10 Best Sports Documentaries on Netflix Right Now
Finding a sports documentary that’s about more than a famous score can be harder than it sounds. You might want a gripping comeback, a behind-the-scenes look at a champion, or a story about what happens when competition takes a serious personal toll. Netflix has all three, alongside basketball history, elite gymnastics, mountaineering and a football final that still feels almost too dramatic to be true.
This countdown focuses on sports documentaries currently listed in Netflix’s catalogue, with a UK viewer in mind. I’ve ranked them for storytelling, access to the people involved and the way each one makes its sport matter even if you don’t normally follow it. Some picks are uplifting; others are intense, upsetting or complicated. “Inspirational” doesn’t always mean uncomplicated, and the best sports documentaries are often willing to show the difficult parts.
You’ll find celebrated Netflix sports documentaries such as The Last Dance beside newer titles like Untold UK: Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul. There are films about basketball legends, a gymnast dealing with intense public pressure, a cyclist fighting back after illness and injury, and climbers facing risks that are difficult to watch from the safety of your sofa. Netflix’s sports documentary collection currently lists many of these titles, though its catalogue can change. Browse Netflix’s sports documentary collection for its current selection.
If you’re choosing something to watch tonight, this list should help you find the right fit: an acclaimed documentary series to binge, a high-adrenaline adventure, a sports scandal documentary, or a powerful true story about an athlete’s life beyond the arena. For more sports stories in a very different format, That Love Podcast has a guide to boxing movies, too.
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10. Mark Cavendish: Never Enough (2023)
A cycling documentary can make a long day in the saddle feel thrilling, but Mark Cavendish: Never Enough works because its real subject is persistence. The film follows British road cyclist Mark Cavendish through a career that brought him to the top of his sport, then into a punishing stretch of injury, illness and depression. His goal of reaching the Tour de France stage-win record gives the story a clear sporting target, but the personal obstacles make the outcome feel uncertain.
The film’s access to Cavendish, his wife Peta, teammates and coaches gives it an intimate quality. You see the confidence and competitiveness that helped make him a great sprinter, as well as the strain that comes from trying to rebuild a career when your body and mind have both taken a battering. That mix keeps the documentary from becoming a simple victory lap.
It ranks tenth because its focus is narrower than some of the bigger ensemble stories here. But for a sports comeback documentary with real vulnerability, it’s a strong place to start. Even viewers who know little about professional cycling can follow the stakes.
Where to watch: Mark Cavendish: Never Enough on Netflix.
9. The Deepest Breath (2023)
The Deepest Breath turns freediving into a story of astonishing skill and genuine danger. It follows record-setting Italian freediver Alessia Zecchini and safety diver Stephen Keenan, whose shared commitment to the sport brings them together around a difficult attempt at a deep dive. Netflix describes them as bonded by their love of freediving and their ambition to make history.
The film is visually arresting: underwater silence, careful preparation and the strange stillness of a diver descending into the blue make the sport feel both beautiful and unnerving. You don’t need to know the technical details of freediving to understand the tension. The safety team’s work is as important as the athlete’s performance, and the documentary makes that responsibility part of the story.
This is not an easy, feel-good sports movie. It deals with serious risk and loss, and its emotional impact depends on keeping those stakes in view. That makes it a more affecting choice than a straightforward record-breaking story. At number nine, it’s one of the most gripping Netflix sports documentaries, but also one best watched when you’re ready for something intense.
Where to watch: The Deepest Breath on Netflix.
8. Bill Russell: Legend (2023)
Bill Russell’s basketball achievements would make a substantial documentary on their own. Bill Russell: Legend also looks beyond the Celtics dynasty to the racism and social change that shaped his life as a Black athlete and public figure. Netflix presents the two-part documentary as a portrait of the NBA’s winningest champion and a civil rights icon, and that combination is what gives it weight.
Russell was not simply a player who happened to win. He was a dominant defender, a leader in a team that became synonymous with winning, and an outspoken person living through segregation and discrimination. The documentary connects those parts of his story rather than treating his activism as an optional add-on to his sporting career. That wider frame makes this a thoughtful pick for viewers interested in sports history as well as basketball.
At times, the film’s broad scope means it moves quickly through a remarkable life. Still, Russell’s presence and the themes around him hold the two episodes together. The result is a respectful portrait of a complicated and influential figure, with a clear sense of why his legacy reaches far beyond the court.
Where to watch: Bill Russell: Legend on Netflix.
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7. Untold UK: Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul (2026)
The 2005 Champions League final is already one of football’s most famous comeback stories. Untold UK: Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul revisits the night Liverpool went into half-time three goals behind AC Milan, then fought back to win on penalties. Netflix’s official listing describes the film as a documentary about what happened next, featuring players Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard, along with manager Rafael Benítez.
The scoreline is the hook, but the film also gives context to the turbulent season that led to the final. That helps the comeback feel like the end point of a hard, unpredictable campaign rather than a miracle floating free of the work that came before. For longtime Liverpool supporters, hearing people close to the team revisit the game is the obvious attraction. For neutral viewers, the film builds a neat case for why that night became football folklore.
At just over an hour, it’s a compact watch compared with the longer series on this list. That pace suits the story: the documentary can stay close to a single match while still explaining why it mattered. It’s an easy recommendation for football fans and a smart choice for a short sports documentary night.
Where to watch: Untold UK: Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul on Netflix.
6. 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible (2021)
Nimsdai Purja’s goal in 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible sounds like a challenge invented by someone who has never looked at a mountain: summit all fourteen of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks in seven months. Purja, a Nepali mountaineer, sets out to complete the project he calls “Project Possible,” and the documentary follows the climbs, logistics and risks involved.
The film is built for viewers who want a visually striking adventure documentary. Its mountain footage gives the scale of the challenge a physical presence, while the expedition’s tight schedule keeps the story moving. You can feel the difference between a climb that is merely difficult and one where altitude, weather and exhaustion leave very little room for error.
Purja’s determination is the engine of the film, and the documentary clearly wants you to be swept up in his ambition. That can make the tone feel celebratory, but the sheer scale of the accomplishment is hard to ignore. At number six, it’s an absorbing pick for anyone looking for an inspirational sports documentary, a mountaineering film or a high-stakes true story that takes them far from familiar arenas.
Where to watch: 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible on Netflix.
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5. Athlete A (2020)
Athlete A is a serious, upsetting documentary about the gymnasts who survived abuse by USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar and the journalists who helped expose the organisation’s toxic culture. Its title refers to Maggie Nichols, the gymnast who reported Nassar and was identified as “Athlete A” in a legal settlement. Netflix’s UK listing describes the film as focusing both on survivors and on the reporters who investigated USA Gymnastics.
The documentary follows the Indianapolis Star journalists who pursued the story, but the athletes’ accounts remain at its centre. It shows how a system that was meant to protect young gymnasts failed them, and how difficult it was for survivors to be heard. The result is not a conventional sports film about medals and competition. It is an investigative documentary about power, institutional responsibility and the courage it can take to speak publicly.
This is essential viewing, but it comes with a clear content warning: it discusses sexual abuse and its impact on survivors. Its place at number five reflects its force and importance, not how easy it is to watch. If you want a sports documentary that confronts the conditions behind elite gymnastics, this is one of Netflix’s most necessary films.
Where to watch: Athlete A on Netflix.
4. Schumacher (2021)
Netflix’s Schumacher is a portrait of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher, told through interviews and archive material. Rather than presenting only a string of race victories, the documentary looks at the determination, family life and intensity behind one of motorsport’s most famous careers.
Formula 1 rewards precision, but it also asks drivers to make split-second choices at frightening speeds. The racing footage gives the film its momentum, while interviews with people close to Schumacher help it build a fuller sense of the person behind the helmet. That balance makes this a strong choice for viewers who know the highlights but want a deeper look at the competitor and the family man.
The film’s emotional tone is measured, especially when it reaches the serious accident that changed Schumacher’s life. It handles his family’s privacy with restraint, which makes the moments it does share feel more personal. At number four, Schumacher is an engaging motorsport documentary and one of the better Netflix films for viewers curious about the psychology of a champion. You don’t have to know Formula 1’s rules to understand its central portrait of focus and ambition.
Where to watch: Schumacher on Netflix.
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3. Simone Biles Rising (2024)
Simone Biles Rising follows one of the greatest gymnasts of all time through a period when her mental health became part of the public sporting conversation. The four-part docuseries looks at Biles’ experience at the Tokyo Olympics, her decision to step back from events and her return to competition ahead of the Paris Games. Netflix’s own episode descriptions show the series tracing the pressure, training and uncertainty surrounding that comeback.
The series works because it keeps Biles a person rather than treating her as a collection of medals. It acknowledges how much the sport asks of its athletes, including the physical danger of competing at the highest level and the expectations placed on a young woman whose success has made her famous around the world. Biles’ openness gives the documentary its emotional core.
Some viewers may wish for more time with the wider gymnastics world, but the close focus on Biles makes this a powerful portrait of an elite athlete navigating public scrutiny. It’s one of the best sports docuseries on Netflix if you’re interested in gymnastics, Olympic stories or the mental health challenges that can sit behind a champion’s performance.
Where to watch: Simone Biles Rising on Netflix.
2. The Redeem Team (2022)
After the U.S. men’s basketball team’s disappointing 2004 Olympic result, the stars who joined Team USA for Beijing 2008 had something to prove. The Redeem Team revisits that campaign, following a group that included Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony as they tried to restore the national team’s reputation. Netflix’s official page frames the story around the team’s pursuit of Olympic gold after the shock of 2004.
The film is as much about building a group as it is about basketball. Big-name players have to adjust to a shared purpose, international competition and the weight of a result that Americans had come to expect. That makes the training and behind-the-scenes footage more engaging than a highlight reel: you can see how the team’s identity begins to take shape.
Its familiarity with the outcome doesn’t spoil the experience. Instead, the tension comes from watching the players work out what kind of team they need to become. At number two, it’s an easy sports documentary recommendation for basketball fans, Olympic viewers and anyone who likes stories about redemption through teamwork. Even if you already know the gold-medal result, the journey is worth the watch.
Where to watch: The Redeem Team on Netflix.
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1. The Last Dance (2020)
The Last Dance takes the top spot because it turns a dynasty into a gripping, messy human story. The ten-part documentary follows Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, with its central timeline focused on the team’s 1997–98 season, the last of Jordan’s years in Chicago. It also looks across Jordan’s career and the people who shaped the Bulls, including Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and coach Phil Jackson. Netflix describes the series as a chronicle of Jordan’s rise and the Bulls’ 1990s run.
The archive footage gives the series an immediacy that’s hard to match. You see the brilliance, the relentless competitiveness and the strain of trying to repeat success when everyone is watching. Jordan’s own interviews bring a sharp point of view, but the series is most interesting when its stars’ perspectives don’t line up neatly. This isn’t a polished team tribute where every memory confirms the same story.
It’s long, but the episode structure makes it an excellent sports documentary to binge. Basketball fans get an unusually detailed look at a defining team; casual viewers get fame, rivalry, pressure and big personalities. That reach is why it ranks first: The Last Dance is not only a great basketball documentary, it’s a compelling series about the cost and mythology of greatness.
Where to watch: The Last Dance on Netflix.
Conclusion
The best sports documentaries on Netflix don’t all tell the same kind of story. The Last Dance is a deep dive into a team and its biggest star, while The Redeem Team finds its heart in a group learning to play for one another. Athlete A looks directly at institutional failure, and The Deepest Breath captures the danger and beauty of an extreme sport. For a story of sheer adventure, 14 Peaks is hard to beat.
My first recommendation is still The Last Dance because it combines strong access, archival footage and a story that works even if basketball isn’t your usual watch. If you’d rather see a more recent comeback, try Mark Cavendish: Never Enough. If you want a short, high-stakes football story, start with Untold UK: Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul.
Netflix’s catalogue changes, so check the official title pages before settling in. Which documentary would you put at number one, and what sports story should be on this list? Share your picks with us.
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10 FAQs About Sports Documentaries on Netflix
What is the best sports documentary on Netflix?
For an all-around recommendation, The Last Dance is a strong first choice. It combines extensive footage, memorable personalities and the story of the Chicago Bulls’ 1997–98 season with a wider look at Michael Jordan’s career. If you prefer a shorter film, The Redeem Team is a satisfying basketball documentary about the U.S. team’s return to Olympic gold.
What sports documentary should I watch tonight?
Choose based on your mood. The Deepest Breath is tense and visually striking, 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible is an adventurous true story, and The Redeem Team is an uplifting basketball watch. For a longer binge, try The Last Dance. If you want football and a quick runtime, Untold UK: Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul is a focused choice.
Which sports documentaries on Netflix are about basketball?
The Last Dance, The Redeem Team and Bill Russell: Legend all focus on basketball, but from different angles. The Last Dance looks at Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, The Redeem Team follows the U.S. national team’s 2008 Olympic campaign, and Bill Russell: Legend explores a Celtics champion’s sporting legacy and civil rights work.
Is The Last Dance a series or a movie?
The Last Dance is a ten-part documentary series, not a feature-length film. Its episodes follow Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, with special focus on their 1997–98 season. The episode format gives the documentary room to move between the team’s final championship run and Jordan’s wider career.
Are these sports documentaries available on Netflix UK?
Netflix’s UK title pages currently list these selections, including The Last Dance, Athlete A, The Deepest Breath, 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible and Mark Cavendish: Never Enough. Streaming catalogues can change, so check the linked Netflix page in this article before watching.
What is the best Netflix documentary about women in sport?
Simone Biles Rising is a strong choice for its close look at gymnastics, public pressure and Biles’ return to Olympic competition. Athlete A is also an important documentary about women in elite sport, although it covers abuse and institutional failures and is a much more difficult watch.
Which sports documentary on Netflix is the most inspiring?
14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible is a natural pick if you want a story about an ambitious physical challenge. Mark Cavendish: Never Enough is another powerful choice, following a cyclist through a painful period of injury and illness as he tries to return to the top of his sport.
Which documentary should I watch if I don’t follow sports?
Try The Last Dance for its personalities and team drama, or Athlete A for its investigative reporting and institutional story. The Deepest Breath is also accessible to non-fans because its focus on risk, preparation and human connection doesn’t require much prior knowledge of freediving.
Is Athlete A suitable for a family movie night?
It may not be the right choice for a casual family watch. The film discusses sexual abuse and its effects on survivors. Netflix lists it as rated 15 in the UK. Review its content and rating information before watching with younger viewers.
Where can I find more sports documentaries to stream?
Start with Netflix’s sports documentary collection, which updates as the service adds and removes titles. You can also look at Netflix Tudum’s sports documentary recommendations for more background and suggestions.
More Places to Find Great Movies and TV Shows
If you’re searching for your next documentary, sports movie or binge-worthy series, these entertainment sites can help you explore reviews, cast details and new releases:
ScreenRant — Entertainment news and film and TV features.
CBR — Pop culture, film, television and comic coverage.
Collider — Film and television news, interviews and reviews.
IMDb — Cast, crew and production information.
Rotten Tomatoes — Critic and audience reviews.
MovieWeb — Film and television coverage.
SlashFilm — Movie and TV news and analysis.
ComicBookMovie — Superhero and pop culture coverage.
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