Movies Like When We Were Kings (1996)

When We Were Kings is a 1996 documentary, history, music, tv movie film from Leon Gast with a MovieMagicScore of 7.6/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with The Greatest and Tyson.

Documentary History Music TV Movie

The Greatest

1977

Muhammad Ali's life story up to the late 1970s, which includes his Olympic boxing triumphs as Cassius Clay, his conversion to Islam, his refusal of the Army draft and the legal battle after being stripped of his World Title.

5.4

MagicScore

Tyson

1995

The story of Mike Tyson. From his early days as a 12 year old amateur with a powerful punch, to the undisputed title of "Heavyweight Champion of the World", and ultimately to his conviction for rape. The story of his turbulent life moves quickly, never focusing for long on anything in particular.

6.0

MagicScore

Manny

2014

From abject poverty to becoming a ten-time boxing world champion, congressman, and international icon, Manny Pacquiao is the true definition of a Cinderella story. In the Philippines, he first entered the ring as a sixteen-year-old weighing ninety-eight pounds with the goal of earning money to feed his family. Now, almost twenty years later, when he fights, the country of 100 million people comes to a complete standstill to watch. Regarded for his ability to bring people together, Pacquiao entered the political arena in 2010. As history’s first boxing congressman, Pacquiao now fights for his people both inside and outside of the ring. Now at the height of his career, he is faced with maneuvering an unscrupulous sport while maintaining his political duties. The question now is, what bridge is too far for Manny Pacquiao to cross?

6.4

MagicScore

Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

2004

The story of Jack Johnson, the first African American Heavyweight boxing champion.

7.1

MagicScore

The Ring

1927

Both Jack Sander and Bob Corby are boxers in love with Mabel. Jack and Mabel wed, but their marriage is flat. The young wife looks to Bob for comfort.

5.9

MagicScore

The Great White Hype

1996

When the champ's promoter, Rev. Sultan, decides something new is needed to boost the marketability of the boxing matches, he searches and finds the only man to ever beat the champ. The problem is that he isn't a boxer anymore and he's white. However, once Rev. Sultan convinces him to fight, he goes into heavy training while the confident champ takes it easy and falls out of shape.

5.3

MagicScore

Battling Butler

1926

A meek millionaire masquerades as a boxing star to win a girl's heart.

6.8

MagicScore

Champion

1949

An unscrupulous boxer fights his way to the top, but eventually alienates all of the people who helped him on the way up.

6.6

MagicScore

Rocky

1976

Rocky Balboa is a Philadelphia club fighter who seems to be going nowhere. But when a stroke of fate puts him in the ring with a world heavyweight champion, Rocky knows that it's his one shot at the big time — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go the distance and come out a winner!

7.8

MagicScore

#10

Rocky II

1979

After Rocky goes the distance with champ Apollo Creed, both try to put the fight behind them and move on. Rocky settles down with Adrian but can't put his life together outside the ring, while Creed seeks a rematch to restore his reputation. Soon enough, the "Master of Disaster" and the "Italian Stallion" are set on a collision course for a climactic battle that is brutal and unforgettable.

7.3

MagicScore

#11

Rocky III

1982

Following Rocky Balboa's intense battle with his most powerful adversary yet – the ferocious Clubber Lang – Rocky joins forces with former rival Apollo Creed in an effort to get back his fighting spirit.

6.9

MagicScore

#12

Rocky Balboa

2006

When he loses a highly publicized virtual boxing match to ex-champ Rocky Balboa, reigning heavyweight titleholder Mason Dixon retaliates by challenging the Italian Stallion to a 10-round exhibition bout. To the surprise of his son and friends, Rocky agrees to come out of retirement and face an opponent who's faster, stronger and thirty years his junior. Rocky takes on Dixon in what will become the greatest fight in boxing history!

6.9

MagicScore

#13

Rocky V

1990

A lifetime of taking shots has ended Rocky’s career, and a crooked accountant has left him broke. Inspired by the memory of his trainer, however, Rocky finds glory in training and takes on an up-and-coming boxer.

5.8

MagicScore

#14

Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

2021

During the same summer as Woodstock, over 300,000 people attended the Harlem Cultural Festival, celebrating African American music and culture, and promoting Black pride and unity. The footage from the festival sat in a basement, unseen for over 50 years, keeping this incredible event in America's history lost — until now.

7.6

MagicScore

#15

I Am: Celine Dion

2024

A raw and honest behind-the-scenes look at the iconic superstar's struggle with a life-altering illness. Serving as a love letter to her fans, this inspirational documentary highlights the music that has guided her life while also showcasing the resilience of the human spirit.

7.8

MagicScore

#16

Klitschko

2011

Klitschko tells the captivating story of the boxing worlds most famous brothers: Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko. From the socialist drill of their childhood in the Ukraine, and their first successes as amateurs, to their move to Germany and subsequent rise as international stars on the verge of holding the championship titles of all five boxing federations (Wladimir secured this with his unanimous World Boxing Association win against David Haye on July 2nd, 2011). Along the way they experience defeats and setbacks, low points and triumphant comebacks as well as conflicts with each other. Exciting conversations with companions and opponents, including the very first with the Klitschkos parents, give insight into their personal lives, plus never-before-seen footage of the draining preparations for a fight, and the spectacular boxing matches. Director Sebastian Dehnhardt composes an intimate and fascinating portrait of two exceptional athletes who are, before all else, brothers.

6.8

MagicScore

#17

Chuck

2017

A drama inspired by the life of heavyweight boxer Chuck Wepner.

6.3

MagicScore

#18

Nickel Boys

2024

Chronicles the powerful friendship between two young Black teenagers navigating the harrowing trials of reform school together in Florida.

6.6

MagicScore

#19

Requiem for a Heavyweight

1962

Mountain Rivera is a veteran heavyweight and near-champion who suddenly finds himself washed up in the only trade he knows—prizefighting. Yet, threatened by gangsters for welshing on a gambling debt, Mountain’s opportunistic manager, Maish Rennick, schemes to get the ex-boxer into a phony wrestling match to make some quick money. Although he and his loyal trainer, Army, oppose the degrading proposition, the disillusioned Mountain begins to wonder if he has any options left.

7.2

MagicScore

#20

Gorillas in the Mist

1988

The story of Dian Fossey, a scientist who came to Africa to study the vanishing mountain gorillas, and later fought to protect them.

7.0

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like When We Were Kings?

The top films similar to When We Were Kings by MovieMagicScore are The Greatest (5.4), Tyson (6.0), Manny (6.4). Each shares documentary/history/music/tv movie themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is When We Were Kings worth watching?

When We Were Kings holds a MovieMagicScore of 7.6/10 from 239 viewer ratings, putting it among the better-reviewed titles in its genre.

What kind of movie is When We Were Kings?

When We Were Kings (1996) is a documentary, history, music, tv movie film directed by Leon Gast, starring Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Don King.

Where can I find more recommendations like When We Were Kings?

Browse the full ranked list above, or explore more documentary recommendations on MovieMagicScore, where every list is ordered by genuine viewer ratings.

Keep exploring

Movies like The Greatest Movies like Tyson Movies like Manny Movies like Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson Movies like The Ring Movies like The Great White Hype

About movies like When We Were Kings

This ranked list pairs When We Were Kings (1996), a documentary and history and music and tv movie film from Leon Gast, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Muhammad Ali take note). Unlike critic-driven sites, every position here is ordered by MovieMagicScore — a rating built only from real viewers, with no studio marketing or paid placement. Scores update as more people rate, so the list stays current.

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