Whenever people talk about sports movies, it seems like their minds gravitate towards team sports. That's why you'll often hear about films relating to basketball, football, or baseball ranking among the best in the genre. Since it's not a team sport, boxing can sometimes be overlooked, which shouldn't be the case.
Some of the most dramatic and emotionally gripping sports films in history were focused on the boxing ring. Critics and fans alike both found these movies to be fantastic and they are the best of the bunch in terms of boxing films. They have the highest ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.
Cinderella Man (80%)
Released in 2005, this movie had a lot going for it. Not only was the script ripe with dramatic moments but it boasted an impressive team behind it. Acclaimed director Ron Howard helmed it while the cast included Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, and Paul Giamatti.
Cinderella Man told the true story of James J. Braddock (Crowe), an Irish-American boxer from New Jersey. He had to give up his boxing career after breaking his hand. Despite his wife's issues with watching him put his body on the line, Braddock returned to the ring as an inspiration for many.
The Hurricane (83%)
Denzel Washington doesn't tend to make lackluster films. So, when he took on the role of a real-life boxer, audiences knew he was going to deliver something special. That was the case with 1999's The Hurricane, which saw Washington play Rubin "Hurricane" Carter.
One of the things that help this movie stand out is that the actual boxing doesn't play a major role. Instead, this drama focuses on the courtroom, as Carter was wrongfully imprisoned for a murder he didn't commit. Washington earned a Best Actor nomination for his performance.
Creed II (83%)
When folks heard that a spinoff of the Rocky franchise was coming, thoughts were mixed. While it could be good, the series had dipped in quality at times. Thankfully, the new take worked so well in 2015 that a sequel was released in 2018 with Creed II.
This one tied directly into Rocky IV. In that film, Rocky beat Ivan Drago after Drago killed Apollo Creed. Here, Drago's son Viktor stepped up to take on the series protagonist (and son of Apoll0) Adonis Creed. Creed II was praised for the acting, comeback story, boxing scenes, and soundtrack.
Girlfight (88%)
For a lot of audiences, they weren't aware of who Michelle Rodriguez was until 2001's The Fast and the Furious. However, a handful of folks first saw her in 2000's Girlfight. This was pretty much the perfect early vehicle for Rodriguez as it established the kind of character she would become known for.
Rodriguez played Diana, a troubled woman from Brooklyn who chooses to channel her aggression into the world of boxing. She does so despite the objections from trainers and her family due to it being a male-dominated sport. Rodriguez and first-time director Karyn Kusama were both heavily praised.
The Fighter (91%)
Mark Wahlberg wanted to get this movie made for a long time. It was right up his alley, taking place in Boston, Massachusetts, and focusing on the world of boxing. This biographical story follows Micky Ward (Wahlberg) as he deals with family drama while rising through the ranks.
As good as Wahlberg was in this, 2010's The Fighter really shined because of the supporting performances. Christian Bale (Dicky Ecklund) and Melissa Leo (Alice Ecklund-Ward) won Best Supporting Actor and Actress, while Amy Adams (Charlene Fleming) was nominated. It was also up for a handful of other awards.
Million Dollar Baby (91%)
Back to the theme of tough women, it's Million Dollar Baby. Released in 2004, this film focused on Mary Margaret Fitzgerald, an amateur boxer who works to achieve her goal under the tutelage of a grizzled trainer. Tragedy strikes as Mary ends up breaking her neck at one point.
This was one of the most critically-acclaimed boxing flicks of all-time. Hilary Swank (Fitzgerald) won a Best Actress Oscar for her performance, Morgan Freeman won for Best Supporting Actor, Clint Eastwood took home Best Director, and it also nabbed Best Picture.
Raging Bull (93%)
While Rocky might be the most iconic boxing film ever, Raging Bull is near it. Released in 1980, it was based on a book from 1970. It was about Jake LaMotta, an Italian boxer with self-destructive tendencies. That included obsessive rage, jealousy, and more.
The film was met with tons of praise, mostly due to the direction from Martin Scorsese and the performance by Robert De Niro. It was nominated for eight Academy Awards, with De Niro winning for Best Actor. It didn't do great at the box office but remains a classic.
Rocky (94%)
For many fans, this was where their love of boxing, or at least boxing movies, began. Arriving in 1976, Rocky was what helped make Sylvester Stallone into a household name. The story centered on Rocky Balboa, a small-time fighter who earns a shot at the World Title.
It takes something special to turn an original idea into something iconic, which is what Rocky is. There's a statue in Philadelphia to prove it. The success (grossing $225 million on a $960,000 budget) spawned many sequels, and it won both Best Picture and Best Director at the Academy Awards.
Creed (95%)
As mentioned earlier, spinning off the Rocky franchise could've had disastrous results. Thankfully, they got the right team and the right story to make it work. 2015's Creed told the tale of Adonis Creed, son of Apollo, who gets into the boxing world and forms a bond with Rocky Balboa.
Directed by Ryan Coogler and featuring a tremendous soundtrack, it felt like a hip-hop take on the beloved franchise. The fights were among the best in boxing cinema history, Michael B. Jordan was spectacular as the lead, and Stallone was even nominated for an Oscar.
The Happiest Day In The Life Of Olli Mäki (98%)
This might come as a surprise for the top slot. That's because not many people have heard of The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Mäki. The Finnish drama was released in 2016 and grossed just $360,863 at the box office. It also wasn't nominated for any Oscars.
That being said, the film was still met with rave reviews and won the Prize Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival. It told the true story of a Finnish boxer who became an overnight sensation when he earned a shot at the World Featherweight Title. From the drama in the ring to the romance outside of it, this is an underrated gem.