Must-Watch Movies Inspired by Olympic Stories
The Games of the XXXIII Olympiad, known as the 2024 Summer Olympics, kicked off on July 26 in Paris, France. With over 10,000 athletes from 206 countries competing to be the best, some of their stories might one day become legendary films. In this article, we've curated a selection of incredible movies that perfectly capture the Olympic spirit. Filled with intense competition, determination, and inspiration, these films are sure to captivate and motivate you.
1. Prefontaine (1997)
IMDb: 6.8
The film portrays the life of Steve Prefontaine, a long-distance runner and Olympic hopeful from Oregon who died at a young age.
Director: Steve James
Cast: Jared Leto, R. Lee Ermey, Ed O'Neill
2. I, Tonya (2017)
IMDb: 7.5
Competitive ice skater Tonya Harding rises through the ranks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but her future in the sport is put in jeopardy when her ex-husband intervenes.
Director: Craig Gillespie
Cast: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney
3. Chariots of Fire (1981)
IMDb: 7.1
Two British athletes, one a determined Jew and the other a devout Christian, are driven to win at the 1924 Olympics while grappling with issues of pride and conscience.
Director: Hugh Hudson
Cast: Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, Nicholas Farrell
4. Cool Runnings (1993)
IMDb: 7
When a Jamaican runner is disqualified from the Olympic Games, he enlists the help of an unconventional coach to start the first Jamaican Bobsled Team.
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Cast: John Candy, Leon, Doug E. Doug
5. Miracle (2004)
IMDb: 7.5
The film tells the true story of Herb Brooks, a player-turned-coach who led the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team to victory against the seemingly invincible Soviet team.
Director: Gavin O'Connor
Cast: Kurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson, Nathan West
6. Foxcatcher (2014)
IMDb: 7
U.S. Olympic wrestling champions Mark Schultz and Dave Schultz join 'Team Foxcatcher,' led by multi-millionaire John du Pont, as they prepare for the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea. However, John's self-destructive behavior threatens to consume them all.
Director: Bennett Miller
Cast: Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo
7. Rising Phoenix (2020)
IMDb: 8.1
This documentary film explores the history and current state of the Paralympic Games, which have become the third largest sporting event in the world.
Directors: Ian Bonhôte, Peter Ettedgui
Cast: Jean-Baptiste Alaize, Ryley Batt, Ellie Cole
8. Gracie (2007)
IMDb: 6.2
Soccer enthusiast Grace fights to play on her high school’s boys' team and to gain support for women's soccer while coping with the death of her brother.
Director: Davis Guggenheim
Cast: Carly Schroeder, Andrew Shue, Elisabeth Shue
9. Race (2016)
IMDb: 7.1
Jesse Owens’ quest to become the greatest track and field athlete leads him to the global stage of the 1936 Olympics, where he faces Adolf Hitler's vision of Aryan supremacy.
Director: Stephen Hopkins
Cast: Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis, Eli Goree
10. Eddie the Eagle (2015)
IMDb: 7.3
The film tells the unique story of Eddie Edwards, the persistent British ski jumper who charmed the world at the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Director: Dexter Fletcher
Cast: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Tom Costello
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