WaltersA biographical portrait of a pre-fame Jane Austen and her romance with a young Irishman.Not really a boxing film, but the second most important character fights twice in events in London which portray the first decades of Queensbury Rules!
- DirectorMichael RapaportStarsFreddie RoachQuite nice short film about a unique gym in New York. Watch it here: https://vimeo.com/125093146
- 1973–197921mTV-PG6.8 (13)TV EpisodeDirectorRoberto Gómez BolañosEnrique SegovianoStarsRoberto Gómez BolañosRamón ValdésCarlos VillagránA bully and his father make insinuations to a young woman, but her boyfriend feels too scared to defend her honor. When Chapulin finds out about this, he organizes a boxing match between the bully and the young man.
- DirectorRon SatlofStarsGeorge PeppardDirk BenedictMelinda CuleaThe Team goes to a prison in Florida where the sadistic warden forces the prisoners to fight in gladiatorial combat. Face impersonates a criminal psychologist to get close to the warden, while the others infiltrate the prison population.Fist-fighting.
- DirectorEnoch J. RectorStarsJames J. CorbettBob FitzsimmonsBilly MaddenDocumentary film depicting the 1897 boxing match between James J. Corbett and Bob Fitzsimmons in Carson City, Nevada on St. Patrick's Day. Originally running for more than 100 minutes, it is the world's first feature film.The earliest known feature-length film and the very first movie shot in widescreen! Among the 90 to 100 recorded minutes of that historical boxing fight, less than halh hour survived: https://youtu.be/vWercNF6dFE
- DirectorHernán BelónStarsLeonardo SbaragliaEva De DominiciErica BanchiRamón Alvia is a professional boxer who, although he has won several international championships, is old and is at the end of his career. He resists. In the gym, Ramon discovers among the young boxers Deborah, a beautiful girl.
- DirectorFranco ZeffirelliStarsJon VoightFaye DunawayRicky SchroderBilly Flynn is an ex-champion boxer who was KO'd by booze and gambling. When the wealthy, estranged mother of his young son begins trying to lure the boy away from him, Flynn must return to the ring to provide for his child.
- DirectorKing VidorStarsWallace BeeryJackie CooperIrene RichAn alcoholic ex-boxer struggles to provide a good living for his son.
- DirectorRobert RossenStarsJohn GarfieldLilli PalmerHazel BrooksA talented boxer's young career hits difficult terrain when an unethical promoter takes interest in him.
- DirectorLeon GastStarsMuhammad AliGeorge ForemanDon KingBoxing documentary on the 1974 world heavyweight championship bout between defending champion, George Foreman, and the underdog challenger, Muhammad Ali.
- DirectorSylvester StalloneStarsSylvester StalloneTalia ShireBurt YoungRocky Balboa proudly holds the world heavyweight boxing championship, but a new challenger has stepped forward: Drago, a six-foot-four, 261-pound fighter who has the backing of the Soviet Union.
- StarsMike TysonDe'Adre AzizaA glimpse of a man. A prodigious talent born from the ashes of the promise of the greatest country in the world. Humble beginnings to the biggest sports star in the world. What happens to a poor kid that's exploited and trained to attack for profit. Then the shell that's left and the emergence of the human being and his struggle to retrace it back and start again. Change it and make it fresh. Redemption for the irredeemable.
- DirectorJustin LinStarsJames FrancoJordana BrewsterTyrese GibsonSet against the backdrop of boxing at the Naval Academy, centers on a young man from the wrong side of the tracks whose dream of attending Annapolis becomes a reality.
- DirectorSteve JamesStarsTil SchweigerLeonard RobertsRichard RoundtreeTrue story of boxers Joe Louis and Max Schmeling and their enduring friendship.Visually interesting. Though, it's a too much conventional film.
- DirectorMurray WoronerStarsRocky MarcianoMuhammad AliJimmy BraddockFictional boxing match between two of the greatest heavyweights of all time.It's amazing that they have done this!
- DirectorCharles ChaplinStarsCharles ChaplinBud JamisonGilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' AndersonWalking along with his bulldog, Charlie finds a "good luck" horseshoe just as he passes a training camp advertising for a boxing partner "who can take a beating." After watching others lose, Charlie puts the horseshoe in his glove and wins. The trainer prepares Charlie to fight the world champion. A gambler wants Charlie to throw the fight. He and the trainer's daughter fall in love.Funny, though not be best boxing footage by Chaplin. Still only a pale idea of what he was able to do, shown in "City Lights".
- DirectorRicardo Aguilar NavarroManuel RodríguezStarsElmis CastilloMaritza VernazaJaime NewballThe story of a young boy, Andres Pimienta, that is sent to the United States to be kept away from the bad influences, but returns 10 years later and meets his father, Bobby, an encounter that will change his destiny.No really a boxing film, but not only boxing in a gym is shown but the sport is important in the movie, as the main character has a former champ as a complicated father.
- DirectorJay BulgerStarsOscar De La HoyaDavid DiamanteBernard HopkinsThe seasoned pro. The Olympic hopeful. The young up-and-comer. The ring is their home, and the titles are their dream. As boxing' popularity wanes, three fighters at different stages of their career make sacrifices to pursue their dreams of becoming champions.Boxing from USA, from the hard life as amateur to the pure business of professionalism nowadays.
- DirectorWilliam K.L. DicksonWilliam HeiseStarsHenry Welton"A glove contest between trained cats. A very comical and amusing subject, and is sure to create a great laugh." (by Edison Films)Not really boxing, but there are cats punchng each other with gloves on a small ring...
Watch this cute early short film here: https://youtu.be/k52pLvVmmkU - DirectorTony KrantzStarsAntonio BanderasThomas KretschmannWilliam FichtnerA private detective is hired to find a missing stripper. A simple job turns complicated when everyone he questions ends up dead.Not really a boxing movie, but a rigged fight is in the core of the story.
- DirectorRouben MamoulianStarsBarbara StanwyckAdolphe MenjouWilliam HoldenA poor young Italian man who is a virtuoso on the violin wishes to become a champion boxer to make a fortune for his family. But what is the road to success and happiness, and what is the price?To be a violinist or to be a boxer, that is the question. Joe Bonaparte's father is a stereotype of an Italian American, but he reminds me a bit specifically some Robert De Niro's characters. The superposed images of fights and news that great 1942 movie "Gentleman Jim" showed so well and that is a trait of "Rocky" series has already appeared in this film from the end of the 30's. "Golden Boy" is OK, although perhaps too much melodramatic.
- DirectorRobert WiseStarsPaul NewmanPier AngeliEverett SloaneBoxer Rocky Graziano's biopic, based on his autobiography, from childhood to his World Middleweight Championship title win at age 28 in 1947.Not a bad film, although too campy and syrupy. It is interesting to see that not only Stallone got the name Rocky from this fighter, but also his character's gestures ressemble a lot the ones played by Paul Newman in this motion picture.
- DirectorLexi AlexanderStarsDash MihokMichele MathesonRobert W. HillJohnny Flynton is good at one thing: boxing. He's not too bright, and there's clearly some issues in his past, but what's worse, when he's boxing, his temper flares up. His wife, Samantha, tells him she's pregnant. Meanwhile, he's got an exhibition match with local boy Artie Duane. Johnny lets him get a few punches in to look good, but when Artie starts taking cheap shots, Johnny can't stand by and overreacts. He runs home, where he's in high spirits, but that proves his downfall.
- DirectorAki KaurismäkiStarsSilu SeppäläSakari KuosmanenHeinäsirkkaThe all-star American boxer Rock'y defends the Free World by fighting against a gigantic opponent from Siberia named Igor. A musical parody uses the song by Sleepy Sleepers.
- DirectorMax LinderStarsMax LinderMaurice TourneurCharles de RochefortMax officiates between two brawny boxers, then steps in against the cocky larger man, the acclaimed French stage director Maurice Tourneur. To gain an advantage, the tiny Max summons in the gorgeous young model, Hope Hampton, as a more suitable referee, hoping she will overlook Max's big bag of tricks.Max Linder as a referee and as a boxer. https://youtu.be/gn2Sjo4TyTY
- DirectorShin'ya TsukamotoStarsKaori FujiiShin'ya TsukamotoKôji TsukamotoSuspecting that his childhood friend, a professional boxer, is having a love affair with his fiancée, a businessman starts training rigorously in order to take him down.The first ten minutes are awesome. The movie is very strong, but the quality varies a lot along its development until its bad end. Both the fast paced training scenes and the oppressive Tokyo city footage are very nice. Though, the bizarreness of the story bores. This is a live action film with an anime aesthetics (for anime fans perhaps the movie pleases more).
- DirectorCharles S. DuttonStarsMeg RyanOmar EppsCharles S. DuttonA fictional story inspired by North America's most famous female boxing promoter, Jackie Kallen. Her struggle to survive and succeed in a male dominated sport.A female version of Jerry Maguire in a film with all clichés.
- DirectorMichael RitchieStarsJames WoodsLouis Gossett Jr.Bruce DernGabriel's released from prison. His con man friend makes a foolish bet with Diggstown's owner on who'd win the boxing matches - their man against ten Diggstown men.
- DirectorHarold D. SchusterStarsRichard RoberBruce CabotAllene Roberts"Kid" Monk Baroni, the leader of a street gang, becomes a professional boxer to escape his life in Little Italy, New York.The first feature film starred by "Spock" Leonard Nimoy, in the role of misshapen faced Kid Monk Baroni. The movie is quite naive, the situations seem forced, unnatural, artificial. Why the hell he ran out of the place after the priest's accident? That was nonsense. He doesn't look worried about boxing violence throughout his career (unless I didn't notice anything as I am not a native English speaker), but suddenly he poses as a victim - "People pay a good money to see me hurt, maybe killed" - and even has a plastic surgery made in order to have other job opportunities out of the ring. The movie has a very conventional story, similar to dozens of boxing films, but it is not one of the best performed. The most interesting thing in the whole film is comic character Pete, the guy in overcoat.