20 Best Sport Movies on Max 2026
Find the best sport movies on Max, from Hoop Dreams and When We Were Kings to Gran Turismo, Space Jam, and more must-watch picks.
If you’re looking for the best sport movies on Max, this lineup gives you a mix of true stories, underdog drama, and a few playful detours. You’ll find basketball crowd-pleasers like Space Jam and Hoop Dreams, fight-game stories such as The Smashing Machine and The Survivor, and documentary picks including When We Were Kings and Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off. There’s also room for lighter fare and wider genre blends, from Gran Turismo to Battle of the Sexes. Whether you want a quick watch or a deeper sports story, these 20 titles cover a lot of ground without wasting your time.
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01
Marty Supreme
9 Oscar nominations Best Cinematography (2026)
drama · sport
Marty Mauser, a young man with a dream no one respects, goes to hell and back in pursuit of greatness.
Why watch: If you like sports dramas about ambition and pressure, this one fits. Its focus on a young man chasing greatness makes it a strong pick for viewers who want a serious, character-driven story.
Directed by Josh SafdieCast Timothée Chalamet, Larry 'Ratso' Sloman, Mariann Tepedino, Odessa A'zion, Ralph ColucciMaxMore details on IMDb → -
02
Space Jam
animation · adventure · comedy · family · fantasy · sci-fi · sport
With their freedom on the line, the Looney Tunes seek the help of NBA superstar Michael Jordan to win a basketball game against a team of moronic aliens.
Why watch: If you enjoy family-friendly comedy with a sports angle, this is an easy choice. The mix of animation, adventure, and basketball keeps it broad and playful.
Directed by Joe PytkaCast Michael Jordan, Wayne Knight, Theresa Randle, Manner Washington III, Eric GordonMaxMore details on IMDb → -
03
When We Were Kings
Won 1 Oscar Best Documentary Feature (1997)
documentary · sport
It's 1974. Muhammad Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Foreman is ten years younger and the heavyweight champion of the world. Promoter Don King wants to make a name for himself and offers both fighters five million dollars apiece to fight one another, and when they accept, King has only to come up with the money. He finds a willing backer in Mobutu Sese Suko, the dictator of Zaire, and the "Rumble in the Jungle" is set, including a musical festival featuring some of America's top black performers, like James Brown and B.B. King.
Why watch: If you want a sports documentary rooted in major boxing history, this is a great fit. It’s especially appealing if you’re interested in Muhammad Ali and landmark real-life matchups.
Directed by Leon GastCast Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Don King, James Brown, B.B. KingMaxMore details on IMDb → -
04
At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal
documentary · crime · sport
A look inside the USA gymnastics sexual abuse scandal that shook the sports world in 2017 depicting a landscape in which women spend their youth seeking victory on a world stage, juxtaposed against a culture where abuse prevails and lives are damaged forever.
Why watch: If you prefer documentaries that tackle sports beyond the scoreboard, this is worth your time. Its crime and sport blend makes it a strong choice for viewers drawn to investigative storytelling.
Directed by Erin Lee CarrCast Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, Jordyn Wieber, Racheal DenhollanderMaxMore details on IMDb → -
05
Tony Hawk: Until the Wheels Fall Off
documentary · biography · sport
A wide-ranging, definitive look at Hawk’s life and iconic career, and his relationship with the sport with which he’s been synonymous for decades, featuring unprecedented access, never-before-seen footage, and interviews with Hawk and prominent figures in the sport including Stacy Peralta, Rodney Mullen, Mike McGill, Lance Mountain, Steve Caballero, Neil Blender, Andy MacDonald, Duane Peters, Sean Mortimer, and Christian Hosoi.
Why watch: If you like athlete-focused documentaries, this one should land well. It offers a career-spanning look at Tony Hawk, so it suits anyone interested in skateboarding history.
Directed by Sam JonesCast Rob Roy Fitzgerald, Rob 'Sluggo' Boyce, Tas Pappas, Danny Way, Giorgio ZattoniMaxMore details on IMDb →
Not quite it? Ask WattaWatch for sport on Max →
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06
Space Jam: A New Legacy
animation · comedy · fantasy · kids & family · science-fiction · sport
When LeBron and his young son Dom are trapped in a digital space by a rogue A.I., LeBron must get them home safe by leading Bugs, Lola Bunny and the whole gang of notoriously undisciplined Looney Tunes to victory over the A.I.'s digitized champions on the court. It's Tunes versus Goons in the highest-stakes challenge of his life.
Why watch: If you want a light, effects-driven sports movie, this is the one to pick. Its animation, comedy, and fantasy mix makes it a good match for viewers who like a big, playful basketball story.
Directed by Malcolm D. LeeCast LeBron James, Don Cheadle, Cedric Joe, Khris Davis, Sonequa Martin-GreenMaxMore details on IMDb → -
07
Hoop Dreams
1 Oscar nomination
documentary · drama · sport
Every school day, African-American teenagers William Gates and Arthur Agee travel 90 minutes each way from inner-city Chicago to St. Joseph High School in Westchester, Illinois, a predominately white suburban school well-known for the excellence of its basketball program. Gates and Agee dream of NBA stardom, and with the support of their close-knit families, they battle the social and physical obstacles that stand in their way. This acclaimed documentary was shot over the course of five years.
Why watch: If you like documentaries with a longer, more grounded view of youth sports, this is a standout. Its drama and sport mix makes it ideal for viewers who want an intimate basketball story.
Directed by Steve JamesCast Steve JamesMaxMore details on IMDb → -
08
Jugada Peligrosa
documentary · history · sport
Copa Libertadores, 1989. A true story about football, corruption and the power of Pablo Escobar and his cartel, told by its protagonists: five referees who resisted the dramatic weight of an era.
Why watch: If you’re drawn to true-story sports documentaries with a historical angle, this should interest you. The focus on football, corruption, and a specific era gives it a more serious tone.
Directed by Matías GueilburtMaxMore details on IMDb → -
09
The Fastest Woman on Earth
documentary · sport
Filmed over more than seven years beginning in 2013, the film chronicles the extraordinary life of professional racer and TV personality Jessi Combs.
Why watch: If motorsports and biography appeal to you, this documentary is a natural pick. It’s a good choice for viewers who want a focused profile of Jessi Combs and her racing career.
Directed by Christopher Otwell, Graham SuorsaCast Jessi Combs, Kitty O'NeilMaxMore details on IMDb → -
10
Kansas City Bomber
drama · sport
Roller-derby skater K.C. Carr tries to balance her desire for a happy personal life and her dreams of stardom.
Why watch: If you’re in the mood for an older sports drama, this one offers a retro roller-derby setting. It’s best for viewers who don’t mind a more modest rating and want a vintage story about balancing ambition and personal life.
Directed by Jerrold FreedmanCast Raquel Welch, Kevin McCarthy, Helena Kallianiotes, Norman Alden, Jeanne CooperMaxMore details on IMDb → -
11
Battle of the Sexes
biography · comedy · drama · history · sport
The true story of the 1973 tennis match between world number one Billie Jean King and ex-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs.
Why watch: If you like sports stories with history, humor, and rivalry, this is a strong option. The biography, comedy, and drama blend makes it a good fit for viewers interested in a famous tennis matchup.
Directed by Jonathan Dayton, Valerie FarisCast Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Andrea Riseborough, Natalie Morales, Sarah SilvermanMaxMore details on IMDb → -
12
The Smashing Machine
1 Oscar nomination
action · biography · drama · history · sport
In the late 1990s, up-and-coming mixed martial artist Mark Kerr aspires to become the greatest fighter in the world. However, he must also battle his opioid dependence and a volatile relationship with his girlfriend Dawn.
Why watch: If you want a newer combat-sports drama with biography and history elements, this one may suit you. It’s a good pick if you like stories about athletic drive mixed with personal conflict.
Directed by Benny SafdieCast Dwayne Johnson, Kenny Rice, Jerin Valel, Andre Tricoteux, James McSweeneyMaxMore details on IMDb → -
13
What's My Name: Muhammad Ali
1 Emmy nomination
documentary · biography · sport
Explore Ali’s challenges, confrontations, comebacks and triumphs through recordings of his own voice. The two-part documentary paints an intimate portrait of a man who was a beacon of hope for oppressed people around the world and, in his later years, was recognized as a global citizen and a symbol of humanity and understanding.
Why watch: If you’re interested in Muhammad Ali and want a documentary told through his own voice, this is a strong match. It’s especially good for viewers who like biography-led sports stories.
Directed by Antoine FuquaCast Stephen Stanton, Phuc Cao, Jackie GleasonMaxMore details on IMDb → -
14
The Survivor
1 Emmy nomination Outstanding Television Movie (2022)
biography · drama · history · sport · war
Harry Haft is a boxer who fought fellow prisoners in the concentration camps to survive. Haunted by the memories and his guilt, he attempts to use high-profile fights against boxing legends like Rocky Marciano as a way to find his first love again.
Why watch: If you enjoy boxing dramas shaped by history, this title should be on your list. Its biography, drama, and war elements make it a heavier choice for viewers who want a serious true-life story.
Directed by Barry LevinsonCast Ben Foster, Billy Magnussen, Vicky Krieps, Peter Sarsgaard, Saro EmirzeMaxMore details on IMDb → -
15
The Shuffle
documentary · sport
The story behind the making of the 1985 Chicago Bears' rap anthem and video that became a cultural phenomenon, redefined sports entertainment, and cemented the team's larger-than-life legacy.
Why watch: If you like sports documentaries with a pop-culture angle, this is a fun one to consider. It should appeal to viewers interested in how a team anthem and video became part of sports lore.
Directed by Jeff CameronCast Willie Gault, Mike Singletary, Jim McMahon, Rick TelanderMaxMore details on IMDb → -
16
Gran Turismo
action · adventure · drama · sport
The ultimate wish-fulfillment tale of a teenage Gran Turismo player whose gaming skills won him a series of Nissan competitions to become an actual professional racecar driver.
Why watch: If racing stories and video game connections grab you, this is a solid pick. Its action, adventure, drama, and sport mix makes it a good match for viewers who want an upbeat underdog path to pro racing.
Directed by Neill BlomkampCast David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Archie Madekwe, Takehiro Hira, Darren BarnetHuluMaxMore details on IMDb → -
17
Say Hey, Willie Mays!
documentary · biography · sport
Follow Willie Mays’ life both on and off the field over five decades as he navigated the American sports landscape and the country’s ever-evolving cultural backdrop, all while helping to define what it means to be one of America’s first Black sports superstars. He left an indelible mark in New York City and San Francisco, building a love affair with both cities’ fans.
Why watch: If you want a documentary about a baseball legend with cultural significance, this is a smart choice. It suits viewers who appreciate biography-driven sports stories about lasting impact.
Directed by Nelson GeorgeCast Jeffrey Wright, Darrin Reaves II, Jordan Keith, Roger SmithMaxMore details on IMDb → -
18
BS High
documentary · sport
Follows the investigation which occurred when the Bishop Sycamore Centurions, a presumed high school football team from Columbus, Ohio, took on perennial prep powerhouse, IMG Academy.
Why watch: If you like sports documentaries that dig into controversy and investigation, this one is for you. It’s a strong fit for viewers curious about football and the story behind Bishop Sycamore.
Directed by Travon Free, Martin Desmond RoeMaxMore details on IMDb → -
19
Soccer Soul
documentary · sport
It narrates the epic title obtained by the Argentine National Team in the World Cup Qatar 2022 with testimonies of the protagonists, told from the intimacy and in first person.
Why watch: If you want a documentary about a championship team from the player’s point of view, this is a good pick. It should appeal to viewers who enjoy soccer and recent international sports success.
Directed by Gonzalo Arias, Martín MéndezCast Ricardo DarínMaxMore details on IMDb → -
20
The Unbreakable Tatiana Suarez
documentary · sport
Follow the exceptional spirit and drive of mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Tatiana Suarez as she prepares to reenter the cage after nearly four years away from the sport. Suarez reflects on her journey from wrestling prodigy to professional athlete and the legacy she leaves young women, particularly those in the Latina community.
Why watch: If you like MMA documentaries centered on perseverance, this title is a natural fit. It’s especially good for viewers interested in an athlete returning after a long break and in stories that highlight Latina representation.
Directed by Cassius CorriganCast Andrew Galpin, Ariel Helwani, Bobby Pinto, Dana WhiteMaxMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This list brings together sports stories in several styles, so you can pick based on the mood you’re in. Go for documentaries if you want real-life athletes and events, or choose drama-led titles when you want something more character-focused. Bookmark this page and come back when you want a fresh sports watchlist, because it’s updated regularly with the latest additions and changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this list updated?
We refresh this list regularly as titles are added or removed from streaming catalogs, so rankings and availability stay current.
Do I need a Max subscription to watch these?
Yes. Every title on this list is currently available on Max. Availability can change, so we recommend checking the streaming link on each title before you start watching.
How are these sport movies ranked?
We rank by a combination of audience rating and current popularity, so you're seeing the sport titles people are actually watching right now, not just an old fixed list.