Top 10 Boxing Movies

left hooks right jabs and the center

left hooks right jabs and the center stage of cinema welcome to watchmojo.com

stage of cinema welcome to watchmojo.com

stage of cinema welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks

and today we’re counting down our picks

and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 boxing movies more you

for the top 10 boxing movies more you

for the top 10 boxing movies more you get it the harder you fight I get it

get it the harder you fight I get it

get it the harder you fight I get it let’s go only now she’s taking way too

let’s go only now she’s taking way too

let’s go only now she’s taking way too many hits before you get off for this

many hits before you get off for this

many hits before you get off for this list we’re focusing exclusively on

list we’re focusing exclusively on

list we’re focusing exclusively on feature films whose plots are centered

feature films whose plots are centered

feature films whose plots are centered around boxing you’re true but that means

around boxing you’re true but that means

around boxing you’re true but that means that documentaries and short films are

that documentaries and short films are

that documentaries and short films are excluded number 10 girl fight girls

excluded number 10 girl fight girls

excluded number 10 girl fight girls don’t have the same powers boys Michelle

don’t have the same powers boys Michelle

don’t have the same powers boys Michelle Rodriguez made her film debut in this

Rodriguez made her film debut in this

Rodriguez made her film debut in this Brooklyn based film and stunned critics

Brooklyn based film and stunned critics

Brooklyn based film and stunned critics with her natural acting chops I come to

with her natural acting chops I come to

with her natural acting chops I come to defend myself after all there had never

defend myself after all there had never

defend myself after all there had never been a boxing flick quite like girl

been a boxing flick quite like girl

been a boxing flick quite like girl fight as Diana Guzman attempts to deal

fight as Diana Guzman attempts to deal

fight as Diana Guzman attempts to deal with family problems by hitting the bag

with family problems by hitting the bag

with family problems by hitting the bag at the local gym stealing the ring over

at the local gym stealing the ring over

at the local gym stealing the ring over on the back wall the stars natural

on the back wall the stars natural

on the back wall the stars natural charisma connected with all types of

charisma connected with all types of

charisma connected with all types of underdogs and the inherent grittiness of

underdogs and the inherent grittiness of

underdogs and the inherent grittiness of the film enforced the idea that women

the film enforced the idea that women

the film enforced the idea that women are perfectly capable of getting down in

are perfectly capable of getting down in

are perfectly capable of getting down in the ring women have a lower center of

the ring women have a lower center of

the ring women have a lower center of gravity maybe they’re more grounded once

gravity maybe they’re more grounded once

gravity maybe they’re more grounded once they feel strength it makes them a

they feel strength it makes them a

they feel strength it makes them a different kind of boxer Rodriguez

different kind of boxer Rodriguez

different kind of boxer Rodriguez trained for months to play the ambitious

trained for months to play the ambitious

trained for months to play the ambitious character and she followed up her

character and she followed up her

character and she followed up her unforgettable debut by appearing in the

unforgettable debut by appearing in the

unforgettable debut by appearing in the 2001 film The Fast and the Furious

number nine Fat City based on the 1969

number nine Fat City based on the 1969 novel by Leonard Gardner this film about

novel by Leonard Gardner this film about

novel by Leonard Gardner this film about a down-and-out alcoholic revived the

a down-and-out alcoholic revived the

a down-and-out alcoholic revived the career of legendary director John Huston

career of legendary director John Huston

career of legendary director John Huston you’re gonna go up for a drink good

you’re gonna go up for a drink good

you’re gonna go up for a drink good leave me here fighting in a wig thing I

leave me here fighting in a wig thing I

leave me here fighting in a wig thing I think I drank anyway let me get my shoe

think I drank anyway let me get my shoe

think I drank anyway let me get my shoe when Stacy Keach is Billy Tully settles

when Stacy Keach is Billy Tully settles

when Stacy Keach is Billy Tully settles in Stockton California he meets a young

in Stockton California he meets a young

in Stockton California he meets a young boxing prospect played by Jeff Bridges I

boxing prospect played by Jeff Bridges I

boxing prospect played by Jeff Bridges I was sparring with this young kid it’s a

was sparring with this young kid it’s a

was sparring with this young kid it’s a good young prospect he can make a lot of

good young prospect he can make a lot of

good young prospect he can make a lot of money someday if he was hot all right

money someday if he was hot all right

money someday if he was hot all right however after both men become literally

however after both men become literally

however after both men become literally and figuratively wrecked by life they

and figuratively wrecked by life they

and figuratively wrecked by life they discover that perhaps they’re cut from

discover that perhaps they’re cut from

discover that perhaps they’re cut from the same cloth despite a difference in

the same cloth despite a difference in

the same cloth despite a difference in age listen you got everything going for

age listen you got everything going for

age listen you got everything going for it you know that you’re young and you

it you know that you’re young and you

it you know that you’re young and you got a wife you got a kid a little boy

got a wife you got a kid a little boy

got a wife you got a kid a little boy yeah you got a good reach with each

yeah you got a good reach with each

yeah you got a good reach with each facing their own personal dilemmas the

facing their own personal dilemmas the

facing their own personal dilemmas the two men come to grips with the idea that

two men come to grips with the idea that

two men come to grips with the idea that Fat City can only be reached by

Fat City can only be reached by

Fat City can only be reached by graduating from the school of hard

graduating from the school of hard

graduating from the school of hard knocks if at all we can I buy a cup of

knocks if at all we can I buy a cup of

knocks if at all we can I buy a cup of coffee yeah let’s go get some coffee

coffee yeah let’s go get some coffee

coffee yeah let’s go get some coffee number eight the boxer 14 years I was

number eight the boxer 14 years I was

number eight the boxer 14 years I was locked up in a world where violence

locked up in a world where violence

locked up in a world where violence reigns supreme

reigns supreme

reigns supreme one man hopes to achieve peace through

one man hopes to achieve peace through

one man hopes to achieve peace through powerful left hooks okay that’s not the

powerful left hooks okay that’s not the

powerful left hooks okay that’s not the official tagline for the boxer

official tagline for the boxer

official tagline for the boxer however Jim Sheridan’s film does tackle

however Jim Sheridan’s film does tackle

however Jim Sheridan’s film does tackle some very real societal problems upon

some very real societal problems upon

some very real societal problems upon serving 14 years in the clink and

serving 14 years in the clink and

serving 14 years in the clink and returning to his native Belfast Danny

returning to his native Belfast Danny

returning to his native Belfast Danny Flynn realizes that his Belfast

Flynn realizes that his Belfast

Flynn realizes that his Belfast associates continue to live by the code

associates continue to live by the code

associates continue to live by the code of the IRA I’m not a killer Amagi this

of the IRA I’m not a killer Amagi this

of the IRA I’m not a killer Amagi this place makes me want to kill even so he

place makes me want to kill even so he

place makes me want to kill even so he laces up and reconnects with old friends

laces up and reconnects with old friends

laces up and reconnects with old friends but the looming threat of trouble cannot

but the looming threat of trouble cannot

but the looming threat of trouble cannot be escaped

be escaped

be escaped you’re a dangerous

with Daniel day-lewis and Emily Watson

with Daniel day-lewis and Emily Watson in the lead roles the boxer featured two

in the lead roles the boxer featured two

in the lead roles the boxer featured two acclaimed performers at their best is

acclaimed performers at their best is

acclaimed performers at their best is still Hobbit

I sold for what it’s worth

I sold for what it’s worth number 7 the hurricane capping off an

number 7 the hurricane capping off an

number 7 the hurricane capping off an illustrious career Norman Jewison

illustrious career Norman Jewison

illustrious career Norman Jewison directed this film about a real-life

directed this film about a real-life

directed this film about a real-life boxer wrongly convicted of murder the

boxer wrongly convicted of murder the

boxer wrongly convicted of murder the same men Bob Dylan sang about in his

same men Bob Dylan sang about in his

same men Bob Dylan sang about in his 1975 song look I’m innocent that’s why

1975 song look I’m innocent that’s why

1975 song look I’m innocent that’s why seven years you got damn right at seven

seven years you got damn right at seven

seven years you got damn right at seven years just get me out of here I want a

years just get me out of here I want a

years just get me out of here I want a new trial

new trial

new trial Denzel Washington starred as Ruben

Denzel Washington starred as Ruben

Denzel Washington starred as Ruben Carter who was falsely identified in a

Carter who was falsely identified in a

Carter who was falsely identified in a Paterson New Jersey triple murder and

Paterson New Jersey triple murder and

Paterson New Jersey triple murder and spent almost two decades in jail we all

spent almost two decades in jail we all

spent almost two decades in jail we all believe in your innocence

believe in your innocence

believe in your innocence I’ve been innocent 16 years that’s how

I’ve been innocent 16 years that’s how

I’ve been innocent 16 years that’s how long I’ve been with the help of a young

long I’ve been with the help of a young

long I’ve been with the help of a young boy and his Canadian mentors reason

boy and his Canadian mentors reason

boy and his Canadian mentors reason trumped over racism and hurricane Carter

trumped over racism and hurricane Carter

trumped over racism and hurricane Carter was released he put me in prison

love’s gonna bust me the film went on to

love’s gonna bust me the film went on to receive multiple Academy Award

receive multiple Academy Award

receive multiple Academy Award nominations and the real-life rubin

nominations and the real-life rubin

nominations and the real-life rubin carter continued to fight for civil

carter continued to fight for civil

carter continued to fight for civil rights until his death in 2014 mr.

rights until his death in 2014 mr.

rights until his death in 2014 mr. Carter

Carter

Carter now the trata are you still gonna be the

now the trata are you still gonna be the

now the trata are you still gonna be the hurricane oh I always be a hurricane and

hurricane oh I always be a hurricane and

hurricane oh I always be a hurricane and hurricane is

hurricane is

hurricane is youth number six ollie

youth number six ollie

youth number six ollie the champ is here it’s not the greatest

the champ is here it’s not the greatest

the champ is here it’s not the greatest boxing film of all time but it’s about

boxing film of all time but it’s about

boxing film of all time but it’s about the greatest with Will Smith at the

the greatest with Will Smith at the

the greatest with Will Smith at the center of the proverbial ring director

center of the proverbial ring director

center of the proverbial ring director Michael Mann chronicled a turbulent

Michael Mann chronicled a turbulent

Michael Mann chronicled a turbulent ten-year period during which Cassius

ten-year period during which Cassius

ten-year period during which Cassius Clay was transformed into the American

Clay was transformed into the American

Clay was transformed into the American icon Muhammad Ali from this day forward

icon Muhammad Ali from this day forward

icon Muhammad Ali from this day forward you will be known as Muhammad Ali from

you will be known as Muhammad Ali from

you will be known as Muhammad Ali from classic boxing matches to the

classic boxing matches to the

classic boxing matches to the assassination of Malcolm X Ali painted a

assassination of Malcolm X Ali painted a

assassination of Malcolm X Ali painted a poignant portrait of America as one man

poignant portrait of America as one man

poignant portrait of America as one man established his legacy in and out of the

established his legacy in and out of the

established his legacy in and out of the spotlight you my enemy not no Chinese no

spotlight you my enemy not no Chinese no

spotlight you my enemy not no Chinese no Vietcong no Japanese

Vietcong no Japanese

Vietcong no Japanese you my opposer when I won’t freedom you

you my opposer when I won’t freedom you

you my opposer when I won’t freedom you my opposer when I want justice you my

my opposer when I want justice you my

my opposer when I want justice you my opposer when I want equality while not a

opposer when I want equality while not a

opposer when I want equality while not a definitive biopic of Muhammad Ali the

definitive biopic of Muhammad Ali the

definitive biopic of Muhammad Ali the film was noted for its visceral effect

film was noted for its visceral effect

film was noted for its visceral effect on viewers in other words Will Smith is

on viewers in other words Will Smith is

on viewers in other words Will Smith is a bad man bad man I’m bad number 5

a bad man bad man I’m bad number 5

a bad man bad man I’m bad number 5 Cinderella man the Cinderella

Cinderella man the Cinderella

Cinderella man the Cinderella send it relevant yeah how are you

send it relevant yeah how are you

send it relevant yeah how are you Russell Crowe may be most known for his

Russell Crowe may be most known for his

Russell Crowe may be most known for his fictional character and gladiator but

fictional character and gladiator but

fictional character and gladiator but his portrayal of a real-life Irish

his portrayal of a real-life Irish

his portrayal of a real-life Irish American boxer arguably revealed his

American boxer arguably revealed his

American boxer arguably revealed his greatest work as an actor well if it

greatest work as an actor well if it

greatest work as an actor well if it ain’t Cinderella man directed by Ron

ain’t Cinderella man directed by Ron

ain’t Cinderella man directed by Ron Howard

Howard

Howard Cinderella man told the story of James J

Cinderella man told the story of James J

Cinderella man told the story of James J Braddock a man who suffered during the

Braddock a man who suffered during the

Braddock a man who suffered during the Great Depression but somehow managed to

Great Depression but somehow managed to

Great Depression but somehow managed to overcome the odds and fight his way to

overcome the odds and fight his way to

overcome the odds and fight his way to victory oh it’s not fine no it’s not

victory oh it’s not fine no it’s not

victory oh it’s not fine no it’s not what the hell you don’t tell me why Oh

what the hell you don’t tell me why Oh

what the hell you don’t tell me why Oh everybody’s dead I owe everybody money

everybody’s dead I owe everybody money

everybody’s dead I owe everybody money with Renee Zellweger as the devoted wife

with Renee Zellweger as the devoted wife

with Renee Zellweger as the devoted wife and Craig Bierko as the utterly

and Craig Bierko as the utterly

and Craig Bierko as the utterly punchable max Beier Cinderella man

punchable max Beier Cinderella man

punchable max Beier Cinderella man reached into the hearts of viewers

reached into the hearts of viewers

reached into the hearts of viewers ripped them apart and pieced them back

ripped them apart and pieced them back

ripped them apart and pieced them back together all within 144 minutes

the real-life Micky Ward reached boxing

the real-life Micky Ward reached boxing glory through his trilogy of fights with

glory through his trilogy of fights with

glory through his trilogy of fights with the late Arturo Gatti but it was David O

the late Arturo Gatti but it was David O

the late Arturo Gatti but it was David O Russell’s film that introduced his

Russell’s film that introduced his

Russell’s film that introduced his remarkable story to millions of

remarkable story to millions of

remarkable story to millions of moviegoers I’m the one fighting okay not

moviegoers I’m the one fighting okay not

moviegoers I’m the one fighting okay not you not you and not you portrayed by

you not you and not you portrayed by

you not you and not you portrayed by Mark Wahlberg Ward serves as the calming

Mark Wahlberg Ward serves as the calming

Mark Wahlberg Ward serves as the calming force of a chaotic film for which

force of a chaotic film for which

force of a chaotic film for which Christian Bale earned an Academy Award

Christian Bale earned an Academy Award

Christian Bale earned an Academy Award for his performance as Ward’s brother

for his performance as Ward’s brother

for his performance as Ward’s brother and trainer Dicky Eklund the story of

and trainer Dicky Eklund the story of

and trainer Dicky Eklund the story of redemption highlighted the strength of

redemption highlighted the strength of

redemption highlighted the strength of familial bonds along with the

familial bonds along with the

familial bonds along with the devastation of watching a loved one sink

devastation of watching a loved one sink

devastation of watching a loved one sink to rock-bottom in the end the fighter

to rock-bottom in the end the fighter

to rock-bottom in the end the fighter left viewers speechless and anxious for

left viewers speechless and anxious for

left viewers speechless and anxious for a new chapter number three Million

a new chapter number three Million

a new chapter number three Million Dollar Baby Maggie Fitzgerald well

Dollar Baby Maggie Fitzgerald well

Dollar Baby Maggie Fitzgerald well Maggie Fitzgerald what’s up

Maggie Fitzgerald what’s up

Maggie Fitzgerald what’s up and then there was Eastwood thought you

and then there was Eastwood thought you

and then there was Eastwood thought you might be interested in training me I

might be interested in training me I

might be interested in training me I don’t train girls

don’t train girls

don’t train girls maybe you should people see me fat

maybe you should people see me fat

maybe you should people see me fat saying pretty tough girly tough ain’t

saying pretty tough girly tough ain’t

saying pretty tough girly tough ain’t enough by teaming up with the remarkable

enough by teaming up with the remarkable

enough by teaming up with the remarkable Hilary Swank the growling icon offered a

Hilary Swank the growling icon offered a

Hilary Swank the growling icon offered a blow to the gut with his unorthodox take

blow to the gut with his unorthodox take

blow to the gut with his unorthodox take on the female boxer when Maggie

on the female boxer when Maggie

on the female boxer when Maggie Fitzgerald shows up at an LA gym she

Fitzgerald shows up at an LA gym she

Fitzgerald shows up at an LA gym she forges a turbulent relationship with a

forges a turbulent relationship with a

forges a turbulent relationship with a snarling trainer and while the

snarling trainer and while the

snarling trainer and while the collaboration was seemingly built for

collaboration was seemingly built for

collaboration was seemingly built for the ring the duo becomes intertwined in

the ring the duo becomes intertwined in

the ring the duo becomes intertwined in a story that extends far beyond it

a story that extends far beyond it

a story that extends far beyond it because I know if you trained me right

because I know if you trained me right

because I know if you trained me right I’m gonna be a champ seen you looking at

I’m gonna be a champ seen you looking at

I’m gonna be a champ seen you looking at me yeah out of pity don’t you say that

me yeah out of pity don’t you say that

me yeah out of pity don’t you say that don’t you say that if it ain’t true

don’t you say that if it ain’t true

don’t you say that if it ain’t true Million Dollar Baby hit all the right

Million Dollar Baby hit all the right

Million Dollar Baby hit all the right beats of a typical boxing film and then

beats of a typical boxing film and then

beats of a typical boxing film and then dropped a heavy dose of reality for a

dropped a heavy dose of reality for a

dropped a heavy dose of reality for a lasting effect

number two Rocky before the release of

number two Rocky before the release of this cinematic classic most moviegoers

this cinematic classic most moviegoers

this cinematic classic most moviegoers knew Sylvester Stallone as machine gun

knew Sylvester Stallone as machine gun

knew Sylvester Stallone as machine gun Joe Viterbo from the 1975 film death

Joe Viterbo from the 1975 film death

Joe Viterbo from the 1975 film death race 2000 what they didn’t know is that

race 2000 what they didn’t know is that

race 2000 what they didn’t know is that the Italian stallion had written a

the Italian stallion had written a

the Italian stallion had written a script that would forever change the

script that would forever change the

script that would forever change the makeup of the American sports movie

based on the idea of the American dream

based on the idea of the American dream rocky unveiled the next great movie star

rocky unveiled the next great movie star

rocky unveiled the next great movie star and inspired a nation of working class

and inspired a nation of working class

and inspired a nation of working class heroes to push a little harder

heroes to push a little harder

heroes to push a little harder I really don’t matter if I lose just

I really don’t matter if I lose just

I really don’t matter if I lose just like we don’t know if this guy opens my

like we don’t know if this guy opens my

like we don’t know if this guy opens my head II the film captures the gritty

head II the film captures the gritty

head II the film captures the gritty lifestyle of its italian-american

lifestyle of its italian-american

lifestyle of its italian-american character yet there are enough

character yet there are enough

character yet there are enough light-hearted moments to reel in the

light-hearted moments to reel in the

light-hearted moments to reel in the average viewer

average viewer

average viewer let’s get you you lay off that a shop

let’s get you you lay off that a shop

let’s get you you lay off that a shop date women weaken away truly a pop

date women weaken away truly a pop

date women weaken away truly a pop culture experience rocky has all the

culture experience rocky has all the

culture experience rocky has all the right moves

before we step into the ring with our

before we step into the ring with our top pick here are some honorable

top pick here are some honorable

top pick here are some honorable mentions actually in the morning I

mentions actually in the morning I

mentions actually in the morning I splash it on and it surrounds my face

splash it on and it surrounds my face

splash it on and it surrounds my face would class cut

trading shots again number one Raging

trading shots again number one Raging Bull

by the end of the 70s both Robert DeNiro

by the end of the 70s both Robert DeNiro and Martin Scorsese had established

and Martin Scorsese had established

and Martin Scorsese had established themselves as elite names in cinema and

themselves as elite names in cinema and

themselves as elite names in cinema and they unforgettably turned back the clock

they unforgettably turned back the clock

they unforgettably turned back the clock with the aesthetically profound Raging

with the aesthetically profound Raging

with the aesthetically profound Raging Bull never got me down

Bull never got me down

Bull never got me down for the character study of middleweight

for the character study of middleweight

for the character study of middleweight boxer Jake LaMotta De Niro gained 60

boxer Jake LaMotta De Niro gained 60

boxer Jake LaMotta De Niro gained 60 pounds while Scorsese and his crew

pounds while Scorsese and his crew

pounds while Scorsese and his crew offered a masterclass on cinematic art

offered a masterclass on cinematic art

offered a masterclass on cinematic art direction the filmmaker initially

direction the filmmaker initially

direction the filmmaker initially shunned the idea of making a boxing film

shunned the idea of making a boxing film

shunned the idea of making a boxing film but Paul Schrader screenplay and De

but Paul Schrader screenplay and De

but Paul Schrader screenplay and De Niro’s enthusiasm ultimately sealed the

Niro’s enthusiasm ultimately sealed the

Niro’s enthusiasm ultimately sealed the deal

deal

deal why don’t you Tommy huh did you fuck my

why don’t you Tommy huh did you fuck my

why don’t you Tommy huh did you fuck my brother yeah off you fat pig did you

brother yeah off you fat pig did you

brother yeah off you fat pig did you know in the absence of a feel-good plot

know in the absence of a feel-good plot

know in the absence of a feel-good plot Raging Bull became the definitive boxing

Raging Bull became the definitive boxing

Raging Bull became the definitive boxing movie through exceptional acting and a

movie through exceptional acting and a

movie through exceptional acting and a transcendent filmmaking process go game

transcendent filmmaking process go game

transcendent filmmaking process go game Jim do you agree with our list

Jim do you agree with our list

Jim do you agree with our list my secretary what’s your favorite boxing

my secretary what’s your favorite boxing

my secretary what’s your favorite boxing movie for more mind-blowing top 10s

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to watchmojo.com mutual punch I can take

to watchmojo.com mutual punch I can take it up the ass come on