Among all sports, boxing has received the most hits. Boxing tapes received a number of “Oscars” and other prestigious awards, became cult and reached the top of the box office. We have collected such pictures in this list. But the main thing is that they all inspire their viewers to win.
Cinderella Man (2005)
The plot of this film starring Russell Crowe is based on the biography of the famous American heavyweight boxer James Braddock. At the beginning of his professional career, many predicted a rapid rise to the top of the boxing rankings. However, everything turned out to be not so simple. Several unfortunate defeats forced him to leave the ring and make ends meet in order to feed his family. But one day fate gives him a chance to put on boxing gloves again. And he is faced with a difficult choice.
Rocky (1976)
The legendary film with Sylvester Stallone tells the story of the ardent boxer-loser Rocky Balboa. He has only one passion in his life – bloody fights in the ring. He trains fanatically for the highest goal of his life – the belt of the world champion. However, in life, he is just an amateur boxer who grabs for frivolous part-time jobs and competes in low-rated fights in his spare time. But one day he is offered to meet in the ring with the real champion Apollo Creed.
Creed (2015)
Continuation of the plot of the films about Rocky. This time, the son of Apollo Creed, Rocky Balboa’s first serious rival, is in the center of the story. Creed Jr.’s boxing talent was given to him by his father, and in order to develop it well, the boy went to Rocky. After all, only Rocky is able to properly develop the boy’s athletic abilities and lead him to the championship belt. However, Rocky is too old for coaching and doesn’t want to take on Creed’s training. Moreover, their past hides an old enmity. One of the brightest black actors in Hollywood, Michael B. Jordan, played the main role in the film.
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
The brightest film about a female boxer. The director of the film was the legendary Clint Eastwood, and the main role was played by Hilary Swank, who won two of his four “Oscars” for this film. The dramatic plot of the picture tells about the female boxer Maggie Fitzgerald, who trains hard for success in the ring. She turns to an elderly coach for help, who is skeptical of her dream. However, over time, he begins to help Maggie and as a result gets the best pet in her life.
Raging Bull (1980)
The immortal classic from Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro tells the true story of boxer Jake Lamott. In the 20th century, he was considered the king of middleweight boxing. He was well respected in the ring, but outside of it, Jake behaved inappropriately. The audience applauded his hot character, which was caused by Italian blood and a difficult childhood. Once a boxer agreed to take part in a contracted fight. However, after the conspiracy was revealed, Lamott vowed not to do anything like that. He was jealous of his wife to everyone. This eventually led to even more problems, which caused him to lose more often in the ring.
Hurricane (1999)
Boxer Rubin Carter, nicknamed “Hurricane”, was a real contender for the middleweight championship belt in 1966. He is accused of killing three people in one of the New Jersey bars and the court pronounces a sentence in the form of three prison terms. This puts an end to his career. However, in those days, similar sentences to blacks were often fabricated. So we need to figure out if Uragan is really guilty of this crime. The main role in the film was performed by Denzel Washington (“The Righteous One”).
Fighter (2010)
Purposeful boxer Mickey Ward wants to win the championship belt at all costs. To do this, he begins intensive training with his brother, who used to be a famous boxer, but broke down due to drugs. However, the path to the dream is not easy, and after another disappointment, Mickey falls into depression. His new girlfriend, with whom he falls madly in love, helps the boxer regain his spirits. Soon there is a new opponent for Mickey, but the main character is no longer sure if he really wants to continue boxing. And he has to choose between career and family happiness.
Girlfight (2000)
Since childhood, Diana grew up in difficult conditions, which taught her to be stubborn, independent and always ready to stand up for herself. One day she got to a gym where boxers trained. After seeing them, she immediately understood that she would do this particular sport. The taste of blood and sweat makes Diana even more active and determined. Fights fill her life with meaning.
Ali (2000)
A biopic about one of the greatest boxers, Muhammad Ali, starring Will Smith. This picture showed not only the boxer’s sports career, but also his civic position. When American society was passing through difficult times of racial unrest and overcoming the crisis of military politics
USA, Ali was always on the side of justice. His victories in the ring echoed the expansion of black rights. This boxer was looked up to, his actions filled people with hope and strength. The picture received two Oscar nominations.
Southpaw (2015)
A vivid sports drama that shows the path of boxer Billy Hope, who has held the championship belt in his light heavyweight for four years. The peculiarity of his boxing technique is that he loses the first half of any fight, and after that, having gained a terrible rage, he rushes at the opponent and knocks the whole soul out of him. After another victory, his wife persuades him to stop his career and focus on his family life. But one evening changes everything, takes away his family and forces him to change completely.
The film brought together a number of prominent Hollywood actors: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Forest Whitaker, rapper 50 Cent and others.
Bleed for This (2016)
The Pazman Devil – that’s what the young ambitious boxer Vinny Patienza was nicknamed for his reckless nature. He is actively building a career as a successful athlete until one unfortunate day he gets into a car accident. The first forecasts of the doctors are completely disappointing: Vinny will never stand on his feet again. However, the athlete himself does not agree to obey the circumstances and plans to recover in order to enter the ring again.
The Boxer (1997)
Danny returns from prison, where he spent 13 years. He does not know what to do in freedom, so he decides to return to the business he did best before imprisonment – boxing. Danny finds himself at the very epicenter of the confrontation between the English and the Irish, who are fierce rivals in the world of sports. Despite the fact that outside the window of the 21st century, these two warring parties use completely uncivilized methods. They arrange custom explosions, arson, murders, etc. Danny has no desire to be associated with crime again.
The main role in the film was performed by Daniel Day-Lewis, the only actor in history who won three “Oscars”.
Resurrecting the Champ (2007)
A sports commentator who is not lucky enough to build a successful career is forever in the shadow of his legendary father. However, he tries in every way to declare himself to those around him. One day he saves a homeless man (Samuel L. Jackson) from murderers. After talking with him, it turns out that he is a former boxer and has the nickname “Champion”. He plans to write a sensational story about this former athlete. However, as he digs deeper into this article about the legendary man, he gets closer to a secret that could destroy his life.
Fat City (1972)
A tape that reveals the harsh truth about the cruel world of professional boxing. The main character is a boxer who had a chance to succeed in the big sport. However, he lost this opportunity and is now forced to work on plantations. Next to him is the boxer Ernie, who is just starting his boxing career.
Well, and as a bonus – an excerpt from the legendary film “City Lights”, in which Charlie Chaplin had one of the funniest boxing matches.