Running motivation is always going to have peaks and valleys. Our job is to find tools that will help us through the rough patches. Luckily, these running movies might be just the ticket to get you moving again!! These are particularly great for pre-race hype.
Some of you will begrudgingly find yourselves on the treadmill this winter due to travel, ice or just bad luck. Others of us will be loving wearing our shorts and watching tv while running!
Luckily, there’s nothing like a good show about running to keep your legs pumping just a little bit longer. Because if they can do it…well you at least want to try!
10 Inspirational Running Movies
Excited to say a bunch of these are on Netflix and Amazon Prime video with your membership, so if you have those options you might just be able to pull them up on your tablet even at the gym!
Whether you want a movie about the Olympic runners, cross country movie, free running movie, a Disney running or just a great story these fit the bill. I indeed watched them all and expect a few to be repeated this year.
In no particular order…
#1 Race – Historical Drama
I recently watched this 2016 biographical story of Jesse Owens and it certainly made me run longer.
I admit to not knowing much about his story prior to the movie. Seeing the racism of both the US and the fears of that Munich Olympics was fascinating because it wasn’t so long ago. Another reminder of how much things have changed (and not changed) and of course a beautiful story of his legendary runs.
#2 Stronger – Based on a Real Life Story
Follow the story of Jeff Bauman who became a symbol of hope after surviving the 2021 Boston Marathon.
It shows his journey of learning how to navigate life with two prosthetic legs. This is going to be a real tear-jerker!
#3 McFarland USA – Disney Movie about Cross Country
Kevin Costner knows how to bring the underdog story to life.
This one is a Disney movie based on the true story of a 1987 cross country team in Southern California. A fired football coach, he comes to a new school and finds a group of 7 young men with talent, but little future prospects and he decides to start a cross country team…it’s Disney, so you can take it from there.
#4 Patriots Day – About the Boston Marathon Bombing
It’s emotional.
I was absolutely crying.
And yet, it’s extremely motivating. It takes that horrible day and makes you want to stand up and say “you will not stop us from doing what we love”. This movie is made in to a drama with Mark Wahlberg rather than a documentary and in some ways that just made it more powerful
#5 Unbroken – Action based on a real story
Okay, it’s a little old school but it’s an inspiring story to show how being a runner can help us in so many areas of life.
This tells the story of Lous Camperini, a troubled youth who transforms into an Olympic runner. His running goals while he became a World War II hero.
#6 The Barkely Marathons – MIND BLOWING Documentary about Trail Runners
Looking for the hardest race you could possible do? How about one that hardly one finishes?!
This documentary follows a trail race in Tennessee that seems designed simply to induce pain. It’s a strange, funny, intriguing story that will have you running extra miles to find out what’s next. Why the secret application? How is the route even created?!
#7 The Perfect Race – Drama with an Inspiring Story
Looking for an inspiring story to show that you should never give up? This is one of them.
This movie is about a female athlete at a small Christian college who works hard to overcome the obstacles thrown her way as she attempts to win a national title in the 800 meter run.
#8 Overcomer – Emotional Drama
This is the story of a high-school basketball coached asked to switch gears and become the school’s cross-country coach.
Little did he know by accepting this role that he would wind up being a huge influence in the lives of some of the cross-country students.
#9 Brittany Runs a Marathon – Drama based on real story, comedy
Some folks gave this backlash because she appears to lose weight…so what! A lot of us start running for that reason.
I thoroughly loved this movie because it felt relatable in that OMG running is so hard and yet I’m gonna keep doing it way. Her transformation isn’t really about the physical. Plus it’s one of the few comedies!
#10 Saint Ralph – Drama and Comedy
Another Boston Marathon movie, except this one is about a ninth grader who had set the big goal of winning the 1954 Boston Marathon.
No one believes that he can achieve this crazy goal but if you watch the entire film you’ll see he proved them all wrong.
A few other honorable mentions:
- The World’s Toughest Race – not strictly running but it motivated me!
- The Rocket – Overcoming obstacles
- Marathon Man – OLD school Dustin Hoffman Drama
- The Jericho Mile
- Personal Best
Now if you’re looking for more documentary-style watches, check out our list of the best running documentaries.
These are my top picks for motivation.
I don’t know what it is, but watching a movie about running while working out just pushes me. I think it’s the same reason that I listen to podcasts about running outside!
What’s your top running movie?
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I loved McFarland USA and I haven’t heard of many other people who’ve seen it. What a shame. My favorite is Spirit of the Marathon. I watched that before I ran my first Chicago. So much inspiration!
I don’t run on the treadmill, only outside, but I have watched MANY movies and shows on the elliptical. Particularly one summer when I was injured and couldn’t run for weeks. My favorite is always Spirit of the Marathon, but I’ve enjoyed lots of others (mist of the ones on your list). My favorite that’s not as well known is The Long Green Line (documentary of a HIgh School CrossCountry team, better than McFarland USA!) Here are a bunch more good ones, including documentaries, bio-pics, and some fiction. There Is No Finish Line (Joan Benoit Samuelson), Hood to Coast, Run for Your Life (Fred Lebow), From Fat to Finish Line (on Netflix), Runner’s High, Running America/Running the Sahara (Charlie Engle)? Desert Runners, Free to Run (Kathrine Switzer), The Great American Foot Race (bio pic), The Athlete (Abebe Bikila bio pic), Four Minute Mile (fiction), Run Fat Boy Run (fiction, comedy). And not running but swimming, The Other Shore (Diana Nyad).
Oooh, I really want to see “Fast Women” now – that sounds awesome!
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Run Lola Run–not about running at all, and in German, but some spectacular running scenes.
Tracktown with Alexi Pappas tells the convincing story of an overachieving runner who is “forced” to take one day off from training.
You aren’t missing anything with Chariots of Fire–all the running scenes are in the music video :)
The Source & The Ultra-Addict are both films about Courtney Dauwalter–super inspiring.
OHHHH thanks for the extra idea! I can’t believe I actually haven’t seen Alexi’s movie yet. Adding to list!