The Queen’s Gambit was watched in 62 million households during the first 28 days of release, setting Netflix viewership records. Chess set and chess book sales have as a result increased all across the U.S according to a recent study by NPD. Here are 10 chess themed films you definitely need to check out if you enjoyed The Queen’s Gambit (or just enjoy chess in general).
10.) The Luzhin Defence (2000)
Director: Marleen Gorris
Cast: John Turturro, Emily Watson, Geraldine James
9.) Queen to Play (2009)
Director: Caroline Bottaro
Cast: Sandrine Bonnaire, Kevin Kline, Francis Renaud, Jennifer Beals
8.) Critical Thinking (2020)
Director: John Leguizamo
Cast: John Leguizamo, Rachel Bay Jones, Michael Kenneth Williams
7.) The Coldest Game (2019)
Director: Lukasz Kosmicki
Cast: Bill Pullman, Lotte Verbeek, James Bloor, Robert Wieckiewicz
6.) Computer Chess (2013)
Director: Andrew Bujalski
Cast: Patrick Riester, Myles Paige, James Curry, Robin Schwartz, Gerald Peary
5.) Life of a King (2013)
Director: Jake Goldberger
Cast: Cuba Gooding Jr., Dennis Haysbert, Thurston Hill III, LisaGay Hamilton
4.) Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)
Director: Steven Zaillian
Cast: Max Pomeranc, Joe Mantegna, Joan Allen, Ben Kingsley, Laurence Fishburne
3.) The Dark Horse (2014)
Director: James Napier Robertson
Cast: Cliff Curtis, James Rolleston, Kirk Torrance, Miriama McDowell
2.) Pawn Sacrifice (2014)
Director: Edward Zwick
Cast: Tobey Maguire, Liev Schreiber, Michael Stuhlbarg, Peter Sarsgaard, Lily Rabe
1.) Queen of Katwe (2016)
Director: Mira Nair
Cast: Madina Nalwanga, David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’o, Martin Kabanza
Be sure to also check out our interview below with Christiane Seidel from The Queen’s Gambit!