The Most Influential Boxing Movies From the Past 50 Years

Let's talk boxing films. Movie fans have been privileged over the years to view some incredible movies regarding the great sport of boxing. Boxers are in their own league of athletic beast, and often have to train harder than athletes in other sport while cutting weight.

While there have been a bevy of awesome films about boxing, only a few make my final cut. Here are my top 5 favorite films about boxing.

Even though it is not my favorite of the lot, Rocky is probably the most iconic film on this list. Who hasn't seen Rocky? It is the quintessential underdog film and was good enough to get Stallone a statue in the city of Brotherly Love.

Raging Bull may very well be Robert De Niro's finest performance. Along with The Deer Hunter, these are the two best De Niro and Scorcese collaborations. The fact that this film is done in black and white just adds to the allure for me.

In Million Dollar Baby, Hillary Swank stars as Maggie Fitzgerald, a determined amateur boxer who is trained by the hardened and reluctant Frankie Dunn, who is played by Clint Eastwood. This film was well deserving of the Best Picture of The Year Award that it took home in 2006.

After over 15 years since Rocky 5 was released, Stallone stepped back in the ring in the film Rocky Balboa. This film recaptured the greatness of the franchise and reminded us what we loved about this character.

The Hurricane stars Denzel Washington in one of his finest roles as the fighter Rubin "Hurricane" Carter. Directed by Norman Jewison, it is no surprise this film received so much acclaim. One of Denzel's best roles to date.

These are just some of the best boxing films to date, however there are definitely others that did not make the list, but were worth consideration.

When not giving his thoughts on movies and sports, this author frequently writes about auto body topics like the diesel exhaust tips and diesel exhaust stacks.