50 Best Boxing Movies Of All Time Ranked

Sports dramas have always been big business in Hollywood. The tales of underdogs fighting against all odds and local heroes going from rags to riches is a winning formula that makes for entertaining and uplifting cinema. So it makes sense that there are so many sport-centric movies, as the genre is simply so popular with audiences. But out of all the athletic activities we've seen on the screen, few have grabbed the public's attention in films quite like boxing.

The combative and often ferocious sport is the perfect subject matter for a film, giving directors the chance to tell a variety of stories as the drama builds in anticipation of the inevitable big fight at the conclusion. Boxing also provides a never-ending supply of charismatic, compelling, and disturbing characters that are too hard to ignore. That's why the sport has been linked with the movie industry since the very beginning of Hollywood.

In that respect, it isn't surprising that so many great boxing movies have been released over the last century. Let's run down the very best of the best, ranking the greatest boxing films of all time.

As one of the most famous and charismatic athletes of all time, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that there are plenty of films about Muhammad Ali. Of course, not all of them can quite match the class and talent of the subject matter, as is the case with "The Greatest." Hitting cinemas in 1977, it is a biographical sports film that is based on the book "The Greatest: My Own Story" and features Ali himself in the starring role along with real-life footage from his fights. It charts much of his career as he turns professional and eventually defeats George Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle.

While the film does give an entertaining look at the boxer's life, it treats Ali with so much reverence that it can never really dig too deeply into his character or some of the more controversial aspects of his life. This is a film that has carefully chosen what to include about Ali to paint him in the best light possible, ridding itself of any sense of impartiality but is still an enjoyable watch (via Radio Times).

At the height of his fame and just a few years before his high-profile tax evasion trial, Wesley Snipes was cast in "Undisputed" as Monroe Hutchen, an inmate at Sweetwater prison who is an undefeated champion in the facility's illegal fighting competition. When Ving Rhames' professional boxer character, George Chambers, is sent to Sweetwater, mob boss Mendy Ripstein (Peter Falk) organizes a boxing match between the two. At the finale of the film, Hutchen is able to overcome Chambers in a thrilling fight that sees both men knocked down multiple times.

"Undisputed" received some praise for the way it focused purely on boxing, but the narrative leading up to the bout at the end was widely panned. Michael Dequina of The Movie Report confirmed as much, saying, "The main event doesn't come until the very end, and like too many pay-per-view packages the undercard is underwhelming." It did manage to find some success on home video, however, with three straight-to-video sequels following it, including "Undisputed II: Last Man Standing" and "Boyka: Undisputed."

"Jungleland" features Charlie Hunnam and Jack O'Connell as two brothers who engage in underground boxing fights to make a living. The pair quickly become involved with a local gangster known as Pepper and end up trying to pay off their debt by taking a young woman across the country on his orders. As the brothers reach their breaking points, they finally reconcile as Hunnam's character, Walter 'Lion' Kaminski, defeats his opponent in the biggest fight of his life.

Sheila O'Malley of RogerEbert.com cited Hunnam's performance as exceptional, but did concede that the meandering narrative of "Jungleland" might well put some people off as the story twists and turns until the final act. This is a common theme among reviews for the film, with the Independent also criticizing the way that the plot "slowly unravels with each increasingly implausible turn." Despite that, it has managed to be something of a critical success, with a 74% approval rating at Rotten Tomatoes.

The 1933 film "The Prizefighter and the Lady" is one of the earliest feature-length boxing movies on this list. Noted screenwriter Frances Marion developed the story, with John Lee Mahin and John Meehan writing the script. It stars Myrna Loy as love interest Belle, Max Baer as a sailor and talented amateur boxer known as Steve, and Walter Huston as a manager who sets up a fight between Steve and real-life boxer Primo Carnera after the newcomer quickly rises through the ranks.

According to The Fight City, this movie was one of the first to feature actual heavyweight boxers, a decision that lent credibility and excitement to the fight scenes. Both Baer and Carnera were highly talented boxers who reigned as heavyweight champions, giving "The Prizefighter and the Lady" a sense of impact that likely couldn't have been matched by actors. It would go on to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Writing (Original Story).

Samuel L. Jackson stars in another boxing film, taking on the role of Tommy Kincaid in "Resurrecting the Champ." A former boxer now living on the streets, Kincaid pretends to be a more successful real-life fighter known as Bob Satterfield. He tricks Josh Hartnett's character, reporter Erik Kernan Jr., into believing he is the champ, prompting the journalist to write a biographical feature about Satterfield's life. Directed by Rod Lurie, the film eventually sees Kincaid's deceit be revealed, as Satterfield is proven to have died some years earlier and his actual son sues the newspaper.

Nominated for an ESPY award for Best Sports Movie in 2008, "Resurrecting the Champ" received a mixed reception among fans and critics (via IMDb). Most of the positivity centered on Jackson's performance, with Roger Ebert praising the way that the actor portrayed Kincaid to give the character more depth and complexity than you might have expected. However, the film doesn't work quite as well when Jackson isn't at the center of the action, ensuring that "Resurrecting the Champ" will probably never be considered a classic.

Out of all the films that focus on the life of boxer Muhammad Ali, Michael Mann's 2001 movie is perhaps the best known. "Ali" follows the iconic fighter at the height of his career, from the time that he first became world champion in 1964 up to his infamous fight against George Foreman in the "Rumble in the Jungle" 10 years later. Will Smith stars as Ali, with the likes of Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight, and Mario Van Peebles taking on supporting roles.

In many ways, "Ali" was Smith's first major foray into attempting to be a dramatic film actor. His performance was widely praised and he received an Academy Award nomination, while Voight was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor (via IMDb). Although the film did not shy away from some of the more controversial moments in Ali's career, the likes of Roger Ebert nonetheless criticized it for failing to capture the fighter's enigmatic and extraordinary personality. Ultimately, "Ali" failed to connect with audiences and proved to be a financial flop, according to Box Office Mojo.

Ian Palmer's film "Knuckle" is another boxing documentary, although what makes it different from others is that it investigates the underground bare-knuckle boxing world organized by Irish Travellers. Taking some 12 years to make, it charts the fortunes of three different families in Ireland as they take part in various fights across the span of a decade. Along the way, viewers get a look at the bloody and violent way that the Irish Travellers settle feuds and longstanding arguments.

Bare-knuckle boxing is very different to the more sanitized sport that most boxing films feature, meaning that "Knuckle" offers a very different perspective. Palmer delves into the brutality of the bouts and grittiness of the lives of the participants in a way that resonates with viewers, thanks to the compelling stories and captivating action. Although it's certified as fresh with a 93% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, some may find it unsettling to witness the sheer savagery that envelops the audience.

The "Rocky" franchise has certainly had its ups and downs over the years, which shouldn't be unexpected considering there have now been eight films in the series. "Rocky III" stands firmly in the middle, not falling to the lows of "Rocky IV" and "Rocky V" but failing to reach the heights of the original film or "Creed." Sylvester Stallone once again returns to the role of Rocky Balboa, as he faces a new opponent in the form of Clubber Lang (Mr. T). After being defeated by the up-and-coming boxer and losing his longtime mentor Mickey (Burgess Meredith), he starts training with his former rival Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers).

Despite the way it refuses to switch up the formula all that much, the movie still manages to work for the most part. The Washington Post called it "as much fun as ever, a ground-meat-and-potatoes movie, with guys beating the hell out of each other to a disco beat." While it may not have been as well-received by critics as its predecessors, "Rocky III" proved to be a huge hit at the box office. According to The Numbers, it grossed $270 million against a modest budget, surpassing both "Rocky" and "Rocky II."

"The Boxer" sees former IRA member Danny Flynn return to Belfast after being released from prison. Seeking to live a peaceful life away from the violence that has engulfed Northern Ireland, he sets up a boxing gym that welcomes boys from every background and affiliation but is opposed by many IRA men, who see his actions as a major betrayal. He also reignites a romance with a former girlfriend (Emily Watson), who is now married to an IRA member.

Anything starring Daniel Day-Lewis is almost certain to be worth watching, with the actor being one of the most celebrated of his era. It was also directed by Jim Sheridan, who collaborated with Day-Lewis on other critically acclaimed films such as "My Left Foot" and "In the Name of the Father." Boxing itself largely takes a back seat to the intense personal drama in "The Boxer," but that allows viewers to see the characters develop outside of the usual environment of the ring. That is most obvious with the two lead characters: CNN praised the brilliant chemistry between Watson and Day-Lewis, saying, "You can almost feel the heat, and their situation never feels contrived or artificial."

Part of ESPN's "30 for 30" sports documentary series, "Muhammad and Larry" explores the build-up and aftermath of the 1980 fight between Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes. There are interviews with those involved, behind-the-scenes looks at the training camps of both fighters, and even previously unseen footage. It gives a fresh, and often heartbreaking, look at what many people consider a fight that should never have even happened (via Boxing247). Ali was already suffering the effects of Parkinson's disease by this point and the bout was difficult to watch for even seasoned boxing fans.

The AV Club calls "Muhammad and Larry" a "perfect boxing drama with a powerful emotional punch that's not lessened by the fact that it depicts a terrible wrong which can never be righted." One of the best releases in the "30 for 30" series, it is a powerful film that shows just terrible greed and pride can be in sports.

"TwentyFourSeven" comes from director and screenwriter Shane Meadows, the man behind the film "This Is England" and its subsequent television sequels. It stars Bob Hoskins as Alan Darcy, a man who wants to help the disaffected young boys in his neighborhood by opening a boxing gym and giving them something to focus their efforts on.

The movie is far from groundbreaking, with the story of youths finding purpose and discipline via sports in general, let alone in the boxing gym, being a trope that is almost as old as the sport itself. Yet it still manages to be a touching tale that shows just how inspiring boxing can be, especially in the harsh working class streets of the U.K. Empire backed up that thought, writing, "He may buck the trend for slick editing and dazzling set pieces, but Meadows gives off a bold message: be a somebody, not a nobody."

Following the success of "Creed," most of the cast and crew returned for the 2018 sequel "Creed II." Michael B. Jordan reprised his role as Adonis Creed, with Sylvester Stallone and Tessa Thompson also respectively taking up their parts once again as his mentor Rocky and his love interest Bianca. This time around, Adonis is challenged by Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu), the son of Ivan Drago from "Rocky IV." Dolph Lundgren even makes a comeback as the once villainous but now retired fighter, who now has a different perspective on life.

"Creed II" sticks to the tried and tested formula of the "Rocky" series without too many deviations, a decision that may have proven too predictable for some viewers. Yet it still manages to tug on the heartstrings and get the audience invested in the emotional journey that all of the main players go on in the course of the story. As Digital Trends said in its review, "The film packs a surprisingly powerful punch and offers a layered story about the power we give the past."

Hitting cinemas in 1937, "Kid Galahad" follows Ward Guisenberry (Wayne Morris) as he is transformed into a professional boxer after impressing manager and coach Nick Donati (Edward G. Robinson). Directed by prolific Hollywood filmmaker Michael Curtiz, who also helmed "Casablanca," "Mildred Pierce," and scores of other classics, the film charts the personal struggles of the newcomer and the effects his success has on the lives of those around him. Also featuring Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart as part of the cast, it comes from the Golden Age of movies and is one of the earliest boxing films.

Reviews found the plot a bit too formulaic and criticized "Kid Galahad" for having twists and turns that were all too easy to see coming. Yet, the performances of the main cast were praised, as was Curtiz's experienced directing, with Time Out saying, "Sleek direction and excellent performances keep it enjoyable."

"The Champ" is another early boxing film from the 1930s. Directed by King Vidor, who helmed a portion of "The Wizard of Oz," it stars Wallace Beery and Jackie Cooper as a father and son duo who are living in squalid conditions. The father, Andy Purcell, is a one-time boxing champion who has fallen from grace and is a perennial disappointment to Dink due to his drinking problem and gambling addiction. A chance encounter with Andy's former partner and Dink's estranged mother adds more complications as the Champ attempts to resurrect his career.

According to Ultimate Movie Rankings, "The Champ" was the biggest box office success of 1931. It effectively set the standard for the father-and-son relationship in films, with the young child attempting to redeem his tragic parental figure. It was such a hit that it has been remade several times, most notably as the 1952 film "The Clown" and the 1979 release of the same name, which starred Jon Voight and Ricky Schroder.

The 1949 film "Champion" stars Kirk Douglas as Midge Kelly, who battles against his own personal issues and corruption in the world of boxing. But the issues he faces harden him to such an extent that Kelly will do just about anything to reach his goals. Marilyn Maxwell, Arthur Kennedy, and Lola Albright are also among the cast. Mark Robson, who also helmed "Peyton Place" and "Valley of the Dolls," was responsible for directing the picture, which was written by "The Bridge on the River Kwai" screenwriter Carl Foreman. 

Nominated for six Academy Awards, "Champion" won for Best Film Editing (via IMDb). It also proved a financial success, with a box office gross in excess of $2 million, according to Variety. Many critics noted the less-than-stellar plot but felt that the action more than made up for it. The New York Times in particular wrote that the "scenes in training gymnasiums, managers' offices and, of course, the big fight rings are strongly atmospheric and physically intense."

Titled "Before the Fall" outside of Germany, "Napola" is a sports drama directed and co-written by Dennis Gansel. Max Riemelt stars as Friedrich Weimer, a young man in Nazi Germany who proves to be a talented but inexperienced fighter. His skills earn him a place in the National Political Institutes of Education, a boarding school that indoctrinates students into the Nazi ideology. Life at the facility turns out not be quite what Friedrich expected and much more grim than he could have possibly imagined.

With an approval rating of 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, you might think that "Napola" isn't one of the classic boxing movies. However, it won a number of awards and was praised for the way it examines the atrocities of the Nazis in a distinctive way, with the Austin Chronicle saying that the movie is "brought to life fully by Gansel's restrained but focused direction and a stellar performance by Riemelt."

Released in 1956, "Somebody Up There Likes Me" tells the story of legendary middleweight boxing champion Rocky Graziano. Paul Newman plays Graziano, with Pier Angeli, Everett Sloane, Steve McQueen, and Harold J. Stone rounding out the cast. Although he's interested in fighting early on, a rough life on the streets lands a young Graziano in prison, after which he finds himself recruited by the Army. Going AWOL, he is caught and sent to the military barracks for a year, during which he rediscovers his talent for boxing and utilizes it once he's free to ascend to the top of the boxing world.

Named as one of the AFI's top 50 sports films, "Somebody Up There Likes Me" was directed by Robert Wise, who later helmed "The Sound of Music," "The Haunting," and "The Andromeda Strain." The film was nominated for three Oscars, winning two, and was widely praised in reviews. Variety was effusive toward Newman for his performance, saying, "Paul Newman's talent is large and flexible, revealing an approach to the Graziano character that scores tremendously."

2005's "Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story" is another documentary set in the world of boxing. Directed by Ron Berger and Dan Klores, the film explores the tragic and controversial fight between Emile Griffith and Benny "Kid" Paret. The bout, held in 1962, was proceeded by an encounter at the weigh-in when Paret allegedly used a homophobic slur against Griffith (via Sports Illustrated). The fight would end with Paret defeated by TKO, but he collapsed shortly after and died 10 days later in hospital.

The documentary charts the events before, during, and after the fight, exploring the effects it had on all involved. It culminates in a meeting between the boxer and Paret's son, which movie critic Dennis Schwartz felt was the best moment of the film. He wrote, "In the film's most touching scene, one that can't be manufactured, Emile meets Paret's grown kid sometime in the late 1990s for the first time and the two hug and have genuine tears of affection for each other."

Denzel Washington took on the lead role in the 1999 sports drama film "The Hurricane." Directed by Norman Jewison, the film is based on several books about middleweight boxer Rubin "The Hurricane" Carter, a man who was imprisoned for a triple murder in 1966 but insisted he had nothing to do with the deaths. The film largely follows Carter's fight to prove his innocence and how he coped with being wrongfully jailed for 20 years until his eventual release.

"The Hurricane" won widespread acclaim and Washington's performance received several plaudits, including a Golden Globe win for Best Actor. Although there were some concerns raised about the pacing of the film, critics responded well overall to Carter's inspirational story. Roger Ebert wrote, "I was amazed, after feeling some impatience in the earlier reaches of the film, to find myself so deeply absorbed in its second and third acts, until at the end I was blinking at tears."

"The Quiet Man" is one of the few films featured in this article where boxing takes something of a back seat. Starring Golden Age icon John Wayne as retired boxer Sean Thornton, the film was directed by John Ford and sees Thornton return to the place of his birth as he seeks to buy his family's old farm. However, when he falls in love with his rival's sister, it causes complications between all involved before the matter is settled in a savage brawl at the finale.

Certified fresh by Rotten Tomatoes, with an approval rating and audience score of 91%, "The Quiet Man" hits all the right notes. There's a good deal of romance, plenty of comedy moments, and well-crafted dialogue, making the 1952 film one of the must-see movies of its era. It went on to be nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning two, while Reel Views opined, "Although not a true classic, 'The Quiet Man' is worth more than a cursory glance."

Robert Ryan and Audrey Totter play a husband and wife named Bill and Julie Thompson in "The Set-Up," another boxing-related film from director Robert Wise. A boxer nearing the end of his career. Thompson has one final fight in the works. But his manager makes a deal with a mob boss for Thompson to take a dive — without the boxer's knowledge — and his wife urges him to retire early for the sake of his health. Eventually, the aging fighter is forced to either swallow his pride and throw the bout or fight on and face the consequences.

Inspired by the film noir movies of its time, 1949's "The Set-Up" may well be one of the most influential boxing films of all time (via Criterion). It highlights the tired, hard life of boxers who haven't found fame or fortune, along with the sordid interests of all of those involved. Reel Film said that Wise "delivers a real-time drama that boasts plenty of appealing, attention-grabbing attributes."

Few documentaries have had such an impact as "When We Were Kings." Leon Gast spent more than 20 years putting together the film, according to Entertainment Weekly, about the infamous "Rumble in the Jungle" heavyweight bout between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. Focusing on the events leading up to the 1974 championship fight, it features interviews with famous figures from the time and explores the ethics of hosting a fight in a country ruled by the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko.

The eventual release of "When We Were Kings" was met with universal acclaim. It won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature (via Deadline) and was praised for the way it gave an in-depth look at the relationship between Ali and Foreman. The film is widely seen as one of the best boxing documentaries ever made, suitably matching the grandiose event that it captures. Roger Ebert called it "a new documentary of a past event, recapturing the electricity generated by Muhammad Ali in his prime."

Like many boxing films, "Cinderella Man" is inspired by the true story of a fighter who returns to the sport for one last chance at success. This time around it's Russell Crowe as James J. Braddock, a boxer who is forced to retire due to a broken hand. When given a second shot while unemployed, Braddock stages a surprise win and is given the opportunity to fight heavyweight champion Max Baer in a title bout. Directed by Ron Howard, the film also features Renée Zellweger, Paddy Considine, Paul Giamatti, and Craig Bierko.

Crowe and Howard's second film together after "A Beautiful Mind" was a box office flop. But it did land generally positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes for its emotional story and stirring performances, although some did note that it was predictable and overly long. The movie was also nominated for three Academy Awards, although Crowe missed out on a Best Actor nod.

When people think of boxing films, "Rocky" is likely the first picture that they will come up with. The 1976 release, which was written by Sylvester Stallone and directed by John G. Avildsen, centers on the life of Rocky Balboa. He's a talented but unsuccessful boxer who earns a living working as muscle for a local loan shark. His life quickly turns around, though, when he is given the opportunity to fight against world champion Apollo Creed (Carl Weathers) as an underdog.

"Rocky" effectively set the formula for the rags-to-riches narratives that would become popular throughout the sports drama genre, highlighting the American Dream as a way for ordinary people to find success (via The Sportsman). The film proved to be a huge hit, grossing more than $200 million against a tiny budget of just $950,000, according to The Numbers. Nominated for 10 Oscars and winning three — including Best Picture and Best Director — it also won critical acclaim for its inspiring and uplifting story along with the brilliant performances of the entire cast.

Any film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro is worth watching and "Raging Bull" is perhaps the apex of their many collaborations. Focusing on the real-life story of Jake LaMotta, known as the Bronx Bull in boxing circles, it follows the middleweight as his personal troubles and destructive behavior threaten to ruin his boxing career and throw his family life into turmoil. The likes of Joe Pesci, Cathy Moriarty, Frank Vincent, and Nicholas Colasanto all make up the remarkable supporting cast.

Widely regarded as one of the best movies ever made, "Raging Bull" was not a critical or financial success when it was released in 1980. However, in the intervening years, it has been viewed more favorably in reviews, receiving almost universal acclaim. An impactful film that doesn't shy away from showing the worst aspects of Lamotta's life, it was perhaps described best by the Pittsburth Post-Gazette: "There is unquestionable ugliness in 'Raging Bull,' but there is astonishing power, too." Just like the sweet science itself.