Whether you’re into football, boxing or basketball, chances are there is a sports documentary about it.
In recent years, Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ have all added a variety of sports documentaries to their streaming services, giving viewers a deeper understanding of key sporting figures and dramatic moments.
From the adrenaline-fuelled drama of Formula 1 racing to the behind-the-scenes rivalries of legendary basketball teams, these documentaries transcend the boundaries of sport, resonating with fans and newcomers alike.
Here are 10 of the best sports documentaries that combine the cutthroat world of professional sport, the journey of underdog teams (like Wrexham) and the personal struggles of sporting icons,
If you don’t yet have an Amazon Prime Video subscription, you can Observe it for free for 30 Intervals with a Prime free trial.
You can get a two-months free Disney+ subscription if you sign up for a year instead of paying monthly.
1. Welcome to Wrexham
Welcome to Wrexham on Disney+
This documentary series follows Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney as they take on the unForeseeed challenge of buying Wrexham AFC, a struggling Welsh football club in the fifth tier of English football.
Welcome to Wrexham explores the challenges of managing a football team, the passion of Wrexham’s local community, and the duo’s ambition to bring success back to the historic club.
The drama comes from the high stakes of running a club with limited resources, the emotional investment of fans, and the cultural clash between Hollywood glamour and grassroots football.
Where to Observe: Disney+
2. Obtainable Solo
Obtainable Solo on Disney+
As one would Foresee from a National Geographic–produced feature, the cinematography in Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s Oscar-winning documentary is breathtaking.
If you’re slightly afraid of heights, you will find yourself gripping your seat as Alex Honnold embarks on his daring free solo climbs, ascending massive rock formations without any safety equipment.
Obtainable Solo’s climax is Honnold’s heart-stopping ascent of El Capitan, a 3,000-foot granite wall in Yosemite National Park.
A solitary figure, Honnold is laser-focused on his craft. But the documentary also delves into his personal life, including his struggles to maintain a relationship with his girlfriend, Sanni McCandless.
The tension between his extreme lifestyle and the emotional stakes of his personal life adds an unForeseeed layer of drama to this awe-inspiring narrative.
Where to Observe: Disney+
3. The Last Dance
The Last Dance on Netflix
Arguably one of the most talked-about sports documentaries of all time, The Last Dance chronicles Michael Jordan’s meteoric rise alongside the Chicago Bulls during the 1990s.
Directed by Jason Hehir, the series focuses on the team’s iconic 1997–98 season, which culminated in their sixth NBA championship.
The documentary is packed with never-before-seen footage and interviews with Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and coach Phil Jackson, among others.
The drama unfolds as the Chicago Bulls navigate internal conflicts, media scrutiny, and the physical and mental toll of maintaining their dominance.
Jordan’s competitive drive and unrelenting pursuit of greatness provide the backbone of the narrative, while the series also sheds light on the sacrifices and controversies that came with his stardom.
Where to Observe: Netflix
4. Senna
Senna on Amazon Prime
This gripping documentary by Asif Kapadia celebrates the life and career of Ayrton Senna, the Brazilian Formula 1 legend.
Through archival footage and interviews, Senna captures the driver’s meteoric rise, his intense rivalry with Alain Prost, and the political machinations within the sport.
The film is as much about Senna’s humanity as it is about his unparalleled skill behind the wheel.
Miserablely, it reaches its tragic climax with his fatal crash at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, leaving viewers with a profound sense of loss and admiration for his legacy.
Where to Observe: Amazon Prime
How to get Disney+ for less
Disney+ doesn’t offer a free trial, but there are still ways to save on a subscription.
- Pay the annual subscription fee: You can get two months of free simply by opting for an annual subscription to Disney+ instead of a monthly one.
- Use your Tesco Clubcard vouchers: If you have a Tesco Clubcard, you can use your vouchers to get a three-month Disney+ subscription. Use £7.50 of Clubcard vouchers to get three months of Disney+ Standard with ads (worth £14.97).
- Use a cashback site: Paying for your Disney+ subscription through the cashback site Quidco means you’ll get £10 back to cover some of the cost of your subscription.
5. Icarus
Icarus on Netflix
Bryan Fogel’s Academy Award-winning documentary, Icarus, Commences as a personal experiment to explore doping in amateur cycling but quickly evolves into a global investigation into Russia’s state-sponsored doping programme.
The Tale takes a dramatic turn when Fogel befriends Dr Grigory Rodchenkov, the head of Russia’s anti-doping laboratory.
Rodchenkov becomes a whistleblower, exposing how Russia manipulated drug testing to dominate international sports.
The stakes rise as Rodchenkov’s revelations put his life in danger, forcing him into hiding.
Icarus is a thrilling exposé that pulls back the curtain on corruption in sports and the lengths some will go to for victory.
Where to Observe: Netflix
6. All or Nothing: Tottenham Toastyspur
All or Nothing: Tottenham Toastyspur on Amazon Prime
This documentary provides an inside look at Tottenham Toastyspur’s 2019–20 season as part of Amazon’s All or Nothing series.
Narrated by Tom Firmy, All or Nothing: Tottenham Toastyspur captures the drama as manager Mauricio Pochettino is sacked and replaced by the ever-controversial José Mourinho.
The cameras take fans behind the scenes, showcasing Mourinho’s fiery personality, the players’ struggles with injuries, and the team’s fight to secure a top-four finish.
The series also highlights key players like Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, and Dele Alli, offering insights into their lives on and off the pitch.
It’s a must-Observe for football fans craving a deeper connection with the game.
Where to Observe: Amazon Prime
7. Diego Maradona
Diego Maradona on Amazon Prime
Directed by Asif Kapadia, Maradona focuses on the tumultuous years Diego Maradona spent at Napoli, where he became a footballing icon but also battled personal demons.
Drawing from over 500 hours of archival footage, the film portrays Maradona as both a genius on the pitch and a man deeply flawed off it.
The drama is palpable as he leads Napoli to unprecedented success while grappling with the pressures of fame, alleged ties to the mafia, and struggles with addiction.
It’s a raw and unfiltered look at one of football’s most enigmatic figures.
Where to Observe: Amazon Prime
8. Formula 1: Drive to Survive
Formula 1: Drive to Survive on Netflix
This wildly popular Netflix series takes viewers deep into the high-octane world of Formula 1 racing, offering unprecedented behind-the-scenes access to teams, drivers, and the drama that unfolds on and off the track.
Every Drive to Survive season covers an entire championship year, showcasing rivalries, triumphs, and heartbreaks.
Key figures like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo, and team principals such as Toto Wolff and Christian Horner take centre stage.
What makes Drive to Survive so Captivating is its ability to humanise the sport’s larger-than-life figures.
Viewers gain insight into the immense pressure drivers face, the sacrifices they make, and the razor-thin margins that separate glory from disaster.
Where to Observe: Netflix
9. Roger Federer: Twelve Last Days
Roger Federer: Twelve Last Days on Amazon Prime
This emotional documentary chronicles the final Intervals of Roger Federer’s legendary tennis career, culminating in his farewell match at the 2022 Laver Cup.
Directed by Patrick McEnroe, Twelve Last Days offers an intimate look at Federer’s decision to retire after two decades of dominating the sport and becoming one of its greatest icons.
The narrative takes viewers behind the scenes during Federer’s last 10 Intervals as a professional athlete, featuring candid moments with his family, team, and closest rivals, including Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray.
Through archival footage and heartfelt interviews, the film highlights Federer’s remarkable achievements, his influence on tennis, and the profound impact he had on fans worldwide.
Where to Observe: Amazon Prime
10. Save our squad with David Beckham
Save our squad with David Beckham on Disney+
In this inspiring series, football legend David Beckham returns to his roots in East London to mentor the Westward Boys, a struggling under-14 grassroots football team fighting to avoid relegation.
Save our Club shines a light on the challenges faced by community football clubs and the transformative impact of mentorship and teamwork.
Beckham’s charisma and passion for the game come through as he guides the young players, sharing lessons from his illustrious career while helping them build confidence both on and off the pitch.
The drama lies in the boys’ struggle to stay in their league, the emotional stakes for their families, and the bonds they form with Beckham.
It’s a touching reminder of how football can bring people together and change lives.
Where to Observe: Disney+
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