7 Best Boxing Movies Worth Watching While Waiting for "Christy," According to IMDb

Contents:
Rarely is any sport as cinematic as boxing. Cameras love these battles: punches in slow motion, beads of sweat, stories of falls and incredible comebacks.

Every boxing movie delivers more than just fights — these are dramas about human strength, pain, and hope.

While we wait for the biopic "Christy" starring Sydney Sweeney as women's boxing legend Christy Martin, hitting theaters November 7, 2025, let's revisit the best boxing films ever made. They're tried and tested by time and audiences, and their heroes have become symbols of courage and endurance.

Southpaw (2015)

IMDb Rating: 7.3/10

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Forest Whitaker

The story of champion Billy Hope, who loses his wife and everything that mattered to him. He has to climb back up from rock bottom — both in the ring and in life.

Jake Gyllenhaal delivered outstanding physical transformation and emotional depth, making this one of the most talked-about sports dramas of the 2010s.
Southpaw Trailer
Fun fact: part of the soundtrack was written by rapper Eminem. So if you're looking for workout music, the Southpaw OST is a solid choice.

The Hurricane (1999)

IMDb Rating: 7.6/10

Cast: Denzel Washington

The story of boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, who's wrongfully accused of murder. The film balances sports and courtroom drama, and Denzel Washington's performance earned him a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination.
The Hurricane Trailer
For me, this is one of Denzel's best films. And while boxing is just part of the story, the ring scenes are so authentic you can't help but believe every punch.

The Fighter (2010)

IMDb Rating: 7.8/10

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams

Based on the real story of boxer Micky Ward. Christian Bale played his brother Dicky Eklund and won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
The Fighter Trailer
The Fighter shows not just the fights, but family drama where sports becomes the only way to escape hopelessness. The family dynamics hit just as hard as the ring action.

Cinderella Man (2005)

IMDb Rating: 8.0/10

Cast: Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger

The story of James J. Braddock — a boxer who, after a series of defeats and injuries, made his comeback during the Great Depression.

A drama about hope and fighting for family that made Cinderella Man a modern sports classic.
Cinderella Man Trailer
I remember James's final fight scene literally had me clenching my fists in my seat.

Rocky (1976)

IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Carl Weathers

The legendary story of Rocky Balboa — a humble Philadelphia boxer who gets his shot at fighting the world champion.
Actor Sylvester Stallone hits a small punching bag in a boxing gym
Scene from Rocky
Source:
This film launched an entire franchise and turned Stallone into a superstar. The movie won three Oscars, including Best Picture.

Favorite quote: "It don't matter if I lose this fight. It don't matter if this guy opens my head, either. 'Cause all I wanna do is go the distance. Nobody's ever gone the distance with Creed. And if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings, and I'm still standin', I'm gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren't just another bum from the neighborhood."

Raging Bull (1980)

IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

Starring: Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci

Martin Scorsese's film about boxer Jake LaMotta, who fought battles not just in the ring, but with his own inner demons.
Raging Bull trailer
Robert De Niro won an Oscar for his lead performance, and the film has long been considered the pinnacle of sports cinema.

Bonus: Warrior (2011)

IMDb Rating: 8.1/10

Starring: Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton

Sure, technically this is MMA, not boxing, but calling Warrior an outsider in this lineup just doesn't feel right. This is a story about fighters in the truest sense — not just in the ring, but in life.
Warrior trailer
The story of two brothers who face off against each other in a mixed martial arts tournament.

Warrior isn't just about fighting — it's about family pain, resentment, and forgiveness. Nick Nolte earned an Oscar nomination for his role as the father, and the fight scenes are considered some of the best in the genre.

Each of these films really isn't about punches and matches, but about people, their fears and vulnerabilities. And when "Christy" hits theaters in November, we'll get the chance to add another story to this list — this time about a woman who proved the ring isn't just for men. Earlier on zoomboola.com, we covered another compelling sports drama — "The Smashing Machine" starring Dwayne Johnson.