50 Best Sports Movies Ever

34. The Wrestler

Year: 2008
Sport: Professional Wrestling
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Mark Magolis, Todd Barry
Director: Darren Aronofsky

If you’re here to write that, “Wrestling isn’t a sport,” then I sympathize with you and apologize for your inconvenience. Many believe it is, however, and this gem is classified as a sports film by a vast majority of respected film sites, including IMDB.

Whether or not you personally classify wrestling as a sport, it’s hard to deny that The Wrestler was a gem of a film—one that netted a pair of Academy Award nominations.

Mickey Rourke’s portrayal of Randy “The Ram” Robinson resulted in his first career Oscar bid. That Best Actor nomination was the result of critical acclaim for one of the most polarizing activities in the worlds of sports and entertainment.

Between the masterful camera work and choreography in the ring, and the gripping story out of it, The Wrestler was one of the most compelling stories of the past 10 years.

Marisa Tomei received a Best Supporting Actress nomination, and Evan Rachel Wood delivered a powerhouse performance as Stephanie, Robinson’s estranged daughter. They facilitated the tale of an older wrestler who’s looking to do right by his kin, all the while battling health issues and relying on the glory of his younger years to stay afloat.

When pieced together, Aronofsky delivers a film that delivered a powerful punch to the proverbial gut of its viewers.

Next: 33. The Fighter