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This is a comprehensive list of the top 10 biographical movies of the 21st century, based on personal preference as well as aggregated critic opinion.

The 10 Best Biographical Sports Documentaries of the 21st Century

Sporting stars are often elevated to the reverence of deities. The impact they make, both within their respective sports and society as a whole, can be felt for generations. This is why biographical sport documentaries are so popular; we seek to understand the person behind the legend and make a connection that is otherwise difficult to establish. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 10 documentaries in this genre of the 21st century.

	Title of the Sports Documentary	Year / Country / Director / Cast	Movie Description
1	Senna	Release Date: 2010 Country: UK, France, USA Director: Asif Kapadia Cast: Ayrton Senna (archive footage), Alain Prost, Frank Williams, Viviane Senna, Ron Dennis, Milton da Silva, Jackie Stewart, Neide Senna, Sid Watkins, Gerhard Berger, Nelson Piquet, Galvão Bueno, Reginaldo Leme, Nigel Mansell, Jean-Marie Balestre	Widely heralded as one of the greatest Formula 1 drivers of all time, Ayrton Senna was a global star. During the 1994 season, Michael Schumacher had rose to prominence within the sport, but Senna maintained a significant presence. The qualifying round of that year’s San Marino Grand Prix was hit by tragedy, when Austrian racer Roland Ratzenberger was killed in a high-speed crash. Tensions had been brewing for some time. The safety of Formula 1 drivers had been called into question following a series of serious incidents, culminating in the death of Ratzenberger. In response, Senna proposed resuming the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association; a union that had been disbanded in 1982. Senna was deeply traumatised by Ratzenberger’s death, and went into the final race with lingering concerns about the wellbeing of fellow drivers. At the start of the San Marino Grand Prix, two cars were involved in a collision, which temporarily halted the race. When it resumed, Senna lost control of his car on a bend, sending him into the barrier at fatal speed. With the inclusion raw footage from the drivers’ helmets, as well as an absence of narration, Senna is a supremely intimate documentary that explores the driver’s life and death with the utmost respect.
2	The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters	Release Date: 2007 Country: USA Director: Seth Gordon Cast: Steve Wiebe, Mark Alpiger, Walter Day, Adam Wood, Steven Krogman, Steve Sanders, Robert Mruczek, Todd Rogers, Zack Hample, Brian Kuh, Doris Self, Billy Mitchell, Barbara Mitchell, Nicole Wiebe, Jon Farley	Competitive gaming may not seem like the most athletic of pursuits, but its rivalry, ambition, and controversy is just as potent as in any other sport. This documentary, directed by Seth Gordon, tells the story of Billy Mitchell and Steve Wiebe, the most successful players of the original Donkey Kong arcade game. Mitchell made his name as the Donkey Kong global high scorer, holding the title from 1982 until 2000. The authority for documenting and verifying high scores in video games was Twin Galaxies, an organisation established by arcade owner Walter Day in 1981. Whilst countless aspiring gamers attempted to better Mitchell’s score, only one person managed to achieve it; Steve Wiebe. Wiebe purchased his own Donkey Kong cabinet to practice the game and beat Mitchell’s high score. He videotaped a successful attempt in 2000, gaining the first ever score of over 1 million. Due to a technicality involving a rivalry between Mitchell and another gamer named Roy Shildt, who supplied Wiebe’s unit, the score was not recognised. We then follow the Wiebe as he continues to challenge Mitchell’s dominance of the game and finally have his high score recognised. Whilst the subject matter is certainly niche, The King of Kong possesses a universal relevance that makes its narrative entirely captivating.
3	More Than A Game	Release Date: 2008 Country: USA Director: Kristopher Belman Cast: LeBron James, Dru Joyce, Romeo Travis, Willie McGee, Sian Cotton	Whilst we’re on the subject of talented young athletes, More Than A Game explores the adolescence of basketball superstar LeBron James, alongside his friends Dru Joyce III, Romeo Travis, Sian Cotton, and Willie McGee. Growing up in Ohio, the boys were encouraged by Joyce’s father, who ran an amateur basketball team. Unexpectedly, the Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars began to rise in prominence, gaining success in local and national competitions. The five leading members of the team, particularly James, began to gain attention from colleges and NBA teams. The boys, vowing not to separate in their move to high school, were subsequently invited to attend the St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, a private Christian school on athletic scholarships. More Than A Game places its emphasis on the story of LeBron James and his meteoric rise to the top of basketball, but the most interesting aspect is the friendship that blossomed and flourished between the young athletes. Overcoming personal hardship and racial discrimination, theirs is a story from which to take great inspiration.
4	Unforgiveable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson	Release Date: 2004 Country: USA Director: Ken Burns Cast: Jack Johnson, Keith David, Samuel L. Jackson, Ed Harris, Adam Arkin, Kevin Conway, Philip Bosco, Brian Cox, John Cullum, Derek Jacobi, Murphy Guyer, Amy Madigan, Carl Lumbly, Joe Morton, Carolyn McCormick	Jack Johnson defied the odds. During the Jim Crow era, he became the first African-American man to win the title of World Heavyweight Champion, after defeating Canadian Tommy Burns. He held the title for seven years, and despite racially-motivated opposition from swathes of the boxing community, his athleticism and skill kept him at the top. Intent on taking the title back from Johnson, James J Jeffries emerged from retirement to challenge him. Jeffries was heralded by some as the ‘Great White Hope’, and his defeat at the superior hands of Johnson led to violent riots, hundreds of injuries, and twenty deaths. In 1912, a false accusation of violating the Mann Act led to the Johnson’s arrest and conviction. Facing a one-year sentence for a crime he did not commit, Johnson fled to Europe via Canada, and lived there until 1920. Upon his return to the United States, he served his sentence in full. Director Ken Burns centres the film around the context of racial inequality and the disgraceful treatment of Johnson. Its relevance remains potent to this day.
5	Facing Ali	Release Date: 2009 Country: USA, Canada Director: Pete McCormack Cast: Muhammad Ali (archive footage), Ringo Bonavena (archive footage), George Chuvalo, George Foreman, Henry Cooper, Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes, Ron Lyle, Leon Spinks, Earnie Shavers, Ken Norton, Ernie Terrell	Muhammad Ali remains the most prolific boxer of all time. His natural talent, immense power, and enchanting personality made him entirely unforgettable. Director Pete McCormack explores Ali’s life and career using an innovative approach; interviewing the boxers who competed against him. Many of the greats of Ali’s era, including George Foreman, Sir Henry Cooper, Joe Frazier, and George Chuvalo, provide their memories of him. Interwoven within the stories of their fighting history is the story of Ali’s life; his beginnings in Kentucky, the racial segregation that had a lasting effect upon him, his early success as a gold medallist at the 1960 Olympic Games, the spectacular run of his professional career, his civil rights and anti-war activism, his spiritualism and conversion to Islam, and the medical issues that blighted him in later life. Ali’s prowess was feared, but it was his glittering persona in and out of the ring that charmed his opponents and the public alike. All of the contributors speak with fondness of Ali the man, and reverence at the talent that made him The Greatest.
6	Stop at Nothing: The Lance Armstrong Story	Release Date: 2014 Country: Australia, UK, USA, New Zealand, Italy, France Director: Alex Holmes Cast: Lance Armstrong (archive footage), Kristin Armstrong (archive footage), Reed Albergotti, Joseba Beloki (archive footage), Frankie Andreu, Betsy Andreu, Chris Boardman (archive footage), Sheryl Crow (archive footage), Michele Ferrari (archive footage), Johan Bruyneel (archive footage), Roberto Gaggioli, Rudy Giuliani (archive footage), Tyler Hamilton	Once celebrated as the best cyclist of his generation, Lance Armstrong’s fall from grace was a shock to the sporting world. In this documentary, director Alex Holmes delves into Armstrong’s motivation to cheat on such an audacious scale. Armstrong’s story was, on the face of it, miraculous. Having survived metastatic testicular cancer in his mid-twenties, he made a triumphant return to competitive cycling and won a comprehensive suite of titles, including seven consecutive Tour de France triumphs, an Olympic bronze medal, and the 1993 World Championship. Behind the scenes, Armstrong had been at the centre of an elaborate doping scheme for the entirety of his career from 1998 onwards. As well as taking performance-enhancing drugs, Armstrong was involved in the coercion of other cyclists, threats against potential whistle-blowers, and an intricate cover-up. The eventual unravelling of Armstrong’s web of lies created shockwaves not only in cycling, but across all professional athletics. This documentary explores the consequences of Armstrong’s actions to his former friends, fellow competitors, and the sport itself.
7	Team Foxcatcher	Release Date: 2016 Country: USA Director: Jon Greenhalgh Cast: Dan Chaid, John du Pont (archive footage), Dave Schultz (archive footage), Mark Schultz (archive footage), Nancy Schultz, Valentin Yordanov (archive footage)	This documentary from director Jon Greenhalgh details the intertwining lives of Dave Schultz, an Olympic wrestler, and John du Pont, a millionaire heir and philanthropist. Du Pont became interested in progressing the sport of wrestling during the 1980s, and after the death of his mother, transformed some of the land on the family’s estate into a dedicated training facility. He then invited a group of elite wrestlers, including Schultz, to the camp, giving them the name ‘Team Foxcatcher’. Du Pont’s behaviour and mental stability over the course of the early 1990s took a substantial tumble, which raised concerns within Team Foxcatcher but did not deter Schultz from speaking up in du Pont’s favour. Grateful at the opportunity presented by the Foxcatcher Farm, and having worked with du Pont for several years, Schultz considered these concerns to be unfounded. Tragically, events took a deadly turn in 1996. Although the reasoning was never made clear, interviews with those at the facility, as well as the friends and family of both men, are used to try to piece together the circumstances that created a fatal end to a great friendship.
8	The Two Escobars	Release Date: 2010 Country: Colombia Director: Jeff Zimbalist, Michael Zimbalist Cast: María Ester Escobar, Alexis García V., Jaime Gaviria Gómez, Francisco Maturana	Although unrelated by blood, the lives of Andres Escobar and Pablo Escobar were nonetheless intertwined. The former was a popular defender who played for the Colombian national football team. The latter was the leader of the infamous Medellin drug cartel. Pablo Escobar, like many of his countrymen, had a huge passion for football. He channelled a substantial amount of his earnings from the narcotics business into bolstering the national side’s coffers. He also built facilities in communities across Colombia, and sponsored children’s football teams. He viewed the 1994 World Cup in Los Angeles as an opportunity for Colombia to cement their position in the top flight, although he did not have the chance to witness it. Pablo was killed by the Colombian police in December 1993. Andres Escobar had similar aspirations for the national team. Known as a gentleman within the game, thanks to his clean playing style and affable persona off the pitch, he travelled to Los Angeles with the intention to bring the World Cup trophy home. Unfortunately, he misjudged a defensive slide and inadvertently caused an own goal that ultimately knocked Colombia out of the tournament. Five days later, having returned to Colombia, he was murdered by representatives of another cartel run by Santiago Gallón, who had supposedly lost a huge bet in relation to the game. In a twist of tragic irony, it is established that had Pablo not been killed, his notoriety and love for the national side would likely have prevented the murder of Andres. A fascinating tale that examines the intricate confluence of crime, money, and sport.
9	Bicycle Dreams	Release Date: 2009 Country: USA Director: Stephen Auerbach Cast: Patrick Autissier, Cat Berge, Bob Breedlove, Chris MacDonald, Chris Hopkinson, Tom Rodgers, Jure Robic	A captivating documentary that chronicles the 2005 Race Across America; an event in which competitors must travel more than 3,000 miles in under 10 days. Some of the most prolific cyclists in the world at the time, including Bob Breedlove, Jure Robic, Patrick Autissier, and Cat Berge, embark upon the journey. The makers of the film set out to document the drama of the competition, but what they didn’t anticipate was the tragic death of one of the key competitors, Bob Breedlove, as a result of a head-on collision with a truck. The remaining racers are left with a dilemma as to whether to continue. Bicycle Dreams began life as a documentary, but events conspired to change its focus to a celebration of Breedlove’s life. It has an exquisitely raw feel; cameras were fixed to the helmets of riders, and the crew kept filming for up to 36 hours at a time, to replicate the sleep deprivation and challenging conditions endured by the competitors. Without excessive narration, the story is instead told by the participants themselves. A unique and enchanting film.
10	Tyson	Release Date: 2008 Country: USA, France Director: James Toback Cast: Mike Tyson, Mills Lane (archive footage), Trevor Berbick (archive footage), Cus D'Amato (archive footage), Muhammad Ali (archive footage), William Cayton (archive footage), Joe Louis (archive footage), Max Schmeling (archive footage), Jim Jacobs (archive footage), Jack Dempsey (archive footage), Rocky Marciano (archive footage)	Although his antics have sometimes been met with a baffled public response, Mike Tyson was one of the greatest boxers of his generation. In this documentary, directed by James Toback, Tyson narrates the story of his life, beginning with his difficult childhood in New York. In the absence of a stable family life, the young Tyson became involved in crime and ended up in reform school. Although this was traumatic, it did lead Tyson to boxing, where he was trained by Cus D'Amato, who became a cherished father figure. Tyson’s latter adolescence was marred by turbulence. D’Amato passed away in 1985, which had a devastating impact on Tyson. Despite winning his first world heavyweight title the following year, he was unable to resolve the personal demons that followed him, and as his career progressed, his eccentricities became more pronounced. Using archive footage and analysis from the man himself, this documentary provides an intimate portrait of an enigmatic character. It is ultimately Tyson’s resilience that proves even more captivating than his undisputable boxing talent. A fascinating watch.

Why are sporting heroes ideal for biographical documentaries?

Captivating backstories
Most of the sporting heroes we have come to adore possess interesting backstories. Challenging childhoods, success against the odds, and tragic endings create an emotional connection with the audience. All great documentaries are anchored by a fascinating story, and it is often the transformation from obscurity to superstardom that we find so thrilling.

Cultural relevance
As we have seen from several of our selections, it is the cultural context that provides a richness to the narrative. Societal divisions often present barriers to otherwise talented athletes. This is why Jack Johnson’s life is intertwined with the brutal injustice of the Jim Crow laws, and Muhammad Ali’s story is intrinsically linked with the Civil Rights movement, and the political situation in Colombia forms a tragic connection between Pablo and Andres Escobar. These stories have a resonance that is even grander than sporting success.

Nostalgia
Harnessing the powerful pull of nostalgia can be a useful tool in making a connection with the audience. The use of cultural cues outside of the main story, such as the soundtrack, fashion, pop culture, and archive news footage, will transport the viewer back in time. Sporting history is innately linked to our cultural heritage; mention any major sporting event and you’re sure to meet someone who can tell you precisely where they were when it happened. Revisiting the stars of yesteryear provides a valuable chance to reminisce.

Contemporary significance
Many of the themes contained within this genre have a significance that extends beyond the specific context of individual stories. Professional triumph, enduring friendship, towering highs, desperate lows, challenging dilemmas, and personal redemption are not limited to one person, nor one moment in time. Like all great documentaries, we are often left with questions to ponder long after the credits roll.