Movies Like Thirty Years of Pain: History of the World's Strongest Man

If you liked Thirty Years of Pain: History of the World's Strongest Man (2008), a movie directed by James Reilly, here are 20 movies with a similar feel, based on TMDB's recommendations. Each one links to its cast, trailer and where it's streaming.

1
Pumping Iron (1977)
★ 7.2/10
Amateur and professional bodybuilders prepare for the 1975 Mr. Olympia and Mr. Universe contests as five-time champion Arnold Schwarzenegger defends his Mr. Olympia title against Serge Nubret and the shy young Lou…
2
Ronnie Coleman: The King (2018)
★ 6.7/10
Ronnie Coleman is known as "The King" and for good reason. He is the 8x Mr. Olympia champion in the world of bodybuilding - sharing the world record for most Olympia wins. Now retired, he has undergone over 6 surgeries…
3
Generation Iron 2 (2017)
★ 6.8/10
From the director of Generation Iron, comes the anticipated sequel that will depict 5 of the top bodybuilding and fitness mega-stars on a quest of achieving the ultimate physique and taking it to the next extreme…
4
The Redeem Team (2022)
★ 7.4/10
Using unprecedented Olympic footage and behind-the-scenes material, The Redeem Team tells the story of the US Olympic Men's Basketball Team’s quest for gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing following the previous…
5
Wick Is Pain (2025)
★ 7.4/10
Witness the never-before-seen footage and true story behind the John Wick phenomenon – from independent film to billion-dollar franchise.
6
Tyson (2008)
★ 6.8/10
Director James Toback takes an unflinching, uncompromising look at the life of Mike Tyson--almost solely from the perspective of the man himself. TYSON alternates between the controversial boxer addressing the camera…
7
Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds (2025)
★ 6.9/10
The elite pilots of the Air Force Thunderbirds display exceptional skill, trust and courage during a high-stakes training season.
8
Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20 (2022)
★ 7.2/10
An inside look at one of the most anticipated movie sequels ever with James Cameron and cast.
9
Icarus (2017)
★ 7.6/10
While investigating the furtive world of illegal doping in sports, director Bryan Fogel connects with renegade Russian scientist Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov—a pillar of his country’s “anti-doping” program. Over dozens of…
10
The Class of ‘92 (2013)
★ 7.1/10
A detailing of the rise to prominence and global sporting superstardom of six supremely talented young Manchester United football players (David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil and Gary Neville)…
11
Conor McGregor: Notorious (2017)
★ 6.9/10
Conor McGregor is the biggest star in the history of Mixed Martial Arts. Filmed over the course of 4 years, Notorious is the exclusive, all-access account of Conor’s meteoric rise from claiming benefits and living in…
12
Lionel Messi: Destiny (2023)
★ 7.8/10
Behind-the-scenes documentary about how Lionel Messi succeeded in lifting the World Cup – the only trophy to have eluded him in an incredible career.
13
Three the Hard Way (1974)
★ 6.2/10
After his wife is kidnapped by a group of White supremacists, a record producer teams up with a PR man and a martial artist to get her back and put a stop to their plot to poison the water supply with a toxin that only…
14
More than a Game (2008)
★ 7.3/10
This documentary follows NBA superstar LeBron James and four of his talented teammates through the trials and tribulations of high school basketball in Ohio and James' journey to fame.
15
Jackie Chan: My Story (1998)
★ 6.3/10
Jackie Chan is one of the world's biggest action stars, famed for his wacky sense of humor, remarkable martial arts techniques, and willingness to perform incredible stunts without the use of doubles -- or a net. This…
16
Western Stars (2019)
★ 7/10
The incomparable Bruce Springsteen performs his critically acclaimed latest album and muses on life, rock, and the American dream, in this intimate and personal concert film co-directed by Thom Zimny and Springsteen…
17
Beyond the Mat (1999)
★ 7.3/10
A heartfelt documentary focusing on the day-to-day lives of professional wrestlers, some on the rise, some on the wane, and others fighting for their lives.
18
The Age of Stupid (2009)
★ 6.6/10
Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in the devastated future world of 2055, looking at old footage from 2008 and asking: why didn’t we stop climate change when we had the chance?
19
Magazine Dreams (2025)
★ 7/10
Aspiring bodybuilder Killian Maddox struggles to find human connection in an exploration of celebrity and violence. Nothing deters him from his fiercely protected dream of superstardom, not even the doctors who warn…
20
You Cannot Kill David Arquette (2020)
★ 6.7/10
Following his infamous championship as part of a marketing stunt for the film Ready to Rumble, David Arquette is widely known as the most hated man in pro-wrestling worldwide. Nearly 20 years after he "won" the initial…