Olympic Movies

Citius. Altius. Fortius. Faster. Higher. Stronger.

With the Paris Olympics at hand, it’s a good time to consider Olympic (or sports) themed movies you and your family can watch while you’re waiting for your favorite events.

One hundred years ago, Paris hosted the Olympics, an event that provides the denouement for Chariots of Fire.(PG, Grade: A)This Oscar winner remains one of our favorite films, not only weaving a gripping tale of athletic achievement for some driven British runners, but also showcasing the virtues of integrity, self-respect, and persistence.

The 1936 Berlin Olympics were meant to be a showcase for Hitler’s Germany, but American sprinter Jesse Owens turned Hitler’s dreams upside down. After battling racism in the USA, Owens delivers a blow against the Nazi regime’s obsession with racial supremacy. Race (PG-13, Grade: B+) is a fine choice for adult and teen viewers.

The Boys in the Boat (PG-13, Grade: B) is also focused on the 1936 Olympics. In this underdog tale, a college rowing team from the University of Washington goes for the gold, pushing through the financial challenges of the Great Depression.

If you’re looking for a comical sports film that you can watch with the kids, check out Cool Runnings (PG, Grade: A-). This laugh-out-loud story recounts the adventures of the Jamaican bobsled team (yes, you heard that correctly) at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

Also set at the 1988 Calgary Olympics is Eddie the Eagle (PG-13, Grade: B+), the story of a British ski-jumper of such spectacular mediocrity that he became a fan favorite at the event.

The 1996 Atlantic Olympic Games introduced the world to Haile Gebrselassie, an Ethiopian long-distance runner. Endurance (PG, Grade: A) follows his story from childhood poverty to world-recognized achievement.

If you want to know where these films are streaming in your country, check out justwatch.com or reelgood.com.