Top 10 Must-See Boxing Movies in Hollywood History

While 'Creed' might be seen as 'Rocky 7', it marks a fresh and bold direction for the long-running boxing movie franchise, and many consider it the best entry since the original 'Rocky'. The story follows Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the son of Apollo Creed, Rocky’s late friend and rival, who seeks out an aging Rocky to train him and help launch his own boxing career. Praised by critics, the film also earned Sylvester Stallone an Oscar nomination for 'Best Supporting Actor'.

One of the darker aspects of a boxing career is the toll it takes on a fighter’s health and finances after retirement. This classic 1962 film delves into that theme, with Anthony Quinn starring as 'Mountain' Rivera, a troubled, aging boxer with a complex inner life and a series of personal struggles.

'The Fighter' is a biographical film about the real-life relationship between boxing brothers Micky Ward (Mark Wahlberg) and Dicky Eklund (Christian Bale). The film's raw, gritty portrayal of their lives led to significant success, earning both Bale and co-star Melissa Leo Academy Awards. Notably, Bale went through an extreme weight loss to portray Eklund, a troubled addict.

Boxer James Braddock gave Americans a glimmer of hope when he rose from being a struggling dockworker to become the world heavyweight champion during the Great Depression. 'Cinderella Man' is a biographical film telling Braddock's inspiring story, directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe as Braddock and Renee Zellweger as his wife Mae.

Not only does this film highlight the power and skill of female boxers, but movies about women in the ring can also win the prestigious 'Best Picture' Oscar, as exemplified by 'Million Dollar Baby'. The film tells an incredibly moving story, earning four Academy Awards, including Best Director for Clint Eastwood, Best Actress for Hilary Swank, and Best Supporting Actor for Morgan Freeman.

It’s impossible to think of Sylvester Stallone without mentioning 'Rocky', one of the most iconic boxing franchises ever, which Stallone himself helped create. While the sequels had their ups and downs, the first film, centered around a down-and-out boxer who seizes a one-in-a-million chance, captured the hearts of audiences for generations. In fact, 'Rocky' can also be seen as a love story, making it even more relatable and emotional for viewers.

Director Martin Scorsese has crafted many masterpieces throughout his career, but many critics consider 'Raging Bull' to be his greatest work. Robert De Niro portrays the real-life champion Jake LaMotta, a boxer who faces numerous struggles outside the ring. With its classic black-and-white cinematography and the exceptional performances of both lead and supporting cast members, 'Raging Bull' has become a timeless masterpiece and stands as the greatest boxing film in Hollywood history.

Famous actor Jeff Bridges stars as Ernie Munger, a young boxer in one of his early film roles in 'Fat City'. Based on the novel of the same name by Leonard Gardner, the film delves into the life of Munger and those close to him as they struggle to build their careers in California's tough boxing scene.

There aren’t many boxing matches in 'The Hurricane', but the real-life story of boxer Rubin 'The Hurricane' Carter is far more complicated and dramatic. Carter was twice wrongfully convicted of a triple murder, a crime he never committed. Oscar-winning actor Denzel Washington plays Carter, and while the film received some criticism for historical inaccuracies, Washington's performance earned widespread acclaim.

Boxing was once a very different sport, especially before the legendary James J. Corbett (Errol Flynn), the late 19th-century champion, began his career in the ring. The film revolves around Corbett’s legendary fight with world heavyweight champion John L. Sullivan (Ward Bond), offering viewers a glimpse into the past when boxing was an underground, almost illegal activity.