The 10 Best Movies About the Olympics, Ranked

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The Olympic Games, held every four years, bring together athletes from almost every country in the world. Originating in ancient Greece, the Games were officially reintroduced in 1896 and serve as a global celebration of athletic competition and unity. They inspire national pride and offer a fantastic opportunity for people to come together and support a shared purpose.

Let’s be real, the Olympics always get a ton of attention, whether we’re watching the events live or seeing dramatized versions of real stories on the big screen. It’s a subject filmmakers keep coming back to, and honestly, who can blame them? We all love a good underdog story, or a peek behind the curtain at the intense drive for gold. From films like I, Tonya that show the gritty side of competition, to inspiring tales like Miracle, stories about Olympic victory – and the sacrifices people make to get there – just resonate. So, I’ve put together a ranked list of what I think are the very best Olympic movies.

‘The Cutting Edge’ (1992)


Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

In The Cutting Edge, a privileged figure skater named Kate (Moira Kelly) is unexpectedly teamed up with a rough-around-the-edges hockey player, Doug, to compete for the United States in the 1992 Winter Olympics. Though they initially clash, Kate and Doug begin to connect as they train and face off against their rivals from the Soviet Union. As they practice, Doug falls in love with Kate, and she eventually returns his feelings. Together, they deliver a passionate and unforgettable performance on the ice.

The original Cutting Edge movie was a hit and launched a series of sequels, primarily made for television. If you enjoy romantic comedies, The Cutting Edge is a must-see, particularly if you fondly remember 90s films. However, because it’s a bit specialized and focuses more on charming characters than accurate sports depiction, it doesn’t rank as highly as some other films.

‘Foxcatcher’ (2014)


Sony Pictures Classics

Foxcatcher is a disturbing true story about Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz (played brilliantly by Channing Tatum). He’s invited to train at the lavish estate of John du Pont (Steve Carell), a wealthy eccentric who wants to build a wrestling team for the 1988 Olympics. As du Pont’s unusual training methods chip away at Mark’s confidence, Mark’s brother Dave tries to intervene. The film ultimately portrays the tragic events leading up to Dave Schultz’s murder by John du Pont.

I was really captivated by Foxcatcher, and it definitely deserved all the attention it got at the Oscars – Steve Carell and Bennett Miller were fantastic. While critics generally liked it, some pointed out that the film took liberties with the true story, specifically leaving out details about John du Pont’s past abuse. But honestly, for me, it’s a really powerful and unsettling story about how easily things can go wrong, especially when you mix ambition with the pressures of competitive sports. It really stuck with me.

‘Eddie the Eagle’ (2015)


20th Century Fox

Eddie the Eagle is a funny and heartwarming movie based on the true story of Michael “Eddie” Edwards (played by Taron Egerton). He was a British athlete who achieved his dream of competing in the Olympics as a ski jumper – the first from Britain in decades to do so. The film shows his journey to train with a former American champion, Peary (Hugh Jackman), the challenges and mockery he faced, and his participation in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, where he finished last.

People often say that even the least talented professional athlete is still remarkably skilled. The movie Eddie the Eagle perfectly illustrates this – despite facing long odds, his determination makes him a memorable ski jumper and, many would argue, Great Britain’s finest. The film successfully combines humor with an inspiring story about pursuing your goals, making Eddie the Eagle a truly feel-good Olympic tale.

‘The Fire Inside’ (2024)


Amazon MGM Studios

“The Fire Inside” is a biographical sports drama about boxer Claressa “T-Rex” Shields, portrayed by Ryan Destiny. The film showcases the hard work and resilience needed to succeed as a professional athlete. It follows Shields’ journey from a challenging upbringing in Flint, Michigan – where she faced poverty and discrimination in a sport dominated by men – to her historic gold medal win at the 2012 London Olympics, and beyond, exploring her life after achieving fame and success.

I was really moved by The Fire Inside. It’s not just another boxing movie; it gives you a much fuller picture of what it takes to be an Olympic athlete. It shows the wins, sure, but it also honestly portrays the struggles many athletes face, like money problems – it’s shocking to learn the US doesn’t directly support its Olympians financially! What I really loved was how it focused on the people involved, not just the sport, and really made me think about all the sacrifices athletes make to reach the top.

‘Munich’ (2005)


Universal Pictures

The film Munich is inspired by the true story of the Munich massacre at the 1972 Olympics, where 11 Israeli athletes were killed. The movie centers on Avner Kaufman (Eric Bana), who is assigned by the Israeli government to track down and kill 11 people connected to the Palestine Liberation Organization as an act of revenge. Throughout his mission, Avner starts to grapple with the ethical implications of his actions.

Munich received five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. Though critically acclaimed, the film continues to spark discussion and debate due to its sensitive political themes. While it doesn’t celebrate athletic achievement, Munich is a powerful and important film about the 1972 Olympics, and it encourages viewers to confront challenging topics.

‘Cool Runnings’ (1993)


Disney/Buena Vista Pictures

Inspired by the real story of Jamaica’s first bobsled team at the 1988 Winter Olympics – a team that had never even seen snow – the movie Cool Runnings tells the story of their determined journey to compete. With the guidance of Irving (played by John Candy), a former Olympic bobsledder who was disqualified in 1972, the team works together to qualify and represent Jamaica on the world stage.

Everyone loved Cool Runnings, recognizing it as a genuinely inspiring story about pursuing your dreams through dedication. It’s become a classic underdog sports film, cherished for its heartwarming moments, funny scenes, and memorable quotes. Notably, the film was groundbreaking for Disney and unusual for its time, as it focused on positive portrayals of Black Caribbean characters.

‘Race’ (2016)


Lionsgate Studios

The movie Race tells the incredible true story of Jesse Owens (Stephan James), a talented African-American athlete preparing for the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. The film shows his journey, guided by his coach Larry Snyder (Jason Sudeikis), as he achieves Olympic success while facing prejudice and political challenges. Ultimately, Owens defied Hitler’s idea of the ideal athlete and became a legendary Olympic runner.

Jesse Owens’ incredible victory over racism at home and the hateful ideology of Nazi Germany is a truly inspiring story, and it’s about time it was told on film. Though the movie follows a familiar pattern at times, it’s a powerful and thought-provoking drama with stunning visuals, especially during the races. Ultimately, this important and timely story makes it a perfect choice for viewers, particularly during the Olympic Games.

‘Miracle’ (2004)


Buena Vista Pictures Distribution

The movie stars Kurt Russell as Herb Brooks, the coach tasked with leading the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team. Stepping up from a college coaching position, Brooks brings a fresh approach to the game. After an initial defeat, he inspires his team of college players to train relentlessly and overcome their rivals, the powerful Soviet team. Their journey became a powerful representation of American pride during the tense years of the Cold War.

The movie Miracle, based on the inspiring true story of the 1980 US Olympic hockey team’s stunning victory, won the ESPY Award for Best Sports Movie in 2004. But beyond the award, audiences connected with the film’s portrayal of an incredible underdog story, highlighting the power of perseverance and teamwork. Its exciting and realistic hockey scenes have also made it a lasting favorite among sports fans.

‘I, Tonya’ (2017)


Neon

The movie I, Tonya shares the real story of Tonya Harding (played by Margot Robbie) and her success after becoming one of the first women to land a triple axel in competition. Her life takes a dramatic turn when her ex-husband attempts to sabotage her rival, Nancy Kerrigan. Both Tonya and Nancy were aiming for the Olympics, but the attack on Nancy ultimately damaged Tonya’s public image.

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As a huge cinema fan, I was really captivated by I, Tonya. The movie is built around interviews with Tonya Harding and her ex-husband, but they often contradict each other, which is fascinating. It cleverly leaves you, the viewer, to question what’s real and what’s been dramatized – it’s up to us to decide! But beyond that, it brilliantly captures a pivotal moment in Olympic history with a really polished, dramatic flair, and the acting is phenomenal – Margot Robbie is absolutely stunning. And for those of us who love figure skating, the skating sequences are incredibly well done – technically accurate and totally believable.

‘Chariots of Fire’ (1981)


20th Century Fox

The film Chariots of Fire tells the story of two British runners preparing for the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris. Eric Liddel, a deeply religious Christian, won’t run on Sundays for religious reasons, while Harold Abrahams, who is Jewish, faces prejudice from people in his social circle. Despite their different backgrounds and challenges, both men share a passion for running.

Based on a real-life story, Chariots of Fire was a major success at the Academy Awards, winning four awards out of seven nominations, including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. The film became so well-loved that it was later turned into a stage play for the 2012 London Olympics. With its stunning visuals and inspiring story, and by exploring faith and identity through the world of sports, Chariots of Fire is considered not only the best movie about the Olympics, but one of the greatest sports films ever made – making it a clear number one on our list.

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2026-02-09 02:15