Pro wrestling is a non-stop machine, filled with drama, romance, tragedy, and action, creating a cinematic spectacle week after week. These wrestling stories have naturally inspired Hollywood, and while there may not be quite as many movies about wrestling as boxing, there are still plenty of movies about wrestling across all genres. Be it through family comedy, animation, heartwarming biopics, or the drama of what it is to suffer within the realities of being a wrestler, plenty of movies based around wrestling are great accompaniments to the weekly hard-hitting actions of Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns.
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The best wrestling movies range from a title that has been nominated for multiple Oscars to a film that helped to sink a wrestling promotion with a 20+ year legacy. From sublime to stupid and via the stupidly sublime, movies on wrestling have, admittedly, more mixed results than other inspirational sports movies, be they based on real events or entirely fictitious. However, there’s no doubt that they’re entertaining, and will appeal to wrestling and non-wrestling fans alike.
You are watching: 10 Best Wrestling Movies
10
Rumble (2021)
Monster Brawls, Family Fun, And Terry Crews
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Rumble
PG
Adventure
Comedy
Animation
See more : Gloria Estefan Ethnicity, What is Gloria Estefan’s Ethnicity?
3/10
Release Date
December 15, 2021
Runtime
95 minutes
Cast
See All
-
Susan Kelechi Watson
-
Greta Lee
Rumble is an animated film released in 2021 that delves into the world of monster wrestling. Set in a universe where monsters are celebrated athletes competing in professional wrestling, the story follows a young girl named Winnie who seeks to coach an inexperienced monster to become a champion. Directed by Hamish Grieve, the movie features voice performances by Will Arnett, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Terry Crews.
Director
Hamish Grieve
Writers
Matt Lieberman, Hamish Grieve
Main Genre
Animation
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An animated movie that WWE Studios created in association with Paramount, Rumble features an all-star sports-flavored cast and a plot around monster wrestling. This intergalactic sport revolves around creatures of all shapes and sizes, competing in the squared circle. Featuring wrestling legends Roman Reigns and Becky Lynch, basketball royalty Charles Barkley, broadcaster Stephen A Smith, actors John DiMaggio, Tony Danza, and Terry Crews as a villainous half-shark, half-octopus heel champion, Rumble is a harmless if unspectacular offering around family, with Will Arnett as the lead as a big ol’ suplexing reptilian called Steve.
Given that description and this well-assembled cast, Rumble really should be far better than the movie itself ever manages to be. Colorful and vibrant, Rumble is good, clean fun for anyone below the age of 8.
9
Win Win (20110
Paul Giamatti Stars In This Mat-Wrestling Family Drama
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Win Win
R
Comedy
Documentary
Drama
Sport
Release Date
March 18, 2011
Runtime
106 minutes
Cast
-
Paul Giamatti
-
Amy Ryan
-
Bobby Cannavale
-
Jeffrey Tambor
Director
Tom McCarthy
Writers
Tom McCarthy, Joe Tiboni
Main Genre
Comedy
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The second that Paul Giamatti’s name is attached to a movie, there is a comfortable assurance that there will be a relatively high level of quality to the project at hand. Win Win is a relatively obscure movie centered around a middle-aged man named Mike Flaherty (Giamatti) and a troubled teenage boy named Kyle Timmons (Alex Shaffer) both searching for meaning in their lives and learning/relearning life’s fundamentals through their experiences around competitive mat-based high school wrestling. It’s jaunty, well-acted, and charming without ever being particularly affecting.
Win Win is definitely more of an artsier film than other movies about wrestling, and the sport takes a backseat to the human drama experienced by Mike and Kyle. However, the Independent Spirit Award-nominated film will definitely give a good dose of nostalgia to those who participated in high school wrestling.
8
Ready To Rumble (2000)
The Movie That Absolutely Did Not Save WCW
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Ready To Rumble
PG-13
Comedy
Action
Documentary
Sport
Release Date
April 7, 2000
Runtime
107 minutes
Cast
-
David Arquette
-
Oliver Platt
-
Scott Caan
-
Bill Goldberg (Wrestler)
Director
Brian Robbins
Main Genre
Comedy
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Of every film in existence, the bottom-of-the-barrel “comedy” Ready To Rumble is the movie to have the most lasting effect on pro wrestling itself, with lead actor David Arquette being made WCW champion during the promo for the movie. Essentially a vehicle for the rapidly declining WCW, several superstars (and John Cena as a backstage extra) appeared as Arquette and Scott Caan bumbled on screen, playing fans caught up in an actual pro wrestling storyline. Step Brothers, it is not.
David Arquette’s record in WCW is 3-1, including a victory over former UFC fighter, Tank Abbott.
Amazingly, Ready To Rumble (23%) is not director Brian Robbins’ lowest Rotten Tomatoes score, as he also helmed the much-maligned Eddie Murphy vehicle, Norbit (9%). Ultimately, Ready to Rumble was a box office bomb, earning just $12.5 million against a $24 million budget. However, if wrestling fans go into Ready to Rumble knowing what they’re in for, the movie is worth the watch, if only for its bizarre place in the sport’s history.
7
Foxcatcher (2014)
Mat-Wrestling Takes A Backseat To An Emotional Rollercoaster
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Foxcatcher
R
Drama
Sport
Biography
See more : Gloria Estefan Ethnicity, What is Gloria Estefan’s Ethnicity?
8/10
7/10
Release Date
November 14, 2014
Runtime
134minutes
Cast
See All
-
Steve Carell
-
Channing Tatum
Foxcatcher is a biographical drama film based on the true story of brothers Mark and David Schultz, two Olympic wrestlers who become part of John E. duPont’s team Foxcatcher as they prepare for the 1988 Olympic games. The union seems promising initially, but a terrifying tragedy soon brings the dream crashing down.
Director
Bennett Miller
Writers
Dan Futterman, E. Max Frye
Studio(s)
Universal Pictures
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Distributor(s)
Universal Pictures, Sony
Budget
$24 million
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Following 2011’s fantastic Moneyball with another sports-themed movie, Bennett Miller’s unsettling 2015 drama Foxcatcher focuses on the mat-wrestling that the likes of Olympic gold medal winner Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar (who appears in the background of a wrestling weigh-in scene), excelled in before enlarging their names and reputation in WWE. The movie is based on the story of Olympic wrestlers Mark and David Schultz, played by Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo respectively, and the effects of their subsequent relationship with eccentric billionaire heir, John du Pont (Steve Carrell).
Foxcatcher was the first movie to be nominated for Best Director but not Best Picture at the Academy Awards since 2008.
It’s beautifully shot by cinematographer Greig Fraser, who’d go on to make the gorgeous Dune movies with Denis Villeneuve and the equally visually stunning The Batman with Matt Reeves. Like other true-story movies about wrestling, Foxcatcher is rooted in tragedy, and will haunt viewers long after the credits roll.
6
Fighting With My Family
Florence Pugh Turns The Paige
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Fighting With My Family
PG-13
Biography
Comedy
Drama
See more : Gloria Estefan Ethnicity, What is Gloria Estefan’s Ethnicity?
7/10
Release Date
February 14, 2019
Runtime
108 minutes
Cast
See All
-
Lena Headey
-
Jack Gouldbourne
Written and directed by Stephen Merchant, Fighting with My Family is a Comedy and Drama Sports-based film based on a true story. Starring Florence Pugh, Dwayne Johnson, Lena Headey, and Nick Frost, the series chronicles the career of Saraya Jade Bevis as she rises through the ranks of the WWE to become iconic women’s wrestler, Paige.
Director
Stephen Merchant
Writers
Stephen Merchant
Studio(s)
United Artists
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Distributor(s)
United Artists
Budget
$11 million
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The story of Saraya “Paige” Knight’s journey to the WWE, produced in part by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Seven Bucks, is a charming movie in and of itself, but its strength lies in some brilliant casting and production decisions. Florence Pugh is excellent in the lead, Lena Heady and Nick Frost are a dream duo as her parents, Saraya and Ricky Knight, and the comedy is as sharp as audiences would expect with Stephen Merchant directing. There are a ton of savvy nods to WWE’s past and present history too.
Former WWE superstar AJ Lee is played by current SmackDown alumni Zelina Vega.
Overall, this is a solid and endearing, family-friendly look at the inner workings of the modern pro wrestling machine. Seasoned fans will recognize characters and the NXT brand’s large presence, The Rock’s cameo is charming and perfect for fans of The People’s Champ, and the film has an enormous heart at its core.
5
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
The Huckleberry Finn Story Made Better With Wrestling
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The Peanut Butter Falcon
PG-13
Adventure
See more : Gloria Estefan Ethnicity, What is Gloria Estefan’s Ethnicity?
7/10
Release Date
August 9, 2019
Runtime
98 minutes
Cast
See All
-
Bruce Dern
-
Yelawolf
The Peanut Butter Falcon is a heartfelt adventure film directed by Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz. It stars Zack Gottsagen as Zak, a young man with Down syndrome who escapes from a care facility to pursue his dream of becoming a professional wrestler. Along the way, he befriends a troubled fisherman, played by Shia LaBeouf, and together they embark on an unforgettable journey.
Director
Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz
Writers
Michael Schwartz, Tyler Nilson
Main Genre
Adventure
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Some of pro wrestling’s best qualities revolve around tales of friendship and overcoming the odds. These characteristics are perfectly captured in the coming-of-age movie, The Peanut Butter Falcon. It’s a heart-warming story with a believable bond between lead duo, Shia LaBeouf and Zack Gottsagen in his feature film debut. Crucially, The Peanut Butter Falcon is regularly laugh-out-loud funny and, thankfully, off-kilter enough to ensure it doesn’t get too schmaltzy.
As with most of the best wrestling movies, The Peanut Butter Falcon is great in its own right but has that little something extra for fans of the squared circle. There’s a WrestleMania-worthy entrance from TPBF ahead of his match with Sam, played by an unhinged Jake “the Snake” Roberts, and a lovable turn from Mick Foley to cap it all off.
4
Nacho Libre (2006)
Wrestling And Religion Combine To Hilarious Results
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Nacho Libre
PG
Comedy
Sports
10/10
Release Date
June 16, 2006
Runtime
92 Minutes
Cast
See All
-
Jack Black
-
Peter Stormare
Nacho Libre is a comedy film directed by Jared Hess that was released in 2006. Jack Black stars as Friar by day and Luuchador by night. Ignacio is a kind-hearted dreamer who wrestles at night to pay the bills at the orphanage he works at.
Director
Jared Hess
Writers
Jared Hess, Jerusha Hess, Mike White
Studio(s)
Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Movies
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Distributor(s)
Paramount Pictures
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Embracing its ridiculousness, 2006’s Nacho Libre sees Jack Black in phenomenal form. Produced by Nickelodeon Movies, the laughs are largely generated from Black’s lovable performance as Ignacio, an orphaned cook who moonlights as a luchador. The plot, trying to raise capital through wrestling in an attempt to keep his convent afloat, is secondary to the quote-a-minute script and comedic delivery from Black. His “get that corn outta my face” moment is, frankly, a one-in-a-million take.
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It may not encapsulate many of the traits we associate with pro wrestling today, but it’s easy to see how Nacho Libre could open a child’s door to wrestling fandom (especially considering this came out during WWE’s long-lasting PG-13 era).
3
Beyond The Mat
The Original, Groundbreaking Pro Wrestling Documentary
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Beyond the Mat
R
Documentary
Release Date
October 22, 1999
Runtime
102 minutes
Cast
See All
-
Mick Foley
Himself / Mankind
-
Terry Funk
Himself
-
Vince McMahon
Self – Jake “The Snake” Roberts
-
Aurelian Smith Jr.
Herself (uncredited)
Beyond the Mat is a 1999 professional wrestling documentary directed by Barry W. Blaustein. It explores the lives of prominent wrestlers Mick Foley, Terry Funk, and Jake Roberts, with a focus on the World Wrestling Federation and its chairman Vince McMahon, alongside Extreme Championship Wrestling and independent organizations.
Director
Barry W. Blaustein
Producers
Brian Grazer, Ron Howard
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Perhaps the first true look at life behind the curtain of what we know as the professional wrestling business, the 1999 documentary Beyond the Mat was released at a time when wrestling was first being legitimized in the eyes of mainstream culture. Mick Foley was prominently featured, with the movie being released just nine days before his New York Times best-seller, Have a Nice Day hit the shelves. Beyond the Mat is also notable as the first movie to feature Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
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Jake Roberts’ battle with substance abuse and his heartbreaking family struggles are counter-balanced by the charm of the then-ECW creative mastermind Paul Heyman, wrestling legend Terry Funk, and the charming narration and filmmaking of an authentic pro wrestling fan, Barry W Blaustein. For anyone wanting an unflinching account of how professional wrestling used to operate, this is essential viewing and still makes a solid case for being the best wrestling documentary ever released.
2
The Iron Claw (2023)
The Tragic Real-Life Story Of The Von Erich Family
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The Iron Claw
R
Biography
Sports
Drama
See more : Gloria Estefan Ethnicity, What is Gloria Estefan’s Ethnicity?
8/10
8/10
Release Date
December 22, 2023
Runtime
132 minutes
Cast
See All
-
Zac Efron
-
Jeremy Allen White
The Iron Claw portrays the rise and fall of the Von Erich family, a dynasty in professional wrestling. Directed by Sean Durkin, the film explores the family members’ personal struggles and tragic fates and the lasting impact they left on the sport.
Director
Sean Durkin
Writers
Sean Durkin
Studio(s)
A24, House Productions
See more : Durian Affair Ending Explained, Plot, Cast, and Where to Watch?
Distributor(s)
A24
Main Genre
Drama
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The Von Erich family’s lineage is so relentlessly heartbreaking that the world’s most sadistic narrator could have constructed it, but, alas, the events captured in The Iron Claw are as real as they are bleak. A biopic that features a career-defining performance from Zac Efron as Kevin Von Erich, ably supported by The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White and Babygirl‘s Harris Dickinson as his brothers Kerry and David, is a grueling watch that’s set in wrestling’s late-70s/early-80s territorial heyday. It is a tour de force of trauma, misfortune, masculinity, and resilience that is streets ahead of the vast majority of this list.
The Iron Claw actually cut Von Erich brother Chris because the filmmakers thought that the tragic, untimely death of another family member would have been too upsetting for the audience.
There isn’t much in the way of lighter moments, but this is still a story about family at its core and is loaded with heart and courage. Despite overwhelming acclaim from critics and audiences, the movie was not nominated for Academy Awards. The Von Erich curse continues.
1
The Wrestler (2008)
Darren Aronofsky’s Impeccable Work Is King Of The Ring
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The Wrestler
R
Drama
Sport
8/10
Release Date
December 17, 2008
Runtime
109 minutes
Cast
See All
-
Evan Rachel Wood
-
Mark Margolis
Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler is a 2008 drama that centers around Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke), a pro wrestler who tries to get his life together while reliving his glory days on the ring. Marisa Tomei co-stars as stripper Cassidy with Evan Rachel Wood as Randy’s estranged daughter Stephanie.
Director
Darren Aronofsky
Writers
Robert Siegel
Studio(s)
Searchlight Pictures
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Distributor(s)
Searchlight Pictures
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Darren Aronofsky is one of the finest filmmakers working today, but his movies are seldom light viewing. The Wrestler continues that theme as it follows the continuous downward spiral of Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a character who bears more than a passing resemblance to Jake “The Snake” Roberts. The parallels are there with Roberts’ well-documented past battles with drugs, an aging body, and the cold reality of life on the regional independent wrestling circuit after the big time stops calling. It’s also perhaps the first wrestling movie to see widespread critical acclaim.
It is the only role for which Micky Rourke has ever been nominated for an Academy Award, and he was given the Best Actor accolade at both the Golden Globes and the BAFTA’s. Tied to Rourke’s Oscar nomination, the actor with a background in boxing was scheduled to work a match at WrestleMania 25 with Chris Jericho. The feud was due to start after the Academy Award season ended in early February.
Unfortunately for all involved, Rourke announced that he was going to be part of the WrestleMania festivities to the press, causing his team to worry about the Academy’s dim view of the world of pro wrestling. Consequently, the whole thing was canceled.
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Category: Entertainment