Movies Like Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (2004)

Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson is a 2004 documentary film from Ken Burns with a MovieMagicScore of 7.1/10. Here are 20 similar films, ranked by real viewer ratings — starting with Tyson and The Great White Hype.

Documentary

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

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

When We Were Kings

1996

It's 1974. Muhammad Ali is 32 and thought by many to be past his prime. George Foreman is ten years younger and the heavyweight champion of the world. Promoter Don King wants to make a name for himself and offers both fighters five million dollars apiece to fight one another, and when they accept, King has only to come up with the money. He finds a willing backer in Mobutu Sese Suko, the dictator of Zaire, and the "Rumble in the Jungle" is set, including a musical festival featuring some of America's top black performers, like James Brown and B.B. King.

7.6

MagicScore

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

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

Men Boxing

1891

Experimental film fragment made with the Edison-Dickson-Heise experimental horizontal-feed kinetograph camera and viewer, using 3/4-inch wide film.

4.1

MagicScore

Million Dollar Baby

2004

Despondent over a painful estrangement from his daughter, trainer Frankie Dunn isn't prepared for boxer Maggie Fitzgerald to enter his life. But Maggie's determined to go pro and to convince Dunn and his cohort to help her.

8.0

MagicScore

Raging Bull

1980

The life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.

7.9

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

Gladiator

1992

Tommy Riley has moved with his dad to Chicago from a 'nice place'. He keeps to himself, goes to school. However, after a street fight he is noticed and quickly falls into the world of illegal underground boxing - where punches can kill.

7.6

MagicScore

#11

Cinderella Man

2005

The true story of boxer Jim Braddock who, following his retirement in the 1930s, makes a surprise comeback in order to lift his family out of poverty.

7.6

MagicScore

#12

The Fighter

2010

Boxer "Irish" Micky Ward's unlikely road to the world light welterweight title. His Rocky-like rise was shepherded by half-brother Dicky, a boxer-turned-trainer who rebounded in life after nearly being KO'd by drugs and crime.

7.4

MagicScore

#13

The Set-Up

1949

Expecting the usual loss, a boxing manager takes bribes from a betting gangster without telling his fighter.

7.3

MagicScore

#14

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

#15

The Champ

1931

A broken-down alcoholic prizefighter struggles to keep custody of his adoring son.

7.1

MagicScore

#16

Boxer

2024

With only his wife by his side, a promising young boxer flees communist Poland to chase his dream of becoming the greatest fighter in history.

7.1

MagicScore

#17

Rocky IV

1985

Rocky Balboa holds the world heavyweight championship, but a new challenger has stepped forward: Drago, a six-foot-four, 261-pound fighter who has the backing of the Soviet Union. This time, Rocky's training regimen takes him to Siberia, where he prepares for a globally televised match in the heart of Moscow. But nothing can truly prepare him for what he's about to face – a fight to the finish, in which he must defend not only himself, but also the honor of his country!

7.1

MagicScore

#18

Fat City

1972

Two men, working as professional boxers, come to blows when their careers each begin to take opposite momentum.

7.0

MagicScore

#19

Mary Kom

2014

A chronicle of the life of Indian boxer 'Mary Kom' who went through several hardships before audaciously accomplishing her ultimate dream.

7.0

MagicScore

#20

The Champ

1979

Billy used to be a great boxer, but he's settled into a hardscrabble life that revolves around drinking, training horses, and the one bright spot in his existence — his young son, T.J. Although Billy has had custody of T.J. since his wife, Annie, left the family years ago, her return prompts a new struggle for the former fighter. Determined to hold on to his son, Billy gets back into the ring to try and recapture his past success.

7.0

MagicScore

Frequently asked

What are the best movies like Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson?

The top films similar to Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson by MovieMagicScore are Tyson (6.0), The Great White Hype (5.3), When We Were Kings (7.6). Each shares documentary themes and is ranked by real viewer ratings, not critics or studios.

Is Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson worth watching?

Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson holds a MovieMagicScore of 7.1/10 from 26 viewer ratings, putting it among the better-reviewed titles in its genre.

What kind of movie is Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson?

Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (2004) is a documentary film directed by Ken Burns, starring Keith David, Samuel L. Jackson, Jack Johnson.

Where can I find more recommendations like Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson?

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 Tyson Movies like The Great White Hype Movies like When We Were Kings Movies like Klitschko Movies like The Greatest Movies like Men Boxing

About movies like Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson

This ranked list pairs Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (2004), a documentary film from Ken Burns, with similar titles by genre, theme and cast overlap (fans of Keith David 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.

← Back to Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson