Every four years, people from every corner of the globe eagerly await the Olympic Games. Throughout the year, including the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, athletes come together to compete in a wide range of sports, displaying their remarkable skills. Additionally, fans come together to organize viewing parties, admire the Olympic fashion, and cheer on their favorite athletes competing for the gold. However, in the midst of anticipating which nation will win the most medals, viewers might also be interested in exploring other forms of achievement through the finest Olympic films.
Similar to actual sports events, the movies we selected stir up a broad spectrum of feelings. There are biographical films that tell the stories of legendary gymnasts who made history, and others that reveal shocking Olympic controversies. If you prefer not to watch movies based on real events, there are made-up comedies that will make you root for the protagonists on their journey to achieve fame in their respective sports. And if that’s not satisfying, these films will have you roaring in the stands as every athlete secures victories and earns global acclaim.
These Olympic movies are designed to motivate and thrill you.
1 Cool Runnings (1993)
The movie Cool Runnings (1993) is inspired by a remarkable real-life tale. It chronicles the journey of four Jamaican sportsmen as they strive to achieve their dream of competing in bobsledding at the Winter Olympics. However, since they had never engaged in winter sports before, they seek assistance from a former Olympic gold medalist American bobsledder to assist them in their quest for fame.
2 Eddie the Eagle (2015)
Directed by Tom McCarthy, this 2016 biographical movie features Hugh Jackman and Taron Egerton. It chronicles the life of British skier Michael “Eddie” Edwards, who makes history by becoming the first British athlete to compete in the ski jumping event at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics since 1924. His journey to the Olympics brings him global recognition, far beyond his initial expectations.
3 Race (2016)
This film delves into the real-life journey of African-American sports star Jesse Owens. He achieved a historic feat by securing four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, yet his victory was overshadowed by deep-seated racial conflicts and prejudice.
4 The Swimmers (2022)
This movie features actual siblings Natalie and Manal Issa, delving into the adolescent experiences of Syrian refugees Yusra and Sarah Mardini. Their escape from their homeland on a small boat and their assistance in guiding 18 other refugees to safety in the Aegean Sea mark the beginning of Yusra’s path to the 2016 Rio Olympics, where her exceptional swimming skills propel her forward.
5 The Boys in the Boat (2022)
This film is adapted from the 2013 novel by the same title, which chronicles the journey of a rowing squad from the University of Washington in the 1930s. Their ambition is to participate in the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics, facing numerous challenges and obstacles, including global tensions that would eventually reveal themselves before the onset of World War II.
