Pro-Wrestling is an exciting sport. It’s the most physical medium in which performers can tell stories, and yet, its performers never get the credit they deserve. Great wrestling can make the audience feel much like any movie or TV show can, yet often, it’s labeled a fake sport. On the upside, it seems to have seen a rise in popularity through shows like GLOW and Heels. Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White brilliantly portrayed the Von Erich brothers of the legendary wrestling family in the recently released hit The Iron Claw, which has already garnered widespread critical acclaim.
There have been plenty of movies over the years about pro wrestling, some great and some not so-great. Where many of the films on this list succeed is in capturing the heart of the sport and showing the physical toll it takes to step in between the ropes as a career. It's not always as fun as it looks, but to those who sacrifice their health and years of their lives, it's worth the risks. Other movies on this list aren’t quite as serious, but are a lot of fun to watch. Here is a ranking of the best movies about professional wrestling.
Update December 30, 2023: This list has been updated following the release of The Iron Claw with even more great films about wrestling and where each title is streaming.
10 Rumble (2022)
Rumble
In a world where monster wrestling is a global sport, Winnie seeks to follow in her father's footsteps. Geraldine Viswanathan, Terry Crews, and Will Arnett star.
- Release Date
- February 9, 2022
- Director
- Hamish Grieve
- Rating
- PG
Rumble sees a kid named Winnie try to save her town by ensuring the local stadium, which happens to house a monster wrestling league, keeps from closing after its top draw departs the promotion. To keep fans coming, Winnie enlists the help of Steve/Rayburn Jr. a second-generation grappler monster. Competition is big. Though Rayburn’s confidence is small, with Winnie’s help, they may just pull it off.
Why Rumble Deserves a Look
With current top WWE stars Becky Lynch and Roman Reigns and acting talent from Will Arnett, Steven A. Smith, and Terry Crews, Rumble is a good time for the whole family. There are plenty of great animated high jinks for kids to love, and the kaiju action is just enough to keep parent’s attention as well; Common Sense Media wrote in their glowing review, "With a solid story, funny script, encouraging message, and great voice cast, this animated wrestling comedy is a knock out." Stream on Prime Video
9 Queens of the Ring (2013)
This WWE-produced French film follows a mom fresh out of prison looking to reconnect with her son. Unfortunately, by this point in their relationship, he prefers pro wrestling over his mom. Not willing to give up, the mom becomes a pro wrestler with some co-workers from her cashier job. With the help of an old-school wrestling trainer, the three learn the ropes to being in the ring and putting this mom on the right path back to her son’s heart.
Why Queens of the Ring Rules
Queens of the Ring is a decent comedy, but may not be for everyone. Teens may like it, but only if they can let themselves get into the spirit of the movie. There’s plenty to love for wrestling fans, though, as the comedy features a few unforgettable cameos from some of WWE’s best performers at the time, like CM Punk, The Miz, and even The Vaudevillains of all people. Rent/Buy on Prime Video
8 No Holds Barred (1989)
There’s no way to make a list of the best pro-wrestling movies without this movie. No Hold Barred was made at the height of Hulkamania and saw Hulk Hogan playing the character Rip Thomas, the money-making wrestler for the WWF. When the head of the rival network fails to persuade Rip into joining his promotion, he decides to get revenge instead by creating a new extreme wrestling promotion centered around his monster of a star Zeus, played by Tiny Lister. Not willing to give in to his intimidation, Rip agrees to face the mastodon in “A Battle of the Tough Guys,” a no holds barred match for network supremacy.
Why It's Worth a Look
This isn’t the best wrestling film out there, but it is a lot of fun to watch and fully encapsulates everything great about wrestling in this era. And just like Queens of the Ring, it's chock-full of wrestling stars of the time, such as “Mean” Gene Okerlund, Stan Hanson, and Ax from the tag team Demolition. Plus, who wouldn't want to watch the iconic wrestler showcase his signature charisma in a delightfully over-the-top action flick? Stream on Tubi
7 The Main Event (2020)
Speaking of stars from a certain era, The Main Event was a Netflix exclusive film made in partnership between the popular streamer and WWE and features some of the most prominent stars in wrestling today. This story revolves around Leo, a bullied 11-year-old kid who loves WWE and gets his chance to shine when the company rolls into his town. With the help of a mask that grants the youth superpowers, Leo enters the company’s tournament not just for a shot at living his dream but also to save his home from repossession.
Why It's Worth a Look
In case it wasn’t obvious from the picture, this movie is geared exclusively towards kids. It didn't win any awards, but children still have fun watching and living out their wildest fantasies through the eyes of someone their age in a WWE ring. Famous wrestling stars like Mike "The Miz" Mizanin, Nikola Bogojevic, and Stephanie Bell also pop up in the feel-good film, much to the delight of the young viewers excitedly tuning in. Stream on Netflix.
6 Paradise Alley (1978)
The oldest film on this list, Paradise Alley, sees Sylvester Stallone as Cosmo, one of three brothers living in the slums. In an attempt to change their fortunes, Cosmo and his war veteran brother Lenny convince their larger and beefier brother Victor to take up professional wrestling. Their scheme is successful at first, but Cosmo soon starts to worry about Victor’s welfare in the brutal sport, while Lenny tries to push Victor further through his own greed. If that wasn’t bad enough, a local gangster gets in on the action and pits Victor up against vicious local Legend Frankie the Thumper (played by wrestler Terry Funk).
Why It Deserves a Look
This film serves as the first in Stallone’s long career where he's credited as writer and director, with the sports drama marking the Hollywood legend's feature directorial debut. In many ways, it is him attempting to make the Rocky formula work once more, this time moving from boxing to wrestling. It’s an interesting throwback to the actor’s earlier work but also a neat film about old-school wrestling in the 1940s. Though it was a modest success at the box office and garnered a less-than-favorable response from critics, Paradise Alley served as a stepping stone in Stallone's illustrious and colorful resume.
5 Nacho Libre (2006)
In what is undoubtedly a cult classic, Nacho Libre follows Jack Black’s character, Ignacio, who is loosely based on a real-life monk/luchador. Determined to keep the children of his monastery fed and to impress the new nun, Ignacio takes up Luchador wrestling on the side for extra money. With the help of a mugger, the two form a tag team and soon start to gain acceptance, not only from the beautiful nun but from the Lucha Libre community itself.
Why Naco Libre Continues to Endure
For whatever reason, Wrestling Inc. only has this film at number eight on their list of best wrestling movies. Made by the same people who made Napoleon Dynamite, Nacho Libre isn’t for everyone, but audiences should go in knowing that Black completely commits himself to the role and serves up his signature comedic flair. The humor can be cringe-worthy, but anyone who knows what they are getting into has no issue enjoying this picture for what it is: a kid-friendly, self-realized movie that’s a fun time from beginning to end. Stream on Prime Video
4 Fighting With My Family (2019)
Fighting With My Family is a biopic of the real-life British wrestler Saraya Jade Bevis (FKA Paige) as she rises from the independent wrestling scene to the top of WWE’s women’s division. The film sees acting heavyweight Florence Pugh playing Paige, who competes with her brother to win a contract with WWE. Unfortunately, she is the only one who succeeds at doing so and must navigate NXT’s more looks-based competition alone. Although pressured to change in favor of a sexier model look, Paige will have to learn that the only way to succeed is by being herself.
Why Fighting With My Family Is Worth a Watch
Fighting With My Family is a hard-hitting yet heartwarming tale about staying true to oneself and bolsters an excellent cast featuring Vince Vaughn, Dwayne Johnson, Lena Headey, and Nick Frost, and is directed by Stephen Merchant. It was also co-produced by Johnson's Seven-Bucks Productions. Unsurprisingly, Pugh knocked it out of the park as the fiery and determined Paige, only adding to the overall compelling nature of the story. Even if one is not a fan of wrestling, the film is able to convey why this sport matters and how it impacts/changes this family. Rent/Buy on Prime Video
3 The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
Unlike the other films on this list, The Peanut Butter Falcon isn’t so much about a professional wrestler as it is about an aspiring wrestler’s journey to reach his dream. Zack Gottsagen plays said wannabe wrestler, also named Zac, a Down syndrome patient who escapes the care facility he was living in to pursue his dream. Along the way, he meets Tyler (Shia LaBeouf), a man also on the run who becomes the only person to believe in Zac. Together, they head for North Carolina’s Salt Water Rednecks wrestling school, where Zac can learn to be just like his hero, The Salt Water Redneck.
Why You Should Watch The Peanut Butter Falcon
This is a heartwarming tale that also features Dakota Johnson as Zac’s nurse. It’s a stylish film about hope and friendship that’s sure to lift anyone’s spirits and is a perfect film that shows that the love of wrestling runs deep within its fans. The lead trio has phenomenal chemistry in the critically lauded picture that is palpable to viewers, and upon its worldwide premiere at South by Southwest, the dramedy took home the The Narrative Spotlight Audience Award. Stream on Prime Video
2 The Iron Claw (2023)
Chronicling the harrowing true story of the dazzling career and unbreakable bond of the Von Erich brothers, who dominated the world of pro wrestling during the 1980s, The Iron Claw touts a stellar ensemble cast led by Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, and Harris Dickinson and depicts the siblings' rise to fame and their subsequent triumphs and tragedies. The riveting picture was directed by Sean Durkin, who had long hoped to create a film revolving around the Von Enrich family after growing up a major fan of professional wrestling and wanting to tell their poignant and impactful story.
Why The Iron Claw Is Generating Awards Buzz
Both Efron and White completely disappear into their roles, phenomenally bringing the essence and heart of Kevin and Kerry Von Enrich to life and superbly transforming into the duo. The Iron Claw is swiftly taking the world by storm, garnering appreciation and praise for its compassionate screenplay, powerful performances, and sensitive handling of its subject matter. The sports drama has already received two National Board of Review Awards, including Best Ensemble, and Efron's likely career-defining role as Kevin is already generating Oscar buzz, with The Iron Claw likely to earn some major nominations. Currently in theaters
1 The Wrestler (2008)
The number one spot on the list goes to the film all wrestling fans should watch. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, The Wrestler follows an aging wrestler (Mickey Rourke) who is forced to reevaluate what is important in his life when a brutal match leaves him with a heart attack. After being advised to quit wrestling, he attempts to repair his relationship with his daughter and convince his love interest to settle down. Unfortunately, the real world can be just as unforgiving as wrestling.
Why The Wrestler Is The Best Film About Wrestling
What makes this movie special is it’s a bleak but honest look at wrestlers after they’ve hung up their boots. Rourke gives the best performance of his career and is joined by Evan Rachel Wood and Marisa Tomei. The movie explores the physical effects and emotional damage wrestling can do to somebody. If this Oscar-nominated film isn’t enough to tug at the heartstrings, then it should at least give wrestling fans and naysayers bigger respect for the sport many deem as fake. Rent on Apple TV+
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