Best Sports Documentaries

Sports documentaries can be educational, emotional, and, above all, inspiring viewing experiences for the whole family. The best ones can introduce you to new sports and athletes. We've picked out some of our favorite documentaries about everything from snowboarding and hockey to boxing and more. These real-life stories demonstrate incredible examples of perseverance, courage, and teamwork. For more sports-themed recommendations, be sure to check out our football, soccer, basketball, and baseball movies lists, as well as Sports Legends in the Movies.

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The Short Game Poster Image
MOVIE

The Short Game

age 7+

Fabulous, kid-friendly docu about world's youngest golfers.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2013)
Jump Shot: The Kenny Sailors Story Poster Image
MOVIE

Jump Shot: The Kenny Sailors Story

age 8+

Inspirational sports docu about basketball legend.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2020)
Koshien: Japan's Field of Dreams Poster Image
MOVIE

Koshien: Japan's Field of Dreams

age 8+

Compelling docu about Japan's biggest baseball tournament.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
The Year of the Yao Poster Image
MOVIE

The Year of the Yao

age 8+

Yao Ming's journey from Shanghai to Houston.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2005)
Red Army Poster Image
MOVIE

Red Army

age 9+

Fascinating documentary about legendary Soviet hockey team.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2015)
All In: Miracle At St. Bernard's Movie Poster
MOVIE

All In: Miracle At St. Bernard's

age 10+

Community fights to save beloved school in inspiring docu.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2022)
Citizen Ashe Poster Image
MOVIE

Citizen Ashe

age 10+

Inspiring documentary about Black tennis player/activist.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
I Am Bolt Poster Image
MOVIE

I Am Bolt

age 10+

Winning docu celebrates world's fastest man; mild cursing.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2016)
The Endless Summer Poster Image
MOVIE

The Endless Summer

age 11+

Dated but fascinating surfing documentary still charms.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1966)
F(l)ag Football Poster Image
MOVIE

F(l)ag Football

age 11+

Heartfelt documentary about gay football league.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2017)
The League Movie Poster: A baseball jersey and gear are pictured, with the words "The League" in black
MOVIE

The League

age 11+

Insightful, informative Black baseball docu; violent images.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)
The Green Wave Poster Image
MOVIE

The Green Wave

age 12+

Inspiring basketball docu has emotional intensity, language.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2020)
Runner Poster Image
MOVIE

Runner

age 11+

Stirring, inspiring sports docu about overcoming adversity.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2020)
Swim Team Poster Image
MOVIE

Swim Team

age 11+

Inspiring documentary about young athletes with autism.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2017)
Venus and Serena documentary poster
MOVIE

Venus and Serena

age 11+

Intimate tennis docu has language, references to racism.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2013)
Willie Poster Image
MOVIE

Willie

age 11+

Hockey docu portrays Willie O'Ree as deserving role model.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2020)
Diego Maradona (2019) Poster Image
MOVIE

Diego Maradona (2019)

age 12+

Documentary about troubled soccer player has drug use.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2019)
Manny Poster Image
MOVIE

Manny

age 12+

Boxing docu glorifies Pacquiao but skims the surface.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2015)
The Alpinist Poster Image
MOVIE

The Alpinist

age 13+

Docu on elusive climber has some drug use, language.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
The Deepest Breath movie poster: A freediver is descending downward into the blue ocean while while holding onto a rope and being surrounded by dark-colored marine debris, wearing dark-colored diving attire, and red and white lettering of the film's title The Deepest Breath, the release date of July 19, and the name of the distributor Netflix are also on display
MOVIE

The Deepest Breath

age 13+

Extreme sport doc about global free divers; language, peril.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2023)