5 Inspiring Sports Documentary Movies & TV Series That Feel Just Like the Olympic Games
These stories are deep character studies that reveal the cost of every medal and title.
As the passion of the Olympic Games rages on in Italy, you can experience their unique atmosphere – the intensity of competition, the triumph of will, and the drama of human destinies – right from your screen.
Sports documentaries possess an extraordinary ability to capture the essence of big sports, offering viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the most resounding victories and bitterest defeats.
1. 'Senna', 2010
IMDb Score: 8.4/10
Every racing fan knows Ayrton Senna, the man who changed the world of Formula 1 forever. Asif Kapadia's documentary recounts the brief yet bright life of the Brazilian racing driver, from his early days to his tragic death at the Imola circuit in Italy in 1994.
Senna remains a cult figure among Formula 1 fans. Many considered his driving style too risky, if not downright dangerous.
Senna himself said that the most important thing in racing for him wasn't feeling superior to others, but rather self-knowledge and understanding his own limits.
2. 'The Last Dance', 2020
IMDb Score: 9.0/10
The Chicago Bulls of the 1990s are widely considered the greatest team in NBA history. Michael Jordan and his teammates dominated the league, winning five championships in seven years.
The 1997–98 season marked the end of this team. After that season, the star players and their coach were forced to leave in order to rebuild the franchise. Bulls head coach Phil Jackson dubbed this season The Last Dance for this very reason.
The Netflix and ESPN miniseries of the same name chronicles the team's dramatic rise and fall, and of course, the greatest star of the Chicago Bulls and arguably all of basketball: Michael Jordan.
3. 'Rising Phoenix', 2020
IMDb Score: 8.1/10
This Netflix documentary recounts the history of the Paralympic Games and its participants. Viewers will learn how the Paralympic sports movement emerged and the challenges it has faced.
The film's main focus, however, is the stories of Paralympic champions, past and present. Nine athletes from different countries share their stories about living with disabilities, their struggles, and how sports helped them accept themselves and become socially integrated.
The filmmakers convey the athletes' inspiring stories without unnecessary sentimentality. At the same time, the movie reveals the importance of the Paralympic Games for individual athletes and the world.
4. 'Diego Maradona', 2019
IMDb Score: 7.7/10
Dozens of movies have been made about Maradona. Typically, they are odes to the controversial yet incredibly talented football player. However, documentary director Asif Kapadia took a different approach.
He's interested in the dual nature of the idol of millions – the man and the myth created around him. The movie explores the idea that there's Diego, a naive boy from a poor family, and then there's Maradona, a football god and idol with a trail of daring antics and statements.
5. 'The Armstrong Lie', 2013
IMDb Score: 7.2/10
This is an exposé about cyclist Lance Armstrong, who was caught doping. After being diagnosed with cancer in 1996, he overcame the fatal disease and made a triumphant return to the sport.
He won the Tour de France seven times in a row. Armstrong was one of the sport's greatest icons and a role model with an impeccable reputation.
However, it turned out that this outstanding athlete had deceived his rivals and fans for years – he was banned for life for doping and stripped of all his titles.
