BEST MOVIES ABOUT WRESTLING, RANKED ACCORDING TO IMDB

Throughout the decades, wrestling has drifted in-and-out of the mainstream, because of various household names like Hulk Hogan, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and John Cena who've successfully transcended from wrestling to Hollywood. That, in turn, has led to numerous movies based on the vast, colorful world of sports-entertainment.

Many of these films - be they biographical, fictional or a straight-up documentary - have had varying degrees of success and critical reception in the eyes of wrestling fans, casual moviegoers and IMDB users. And these are 10 of the best pro-wrestling movies, ranked by their IMDB scores.

The Sheik - IDMB Score: 7.1

The Movie Premiered At The 2014 Hot Docs Festival In Canada

In August 2013, The Iron Sheik's managers (Page & Jian Magen) crowdsourced funds to produce a documentary on his life and career. The end result was an insightful and hard-hitting film that explored the origins of Khosrow Vaziri, and chronicled his life up to 2014.

Sheik was rated favorably by fans and critics for covering The Iron Sheik's life in Iran and journey to America, his success in wrestling, and the tragedies he suffered. As well as featuring anecdotes from various legends and celebrities who share what this beloved heel meant to wrestling.

Fighting With My Family - IMDB Score: 7.1

Florence Pugh's Stunts During Wrestling Scenes Were Performed By Tessa Blanchard

The story of Saraya Bevis was first chronicled in the 2012 documentary The Wrestlers: Fighting With My Family. That led to Dwayne Johnson and Stephen Merchant collaborating with WWE Studios and Film4 to produce a feature-length biographical drama on Paige's journey to WWE.

Fighting With My Family proved popular with wrestling fans/critics as well as casual moviegoers and film critics. Grossing $41.5 million at the box office (against the movie's $11 million budget), Fighting With My Family scored with its heart, wit, and strong cast, as well as Florence Pugh delivering a tremendous performance as Paige.

You Cannot Kill David Arquette (2020) - IMDB Score: 7.2

After Its Original Premiere Was Cancelled Due To The COVID-19 Pandemic, The Movie Was Later Released To Drive-In Theaters

As ill-conceived as David Arquette's run as WCW World Heavyweight Championship reign was, what stood the man in good stead was his genuine love & respect for the wrestling business. This documentary follows David actually paying his dues as he trained to return to the ring in 2018.

Watching David put himself through such intense training and punishment is further proof of how serious his love for wrestling is, and how he wants to redeem himself in the eyes of his detractors. Generally positive reviews and streaming success did indeed prove that You Cannot Kill David Arquette.

The Peanut Butter Falcon - IMDB Score: 7.6

Grossing Over $23 Million Worldwide, The Peanut Butter Falcon Became The Highest-Grossing Independent Film Of 2019

Although the wrestling aspirations of Zak (a young man with Down Syndrome) don't dominate the movie, The Peanut Butter Falcon is a touching & mature comedy-drama that invites viewers for an uplifting journey. The performances of Zack Gottsagen and Shia LaBeouf give life to this heartwarming story, and the appearances of Mick Foley and Jake Roberts are the icing on the cake.

Respectful for its representation of Down Syndrome, The Peanut Butter Falcon also appealed to fans, non-fans & critics. With positive reviews and a great box office run, it was the most successful independent movie of 2019.

Beyond The Mat - IMDB Score: 7.6

The Documentary Was Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's First Appearance On The Big Screen

With wrestling at the height of its popularity in the late nineties, so too did Beyond The Mat take the world by storm in 1999. With kayfabe still being protected with strict, utmost importance, Barry W. Blaustein's film practically obliterated the rule book with his behind-the-scenes look at the harsh realities of the wrestling business.

The documentary enjoyed huge success at US cinemas and on VHS & DVD home-release. Shocking, bold and extremely powerful, Beyond The Mat remains an enthralling, essential documentary for fans & non-fans alike twenty-five years after its original release.

The Iron Claw - IMDB Score: 7.6

As Well As Portraying The Sheik, Chavo Guerrero Was Also Primary Wrestling Consultant For The Movie

In covering the terrible tragedies that befell the Von Erich family, Sean Durkin creates a mournful and intense masterpiece where the trials and tribulations of this beloved family really hit home for audiences. Titled after the legendary signature move of the Von Erichs, The Iron Claw resonated deeply with fans and critics.

Although the movie does possess several historical inaccuracies (with the absence of Chris Von Erich being the biggest omission), The Iron Claw remains a deep, powerful masterpiece that succeeds thanks to Durkin's direction, Chavo Guerrero's contributions, and exemplary performances from Zac Efron and the rest of the cast.

The Resurrection Of Jake The Snake - IMDB Score: 7.8

The Film Debuted At The Slamdance Film Festival And Experienced A Limited Release In Theaters

Jake Roberts' struggles with alcoholism and drug-addiction have been well documented throughout his life, but perhaps none better than 2015's The Resurrection Of Jake The Snake. Covering both the all-time highs & lows of Jake's life, the documentary scored high points for its raw honesty and also chronicling Jake's genuine attempts to turn his life around.

The Resurrection Of Jake The Snake is a true rollercoaster of a story, from Roberts' fall from grace, to seeing him get his life back together thanks to the help of Diamond Dallas Page, to finally taking his rightful place in the 2014 Hall Of Fame. It's a story that definitely needs to be told.

Andre The Giant - IMDB Score: 7.8

HBO's Film Was The Most-Watched Sports Documentary In The History Of Their Channel

HBO pulled out all the stops to produce this documentary on Andre The Giant. Featuring interviews with a who's-who of Hollywood and wrestling, Andre The Giant also provides a deeply poignant and honest look at both the amazing legend and the human being burdened by his gigantism.

According to HBO, Andre The Giant was the most watched sports documentary in the channel's history, with huge TV ratings and viewing figures on streaming platforms. Still a massive hit with fans and critics, this film's high-quality matches the legendary Giant it's based on.

The Wrestler - IMDB Score: 7.9

Mickey Rourke Won Both A BAFTA And A Golden Globe For Best Actor

Regarded by many fans as the definitive wrestling movie, The Wrestler features Mickey Rourke giving one of the greatest performances of his entire career. In the role of Randy "The Ram" Robinson, Rourke convincingly portrays a broken-down, weary athlete struggling to maintain his career, fame, health, life and relationships.

Director Darren Aronofsky delivers a powerful piece of cinema where the truths about professional wrestling really hit home for both wrestling and non-wrestling fans. With much-deserved critical acclaim and several accolades to its credit, The Wrestler remains an essential masterpiece for audiences.

Hitman Hart: Wrestling With Shadows - IMDB Score: 8.1

The Film Won Numerous Awards At Festivals, And Was Screened To Critical Acclaim On TV Channels In Canada, The US And The UK

When Paul Jay and Bret Hart worked together in 1997 to cover The Hitman's final year working for WWE, they made perhaps the single-greatest wrestling documentary in history. First screened in 1998, Wrestling With Shadows went into tremendous detail regarding Bret's WWE struggles throughout 1997, concluding with his infamous departure.

From The Hitman's conversations with Vince McMahon to the explosive Montreal Screwjob, no stone was left unturned in this magnificent & revealing film. An absolute hit with critics and fans, Wrestling With Shadows is still revered to this day.

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