Maybe you're not a sports person. Maybe you don't even know what a first down is. However, the great thing about sports documentaries is that you don't have to like or even understand the game [1] to become deeply invested. If you teared up during Brian's Song and felt your heart grow three sizes while watching The Blind Side, chances are you'll find a documentary just as entertaining. From hockey to boxing to competitive cheerleading [2], Netflix has plenty of riveting sports documentaries [3] and docuseries available to stream, and while there aren't nearly as many films about women's sports as there should be, Netflix's selection still doesn't disappoint.
Icarus
Though Bryan Fogel first sought to explore the world of performance-enhancing drugs in cycling, the filmmaker instead uncovered a major international scandal: a state-sponsored Olympic doping program in Russia. In the film, he documents the means by which a lab allowed athletes to take performance-enhancing drugs, while evading detection from drug testing.
Watch Icarus on Netflix [5].
Cheer
This six-part docuseries follows the nationally-ranked 40-member Navarro College Cheer Team from Corsicana, TX, as they prepare to compete in the NCA Collegiate National Championships held annually in Daytona, FL. Why does this series have a cult following, you ask? Because coach Monica Aldama is tough AF, the stories of the cheerleaders [6] on the team will make you weep, and — most stressful of all — there are only 20 spots on the mat.
Watch Cheer on Netflix [7].
Conor McGregor: Notorious
Filmed over the course of four years, this documentary tracks Irish MMA champion Conor McGregor's rise to fame, telling the story of how he went from living in his parents' house in Dublin to winning multiple championship UFC belts. This one delivers explosive fight footage, a behind-the-scenes look at McGregor's life, and a pretty inspiring story to boot.
Watch Conor McGregor: Notorious on Netflix [8].
Iverson
This inspiring sports documentary follows the life of Allen Iverson, from an impoverished childhood to his reign as an 11-time NBA All-Star. If you've always wanted to know more about one of the best and most controversial players in NBA history, this one is definitely for you.
Watch Iverson on Netflix [9].
Tyson
You wouldn't expect a documentary about heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson to be a tear-jerker, but this film — which features archival footage and one-on-one interviews with the athlete himself — looks back on all the controversies that surrounded his career, and it's surprisingly poignant. Tyson eventually became better known for his tumultuous relationships and publicized disputes than his talent, and the documentary gives him a chance to revisit them.
Watch Tyson on Netflix [10].
Last Chance U
The creators of Cheer first gave viewers Last Chance U, a docuseries that follows football players at community colleges in Mississippi and Kansas, many of whom were removed from Division I rosters due to academic or disciplinary issues.
Watch Last Chance U on Netflix [11].
Losers
Combining animation with live action, this docuseries tells eight incredible tales of defeat from the sporting world, featuring interviews with famed athletes who've managed to turn historic losses into lessons learned. Athletes include golfer Jean van de Velde, curler Pat Ryan, and figure skater Surya Bonaly, among others.
Watch Losers on Netflix [12].
The Hurt Business
Mixed martial arts has grown over the years from a fringe event into a mainstream sport, and this documentary follows its rise to recognition. The film features both legendary and up-and-coming MMA fighters, and it follows the history of the sport from ancient Greece all the way to modern-day fighting rings.
Watch The Hurt Business on Netflix [13].
Undefeated
If you're a fan of Remember the Titans, you're probably going to love Undefeated. This documentary tells the story of the Manassas Tigers of Memphis, a struggling high school football team who can't manage to get a winning season — that is, until a new coach comes along to help them thrive as both students and players.
Watch Undefeated on Netflix [14].
Ice Guardians
"Enforcer" may not be an official position in hockey, but that doesn't make it any less important. This documentary revolves around ice hockey enforcers — whose job it is to call out and put a stop to dirty or violent behaviour on the ice — and it will definitely make you see the supposed "tough guys" of the NHL in a whole new light.
Watch Ice Guardians on Netflix [15].