If we sit down to list all the creative, productive, and valuable things we can do on weekends, that will not only be advantageous for our careers but also gratifying for ourselves and turn us into worthwhile human beings; there won’t be any end. But we can just be stuck with gymnastics movies.
So, like any lazy student – let’s not do it.
Instead, let’s start a Movie Marathon! Because what’s a better way to spend your weekend than watching back-to-back movies and eating junk food as you procrastinate on your assignment till the last moment while fending off a nagging voice from your conscience? Huh?
Top-Rated Gymnastics Films Ever Made
A source of inspiration and motivation for you to reach your full potential!
| Movie Name | Year | Rating | Gender | Genre | |
| 1 | ABC Afterschool Special (The Gymnast) | 1980 | 9.3 | Male&Female | Adventure/Comedy/Sport |
| 2 | White Palms | 2006 | 7.5 | Male | Drama/Sport |
| 3 | Nadia | 1984 | 7.4 | Female | Drama/Sport |
| 4 | Jump Ashin | 2011 | 7.1 | male | Drama/Sport |
| 5 | Kukolka | 1988 | 7.1 | Female | Romance/Sport |
| 6 | The Gabby Douglas Story | 2014 | 7.1 | Female | Drama/Sport/Biography |
| 7 | Full Out | 2015 | 6.5 | Female | Drama/Sport/Biography |
| 8 | The Gymnast | 2006 | 6.4 | Female | Drama/Sport/Romance |
| 9 | Stick it | 2006 | 6.4 | Female | Drama/Sport/Comedy |
| 10 | Perfect Body | 1997 | 6.3 | Female | Drama/Sport/Family |
| 11 | The Bronze | 2015 | 6 | Female | Drama/Sport/Comedy |
| 12 | An American Girl | 2012 | 6 | Female | Drama/Sport/Adventure |
| 13 | Raising The Bar | 2016 | 5.7 | Female | Family/Sport |
| 14 | Flying | 1986 | 5.4 | Male | Romance/Drama/Sport |
| 15 | A 2nd Chance | 2011 | 4.9 | Female | Drama/Sport/Family |
ABC After School Special (The Gymnast)
Summary
The story follows a 16-year-old girl determined to become a world-class gymnast. But that’s easier said than done. On the way, she has to deal with many things, struggle with unwavering obstacles and give up even more things, like food.
- Year: 1980
- Rating: 9.3
- Lead: Male & Female
- Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Sport
What Do We Think?
A sneak peek into the daily life of an aspiring gymnast.
White Palms
Summary
This is a story of a 30-year-old gymnast Miklos, suffering from deep psychological scars from his brutal training during childhood. He moves to Canada to start fresh as a coach but finds himself repeating the same cycle and inflicting the same agony on his pupils. Enters a young, troubled kid with the potential to become a world champion, who might be Miklos’s only chance at redemption.
- Year: 2006
- Rating: 7.5
- Lead: Male
- Genre: Drama, Sport
What Do We Think?
A beautiful and heart-touching story of redemption.
Nadia
Summary
The biopic of Nadia Comaneci, who received seven perfect 10s in the Montreal Olympics 1976, took to the uneven bars on Sunday, 18 July. She became the first and youngest gymnast to achieve that feat. A realistic uptake on how much effort goes into gymnastics.
- Year: 1984
- Rating: 7.4
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Drama, Sport, Biography
What Do We Think?
An inspiring tale that is perfect for up-and-coming gymnasts.
Jump Ashin
Summary
This is a story of a Taiwanese boy who’s only ever loved gymnastics and trained for it his whole life. However, his mother fails to see his devotion and takes him off the school gymnastics team, where he is preparing for the national team. Dejected upon having his dream snatched from him, Ashin falls in with the wrong crowd, encountering drugs and fights. After hitting rock bottom, the boy realizes the importance of his dream and decides to give it another chance.
- Year: 2011
- Rating: 7.1
- Lead: Male
- Genre: Drama, Sport
What Do We Think?
Pretty well-executed and finely paced. Plus, the leading actor is cute!
Kukolka
Summary
This is a story of a young Russian gymnast forced to quit her sport due to an injury. She returns to the life of an ordinary teenager, but the world that raised her was ordinary. The movie takes an intense, dark, and horrifying turn that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
- Year: 1988
- Rating: 7.1
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Romance, Sport
What Do We Think?
It is as disturbing as it is unforgettable. The movie shows the dark side of sports and how it affects young minds.
The Gabby Douglas Story
Summary
Biopic of Gabby Douglas, who became the first black gymnast in Olympic history to achieve the All-around champion title. She was also the first American to win the gold medal in individual and team competitions. This gymnastics movie shows how many obstacles she had to overcome to gain that achievement.
- Year: 2014
- Rating: 7.1
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Drama, Sport, Biography
What Do We Think?
Thankfully, a person of color is finally in gymnastics.
Fall Out
Summary
This is a biography of Ariana Berlin, an American gymnast who suffered crushing inquiries in a car accident. She was forced to quit competitive gymnastics. She learned the sport through dancing before going to the top.
- Year: 2015
- Rating: 6.5
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Drama, Sport, Biography
What Do We Think?
The story teaches us never to accept defeat, even in extreme adversity.
The Gymnast
Summary
A romantic story about a talented gymnast who was forced to quit competing after a fatal injury and a mysterious dancer who fights society’s ideas of gender and sexual identity. Both find solace in each other as they prepare their act to audition in the Los Vegas Show.
- Year: 2006
- Rating: 6.4
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Drama, Sport, Romance
What Do We Think?
Cinematically beautiful with an alluring story.
Stick It
Summary
The movie follows Haley, a 17-year-old gymnast who was previously a world champion but went into self-imposed retirement when she realized the unfairness of judging rules. However, because of behavioral issues and brush-ups with the law, she finds herself at an elite gymnastics academy and is forced to participate in competitive gymnastics once again. With her rebellious nature, she starts a revolution in the gymnastics world.
- Year: 2006
- Rating: 6.4
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Drama, Sport, Comedy
What Do We Think?
A truly inspiring story showing gymnastics is not as fair and beautiful as it looks.
Perfect Body
Summary
The story of a talented 15-year-old gymnast who dreams of joining the Olympics team. However, she develops eating disorders under the strict training of her coach. The movie follows her as she struggles with her eating disorder in hopes of having a perfect body.
- Year: 1997
- Rating: 6.3
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Drama, Sport, Family
What Do We Think?
A disturbingly realistic outlook that reveals the truth behind the perfect and beautiful bodies of gymnasts.
The Bronze
Summary
The former Olympic medalist lives off her celebrity status in her hometown but is broke and poor. She was forced to take action upon hearing that a young gymnast might be taking over her position. At the request of her former and now head coach, she agrees to train the new gymnast. But all is not fair.
- Year: 2015
- Rating: 6
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Drama, Sport, Comedy
What Do We Think?
A movie made for gags. Just focus on laughing.
An American Girl: McKenna Shoots for the Stars
Summary
One of the family drama gymnastics movies, based on the American Girl series books written by Mary Casanova, is the sixth movie of the series. It follows the life of an adolescent girl as he struggles to achieve her dream of becoming an Olympic gymnast. However, her parents oppose her decision and want her to focus on her studies. The movie shows the conflict as the young girl tries to balance dreams and reality.
- Year: 2012
- Rating: 6
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Drama, Sport, Adventure
What Do We Think?
A perfect movie for young adults who want to follow their dream but are afraid of not achieving it.
Raising the Bar
Summary
The story of a 16-year-old gymnast who was previously part of an elite gymnastics program. However, she quit because of mysterious reasons. After moving to Australia to escape from gymnastics, she is again forced to become part of this world to help a friend. The movie follows her as she makes amends for past mistakes and reveals her reasons for quitting.
- Year: 2016
- Rating: 5.7
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Family, Sport
What Do We Think?
A family movie heavy on the drama category but overall fun.
Flying
Summary
A teen movie about a teen gymnast champion whose life takes a turn for the worse when she receives injuries in a car accident that also kills her father. This gymnastics movie story follows our female lead as she tries to overcome the odds, find love, and achieve her dream.
- Year: 2016
- Rating: 5.7
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Family, Sport
What Do We Think?
A perfect movie for teenagers. Who can resist a Teen Keanu Reeves?
A 2nd Chance
Summary
Atypical story of a rivalry between two adolescent girls trying to land a position on the national gymnastics team. Both are trying to land a position. The movie follows these girls as they face obstacles in life.
- Year: 2011
- Rating: 4.9
- Lead: Female
- Genre: Drama, Sport, Family
What Do We Think?
A perfect film for young adults to watch and enjoy with their families.
Closing Notes
Sports are unique in this way because they physically manifest a person’s spirit, efforts, and struggles. Things that are otherwise abstract and taken for granted because of it. People doing sports not only train their bodies but also discipline their minds as well. You can learn many things from watching sports and gymnastics movies and more if you do them. But let’s not think about that right now. Without further ado, watch on!
