Well-known film producer Libby Geist once said, “People seem to think they know the stories, but a filmmaker can step back and show reasons why and how, which are often missing from the everyday story of sports.” Sports fans around the world would wholeheartedly agree.
The biggest streaming platforms have released several great documentaries in recent years, and sports documentaries are no exception. Here are the top ten documentaries about sports and the culture surrounding them.
10 Reggie (2023)
Prime Video released this documentary about baseball megastar Reggie Jackson, who fought for his dignity, respect and a place at the table as a black athlete in the 1970s. The hardships and struggles the Yankee star faced resulted in a documentary that depicts a depressing ulterior motive in which Jackson was unable to enjoy the benefits of fame accorded to his white counterparts.
The relationship between Jackson and the media was often highlighted when he confessed to being extremely aggressive during interviews. The controversy of Reggie not in the content of the movie, but rather in the failure to mention his coaches and the OG players who were a big part of his career.
9 Cheer (2020)
This two-season Netflix series follows the heartwarming story of cheer coach Monica Aldama who works hard and demands perfection from her protegees on the Navarro College Cheer Team. The documentary deviates from the perception of cheerleading as a “dumb blonde sport” and highlights the skills and determination required for the sport.
cheer focuses not only on Aldama’s story, but also on each cheerleader’s struggles. The docu-series depicts the dilemmas of competing in an increasingly dangerous sport, where certain stunts are banned due to difficulties and broken bones are pushed to the limit, questioning Coach Aldama’s morality.
8 Free Solo (2018)
This Disney+ documentary tells the inspiring story of Alex Honnold, who became the first free solo climber to climb El Capitan, which is 900 meters high and made of pure granite. The feat was known as the greatest athletic achievement of any kind by climbing a vertical slope without safety ropes.
Honnold’s miraculous opportunity was an emotional journey, facing the very real threat of death. The athletic triumph is documented with close-ups of Honnold through drone footage, capturing the poignant moments of near-skidding. Free only is a heartwarming look at the relationship between Honnold and his girlfriend Sanni McCandless, though it is terrifying to watch those close to him watch the climb, knowing that there is so much at stake – the terrifying reality of free solo climbing.
7 Tree! Tree! The World vs. Boris Becker (2023)
The Apple TV+ documentary unravels the story of Boris Becker, the German tennis player who made his mark on the sport as a teenager by winning Wimbledon at the age of 17. Tree! Tree! The world versus Boris Becker focuses on everything from his scandalous intermarriage to hiding assets during the court’s bankruptcy filing and ending a two-year prison sentence – just two of the many aspects of Becker’s life the documentary exposes.
The documentary becomes more intriguing when director Alex Gibney makes his entrance through a voice-over; an overly dramatic story was avoided, giving the 20th century tennis legend a level of authenticity.
6 Full Speed (2023)
This Netflix series takes a look at the 2022 PGA Tour, covering in just eight episodes during the most unprecedented year of professional golf. Today’s greatest players face high stakes due to the relentless league shows where even a small mistake can have catastrophic consequences, and golfers can walk away with millions of dollars… or nothing at all.
Tragedy mounts during the PGA’s decisions to make LIV the future of golf, taking a controversial turn for the better or for the worse (depending on who you ask). The professional golfers face the power struggles of golf, and each episode focuses on a different athlete’s career, experience and drama during the season’s four major golf tournaments.
5 The Swimmers (2022)
A Netflix documentary, The Swimmers follows two sisters who went from escaping Syria’s endless war to attending the 2016 Rio Olympics as refugees. After losing their home, the Mardini sisters take an unprecedented journey in a boat to Germany for a better life.
The hardships of Yusra and Sarah having to test their swimming skills at sea to survive was an inspiring journey, but those struggles didn’t stop Yusra Mardini from thriving as a refugee – her resilience enabled her to qualify for the Summer Olympics at the 17 years old and chasing her dreams.
4 Formula 1: Driving to Survive (2019)
Another Netflix series, Formula 1: drive to survive reveals the unparalleled speed and unprecedented access of Formula 1. The series is known as the most highly anticipated sports documentary series, converting a new generation of F1 fans to the sport in recent years. Drive to survive goes behind the scenes of each Grand Prix and shows the ongoing drama of which driver will take the next F1 championship title.
The series highlights the injustices Daniel Riccado faced from the start, how the GOAT Lewis Hamilton lost his eighth record-breaking title, how the youngster Max Verstappen made his mark and was hated by many fans for his attitude. The renewal of contracts, rivals emerging within the same team, the onboarding of youngsters, unexpected flaws in the racecars and the great commentary mean that the audience grows every season.
3 Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In (2021)
This Prime Video documentary is not about an athlete, but about the greatest football manager of all time. It is Sir Alex Ferguson of one of the biggest football clubs, Manchester United, who suffered a traumatic cerebral hemorrhage. From the early days of his humble beginnings to his 26-year tenure as Manchester United manager, Never admit is a chilling journey of the inspiring power of memory.
Directed by Ferguson’s son Jason, the documentary captures the authenticity and every aspect of his father’s career and struggles with his health that took place in 2018. The comeback of the great Manchester United manager is one of charisma, determination and intelligence.
2 Shane (2022)
This Prime Video documentary takes a look at Australia’s greatest cricketer, Shane Warne, who had an iconic bowled leg spin. Shane was released weeks before the cricketing legend’s death from a heart condition, making the film more sentimental to his fans. Warne was the master of his spin bowling, but with success and prestige came many scandals. Rumors of gambling, drugs and infidelity haunted him over the years. This put a strain on his personal life, including his marriage and his cricketing career.
The late Warne speaks candidly about his actions and how they affected not only his ex-wife but also his children. Despite the scandals, his family and colleagues in the sport still had good things to say about the one-of-a-kind cricketer.
1 The Last Dance (2020)
The last dance unravels the cultural phenomenon that has befallen the sport of basketball with Michael Jordan and his storied time with the Chicago Bulls. The ten-part Netflix documentary series follows the Jordan dynasty winning six championships in eight years with his teammates Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and coach Phil Jackson. The journey of the Bulls dynasty was not smooth sailing, especially with the executive decisions that came from replacing head coach with Jerry Krause, the pressure to win the second three-peat championship, and the tension between teammates, including the overwhelming expectations from Michael Jordan.