Within the sports genre of cinema, boxing films have been largely popular since the last century. Mostly falling in the territory of drama, such films mostly focus on the personal and professional struggles of fictional boxers as in the case of the Rocky franchise, Southpaw, Million Dollar Baby, and so on. Boxing biopics are equally popular with Raging Bull leading the lot, followed by Ali, Hands of Stone, and The Fighter.
With dramatic training montages, inspiring underdog stories, and fast-paced bouts, boxing films continue to hold relevance among audiences and critics alike.
Southpaw (2015) - 7.4
Southpaw doesn't shy away from its reliance on the usual boxing film tropes but Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead role is what elevates the drama from all the cliches. As the title suggests, the film revolves around a left-handed boxer who hits a low point in life after the death of his wife. Struggling with grief and his inner demons, the former champion makes a final effort to win back his yesteryear glory.
When it comes to boxers making a comeback, Gyllenhaal's Billy Hope is a perfect protagonist showcasing the mental and physical pain he goes through to get back on his feet.
Champion (1949) - 7.4
In Champion, Kirk Douglas plays boxer Midge Kelly whose natural talent in the ring cements his career as a boxer. But with his newfound fame and glory, Douglas ends up losing touch with his own humanity and a toxic chain of events is set in motion involving his constant adultery and greed for money.
The noir-classic preaches on how external distractions can ruin any sportsperson's life. While the boxing genre often involves highly likable protagonists, Champion's Midge Kelly is a case study in the dark side of boxing.
Before The Fall (2004) - 7.4
A German movie from the 2000s, Before The Fall is a coming-of-age story told from the perspective of a teenage boxer. The film offers several introspective and politically charged moments that make it quite different when compared to other boxing period pieces.
Growing up during the Second World War, Friedrich Weimer wishes to enroll in a Nazi Academy as it might be his only chance at offering his boxing skills a much-needed platform. The school does provide him with ample opportunities to show off his abilities but it also ends up reshaping his entire ideology. This brainwashing finds Friedrich in a mental dilemma as he must make a choice between his sports career and his own free will.
Creed (2015) - 7.6
After six films over three decades, the Rocky franchise returned in the 2010s with the spin-off titled Creed. Sylvester Stallone yet again plays the beloved boxer Rocky Balboa, assuming the duties of coach this time. Michael B Jordan plays the titular lead Adonis Creed, an upcoming boxer and the son of former heavyweight champion Apollo Creed.
Creed benefits greatly from a protagonist who is as motivated and dedicated to the sport as Rocky in his prime. The dramatic elements aside, Creed's fight sequences are very realistic and convincing, given how the cast also includes real-life boxers like Tony Bellew and Gabriel Rosado.
The Hurricane (1999) - 7.6
The Hurricane starts out as both a boxing drama but then progresses as a legal thriller, narrating the real-life story of Rubin 'The Hurricane' Carter. Played by Denzel Washington, the biopic delves into the wrongful conviction of the boxer and how a teenager and his foster family helped in freeing him.
The compassionate premise is brought to life with a talented ensemble while offering one of the best Denzel Washington performances. The rage within the lead character is evident in both the boxing matches in the film as well as his everyday struggles in prison.
The Fighter (2010) - 7.8
The Fighter features Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale as half-brothers who share a strained relationship with boxing. While Wahlberg's Micky Ward struggles with getting his career back on track, Bale's Dicky Eklund is a washed-out pro-boxer who battles a cocaine addiction.
The family drama that ensues helps in setting up a more dialogue-driven boxing film. Instead of focusing on intense boxing duels, The Fighter attempts to understand the internal dilemmas that a boxer might face before stepping into the ring. As for Christian Bale's role, he offers a brutally realistic glimpse at a self-destructive boxer. Such personal angles behind each character make it much more than a formulaic boxing film.
Cinderella Man (2005) - 8.0
A period movie set in the 1930s, Cinderella Man stars Rusell Crowe as the former world heavyweight champion James Braddock. Nominated for three Oscars, the Ron Howard directorial venture was heavily praised for balancing both gritty and wholesome tones while playing around familiar underdog tropes.
Cinderella Man is also notable for its Great Depression setting. The lead character, much like the rest of America, suffered immense financial loss. In this way, Braddock becomes more and more desperate to make his way to the top.
Million Dollar Baby (2004) - 8.1
One of the finest films directed by Clint Eastwood, Million Dollar Baby packs a heavy punch largely due to Hillary Swank's turn as Maggie Fitzgerald, a waitress-turned-boxer. While boxing films often feature young fighters finding their big break or older ones making a comeback, Maggie is quite unconventional in this sense.
The 31-year-old amateur has the passion but lacks the skillset and expertise in the sport. However, under the tutelage of the short-tempered coach Frankie Dunn (also played by Eastwood), she ends up aiming for a professional championship.
Rocky (1976) - 8.1
A crown jewel in the pantheon of Sylvester Stallone films, Rocky has a healthy dose of drama, romance, and of course, boxing. The goofy yet motivated boxer Rocky Balboa is easily one of the finest underdog characters in all of Hollywood. Apart from Rocky, his coach Mickey Goldmill and opponent Apollo Creed proved to be equally significant characters.
Whether it be the inspirational training montage or Mickey's temper tantrums, the 1976 classic is filled with memorable moments that defined the future of its many sequels as well as numerous boxing dramas.
Raging Bull (1980) - 8.2
Robert De Niro’s Jake La Motta from the biopic Raging Bull is a hot-headed champion and an alcoholic who ruins his family life. Unlike other boxers in film, La Motta is clearly not a role model. Considered by some as Martin Scorsese's best movie, it attempts to explore the savagery that characterizes this boxer and the violent sport he is a part of.
Rather than glorification, the film tends to explore the darker side of boxing and Scorsese doesn't hold back at all. In technical terms, Raging Bull is definitely a trendsetter in boxing cinema largely due to Thelma Schoonmaker’s editing in the intense and graphic fight sequences