Movies about Running: Best Films

Other Watch Lists:
1981 - 20196 Films12h 17m4 Average

Here are six standout films that showcase running at its most compelling on screen. The list opens with Chariots of Fire, the Academy Award-winning period drama about two British runners at the 1924 Olympics, and includes Personal Best, Robert Towne's intimate look at female track athletes training for competition. Forrest Gump features running as a recurring motif throughout its Best Picture-winning story, while Without Limits captures the intensity of legendary distance runner Steve Prefontaine's life and career.

McFarland, USA tells the inspiring true story of a high school cross-country team from a small California town, and Brittany Runs a Marathon offers a contemporary take on how running transforms an everyday New Yorker's life.

There is 1 other watch list available - see the link up above.

Share:

List not ranked (sorted by Release Date)

1
Chariots of Fire poster

Chariots of Fire

19812h 3m3.9
Director: Hugh Hudson
Cast: Ben Cross, Ian Charleson, Cheryl Campbell, Alice Krige, Nigel Havers

In the class-obsessed and religiously divided UK of the early 1920s, two determined young runners train for the 1924 Paris Olympics. Eric Liddell, a devout Christian born to Scottish missionaries in China, sees running as part of his worship of God's glory and refuses to train or compete on the Sabbath. Harold Abrahams overcomes anti-Semitism and class bias, but neglects his beloved sweetheart in his single-minded quest.

DramaHistory
2
Personal Best poster

Personal Best

19822h 4m3.1
Director: Robert Towne
Cast: Mariel Hemingway, Patrice Donnelly, Scott Glenn, Kenny Moore, Jim Moody

Young sprinter Chris Cahill is having difficulty reaching her potential as an athlete, until she meets established track star Tory Skinner. As Tory and her coach help Chris with her training, the two women form friendship that evolves into a romantic relationship. Their intimacy, however, becomes complicated when Chris' improvement causes them to be competitors for the Olympic team.

Drama
3
Forrest Gump poster

Forrest Gump

19942h 22m5
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Cast: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Sally Field, Mykelti Williamson

A man with a low IQ has accomplished great things in his life and been present during significant historic events—in each case, far exceeding what anyone imagined he could do. But despite all he has achieved, his one true love eludes him.

ComedyDramaRomance
4
Without Limits poster

Without Limits

19981h 57m3.6
Director: Robert Towne
Cast: Billy Crudup, Donald Sutherland, Monica Potter, Jeremy Sisto, Matthew Lillard

The life of renowned runner Steve Prefontaine and his relationship with legendary coach Bill Bowerman.

DramaRomance
5
McFarland, USA poster

McFarland, USA

20152h 8m4.4
Director: Niki Caro
Cast: Kevin Costner, Maria Bello, Elsie Fisher, Morgan Saylor, Martha Higareda

A track coach in a small California town transforms a team of athletes into championship contenders.

DramaFamily
6
Brittany Runs a Marathon poster

Brittany Runs a Marathon

20191h 43m3.7
Director: Paul Downs Colaizzo
Cast: Jillian Bell, Michaela Watkins, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Lil Rel Howery, Micah Stock

Hilarious and outgoing, Brittany Forgler, is everybody’s best friend ― except her own. Her partying, underemployment and toxic relationships are catching up with her. She receives a startling wake-up call when a visit to the doctor reveals how unhealthy she is. Motivated to lose weight, but too broke for a gym and too proud to ask for help, Brit is at a loss, until her neighbor pushes her to run one sweaty block. Soon, she sets an almost unthinkable goal: the New York City Marathon.

ComedyDrama