The cold months are starting again and everyone is gradually settling inside, watching TV, and enjoying the warmth. Get through these winter months with some great boxing movies. Today, the top 5 best boxing movies according to Fight2Win. Many great boxing movies have been released in recent years. These are just the films I have personally watched and genuinely liked. The boxing classic Raging Bull by Robert De Niro is not included because I haven’t seen it yet, but according to many experts, it’s definitely a must-watch!
Number 5: Southpaw
The story is about the aggressive, violent boxer Billy Hope (Gyllenhaal) who fights his way to the top. When the welterweight boxing champion provokes a fight through his behavior, resulting in the death of his wife, his personal life falls apart. After losing his home and having to give up his daughter to foster care, he tries to rebuild his life with the help of an amateur trainer.
Good film, compelling story. The storyline can be a bit predictable. This film is available on Netflix and probably somewhere else on the internet as well.
Number 4: Tyson
Tyson the film is a biography of one of the most famous boxers of all time. Tyson is played by the well-known martial artist Michael Jai White. The film covers the younger years of Mike Tyson. It starts with his youth in Brooklyn, New York, and continues through his time with trainer Cus D'Amato up to his conviction for rape. In short, you get a good look at where he started, how he became champion, and also how he fell.
A very good film for those who have seen Tyson, and also for people who want to learn more about him. Definitely worth watching. This film is an HBO film and is not available on Netflix, but you can watch it on Youtube.
Number 3: Grudge Match
Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro star in this film. Grudge Match is the story of Razor Sharp (played by Stallone) and Billy Kid (played by De Niro). The two former boxers come back to face each other one last time in the ring. Both men have won once against each other, so this fight will be the deciding match. Meanwhile, in the film, the men try to promote the fight, leading to some very funny moments.
In short, definitely a fun movie to watch. Both men are known from their own boxing films (De Niro starred in Raging Bull, and Stallone in Rocky), so if you’re a fan of either of those films, it will definitely feel that way. It’s quite nice that these two actors appear frequently in the Top 5 best boxing movies.
Number 2: Creed
Creed is the sequel to the iconic Rocky film series. Creed tells the story of Adonis Creed, the youngest son of Apollo Creed (an important character in the Rocky films) who wants to prove himself as a boxer. But his family members don’t want to train him, so he goes to the man who trained his father, Rocky Balboa.
Adonis Creed never knew his famous father, the world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, because he died before Adonis was born. Still, it’s undeniable that boxing runs in his blood. Adonis decides to travel to Philadelphia, the place where the legendary match between Apollo Creed and Rocky Balboa took place. Once in the city, he seeks out Rocky and asks him to train him. Although Rocky has left the boxing world, he sees potential in Adonis. Creed is available on Netflix.
Number 1: Rocky
What is a Top 5 best boxing movies list without this classic? Rocky is one of the most successful film series of recent years. With 6 parts and a sequel series (Creed), Rocky Balboa has inspired multiple generations. The first Rocky film was released in 1976 and is a true top story. The film is about Rocky Balboa, a once promising boxer of Italian descent from Philadelphia, whose career never took off and who now leads a hopeless life.
Meanwhile, the reigning and undefeated heavyweight champion Apollo Creed is looking for an opponent for the important match on January 1, 1976, New Year’s Day. During a visit to Philadelphia, his manager comes up with a publicity stunt: Creed will fight a local unknown boxer, who for a moment in his life will be in the spotlight and get a chance at the title, but is probably also easy to beat.
The choice falls on Rocky, the "Italian Stallion." It’s the ultimate underdog story, and that’s what makes the story so beautiful.
If you haven’t seen this film yet, watch it very soon because this is a film you must see! Of course, Rocky Balboa has released more than 6 films. Another real recommendation is definitely Rocky 3 and Rocky 4. Two films where Rocky defies the impossible. Rocky is also available on Netflix if you want to watch it.