Follow Us
If you conduct a survey of 10 people and ask them what the most popular forms of entertainment are, the maximum votes will likely go to movies and sports.
This probably explains why sports documentaries are so popular as they offer the best of both worlds.
But what makes sports documentaries so special? Especially when compared to biopics and other forms of adaptations?
Well, documentaries help viewers connect better with the sport in question since they use real-life footage.
Every time new sports documentaries are announced, be it on streaming platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video or for theatrical release, both sports and movie fans get excited.
In this article, we shortlist some of the best sports documentaries that deserve a place in every fan's 2025 watchlist.
Federer: Twelve Final Days | Amazon Prime
Federer: Twelve Final Days tracks the last 12 days of Roger Federer's professional career.
Holding the No. 1 spot in men's singles ATP ranking is no small feat and Federer held it for 310 weeks.
And so, it is not surprising that even people who don't follow tennis have heard about this legendary tennis player.
People are used to Federer's calm energy and charismatic poise on the court, but in this documentary by Asif Kapadia and Joe Sabia, they get to see a different side of him - funny, grounded, and kind-hearted.
Tennis fans should especially look forward to the scenes from his final match at the Laver Cup that shed light on his endearing camaraderie with his longtime rival, Rafael Nadal.
Simone Biles Rising | Netflix
You won’t want to miss this intimate documentary about Simone Biles’ journey to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
The four-episode series goes behind the scenes as Biles, who withdrew from events at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo amid struggles with her mental health, returns to gymnastics and prepares to resume her position at the top of the sport.
In the Arena: Serena Williams | ESPN+
Even though this was not the first time that sports fans were treated to a film on the life of Serena Williams, the legendary American tennis player has been the subject of several films and docuseries including Venus and Serena (2012), Serena: The Other Side of Greatness (2016), Being Serena (2018), King Richard (2021).
The Gotham Chopra-directed documentary, which is part of ESPN’s 30 for 30 series, looks quite promising, earning a spot on our list of sports documentaries to keep an eye on.
Quad Gods | HBO, Jio Cinema
In this 2024 movie by Jess Jacklin, the focus is on a group of New Yorkers with quadriplegia who form a connection when they meet at a neuro-rehabilitation lab at Mount Sinai Hospital.
They eventually ended up forming the world's first all-quadriplegic eSports team.
The growing friendship between the members and the way they lift each other up is heartening to watch.
The fact that gaming is not just something they do for fun, but it is part of who they are while also helping in their recovery journey, makes it that much more inspiring.
Sprint | Netflix
Directed by Phil Turner, the 10-part documentary encapsulated the journey of some of the best sprinters in the world from the World Championships 2023 to weeks before the Paris Olympics 2024.
It featured runners such as Sha’Carri Richardson, Noah Lyles and Shericka Jackson, among several others from the United States of America (USA), Jamaica, the United Kingdom (UK), Ivory Coast, Kenya and Italy.
Power of the Dream | Amazon Prime
Power of the Dream by Dawn Porter reminds viewers that no athlete can thrive in isolation.
Their circumstances often influence the athletes and their game, leading many to want to contribute to society.
The players of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) understand this well.
This documentary showcases how the WNBA has risen up, time and again, to speak up about issues that matter, including LGBTQIA+ rights, #BlackLivesMatter and more.
In fact, their collective power brought about political change when they decided to stand against former team owner Kelly Loeffler who engaged in a campaign undermining the players.
The Final: Attack on Wembley | Netflix
Out of all the sports documentaries on this list, The Final: Attack on Wembley might be the most chaotic and disturbing one.
Robert Miller and Kwabena Oppong have directed the film, which portrays the events of July 11, 2021, the day of the Euro 2020 Final between England and Italy.
As it was England's first major final since 1966, thousands of supporters arrived at the venue to see the football match.
However, many of them didn't have tickets and tried to gain entry by force. The underprepared staff had a tough time keeping things under control and many people were injured as a result.
The Final: Attack on Wembley helps viewers understand the implications of hooliganism in the name of sports.
It also attempts to explore how the mass frustration from the Covid-19 lockdowns played a role in fueling the violence.
Athletes of War | MUBI
Athletes of War by Gabriel Veras is a must-watch in 2025 because it is closely linked to the recently held Paris Olympics.
Told from the perspective of Ukrainian athletes, the documentary captures what it is like for them to train in the middle of an ongoing conflict that has led to so much death and destruction.
They also voice their concerns about the IOC's decision to allow Russian athletes to participate and the possibility of facing them in competition.
This thought-provoking documentary celebrates the resilient Ukrainian athletes and their determination to send a message to people around the world through their actions.
