My favorite sports documentaries

by jtorres-78115 | created - 27 Aug 2018 | updated - 24 May 2020 | Public

The best sports documentaries I’ve seen.

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1. Magic & Bird: A Courtship of Rivals (2010 TV Movie)

TV-PG | 85 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport

An exploration of the fierce rivalry between NBA superstars Larry Bird and Magic Johnson during their decade of dominance.

Director: Ezra Edelman | Stars: Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Steve Springer, Evelyn Johnson

Votes: 2,273

2. Kareem: Minority of One (2015)

TV-PG | 90 min | Documentary

The life and career of the NBA's all-time leading scorer; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Stars: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Billy Crystal, Arsenio Hall, Magic Johnson

Votes: 1,044

3. One & Done (2016)

Not Rated | 91 min | Documentary

Showtime Sports chronicals the sprawling journey of number one NBA draft pick Ben Simmons. From a relatively anonymous Australian upbringing to high school and college in America to the top... See full summary »

Directors: Maura Mandt, Josh Swade | Star: Ben Simmons

Votes: 140

4. 30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode: Bad Boys (2014)

TV-G | 103 min | Documentary, Biography, History

The Detroit Pistons of the late 1980s and early '90s seemed willing to do anything to win. That characteristic made them loved -- and hated. It earned them the title: Bad Boys.

Director: Zak Levitt | Stars: Kid Rock, Mike Abdenour, Mark Aguirre, Marv Albert

Votes: 1,921

5. 30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode: I Hate Christian Laettner (2015)

TV-G | 90 min | Documentary, Biography, History

He made perhaps the most dramatic shot in the history of the NCAA basketball tournament. He's the only player to start in four consecutive Final Fours, and was instrumental in Duke winning ... See full summary »

Director: Rory Karpf | Stars: Rob Lowe, Christian Laettner, Dick Vitale, Mike Krzyzewski

Votes: 1,745

6. ESPN Films (2011–2021)
Episode: The Fab Five (2011)

95 min | Documentary

The 1991 University of Michigan men's basketball recruiting class in which five freshman known as The Fab Five revolutionized college basketball. This film covers the success, cultural changes, scandal, and of course The Timeout.

Director: Jason Hehir | Stars: John Bacon, Dave Brandon, Bryan Burwell, Chuck D

Votes: 1,241

7. Kobe Bryant's Muse (2015 TV Movie)

TV-MA | 105 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport

Documentary that goes behind the stats to reveal Kobe Bryant's career, exploring the mentorships, allies and rivalries that have helped shape his stellar 18-year tenure in the NBA, and uncovering his greatest personal challenge yet.

Director: Gotham Chopra | Stars: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, John S. Battle, Larry Bird, Joe Bryant

Votes: 1,922

8. The Dream Team (2012)

68 min | Documentary, Sport

A documentary going in depth about the creation and success of the greatest basketball team ever created. The Dream Team. Takes place in the 92 Olympics, where team USA and it's eleven Hall... See full summary »

Director: Zak Levitt | Stars: Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing

Votes: 982

9. Michael Jordan to the Max (2000)

Not Rated | 46 min | Documentary, Sport

57 Metascore

A documentary that follows Michael Jordan's basketball career, stint in baseball, and his last championship season with the Chicago Bulls in 1998.

Directors: Don Kempf, James D. Stern | Stars: Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, Doug Collins, Bob Greene

Votes: 2,363 | Gross: $18.64M

10. The Carter Effect (2017)

TV-14 | 60 min | Documentary, Sport

In his latest documentary, Sean Menard gives viewers an unprecedented look at Vince Carter: the six-foot-six, eight-time NBA All-Star from Daytona Beach who made waves in the Canadian basketball scene when he joined the Raptors in 1998.

Director: Sean Menard | Stars: David Stern, Drake, Steve Nash, Director X

Votes: 2,509

11. Anthony Joshua: The Road to Klitschko (2017 TV Movie)

TV-14 | 59 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport

Follows the IBF World Heavyweight champion over the course of two years as he prepares for the biggest fight of his career, how he rose to the pinnacle of his sport and how he relaxes away from the ring.

Director: Tim MacKenzie-Smith | Stars: Noel Clarke, Anthony Joshua

Votes: 443

12. Conor McGregor: Notorious (2017)

R | 90 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport

Featuring unprecedented access, never before seen moments and explosive fight footage, this is the ultimate behind-the-scenes look at a sporting icon and his spectacular rise.

Director: Gavin Fitzgerald | Stars: José Aldo, Audie Attar, Matt Boud, Ryan Buescher

Votes: 6,559

13. 30 Days in May (2013 TV Movie)

TV-MA | 60 min | Documentary

Chronicles the days between Mayweather's May 5, 2012 victory over Puerto Rican superstar Miguel Cotto and the start of a three-month jail term on June 1, 2012 at the Clark County Detention ... See full summary »

Directors: Todd Crites, Jackson Nguyen | Stars: Justin Bieber, Melissa Brim, Drake, Earl Hayes

Votes: 65

14. Tyson (2008)

R | 90 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport

83 Metascore

A mixture of original interviews, archival footage, and photographs sheds light on the life experiences of Mike Tyson.

Director: James Toback | Stars: Mike Tyson, Mills Lane, Trevor Berbick, Cus D'Amato

Votes: 12,930 | Gross: $0.89M

15. Serena (I) (2016)

Not Rated | 95 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport

An intimate look into the life of tennis champion Serena Williams during her 2015-2016 season.

Director: Ryan White | Stars: Novak Djokovic, Drake, Chris Evert, Roger Federer

Votes: 291

16. I Am Bolt (2016)

PG | 107 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport

64 Metascore

The legacy of the fastest man in history, Usain Bolt.

Directors: Ben Turner, Gabe Turner | Stars: Usain Bolt, Nugent Walker Jr., Ricky Simms, Glen Mills

Votes: 3,868

17. Iverson (2014)

Not Rated | 106 min | Documentary, Biography, Sport

Iverson is the ultimate legacy of NBA legend Allen Iverson, who rose from a childhood of crushing poverty in Hampton, Virginia, to become an 11-time NBA All-Star and universally recognized ... See full summary »

Director: Zatella Beatty | Stars: Allen Iverson, Tom Brokaw, Larry Brown, Dwyane Wade

Votes: 4,094

18. 30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode: Chasing Tyson (2015)

TV-G | 87 min | Documentary, Biography, History

Explores the years that Evander Holyfield spent trying to arrange his first fight with Mike Tyson.

Director: Steven Cantor | Stars: Seth Abraham, Steve Albert, Teddy Atlas, Al Bernstein

Votes: 928

19. 30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode: Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs. The New York Knicks (2010)

TV-G | 68 min | Documentary, Biography, History

A film that explores the rivalry between the Indiana Pacers and New York as seen through the eyes and actions of Reggie Miller star player of the Indiana Pacers.

Director: Dan Klores | Stars: Reggie Miller, Cheryl Miller, Spike Lee, Patrick Ewing

Votes: 2,188

20. 30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode: No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson (2010)

TV-G | 80 min | Documentary, Biography, History

There has always been questions raised about Allen Iverson's conviction for a fight he was involved in as a young man. The film maker goes back to his home town to try and understand the ... See full summary »

Director: Steve James

Votes: 1,430

21. The Announcement (2012 TV Movie)

90 min | Documentary

An in-depth look at the career of NBA star Earvin "Magic" Johnson and the days leading up to and the years following his announcement to the world that he was HIV-positive.

Director: Nelson George | Stars: Magic Johnson, Cookie Johnson, Pat Riley, James Worthy

Votes: 573

22. 30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode: This Magic Moment (2016)

TV-G | 101 min | Documentary, Biography, History

In the mid-1990s, Orlando was the center of excitement in the NBA. The young franchise, led by mega-stars Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway, beat the mighty Bulls en route to the 1995 NBA... See full summary »

Directors: Gentry Kirby, Erin Leyden

Votes: 1,179

23. 30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode: Phi Slama Jama (2016)

TV-G | 78 min | Documentary, Biography, History

They were the most popular fraternity on the campus of college basketball in the early 1980s. Led by a Nigerian soccer player named Hakeem Olajuwon and a lightly recruited hometown kid ... See full summary »

Director: Chip Rives | Stars: Benny Anders, Thurl Bailey, Otis Birdsong, Thomas Bonk

Votes: 580

24. 30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode: No Más (2013)

TV-G | 77 min | Documentary, Biography, History

In the midst of boxing's contemporary golden age -­ the 1980's -­ stood two fighters who established a captivating rivalry; Sugar Ray Leonard and Roberto Duran.

Director: Eric Drath | Stars: Christie Brinkley, Mike Tyson, Tom Brokaw, Jane Pauley

Votes: 775

25. The Offseason: Kevin Durant (2014 TV Movie)

TV-PG | 52 min | Documentary, Sport

A documentary on Kevin Durant that tells his story of what he does in the offseason.

Directors: Brendan Malloy, Emmett Malloy

Votes: 152

26. All Pro Sports Basketball: Hakeem Olajuwon - Dream Center (1998 Video)

Not Rated | 47 min | Documentary, Sport

Hakeem Olajuwon shares his conditioning routine and demonstrates his center skills and shares his life story.

Director: Jeff Richardson | Star: Hakeem Olajuwon

27. The Last Dance (2020)

TV-MA | 49 min | Documentary, Biography, History

Led by Michael Jordan, the 1990s Chicago Bulls establish themselves as one of the most notable dynasties in sports history.

Stars: Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, Scottie Pippen, David Aldridge

Votes: 151,824

28. 30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode: Rodman: For Better or Worse (2019)

TV-G | 102 min | Documentary, Biography, History

The unfettered and definitive look at the life and career of Dennis Rodman.

Director: Todd Kapostasy | Stars: Jamie Foxx, Jade Willey, Allan Wayne Anderson, Rielle Escalera

Votes: 900

29. 30 for 30 (2009– )
Episode: Chuck & Tito (2019)

TV-G | 80 min | Documentary, Biography, History

A look at the career, friendship and rivalry of legendary MMA fighters Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz.

Director: Micah Brown | Stars: Dana White, Art Davie, Royce Gracie, Ken Shamrock

Votes: 400

30. D. Wade Life Unexpected (2020)

96 min | Documentary, Sport

From childhood to retirement you can see the life of an all star basketball player. Through ups and downs it let you get to know that life is more than basketball and it's lights.

Director: Bob Metelus

Votes: 312

31. Quiet Storm: The Ron Artest Story (2019)

TV-14 | 116 min | Documentary

In the world of professional sports, no American athlete ever came back from a mental health disorder - until Ron Artest, now known to the world as Metta World Peace.

Director: Johnny Sweet | Stars: Kobe Bryant, Capone, Havoc, Mark Kriegel

Votes: 346

32. The Resurgence: DeMarcus Cousins (2019)

TV-MA | 72 min | Documentary

Follows DeMarcus Cousins while he recovers from an injury that has been a career death sentence for some NBA players. Features exclusive interviews with his teammates, coaches and NBA insiders.

Director: Mitchell Hooper | Star: DeMarcus Cousins

Votes: 57



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