Pro wrestling—is it real or fake?
Well, the answer is both. It's real and fake, just like any other form of entertainment.
The storylines? Fictional. The outcomes of the matches? Predetermined. The athleticism, the punishment these men and women put their bodies through, the sacrifices they make in and out of the ring? Very, very real.
I've been a die-hard pro wrestling fan since I was a little kid sitting in front of the TV on Sunday mornings watching The Bruiser and The Crusher.
Over the years, I have followed it all, from WWE, AEW, WCW, ECW, NWA, and TNA to New Japan Pro Wrestling and beyond. If it involves a ring, a mic, and some high-flying or mat-grappling action, I'm in.
That's why, when the excellent new film Queen of the Ring recently came out, it got me thinking that I need a list of the best pro-wrestling movies until now.
Now, this is not a list of movies that focus on actual amateur or Olympic-style wrestling—you won't find Foxcatcher, Win Win, or Vision Quest here.
This is about the world of professional wrestling—the larger-than-life characters, the insane bumps, the backstage politics, the kayfabe, the heels and babyfaces, the works, the shoots, the marks, and the real-world consequences of living life inside the squared circle.
Some of these films dive deep into the reality behind the spectacle, while others embrace the wrestling world's over-the-top insanity.
Some are comedies, some are dramas, some are documentaries, and some are completely ridiculous. But they all capture the essence of pro wrestling in one way or another.
At its core, pro wrestling is theater. It's storytelling. It's action, drama, comedy, tragedy, and sometimes even horror—all wrapped up into a single performance. And that's exactly what these movies bring to the table.
Some illuminate the pain and dedication behind the business, others lean into absurdity, but every single one showcases the magic that makes pro wrestling one of the most unique and enduring forms of entertainment on the planet.
Let's get ready to rumble!
The 15 Best Pro-Wrestling Movies
These are ranked in order of preference, based on my personal favorites, the quality of the filmmaking, and how well they capture the world of professional wrestling.
One of Darren Aronofsky's many masterpieces, one of the best films of the 2000s, and easily the most authentic and heartbreaking film ever made about pro wrestling. Mickey Rourke delivers the performance of a lifetime as Randy "The Ram" Robinson, an aging wrestler clinging to whatever scraps of his career he has left. The sacrifices, the injuries, the fading fame, the small-town circuits—it's all brutally real. The supporting performances by Evan Rachel Wood and Marisa Tomei are fantastic. Rourke should have won the Oscar for this (he lost to Sean Penn for Milk, which is still infuriating). It's raw, powerful, and captures the business's dark side like no other film ever has. The best wrestling movie ever made. Period.
A devastating, beautifully made film about the Von Erich family, one of the most legendary (and tragic) families in pro wrestling history. Zac Efron is incredible as Kevin Von Erich, alongside Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, and Maura Tierney. The Von Erichs were Texas royalty in the wrestling world, but the family was plagued by what some called "The Von Erich Curse"—a series of unspeakable tragedies that took brother after brother. Directed by Sean Durkin, this movie is gut-wrenching and powerful.
A great biographical comedy-drama about Paige, one of the best female wrestlers of all time. Florence Pugh is outstanding as Paige, the English wrestler who made it big in WWE. Stephen Merchant wrote and directed it, and the supporting cast—including Nick Frost, Lena Headey, and Vince Vaughn—is fantastic. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson makes an appearance as himself, which is a huge plus. It's funny, heartfelt, and inspiring. You don't even have to be a wrestling fan to love this one.
A beautifully made film about Saúl Armendáriz, aka Cassandro, the openly gay luchador who changed the face of lucha libre wrestling. Gael García Bernal is phenomenal in the lead role. This film explores what it meant to be an exótico (flamboyant wrestlers in lucha libre), the struggles Cassandro faced, and his rise to stardom. Also features a cameo from Bad Bunny, who—believe it or not—is actually a solid wrestler.r.
Jack Black. Luchador. Hilarious. This absurd comedy from Jared Hess (Napoleon Dynamite) and Mike White (White Lotus) is so much fun. Loosely based on the real-life story of Fray Tormenta, a Catholic priest who wrestled to support his orphanage, this film is completely ridiculous, but in the best way possible. Jack Black is perfect in this role, and it's one of the funniest wrestling movies ever.
The best wrestling documentary ever made. Barry W. Blaustein pulls back the curtain on the real world of wrestling, following legends like Mick Foley, Terry Funk, and Jake "The Snake" Roberts. It's brutal, heartbreaking, and, at times, challenging to watch—particularly Foley's scenes with his kids witnessing him take brutal chair shots to the head. An absolute must-watch for any wrestling fan.
This is a beautiful indie film about a young man with Down syndrome who dreams of becoming a pro wrestler. Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, and Thomas Haden Church all give great performances, and the film features a subplot involving real wrestling training. It's funny, touching, and completely original.
The best wrestling movie about female wrestlers. Peter Falk plays the manager of The California Dolls, a women's tag team, as they fight their way through the wrestling world. It's got road trip shenanigans, shady promoters, fixed matches, and a lot of great wrestling scenes. Directed by Robert Aldrich (The Dirty Dozen), this was his final film—and it's a damn good one.
Henry Winkler (at the height of his Happy Days fame) plays a narcissistic actor who becomes a professional wrestler in the 1950s. Directed by Carl Reiner, this one's a bit cheesy but entertaining.
10. KAYFABE (2007)
A mockumentary about pro wrestling, done in the style of This is Spinal Tap. It's super low budget, but wrestling fans will appreciate its inside look at kayfabe, gimmicks, and behind-the-scenes drama.
Yes, this is a real movie. Roddy Piper, Kurt Angle, Matt Hardy, and Shane Douglas battle actual zombies. It's absurd, but it's fun.
Sylvester Stallone’s directorial debut. He plays a 1940s Hell's Kitchen wrestling manager training his younger brother. Terry Funk, Ted DiBiase, and Dory Funk Jr. are in supporting roles.
13. RUMBLE (2021)
This is an animated movie about monster wrestling. It's not great, but it features voice work from Will Arnett, Terry Crews, Becky Lynch, and Michael Buffer.
This is a bad movie, but it is historically important because it was the first WWF-produced film starring Hulk Hogan. It is ridiculous and cheesy, but it is a milestone in wrestling movie history.
One of the worst movies ever made. But it's historically significant because WCW (in their infinite stupidity) actually made David Arquette their real champion to promote this movie. One of the worst decisions in wrestling history, and it all started with this dumb movie.
Final Bell
And there it is! Some are masterpieces, some are trainwrecks, and some are so ridiculous that they deserve to be remembered.
Whether you're a lifelong fan or just dipping your toe into the world of wrestling, these movies capture the spectacle, the drama, and the absurdity of sports entertainment.
Now, ring the damn bell!
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