Looking for the best movies for runners? Whether you need motivation before a race, something entertaining for a rest day, or a great story about athletes chasing an impossible goal, these running movies deserve a place on your watchlist.
We are sticking strictly to movies about running and feature films. It includes marathon movies, track and field films, cross-country stories, Olympic biopics, and fictional dramas in which running plays an important role. Start with Chariots of Fire for Olympic running, Without Limits for Steve Prefontaine and American track history, McFarland, USA for cross-country, Brittany Runs a Marathon for a modern marathon story, and Run Fatboy Run if you want a running comedy.
15. Run Fatboy Run (2007)
This British comedy focuses on Dennis (played by Simon Pegg), who wants to win back his love of life after getting into shape by running in a marathon. Despite being quite predictable, it blends romance, humor, and personal growth entertainingly.
The film became a hit at the box office despite receiving mixed reviews and is a treat for Simon Pegg fans.
14. Chariots of Fire (1981)
Like water and fire, this is the true story of two British athletes who competed in the 1924 Olympics—one was fueled by the passion of his faith, and the other was driven by his pursuit of fame.
Harold Abrahams overcomes religious and class prejudice to compete against the ambitious “Flying Scotsman” Eric Liddell in the 100-meter race category.
A story that highlights the importance of your ‘why’ while running or life in general.
13. Saint Ralph (2004)
Another heart-touching comedy in this list of great movies about running. Belief can take you a long way, and that is what happened to a 14-year-old boy. The movie’s protagonist is a mischievous, energetic boy, Ralph, who believes that winning the Boston Marathon will create a miracle and that his ill mother will wake up from her coma.
This is the story of faith, resilience, and seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary. A comedic touch to serious topics like illness, faith, and following what you believe in.
12. Without Limits (1998)
This running film takes us through Steve Prefontaine’s quest for excellence and his relationship with his coach Bill Bowerman.
Prefontaine has had a great impact on the sport of track and field. He was addicted to breaking records and was named one of the Greatest Pac-12 Male Track and Field Athletes of All Time.
A great movie about one of the greatest athletes in American History.
11. The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962)
A rebellious youth is sent to a reform school for robbing a bakery. Soon he discovers his hidden talent for running and becomes the Governor’s prized runner. As he rises through the ranks, he looks back at his life choices and social injustices he faced. This leads him to re-evaluate his privileged status in the institution.
A movie that will make you reflect on your life.
10. McFarland, USA (2015)
Based on the true story of struggling coach and teacher Jim White, who has to move around a lot in his career. Finally, he arrives at a predominantly Latino high school in one of the poorest cities in the US, McFarland, California.
There he discovers buried talent in several high school boys and trains them to become championship runners. The coach brings the community and the boys together with his dedication and hard work, eventually transforming their lives for the better.
9. Spirit of the Marathon (2007)
This is a non-fiction feature film that takes us through the journey of 6 people from diverse backgrounds as they prepare for and compete in the famous 26.2-mile 2005 Chicago Marathon.
It highlights the emotional and physical challenges the runners go through and their routine to prepare for this harsh competition.
This is far more motivating than the fiction titles on this list because you can relate more to the people in the feature film.
8. Running Brave (1983)
Based on the true story of Billy Mills, a Native American Runner who grew up in poverty and faced racism.
Billy wins a scholarship to the University of Kansas, where he faces cultural isolation. However, he perseveres and focuses on qualifying for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. His coach is skeptical about his abilities to even qualify for the Olympics, but he goes on to win the 10,000-meter race. He became the first and only American to achieve this feat.
A movie that will motivate you to rise above your circumstances and pursue greatness.
7. The Jericho Mile (1979)
Larry “Rain” Murphy is serving a life sentence for murdering his abusive father. Larry starts running in the prison as a way to cope with his past trauma and to release his frustration about the harsh prison life. He discovers that he has a natural talent for running.
A visiting track coach notices his potential and so begins his journey as a professional runner. He trains for his goal to qualify for the Olympic trials. But will he overcome his confined circumstances and the skepticism of fellow inmates?
A must-watch if you want to pursue running as a hobby or profession.
6. Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019)
If you’re into comedy and still want a movie about the harsh world of running, this is your thing. Brittany Forgleris is a happy-go-lucky 27-year-old who is everyone’s best friend except for herself. Her party lifestyle, unemployment, and toxic relationships are dragging her down.
When she visits a doctor to get some Adderall, she finds out that she needs to get healthy or she might get liver damage. With no money for a gym membership, she is lost as to what to do. That’s when her neighbor encourages her to lace up her sneakers and run a block, and so begins her journey of running a marathon.
5. Race (2016)
Winning 4 gold medals in one Olympic Games while being weighed down by racism and discrimination is a feat that deserves a biographical movie.
Directed by Stephen Hopkins and written by Joe Shrapnel and Anna Waterhouse, this biographical movie celebrates African-American athlete Jesse Owens’s journey to winning 4 gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.
A movie that will motivate Olympic champions of the future.
4. Rocky (1976)
Rocky is one of those movies that comes up in many top movie lists. If you haven’t watched it, we have suspicions about your taste in cinema. This is the story of Rocky Balboa, an underdog boxer who unexpectedly gets a shot at the world heavyweight title when the reigning champ’s competitor walks away from the scheduled match due to a broken hand.
This is Rocky’s once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rise as one of the greatest players in the game. But will he be able to win a match against the pro reigning champ?
Guess you’ll have to watch and find out.
3. Run Lola Run (1998)
This is not the typical title in this list. It is not a biography nor a movie purely focused on running as a sport. This is the story of a lover who runs the same course multiple times just to save her boyfriend.
Lola receives a phone call from her boyfriend that his life is in danger because he lost 100,000 DM in a subway that belonged to a bad guy. Either she raises the amount in 20 minutes, or he will rob a store to get the money. The movie shows different alternatives to Lola’s run to save her lover.
A high pace thrilling movie that will keep you glued to your screen.
2. Prefontaine (1997)
Another movie on the great track and field champion Prefontaine. This biographical movie shows his early days as a runner at the University of Oregon and his eventual rise to fame in the 1970s.
His charismatic personality, unique racing style, and natural talent made him America’s most celebrated distance runner.
This movie is the epitome of the pursuit of excellence in track and field.
1. Forrest Gump (1994)
This iconic movie has been in so many of our top 15 movie categories that we have lost count. Forrest Gump overcomes many hurdles and achieves a great deal in his lifetime, even though he has a low IQ. His heart of gold, perseverance, and resilience win him medals, meetings with presidents, and much more. The movie shows Gump’s journey through American history and how he influences many historical events.
This movie is a must-watch for anyone with great taste. Tell us in the comment section which movie you are watching next with your running and movie partner.
Honorable Mentions
- Personal Best (1982)
- On the Edge (1986)
- Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013)
What are your favorite films about running? Let us know in the comments below!
