30 Must-Watch Sports Films from the 2020s You Cannot Miss
Sports movies in the 2020s have covered everything from underdog comebacks to global icons and record breaking feats. Filmmakers leaned into true stories and grounded detail while also embracing fresh styles in animation and documentary. The result is a decade rich with dramas that show the work behind the win and the people behind the headlines.
This list brings together thirty notable titles from around the world, across many sports. You will find biopics, team stories, animated blockbusters, intimate indies, and high energy documentaries. Each entry notes what the film covers, who made it, and useful context like source material, production choices, and festival or awards recognition.
‘Air’ (2023)
Ben Affleck directed this drama about the creation of the Air Jordan partnership at Nike. The story follows a small basketball division that pursues a rookie whose potential would reshape the company. Matt Damon plays talent scout Sonny Vaccaro with Viola Davis as Deloris Jordan and Affleck as Nike executive Phil Knight.
The script came from Alex Convery and the production recreated period offices, meetings, and design work that led to the first signature shoe. The film tracks contract negotiations, internal pushback, and the business gamble that turned a niche program into a global brand.
‘Hustle’ (2022)
Jeremiah Zagar directed this basketball drama starring Adam Sandler as a scout who finds a raw prospect overseas. Real NBA players appear throughout including Juancho Hernangomez and Anthony Edwards, which gives the training and game footage an authentic feel.
Scenes were shot in Philadelphia practice facilities and arenas with coaches and crews who work in the league. The story details the pre draft grind, conditioning tests, and film study that determine whether a prospect earns a roster spot.
‘King Richard’ (2021)
Reinaldo Marcus Green directed this biographical drama about the early careers of Venus and Serena Williams through the determined plans of their father Richard. Will Smith stars with Aunjanue Ellis as Oracene and Saniyya Sidney and Demi Singleton as the sisters.
The production consulted tennis coaches to stage junior tournaments and academy sessions with accuracy. The film earned major awards attention and presents training schedules, coaching philosophies, and contract decisions that shaped two champions.
‘Creed III’ (2023)
Michael B. Jordan made his feature directing debut and returned as Adonis Creed in this boxing chapter focused on a rivalry with a former friend. Jonathan Majors co stars as a fighter whose past collides with the champion’s present.
Fight sequences were designed with boxers and choreographers to capture footwork, ring tactics, and corner strategy. The film used large format cameras for in ring action and continued the series emphasis on conditioning, family, and legacy within the sport.
‘Bruised’ (2021)
Halle Berry directed and starred as a mixed martial artist seeking one more shot while balancing motherhood and a new camp. The production brought in active fighters and coaches to stage grappling and striking sessions with technical detail.
The film premiered at a major festival and later reached a global streaming audience. Training camps, weigh ins, and promotional events are shown as part of the comeback process along with the physical toll of the sport.
‘The Way Back’ (2020)
Gavin O’Connor directed this basketball drama with Ben Affleck as a former high school star who returns to coach amid personal struggles. The film follows workouts, practice habits, and game management as he builds a team identity.
Athletic sequences were staged with real coaches and players to reflect set plays, timeouts, and defensive adjustments. The release shifted quickly to home viewing as theaters closed, which helped it find an audience beyond its initial run.
‘The Swimmers’ (2022)
Sally El Hosaini directed this story of sisters Yusra and Sara Mardini as they flee conflict and eventually connect with competitive swimming on a new path. Nathalie and Manal Issa play the siblings with scenes that show both the journey and the training that follows.
The film recreates swim practices, club coaching, and qualifying events, and it draws from the family’s account of their experience. It opened a major festival and brought attention to athlete refugees and the support systems that help them compete.
‘Nyad’ (2023)
Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin directed this biographical drama about long distance swimmer Diana Nyad and her pursuit of the Cuba to Florida crossing. Annette Bening portrays Nyad with Jodie Foster as trainer and friend Bonnie Stoll.
Open water conditions, support boats, and feeding routines were planned with endurance sport advisors to reflect real protocols. The film received Academy Award nominations for its lead performances and shows the logistics that make an extreme swim possible.
‘The Boys in the Boat’ (2023)
George Clooney directed this adaptation of the nonfiction book about the University of Washington eight man rowing crew that competed at the Berlin Olympics. Callum Turner leads the cast with Joel Edgerton as coach Al Ulbrickson.
Boat builds, oar mechanics, and stroke drills were crafted with rowing experts. Training montages track seat races and selection that determine the final crew while the regatta scenes highlight timing, coxswain calls, and race strategy.
‘Challengers’ (2024)
Luca Guadagnino directed this tennis drama starring Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor as players whose careers intersect on and off the court. The film follows coaching decisions, injury recovery, and tournament pressure.
Match sequences used a mix of practical choreography and visual effects guided by tennis consultants. A pulsing score from Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross shapes the rhythm of rallies while the script explores rankings, wild cards, and career management.
‘Gran Turismo’ (2023)
Neill Blomkamp directed this racing drama based on the true story of gamer Jann Mardenborough moving from a simulator to professional circuits. Archie Madekwe plays Jann with David Harbour as a veteran engineer who mentors him.
The production shot at real tracks with race teams and captured pit stops, telemetry, and driver training programs. The story covers selection for a development academy, licensing, and the transition from virtual practice to physical racecraft.
‘Next Goal Wins’ (2023)
Taika Waititi directed this football comedy drama about the American Samoa national team and a coach brought in to rebuild morale before qualifiers. Michael Fassbender plays the coach with local performers and athletes featured throughout.
Filming took place in Hawaii with attention to community culture, team rituals, and federation operations. The screenplay draws from a documentary on the same subject and follows training sessions, staff meetings, and regional qualifying formats.
‘The Phantom of the Open’ (2021)
Craig Roberts directed this story of Maurice Flitcroft, an amateur who entered the British Open despite limited experience and became a folk figure in golf. Mark Rylance stars with Sally Hawkins as Jean Flitcroft.
Costumes and equipment match the period while tournament settings recreate qualifying procedures and scoring rules. The film adapts a biography and includes details about handicap requirements, entry forms, and how officials responded to an unexpected contender.
‘Safety’ (2020)
Reginald Hudlin directed this drama based on Ray McElrathbey, a Clemson defensive back who balanced team responsibilities and guardianship for his younger brother. Jay Reeves leads the cast with scenes filmed on campus and in facilities.
The film shows team meetings, academic support, and compliance processes inside a major college program. Game action and practices were staged with playbooks and coaching staff input to reflect scheme and position drills.
‘American Underdog’ (2021)
Andrew and Jon Erwin directed this biopic of quarterback Kurt Warner from grocery store clerk to Super Bowl winner. Zachary Levi plays Warner with Anna Paquin as Brenda Warner and Dennis Quaid as coach Dick Vermeil.
The production coordinated with the league for uniforms and stadium access to capture authentic game speed. It follows arena league experience, tryouts, and roster cuts that led to a starting job, with attention to play calling and film study routines.
‘The Redeem Team’ (2022)
Jon Weinbach directed this documentary about the United States men’s basketball team that regrouped for the Beijing Games under coach Mike Krzyzewski. The film uses archival footage, game film, and new interviews with players and staff.
It covers training camps, scrimmages, and defensive schemes that rebuilt the team’s approach after prior disappointments. The documentary also shows scouting work on international opponents and leadership roles within the roster.
’14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible’ (2021)
Torquil Jones directed this documentary that follows mountaineer Nims Purja and a small team attempting all fourteen eight thousand meter summits in one project. The film combines on mountain footage with maps and expedition planning.
Viewers see permit logistics, weather windows, and oxygen strategies that guide each ascent. The project timeline is tracked peak by peak with notes on approach routes, base camp setups, and rescue efforts along the way.
‘Skater Girl’ (2021)
Manjari Makijany directed this story set in rural Rajasthan about a teenager who discovers skateboarding and pushes to compete. Rachel Sanchita Gupta leads the cast with Shafin Patel and Amrit Maghera in key roles.
A real skatepark was built for the production and later opened to the community, which grounds the competitions in a genuine setting. The film shows board setup, practice drills, and event registration as the character moves from curiosity to organized contests.
‘Big George Foreman’ (2023)
George Tillman Jr. directed this biographical drama about heavyweight champion George Foreman from early success to a remarkable comeback. Khris Davis portrays Foreman with Forest Whitaker as trainer and mentor Doc Broadus.
The film recreates famous bouts using boxing consultants to map combinations, ring movement, and corner advice. It covers promotional tours, training camps, and broadcast production that surrounded title fights across decades.
‘Cassandro’ (2023)
Roger Ross Williams directed this biopic of Saúl Armendáriz, the lucha libre performer known as Cassandro. Gael García Bernal stars with attention to ring craft and the exótico tradition in Mexican wrestling.
Matches were staged with wrestlers and choreographers who work in the circuit, capturing holds, pins, and crowd interplay. The story follows gym sessions, costume design, and promoter negotiations that shaped a unique career.
‘Ferrari’ (2023)
Michael Mann directed this drama about Enzo Ferrari during a turbulent season centered on the Mille Miglia. Adam Driver stars with Penélope Cruz as Laura Ferrari and Shailene Woodley as Lina Lardi.
Racing sequences used practical cars, precision driving teams, and period road closures to stage high speed sections. The film details team finances, driver contracts, and factory operations as the company faces personal and professional strain.
‘Final Set’ (2020)
Quentin Reynaud directed this French tennis drama about a once promising player who attempts a comeback through Grand Slam qualifying draws. Alex Lutz stars with Kristin Scott Thomas and Ana Girardot in support.
The production filmed in recognized courts with officials and ball crews to mirror real match flow. It focuses on the ranking system, entry lists, and the physical demands of best of five play that shape a veteran’s last chance run.
‘The First Slam Dunk’ (2022)
Takehiko Inoue wrote and directed this animated basketball feature based on his manga. The film blends 3D and 2D animation to stage a single high stakes game with careful attention to spacing and motion.
It spent weeks at the top of the box office in its home market and expanded internationally with strong response. Play sequences show set offenses, defensive rotations, and timekeeping rules that anchor the drama in the mechanics of the sport.
‘Haikyu!! The Dumpster Battle’ (2024)
This animated feature from Production I G continues the volleyball story from the series with the long awaited match between Karasuno and Nekoma. The film focuses on tactics like read blocking, serve receive, and transition offense.
Animators worked with volleyball advisors to choreograph realistic rallies and court coverage. The release drew large crowds for event style screenings and brought new attention to the sport’s techniques and teamwork.
‘Rising Phoenix’ (2020)
Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui directed this documentary about the history and impact of the Paralympic movement through the journeys of multiple athletes. Interviews and event footage highlight training environments and classification systems.
The film explains rules across sports and the technology that supports performance, including prosthetics and racing chairs. It also shows organizing committee work, broadcasting, and athlete representation within international sport.
‘You Cannot Kill David Arquette’ (2020)
David Darg and Price James directed this documentary that follows actor David Arquette as he returns to professional wrestling to repair his reputation among fans. The film tracks conditioning, ring training, and bookings on the independent circuit.
Promoters, trainers, and wrestlers appear as Arquette learns bumps, promos, and match pacing. The documentary includes behind the curtain planning and the medical supervision required for high risk events.
‘Jockey’ (2021)
Clint Bentley directed this intimate drama about a veteran rider confronting injuries and a shifting career. Clifton Collins Jr. plays the lead with Molly Parker and Moises Arias in key roles.
The film shot at active tracks with real horsemen and early morning training schedules. It captures weigh ins, tack rooms, and the business of mounts and purses that determine a rider’s livelihood.
‘National Champions’ (2021)
Ric Roman Waugh directed this drama adapted from a play by Adam Mervis about a college football star who sparks a player strike before a championship game. Stephan James leads with J K Simmons as a high profile coach.
The film explores name image and likeness debates, scholarship terms, and conference power structures. Scenes include media briefings, union style meetings, and compliance discussions that shape the future of the sport at the collegiate level.
’83’ (2021)
Kabir Khan directed this cricket drama about India’s run to a world title led by captain Kapil Dev. Ranveer Singh stars with an ensemble cast representing teammates and coaches.
The production filmed at historic grounds with attention to equipment, bowling actions, and field settings of the era. Match sequences recreate score pressure, selection calls, and dressing room dynamics that defined a landmark tournament.
‘Rise’ (2022)
Akin Omotoso directed this biographical drama about the Antetokounmpo family and their path from street vending to the NBA. Uche Agada plays Giannis with Ral Agada as Thanasis and Dayo Okeniyi and Yetide Badaki as their parents.
The film shot in Greece and the United States and shows youth leagues, immigration hurdles, and draft night. It covers development programs, agent meetings, and family decisions that supported a remarkable ascent in professional basketball.
Share your favorite picks from this decade and tell us which sports films you want everyone to watch in the comments.
