Feel inspired by the greatest players in history or learn just how corrupt sports can be, you’re bound to find something to interest you in my list of best sports documentaries on Netflix. In this ranked list you’ll find sports documentaries on football, basketball, baseball, golf, cycling, ice hockey, rugby, formula 1, losers and controversies.
And you might be interested in my list of best football podcasts, football documentaries and documentaries on Netflix
The Last Dance
The Last Dance is a gripping 10-part sports documentary series that chronicles the extraordinary career of NBA legend Michael Jordan, with a particular focus on his final season with the Chicago Bulls in 1997–98.
At the heart of the story is Jordan’s relentless drive, competitiveness, and impact on the sport and global culture. The documentary also explores the dynamics between key figures like coach Phil Jackson, teammates Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, and the tensions with Bulls management, particularly general manager Jerry Krause. It won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.
Tim’s Take: One of the greatest sports documentaries I’ve ever watched, The Last Dance is an ode to just how great Michael Jordan was. It encapsulates why he’s the greatest basketball player of all time and why that Chicago Bulls team was successful. It also pulls back the curtain to reveal all the drama that took place.
Losers
Losers is a thought-provoking docuseries that turns the spotlight on athletes and teams who experienced crushing defeats – and how those setbacks shaped their lives. Each of the eight episodes focuses on a different sport and personality, from a French figure skater haunted by Olympic disappointment to a British boxer who became a folk hero after a bizarre loss. Rather than glorifying winners, the series highlights resilience, personal growth, and the complicated aftermath of public failure. With a mix of live-action footage and animated segments, Losers is visually distinct and emotionally resonant, challenging conventional sports narratives.
Tim’s Take: A sports documentary that deserves more recognition (it’s older so largely buried) it’s unique in that it tells the stories from the runner-up and not the winner. It also covers a wide variety of sports. Some of the stories are absolutely heartbreaking, getting so close but narrowly missing out. How does that feel? How do you recover from that? It’s a shame there are only eight episodes as this could be a long running series.
Untold: Malice At The Palace
Part of the Untold documentary series, Malice at the Palace revisits one of the most infamous brawls in sports history – when a 2004 NBA game between the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons descended into chaos. The film features exclusive interviews with players like Ron Artest (now Metta Sandiford-Artest), Jermaine O’Neal, and Stephen Jackson, offering their perspectives on the media backlash and legal fallout that followed. Through a combination of raw footage and first-person accounts, it reframes the narrative around the players who were vilified in the press. Directed by Floyd Russ and released in 2021, the documentary challenges the public’s perception of the event and explores issues of race, reputation, and trauma.
Tim’s Take: I hadn’t heard of this story before. My jaw was on the floor. How could this have happened? If you though Eric Cantona fly kicking a Crystal Palace fan was shocking, what till you see what the The Pacers did. Not only is the story wild, the players are emotive characters too, retelling their side of the story makes you feel like you were there and the huge sense of loss afterwards.
Untold: Crime and Penalties
This offbeat instalment of the Untold series tells the wild true story of the Danbury Trashers – a minor league hockey team bought by a mob-connected trash magnate and run by his teenage son. Blending sports, organized crime, and teen fantasy, the film follows the rise and chaotic reign of this rough-and-tumble team in the mid-2000s. Directed by Chapman Way and Maclain Way, Crime and Penalties is packed with colourful interviews and archival footage, delivering an outrageous tale that feels part Goodfellas, part Slap Shot.
Tim’s Take: Time to take a breather with a slightly more fun sports documentary. Another from the Untold Series, this storyline is perfect for a sports movie. It’s like a real life Sopranos.
The Redeem Team
The Redeem Team is a powerful 2022 documentary that charts the journey of the U.S. men’s basketball team as they fought to reclaim Olympic glory at the 2008 Beijing Games, following a stunning failure in 2004. Featuring behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with players like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony, it centers on the leadership of the late Kobe Bryant, whose intense commitment helped unite the team.
Tim’s Take: The Redeem Team shows how important teamwork is and checking your ego at the door.
Quarterback
Quarterback follows three QBs across a single season: superstar Patrick Mahomes, veteran Kirk Cousins, and rising talent Marcus Mariota. It captures the intensity of life both on and off the field, exploring physical demands, mental preparation, leadership pressures, and family life. With fly-on-the-wall footage and candid interviews, the series humanizes players often reduced to highlight reels or criticism.
Tim’s Take: After watching Quarterback, I’m convinced the quarterback role is the toughest position to play in any sport as it requires huge amounts of physical and mental dedication (watching Mahomes train is wild). There are a ton of great insights into what goes through their mind during critical plays in games and how they come up with all of the plays, funny names and how they memorise them. Quarterback also features the biggest comeback in NFL history.
The Comeback: 2004 Boston Red Sox
The Comeback revisits the legendary 2004 American League Championship Series, where the Boston Red Sox defied the odds and overturned a 3–0 deficit to beat the New York Yankees – something no MLB team had done before. Through interviews with key players like David Ortiz, Kevin Millar, and Curt Schilling, the documentary captures the emotion, tension, and defiance that defined this historic moment. Combining archival footage with new commentary, it offers insight into the locker room dynamics, strategic moves, and cultural impact of the victory that ended the team’s 86-year title drought.
Tim’s Take: We all love an underdog story and this will inspire you. The players’ personalities and interviews make this a fun watch too.
Mr. McMahon
Mr. McMahon is an in-depth documentary exploring the controversial life and legacy of Vince McMahon, the powerful and polarizing figure behind World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). The film traces his rise from a regional promoter’s son to the architect of a global sports-entertainment empire. It tackles key milestones like the creation of WrestleMania, the Monday Night Wars, and McMahon’s influence on wrestling’s evolution—while also addressing scandals involving steroid trials, sexual misconduct allegations, and his abrupt retirement and return. Featuring interviews with insiders and critics alike, the doc examines themes of ambition, power, and reinvention. Though not without controversy itself, Mr. McMahon offers a compelling portrait of a man who blurred the lines between character and CEO, and left an indelible mark on modern entertainment.
Tim’s Take: Growing up I was a huge wrestling fan. It was fascinating to see how the company was built and rose to a global status. It was also fun revisiting eras and wrestlers. The scandals are astonishing which I was not aware of.
Icarus
Icarus is a gripping, Oscar-winning 2017 documentary that begins as a personal experiment and evolves into a global exposé of state-sponsored doping. Directed by Bryan Fogel, the film starts with Fogel’s attempt to cheat in amateur cycling to test anti-doping protocols. This leads him to Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov, head of Russia’s anti-doping lab – who becomes the whistleblower behind one of the biggest scandals in Olympic history. What follows is a tense unraveling of a systematic, government-backed doping operation that implicated dozens of Russian athletes and shook the international sports community. Part investigative thriller, part political drama, Icarus won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2018.
Tim’s Take: A fairly old documentary on this list, but still remains an interesting watch. The journalism is incredible and the unravelling of how elaborate the system had to be is eye-opening.
Sunderland Till I Die
Sunderland ‘Til I Die is a docuseries chronicling the fortunes – and misfortunes – of Sunderland A.F.C. as the historic football club grapples with relegation, financial troubles, and fan expectations. Spanning multiple seasons, the series focuses on the passionate supporters, the day-to-day operations of the club, and the human cost of failure in professional football. First released in 2018, the series became a cult hit for its unfiltered look at the struggles of life below the Premier League. It’s a story about loyalty, heartbreak, and community, where football is far more than just a game.
Tim’s Take: There is a sea of football documentaries now, but Sunderland ‘Til I Die remains one of the better examples largely due to the fortunes of the club over two seasons (the third season isn’t worth watching in my opinion). It’s not a puff piece about the club which helps separate it from the other football documentaries.
FIFA Uncovered
FIFA Uncovered is a 2022 investigative docuseries that peels back the curtain on corruption, power struggles, and controversy at the heart of global football’s governing body. With interviews from insiders, journalists, and whistleblowers, the series examines how FIFA, under leaders like Sepp Blatter, became entangled in bribery scandals and questionable World Cup bidding processes. It provides critical context for decisions such as the awarding of the 2022 tournament to Qatar, raising questions about human rights, money, and accountability. Blending archival footage with investigative journalism, FIFA Uncovered is a timely and sobering look at the dark side of “the beautiful game.”
Tim’s Take: FIFA Uncovered remains one of the best sports documentaries around scandals. The amount of money which was discussed and how it took place is staggering.
Wrestlers
Wrestlers is a 2023 docuseries that dives into the gritty, emotional, and often chaotic world of Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), a once-prominent developmental territory for WWE now fighting to stay alive. Directed by Greg Whiteley (Cheer, Last Chance U), the series follows wrestling veterans, up-and-comers, and new co-owner Al Snow as they try to reinvigorate the struggling promotion. With compelling backstage drama, personal sacrifices, and intense training footage, Wrestlers offers a behind-the-curtain look at life beyond the glitz of mainstream wrestling. The show balances in-ring storytelling with real-life struggles, showing how passion, pain, and performance intersect in the pursuit of a dream.
Tim’s Take: There aren’t enough really good wrestling documentaries available to stream. Wrestlers is an interesting look at amateur sport in general, making ends meet and spinning a lot of plates. It was also interesting to see just how difficult it is to create and keep a business afloat. You really empathise with Al Snow at every step due to his passion and sacrifice.
Full Swing
Full Swing brings the world of professional golf into sharper focus, following top players on and off the PGA Tour during a season of high stakes and shifting allegiances. Produced by the creators of Drive to Survive, the 2023 series features stars like Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, and Brooks Koepka as they chase major titles and grapple with the emergence of the controversial LIV Golf tour. The series blends tournament drama with personal moments – revealing the psychological intensity, rivalries, and lifestyle pressures of life on the circuit.
Tim’s Take: Golf may not appear to make the most interesting of sports documentaries on paper, but Full Swing is a fascinating look at both the high profile stars and those who are just trying to make the cut. The introduction of the LIV Tour drama of course is a big discussion, but Full Swing mostly centres on ambition and the mental side is the game. The first episode is probably the least interesting of the whole series so don’t get put off by it. There are more interesting characters and stories from Collin Morikawa, Brooks Koepka, Scottie Scheffler, Ian Poulter and Dustin Johnson.
Bad Sport
Bad Sport is a true-crime sports anthology series that explores shocking cases where athletes, coaches, or organizations crossed ethical or legal lines in pursuit of success. Each standalone episode tackles a different scandal – from the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic judging controversy to a college basketball point-shaving scheme and a South African racing scandal. Combining interviews with perpetrators, victims, and journalists, Bad Sport examines how ambition, money, and moral compromise collide in the world of competitive sport.
Tim’s Take: If you like true crime and sport, you need to watch Bad Sport. Each episode and scandal is fascinating and shows just what is capable in the world of sport. The things people do to reach the top are insane. But no one stays at the top forever.
Tour De France: Unchained
Tour de France: Unchained is a high-octane docuseries that captures the intensity, drama, and danger of the world’s most prestigious cycling race. Produced by the creators of Drive to Survive and released in 2023, the series follows multiple teams during the 2022 Tour de France, offering unprecedented access to cyclists, team directors, and behind-the-scenes decision-making. With helmet cams, in-race audio, and candid interviews, the show highlights the brutal physical toll, strategic depth, and emotional rollercoaster of the grueling multi-stage event. From elite sprinters to humble domestiques, Unchained celebrates the teamwork and individual grit that define professional cycling. It was praised for making the sport accessible to newcomers while thrilling die-hard fans with its immersive storytelling and cinematic production.
Tim’s Take: I knew very little of the competitive cycling world and Tour De France: Unchained does a fantastic job of explaining just how grueling this coveted competition is and really captures how tight races are, how intense it is to compete, the tactics at play and the roles of each cyclist within the team. It’s no wonder why the Tour de France is the most watched sporting event in the world. My legs felt sore just watching it. It’s a sport that involves a lot more strategy than I thought. The crashes are brutal.
Formula 1: Drive To Survive
Formula 1: Drive to Survive is the breakout docuseries that redefined sports storytelling on Netflix. First launched in 2019, the series takes viewers inside the world of Formula 1 racing, focusing on the rivalries, pressure, and personalities behind the scenes. With all-access footage, team radio, and drama both on and off the track, the show captures the fierce competition between drivers and constructors, highlighting figures like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Christian Horner.
Tim’s Take: When it was first released, it was one of the best sports documentaries around. After seven series, it’s become formulaic. That doesn’t mean it’s not worth watching every season. I still enjoy it, but it’s definitely lost the excitement it once had. It’s become an easy watch, a bit like bad reality TV in that sense. I think Formula 1 drivers are the most egotistical people in sports which provide great interviews and drama. There may be teams of two, but everyone is out for themselves and Drive To Survive reveals all the inner team fractions and fights. And there are many of them. Plus there’s fighting between the teams too of course.
Mark Cavendish: Never Enough
Mark Cavendish: Never Enough is an intimate, emotionally raw documentary about the celebrated British cyclist’s fall from dominance and his relentless fight to return. Released in 2023, the film chronicles Cavendish’s early triumphs – including his Tour de France stage wins – before diving into his struggles with illness, depression, and injury. With candid interviews and access to his inner circle, the film reveals a complex portrait of an elite athlete grappling with fame, failure, and mental health.
Tim’s Take: Again, competitive cycling is grueling. Cavendish’s story of struggle is an extremely emotional watch. You will him to get better and equal Eddy Merkxx’s Tour de France stage win record.
Captains
Captains is a global football docuseries that profiles six national team captains – representing nations from Africa, Europe, and the Americas – as they lead their countries through qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Featuring players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Luka Modrić, the series provides a rare look at leadership, responsibility, and the unifying power of football on an international stage. With dramatic real-time footage and personal insights, it highlights the emotional stakes of representing one’s country.
Tim’s Take: There’s another similar sports documentary on Netflix called Captains of the World which takes place over the world cup, but I prefer Captains. Captains really goes in-depth and explains everything from their childhood and how they rose to be one of the best players in their country. This really gives you an insight into what they had to go through and what it takes to become a great leader.
Six Nations: Full Contact
Six Nations: Full Contact is a behind-the-scenes docuseries that follows Europe’s premier international rugby tournament – the Six Nations Championship. Released in 2024, the series tracks the journeys of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales during the 2023 competition, offering insight into locker rooms, training camps, and the emotional intensity of match days. With access to top players like Johnny Sexton, Finn Russell, and Antoine Dupont, the series explores the pressure of national pride, historic rivalries, and the physical toll of elite rugby.
Tim’s Take: I don’t understand the rules of rugby, but still found Six Nations: Full Contact an interesting watch. It’s very similar to Quarterback and shows how physically demanding rugby can be.
Beckham
Beckham is a four-part documentary series that chronicles the rise, fame, and legacy of David Beckham – one of football’s most iconic and polarizing figures. Directed by Fisher Stevens and released in 2023, the series blends home videos, archival footage, and candid interviews with Beckham, his family, and famous contemporaries. It explores his early Manchester United days, the pressures of media scrutiny, his relationship with Victoria Beckham, and the ups and downs of his international career. More than just a sports story, Beckham is a meditation on celebrity, resilience, and reinvention.
Tim’s Take: This just makes the list as it’s too close to a puff piece. I didn’t find his footballing career that interesting. It’s the off field drama that was most interesting to me. Next time you wish for fame, just watch what Beckham had to endure and think again.