Who doesn’t want a bit of wrestling viewing every once in a while? It makes for great action and very entertaining fights between the champions. However, the film sub-genre of wrestling can sometimes be a bit lacking. Fortunately, we have a list of the 20 Best Wrestling Movies for you to enjoy.
1. Ladies and Gentlemen, My Name Is Paul Heyman (2014)
English 2h 1m IMDb
Director: Kevin Dunn
Stars: Paul Heyman, Adrian Adonis(archive footage), Bam Bam Bigelow(archive footage)
Seeing the prompter and wrestling producer Paul Heyman is not new if you are a big fan of wrestling. For a while, this man has become very apparent as the face of the wrestling scene. It’s a must-watch documentary for any wrestling fans out there.
In this documentary, narrated by himself, you can have a more in-depth look at what goes beyond the stage. As Heyman is one of the most known figures in modern wrestling history, you can know more about what goes into a match.
2. Hitman Hart: Wrestling with Shadows (1998)
English 1h 33m IMDb
Director: Paul Jay
Stars: Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Brian Pillman
Hitman Hart shows the controversial exit and the career of the WWF champion Bret Hart. As a professional wrestler, Hart made a name for himself throughout his career. However, the spotlight is not as bright as it seems.
Taken from his point of view, the documentary recounts the life of Bret Hart. From his childhood, throughout his career, and subsequent downfall. Even if you are not a huge fan of wrestling or you only have limited knowledge in general, this moving documentary hits hard for everyone.
3. The Wrestler (2008)
English 1h 49m IMDb
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Stars: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood
Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler tackles the life of an aging wrestler. With various nominations from the Oscars and countless awards, this film is an absolute favorite to many critics. Even if you are not a huge fanatic of the wrestling or sports genre, this flick can still be an enjoyable movie for you.
The Wrestler revolves around the life of Randy ‘The Ram’ Robinson. Randy starts reconciling life outside of the ring with his health complications. However, a fight from his arch nemesis from the 80s might be too much to pass up.
4. The Resurrection of Jake the Snake (2015)
English 1h 33m IMDb 
Director: Steve Yu
Stars: Steve Austin, Louie Benson, Joe Case
At the front, this documentary about one of the wrestling legends can only appeal to the WWE or wrestling fans. However, the film proves itself to be more than about the life of Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts. At its core, the docu-film delves deeper into accounts of addiction and the subsequent redemption.
Steve Yu’s The Resurrection of Jake the Snake follows the life of Jake Roberts. It shows his past, career on the wrestling stage, and the more significant problems in his personal life. It’s an incredible way to know more about one of the most successful figures in the scene.
5. Andre the Giant (2018)
English 1h 25m IMDb
Director: Jason Hehir
Stars: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Cary Elwes, Robin Wright
Andre the Giant revolves around the life of André Roussimoff, a wrestling champion throughout the 80s. This documentary from HBO sports shows all there is to know about his time in the ring. With stars such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Robin Wright in the mix, you know you are in for a good time.
This documentary is an excellent starter for any new wrestling fans out there. However, for those who are already in the scene, this proves the worth of another legend.
6. Beyond the Mat (1999)
English 1h 42m IMDb
Director: Barry W. Blaustein
Stars: Terry Funk, Mick Foley, Jake Roberts
If you want to acquire more knowledge about the history of wrestling, this documentary is perfect for you. Barry W. Blaustein’s biography follows different wrestling stars as they tackle their everyday life. Some wrestlers are on the rise, while some are on their way down; however, one thing I apparent: They are all fighting to be in the ring.
Beyond the Mat follows some of the most prolific professional wrestlers of the decade, such as Mick Foley, Darren Drozdov, and Jake Roberts. Complete with interviews and footage, you are guaranteed to know more about the scene after watching this docu-film.
7. The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
English 1h 37m IMDb
Director: Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz
Stars: Zack Gottsagen, Ann Pierce, Dakota Johnson
Wrestling with a side of tears, this film starring Shia LaBeouf, Zack Gottsegen, and Dakota Johnson will genuinely make you shed some tears. It’s a very moving tale about disability and the passion for striving forward.
The Peanut Butter Falcon follows the story of Zak, a man with down syndrome who dreams of being a wrestling champion. After running away from the nursing home he’s residing in, Zak finds an unlikely ally with the outlaw, Tyler. Together with the nurse, Eleanor, they set on to the adventure that will change their life.
8. The True Story of WrestleMania (2011)
English 2h 2m IMDb 
Director: Kevin Dunn
Stars: Lou Albano(archive footage), Ken Anderson(archive footage), Kurt Angle(archive footage)
WrestleMania has been among the most popular hosting channels for many wrestling matches since it began. This documentary talks about and shows a more in-depth look all across the board from these events—the people behind them, along with the players in the ring.
If you are interested in the forces that grasp the wrestling stage, this film is perfect for you. With a touch of some pop-culture works and interviews, you know you are in for an entertaining watch.
9. GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling (2012)
English 1h 16m IMDb
Director: Brett Whitcomb
Stars: Emily Dole, Dee Booher, Angelina Altishin
Female wrestling is an enigma, both harsh and glamorous. GLOW is amongst the pioneer when it comes to wrestling championships for women. This documentary by Brett Whitcomb strives to give you a feel for what it’s like inside the world of female wrestlers.
With interviews with the champions, get ready to see the full scope of their life in-depth. If you are interested in the female history of wrestling, this documentary is an incredible starter. It provides many inside looks unknown to the media and audiences at large.
10. Fighting with My Family (2019)
English 1h 48m IMDb
Director: Stephen Merchant
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Lena Headey, Vince Vaughn
Fighting with My Family features a star-studded cast such as The Rock, Florence Pugh, Lena Heady, and Vince Vaugh. It follows a family as they perform within the small wrestling matches within their reach. With the children, Saraya and Zak, wanting to join the WWE, they got more than they bargained for.
The film tells the story of r, Saraya ‘Paige’ Bevis, a retired English wrestling superstar. Her rise to stardom and WWE career are all in this film. So, if that’s up your alley, this film is a must-watch for you.
11. Win Win (2011)
English 1h 46m IMDb
Director: Tom McCarthy
Stars: Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Jeffrey Tambor
Win Win revolves around Mike, a double-crossing attorney, and Kyle, a teenage wrestler. With financial problems on the run, Mike has no choice but to use the case he lands on as a new source of money. However, his past sins begin to hunt him when his client’s grandson shows up on his doorstep.
If you are a big fan of tag team partnership between a disenfranchised man and a much younger rebellious, then you will love Win Win. With a side of wrestling in the mix, it makes for a moving story about found family and love.
12. The Sheik (2014)
English 1h 35m IMDb
Director: Igal Hecht
Stars: Khosrow Vaziri, Jack Black, Jim Duggan
The Shiek revolves around the professional wrestling career of Khosrow Vaziri throughout the 70s to 80s. If you are a fan of older wrestling champions such as Jake the Snake, then you must be already familiar with The Shiek. He’s a prevalent, run-of-the-mill villain type. However, there is more to The Shiek than that.
The film also tackles his upbringing in Iran and wrestling career here in America. Nowadays, The Shiek is another part of the grander pop culture hegemony. However, many don’t know how deep his career goes through.
13. Lipstick & Dynamite, Piss & Vinegar: The First Ladies of Wrestling (2004)
English 1h 23m IMDb
Director: Ruth Leitman
Stars: Gladys Gillem, John Daly(archive footage), Mildred Burke(archive footage)
Wrestling is not the place to be if you want to see ladies. However, this documentary film proves it to be wrong. Although unconventional, Lipstick and Dynamite feature different female wrestlers such as Gladys “Kill ‘Em” Gillem and The Fabulous Moolah.
With the direction of another woman, Ruth Leitman, you know that this documentary will center around women’s experiences in the sports ring. We see this documentary is brutal to come by in a male-dominated space such as wrestling. So, be sure to check this documentary out if you are interested.
14. Foxcatcher (2014)
English 2h 14m IMDb
Director: Bennett Miller
Stars: Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo
Foxcatcher is biographical revolving around the team of Olympic wrestlers Mark and David Schultz. Along with these two wrestlers is the eccentric millionaire John du Pont. With the incoming 1988 Olympics coming up, du Pont’s bad habits can sabotage the career of the wrestlers.
Bennett Miller’s work decides to showcase the happenings leading up to the historical championship in the wrestling scene. If you are a fan of this particular sport, watching this dramatization of its history can serve as an excellent treat for you.
15. The Hammer (2010)
English 1h 48m IMDb
Director: Oren Kaplan
Stars: Russell Harvard, Raymond J. Barry, Shoshannah Stern
This film proves itself as a very moving tale about disability and wrestling. The Hammer follows the real-life story of the deaf Wrestler Matt Hammill. Although his ears brought challenges inside the ring, Hamill proved himself as he won the National Collegiate Wrestling Championship.
Russel Harvard’s performance and Stanley Leroy McCoy make for a profoundly poignant message. With various awards and critical acclaim on its back, there is no secret that this can be an excellent watch.
16. The Foul King (2000)
Korean 1h 52m IMDb
Director: Jee-woon Kim
Stars: ark Sang-Myeon, Song Kang-ho, Jin-young Jang
The Foul King is a Korean action-comedy flick by Jee-Woon Kim. Ripe with good old early 2000s action, this film is a decent break from all the English-centric wrestling films on this list. The film is very similar to many comedic action films of its time.
The story follows Dae-ho, a very stereotypical salaryman. Although he has been a wrestling fan since he was a child, his weak will and body make sports impossible. However, with the help of a local wrestling trainer, his life is turned upside down.
17. My Breakfast with Blassie (1983)
English 1h IMDb
Director: Linda Lautrec, Johnny Legend, Mark Shepard
Stars: Andy Kaufman, Freddie Blassie, Laurie Burton
Andy Kauffman and Freddie Blassie on a breakfast together, what more is it to like? This chill film with a side of wrestling commentary is akin to our modern-day podcasts. You know you are in for a fun time with a charismatic host such as Kauffman.
My Breakfast with Blassie is a parody of the ‘My Dinner with Andre’ Movie. The two dabbles on the different points and topics from their life with a side of delicious bacon. It’s a very chill yet entertaining look into the life of a wrestler and a tv star.
18. Vision Quest (1985)
English 1h 47m IMDb
Director: Harold Becker
Stars: Matthew Modine, Linda Fiorentino, Michael Schoeffling
With a slight twist of romance, Vision Quest tackles the world of wrestling from the eyes of a high school athlete. Louden Swain thinks there is more to life than being a student wrestler. Well, his life turns upside down when a young drifter, Carla, comes into his life.
If you desire to take a break from the heavy action and dabble with a little bit of romance, Vision Quest is an excellent option for you. The film keeps its wrestling and sports theme to the core without losing track of the affair.
19. All the Marbles (1981)
English 1h 53m IMDb
Director: Robert Aldrich
Stars: Peter Falk, Vicki Frederick, Laurene Landon
A wrestling film featuring female wrestlers? This movie by Robert Aldrich is a once-in-a-blue-moon deal. All the Marbles follows the story of tag team female wrestlers and their manager, Harry Smears.
All The Marbles follows ‘The California Dolls,’ along with their scheming manager, Harry. As they tour around America, the girls go disenfranchised by the various money-making schemes Harry pulls. However, the big project they are waiting for is present in Reno, Nevada.
In Summary
Wrestling provides great action-packed and gut-punching action when watched on television. However, this list of 20 Best Wrestling Movies proves they are as good as film material. Whether you love female wrestlers, documentaries, or biopics, there is a wrestling movie for you.
