Chess Movies: Essential Films

A disillusioned Swedish knight returning from the Crusades challenges Death to a chess match while his country suffers from the Black Death. As he searches for meaning and redemption, he encounters traveling players on a profound journey exploring faith, mortality, and the human condition.

During the Cold War, a World Chess Championship becomes a battleground of opposing ideologies, pitting players from different political backgrounds against each other in a tense psychological duel.

A chess grandmaster becomes the prime suspect when his lover is found murdered in a ritualistic manner, and must work with police to catch the real killer while proving his innocence as more bodies pile up.

A seven-year-old chess prodigy struggles to maintain his love for the game while facing pressure to adopt the ruthless competitive mentality of champions like Bobby Fischer.

A twelve-year-old drug courier named Fresh becomes increasingly troubled by the death and violence surrounding him, leading him to devise a plan to pit his rival employers against each other.

Based on Vladimir Nabokov's novel, a brilliant chess grandmaster travels to 1920s Italy for a tournament where he finds himself torn between his obsession with the game and an unexpected romance.

A cocky gambler with a winning streak finds himself in mortal danger when he's invited to a high-stakes private game that could cost him his life.

A Corsican hotel housekeeper discovers a passion for chess after witnessing a couple's intense game, leading her to pursue lessons with an eccentric American tutor. Her newfound obsession transforms her quiet life but creates tension with her bewildered family.

Based on a true story, a man who spent eighteen years in prison establishes a chess club in Washington DC to help inner city kids discover their potential and build better futures.

A former Māori chess champion struggling with bipolar disorder fights to save his community chess club while battling personal demons and social prejudice.

American chess prodigy Bobby Fischer prepares for his legendary 1972 World Championship match against Soviet grandmaster Boris Spassky during the height of the Cold War.

A young girl from the slums of Uganda discovers her extraordinary talent for chess and pursues her dreams of becoming a master player despite her challenging circumstances.

During the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, a troubled American chess champion is recruited to play a high-stakes match against a Soviet opponent in Warsaw, while secretly engaging in dangerous espionage activities.

Based on a true story, five Latino and Black teenagers from Miami's toughest neighborhood overcome the odds to compete in the National Chess Championship with help from their unconventional teacher.