Photo by: MGM Pictures
Creed III fought its way into sports film history during the opening weekend of the movie’s release. Michael B. Jordan, who also stars in the film as Adonis Creed, made his directorial debut with Creed III which earned over $100 million globally so far since its March 3rd release making it the biggest sports movie opening in motion picture history.
In the third chapter of the Creed franchise, Adonis (Jordan) “has been thriving in both his career and family life, but when a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy resurfaces, the face-off is more than just a fight.” Jonathan Majors plays Damian Anderson, the childhood friend of Adonis who goes up against him in a major fight. Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Wood Harris, Florian Munteanu, and Jacob ‘Stitch’ Duran also appear in the third installment of the Creed franchise reprising their characters.
Boxing is the most highlighted sport depicted in film with the first one dating back to 1894 with the William K.L. Dickson and William Heise directed short Corbett and Courtney Before the Kinetograph starring James J. Corbett and Peter Courtney. Since then, boxing has been the key theme in countless feature films that often show what happens in the ring as well as what the boxers experience leading up to that moment before going rounds with a competitor.
Here are 10 boxing movies to stream after you check out Creed III, which is now playing in theaters.
The Challenger (2015)
Who’s in it: Kent Moran, Michael Clarke Duncan, S. Epatha Mekerson, Justin Hartley
Synopsis: “Struggling Bronx mechanic Jaden Miller uses boxing to save himself and his mother from being homeless. With a legendary trainer, and a reality show built around him, Miller goes for the title.”
Where to watch: Showtime Anytime
Cinderella Man (2005)
Who’s in it: Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Craig Bierko, Paul Giamatti, Paddy Considine
Synopsis: “The story of James J. Braddock, a supposedly washed-up boxer who came back to challenge for the heavyweight championship of the world.”
Where to watch: Prime Video
The Fighter (2010)
Who’s in it: Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo, Jack McGee
Synopsis: “Based on the story of Micky Ward, a fledgling boxer who tries to escape the shadow of his more famous but troubled older boxing brother and get his own shot at greatness.”
Where to watch: Hulu, Showtime Anytime
Hands of Stone (2016)
Who’s in it: Edgar Ramírez, Robert De Niro, Usher, Ruben Blades, Ana de Armas, John Turturro, Ellen Barkin, Jurnee Smollett
Synopsis: “The legendary Robert Duran and his equally legendary trainer Ray Arcel change each other’s lives.”
Where to watch: Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Tubi
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Who’s in it: Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Jay Baruchel, Lucia Rijker
Synopsis: “A determined woman works with a hardened boxing trainer to become a professional.”
Where to watch: Prime Video, HBO Max
Raging Bull (1980)
Who’s in it: Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty, Joe Pesci, Frank Vincent, Nicholas Colasanto
Synopsis: “The life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.”
Where to watch: HBO Max
Real Steel (2011)
Who’s in it: Hugh Jackman, Evangeline Lilly, Dakota Goyo, Anthony Mackie, Kevin Durand, Olga Fonda
Synopsis: “In the near future, robot boxing is a top sport. A struggling ex-boxer feels he’s found a champion in a discarded robot.”
Where to watch: Hulu
Rocky (1976)
Who’s in it: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith
Synopsis: “A small-time Philadelphia boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.”
Where to watch: MGM+, Paramount+, Prime Video, Tubi, Netflix, Pluto TV
Southpaw (2015)
Who’s in it: Jake Gyllenhaal, Rachel McAdams, Forest Whitaker, Oona Laurence, 50 Cent, Naomie Harris
Synopsis: “After a fatal accident sends him on a rampant path of destruction, a champion boxer fights to get custody of his daughter and revive his professional career.”
Where to watch: Netflix
Warrior (2011)
Who’s in it: Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte, Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Morrison, Frank Grillo
Synopsis: “The youngest son of an alcoholic former boxer returns home, where he’s trained by his father for competition in a mixed martial arts tournament – a path that puts the fighter on a collision course with his estranged, older brother.”
Where to watch: Cinemax, Hulu, Prime Video
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Amber Dover is a multimedia journalist with over a decade writing about pop culture. Cat mom with a deep love of horror, you can follow Amber at @Glambergirlblog on Instagram and Twitter.
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