Five Great Sport Documentaries on Netflix

There’s something about sports documentaries that captures the imagination in a way that simply doesn’t happen with other genres. Perhaps it is because a sporting tale, whether it surrounds a game, an event or a season, is like a microcosm of life. Passion, determination, joy, anguish, politics, humor – you’ll find all these things and more.

Little wonder, then, that this is one of the most popular subgenres in the documentaries category on Netflix. Whatever your sport of choice, there’s sure to be something to appeal. But why not broaden your horizons and check out a documentary about a sport you don’t typically follow? Here are some ideas to get you started.

Sunderland ‘Til I Die

English Premier League soccer is a sport that reaches every corner of the globe. Anyone with even a passing interest will know a little about the fortunes of the Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool. As far as the latter is concerned, some might even be tempted toward sites like ComeOn to stake a dollar or two on them finally winning the league this year.

However, what happens at the less glamorous end of the table is even more compelling. This 2018 documentary follows Sunderland’s disastrous 2016 season that saw them relegated from the Premier League and the impact on the club, the players and most of all, the fans.

Watch it here.

Last Chance U

Now in its third season, this docuseries provides an intriguing glimpse into the world of college football. The first two seasons followed the fortunes of East Mississippi Community College, and viewers were soon drawn into the stories that unfolded both on the field of play and in the classroom. For season three, attention has switched to Indiana’s Independence Community College, where there is a whole new set of students and academic staff to get to know.

Watch it here.

GLOW: The Story Behind the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling

The Netflix original GLOW has proved to be a big hit among viewers. This documentary tells the story of the real wrestlers on which the show was based. It’s a classic example of truth being stranger than fiction, and blends laugh-out-loud moments from 80s wrestling with a very serious look at the long term effects wrestling can have on the human body.

Watch it here.

The Carter Effect

Sometimes one man can make a difference. This lovingly produced biopic of Vince Carter left viewers spellbound when it was first released at the Toronto Film Festival two years ago. Now it is having the same effect on a global Netflix audience. It’s 20 years since Carter started his career with the Raptors, and despite departing in 2004, his impact is still being felt in Canadian basketball today. This documentary will tell you why.

Watch it here.

Icarus

It’s safe to say the doping scandals that have dogged the world of professional cycling are enough to make the most outrageous Hollywood movie plot seem mundane. Appropriately, this documentary plays out like a thriller, and is as entertaining as any Bond flick. The difference is, every bit of it is true. you will be glued to the screen for the full two hours.

Watch it here.

Ghost Writer

Here. There. Everywhere. Punished soul that usually watches what nobody wants, but sometimes gets lucky.

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