Movies Like Pelé: Birth of a Legend (2016)

Pelé: Birth of a Legend is a 2016 drama film from Jeff Zimbalist with a MovieMagicScore of 7.3/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with The Greatest Game Ever Played and Race.

Drama

The Greatest Game Ever Played

2005

A biopic of 20-year-old Francis Ouimet who defeated his golfing idol and 1900 US Open Champion, Harry Vardon.

7.3

MagicScore

Race

2016

Based on the story of Jesse Owens, the athlete whose quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history thrusts him onto the world stage of the 1936 Olympics, where he faces off against Adolf Hitler's vision of Aryan supremacy.

7.3

MagicScore

Eddie the Eagle

2016

The feel-good story of Michael 'Eddie' Edwards, an unlikely but courageous British ski-jumper who never stopped believing in himself—even as an entire nation was counting him out. With the help of a rebellious and charismatic coach, Eddie takes on the establishment and wins the hearts of sports fans around the world by making an improbable and historic showing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

7.2

MagicScore

Bleed for This

2016

The inspirational story of World Champion Boxer Vinny Pazienza, who after a near fatal car crash, which left him not knowing if he'd ever walk again, made one of sports most incredible comebacks.

6.8

MagicScore

The Keeper

2018

The story of a man whose love for football, for England and for the love of his life, Margaret, saw him rise from Nazi 'villain' to British hero. Bert Trautmann, the German goalkeeper won over even his harshest opponents by winning the FA Cup Final for Manchester City in 1956 - playing on with a broken neck to secure victory.

7.4

MagicScore

The Damned United

2009

Taking over Leeds United, Brian Clough's abrasive approach and his clear dislike of the players' dirty style of play make it certain there is going to be friction. Glimpses of his earlier career help explain both his hostility to previous manager Don Revie and how much he is missing right-hand man Peter Taylor.

7.2

MagicScore

Baggio: The Divine Ponytail

2021

A chronicle biopic of the 22-year career of soccer star Roberto Baggio, including depictions of his difficult debut as a player, his deep rifts with some of his coaches, his triumph over injuries and personal discovery of Buddism.

6.4

MagicScore

Diego Maradona

2019

Constructed from over 500 hours of never-before-seen footage, this documentary centers on the personal life and career of the controversial football player Diego Maradona who played for SSC Napoli and Argentina in the 1980s.

7.4

MagicScore

Pelé

2021

Against the backdrop of a turbulent era in Brazil, this documentary captures Pelé's extraordinary path from breakthrough talent to national hero. Mixing rare archival footage and exclusive interviews, this documentary celebrates the legendary Brazilian footballer who personified football as art.

7.3

MagicScore

#10

SCHW31NS7EIGER: Memories - Von Anfang bis Legende

2020

Schweinsteiger's glittering career, which peaked with lifting the World Cup in 2014.

7.2

MagicScore

#11

Ronaldo

2015

Filmed over 14 months with unprecedented access into the inner circle of the man and the sport, this is the first official and fully authorised film of one of the most celebrated figures in football. For the first time ever, the world gets vividly candid and un-paralleled, behind-closed-doors access to the footballer, father, family-man and friend in this moving & fascinating documentary. Through in-depth conversations, state of the art football footage and never before seen archival footage, the film gives an astonishing insight into the sporting and personal life of triple Ballon D'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo at the peak of his career. From the makers of ‘Senna’ and ‘Amy’, Ronaldo takes audiences on an intimate and revealing journey of what it’s like to live as an iconic athlete in the eye of the storm.

7.0

MagicScore

#12

I Believe in Miracles

2015

Documentary following the history making Nottingham Forest football team led by Brian Clough and Peter Taylor that won back to back European cups.

6.8

MagicScore

#13

Rooney

2022

A documentary covering the life and career of Manchester United and England legend Wayne Rooney.

6.2

MagicScore

#14

Haikyu!! The Movie: Battle of Concepts

2017

A recap film depicting the match against Shiratorizawa Academy in the third season of the anime series.

8.0

MagicScore

#15

Gran Turismo

2023

The ultimate wish-fulfillment tale of a teenage Gran Turismo player whose gaming skills won him a series of Nissan competitions to become an actual professional racecar driver.

7.7

MagicScore

#16

The Blind Side

2009

The story of Michael Oher, a homeless and traumatized boy who became an All American football player and first round NFL draft pick with the help of a caring woman and her family.

7.7

MagicScore

#17

Coach Carter

2005

Based on a true story, in which Richmond High School head basketball coach Ken Carter made headlines in 1999 for benching his undefeated team due to poor academic results.

7.6

MagicScore

#18

Cool Runnings

1993

When a Jamaican sprinter is disqualified from the Olympic Games, he enlists the help of a dishonored coach to start the first Jamaican bobsled team.

7.0

MagicScore

#19

The Color of Money

1986

Former pool hustler "Fast Eddie" Felson decides he wants to return to the game by taking a pupil. He meets talented but green Vincent Lauria and proposes a partnership. As they tour pool halls, Eddie teaches Vincent the tricks of scamming, but he eventually grows frustrated with Vincent's showboat antics, leading to an argument and a falling-out. Eddie takes up playing again and soon crosses paths with Vincent as an opponent.

6.9

MagicScore

#20

Keylor Navas, Hombre de Fe

2017

The story of real life Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas, from his humble beginnings in his home town to his rise to greatness as an elite soccer player.

8.1

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like Pelé: Birth of a Legend?

The top films similar to Pelé: Birth of a Legend by MovieMagicScore are The Greatest Game Ever Played (7.3), Race (7.3), Eddie the Eagle (7.2). Each shares drama themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is Pelé: Birth of a Legend worth watching?

Pelé: Birth of a Legend holds a MovieMagicScore of 7.3/10 from 1,123 viewer ratings, putting it among the better-reviewed titles in its genre.

What kind of movie is Pelé: Birth of a Legend?

Pelé: Birth of a Legend (2016) is a drama film directed by Jeff Zimbalist, starring Kevin de Paula, Leonardo Lima Carvalho, Seu Jorge.

Where can I find more recommendations like Pelé: Birth of a Legend?

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

Keep exploring

Movies like The Greatest Game Ever Played Movies like Race Movies like Eddie the Eagle Movies like Bleed for This Movies like The Keeper Movies like The Damned United

About movies like Pelé: Birth of a Legend

This ranked list pairs Pelé: Birth of a Legend (2016), a drama film from Jeff Zimbalist, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Kevin de Paula 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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